Click the image to see the full size (sorta) version. As full size as I can get on Photobucket.

Click the image for full size.

The Craft of War: Blind by Percula

Be sure to let it load completely. It is worth the wait!

I’m going to try touching on the subject of RP Etiquette. Mind you there are hundreds and hundreds of RP pet peeves that individual RPers might have that I certainly can’t cover, but I will try to cover some of the most common ones. I will also discuss how to know if you’re breaking RP etiquette and possible alternatives or solutions to such behavior. Making role play fun for everyone is the goal. So let’s work towards that goal together.

Interrupting Active RP

Like in conversation, it is considered rude to interrupt a RP conversation that is going on. Though often role players are more open to others joining in, it is usually wise to try to determine if others are welcome before jumping in.

The simplest and usually fastest way to do this is to send an OOC whisper. Something along the lines of “(( I see you are engaged in role play conversation. Is this a private conversation or may others join in? ))” Quite often you’ll find that role players are seeking others to join them. But be prepared for the times when it is a private conversation not open to others.

There is also the technique of simply listening in to see what is going on with the conversation. Don’t worry! Mom won’t scold you for eavesdropping this time. In life, you can catch a few lines of conversation quickly and determine if it is something you can join or if it is a private matter you should step away from. In WoW RP, because typing takes longer to accomplish than speaking, it takes a bit longer to determine this.

Snowplowing

This is the term I use though others probably have different ones that mean the same thing. Snowplowing is stepping into someone’s active RP conversation and overwhelming it with YOUR rp. You plow right through with what YOU want to talk about without regard to what is already going on.

Not good. Everyone gets their time in the spotlight. It does not have to be your time every time. If there is already an active conversation going on or someone’s RP plot, don’t snowplow through it with your own plot.

A good example. We were all at RP night in Stormwind one evening enjoying some casual conversation, doing a bit of fishing, a bit of drinking, and sharing some bawdy jokes. Up walks Darkandspooky (I’ve changed his name to protect the guilty). Immediately he begins spamming us with his description (in the form of bad emotes) and starts in with bizarre behaviors that are meant to reinforce the fact that he is “dark and spooky” (which I will discuss in a later article). Now the characters already present either continued with their conversation as if he hadn’t interrupted, or reacted in the way people who had imbibed large amounts of alcohol would. He seemed terribly upset that the other characters didn’t appropriately react to his all-powerful “dark and spooky”, but that was because he was trying to snowplow his way into the existing RP. It simply didn’t fit and forcing it wasn’t going to make it fit.

There are much more subtle ways to introduce your RP thoughts, ideas, plots or conversations. RP conversation, like real life conversation, flows and convolutes and changes. It may start out as a conversation about the fish in the canals and end up discussing whizzing off the docks in Westfall. You never truly know where it is going to end up or what roads it is going to take in between. So if you’ve got something you would like to bring into the conversation, listen to it. Follow the flow. Bring it in carefully where it fits rather than trying to force it on others. Trying to force it where it doesn’t fit has a tendency to go over like a turd in a punch bowl.

Sometimes conversations don’t go down the paths that would best fit what you want to talk about. Sorry sweets, but that happens sometimes. It doesn’t mean you are a bad role player. It doesn’t mean the others are trying to be rude to you. It simply means that the conversation flowed just like in real life. It is unpredictable. That is what makes it fun!

Hovering

Now there are two different forms of hovering. One is rude and one is not. Telling the difference is subtle so pay attention.

The first form of hovering, the not-rude one, is the person sitting to the side just listening to the conversation. Maybe casually emoting something once in a while. The shy character that just wants to be near people but really doesn’t want to interact. Sometimes the hovering character has a player that is being pulled away from the keyboard frequently so lets the character sit quietly as the conversation scrolls across the screen and catches up on what is going on when they return to the keyboard. I’ve done this a number of times. This form of hovering is okay and is also a great way to learn things. By keeping the ears open and the mouth shut.

The hovering that is irritating and rude is of a completely different variety. The character that walks back and forth past the conversation participants over and over and over and over again…. but never says anything. The character that sits right at the edge of the conversation (usually with their back to the others) clearing their throat, emoting other trivial things such as spilling a mug or tying their shoe or picking at the lacings on their trews…. but never says anything. They make it clear they want to rp too but are not doing anything to reach out the hand to play. As a matter of fact, their behaviors generally are not something others would comment on. If I see someone picking at their fly I’m not going to call attention to it.

The latter form of hovering is a behavior that is guilty of waiting for contact. I discussed the difference between looking for contact and waiting for contact in a previous article. Inclusion isn’t a one-way street. In order for others to include you in conversation, you have to do something that they can react to. Simply wandering back and forth isn’t sufficient. I’ve seen characters just wander back and forth for twenty minutes not saying or doing anything but then getting upset because they weren’t included in the conversation. Role players are not mind readers. In order to be part of the conversation they have to be given something that they can comment on or notice. Don’t be shy. Try speaking out. It can be something simple like asking for directions or commenting on the weather. Be creative.

God-moding

This is by far the singlemost irritating rp behavior out there. God-moding is when you do something that affects another character without giving them leave to decide their own actions or opinions. An extreme form of god-moding would be emoting that you stab the other character, killing them instantly. It can take other, more subtle, forms though.

If you emote something along the lines of another person’s character noticing that your character has eyes red from crying, that is god-moding. A better choice would be to emote that your character rubs at eyes red from crying and leave it up to the other player as to whether they notice it or not. Sometimes characters have reasons for not noticing things.

Many role players won’t come flat out and tell someone they are god-moding. That is, perhaps, a fault many share. Generally they will ignore the god-moded behavior and continue on with whatever they were doing or simply ignore the character guilty of it. If you find yourself being ignored or legitimately snubbed and you truly do want to improve, don’t get angry, ask the person about it in whispers. Usually others are quite open to helping eager role players improve their rp skill.

Manners, Manners, Manners!

In general, role play behavior should mirror real life behavior. The same rules of manners still apply. Take time to think in these terms and you will find smooth role play laid out in front of you.

Inclusion in role play also takes effort on both parts. Don’t just wander around doing nothing and get upset when you’re not included. You have to try too.

Remember, everyone gets their time in the spotlight. It may not be your time at just that moment but it will be eventually. Patience is the key.

And as with all things involved in role play, be creative! Even if your attempt to reach out and be involved is awkward, it gives a place to start.

.

Who was the first person to leave a comment on your blog that is still blogging?

84 posts and 162 comments later it was……

Anna!! My very first comment by a blogger still blogging, and actually my very first comment ever! Read her comment HERE. Through my whole blogging experience (even though I’m not as dedicated to it as I should be and perhaps a little scattery in the way I post and what I post) she’s been a great supporter and really nifty friend. Many times her Dear… posts brought me the giggle I needed on a sour day or her informative posts gave me that little tidbit of info I was looking for. Sometimes she even gives me giggles over Gtalk while I’m slaving away at work. Thanks Anna.

So I guess I throw it out to someone else now?

• Grizz at Nekkid Cow!
• Garilos at Scott McGerik’s WoW Blog
• Jezrael at DPS We Deliver
• Grizo at Grizo Shatterhoof
• Boetan at Two Gnomes and an Elf

I have decided to get back into art. I have always loved drawing and have had to repeatedly shove it aside to pay the bills. I’ve decided I’m tired of sacrificing what I love. I am going to get back into my art and bust my backside to turn it into something more.

Here is where I need help. I need ideas. I need things to draw, create, color, model. I can make up stuff in my head all day long but I would like to be able to draw on what other people see in there heads. Do you have a picture you’d like to see done? A character you want drawn? Do you have a picture in your head that you can’t seem to create? Let me try.

Either post your idea in a comment here or email it to me using the contact form on my blog and I will try to create it for you. It will be good practice for me and you may get a lovely picture out of it! I cannot guarantee a delivery date on anything; my speed simply isn’t where it needs to be yet. Neither is my skill. I cannot guarantee I will use every idea that is submitted. I’ll try to do up as many as I can though. If I use your idea I will send you notification that I have started it. When I complete it (or if by some chance it becomes painfully obvious that I am not capable of completing it) you will receive a full-sized copy of it in it’s finished state (or in whatever state it is when I decide I am not able to do it). I don’t do paper copies. Everything I do is done directly to electronic form so that is what you will receive. I will retain rights to use the piece in my portfolio or for other purposes as I see fit, up to and including offering prints for sale to help fund my educational resources. But don’t worry, I’m not going to tell anyone you can’t post it in your blog or on your personal website. That wouldn’t be very nice of me.

So if you would like for me to try to do a picture of your idea, send it on and I’ll give it a shot!

-Nau (Officially An Artist In Training)

Romance In RP

Now before you start to point and snicker, muttering about “cyborz”, notice the title is ROMANCE, not ERP. That is another topic for another day. Romance can cover a wide range of emotional depth from the friends that exchange flowers on occasion to full fledged lovers or marrieds. Role playing romance DOES NOT mean cyber just like reading a book that has romantic elements does not mean reading porn.

The Good

If you choose to involve your character in romantic relationships it can bring in another level of role play that is interesting and a good development tool for the character. It can also bring pleasant interaction and memories for both the character and the player to counteract the war-stricken and depressing world they live in. It’s a way to see that even in such terrible times, life does go on. There is hope and there are things to take joy in. Emotional beings (whether they are human, dwarf, tauren, orc or whatever) need that. If a mind is constantly bombarded with the awful with no respite, eventually it will break down.

The Bad

Sometimes RP romance can be taken too far; too seriously. Always always always remember IT IS RP. IT IS NOT REAL. I have seen people who’s characters are involved in romantic RP begin to believe that it is an actual relationship and when one of those involved plays another character or spends time with other friends, the other gets jealous or angry. These are pixilated images inside a box of computer parts. They are not real flesh, bone or emotion. They are story characters that we play with and read about but do not really exist. Do not fall into the trap of thinking they do.

The Ugly

I have seen RP romances turn sour and because one party or both have taken it too seriously, when the RP romance fails, it destroys the friendship between the players. I have also seen it go so far as to fracture guilds. Bands of friends choosing sides because one or two people pushed it too far. Truly a sad affair and one that should NEVER be allowed to happen in RP.

Rules For Romance In RP

While this list may not be all inclusive, I will try to provide at least a beginner’s guide for those looking to involve their character in RP romance. Much of this may seem like common sense but perhaps, for some, reading it will drive it home and give pause before the ugly rears its head.

1 – The most important! If you forget everything else, do not forget this! – RP Romance is not real. It is an interactive story development. Nothing more.
2 – The character your character is involved with has a player behind it too. This player usually has other obligations such as real life, other friends, guild members, other characters that they want to play as well. Don’t try to monopolize their time.
3 – Don’t let your time be monopolized either. If you have other things you wish to do, be sure the other player understands this as well.
4 – RP romance is not a stepping stone into exclusive guilds or raids. Don’t expect the other player to be able to shoehorn you into one just because the characters are involved romantically.
5 – “Intimate” role play should be decided on in advance by both parties. Set your boundaries and stick to them, or be respectful of the other person’s boundaries as well. Romantic RP can be just as rewarding without ERP.
6 – Make sure all boundaries and limitations are clear and understood. Do you only have time once a week to dedicate to RP? Do you have another character that you want to spend time on as well? Do you want to be able to spend time leveling as well as role playing? Make sure it is all clear.
7 - If something comes up that is going to keep you away from contact for a while, let the other person know. Heck, let all your friends that you play with know! They’re your friends. If you just disappear without a word they worry about you.
8 – The other player likely has other characters that they want to play too. These other characters may become, or already be involved, romantically with characters that are not yours. This is acceptable. Do not get jealous or snippy because the player wants to spend time with other friends too. This comes back to both #1 and #2.

Making It Work

Now there are many factors that play into whether romance can be feasible. First off, it is not likely the characters are going to be able to spend as much actual time together as a couple might in real life and trying to do that will cause issues of its own. However there are still ways to have the characters “be together” in down times that will fit with the RP and won’t leave anyone feeling pressured.

The Power of Assumption

“It can be assumed…” That statement can lead to any number of useful RP short cuts. In this case it can be used to establish time spent together doing more mundane things. Sharing meals, sleeping together, fishing, etc. If you have characters that are regular lovers, for example, just because the players are not in game at the same time every day or are even out for several days at a time, doesn’t mean the characters are not spending time together. Likely they would find a way to at least spend the night together more than once a week, if that is their inclination. Discuss this with the other player so that it can be established for the characters and help ease the burden of feeling obligated to spend every available moment in game together.

Combining Objectives

Are you questing in similar areas? Level ranges? Have the same instances you need to hit? So make them into a RP session. Grab a group of like-minded individuals for that instance and RP as you go. Run around the countryside with your RP muffin and complete quests while engaging in conversation and the occasional stolen kiss. Be creative. RP doesn’t always have to be just sitting in a bar in Stormwind. You can RP and accomplish other tasks as well.

Schedule It

Set up a time or day that you and your RP partner are scheduled to hang out together in game. That way neither of you gets lost in the shuffle. Maybe every Wednesday you meet for RP dinner at the Blue Recluse. Perhaps Friday is the night that you both have set aside to kill monsters. Be creative and keep it interesting. Maybe all you want to do is sit in a chair and talk all night. That’s good too. By scheduling a day/time to do it then you avoid the hit or miss of scheduling differences.

Write It

A great deal of story can be created and told through written RP. Most guilds associated with RP have a place for storytelling. By creating a written story coinciding with the in-game RP, there is a great deal more information and development of character that can be accomplished. So you’re not the greatest writer in the world. How will you get better if you don’t practice? Use your spellchecker and your grammar checker and then learn as you go. Share the story as it grows and give it the details that we cannot see or experience in game. It’s a great way to tie everything together when actual play time is limited.

As with anything, communication and respect are very important when involving your character in RP Romance. Have fun with it. Be creative. But always remember, it is just RP.

I reported to work this morning, thinking nothing different of the day. Little did I know the Lich King would be sending his minions today! The docks were repeatedly attacked by undead dragons and lumbering undead…organ donors. I’m okay and hope to see you soon.

Garilos.

Megaly read the letter again slowly. Just two years ago she wouldn’t have been able to read it at all. She frowned in worry wondering what was happening in Stormwind and more importantly, what was happening to Garilos.

She’d spent two days in Booty Bay with him and enjoyed the time more than she had expected. She knew it had to end though. She had to return to the orchard and help her father ready it for winter. When the courier came riding up with the dispatch this morning she had been surprised to learn it was for her.

“Somethin’ wrong?” Her Da asked as he walked up to her, pitchfork still in hand from pitching hay in the barn.

She nodded, wondering how much she dare say. The valley where the orchard and a few other small farms sat seemed to be well protected. With the exception of a Defias infestation that had been cleared out several years ago, this area seemed to escape the worst of what the world threw at it. “Thin’s is gettin’ bad in Stormwind,” she said. “Gar sent me a letter sayin’ they got undead swarmin’ the docks. It ain’ jus’ a few either.”

Her father frowned. “Do ya gotta go?”

She shook her head. “It’d be too late before I got there anyway. An’ someone needs to make sure we got somethin’ defensible set up at the mouth of the canyon. Jus’ in case.”

He nodded. “I’ll spread word to the other farms. Whatever is goin’ on in Stormwind migh’ not spread this far. Then again, it migh’.”

With that he turned and headed for the house, leaning his pitchfork by the door and stepping inside to talk to old Betti. The nanny would stay with Ralston while Da would travel to the other farmsteads. Meg would ride out to the canyon mouth and see what needed to be done to blockade it. She would also scout the area for defense position. While the locals weren’t great fighters, they were skilled enough to defend their lands. If anything came for them, they’d give one bugger of a fight.

She crammed the letter into her pocket and hurried toward the barn. Muffin looked up from her grain bucket and whinnied a greeting. Meg spared her a scratch behind the ears before she pulled her saddle off the rack and set about getting her ready to ride. Sensing the tension, Muffin twitched her ears and shook her head in anticipation. Being a trained war-horse, Meg recognized this as her signs that she was getting ready for a fight.

“No fightin’ today,” she muttered, pulling the cinch strap tight. “Jus’ scoutin’, girl.”

Once saddled, Meg mounted up and rode out of the orchard. She didn’t stop to look back for her father. She knew he’d already be on his way to speak with the other farmers. As she rode her thoughts turned to Garilos again.

She had no doubt he could handle himself in a fight. She’d already seen signs of that in the times they had spent together. The Scourge, however, were not your normal enemy. A fatal blow to a living creature was often nothing more than a scratch to the walking dead. She clenched her teeth as she rode. Even though she believed he could take care of himself she still worried. More so than she thought she should.

Though he hadn’t said anything, she knew he was becoming more attached to her than she was comfortable with. What bothered her even more was the fact that she was becoming more attached to him than she wanted. Since she’d returned to the orchard she found herself missing him more each day. She didn’t miss just him in her bed, she missed him. His laugh, his voice, his rough personality. She didn’t like him being so far away and facing this danger alone.

She urged Muffin into a gallop, her mind racing and confused. She didn’t want to get attached to him. Not to anyone. She’d been down that road before. The thought of sending him away hurt more than she wanted to admit, however. She didn’t have to be anyone but herself with him. He didn’t try to change her, to make her into something she wasn’t. More than anything, that was what she enjoyed the most.

She missed holding him at night. She missed waking up next to him. His presence felt like he belonged. The thought that she was becoming too attached to him scared her. The thought of losing him scared her even more.

The day had started out like any other day. He arrived at the docks just after sunrise and set his work crew to unloading a small merchant ship. He and his crew worked steadily, taking a small break mid-morning and another break for lunch. The rest of the afternoon was much like the morning. Then, near the end of his shift, chaos ensued.

Garilos was directing cargo when several members of his crew stopped, looked to the sky, and exclaimed “What in the Light is that!”

Turning to look, Garilos felt his blood run cold upon seeing the mighty frost wyrms flying towards the docks. “Run! Run for cover!” he yelled. He barely made it off the dock before the first frost wyrm hit the dock with a frost blast. He turned to see if any of his crew had been hit. Upon seeing no one hurt, he turned and ran toward the gates leading into the main part of the city. As he ran up out of the harbor, he yelled to several city guards, “The city is under attack! Raise the alarm!”

Upon reaching his destination, a small storage locker where he kept most of his armor and gear, Garilos quickly donned his full battle dress. He felt a surge of excitement as he buckled his scabbards to his waist. It had been a long time since he had fought in battle but he knew what needed to be done.

As Garilos stepped back out onto the street, he was immediately grabbed by a city guard, “You there! To the docks to defend the city!”

With a proud salute, Garilos yelled back, “Aye sir, I’ll be reporting for duty!”

As he ran back towards the dock, Garilos thought it ironic the surge of pride he now felt from rushing to the aid of Stormwind after deserting the Alliance forces several years ago. Back then, while serving at Honor Hold, he had felt no sense of duty while defending that unlivable rock. But now, he knew what he was fighting for and defending. This was his home, his people. And there was Megaly.

Garilos had barely enough time to wonder if Megaly was safe before he arrived at the docks. Looking about, he quickly found the ranking officer and ran to her. “Sir! Garilos reporting for duty, sir!”

The officer gave Garilos a quizzical look. “I don’t recognize you and you are not wearing a City Guard uniform.”

“No, sir. I served in Outland with the Alliance forces. I’m … on leave, sir.”

“Aye. I’ll take whomever I can get. Report to Corporal Standish over on dock 4.”

“Yes, sir.”

Running to the assigned dock, Garilos quickly surveyed the scene. Already several small merchant ships were sinking into the harbor. The war frigates were holding out only because they were heavily armed and already partially defended. Garilso saw several men dead on the docks. With a feeling of relief, Garilos determined none looked to be members of his work crew.

Spotting the corporal, Garilos ran up to and announced, “Reporting for duty, sir.”

The corporal looked Garilos up and down before saying, “You look like a veteran. Where did you serve?”

“Honor Hold, sir.”

“Good. You ever serve on a ship?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve sailed many voyages, sir.”

“Great!” Pointing to a war frigate, the corporal commanded, “Report to the captain of the Excelsior.”

“Yes, sir.”

Garilos felt his excitement rise as he ran toward the ship. He had worked on many merchant ships but had never served on a naval craft before. Running up the gangway, Garilos spotted several men fending off a frost wyrm. Wasting no time to report to the captain, Garilos leapt into battle besides the beleaguered men. After many minutes of intense fighting, the frost wyrm retreated out of reach before letting loose a frost blast at Garilos and the men. Garilos barely managed to dodge the blast as he ducked and rolled along the deck. Jumping to his feet, he saw the wyrm flying away with obvious wounds.

Seeing the captain near him, Garilos said “Captain, Garilos reporting for duty.”

“Good work there! Stay on the ship and fend off those damned dragons! As soon as I can get permission, we are going to sail out of here to protect the ship. We are sitting ducks in this harbor.”

With a nod, Garilos acknowledged the captain and returned to defending the ship. For the next few hours, he ran from one hot spot to the next, fending off the frost wyrms and lumbering abominations. Wave after wave, the attackers came and were pushed off.

After seemingly fighting for hours, Garilos found time for a break. Looking around, he saw bodies of frost wyrms, abominations, and city guards everywhere.

Realizing he was exhausted and seeing that reinforcements had arrived, Garilos decided it was a good time to make his leave. Looking over to the captain, he saw him leaning against a railing, an exhausted look upon his face. Seeing Garilos looking at him, the captain gave a weary smile.

“Aye, Garilos. It was a hard fight.”

“It was. We fended them off with the loss of only a few men.”

“We did better than other ships. Just as well, I never got permission to take the ship out of the harbor. Probably because the harbor master is dead.”

Nodding, Garilos said, “I’m gonna take my leave now. I’ve got to find someone. Make sure she is okay.”

With a knowing smile, the captain replied, “Aye. You did us well, Garilos. When you can, come on back. The skies are clear of those cursed dragons but no telling when they will return.”

“Ay, sir, I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

“I need to get something to eat,” he muttered as he rose from his chair. As he strode toward the door, he grabbed his swords and buckled them to his belt. Taking a quick look around the apartment, he felt a twinge of loneliness. With a sigh, he pulled the door closed and strode down the street.

Several minutes later, he walked into the Blue Recluse.

“Hey, Gar. What can I get for you?”

“Evenin’ Joachim. I’ll take whatever stew or soup you got, a hunk of bread, and a pint of your light ale. Oh, and throw on bit of cheese with the bread. I’m famished.”

With a sigh, Garilos settled down onto a stool next to the bar. “It’s been a long day, Joachim. I was almost done with my shift when the harbor was attacked by dragons and these huge abominations,” Garilos said to the bartender.

Placing a pint of ale in front of Garilos, Joachim said “I’ve heard reports of an attack by the Lich King on the harbor. Is that why you’re wearing your armor?”

“Lich King, eh? That’d explain those beasts attacking us.” After taking a drink from his pint, Garilos continued, “Yeah, ran from the docks at the first attack to get my armor and weapons. As soon as I reported for duty, I was sent to defend on of the naval frigates. Spent most of the evening fending off the dragons who seemed intent on destroying all ships in the harbor.”

With a curious look on his face, Joachim asked, “You reported for duty? I thought you were done with the army.”

“I was. That is, I was done serving at Honor Hold. No point in defending that hellish hunk of rock. But this is home. If I can serve to protect my home, I’ll do so.”

When Garilos finished talking, Joachim disappeared into the kitchen and soon returned with Garilos’ food order. “Here you are. No mutton stew tonight. I think this is a pea and ham soup from the look of it. Haven’t had any yet so I don’t know if its any good.” Pointing at the cheese, Joachim continued, “This is Stromgarde Muenster. It’s a mild cheese. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“Yeah, I will. After working all day and fighting after that, just about anything would taste good.”

As Joachim turned to leave, Garilos quickly said, “Hey, Joachim. You know where I could find a scribe and courier? I need to send a message to someone.”

“Oh, yeah. Hmm. Lemme think.” Scratching his head, Joachim’s face suddenly lit up. “I know! That fellow over there in the corner is a scribe for hire. He probably knows a reliable courier too. Just ask him.”

“Thanks,” was Garilos reply before he leaned forward and began shoveling the food down his throat. In a few minutes, the soup, bread, and cheese were all gone with only a few crumbs left behind. Letting out a loud belch, Garilos straightened up and relaxed a little bit.

Turning to look where Joachim had pointed out the scribe, Garilos saw the man was reading from a book. Next to him on the table was a small glass of wine and a plate of half eaten cheese.

Standing up from his stool, Garilos muttered to himself, “Well, let’s see what this guy can do for me.”

Garilos walked over to the man’s table and stood there momentarily before saying, “Good evening. The bartender says you are a scribe for hire.”

“I am. Won’t you have a seat with me? I’d stand and shake your hand but I’ve got a bad leg.”

“Thanks, I’ll do that.” After seating himself across the table from the scribe, Garilos continued, “I’ve a friend I need to get word to. I can read some but my writing is not good. How much do you charge and do you know a reliable courier?”

“I know several good couriers. How far does the letter need to go?”

“Just to Elwynn Forest.”

“Oh, then, there is no issue finding a courier for that. I charge two copper per word. The courier probably will charge a couple silver.”

Nodding, Garilos said, “Alright. Here’s the message…”

Garilos watched with interest as the scribe carefully wrote down his words. While it was true he could read, his writing was nearly illegible and he prefer not have Megaly see his poor spelling.

A few minutes later, the scribe was repeating Garilos’ message back to him, reading it from the sheet of paper in front of him. “Here you go. That’ll be a silver piece.” After Garilos handed him his payment, he continued “You can find a courier in the trade district near the front gate on the left as you face out from the city. Ask for Belkan or Neecher. Tell them scribe Cantrell recommended them.”

With a quick nod, Garilos stood up from his spot at the table and returned to the bar. Looking over at Joachim, he nodded and dropped a couple coins on the bar when he saw the bartender had seen him.

As he walked through the city towards the trade district, Garilos’ thoughts turned toward Megaly. He was glad she was probably safe, outside the city at the orchard, but he also wished she had been there with him. From looking at her and from seeing the ease with which she handled her equipment, he suspected she was a capable fighter. He would liked to have her there to share in the camaraderie of defending home. Also, having her with him meant he knew where she was and whether she was safe.

After Garilos had delivered the letter to the courier with instructions on how to find the orchard, he headed back towards Megaly’s apartment. He had his own places he could rent if he wanted but he hoped to find Megaly at her apartment.

As he walked through the neighborhoods of Stormwind, he occasionally saw troops and other fighters moving in the general direction of the docks. Yet, for all the action in the harbor, the neighborhoods themselves were quiet. If he was not already so weary, he would return to the docks to defend the city but he knew a tired fighter was a dangerous one, dangerous to oneself and to those around them. One tired, careless swing with a sword could easily harm more than just the opponent.

Garilos quickened his pace when he came within sight of Megaly’s apartment. He stopped just outside the door and gently knocked on it. After a few more unanswered knocks, he quietly opened the door. His heart sank with disappointment when he saw the place was empty. “Damn,” he cursed under his breath.

Garilos stepped into the empty apartment and closed the door behind him. As he slowly removed his armor, he felt the tiredness and aches of his muscles. It had been a long time since he had fought like that. He was glad his muscles still knew how to react but it was clear to him he had lost some of his fighting edge. “Is that what happens when you settle down? You lose your edge,” he thought to himself as he eased a boot off.

As Garilos lay down on the empty bed, he momentarily regretted laying on the bed while so dirty from fighting. He had no time to find a bath house before coming here. “I’ll make it up to her by sending the sheets out for cleaning,” he promised himself as he drifted off to sleep.

“Cursed by Elune! What’d the Anchorite mean by ‘Let her find her feelings on her own?’ Can the Anchorite read my heart? The harder I try, the more she will push away? Does she mock me?” Garilos fumed, “How’d the Anchorite known I had seen Megaly? And what of this subtlety she talks of? Sounds like the craftings of the nobles, with their twisted truths and lies!”

Slouching into a chair in the corner of the room, Garilos went over his conversation with the Anchorite. “She must have told the Anchorite. But what’d she say that draw the Anchorite’s concern?”

Slamming his fist on the table in frustration, Garilos fumed.

“Due I dare seek her out? I know nothing of subtlety.”

Looking around the room, Garilos realized he’d be spending his night in a filthy hovel instead of in the arms the woman he found so completely fascinating.

Reaching into his pack, Garilos muttered, “At least there’s the bottle.”

She’d stopped by the baker on the way back and bought two meat pies for dinner. She was hungry enough to eat a whole one by herself and if Gar worked on the docks all day she was certain he would be too. She smiled when she stepped into the apartment brandishing her prizes and looked around in surprise to find it empty.

It was a one room apartment so she knew he wasn’t just in another room. She wondered if he had gone out for something. She set the pies on the table and began the process of stripping off her armor. Maybe he would be along shortly.

She grumbled and cursed as she unfastened the various belts and buckles securing her armor in place. Try as she might, she couldn’t convince Thesla or her father that she didn’t need to be wearing full field plate to escort her on her shopping excursions. With a grunt she lifted the breast plate over her head and hung it on the armor rack in the corner. The leggings followed and she picked up the gauntlets and bracers from the floor to join them.

Once the armor was stowed she stuck her head out the door to look around for Gar. The sun had since set and still there was no sign of him. She frowned as she stepped back inside. The pies sat cooling on the table. Suddenly she wasn’t very hungry.

She kicked her boots into the corner and stripped off her tunic and trousers before blowing out the lantern and crawling into bed. “Guess he got tired of me faster’n I though’,” she muttered into the darkness.