When a Charoda is Out of Her Depth (Open)

[Lutaaria]

Year 511 AV, 40th Of Summer It must have been strange to see this strange amphibious fish woman walking through the gates. Many people must never even seen a Charoda before. Lutaaria was still slightly wet so her rubbery feet made a light slopping sound as she walked into the bustling city. This place was so different to Charbosi… it wasn’t carved, it was built… from stone, and from hard work. Charbosi was delicately chipped away into the coral, gleaming on the edge of a beautiful glimmering abyss. Yet somehow Lutaaria couldn’t help but like this place, despite the funny looks she was getting. They glanced right off of her as if her shiny skin was a shield. Nothing could upset her on the glorious day, the culmination of her hard study, finally meeting the people that breathe air and live above the sea! “Greetings, land dwellers!” She called out, waving manically and waggling her webbed fingers. “I hail from Charbosi, home of the Charoda! Do not be afraid, my intention is not to harm you!” She needed to make herself quite clear. She was gathering even more funny looks now, and she quickly took out her notebook and began to write. “The natives are inherently curious, they seem to find me bizarre. I hope they do not attack me. The are even more peculiar looking than I was prepared for, how glorious!” She almost split her face in two with a ridiculous grin, and she began to look around for her guide. The Charodae had promised her a guide, an aide? She was sure she was to meet up with… someone? The people who sent her here must have organised her a house or some rudimentary form of shelter… mustn’t they? Just then she remembered the letter her Charodae escorts had supplied her with, and she fumbled around in her belt and found it. “Sorry Lutaaria, our apologies but your guide has pulled out at the last minute! Hoping you will be able to negotiate something. Happy travels.” She stood around and gazed again at the curious onlookers. What was she supposed to do now? Where would she stay, what would she do? The doubts circled her mind for mere seconds before she reached a conclusion- as an explorer and ambassador of the Charodae race, she would have to find one herself. “Hello races of the earthen-terrain realm, would anyone be kind enough to guide me around this city and supply me with information surrounding their culture? I am an explorer, writer and ambassador from Charbosi, and I would most graciously accept any assistance from a kind individual!”

[Balthasar Wagner]

Balthasar was once again on the prowl to make a quick miza. He had plans to make a pickpocketing route which would start at the gate, where the largest concentrations of people were usually, and end at his favorite tavern. As he walked towards the main square where the gate was, he noticed a crowd gathering near where the gates were. He stayed his hand from the wallets, as he wasn't quite good enough to pickpocket wallets without anyone knowing yet. Normally, he would violently tug away at the wallet and disappear before the person see a face on the thief.

When he finally arrived at the front of the line, he looked upon a fish-like, humanoid creature. Balthasar had seen some of the other races mingling with the crowd, but he was new to the Charoda. He was surprised when she started speaking the common language quite fluently, "Hello races of the earthen-terrain realm, would anyone be kind enough to guide me around this city and supply me with information surrounding their culture? I am an explorer, writer and ambassador from Charbosi, and I would most graciously accept any assistance from a kind individual!" The people in the crowd started murmuring amongst themselves, trying to figure out what to do.

Balthasar saw a golden opportunity to live like a king. He stepped forward in his tattered, white cotton shirt and leather vest and drew his sword, ostentatiously pointing it at the sky. "I am Balthasar Vagner, a humble commoner around here, but I can show you all of ze best restaurants and best inns for you," said Balthasar while waving his sword around and finally sheathing it. Hopefully, she would buy into his showy personality and let him guide her through the city. He also was hoping that she would use his money to let him sleep in a bed, something he hadn't seen in months.

[Thomas]

Being new to Syliras himself, Thomas could immediately relate to Lutaaria. Despite their different physical appearances, he had a gut feeling she had the same feeling of misplacement in the pit of her stomach. He only assumed this, because she certainly stuck out like a sore thumb. He only hoped his uncertainty wasn't as obvious. He was physically intimidating enough to ward off any potential threats, true, but deep down, he was scared to be alone. He saw this as his opportunity to not only make a friend, but a traveling companion. He approached her and initiated with a confident "Hello" and extended his hand for a hearty handshake. He added with a bit of a grin, "I noticed you from across the way, and couldn't help but jump to the conclusion you were lost. I only assumed, because I recognize the expression you're wearing as the same one I have had plastered on my face since I've arrived." He hoped his charm had worked enough to draw a response from her, and any response other than "Bugger off" would be considered progress.

[Lutaaria]

Lutaaria pulled her arms inward and stepped back as the young man, Balthasar, pulled out a large pointed weapon and began waving it about. Weapons! Now why would someone need that! However, he seemed friendly and welcoming, and as he spoke with a slight accent she felt more able to relate to the man. Another stocky dark haired human extended a large hand and Lutaaria shook it eagerly, her webbed fingers making it slightly awkward. He was also grinning happily and it made her feel instantly at home. “Greetings! I see you are both of humankind, how glorious! Isn’t it strange how dry your skin is, very peculiar. I shall need to take notes on that…” She made an odd movement as if to lower her hand to her notebook and pencil, but she decided against it. “It would be simply marvellous to take notes on your culture and behavioural disposition! You appear to be fine, friendly folk… although I am not sure about that serrated object, it looks as if it was intended to be used as a weapon!” She motioned to Balthasars sword. This seemed like an excellent opportunity to educate the humans about the dangers of weaponry, but the Charoda was much more willing to learn about the humans and the town. “Well, men, I would much like to hear about your way of life and this marvellous settlement, is there anywhere we could go to discuss such matters?”

[Balthasar Wagner]

The crowd began to disperse when Balthasar stepped up to the plate to help the foreigners. "Vell, ze more ze merrier!" exclaimed Balthasar when the shorter but much bulkier man wanted to join the group. The man had a simplistic look on his face, a very non-threatening one and no hints of weathering or scarring on his face. Balthasar concluded that this man had quite the normal upbringing much like his own up until his fourteenth birthday. As for the Charoda, well, he had never met one, so he could not read any history from any physical appearances.

"Oh, but how rude of me!" exclaimed Balthasar, "Velcome to Syliras! Ve are currently outside of ze castle, vhere most of ze better shops and restaurants are. Outside of zese valls reside most of ze commoners, and zese parts are a little more dangerous, so zat is vhy you can see many people around here are carrying veapons zough not openly like me. So if you vill follow me, I vill take you to Stormhold Castle!"

There was only a single path that led from the city gates to the castle gates. "Follow me, and don't go vandering off! Zis pass is much more safer zan ze dark alleys surrounding it." The streets were busy with people walking all around the area. As he walked along the path, he started imagining a nice, warm meal and a soft bed.

[Runas]

Runas was lounging against the wall of Traveler's Row nearest the Main Gates when she'd heard the sounds of distinct murmuring and the excited wail of a young feminine voice. The accent was vaguely familiar, reminiscent of a man-fish stumbled across while returning from the coast with a wizard on her arm. That being had called her divine, and she'd corrected him before asking what he was.

Charoda.

With a devious smile, the currently Eypharian Ethaefal woman pushed off the wall and started towards a small group with the Charoda herself. Two men and a poor little fish. She'd not live that long if she opened her heart so willingly to any human. At least, she was sure they were human men. These days, all mortals were beginning to look the same.

With a dismiss of the thought, Runas stopped before this lovely little trio and lifted her fine eyebrows as she looked at them, settling her eyes on the Charoda woman last before smiling slightly.

"It has been many years since I last saw a Charoda. And you have come far to arrive in Syliras. May I ask why you'd come here, lovely scale woman?" Her voice was soft, alluring. She wasn't seducing the woman, just urging her to spill her guts with subtle persuasion.

"My name, by the way, is Tawna." Runas flashed dark green eyes at all three as though daring them to challenge her claim. They didn't know what she was, and only the special ones like Victor and Lucas knew of her two forms. "And yours?"