| Picture with a male ersatz ranger, a female ersatz "druid", and a kid with a plush kitty will go here. A farmstead will be in the background. |
Biology: Ersatz, or "Humanish" are the "filthy" and "twisted" versions of humans. Each Ersatz is fairly unique, but
they usually group themselves together for aesthetics' sake. Imagine a human. Now add 1-3 minor features that are
not human... Most common features are pointy ears, shorter stature, odd-colored eyes, tiny fangs, claws, a tail, tufts of
fur around their elbows... It's not enough to make them a beast-walker by any means - and most of the time these
features can be hidden by a well-placed hat... But it's enough to make them stand apart from their Human cousins.
Though each Ersatz is unique, they have self-segregated themselves. Some of them even call their own groups
"names". There are the "elves" (those with pointy ears). The "dwarves" (those short in stature), and the "wilders"
(those with animal-features). But for the most part, every single Ersatz is a mutt, no matter what they may convince
themselves.
Common Culture: Ersatz have long been "put in their place" by their Human cousins. Humans look down upon
them, and don't allow them within' their cities unless it's in a servitude job, such as a maid, butler, or street-cleaner.
Their place in the world is in the dirt. They are splendid farmers, masters of husbandry, and wonderful hunters. They
perform their "lowly" jobs, and make trade with the humans in their cities. Essentially, they are a much needed part of
the human culture! While humans are the 'lords', Ersatz act as their 'surfs' - but without them, the humans' chance of
survival would be greatly lessened. This repression does not cause the Ersatz to be demoralized however, it's the only
lot they know - and why would they want a stuffy and crowded city anyway, when they have the whole blooming world at
their fingertips? Perhaps because of the prejudice placed upon them, they are by far the least prejudiced race you may
meet. They usually get long with everyone, and save for those few pockets of Ersatz that have been isolated away from
human rule, are very amiable. Ersatz gender-difference for culture is based on the parent (usually the father). Sons
are allowed to marry whom they can, but daughters are protected. While humans may wish their daughters to marry
based on "what can they give us", Erstaz ensure that their daughters marry based on "will you take good care of her".
But all Ersatz, (even the women) are no stranger to hard work and hard play.
Religion: Ersatz do not follow a single diety as a whole. Instead, each follows a different god or goddess
depending on their family's background. One of the most common to be followed however, is Harvest.
Language: Ersatz speak common. It is called common because it is the most common language throughout the
world, spoken by the most common race: human. Most races will learn to speak common because it is handy for
trading. Ersatz usually speak this because... well, because they're more closely related to their human cousins than
either race would like to admit!
Common Names: Ryuichi, Beethoven, Shenika, Hansel, Beowulf... Ersatz also carry a "last name", or name of
their father.
Game Traits:
Double Mana Pool
Has "Ersatz Features"
Husbandry Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Botony Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Masonry Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Crafting Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
they usually group themselves together for aesthetics' sake. Imagine a human. Now add 1-3 minor features that are
not human... Most common features are pointy ears, shorter stature, odd-colored eyes, tiny fangs, claws, a tail, tufts of
fur around their elbows... It's not enough to make them a beast-walker by any means - and most of the time these
features can be hidden by a well-placed hat... But it's enough to make them stand apart from their Human cousins.
Though each Ersatz is unique, they have self-segregated themselves. Some of them even call their own groups
"names". There are the "elves" (those with pointy ears). The "dwarves" (those short in stature), and the "wilders"
(those with animal-features). But for the most part, every single Ersatz is a mutt, no matter what they may convince
themselves.
Common Culture: Ersatz have long been "put in their place" by their Human cousins. Humans look down upon
them, and don't allow them within' their cities unless it's in a servitude job, such as a maid, butler, or street-cleaner.
Their place in the world is in the dirt. They are splendid farmers, masters of husbandry, and wonderful hunters. They
perform their "lowly" jobs, and make trade with the humans in their cities. Essentially, they are a much needed part of
the human culture! While humans are the 'lords', Ersatz act as their 'surfs' - but without them, the humans' chance of
survival would be greatly lessened. This repression does not cause the Ersatz to be demoralized however, it's the only
lot they know - and why would they want a stuffy and crowded city anyway, when they have the whole blooming world at
their fingertips? Perhaps because of the prejudice placed upon them, they are by far the least prejudiced race you may
meet. They usually get long with everyone, and save for those few pockets of Ersatz that have been isolated away from
human rule, are very amiable. Ersatz gender-difference for culture is based on the parent (usually the father). Sons
are allowed to marry whom they can, but daughters are protected. While humans may wish their daughters to marry
based on "what can they give us", Erstaz ensure that their daughters marry based on "will you take good care of her".
But all Ersatz, (even the women) are no stranger to hard work and hard play.
Religion: Ersatz do not follow a single diety as a whole. Instead, each follows a different god or goddess
depending on their family's background. One of the most common to be followed however, is Harvest.
Language: Ersatz speak common. It is called common because it is the most common language throughout the
world, spoken by the most common race: human. Most races will learn to speak common because it is handy for
trading. Ersatz usually speak this because... well, because they're more closely related to their human cousins than
either race would like to admit!
Common Names: Ryuichi, Beethoven, Shenika, Hansel, Beowulf... Ersatz also carry a "last name", or name of
their father.
Game Traits:
Double Mana Pool
Has "Ersatz Features"
Husbandry Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Botony Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Masonry Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Crafting Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Ersatz Features are purchased using Ersatz Feature Points (you start with 5 to spend if you are Ersatz)...
Each feature has a different cost. You must spend at least 2 points. Below is a list of common features.
Odd-Colored Eyes, Cost 1. Your eyes are a strange color, be they milky white, golden, bright red, or even
lavender. A non-human colored eye, that's for sure.
Odd Skin-tone, Cost 1. Your skin is a non-human color. Perhaps you're blue? Maybe you have leapord
spots. Or maybe you sparkle.
Furry Edges, Cost 1. On the "edges" of your body (such as around your elbows, jawline, and on your ears
perhaps) you have fur. You could shave it off if you wanted, but why would you want to deny who you are?
This cannot be taken with "feathered edges".
Feathered Edges, Cost 1. On the "edges" of your body (such as around your elbows, jawline, and on your
ears perhaps) you have feathers. You could shave it off if you wanted, but why would you want to deny who
you are? This cannot be taken with "furry edges".
Fine Fur, Cost 1. You are covered head to toe in a short and fine fur.
Goat-Eyes, Cost 1. -1 charm. Your eyes have a sideways pupil, like a goat's. It's kinda' creepy.
Oddly-Shaped Ear, Cost 1. Your ear is a different shape than a normal man's. Elf ears, really. Or perhaps
they stick out to the side like a goat's... Maybe even you have "fin ears".
Strange Tongue, Cost 1. Your tongue is strange... It may be un-naturally long, or have a split like a serpent,
or maybe it glows yellow.
Strange Hair, Cost 1. My goodness your hair is a strange color! Did you dye it to get it that neon of a pink
color? No? Hm, strange...
Cat-Eyes, Cost 2. Adds the ability "nightvision". Your eyes are slightly larger, and slitted like a cat's, allowing
you to better see in the dark.
Claws, Cost 2. Gives the move "scratch". Your fingernails are replaced with small claws.
Fangs, Cost 2. Gives the move "nip". Your canines are much sharper than a man's.
Horns, Cost 2. Gives the move "sting". You have 1-2 small horns sprouting from your head.
Quills, Cost 2. Gives the move "thorns". Somewhere on your back-side (neck, shoulders, back) you have
short porcupine-like quills.
Webbed Hands, Cost 2. You have webbing between your fingers, giving you the ability to swim twice as fast
as other men.
Scaly Skin, Cost 3. +1 resistance. Your skin is rough, and perhaps even covered in scales.
Mane, Cost 3. +1 charm. Your hair doesn't really stop at your head. It continues down your neck and back,
and sometimes even at your collar. You sir, have a mane.
Tail, Cost 3. +1 charm. You have a tail - it's shape is up to you, but it's usually small, and certainly cannot be
used for anything useful.
Glow, Cost 3. Adds the ability "bioluminescence". Whether it's just some part of you, or your entire body - you
glow in the dark, and even sometimes during the day.
Wingsies, Cost 3. You have small and useless wings.
Gills, Cost 3. Gives you the move "water breathing". On your neck is a pair of gills, allowing you to breath
underwater, and preventing you from drowning.
Great Stature, Cost 4. +2 strength, -1 dexterity. Your smallest roll must be placed on dexterity. You are easily
twice the size of a normal man - a true giant.
Small Stature, Cost 4. +2 dexterity, -1 strength. Your smallest roll must be placed on strength. You are
easily half the size of a normal man - a true dwarf.
Nettle-teeth, Cost 5. Gives the move "bite". Every tooth in your mouth is pointed, like a shark.
Each feature has a different cost. You must spend at least 2 points. Below is a list of common features.
Odd-Colored Eyes, Cost 1. Your eyes are a strange color, be they milky white, golden, bright red, or even
lavender. A non-human colored eye, that's for sure.
Odd Skin-tone, Cost 1. Your skin is a non-human color. Perhaps you're blue? Maybe you have leapord
spots. Or maybe you sparkle.
Furry Edges, Cost 1. On the "edges" of your body (such as around your elbows, jawline, and on your ears
perhaps) you have fur. You could shave it off if you wanted, but why would you want to deny who you are?
This cannot be taken with "feathered edges".
Feathered Edges, Cost 1. On the "edges" of your body (such as around your elbows, jawline, and on your
ears perhaps) you have feathers. You could shave it off if you wanted, but why would you want to deny who
you are? This cannot be taken with "furry edges".
Fine Fur, Cost 1. You are covered head to toe in a short and fine fur.
Goat-Eyes, Cost 1. -1 charm. Your eyes have a sideways pupil, like a goat's. It's kinda' creepy.
Oddly-Shaped Ear, Cost 1. Your ear is a different shape than a normal man's. Elf ears, really. Or perhaps
they stick out to the side like a goat's... Maybe even you have "fin ears".
Strange Tongue, Cost 1. Your tongue is strange... It may be un-naturally long, or have a split like a serpent,
or maybe it glows yellow.
Strange Hair, Cost 1. My goodness your hair is a strange color! Did you dye it to get it that neon of a pink
color? No? Hm, strange...
Cat-Eyes, Cost 2. Adds the ability "nightvision". Your eyes are slightly larger, and slitted like a cat's, allowing
you to better see in the dark.
Claws, Cost 2. Gives the move "scratch". Your fingernails are replaced with small claws.
Fangs, Cost 2. Gives the move "nip". Your canines are much sharper than a man's.
Horns, Cost 2. Gives the move "sting". You have 1-2 small horns sprouting from your head.
Quills, Cost 2. Gives the move "thorns". Somewhere on your back-side (neck, shoulders, back) you have
short porcupine-like quills.
Webbed Hands, Cost 2. You have webbing between your fingers, giving you the ability to swim twice as fast
as other men.
Scaly Skin, Cost 3. +1 resistance. Your skin is rough, and perhaps even covered in scales.
Mane, Cost 3. +1 charm. Your hair doesn't really stop at your head. It continues down your neck and back,
and sometimes even at your collar. You sir, have a mane.
Tail, Cost 3. +1 charm. You have a tail - it's shape is up to you, but it's usually small, and certainly cannot be
used for anything useful.
Glow, Cost 3. Adds the ability "bioluminescence". Whether it's just some part of you, or your entire body - you
glow in the dark, and even sometimes during the day.
Wingsies, Cost 3. You have small and useless wings.
Gills, Cost 3. Gives you the move "water breathing". On your neck is a pair of gills, allowing you to breath
underwater, and preventing you from drowning.
Great Stature, Cost 4. +2 strength, -1 dexterity. Your smallest roll must be placed on dexterity. You are easily
twice the size of a normal man - a true giant.
Small Stature, Cost 4. +2 dexterity, -1 strength. Your smallest roll must be placed on strength. You are
easily half the size of a normal man - a true dwarf.
Nettle-teeth, Cost 5. Gives the move "bite". Every tooth in your mouth is pointed, like a shark.
He let his fingers pass over the charcoal drawing, and silently cursed himself immediately after for having caused a smudge across
her face. He blurred her cheek, how could he have been so careless? No matter, he had it memorized, he'd fix it later. Tana. She was
beautiful, but her father would never approve... not while he worked for Lord Herldic. Well, he wasn't quite a lord really, but Tana's
father didn't approve of... what did he say? "Those boot-licking dogs in the city."..? Yes, he did believe that was the term he heard. As if
he'd ever licked boots. As if he'd ever stoop so low! And he wasn't a dog!
"Tamil!" He heard the voice shout from down the hallway, and quickly came striding toward his lord's call, "coming" he announced himself, so his lord wouldn't become cross, wondering if he'd even heard him or not.
He entered his lord's chamber, finding him sitting at his desk, scribing some sort of document with his fountain pen. Ah, that's the source of the distress. He walked over to his lord, and smiled softly at him, lifting his hands to open the chamber of the lantern to add more oil, "Not quite light enough, eh, my lord?"
His lord made no move to acknowledge him, but instead muttered to his servant as he continued to write in the dim light from the window at a dying dusk, " 'Eh' is not a word, Tamil."
"Er, yes, my Lord.. ah, um.."
" 'is it'. It's not quite light enough, is it, my lord. Not 'eh, er, ah, or um'."
Tamil was quite for a moment, afraid that he'd use another two-letter word if he opened his mouth again in the next few seconds. Finally, when he'd returned from the storage cabinent with the flask of oil, he began to fill the lantern, "My appolagies, my lord." And as he put the lantern back together, he allowed his eyes to graze over his master's writing - which caused his master to look up at him from over the rim of his spectacles. "My appolagies, my lord-" he choked out, catching himself when he realized his rudeness, and quickly turned to make his leave, sweeping his way hastily out of the room to give his master much ado privacy for his writing.
His drawing fell from his pocket, and floated to the floor as he closed the door behind him.
------
Tana hit the beast square on the nose, "Enough o' that!" The creature snorted it's displeasure, snuffling snot all over her chest. "Oh, I don't care! You'll not bite again or you'll get another - now take th' harness an' stop complainin'!" The beast thought about biting her again, but ended up thinking the better of it, begrudgingly taking the harness over it's neck.
She brushed her red hair out of her face, muttering her displeasure at the wind as she picked up the plow that the great and stubborn beast before her was meant to pull, "All right then, get started." It didn't budge, instead, it just shifted it's head to look over it's shoulder at her, and snorted a fog of hot air from it's nose. "Go on, git goin'!" and she gave the leather strap a little shake, warning the beast. It decided it might be a better idea to walk foreward.
They barely got half the little field plowed before her father called her in to wash up for dinner. She dropped the plow, un-strapped the harness from the beast, and let him out to pasture. She ran toward the cottage, chickens screaming and running in all different directions to avoid being trampled by her feet.
Once she entered the dimly lit house, she hastened over to the washbasin to remove the dirt from her hands, and sat at the table with her mother, the supper already set up on the table in their one-room cottage. Stag stew with potatoes and leeks, water, and boiled carrots. There was even some basil leaf over the whole thing - and they had fresh baked black-bread for dessert.
Her father finally walked in with an armful of chopped wood for the fire, and washed his own hands before snapping up a piece of paper from the basin's table, and sitting at the dinner-table. "Here," he rumbled in his graveled voice, weathered with years of hard work, "Some paper that bootlicker had delivered."
"Tamil was here?" she blinked and blushed, taking the paper from the table, unfolding it to see the crude letters scripted across it.
"That his name?" It was a question, but he didn't ask. It was more of a statement that the conversation reguarding the boy was to be ended. And so it was. Instead, they all ate in relative silence, until her mother began to talk about the silly antics that the neighbor's pet had been pulling earlier that day, and they all laughed at her tale.
She reguarded the letter with curiousity, happiness, and a bit of sadness... She had never learned to read.
------
After he had finished preparing dinner for his Lord, and rang the bell to call dinner-time, he disappeared into his master's chambers while he ate, sweeping the floor, organizing the desk, making the bed, dusting the curtains, and folding his sleeping clothes to prepare them for the evening.
Once his master had finished with his food and he lumbered back up the stone staircase, he turned to make his leave of the room, to hustle downstairs to polish off the leftovers (which there was always plenty of with his master - he hadn't even need to cook himself a separate meal!), but was stopped by his master when he cleared his throat, "Damnable buttons." He turned to watch him fumble with the buttons on the cuff of his sleeves, and without a second of hesitation strode over to his master and began to help him with the undressing, humming to himself while he worked.
His master chuckled at his loyalty, and finished the work once the cuffs were undone, "Thank you, Tamil." At that, Tamil considered it a dismissal, and turned to leave again, but his master spoke once more, "By the way, is this yours..?"
Tamil looked over his shoulder to see his Lord take the charcoal drawing from his vest's pocket, and he turned pale, opening his mouth to squeak and whisper his next words, "Y-yes, m'lord..." His ears drooped as he spoke, and he instantly felt shamed for it - his ears were one of the main reasons that they disliked him so, and to have them change direction made them mock him at the market. At least his master was not so cruel as to jest at him.
"Who is she?"
"Just... Just ah-"
" 'ah' is not a word." His words were firm.
"Just some girl I... I see at the market sometimes." He corrected himself.
"You didn't answer my question."
"Her name is Tana, she sells crops from her father's farmstead." He answered hastily, afraid that his voice might betray him, but it already had.
His master reguarded him with a stern gaze, "I didn't give you permission for this."
"I'm sorry, m'lord." His ears drooped further. Dog. Bootlicker. The words echoed in his mind.
His master handed the drawing to him, and he hesitated in taking it - was it permitted? His master smiled just a little, but continued firmly, "You'll be going to the market on this Saturday as usual, will you not?"
"Yes." He uttered as he took the drawing.
"Will she be there?"
"... yes..." he hesitated.
"Good. Then she'll be here as our guest for dinner." He stated this as fact, and turned to crawl into bed.
"The light, Tamil." He demanded.
Tamil frowned, and turned to snuff out the candles, letting the room be coated in darkness, "Her father... disapproves." He chose his word carefully.
His master grumbled, "Then I'll pay him for it."
Tamil said nothing.
Herldic said nothing.
They never spoke of that night again, for he belonged to him.
-----
It was Saturday.
Tana loved Saturdays, but her father hated them. He would always grumble at having to load their goods into the cart, grumble at having to set them up, and grumble about the humans - strutting about, not a speck of dirt on their nails, never known a day of work in their life, grumble grumble. She would always roll her eyes at his mutterings (but only when he wasn't looking) and watch with a smile at all the men and women walking about the stone (not dirt, mind you) streets of the human city. Marvel at their colorful dresses, and glittering jewelry. Marvel at how freely they could laugh. If they didn't know a day of work in their life, how was it they could afford such wonderful things? She loved the market-day.
Many patrons came to purchase her father's goods, and though he was sleeping in a wooden chair behind the stall (he was just there to guard her and their goods if things went awry), she was always there to sell with a smile. Just as well, she was better at counting than he.
Mutton, Venison, and Poultry. Carrots, Potatos, Beets, Turnips, Radishes, and Parsnips. Basil, Rosemary, and Spearmint. She even had some beeswax candles to sell this time (was there any other kind?) that old lady Magna had asked them to sell on her behalf. She was too old to go herself, and her son had died last winter, so they were more than happy to do it for her.
Most of the customers were new faces, and even two of them were human! And as usual, one of the customers she recognized by face and name, blushing slightly as he arrived. He always came to her for their roots, but went to the huntsman, Markus, for the meat. His master preferred his wild boar, she remembered. Perhaps this time, with Venison to sell, she might be able to persuade him otherwise.
He walked stiffly this time, as opposed to his usual sweeping stride, and when he arrived at the stall, he pawed over the roots without looking at her. What was wrong? Was it something in the letter? "Good afternoon, Tamil." She smiled at him with a sweet voice, trying to hide her worry.
"Eh, hello.." he spoke softly, and then lifted his basket, "I'll need six potatoes, a dozen... that's twelve.. carrots, and three of the smaller beets.. they're the sweeter kind, right?" he thought over it for a second as she added his request to the basket, "Oh, and um... some of that basil."
"How about some venison?" she offered.
"No thank you." His gaze glanced briefly toward the hunter's stall, then he returned to her own.
"It's wild caught, fresh from the forest just this-morning, just a touch of salt.." she urged kindly.
He looked up to her, gave a sad smile, and then submitted, "All-right, we'll try some venison... just one cut, no - from that piece. What kind was it, anyway?"
She happily sliced a bit of the meat for him, wrapping it in paper to place in the basket, "It was a stag, we've also one of the antlers for sale if you want, but you... your master... doesn't seem the type to be interested in such prizes."
Prizes, meh... He glanced nervously at her father's sleeping form, "You, you get my letter?"
She blushed, "Yes."
He hesitated, "No... no thoughts?"
"No." she blushed more. She wouldn't ever dare to admit that she couldn't read. Even if she could, she couldn't possibly know that he was a bad hand, being merely a student in scripting himself. His master insisted that he learn, be above those beasts that swarm the countryside around the city.
He thought for a moment, pawing over the credits that his master had given him, and considered her for a moment living with them. It wasn't a bad life, not by any means. All the food he could want, a job, a warm hearth, clothing... He barely even had to break a sweat during the heat of the day. But then he looked to her face, to her father, thoughts of the other evening, and her father's words echoed again in the back of his brain, "dog."
He fiddled with the coins in his hands. He got paid one credit every two months. He'd saved up for a long time now, and had amassed ten credits. His Lord had given him twenty-five to help quell her father... He looked to her face, and in a moment of inspiration, "Come with me."
------
The others whispered and murmered their shock and horror at such a crime that had been commited to their neighbor, but Herldic wasn't surprised at all. How dare that little trollop leave him without permission? He wasn't a slave, true, just a servant, but how dare he?! Not only that, but he stole hard-earned money as well (a whole twenty-five credits)! Gods only know what else the little filthy-blooded beast stole!
Herldic just shook his head at their bickering, "I know, I know, but I suppose that's just an opportunity to get some new blood in my household."
Truly though, he had hoped the boy would never return. He had hoped he'd take the money, that's why he gave him such an amount. Few were so kind.
"Tamil!" He heard the voice shout from down the hallway, and quickly came striding toward his lord's call, "coming" he announced himself, so his lord wouldn't become cross, wondering if he'd even heard him or not.
He entered his lord's chamber, finding him sitting at his desk, scribing some sort of document with his fountain pen. Ah, that's the source of the distress. He walked over to his lord, and smiled softly at him, lifting his hands to open the chamber of the lantern to add more oil, "Not quite light enough, eh, my lord?"
His lord made no move to acknowledge him, but instead muttered to his servant as he continued to write in the dim light from the window at a dying dusk, " 'Eh' is not a word, Tamil."
"Er, yes, my Lord.. ah, um.."
" 'is it'. It's not quite light enough, is it, my lord. Not 'eh, er, ah, or um'."
Tamil was quite for a moment, afraid that he'd use another two-letter word if he opened his mouth again in the next few seconds. Finally, when he'd returned from the storage cabinent with the flask of oil, he began to fill the lantern, "My appolagies, my lord." And as he put the lantern back together, he allowed his eyes to graze over his master's writing - which caused his master to look up at him from over the rim of his spectacles. "My appolagies, my lord-" he choked out, catching himself when he realized his rudeness, and quickly turned to make his leave, sweeping his way hastily out of the room to give his master much ado privacy for his writing.
His drawing fell from his pocket, and floated to the floor as he closed the door behind him.
------
Tana hit the beast square on the nose, "Enough o' that!" The creature snorted it's displeasure, snuffling snot all over her chest. "Oh, I don't care! You'll not bite again or you'll get another - now take th' harness an' stop complainin'!" The beast thought about biting her again, but ended up thinking the better of it, begrudgingly taking the harness over it's neck.
She brushed her red hair out of her face, muttering her displeasure at the wind as she picked up the plow that the great and stubborn beast before her was meant to pull, "All right then, get started." It didn't budge, instead, it just shifted it's head to look over it's shoulder at her, and snorted a fog of hot air from it's nose. "Go on, git goin'!" and she gave the leather strap a little shake, warning the beast. It decided it might be a better idea to walk foreward.
They barely got half the little field plowed before her father called her in to wash up for dinner. She dropped the plow, un-strapped the harness from the beast, and let him out to pasture. She ran toward the cottage, chickens screaming and running in all different directions to avoid being trampled by her feet.
Once she entered the dimly lit house, she hastened over to the washbasin to remove the dirt from her hands, and sat at the table with her mother, the supper already set up on the table in their one-room cottage. Stag stew with potatoes and leeks, water, and boiled carrots. There was even some basil leaf over the whole thing - and they had fresh baked black-bread for dessert.
Her father finally walked in with an armful of chopped wood for the fire, and washed his own hands before snapping up a piece of paper from the basin's table, and sitting at the dinner-table. "Here," he rumbled in his graveled voice, weathered with years of hard work, "Some paper that bootlicker had delivered."
"Tamil was here?" she blinked and blushed, taking the paper from the table, unfolding it to see the crude letters scripted across it.
"That his name?" It was a question, but he didn't ask. It was more of a statement that the conversation reguarding the boy was to be ended. And so it was. Instead, they all ate in relative silence, until her mother began to talk about the silly antics that the neighbor's pet had been pulling earlier that day, and they all laughed at her tale.
She reguarded the letter with curiousity, happiness, and a bit of sadness... She had never learned to read.
------
After he had finished preparing dinner for his Lord, and rang the bell to call dinner-time, he disappeared into his master's chambers while he ate, sweeping the floor, organizing the desk, making the bed, dusting the curtains, and folding his sleeping clothes to prepare them for the evening.
Once his master had finished with his food and he lumbered back up the stone staircase, he turned to make his leave of the room, to hustle downstairs to polish off the leftovers (which there was always plenty of with his master - he hadn't even need to cook himself a separate meal!), but was stopped by his master when he cleared his throat, "Damnable buttons." He turned to watch him fumble with the buttons on the cuff of his sleeves, and without a second of hesitation strode over to his master and began to help him with the undressing, humming to himself while he worked.
His master chuckled at his loyalty, and finished the work once the cuffs were undone, "Thank you, Tamil." At that, Tamil considered it a dismissal, and turned to leave again, but his master spoke once more, "By the way, is this yours..?"
Tamil looked over his shoulder to see his Lord take the charcoal drawing from his vest's pocket, and he turned pale, opening his mouth to squeak and whisper his next words, "Y-yes, m'lord..." His ears drooped as he spoke, and he instantly felt shamed for it - his ears were one of the main reasons that they disliked him so, and to have them change direction made them mock him at the market. At least his master was not so cruel as to jest at him.
"Who is she?"
"Just... Just ah-"
" 'ah' is not a word." His words were firm.
"Just some girl I... I see at the market sometimes." He corrected himself.
"You didn't answer my question."
"Her name is Tana, she sells crops from her father's farmstead." He answered hastily, afraid that his voice might betray him, but it already had.
His master reguarded him with a stern gaze, "I didn't give you permission for this."
"I'm sorry, m'lord." His ears drooped further. Dog. Bootlicker. The words echoed in his mind.
His master handed the drawing to him, and he hesitated in taking it - was it permitted? His master smiled just a little, but continued firmly, "You'll be going to the market on this Saturday as usual, will you not?"
"Yes." He uttered as he took the drawing.
"Will she be there?"
"... yes..." he hesitated.
"Good. Then she'll be here as our guest for dinner." He stated this as fact, and turned to crawl into bed.
"The light, Tamil." He demanded.
Tamil frowned, and turned to snuff out the candles, letting the room be coated in darkness, "Her father... disapproves." He chose his word carefully.
His master grumbled, "Then I'll pay him for it."
Tamil said nothing.
Herldic said nothing.
They never spoke of that night again, for he belonged to him.
-----
It was Saturday.
Tana loved Saturdays, but her father hated them. He would always grumble at having to load their goods into the cart, grumble at having to set them up, and grumble about the humans - strutting about, not a speck of dirt on their nails, never known a day of work in their life, grumble grumble. She would always roll her eyes at his mutterings (but only when he wasn't looking) and watch with a smile at all the men and women walking about the stone (not dirt, mind you) streets of the human city. Marvel at their colorful dresses, and glittering jewelry. Marvel at how freely they could laugh. If they didn't know a day of work in their life, how was it they could afford such wonderful things? She loved the market-day.
Many patrons came to purchase her father's goods, and though he was sleeping in a wooden chair behind the stall (he was just there to guard her and their goods if things went awry), she was always there to sell with a smile. Just as well, she was better at counting than he.
Mutton, Venison, and Poultry. Carrots, Potatos, Beets, Turnips, Radishes, and Parsnips. Basil, Rosemary, and Spearmint. She even had some beeswax candles to sell this time (was there any other kind?) that old lady Magna had asked them to sell on her behalf. She was too old to go herself, and her son had died last winter, so they were more than happy to do it for her.
Most of the customers were new faces, and even two of them were human! And as usual, one of the customers she recognized by face and name, blushing slightly as he arrived. He always came to her for their roots, but went to the huntsman, Markus, for the meat. His master preferred his wild boar, she remembered. Perhaps this time, with Venison to sell, she might be able to persuade him otherwise.
He walked stiffly this time, as opposed to his usual sweeping stride, and when he arrived at the stall, he pawed over the roots without looking at her. What was wrong? Was it something in the letter? "Good afternoon, Tamil." She smiled at him with a sweet voice, trying to hide her worry.
"Eh, hello.." he spoke softly, and then lifted his basket, "I'll need six potatoes, a dozen... that's twelve.. carrots, and three of the smaller beets.. they're the sweeter kind, right?" he thought over it for a second as she added his request to the basket, "Oh, and um... some of that basil."
"How about some venison?" she offered.
"No thank you." His gaze glanced briefly toward the hunter's stall, then he returned to her own.
"It's wild caught, fresh from the forest just this-morning, just a touch of salt.." she urged kindly.
He looked up to her, gave a sad smile, and then submitted, "All-right, we'll try some venison... just one cut, no - from that piece. What kind was it, anyway?"
She happily sliced a bit of the meat for him, wrapping it in paper to place in the basket, "It was a stag, we've also one of the antlers for sale if you want, but you... your master... doesn't seem the type to be interested in such prizes."
Prizes, meh... He glanced nervously at her father's sleeping form, "You, you get my letter?"
She blushed, "Yes."
He hesitated, "No... no thoughts?"
"No." she blushed more. She wouldn't ever dare to admit that she couldn't read. Even if she could, she couldn't possibly know that he was a bad hand, being merely a student in scripting himself. His master insisted that he learn, be above those beasts that swarm the countryside around the city.
He thought for a moment, pawing over the credits that his master had given him, and considered her for a moment living with them. It wasn't a bad life, not by any means. All the food he could want, a job, a warm hearth, clothing... He barely even had to break a sweat during the heat of the day. But then he looked to her face, to her father, thoughts of the other evening, and her father's words echoed again in the back of his brain, "dog."
He fiddled with the coins in his hands. He got paid one credit every two months. He'd saved up for a long time now, and had amassed ten credits. His Lord had given him twenty-five to help quell her father... He looked to her face, and in a moment of inspiration, "Come with me."
------
The others whispered and murmered their shock and horror at such a crime that had been commited to their neighbor, but Herldic wasn't surprised at all. How dare that little trollop leave him without permission? He wasn't a slave, true, just a servant, but how dare he?! Not only that, but he stole hard-earned money as well (a whole twenty-five credits)! Gods only know what else the little filthy-blooded beast stole!
Herldic just shook his head at their bickering, "I know, I know, but I suppose that's just an opportunity to get some new blood in my household."
Truly though, he had hoped the boy would never return. He had hoped he'd take the money, that's why he gave him such an amount. Few were so kind.
Ersatz items will go here (medivil
clothes and stuff).
clothes and stuff).
In addition to all that, the Ersatz (and only the Ersatz) may choose from ONE of the following listed below. To take
your choice of one from below, simply copy and paste the appropriate code provided for you - we suggest you put it
somewhere like your character profile once you sign up with the roleplay site. Until you sign up however, you could
save it to a word-file.
your choice of one from below, simply copy and paste the appropriate code provided for you - we suggest you put it
somewhere like your character profile once you sign up with the roleplay site. Until you sign up however, you could
save it to a word-file.
