[Undeniable Interests]The Search for Knowledge (Jaq)

[Weyliss]

Weyliss turned to respond to his companion when the bartender stepped forward. To glare implies that you dislike someone. The burly man behind the bar, didn't so much give off an aura of dislike, as he did one of outright murder.

"Weyliss. I think I was pretty clear about-"

Weyliss turned, all grins as he pulled the pipe from his mouth. Reaching under his belt with one hand, he quickly took a seat at the bar.

"Kevith! Dearest of all my friends!"

Still smiling, the man withdrew what looked to be a small pouch. Throwing it onto the counter, he kept flashing a rediculously large grin at their host. For his part, Kevith simply palmed the pouch, and shook it, the slight jingling gave away the pouch's contents. Frowning, the man simply sight and stuffed the gold under the counter, turning back to Weyliss as the latter started to suck on his pipe again.

"...and what would it be sir?"

The murderous look had turned to one of dull irritation, as if he was suffering from a particularly painful ailment, but couldn't quite figure out how to solve it. For his part, Weyliss turned his head to the side, away from his companion, and exhaled the smoke. Canting his head to the side, he gave the bartender a wink.

"My friend here, has never enjoyed your ale, and I would like a beer."

Rolling his eyes at Weyliss' cavalier attitude, the bartender moved to grab a few mugs. The warrior simply puffed on his pipe for a long moment before turning to Jaq.

"Good place this. You won't find much for 'ard liqour, but they have some damn fine ale and beer."

Pouring said alcohol, Kevith turned a head to the two, and then brought over two full mugs. Weyliss grabbed for the foaming one, as the bartender set the other down in front of Jaq. Then the man was off, moving to the back to either clean, or curse Weyliss' name in private. It was hard to tell.

Taking a rather long pull from the pewter mug, Weyliss let loose a contented sigh as he placed the cup on the bar counter. Still holding the pipe in his off-hand he turned and offered it to Jaq.

"Aye, try some o' this. Then, after enjoying some ale, I would like to ask how things have been as of recent? Ive been 'lost in the woods' so to say, any good jobs come down?"

The tobbacco in the pipe was some of Weyliss' favorite, picked far to the north, it had a rather 'thick, meaty' taste about it, with the smallest hit of berry.

[Jaquise Emittere]

Jaq took a swig of the offered cup and looked around. The man who had been glaring at Weyliss had disappeared, and there was no one else at the bar at the moment. Jaq set the cup down and turned his good eye back to Weyliss.

"All jobs one come's back from are good, or at least that's my opinion. But nothing big now a days. The usual caravan guarding is what's been putting money in my purse. Course its stuff like this," Jaq picked up the cup and took another swig then set it down again, "that keeps taking it out again."

Jaq failed to mention that his Animation projects were also a big part of why he had so little to spend. Weyliss might remember the fact that Jaq could do magic, but he wasn't sure he wanted that topic to be discussed in a room full of people who might be dipping into the sauce in a little while. The majority of people often have funny feelings about Magician's, or wizards, or whatever you want to call them. Its to bad Jaq never really got the joke.

The bartender walked by again to go serve three new people who had just entered the bar, they had the look of day laborers about them so Jaq didn't give them more then a once over. When he passed by Jaq's spot he gave the man a nod and a raise of his glass.

"Not bad at all."

[Weyliss]

"No, no it ain't."

This was directed at his own mug as Weyliss took another pull. The man leaned back on his stool, trying his best to drain a good portion of the tankard. He was rewarded with foam sticking to his goatee, as he eyed the other man.

"You are right about the jobs. I've not been able to find anything really solid for going on three weeks. Just a slow season I guess. Although, I did hear of a particularly well-paying job involving goods being moved to Black Rock. Then again, thats if you want to stomach the isle of the dead."

The man leaned back. Taking another pull from the pipe, he reflected on the recent times. In between jobs, he had been losing his motivation. His desire to help people went beyond mere gold. Yet, as of late, that desire to throw himself blindly into danger was thinning.

Still contemplating, the smaller man took another smoke, as set the mug down.

[Jaquise Emittere]

At the mention of Black Rock Jaq felt an uneasiness. He downed the rest of his drink in hopes of quelling it. When he finished the mercenary raised his cup to signal for a refill.

"It'd have to be a lot of coin to get this pale swordsman on a boat. Traveling by water usually leaves me indisposed for the duration of the journey."

The bartender walked by again and took Jaq's mug, returning it a moment later filled near to the brim. He then moved over to the three new people, who had mirrored Jaq's request with one of their own.

"Not to mention that city is rather morbid for my tastes." Jaq took another swig of his drink and turned to Weyliss. "So you say you were lost in the woods huh? How did you find your way out?"

[Weyliss]

The young warrior grunted in agreement of the other man's assessment of Black Rock, as well as boats. Looking down, he withdrew a thick-looking pouch, and dumped the contents of the pipe into it. The ash removed, he withdrew a small cloth from his pocket, and started to rub at the empty bowl.

At the other man's final query Weyliss stopped. He looked up sharply, and for just a second, the features looked visibly shaken. As if the smallest of cracks had appeared over an otherwise jovial facade. In the next breath it had disappeared, replaced by a serene, if embarrassed smile.

I didn't.

"Sometimes, when your back is between a rock and a hard place, you just have to keep pushing. Eventually, something will give."

Looking down again, he finished cleaning the pipe, and then moved to slip it into his pocket. As he did so, he eyed the other man's sword.

"So, tell me friend. What do you think of the katana? A bit exotic don't ya think? I mean, I prefer a standard longsword. Heavier, and much easier to put the ... bigger, or better armored things down. A katana is good for slashing granted, but I never put much stock in them due to their lack of hitting power. Never fought an Akalak, but I find it hard to believe that a slim blade would take a fully armored blue man down."

As he spoke, Weyliss made several cutting motions with his arms, and gave the other man a sort of grin. As he did so, the bartender rolled his eyes before refilling the man's beer.

[Jaquise Emittere]

Jaq caught the look Weyliss had at the mention of the forest and decided against asking anymore questions about it. Whatever had happened to him, it must have been traumatic. The pale man was happy when his companion started smiling again and moved the discussion along to another topic.

"Perhaps you see a weak weapon, but in truth the better of these blades can cut through multiple people in one swing. They used to test such during public executions a great long while ago. Some blades were able to go through as many as three prisoners. Quite grizzly, but no less true for it."

Jaq took another sip of his drink, savoring the flavor now as opposed to simply wetting his gullet. There was a certain taste to it that made it a rather enjoyable experience.

"As for facing Akalaks, I cannot be certain because I have never used a real blade against one. However I can truthfully say during my time in Riverfall that several of there warriors feel to a practice blade in my hands. Of course I probably fell a great deal more of the time, but that's more an issue of experience."

Jaq laughed at admitting loss, showing that he was none to embarrassed about the fact. Who would judge him for losing against an Akalak? Certainly not anyone who had met one of their kind face to face.

[Weyliss]

Weyliss grinned as he started to work on his newly replenished mug. Savoring the 'zest' of the beer, the young man looked about. As was expected, a few of the regular patrons where starting to trickle in. The mercenary took note of a rather grizzly looking man making his way to the corner, as well as a rather popular masseuse.


Turning back to his companion, the smaller man gave a grin.

"Aye, the one Akalak I met was a murderous insane thing. About lost 'me head. Havn't seen another, and I'd go to Sahova before I ever paid a visit to Riverfall."

Taking another, longer pull. Weyliss realized he was starting to feel it. That warm fuzzy feeling, with a hint of carelessness. And only after two mugs. Shaking his head, the man leaned forward and placed his elbows on the bar, looking down into the foaming mug before him.

"Hmm. As for the katana, I dunno. I guess I'd have to see one being used."

Absently the man eyed the masseuse out of the corner of his eye. It was a practiced, manly art, oggling without actually looking. Something young men started, and with age was perfected. So while he was thinking, the young man was eyeing her rather prominent curves. She did have them in all the right places...

For a long moment the man said nothing, instead enjoying both the beer, and the sight of the blonde as she leaned over to take a seat. Nothing like a small blouse to get the imagination firing...

Turning back to Jaq, the young man blinked. He'd completely forgotten what he was talking about. He wasn't sure if he remembered Jaq fighting something, or if it was just his imagination, but it did stir a curiosity.

"So you learned how to fight from Akalaks? I guess that would be quite the skill for a merc."

Turning now, he raised the cup and knocked another swig back, before suppressing a burp.

" What do you plan to do later on anyhow? The only mercs I've met are doing it part time, for the money, or whatnot, few people keep at it for any length of time. You have some grand plan, or you just riding the torrents?"

The man emphasized the last with a toast to nobody in particular before finishing the mug off.

[Jaquise Emittere]

Jaq smiled as he thought back to his time spent in Riverfall. It had been some of the best years of his life. His focus had been on the present on enjoying himself as much as he could. Jaq had made a few enemies there, but he had made a great deal more friends. "Riverfall ain't such a bad place I'll tell ya. There's a certain charm to the place that really appeals to someone like me. And they have a wine their called shariot. Its a light drink for the akalaks but for use human's its got more stopping power then any blade I've ever seen."

Jaq took a swallow and followed the young man's eyes to the pretty lady in the corner. She seemed quite good looking and that warm feeling in Jaq's gut told him she was even prettier then she looked. A cool voice spoke in the back of his mind, warning him against pursuing the woman. Zagarek spoke up through there telepathic link. 'She has the air of a professional about her.' Jaq, seeing through the haze of his alcohol induced daze, realized that his familiar was right. She had all the right curves,, and new exactly how to show them off. Jaq shook his head and turned back to Weyliss.

"There be a truth in what you say. Seeing something can make it a great deal easier to accept." Jaq paused and took another drink from his cup. He was slowing down now, savoring the flavor as much as the buzz the drink brought him. "There are things out there though that even seeing does not always mean believing."

The words would have probably held a great more mystery to them if Jaq didn't follow up the sentence with a belch. The pale man covered his mouth with his arm and excused himself with a laugh. "Me? Plans? I suppose you can call it that."

Zagarek interrupted before Jaq could reveal more. 'Careful what you say wizard. Secrecy is the only way to ensure my saftey.' The cold voice sounded a tad annoyed that it had to deal with Jaq when he was drunk. Out of courtesy to his new friend he had avoided drinking since his return from Sahova. That had not been easy for Jaq but sacrifices had to be made. Now though he was thirsty, and he had things he wanted to forget.

'I will not reveal your presence, I assure you of that. However I do have plans, and perhaps if he is in the know about my golem making he can help.' Jaq sent the thoughts to Zagarek all the while pretending to think over his next words. With his dull mind it wasn't that much of a reach for him.

'Better someone you know then having to find someone you don't? I see wisdom in this train of thought. Be wary though, magic is not common place. Despite your past experience with this warrior he might not be so accepting of your skills.' Jaq nodded in agreement at this and decided to make go a more subtle route then simply speaking aloud he could do magic.

"To many times have I found myself wishing I had some kind of reliable back up. Mercenaries are fine but they bleed just as well as I do, no offense to you." Jaq sipped his drink once more and leaned in closer to Weyliss so that he could whisper his next words. "I've heard word of people who can make things. They call them Golem's. Things made of wood and metal. They can be made to fight, can take a beating, and best of all they follow orders. Imagine, a warrior by your side that doesn't bleed, that doesn't tire, and that follows your every word." Jaq gave a grim smile in hopes of selling what he was speaking. "Damn things are expensive though, and that's not even taking into account that you have to find all the necessary bits and pieces they need to make the things. Like someone who can use the weapon you want the golem to use. It's gotta be taught or something along those lines."

Secret :

the '...' Are telepathic sendings between Jaq and his new familiar. He wasn't in any earlier posts cause the grandfathered thread that Jaq gets it in just finished. Sorry for the confusion.

[Weyliss]

Weyliss had a small exercise that he practiced whenever drinking. It went along the lines of 'remember how many drinks you've had.' In this case, he hadn't the foggiest idea anymore. As the other man spoke, the bartender had refilled his mug one more time. The warrior assumed that his former mug had been drained rather quickly. Or, judging by the way his companion was leaning forward, this Jaq fellow had gotten thirsty.

Leaning back on his stool, Weyliss sort of eyed the other man blinking at nobody in particular. Then he was leaning forward squinting, as his brain tried to tie Jaq's words into something resembling coherent sentences. It was mostly successful.

"Golems. I'd heard of such things."

He sort of moved his head to the side, eyeing the masseuse and the group of young men coming to her attention. His head fell for a second, eyes almost closing before he brightened up and took a quick swig of the beer to steady himself. Raising a finger he addressed Jaq.

"Rumors and legend speak of a pre-valterrian Golem living in Sahova. Created by the gods, she bided her time during the cataclysm. They say she's returned, like an unruly child with a grudge. A rebellious thing with an appetite for manipulation."

The young man didn't so much add to the conversation, as make a point. Be careful what you create. Wether his companion caught on, or not, was entirely up to him.
Even in his rather slurred haze, Weyliss recognized the significance of this man coming to him rather then a well trained wizard in Zetiva.

He couldn't find his pipe anymore, and assumed that he had at some point put it away. Instead, he took another pull from the beer and flashed a foam-covered smile.

"Such a thing would be grand indeed. A guard who never sleeps. Something that can absorb the blows while you flank your enemy. Would be an interesting thing to see. Although you would need someone very good indeed to train it. Give it the knowledge of how to swing a sword and use a shield."

Another drink, and another smile.

"I might even know one or two."

A mental groan occured as the young man realized he seemed to only find Syliras' strangest. First the assassin girl. Now this seemingly merc, who was apparently a wizard to some degree.

Would explain the eye...

Grinning, the warrior gave a toast to the unknowing lady of the night before finishing the pewter mug's contents.

[Jaquise Emittere]

Jaq raised his mug to his lips then stopped, trying to remember if this was his third or fourth glass. He was reasonably sure it was his third. 'It has been 6 glasses wizard, I suggest you stop before I am forced to direct you to your tent.'

The cold voice surprised the pale man, making him jump and look around as if someone had just called his name. A moment passed before he realized it had been Zagarek speaking in his head. Another moment passed before he understood the significance of the being's words. "Six?" He said aloud, questioningly. "Mighty fine drink to bring me to six with only the memory of three."

Jaq set his mug down and turned to Weyliss. In almost over the top way he leaned into hear what the man was saying. The story sounded interesting, but Jaq wondered about the truth inherent within the words. His mind in haze he spent a few moments contemplating the story. The only god he had ever heard of making golem's was the god of undead, who made the Nuits. Was there another. Unable to remember Jaq shrugged and reached for his mug. Just as he was about to take a drink he stopped and forced himself to remember how many drinks he had. Four sounded about right. As he nursed the drink he heard a cold sigh in his mind.

Jaq looked to Weyliss and recalled the story he had been told just a moment ago. It sounded like a warning. "There's little need to fear, if the Animator I know could make thing that intelligent I doubt he'd be in such dire straits as I...er he is in. In fact, he made this sword on my waist into a golem. Tells me when someone nearby draws a blade, and draws for none but my hands. I can even turn that first part on and off by simply saying a few words, or I can make exceptions for my allies by naming them such while they hold the thing."

The last part of his drinking companions words intrigued Jaq. "I bet I could convince the man whose making my guard a sword much like the one he made me in payment for your friends services." Jaq reached for his mug, which had just been refilled, and wondered how many drinks he had so far. Probably not more then four he was sure.