Completed [The Rearing Stallion]Short Tales, not Tall

[Crypt]

“And that is where you are wrong. Does the governor think that he is wrong or right in doing so? He feels that it is right, and hence not evil. This is meta-ethical moral relativism.” Crypt could almost feel the pages of parchment of one of his grandfather's books. “People are unable to agree on what Evil or Good is, what Right or Wrong is. They debate endlessly on whether an action is morally right or wrong. These are relative to the traditions, beliefs and practices of an individual or a group of people, usually a society. Would a group of cannibals call capturing humans and eating human flesh Evil? No. At best it would be a necessary Evil. To them it would be just a way to survive, good even. Yet that act is anathema to the humans' companions, who may seek revenge for such atrocities as they term it; they call it Evil. I do not profess to being such a strong believer in this such that I would tolerate behaviour of all sorts, but I will change myself when necessary.” Crypt pulled his cloak closer around him, for the night was still young, and it was only getting colder. “Assassin, you say?” Crypt mused. “Curious... Curious... I can see why you wouldn't want someone to know that. Still, Assassins can be an interesting bunch. I remember meeting an interesting fellow by the name of Wrenmae two years ago on the Suvan Sea. Not quite an assassin per se, but certainly talented enough to pass for one. Assassins are to be admired for their mastery of stealth and dealing death. Though I wouldn't want one on my trail.” Crypt chuckled, licking his dry lips in an attempt to hydrate them.

[Elzifar]

Elzifar chuckled, a warm smile appearing on his face. "In case you don't remember you already had one on your trail." His smile slowly faded, "Yesss its true we are known for our stealth, which i obviously lack." He began to rattle in frustration.

"We, assassins, are supposed to not care for 'right' or 'wrong'. But I do. Needless to say that has caused some issues with my employment. But it cant be helped. And for that I curse the Kelvic wolf." He looked up the sky and shouted, "You hear me Wolf!? Damn you!"

And with that he began to shift again, sitting on a nearby bench as he did so. His tail shorted and split apart into legs as his head shifted back to a human. His hair seemed almost to explode from his head in a mess of copper. He placed his face in his palm muttering to himself, "Damn you..damn you..."

He looked up from his hands at Crypt, "Im a failure as an assassin. I cant even simply track a man through a few alleys without being caught by Knights." His left hand still holding his dagger, he stabbed into the bench and placed his face back into his hands.

[Crypt]

Crypt smiled slightly as he heard Elzifar berate himself for his inadequacy. “Aye. You was stealthy enough to fool a normal human, but I am not one due to my ordeal in the Sea of Grass. As a form of practice, I routinely enhance my senses to a minor extent. I could hear the faint noise you made as you moved towards me. I sensed your aura. When I turned around as you... engaged in conversation with the Knights, you were in rather close proximity to a house lamp. I could see the light glinting off your skin. I do not know if you was careless or not, but try to keep to places where the Knights will not notice you. For example, if you could use the drains to travel within. Every now and then you would emerge, showing as little of you as possible to track me down. Do you not remember what I told you just now? You define yourself. You are no mere assassin, you are Assassin Elzifar. Define your own way, or be trodded on by potential employers.” Crypt watched with great interest as Elzifar transformed back into a human after cursing at a Kelvic. Fascinating. Perhaps I should ask him more on this later. I would love to record every detail I can find out about this transformation. Can it be stopped halfway? How slow can it be? Can it be separated into parts? And the Dhani sank his face down into his hands, breaking his train of thought. “Elzifar,” Crypt began, “trouble yourself not because of that. You have failed, but you can try again until you succeed. Everything has a beginning, and though yours may not be smooth, with practice comes perfection. You will improve as long as you continue to practice your craft, to study its intricacies.”

[Elzifar]

"To practice my craft, I must first have employers," with this he sat up strait. "But to get employers, people must know of my profession. But I cant just walk into a tavern and say, 'Hey all, im a professional killer! Anybody want someone dead?' I cant imagine the Knights around here would be too pleased about that."

He stood, a new sence of conviction in his voice, "But your right about one thing Crypt. I will get better. Better, so that one day i could track any man through any weather!" A low grumble filled the air, and Elzifar placed a hand on his stomach. "It would seem first I should track down a meal. I have not eaten since this morning."

[Crypt]

“You know, that might just work. There's something about hiding in plain sight right there. Good luck with that.” Crypt laughed as he heard the audible grumbling of Elzifar's stomach. He got up and brushed the dust from his pants and cloak before turning to Elzifar, talking in a jovial manner. “Sounds like you're starving, eh? Well, the Traveler's Row offices should be closed by now, so what say you spend the night there? I have some food up there, a loaf of bread or two. Not much, but it ain't a fine dining establishment. There's only one bed, but you can have that. I'm used to sleeping on the ground.” Crypt started strolling towards the Traveler's Row in an unhurried fashion, whistling a sprightly tune as he did so, this time allowing Elzifar to follow without any difficulty.

[Elzifar]

Elzifar stooped to pick up his cloak and yank his dagger out of the bench. Then he followed Crypt, swaying to the tune he whistled.

"Thank you, but thats quite alright. You see, ive slept on the ground all my life. Im not even sure if I could get comfy on a bed." He said, wrapping his cloak back about him. He followed a few feet behind, muttering quietly to himself in snake-tongue. Repeating himself over and over.

[Crypt]

OOCWe're nearing the end of this thread now, not much left to say. What I'd like to do now is to just post once or twice about walking to the Traveler's Row, then they enter and then the thread ends. I'll submit the thread to a Storyteller for grading, but you might want to think about what skills and lores you want to get out of this. Just read through the whole thread and see what you want. Crypt smiled as he heard Elzifar's response. “Well, then I'll take the bed. You might want to try it though, it'll be an interesting experience for you.” *** A few minutes later, the duo reached the entrance to the Traveler's Row. Heaving a long sigh (for it had been a long day and night), Crypt turned to face Elzifar. “Well, Elzifar, here we are. The Traveler's Row. Offices are closed, so if you want to get a room then you'll have to do it tomorrow. Meanwhile, you can sleep in my room. Just don't do anything stupid or anything that attracts unwanted attention.” He gave Elzifar a crooked smile.

[Elzifar]

He chuckled in responce, and in a sarcastic tone he said, "Does that mean I cant eat the horses?"

He followed Crypt to his room. All the while thinking to himself. Hide in plain sight eh...So, all I have to do, is make known that there IS an assassin in Syliras. Even if one person knows, word of mouth travels faster than any mail service. Maybe a message on the doors of some taverns and inns will attract the attention I need. But Ill have to be more carefull then. The Knights will surely want to find me. Perhaps Crypt could help once I have my own room... Ah well, here we are, and Im tired..


He set down his satchel by the door. He walked over to an empty corner of the room and sat down. "If you dont mind, I think Im just going to sleep. Im quite tired. Ill just do some hunting for myself in the morning.." And with that he pulled up his hood and put his hands inside of his shirt. His feet fused together again, lengthening and his skin grew scaly, but this time it was different. He did not grow so long and his arms fused to his side as well, becoming a full snake. He coiled around himself under his clothing for extra warmth. He was asleep within moments.

[Crypt]

Crypt smiled faintly as he watched Elzifar fall asleep. He's going to be damn hungry in the morning. Crypt threw himself onto his bed, falling asleep to the rhythmic breathing of Maras. OOCWell, that's the end of the thread. Just take a day to find out what skills you want to add, what lores you want to have and PM me with them. I'll submit it to a Storyteller's office then. END

[Accolade]

Crypt Insatem

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Story telling	+ 2 XP
Rhetoric	+ 1 XP
Interrogation	+ 1 XP
Persuasion	+ 1 XP
Philosophy	+ 1 XP

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	Good and Evil are relative
•	Racism in Syliran Knights: non humans
•	Elzifar: Basic biography
•	Rearing Stallion's excellent ale
•	Dhani race: Incomplete

Notes :

Crypt earned one silver miza, one golden, and three copper mizas

Elzifar

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Interrogation	+ 2 XP
Tracking	+ 1 XP
Intimidation	+ 1 XP

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	Good and Evil are relative
•	Racism in Syliran Knights: non humans
•	Crypt Insatem: Basic biography
•	Drykas race: basic

The Sylir has spoken

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.