Raven looked the nomination over for the third time, there was a place for his approval, denial, or abstention of the guilds newest officer nominee. “Bah,” he grumbled, “I cannot be expected to cast a vote for a human I’ve never met!”
Bartender Nixior growled at him, “So are you ordering another drink or just taking up space at my bar?”
The large Norn didn’t even look up, but as he tossed the coppers onto the bar, he heard from behind him an all too familiar low chuckle. “A fire water for the elementalist behind me Nixior, as I try to decide if Owl here is late or if I was really early.”
“Raven, I’m never late but there was quite a line at the Trading Post and as you know I have interests with them that need… careful massaging from time to time to ensure the profit margin stays in the green.” he said. The bartender slid the firewater toward him Owl only gave it a passing glance as the liquid splashed burning the bar with a sizzle and a light trail of smoke.
“But seeing as you called this meeting, why not tell me what’s on your mind?” Owl asked.
Raven tossed the nomination on the bar where the guild leader could read it. “Looks like a standard officer nomination to me.” Owl said with a smile, “So what is it, do you have some information I should be aware of? Is the nominee unfit to hold the rank of officer for our guild? Oh wait, I know what this is about… you’re concerned about his “legend,” Owl said using his finger to mark the Norn words for greatness, “You wish to know if he is hero enough for the post.” he added arching an eyebrow at the Norn towering above him.
“Exactly, I mean how do I know this Omnis Goodluv is worthy?” he asked putting the nomination into his pack, “Someone must te…”
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“Someone call for a Goodluv?” the disembodied voice said as a portal appeared on the floor of the Crow’s Nest Tavern. Raven instinctively reached behind himself to thumb the handle of the hammer on his back. The next second it seemed stood before him a human mesmer. Raven took a long pull from his ale and set the mug down on the bar with a thud.
“There will be no brawling in here Norn!” the charr bartender growled as Raven turned his back to her.
“HA!” the Norn laughed, “don’t get your fur standing on end Charr, I’m not here to brawl with Omnis…”
“Friends call me Omni,” the cheerful man said grinning from ear to ear. He extended his arm palm open, although foreign in the Norn culture, Raven had been around humans long enough to know this was a sign of mutual respect, trust and friendship. Although he still wasn’t sure of Omni’s legend, he extended his right hand as well and the two clasped forearms.
Omni couldn’t resist a jibe at his new acquaintance and one he knew to be an officer within the guild. So with a smile and a shudder he exclaimed, “Goodluv will never get use to having his arm engulfed by the Norn hand of fellowship.”
“HA!” Raven laughed out loud. “He has a sense of humor this one!” he exclaimed looking to the still silent guild leader. With his left hand he slapped Omni on his shoulder nearly knocking him from his feet.
“Easy there friend, Goodluv is not a rag doll not even to a Norn.” Omni said in warning.
“Omni, I was just telling Raven here you seem to have a nose for treasure and put your Mesmer skills to good use for those dungeons the derelicts of Tyria so enjoy stashing their treasures in.” Owl said with a smile.
“Ah treasure, it’s my second favorite thing, next to those nifty gems one can acquire for the Black Lion post for the extra special shopper.” Omni said with a wry smile.
“Ah, a tomb raider are you?” Raven said raising an eyebrow to his new acquaintance.
“Such a bothersome tag, don’t you think? I take from those who kill, steal and destroy… it’s a heroes work. And should I happen across something that still has heirs to lay claim to it, I gladly return it to its respective owner. For a nominally low finder’s fee if I do say so myself.” he added under his breath.
Owl gave a low chuckle and said, “Now that the introductions are complete, I must take my leave of you gentlemen. Omni show Raven here where your legend begins; Norn are always intrigued to see that especially of humans. Raven, you know the rules…” Owl added for good measure, arching a warning eyebrow at him.
“Yes, yes,” Raven waived him off, knowing full well the guild master meant that the nomination & selection process for officers was secret, “he’s a caster and squishy and I should try valiantly not to get him killed. As you wish, I will ensure his safety Owl, you needn’t worry why I haven’t gotten one of our members killed yet. And before you say it… that time in Southsun doesn’t… it doesn’t count I tell you. Besides, I was able to revive the poor sap.” he said with a large Norn smile.
“I feel safer already,” Omni gulped, “and I know just the spot to introduce you to my legend. Are you familiar at all with the Pig Iron Mine in Fireheart Rise?” Omni asked.
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“Aye, I know the spot, if memory serves it’s just Northeast of the Severed Breach. Not a cheap trip where silver is concerned, but I have the funds. What of it?”
“Meet me there at first light tomorrow and we shall have an adventure!” Omni said as he turned on his heel to leave.
“Won’t you stay and join me for an ale or two?” Raven inquired.
“Not before the treasure is had my friend, I enjoy an ale as much as the next man, but I must have my whits about me or the shenanigans of my trade will do neither of us any good at all.
“Ah humans, I have to remember you can’t hold your drink as easily as a Norn.” Raven taunted.
Omni paused briefly and peered over his shoulder, Raven mused for a moment of his lineage. His skin was dark and he wore his hair all poofed out, surely he must be a descendant of Elona or perhaps Estan. His musings were cut short when Omni replied.
“Oh, no need to worry on my account, tomorrow after our treasure is found, perhaps a contest and a wager would be in order.” Then as suddenly as he had come he departed although this time he strode out the door.
“Guess it’s time to settle up my bill,” Raven said to the Charr behind the bar tossing a few silver coins to her. She caught them mid-air scratching them each with a clawed finger. Satisfied with their authenticity she slid them into the box beneath the bar. “No change!” she growled, “for the aggravation you’ve caused me.”
“None was expected friend.” Raven replied as he grabbed his helm from the bar top and made his way out of the bar. Several patrons grumbled as they quickly moved out of the way of the norn exiting the building.
At dawn the next day, Raven was at the way point agreed upon, all be it a few silver lighter than when he had begun. From the shore to the northeast he heard his name being called. Placing his hand over his brow he peered out through the mist still clinging to the water to see a man who appeared to be wearing the vibrant colors Omni had worn the day before.
“Well if it isn’t Omni,” Raven said to himself, “it shall be an adventure to fight with him!” With that he secured his helmet in his pack, and jumped into the water and began the swim across to see who it was. He chanted to himself quietly the spell granting him speed and chuckled aloud as the wake grew behind him. He stepped out onto the shore just east of Pig Iron Quarry Island to find Omni again smiling ear to ear near the shore.
“Hale Raven!” he declared, “your timing is impeccable my friend,” he added and with a snap of his finger a portal appeared glowing with a pulse of red energy. “Portal up my friend,” he said as he himself vanished within, “top floor treasure chest awaiting our arrival.” his voice echoed through the portal.
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Grabbing his Destroyer Hammer from its place on his back he took a deep breath and stepped into the shimmering portal. Instantly he was transported to the top of the precipice and exhaled. Looking around he was surprised to find no guard. With a giant swing of his hammer he bashed the grand chest nearby and the lock fell to pieces on the ground.
Just then a growl and a burst of flame happened nearby. “You could have been a touch more subtle,” Omni said unsheathing the great-sword on his back. Within seconds the two were fighting a very large, very angry Flame Shaman. “Who dares disturb my treasure!” the shaman growled as flame danced from his fingers.
“And now we dance Charr!” Raven exclaimed as he and Omni dodged out of the way of the flames springing up from the ground between them.
Omni’s looked through the flame to Raven. “This is not how I prefer to dance!” Omni declared as magic erupted from the tip of his great sword. Instantly there were images of Omni all around as Raven sprung to attack the Shaman.
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“Ha ha!” he shouted as the first blow hit its target. Beneath the head of the hammer he could smell singed fur as the destroyer core burned the fur from the shaman’s back. With his next upward swing the shaman was knocked from his feet and landed several yards away. While in mid-air with his next hammer attack Omni lowered briefly his great sword and with a glowing hand of magic sent forth his images which detonated. The shaman growled in pain mumbling about forgotten orders and disappeared in a burst of flame.
Somewhat winded the two looked at one another and shared a brief smile. “That spell won’t last long, I suggest we collect our treasures and high tale it out of here. And remind me when we get back to Lion’s Arch to show you what a dance is.” Omni added.
The two turned their back on where the shaman disappeared and ran to the treasure chest opened it and quickly examined its contents. Omni collected his share and cast a weathered look back to the charr’s last known location. With a growl and a burst of flame the shaman reappeared. “Time to go Raven we’ve got company.” he said as he jumped from the cliff facing and plunged into the waters below. Raven had just collected his share of the treasure and heard a fire spell coming toward him as he stood up at exploded at his feet and blasted him from the cliff.
He tried desperately to right himself for the plunge into the water but failed in the end to do so. He landed vertically with a loud splash and sank below the surface of the water. He gasped for breath when he finally did surface a moment or two later.
Omni was laughing uncontrollably when Raven pulled the wet mop of his hair out of his face. “What’s so funny human?” Raven asked, “Your hair is looking a bit deflated as well.” Raven said pointing.
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Omni looked to the Norn barely treading water near him, “No man, that’s not what I found so funny… you should have seen the look on your face the seconds before you belly flopped into the water. Man I tell ya, it’s a good thing you wear that heavy armor. Otherwise that would have really hurt.” he said almost singing.
“Well it’s time we make our way to shore, this armor is heavy and despite its protection the fall has me winded.” Raven said as he began his swim to shore.
As they swam Raven could still hear Omni chuckling at his misfortune. Before he knew it they were standing near the way point preparing for travel.
“I will forever remember that look on your face Raven absolutely priceless!” he said catching his breath, more from the laughter than the swim to shore. Raven chuckled with Omni, “Well you know what they say any fight you can walk away from…”
“You mean any fall you can walk away from don’t you?” Omni asked bursting again into laughter.
“Just for that Master Mesmer, you can buy the first round… and none of that human swill you call ale. Meet me in Hoelbrak there’s a Black Lion post there if you wish to sell your treasures there and no prying eyes should we decide to pool our resources and increase our shared profit while drinking ale…”
“Whoa!” Omni said raising a gloved hand, “I will meet you in Hoelbrak for the drinks, and my new friend I will even buy the first round; but shared and profit never belongs in the same statement with one another… I am after all a business man and sharing does not usually bode well for the bottom line. See you there,” and with a wink of magic he vanished.
“Raven approves,” the Norn said as he searched through his pack and retrieved the officer nomination bearing his guilds mark. He marked the approved indicator added his own seal and signature. Then speaking the incantation the parchment turned into a bird and fluttered away. With the message away he said to himself, “And now we will see if the human has the liver of a Norn!” Then he deposited the necessary coins and vanished into thin air on his way to Hoelbrak to meet Omni.
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