Date: July 24, 1998
Place: The Pantheon - Haven
Cast: Ashlar, Kalypso, One-Paw, Rainmaker
Scene: One-Paw, the jovial Sylvan elder, regales a Delphic healer and an Empyreal noblewoman with the story of how he earned his name, and how his ancestor angered a goddess.

The Pantheon - Haven:
     Bright frescoes decorate the walls of this large, pentagonal room, depicting the rise of the city of Haven with Delphi at its heart. The domed ceiling is supported by four marble "atlantes"--statues carved to resemble youths from each race. The figures are expertly rendered and painted, if somewhat stylized, and they hint that this establishment caters to clientele from each. A long, marble-topped bar runs along the last wall where refreshment may be ordered.
      The air is laden with the smell of richly prepared foods and ambrosia, suiting the exclusive nature of the tavern. Rose marble tiles decorate the floor, which sinks toward the center of the room in a series of three pentagonal terraces. Situated at the two higher terraces are fine tables of polished oak--those on the outermost terrace long enough to seat larger parties. The lowest terrace features a shallow pool, lined with greenery and replenished by small fountains.

One-Paw slides into a chair at the head of the table, grabbing the first passing serving maid by the... well, he winks lewdly at her and says loudly, "Chookma, child! A bottle of mulled mead and a few sticks of your finest firewood, please?" Motioning toward Kalypso he notes, "'Tis by the grace of young Tritonides, of course."

Rainmaker drops into a chair a few spaces away from the graisha, dropping her satchel in the empty chair next to her. She looks a bit puzzled at the mention of firewood--he wasn't really going to start a fire, was he?--but doesn't say anything.

Kalypso inclines her head to the maid, her soft, cultured voice intoning, "Ambrosia, as well," as she slides into her chair. She's not quite sure how much firewood costs, but figures it best not to ask. She takes a seat near the middle of the table, so as not to appear rude, and guides the Praetor into the seat between her and the old Graisha. "So you were to tell us a story?"

"Yes, a story!" says One-Paw, as he stands in his chair. Perhaps a bit crude for an establishment like this, he is elevated several feet above the heads of the two of you seated, and perhaps even a few inches above passersby. The serving maid, blushing sufficiently, rushes to take orders and return to the kitchen. "This being a good one, at that. I am One-Paw of the Klamahatee, adopted of the Ettowealona and called Elder by some, and Wandering-Paw by others. On this fire I would proudly be presenting to ye the tale of my name."

Rainmaker glances briefly toward Kalypso, apparently not understanding quite what the graisha is doing, but going along with the strange barbarian customs.

Kalypso shrugs a bit, seeing Rainmaker's glance out the corner of her eye. She keeps her eyes focused on the petite, hairy man.

Animated and spry for his age, One-Paw continues, making eye-contact with each of you in turn. "Countless summers ago," he begins, "before Silvasadee ever floated above the mountaintops, but after Ferrin had begun to walk amongst the People, the Klamahatee were blessed in union and begot a beautiful son."

Rainmaker coughs quietly again, shifting a little in her chair before falling silent to listen.

Kalypso nods to One-Paw, the wheels in her mind turning ferociously to remember her lessons.

"The boy was named at birth in the manner of the People," continues the old graisha animatedly. "He was named Ohanko, which in the first tongue means 'reckless,' for reckless he was! By Ohanko's fifth day, he was already crawling too close to wyvern nests and tipping crockery from their rightful places, much to the dismay of his parents, I assure ye!"

At this point, the bar maid returns. She quietly slips the proper orders before the proper folks, even bringing two neatly-chopped logs and setting them before One-Paw, on a platter. One never knows, after all, what a graisha is thinking, do they?

Kalypso picks up her glass of ambrosia, taking a small sip of the drink, her gaze mostly on the graisha. And the logs. Then the graisha. She's not quite sure what he'll do with those.

Rainmaker's mouth twitches slightly as she eyes the cut wood; she lifts one hand to her mouth to try to hide it, not wishing to interrupt.

One-Paw continues, barely paying any mind to the interruption: "The boy grew quickly and strong. Like his father, he was proving to be a fine hunter and a brave warrior (for in those days, of course, we needed them!), and the seer had predicted that he would be truly blessed later with the Duty of Ferrin, true indeed. But indeed, the Klamahatee waited and waited, and never once did they see the Duty in Ohanko's aspect."

Another sip, as she waits. This ambrosia's not as... potent.. as the Tritonis ambrosia Kalypso's used to. No doubt watered down for the benefit of the patron. But nevertheless, the sweet taste is welcomed by her taste buds.

Rainmaker starts to look vaguely puzzled as the narrative continues, bringing up terms with which she's apparently not familiar.

A broad grin interrupts One-Paw, as he chuckles at himself for a brief moment. "Well, as we all are knowing, in those days Grandmother and Sky-Father were busy interacting, and from this they too were producing children. One of their first and most needed was Migitola, the Bringer of the Sun. She is a gorgeous woman made of fire, who each dawn gives birth to the sun, where it will travel across the sky and be swallowed by Grandmother."

Kalypso arcs an eyebrow towards the old graisha. "And.... and this O-Ohanko would interfere with this, sirrah?" She does look rather confused, at that.

"Interfere, child?" One-Paw chuckles at Kalypso. "I think ye are leaping ahead of the story before I am telling it. Have ye heard this one 'afore?"

Rainmaker just glances between the pair, brow furrowed. This is definitely going over her head at the moment.

With a bewildered shake of her head, Kalypso seems rather hesitant to speak anymore. "No sirrah, I was just...." She stops, then shakes her head again. "Ne'ermind, please continue." She takes a gulp of her ambrosia at that, eyes expectant on One-Paw.

One-Paw winks again at Kalypso, this one no less lewd than the last. The warmed mead's cork is removed with the graisha's teeth, and its contents removed in gulps and slugs. "As I was saying," he finally says, "Ohanko was waiting and waiting for his affinity to manifest, but never once did it come. Going to a seer for advice, he was told that only a journey to Underwood could possibly show his calling. He then decided, and 'twas to Underwood he went."

Kalypso interrupts again, with a small blush from that durn wink, "Underwood, sirrah?"

"Aye, that very one and the same!" One-Paw assures Kalypso, and then continues his tale. "Now, from the Klamahatee to that spooky place is a walk of many moons, and as we have all seen the attention of a young man (especially one with that particular aspect of Ferrin's Duty) wanes oft and quickly. So it was that in the second moon of Ohanko's journey, he beheld that exact moment of the dawn that no mortal is meant to see and at once felt mad lust for Migitola."

Kalypso's gaze swings briefly towards Rainmaker, then back towards One-Paw, a wide-eyed nods encouraging his tale on. She rather didn't think it was an eternal story, just a long one.

Rainmaker just shrugs minutely as she returns Kalypso's glance. She still looks vaguely puzzled as she waits out the story.

Grand gestures often accompany One-Paw's speech. He seems to be using almost his whole body to tell the tale, as he acts out every motion of the characters. "So Ohanko swayed from his quest, which is always being a bad idea, and traveled instead always toward the rising sun. Every morning he would watch Migitola as she rose above the horizon to give birth to the Sun, her red and orange light bringing color to the sage and greasewood and signaled the owls to give way to the hawks. It was this that he wanted now, and it was this that he quested toward. The adventures he had on this quest are many, too many to be told in a single night. Let us just skip to the part he have asked about, though it may ruin the whole work."

One-Paw continues, "On the eve of the last day of Ohanko's search, he came to the Rim of the World, that place where the Varati sprang from the Aether first. It was there that he laid his camp, and there that he awaited the dawn."

Ashlar enters the tavern, and the carved door shuts behind him.

Kalypso sits at the largest table in the tavern with two Sylvans and a Praetorian guard. The two females seem to be looking rather blankly at the portly graisha, who's standing and gesturing frantically, while the Praetor looks like he'd rather be hunting down dogs.

"Amidst the Worldsea, Ohanko saw the glow of Migitola's approach," narrates One-Paw. "Entranced, he continued to watch, and then she arose from the sea great with child, the Bringer of the Sun, and her pink and orange warmth floated across the land in that great peace that dawn always brings. His lust unbearable, Ohanko stretched his hand before him and touched Migitola." His voice is ominous here at the end, obviously Ohanko has performed something terribly tragic.

Ashlar slowly sidles in, glancing around cautiously in all directions, his eyes catching the scene at the table before him. He calmly makes his way to a table, his gaze fixed firmly on the large table and its occupants.

The Praetor wakens out of his reverie by a toe planted firmly in his calf. He turns his gaze toward the little round guy, trying his best not to look too terribly bored.

As much the angel as ever, Kalypso's gaze is still locked on the portly taleteller. "And she took away his hand?" She's a rather impatient lass, isn't she?

One-Paw suddenly leaps onto the table, making a tremendously loud noise as he booms, "'You DARE to touch the BRINGER of the SUN?' bellowed Migitola (although I've been told she was much more ladylike than I). 'For this you will bear a MARK, young Ohanko, and a DUTY as well!'"

Kalypso blinks widely, leaning back in her chair as she mutters softly, "Forget I asked." Another gulp of ambrosia, and her attention is now riveted on the obvious centerpiece of the table. Which... seems to be swaying rather oddly...

Rainmaker's chair legs scrape noisily across the floor as the Sylvan starts back a bit, startled by One-Paw's sudden exuberance. She blinks once, twice, and unobtrusively slides her chair back forward again.

Ashlar flinches at One-Paw's sudden outburst, caught totally unawares, but as he listens to the flowing words, he beams a grand smile in his direction. Ashlar pulls a rolled up parchment out from under his toga and places it on the table before him, still watching the unfolding scene.

Seemingly too caught up in his performance to pay attention to the audience's reactions, One-Paw continues at a more reasonable oratory volume: "And it was thus that Ohanko's affinity was persuaded, and it bloomed forth as he Shifted. But the mark was there, as Migitola had promised: the paw he had reached forth to touch the dawn was pitch black to the elbow."

Kalypso ohs softly, "But still there, sirrah?"

"And so it is to this day that the blood of Ohanko runs through the Klamahatee, and once in a great while comes another who bears the mark of Ohanko One-Paw," concludes the old Graisha. "And this boy is thusly called One-Paw, in honor of the great quest he undertook and the mark left by the Bringer of the Sun."

Rainmaker settles back in her chair again as the story comes to a close, blinking slightly. "I... suppose that answers the question," she mutters, mostly to herself.

Realization dawns upon the face of Ashlar as he listens to the words of this chubby old Graisha. He shakes his head slowly and tsks to himself, snapping his fingers and sighing.

Kalypso bites her lip gently, overhearing Rainmaker. Tears spring to her eyes as she tries to avoid laughing outright.

One-Paw, on the other hand, seems to be lost in old memories. Nostalgic, he says aloud, "There was once a time when I was to pass on that name, of course. But that is yet another story, and not one to be told on such a joyous occasion, nor in the presence of a Delphic mage, I'm afraid."

"Whyever not?" Said Delphic mage seems rather interested, suddenly, leaning forward and resting her arms on the table.

The Praetor leans over to Kalypso, pushing his chair back after a perfunctory sentence somewhat in her direction about his needing to leave. As he stands, Kalypso is quick to follow suit. Kronian knows, she's not wanting to be around for the next tale. "Well, sirrah, it's been a pleasure." She smiles, inclining her head towards Rainmaker rather suddenly. "But I'm afraid I have some duties to attend to, at the present moment."

"Duty?" chuckles One-Paw, turning to Kalypso. "'Twas a pleasure to be reacquainted with the radiance of the Tritonides, child. We shall meet again sometime, methinks." Rainmaker's question seems purposefully, abruptly, ignored

Rainmaker grins slightly at Kalypso, nodding in return. "Why won't you tell the story?" she persists, glancing back at One-Paw.

Kalypso's smile is, indeed, of traditional Tritonis radiance. "Aye, sirrah... my wards require attention daily, I find." She edges her way backwards, "And yes, probably... again sometime, yes." Although Kalypso will be sure not to be without more protective guard in the future, with all of this winking going on. "G'day, then."

Another bow in Kalypso's direction is accompanied by a pleasant smile which becomes remarkably cold as One-Paw turns to Rainmaker, with a measured, "Fieldmice are not often welcome in the den of a badger, child." Obviously the healer's only answer.

Rainmaker absently drums her fingers against the table top. "Mmhmm. Would you tell it, possibly, out in the forest?" she inquires, mildly.

Kalypso quickly slides out the door, Praetor following quickly on her heels. The two depart the tavern and return to the street outside.

One-Paw hops off the table, onto the floor. "Nay," he answers. "'Tis not a story for these times, nor a story for this place."

Rainmaker starts to look puzzled again. "But why not?"

One-Paw grabs his bottle of mulled wine and takes a long swig. Ignoring Rainmaker, he turns toward the door, perhaps intent on leaving. The firewood remains on the table.

FIN  

[ Home | News | Staff | Players | Links | Gallery | Logs | Library | Updates | Mail ]
[ Connect to the Game ]