Bardsong's First Test-Drive Meme!

[dm_screen]

The Bardsong Test-Drive Meme!




How to Use:

Please take the time to review the premise, the FAQ, and locations to get a feel for the setting!

Make a toplevel with Character Name, Canon, and Class Names in the title. The class page is right here!

Tag out, mingle, and enjoy! We'll announce the opening date soon!

---

It all began when you fell from the skies above, wreathed in flame. When you landed, you learned that you weren't alone: So many others, each from worlds entirely different from yours, have found themselves in his predicament, and know about as much as you do! The locals greet you with a cautious friendliness, welcoming you to the town of Concord. They tell you that the world was broken apart mysteriously not long ago, and are trying to devise ways to step far beyond the town borders to find where the rest of the globe went, get to the bottom of things.

But your arrival is nothing short of a blessing. Perhaps you, the Starfallen, are the answer to their prayers. They explain how live presently works in Concord, they give you that tour of their guilds, and even give you a place to stay at Concord Crossing, where you're randomly assigned roommates. You hope your roommates are amicable...

In the days following, after shaking off the shock of your current situation, you find yourself beginning to integrate into Concord life. But while you await word from the local researchers among the many guilds dotted through town, each looking for new members to bestow their teachings, you need to fill your pockets with precious, precious sol. You'd also heard that there was to be a celebration very soon, and everyone is invited. A little partying never hurt anyone, right? Besides, free food!

Now, where to begin...?


I. More Than This Provincial Life

Concord, the large city that it is, hosts many opportunities for work. Between the multiple quarters and their specialties, just about anyone can find a job. With the isolation from the rest of the world, employers eagerly welcome the Starfallen with part time or temporary work (Apparently, all full time positions are taken and employers conspicuously nudge people out the door if they spend too much time on the clock) to coincide with the life of an adventurer. For those who wish for something to do and a source of income outside of quests, there's always an honest day's wage to be made! With the exception of a few tasks the South Quarter may have to offer, but those aren't the kind of jobs spoken of too loudly.


I-A. Magicka Cleanup Detail

The Concord Magic Academy, between bright-eyed students trying their best and young nobles whose admission was paid in cash, sees quite a few accidents in its halls. Alchemy experiments, wayward fireballs, testing theories given by their Occultist friends, anything can come up and make a mess of a lab or a classroom. As such, the academy welcomes the brave and the patient to the field of custodial engineering, especially those with strong stomachs and combat experience. It wouldn't be the first time stains fight back or gravity ceased to be, so on top of keeping to their own personal hygiene standards, employees are expected to be thorough in their cleaning and expect the unexpected.

I-B. Amazing Paperboy Deliveries

The Concord Truthogram is dedicated to bringing the truth right to the doors of paying customers as soon as the next issue is ready. They're looking for delivery workers and runners equally dedicated to I bringing the truth to subscribers! Runners will need to deliver newspapers all across Concord before dawn breaks. Subscribers are all throughout the city, so runners are encouraged to find an optimal route and coordinate with their co-workers to bring the truth the world in a timely and orderly manner! This job favors the agile, as early Concord mornings are filled with people bustling through the streets and occasional hazards to trip up the distracted runner. Try not to make too many mistakes, as unsatisfied customers will unsubscribe and deny themselves the gift of the Concord Truthogram. Watch out for stray dogs and the occasional grim reaper.




II. O Valley Of Plenty, Whoa-oh-oh!

Working at a coffee shop or helping to organize a wizard's dusty study isn't for everyone, and the people of Concord understand. Every world runs on some currency, and here, it's known as the 'sol'. For those looking to do a 'dirtier' work, the citizenry helpfully direct the Starfallen to the Men-At-Arms Guild, your source of monster-busting work!

Lit by the glow of lanterns, the following work is looking for takers, posted on a large board outside the guild:


II-A. Rabites!

"We need someone to handle the Rabite problem! A couple that chooses not to be named found a pair and decided to raise them as pets, but they have since bred out of control into feral, very bitey colonies. They may look cute and cuddly, but you may need to bring a friend to be on the safe side."

Reward: 50 sol per pelt

II-B. Bumps in the Night!

"We need graveyard shift relief for the town guard posted along the outskirts of Concord. Lately, the guards have been reporting strange noises through the night, and have seen an influx of ghoul sightings coming down from the nearby hills. Take care care not to get bitten; it won't make you like them, but it will make you sluggish and leave you as easy prey."

Reward: 800 sol a night + 100 sol per head




III. Like One of Those Music Videos

While typically only those following the paths of their departed founders and enduring Masters of the Manor are granted entry to the Glistering Estate, the Guild of Steel and Lace nonetheless occasionally open the gates to outsiders. Oftentimes, this is simply to showcase a performance at the theatre, or to offer a chance for newcomers to join their ranks; today, however, is a special occasion: the anniversary of the Estate's groundbreaking. For the evening, the entire Estate grounds have been made available to the residents of Concord, and an exquisite buffet has been prepared for all who would raise a glass to their Founders. Many who come may be tempted by the lavish wealth on display, but aspiring thieves and troublemakers must be warned: Behind the gold and silk lies a house packed to the brim with the likes of veteran Paladins and entrapping illusionists.


III-A. Black Tie...?

Before one is permitted entry to the Estate proper, they must be willing to show a modicum of due deference and wear the proper attire. For an open-door event such as this, simple and tasteful formalwear will suffice; a collared dress shirt or modest blouse, at the very least. Fortunately for those who cannot afford- or, as is sometimes the case, simply forgot- such fineries, the Guild of Steel and Lace happily provides attire of the sort worn by their own members on the estate grounds, and their stocks accommodates all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, their standard attire inevitably takes the form of service attire such as maid outfits and butler uniforms. They have even provided booths to change in private, so please, don't make a scene.

III-B. Upper, Upper Class High Society!

Once inside, the guests have freedom to enjoy the manor's full facilities; the Guild of Steel and Lace have spared no expense in setting up food options from their in-house chefs ranging from terrestrial crab legs and tropical fruits to... erm... unfamiliar flora or fauna that are unidentifiable, but thoroughly delicious. At least, to the locals who have already acquired the taste. Additionally, The theatre is hosting an ongoing series of performances from the Guild's bards, though they're not above letting the Starfallen have their turns at the microphone. Nonetheless, from ballroom to gardens to bathhouse, the entire estate is open to visitors, so why not have a look around...?

Comments

Rakka Pickclaw | D&D OC | Steward

[kobard]

[I-B]
Rakka very much preferred to use his musical talents to provide a steady income for himself--and make no mistake he and his lute were already getting very comfortable at the Last Resort Tavern--but a little supplemental income never hurt either, and many underestimated a Kobold's tenacity for hard work. Rakka reached the end of his paper-delivery route by mid-morning and had only a one single paper left to deliver, carefully rolled in the coil of his tail. Everything was going well, ahead of time, very good and not bad... until one of the neighbor's dogs broke out of its fence and immediately started to chase him, snarling, snapping and biting. An expeditious retreat was in order, and Rakka's little clawed toes never ran so fast.

He nearly ran into someone else (you) but had the forethought to turn his run into a mighty leap at the last moment. Congratulations, you've just been pounced on by a little lizard man and now he is your backpack. He's panting and trying to play this all too casually, though his nervousness comes through in some broken english.

"Hello yes from behind you looked like such perfect delivery mule, so please carry on."

A large barking dog can be heard from behind quickly closing the distance.

"...I did not do that."


[II-B]
Anyone signing up for ghoul hunting would not find themselves going alone. Rakka is not much of a fighter but he promises inspirational talents and a keen sense of smell for rotting flesh, if nothing else. It might be helpful in sniffing their quarry out!

As night falls and camp is set in a well known ghoul hunting spot, it seems now all there is to do is to quietly wait. And wait. And wait. And--

Twaaaaang. Twang twang.

"What?" Rakka lifts his head from his lute, seemingly not caring if he's about to drawn attention. "Perhaps the silence is too boring even for ghouls."


[III-B]
Naturally Rakka is going to schmooze with the other bards and find himself at the microphone when permitted. ...If he could reach it. Pardon the prolonged obnoxious screech of a small wooden crate being pushed across the stage until he can scramble his whole three feet of himself up it. There, that's better. Fortunately when he starts to strum his lute the melody more than makes up for the wooden prelude. For a Kobold with a faintly draconic accent, he can carry a tune incredibly well. It seems he's already found some inspiration in the crowd.

♪ Here we are in the town of Concord
Not compact or covenant, comity or accord

Land sundered and split in the ground
Sky filled with stars fallen and made earthbound

She's blessed with fish women who have skin so blue
Tiefling women quite so horny--did you think no one knew

Smelly dog men who chew on his bones
Feathered reptile who's head is thicker than stone

Concord you are blessed
Concord you are cursed

Least of all we have this fair dragon's breasts ♪

I-B

[dead_people_tea]

Caduceus, who'd been walking along and just enjoying himself, abruptly gains a backpack and nearly trips.

"Uh...hello, friend. Wasn't aware this was how some people greet each other here."

At the very least, Rakka picked an excellent target, since Caduceus is seven feet tall.

[kobard]

+1 backpack, able to store a small quantity of meat without retrieval. Rakka is impressed with his own leaping ability to clear such a good height and he comfortably (as comfortable as a nervous Kobold can be) perches with his hands on one of Caduceus's shoulders and his tiny feet tucked against his back. He will be so safe up here! He hopes!

"Yes we would not want me to strain my small neck or you your freakishly large back so I have done us both a favor." The few moments of conversation means the dog has caught up now and barrels into the back of Caduceus's calves, barking loudly. Rakka scrambles up the rest of him and snakes around his neck and over his head in a blurred panic, settling with all his limbs are on the top of his shoulders, back arched like an angry cat.

"No! Shoo! Filthy mutt!"

[dead_people_tea]

This backpack would be more helpful if it stored veggies and fruit. Because this backpack is very active and squirmy and almost makes the tall firbolg trip.

"Woah woah, careful, friend!" It's difficult to say who he's talking to at the moment since he can't see.

[kobard]

Oh good, the tall thing is calling him friend. He will use this to his advantage, more than he already is using Caduceus's stature to his advantage. Rakka repositions himself so he is hopefully not blocking his vision quite so much. The dog keeps barking around Caduceus's feet.

"Make it go away, or I fear it will eat me. I believe in the power of you."

[dead_people_tea]

"That's a lot of belief for someone you just met. But I'll try." If Caduceus actually recognizes sarcasm, he may not practice it in return.

He steadies himself and looks down at the dog. "All right, come on, friend, you don't need to put up such a fuss. You're fine and you should probably go back home."

Perhaps because Caduceus isn't yelling back at the dog or it's because of his calming, deep voice, the dog kind of pauses its barking tirade and sits down.

"There you are. Go on home."

Apparently satisfied with defending the homefront, the dog wanders off.

[kobard]

"My belief is pure and not ulterior motive at all." QUESTIONABLE. Less questionable is Caduceus's ability to calm the dog and send it back home.

Rakka does not immediately move from his safe high perch but does visibly and tactile-ly relax, and even audibly with a sigh.

"I was nearly done with my paper route and then that happened. You have my thanks unusually tall one."

III-B Kobolds Unite

[lowercase_dragon]

"WOOHOO, SING IT, BROTHER!"

Comes the cry of the olive-colored scaly wench in the first row, carrying a mug of some kind of fancy wine in her tail. From the sound of it, she seems... a little blitzed. In retrospect, body mass doesn't seem to have been exactly taken into account when it came to portion size, here.

"Heeyy, can dragons even have breasts?" She says, curling her tail around her front as she flops forwards to put her hands on the stage, looking up at this red-eyed troubadour. "I thought they did the whole... yanno, with the.."

It's really anyone's guess what those hand motions are trying to convey, and professor Comprehend Languages would probably just tell you to stop hanging around lingual degenerates.

[kobard]

Yes those little gestures were not coming across clear to Rakka at all. But that's fine, he confidently already has an answer. "Never question a dragon's whims, even if it is to appropriate sacks of fat on her chest." Or the hypothetical dragon could have, you know, just been born that way, but Rakka is quick to put most dragons and dragon kind on a pedestal. They can shapeshift! They can do what they want!

The previous song has been completed and the crowd is simmering but Rakka decides to keep the performance going. He hops off his wooden crate and tip toes to the edge of the stage to better interact with such a curious audience. Drunks were also usually very easy targets.

"If I was a dragon..." he strums thoughtfully, finding a melody, "If I was a dragon I would cast my lute in gold, I would spread my wings to the sky, I would never let myself grow old~"

"If you were a dragon..." He leans towards her, hushing his singing voice just for a moment, "my dear--what is your name?"

[lowercase_dragon]

"If Iii~ were a dragon..." Pacca closes her eyes. Uh oh. Seems he hit on something poignant, there. "Iii'd... make gardens out of trees and commune with the bees, and breathe stuff of some sort.. and keep knowledge and.. stuff..." She says, rather than singing, because her voice is a bit raspy and just barely on one side of being annoying.

"Mmmh, I want to be a dragon as soon as I'm ready. That'd be nice.. oh, Pacca!" She adds, with a sudden bit of cheer. "Paladin of light, and defender of things~"

She drinks down the rest of the mug. And then stifles a burp. Paladin. Clearly.

[kobard]

Singing voice could use some work but that's fine, Rakka is more than happy to help fill in as he listens, finding inspiration in--oh Kurtulmak did she say,

"Paladin...!" Perhaps that explains the eyes. Hm. He rears back a little and strums again, swaying his tail to a more upbeat tune.

"If Pacca was a dragon she'd shine light on the land, defend flora and fauna with the smite of her hand. She could fly high up into the sky and blot out the sun, she could blind her dear friend--and hopefully I am not the only one." Some of the crowd gets a muffled giggle at that. Rakka wraps it up though, he's been performing for a while.

"If I was a dragon I would sing stories in sync with my dear Pacca... even as she driiiinks~" There's applause which any amount he's grateful for. He'd prefer tips most of all but in a venue like this he'll take the attention instead. He makes his way off the stage and catches up with Pacca shortly after.

"Speaking of such--I worked up quite a thirst. What have you been having?"

[lowercase_dragon]

Pacca grins, listening to the song while her tail sways mostly in time with it, leaning over the edge of the stage and resting her head on her folded arms as she looks up at the performer. She looks very pleased with the situation.

Once he actually steps off, she stretches out, taking a look inside the mug. "That's a... gooood question." She says, looking back up at the bard. "See, they told me it was a really fancy name I couldn't pronounce, so I'd assume it's wine. But when I tasted it it was spicy?"

She shakes her head. "Either way, I'm as loose as a moose in a sauna, and that song was faaantastic." She says, sharpening up her grin. "So we're totally friends now, right? That's how this works?"

[kobard]

Flattery does go far for Rakka and he bows. "I find good inspiration only in good allies." Totally friends now. As far as her mystery drink Rakka is willing to roll the proverbial dice. He feels as if he's earned it.

It is perhaps presumptuous but since they are totally friends now he decides to taste-test out of her mug, which is already far too big for kobolds in the first place. He tilts it back on the table and slips his tongue down to lap up the bottom left-overs and the single piercing on his tongue clinks the glass. Quickly he likes the taste and raises the rest of the mug to drain it down in one swig. He makes a face but it's a pleased one.

"It is good booze or it is a potion of fire breathing, ha ha!" He gestures to whatever servers are in the area for a replacement mug--just one he specifies. Plenty enough to share even if Pacca probably doesn't need any more.

[mech_and_mutt]

"UWAH-- hey!!"

Congratulations, Rakka-- you've gone from running away from a dog to clinging to the back of a different, taller, bipedal dog. And once Red was finished stumbling and nearly falling over outright from the added weight, he went straight to reaching and clutching for... whatever that new weight was on his back.

Doggone it, Red's satchel stuffed with issues of The Concord Truthogram was heavy enough on its own...!

"Get off me! Can't you see I'm tryin' to do deliveries?!"

[kobard]

Rakka frowns when he realizes he has leapt onto the back of yet another dog but at least this one isn't looking to make a meal out of him. For now. Anyway, if this pup was doing work he was doing a poor job, in his humble Kobold opinion.

"I can not as your sack is quite full." He holds his own satchel out and flips open the top. "I have already done much of my route. See? It is empty." All papers delivered, except for the one lone roll curled at the end of his tail.

"Anyway, please run." Right around the corner there's a large barking not-bipedal not-talking dog.

[mech_and_mutt]

Wh-- his was empty already?! Did this little guy start off paper route with a delivery to a dumpster?!

"What's that supposed to mean?! I had to spend all morning dodgin' the entire East Quarter's angry pe--"

--and speaking of which... that was more barking coming from the corner, wasn't it.

"...oh, Furballs."

Added weight or no, Red took off at a frantic trot. Which was made only slightly more complicated by the fact that there was still quiet barking coming from the other direction, where his route had taken him over the past few hours...

"They're not payin' me enough for this!!"

[kobard]

Rakka makes a very offended face at the suggestion he skipped out on his very easy, very brainless task any whelpling could do. "I am efficient!" Unlike him which he'd impress but there were more pressing matters barking at their heels.

If Rakka had ears they'd perk up at the sound of another dog. What terrible luck. He scrambles to the top of Red's satchel not caring if it throws his frantic trotting off balance until he can park himself on Red's shoulders more comfortably.

"You are an awful sanctuary steed." He is not very fast but he is taller than him and the dogs will surely bite him first, so Rakka invests himself in this scheme. He grabs the tips of both of Red's ears and holds them like reigns.

"This way, I direct." AWAY FROM BOTH DOGS.

[mech_and_mutt]

And you're a--YOW!! What the heck are you doing up there?!

[The sad thing was, the yank of his ears actually worked; with his head suddenly jerked aside, Red was 'gently guided' down through a narrow alleyway at his full sprint, arriving with a stumble out the other end.

Thankfully, the barking of dogs had since died down to a quiet, reverberating echo, heard only through the gap between buildings. Red paused to allow himself a sigh of relief.

And then reaching up to yank Rakka off his head.]

Quit tryin' to play pilot on my head, you--... you... ...uh...

[...boy, those were some fancy looking buildings. And even in the dark of pre-dawn, that was a big, flashy-looking tower at the end of the courtyard.]

...where did you take us??

[kobard]

Rakka would have been more than content to continue riding Red as it was but it's extremely easy to remove all three-some feet of him like a misbegotten child. He's not thrilled but doesn't/can't fight it very much. He squeaks when set down.

"Tch. North Quarter, which is far away from my own paper route." He dusts himself off and adjusts his hat like he was the only one very inconvenienced by all this. "Here is safe. Those stuffy mages in the tower seem to take much keen interest in us."

"You are welcome."

II-B

[nobold]

Despite the heavy armor and plus size weapon strapped to his back, the kobold Rakka's paired with was sitting cross-legged, eyes closed and still attentive despite it. It gave the foot shorter kobold a sense of comfort and, to him, a sharper sense of awareness.

So when the sudden twang of instrument tuning hits his ears, Cecil visibly cringes and shoots a look to his partner. "That...may depend on how many senses they retain in their undeath. Or if they become tone deaf."

Cecil relaxes and smirks, eyes open and likely unable to fit in any more meditation. "But I suppose a little music will liven up the night, if our undead friends won't. Perhaps they'll even appear to insist against the ruckus."

[kobard]

Rakka does do his best to respect the peace and quiet until it started to become deafening to his own ears. He knows the value of sound and song, and even the absence of it, but he hardly prefers it.

"The dead love tributes and elegies, this is true. Undead, however..."

He strums more thoughtfully, then stops. "Never cared much for them."

He was fully willing to be obnoxious and tone deaf if that's what it took to make them come out and play. He had full faith in his partner's ability to handle that. He starts strumming again, though, despite that willingness can't seem to bring himself to do it anyway and plays with more melodic harmony and purpose. Slow high notes, something like a prayer come from his fingers, and he curls the tip of his tail around the neck of his lute to further aid in the soft ethereal sound. Ghouls don't deserve his voice. He'll conversate with Cecil instead.

"Your armor reminds me of a dwarf I used to travel with." Ill-fitting, he means, but he'll cull his tongue in Kobold company. "She liked to think she could make everyone see the light."

[nobold]

"Ah, one of the righteous types. A paladin, perhaps? I assure you, such isn't my modus operandi. Even by my tastes, I will admit that the armor and weapon are a touch out of place. In truth, I'm a monk by nature, but couldn't find anything close to it among the various guilds. Why not a change of pace, in that case?"

He wasn't fully sure how the classes let him do such things, but it's a welcome change. It allows Cecil to take a stance atop a rock while Rakka plays, indulging in a more active sort of meditation. Martial arts in rhythm to the lute's music, incorporating the sword while shifting between stances and demonstrating a few moves here and there.

"The armor is still rather cumbersome, however."

[kobard]

"Cleric of Moradin. Equally as obnoxious." Righteous types were always obnoxious in his eyes but mostly that was because Luvetalyn was a dwarf and not a cleric. A Kobold cleric--or anything, frankly--was always an exception. Rakka keeps his tune going even as Cecil takes up stances and adjusts accordingly, going from the ghoul-focused ethereal strumming to something with a slower middling repeating canter, closer to a heartbeat.

"Monks do well without it. But perhaps this change will bring a good challenge." He contemplated a change of his own here in Concord, but music had become so ingrained in his identity and self-perceived purpose he wasn't sure what he'd do in absence of that. If he had any worth beyond that or living vicariously through others and through said music.

"Grow strong with weights, then fly free without them."

[nobold]

"My thoughts exactly. I see we're going to get along just fine." Cecil smirks while still practicing his martial arts. Fortunately, these weights did something besides inhibit his movements, so when dexterity failed him, it may pick up the slack. Still, he doesn't want to get too dependent on it, but for now, he'll learn to adjust.

"While my monastery did employ similar training methods, that statement remind me of an old story I heard somewhere. It was of a wandering swordsman traveling the world, aiming for goals far beyond his reach. One day, such goals were literally out of his reach, but as the swordsman was a compassionate man, the people he helped on this day offered to repay his generosity. Through heavy weights around his legs and rigorous training, he learned to 'jump good', as I was told. High enough to touch the sky..."

Cecil plants his sword into the ground, moving from the rock to balancing himself on the hilt. "...Coincidence, don't you think, that such warriors exist in this world? Dragoons, they call them. Warriors with the spirits of dragons..."

[kobard]

The story Cecil tells stimulates the imagination and Rakka changes his soft strumming again.

"Naturally, they borrow one extra letter from Dragon. As close as one can get." It's a dry quip but he hopes not enough to take away from the gravity of the conversation. It is nice to have deeper conversations like this with another kobold--his former party members just wouldn't understand or relate as well. Rakka watches Cecil balance on his sword's hilt with rapt interest, though his strumming doesn't miss a beat.

"All kobolds carry the blood and spirit of Tiamat in them. This is nothing that can be taken away from us. We can be dragoons of dragoons, in a way. I am sure your monastery is proud."