Archives: Failed Storyline: A New Balance
Chapter 1: Roid
It took some effort, but Kiran had been able to sneak into the Holy City during the night during a shift change for the guards. Why? Well, he was curious. He’d never been to Roid before. With his hood to hide his ears and sometimes his face, he wandered the city streets and kept a low profile. Of all the cities in Lodoss, Roid was probably the worst to be a dark elf in.
However, in his wanderings, his attention was caught by a small shop with jewelry in the window. As he looked at the display in the front window, his eyes caught movement inside. What he saw made his jaw drop. Inside, a beautiful dark elven woman was tending the store. She had quite a dark complexion, ivory white hair and he could see her eyes were a brilliant blue. Kiran snapped his jaw shut, dropped his head to hide his face and moved on. Amazing, a dark elf had actually been able to make a place for herself in the Holy City. Maybe he’d keep an eye on her today...
Nipa strolled though the streets and walked past the stranger that had his hood up. However in contrast to the hooded stranger, Nipa had his hood down and for being four foot two and a half inches tall, he walked proud. To some he looked like a young elf, but for those that recognized it, he wore a cloak made by the dark elves, boots by the high elves and a belt made by the dwarves. With a smile on his face he approached the door to Moryssa’s shop and walked in. “Good morning!” He said happily.
Moryssa turned from the shelf she was currently adjusting items on and looked at the grassrunner. “It’s always a good morning in Roid.” Her words were steeped in sarcasm. After a few more moments, the apparently satisfied dark elf stepped back and then devoted her full attention to the only other person in the store.
“I’m sorry, Nipa. Those cursed priests came in here this morning, and began ‘blessing’ my wares. As if I’d even bother with cursed goods! Sometimes I swear I’d be better off devoting my time to one of the darker gods. I hear Falaris is regaining prominence.” She winked at the trader playfully. “At least that blasted Sakura has gone on her pilgrimage. I can finally enter the temple without too much hassle.” She brushes back a few strands of hair, while offering some bread to the four foot man standing in front of her. “So what brings you here? Murder, mayhem, gossip? Or did you just miss me?”
Nipa smirked at her sarcasm but waited until she finished before saying anything. “Well can’t it be a little of all of it?” He asked and wiggled his eyebrows at her. He took the bread and sighed, “All down the strip people are saying things, though not openly of course, and all I can say is I am glad they have not invaded my shop yet... Though I guess I have to actually pick a place and setup to have one... Oh well.” He shrugged his shoulders.
“Which temple do you go to, I do not recall Sakura, though from what you say and Cha Za’s luck may I not run into her,” After saying that so loud he ducked his head and looked around.
Moryssa frowned when he asked her what temple she went to. The fact was she was forced to worship away from all the other followers of Cha Za. “Ironically, she’s a priestess of Cha Za. She was always busy making my life miserable.”
Seeing no one was going to hit him Nipa let his eye drift over the items in the store, “I keep trying to find a good place, but every time I try to start a shop I keep running into problems,” He looked at her seriously, “Tell me, is this not a cute enough face to loan money to so he can start a shop?” Even as he said it he cracked a smile.
She allowed the grassrunner to continue, cracking a smile after he finished. “For me, no face is cute enough to loan to.” She winked at him. “But, I can probably help you set up shop. Of course, to set up shop you actually have to settle down someplace. There are always problems for a new business, but they can be settled with time.”
She took a seat on her counter and began polishing a silver, gem encrusted necklace. Then after a moment, she paused and looked up...or down at the grassrunner. “I have the most brilliant idea. Why not set up a network between different merchants and cities? Since you don’t mind traveling, you could help merchants trade their wares. That’s a service I’d be willing to pay for.”
Nipa looked sad when she mentioned that the priestess was in a temple he liked to go to. “I am sorry My Lady. The God of Luck and Fortune has many followers, and they can be pig headed at time... May Cha Za forgive me for that. I may not be a priest but May Cha Za bless you with his good fortune and increase your business.”
The idea of setting up the network was a good one, and he had thought about it several times. “Sadly I do not think that the traveling would work well for me. In order to be good at it I need to be able to have a cart loaded with wares and I seem to draw a lot of attention... Not all of it good. Many bandits see me as an easy target. So far they have all been mistaken, but if I was to do that I would need to find extra help. Though I am glad you think I’m cute.” He gave her a wink and chuckled.
He sat down on one of the stools in the shop. “You would not happen to have any friends or acquaintances that would mind helping me set up that network would you?” For some reason he just could not get that out of his head. “See if I started from here, and with good protection I could have your products in any city in just a few days... If I just carried the stuff I could cut across the country and be there sooner, but that could invite danger... But then again taking a wagon across the road is dangerous at times too.”
Moryssa thought for a moment. “I own a couple of shops across Lodoss, and have partial ownership of a few inns. I can send a messenger to them. The inns will at least make sure you have a safe place to stay when you enter the cities. I’d suggest you talk to the Merchants’ Guild. I’m sure they’d be more than willing to back you. If need be, I’ll sponsor you, though I warn you I’m a shrewd business partner.” She took a bite of her own bread and then a sip of her honey-milk. “As for protection, that’s what the Mercenary Guild is for. As a matter of fact, I was planning on stopping by there later. There’ve been rumors of some magical items causing issues and I’m sure the Mage’s Guild would love that. That’s why humans shouldn’t meddle with sorcery. The only true magic is shamanism.”
Nipa smiled brightly, “There is nothing wrong with being shrewd, in fact that would help make sure things do not get out of hand. I would welcome being a partner with you. But you are right, we would need mercenary’s... Though hopefully not the big dumb kind.” He shook his head and could not help himself. “Humans are interesting, they have a strange spirit and always refuse to give up, though sometimes they should. And when it come to magic, most humans try to take the fast way and it only causes more trouble. If you would not mind, I would love to accompany you. But you know... I never knew your business was so vast.” He gave her a sly look, “So what else have you been hiding from me?”
* * *
Luda stepped lightly through the streets, holding her weapon at her side. Citizens avoided her or nodded, like they would a guard or soldier. The weaponry tended to ward off people asking for insignificant favors. Luda didn’t like being asked to spend her energy on blessing someone’s miscellaneous items or mending a minor scratch. Energy should be conserved for more important things.
This morning Luda’s mother gave her some disturbing news. There seemed to be a dark elf working in a shop along this street and the priests were harassing it constantly. That didn’t sit well with the young priestess of Myrii and she decided to go look for herself.
Approaching the shop, she saw a man staring into the window. He was cloaked and had a dark complexion. She sighed in dismay, doubting that he was just a human with a really good tan. Certainly they could be a bit less conspicuous. If more dark elves were following the shopkeep girl into Roid, then there could be a serious problem after all.
“Excuse me,” she said, tapping the man on the shoulder. “It’s rather odd to be wearing such a dark hood on such a beautiful day, isn’t it?”
Kiran straightened as he felt the tap on his shoulder. Oh gods... He thought to himself. Slowly, he turned back to see who this woman was. Kiran’s amber eyes met hers. A priestess. Wonderful. He quickly dropped his face to hide in the shadow of his hood, though it was probably too late to do anything. “I uh...I’m afraid I have a bit of a hangover. I drank a bit much last night. The light hurts, you know,” he lied. I’m screwed.
“Lying will only get you into deeper trouble,” Luda responded to Kiran. She tried not to seem threatening but it might not have worked. “I’m not here to cause trouble with you, I’m only here to speak with the girl who keeps the shop. Do you know her?” She assumed that they were somehow related since it was rare to see a dark elf here.
“Ah...no, I don’t know her,” Kiran replied. His voice had become a little shaky, but he tried to get it under control. Gods, I hope she doesn’t want anything more than that.
“Truly?” Luda did not sense that the man was lying and decided to believe him. “I suppose you’re just as surprised to see a dark elf in the area as I am. Well sir, I apologize for being rude if I was. Please take care. The people of Roid are alarmed by your kind. It’s been even worse since the break-ins during the war five years ago, and I’d hate to see one of you get into trouble on account of that. I leave you with Myrii’s blessings.” With that said, she turned from Kiran and stepped into the shop.
Kiran stood slack-jawed for a moment as the priestess walked away. “Thank...you?” he murmured, though she was out of range of hearing. “Thank you Cha Za and Myrii,” he murmured to himself and readjusted his hood. He glanced around the street for signs so he could remember exactly where this shop was, then he moved on. Later he might check up on the dark elf, maybe find an excuse to go in and talk to her.
* * *
In the shop, Luda saw the dark elf woman in question. She was engaged in conversation so Luda tried not to interrupt. As she suspected, there was no sign of any allegiance to dark sorcerers of old Marmo anywhere in the store and the girl had no aura of darkness at all, only the deep spiritual aura of any other elf.
“That, little man, is something you’ll have to wait to find out,” Moryssa winked at the grassrunner. The soft chime of the door opening made her quickly put her food and drink away. “Hello, may I help...you...” The courteous smile she had to greet her customer was soon replaced with a venom-laced sneer. “Get out of my establishment now. I have all my papers and nothing dealing with dark gods or magic. This is your first and last warning. Nipa, be a dear and get behind the counter. If this woman thinks I’m playing, it might get messy.”
Her blue eyes never left the priestess even as she herself pulled out her rapier. While the priests of Myrii were battle trained, Moryssa still had at least twenty years of experience on the woman. That, even without being the best at melee combat, would hopefully be enough to give her a minor advantage. Of course, Moryssa hoped it didn’t come to that.
Nipa went from smiling to confused faster than a heartbeat, and for someone of his size that was very fast. He looked between the priestess and Moryssa a few times trying to figure out what had just happened there. However, he was not the kind to hide while a friend could be in danger.
Placing his hands on the hilts of his daggers Nipa faced the priestess. “I will not hide like a child. If you have come to harass my partner you have chosen the wrong time to do it.” he stood at the ready to fight. He had spent most of his life learning how to hunt and how to fight. If he needed to he was ready to fight for and if the gods decided, then to die for his friends.
Luda raised her hands in the air in peace, holding her halberd in the angle of her elbow in case her negotiations failed. “At ease, please!” she pleaded. “I don’t suspect you of any criminal or unholy acts. It’s not my wish to harass you. I understand that my people have been giving you trouble and I would like to make amends for their rude behavior. And besides all that, my mother’s birthday is tomorrow and I need to buy her a gift immediately.”
It was a long few seconds as Moryssa deliberated the woman’s words. She glanced quickly at Nipa then the priestess once more. After another few seconds had passed, she lowered her rapier. “What are you looking for exactly,” her tone was polite but weary.
Luda took a deep breath and lowered her hands. “Something exotic but tasteful would be nice,” she replied. “Most the shops here are so boring, you know. Your shop has quite a potential for business here if only we could clear up a few misunderstandings with the clergy. Holy men in Roid are so common, it’s hard to avoid them.”
Luda had never seen a grassrunner in person before and wondered for second if that was indeed what Nipa was. She did her best to give him a polite smile, but smiling wasn’t very natural for her, usually being very serious.
Nipa relaxed his stance when he realized that not only had Moryssa lowered weapon but the priestess did not seem to be aggressive. When she mentioned the clergy he gave a half chuckle. “Some of those priests are earning complaints all down this strip. If they aren’t careful they will run several business out of town.” For a while, he was not sure what to make of her smile, as something just did not seem right about it. He stepped back out of the way to let the priestess talk to Moryssa, but he stayed wary.
Moryssa nodded and began rifling through her wears. She nodded absently at the priestess who apologized for her peers. “I suppose the bigotry of humans has some sort of merit. How about this?” She held a pair of golden chandelier earrings with dragons carved about them. The dragon’s eyes were set with small rubies. Exotic and tasteful. Though taste was relative. “If your mother enjoys formal occasions, she’ll make good use of these.” Moryssa handed them to the priestess to hold, though her demeanor was still distant.
“Those are wonderful,” Luda said, earnestly. The quality of the item impressed her. She got the feeling that the woman still wasn’t very happy with her presence, but that was completely understandable. “I’ll take them.” She took out her coins and prepared to pay for the item. “Hmm... is there any particular priesthood that you have trouble with?” she said as she counted them. “I may have a talk with a few certain priests that I know of,” her tone of voice suggested those talks wouldn’t be very pleasant ones. “I do not tolerate injustices such as those you have been subjected to.”
Moryssa glowed with pride, though she still didn’t smile in at the priestess’s compliment. While the earrings she found were beautiful, her mastery over the earth had removed some of the wear and imperfections. She’d made them better than new. “I’m glad you approve.” The priestess offered her help, but ever the prideful elf, Moryssa rejected. “I don’t need you to talk to them. I’m old enough to handle my own affairs.” The words were curt and implied that she was ready for the priestess to leave. She waited patiently for her payment.
“Of course,” Luda replied, and handed the woman her money. Her attitude probably didn’t help her image with the priesthood, she realized, but she herself did not take any offense to it. She half wanted to invite her to the temple for a spar. Obviously this lady would make a good adversary. But that thought was entertained only for a brief moment. She picked up her purchase and left the shop, nodding to Nipa politely as she exited. Hopefully, she thought, that woman will realize that not all priests and priestesses are bigots, just as not all dark elves are evil.
Moryssa watched as the priestess left. With a sigh of annoyance, she followed the woman out. “Thank you...for your offer.” That’s as far as she would go with apologies, especially to human. Without another word, she headed back inside. As she put the money in a safe she again spoke to Nipa. “The girl I hired to run the store while I’m out should be here any moment, then we can head out to the Guild.”
Nipa took a long breath and then smiled returning his facial features to their normal happy appearances. “This has been some morning it seems.” He nodded to her when she mentioned the guild. “Ah ok, that does sound good. Maybe then we can drink to our partnership. I deliver the goods between the shops and you enjoy the prosperity that you deserve.” He then looked to the door and leaned closer to her. “Though I noticed you did not show her the ‘good’ stuff.”
Moryssa winked at the grassrunner. “I showed her what she wanted to see. Besides, I’m on contract to give most magical items to the Mage’s Guild. The few I have in this store have such minor enchantments they’re not worth talking about.”
No sooner had she stood up than a plump, twenty-something-year old woman walked in. “Sorry I’m late. It’s been a hectic morning.”
“Uh-huh, you know what to do, correct?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Good. Then get to it. I’ve got business to attend to.”
The plump girl nodded and went to get a broom. Moryssa smiled at Nipa and waited for him before walking out and heading for the Guild. She muttered a few words of magic to create a light breeze around the two, partly for comfort, but mostly to have her beautiful ivory hair whipped about. She’d give the humans something to stare at. “I must say, I haven’t been this excited in a long time.”
