WELCOME TO THE FREE CITIES!

[abraxasmods]

WELCOME TO THE FREE CITIES!

Welcome to The Free Cities! The portal exits outside the capital city of Cadens. The first impression of the city is its sheer size. It sprawls out across the landscape like a great hulking beast at rest. The wall that encircles it barely contains it, the buildings of Cadens practically bulging against its restraint.

The air here seems thicker somehow, tinged with a scent that’s acrid and smoky. Smog hangs high over the city, belched out by smokestacks that tower over the industrial district. The desert stretches out behind it, dotted with towers and dust clouds that disappear into the horizon. Multiple gates lead inside and each is staffed by soldiers in unfamiliar uniforms that wave a steady stream of people through without appearing to pay much attention. People are coming and going almost all of the time, to and from the outposts and areas of activity around the city proper. It’s difficult to tell just what’s out there beyond the impression of tall metal structures and a great deal of labor. Wagons carrying travelers to Libertas and Aquila roll out from the Travel Post outside the city wall.

Anyone who can sense magic will notice a much lower concentration here. No one will be stopped or questioned at the gate, even if the soldiers seem to take note of the fugitives from Thorne.

The activity and sheer number of citizens can be overwhelming. It’s crowded and loud and feels constantly in motion with everyone talking and yelling over each other. It’s easy to get swept up in the ever-moving throng or find oneself ducking into the mouth of a narrow alley just to breathe.

Anyone who’s willing to make their way to the northern part of the city and Portham Hall will find Prime Minister Marlo Reiner available to receive them.

Comments

[cryptsleeper]

It is, yes. [To both.] Especially seeing how all of civilization drops off once you reach a certain point in the horizon.

[He's thoughtful about that much, about how all the lights fade into a distant blackness and the stars above. It is a remarkable sight, and far more welcome than anything Thorne might have ever offered if they changed their attitude towards their prisoners. (Mistakes. The word still rankles.)]

I have a sewing project I could return to, but I'd like a little bit more time up here first.

[wiedzminka]

A sewing project?

[ Ciri almost says she wouldn't have considered him the type, but she doesn't feel like getting more sour scowls and lectures about not assuming things about monsters. If a vampire wants to make a quilt, that's his business. ]

Well. Good luck with that. I'm not much for sewing myself.

[ She unfolds herself then, standing in one fluid movement, hand automatically falling to check the knife at her hip in the same motion as she straightens her belt and brushes off her trousers. Everything accounted for. ]

[cryptsleeper]

It isn't as if I can afford tailoring at the moment.

[It's a very dramatic and depressed coat, thank you very much!]

Back, or further out into the night?

[The dhampir can't help it. It is the fluidity of the movement that catches his eye, well worn and practiced like other hunters he's met in his lifetime. And the way she spoke so specifically of monsters. That's....ah. Shit. He possibly just gave too much away.]

[wiedzminka]

[ Oh, don't be so paranoid, Alucard. It's just a very little knife.

She blinks, interested despite herself. ]

You're a tailor?

[ He thinks he gave too much away, and she's taking entirely the wrong things from this conversation. ]

[cryptsleeper]

Just good at a few basic techniques. Enough to get by and repair clothes, as well as some embroidery.

[He shrugs. Why this is what she seizes upon is absolutely beyond Alucard.] My other domestic talents include cooking and managing books.

[wiedzminka]

[ Listen. Monster hunting is pretty mundane, but a vampire who sews and does house chores is something else. Sounds like he'll make someone a good wife someday... ]

A man of many talents.

[ She actually looks a bit impressed, standing there looking at him with one hand resting on her hip. ]

Those sound like skills you could get paid for in Cadens.

[cryptsleeper]

[Well maybe if Trevor and Sypha ever come home!]

Likely, although that involves a fair amount of time with other people.

[Which he absolutely doesn't want to do. There's a small shake of his head besides.]

I've also yet to quite figure out the culinary culture here. I can't very well offer to cook until I know common dishes and ingredients. The most I can do is make basic provisions, like jerky and other dried and cured things.

[wiedzminka]

I take it you're not the type to be fond of crowds. City must be a lot for you, then.

[ No wonder he's a wolf on the rooftops.

It's kind of amusing that he took her conjecture so seriously. A little charming, even -- a funny, domestic vampire (half-vampire, improbably enough) who scolds people for perceived prejudice against monsters. Ciri would have laughed if someone told her a story about him. ]

That sounds useful on its own. I imagine folks need provisions that can last crossing the desert. Not sure yet how big it is... I heard that travel time to the nearest city is about a week's ride.

Maybe your jerky will sell just fine.

[cryptsleeper]

It is. Prior to now, I've been into a city only a handful of times in my life, and the size of Targoviste is nothing compared to this place.

[Any medieval city would dwarf in comparison to this one, of course. Alucard's glad that he won't be here for too much longer at any rate.]

The key to making it is having an initial supply of meat to start with though, and a little bit of a work space. I doubt I've saved up quite enough yet for a large cut.

[But she is right, and Alucard has taken the conjecture so seriously because to his ears, it is utterly viable. There's a soft hm that might be thought or could be approval of something. Maybe Ciri not questioning why he has those skills, or just rolling with them. Either way, it is appreciated.]

And do you intend to make one of those crossings in the near future?

[wiedzminka]

[ He's said so many bizarre things during this conversation (not to mention the whole wolf thing) so honestly... if he can make jerky, he can make jerky. Bully for him.

She shrugs. ]

Hope so. Saving up for some gear first. Making sure I know what I'll find out there, or what might find me.

[ She could find a wagon going out to Libertas, but that's clearly not the intent.

The smile she gives him is a tad apologetic. ]

Like those scorpions.

[ Which she is going to ask around about tomorrow, and see if alchemists have any need of venom or parts. Sorry, Alucard. ]

[cryptsleeper]

[That's....fair, quite frankly.]

Have you gotten a sense of the prices for weaponry yet?

[Oh. That smile is actually quite warming. The note of apology does it, Alucard supposes, but he can dwell on it later.]

Well hopefully not those scorpions, if all goes well.

[wiedzminka]

[ She is absolutely going to go scorpion hunting. How hard could it be??

Ciri laughs, but doesn't tell him this. ]

I have. It's going to be some time.

[ She could buy a used sword if she wanted to, and some days, she is sorely tempted. But she and Geralt have discussed it, and it's much safer and smarter to wait, to invest in a good weapon. A proper sword. How her fingers itch to hold it, to practice, to feel herself again.

For now, she has her little knife, her notebook with its sketched maps of the enormous city that could probably fit two or three of Novigrad within its walls, and a plan. It will have to do. ]

[cryptsleeper]

[Fine but if she gets stung he'd like a I Told You So opportunity.

There's a thin frown at that information. Not Ciri's fault, but absolutely disappointed.]

In your opinion, is the craftsmanship worth the cost?

[It is a fairly serious question, all things considered. Alucard does need to arm himself, and probably sooner rather than later.]

[wiedzminka]

[ The question, combined with that slightly dismayed look, gives Ciri pause. She cocks her head, considering him. ]

For me, yes. I need a sword that is perfectly balanced to my grip and suitable to my style.

Others may not need such a specialized blade. It all depends on its intended use and wielder.

[ ... ]

Are you in the market for a sword, Alucard?

[cryptsleeper]

I might be.

[He won't deny it. He looks perfectly serious with how he confirms the matter, at any rate.]

[wiedzminka]

[ Oh, good. She loves swords. Talk to her about swords. ]

I see.

Well, if you'd like to ask me for advice around whether or not it's worth saving up or getting one secondhand, I'll need to know what you plan to use it for. And what kind you're looking for. When I find a decent smith, I can send word.

[cryptsleeper]

[Ciri, have you met Gideon yet? Because Alucard thinks you'd get along like a house on fire.]

Expected scuffles, nothing overly specialized. I prefer a thinner blade, better suited for speed and direct strikes rather than brute strength. [The description is quick, but not automatic. He's never had to stop and truly describe his weapon before - it has usually just been on hand.] I don't focus on decoration, although some flair is appreciated.

[wiedzminka]

[ They're working on it! ]

Mm. I see. Like a rapier?

[ She nods, with a sharp, interested look in her eyes as she seems to be imagining it, the look of someone quite interested in and familiar with the topic at hand. Never mind that she hadn't thought about a vampire needing a sword before. ]

If you favor a thin blade, I'd recommend not skimping on the quality. You don't want something too brittle or too weak. An inexperienced or dishonest smith could try to fool you with a light blade that seems well balanced but snaps under pressure instead of flexing. You should also take care that the point isn't too narrow, or it may be more susceptible to breaks. Again... depending on how you intend to use it.

In my view, a badly crafted sword is more a hinderance than a tool, but I recognize that sometimes one has no choice but to make do.

[cryptsleeper]

Not quite that thin. Just slightly thinner than average.

[Alucard's not about to burst out with I'll know it when I see it, but should Ciri ever find him in the Horizon, he'll happily whip out his sword from back home in order to better illustrate his point.]

I expect that there will have to be some modifications based on what I run into in this place, but the ability to deal with speed is absolutely required. [He doesn't have to elaborate on Special Vampire Reasons, does he?]

I'd really rather not make do unless absolutely required of me. It is too much of an investment to fail.

[wiedzminka]

[ That gets a bigger smile out of her, as if she's happy to hear they agree. ]

Exactly my point.

In that case, I'll be sure to let you know when I've got my eye on a competent smith.

...that is, if you'd be kind enough to share where one can find you on a regular basis. Not this same roof, I presume?

[ A beat, before she adds, cautiously. ]

I can always find you in the other place, if you describe what I should look for there. Leave a message or something.

Maybe you can even show me your sword and how you use it.

[ That's not meant to sound dirty. Promise. ]

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard lets the low hanging is that meant to be a sword joke? slide. This has been a Successful Interaction With Another Person, and he is a little proud of himself for managing that and keeping his low key paranoia under control for all of it.]

The Ram's Head, the sign looks like a terribly abstract interpretation of what a ram looks like in profile. It...well, it is rather hard to mistake. [He shrugs gently.] But I would not oppose this roof either.

[you can pretend to be batman It's a nice change in perspective. at any rate.]

The other place is marked by woods that will keep trying to show you out. I'll try and make the true path through it obvious.

[Good news: his mind is so, so far from that these days that Alucard doesn't even pick up on how dirty it is.]

[wiedzminka]

[ Neither of them notice, but somewhere, hopefully, someone else is inspired by the bad horny joke energy being put out into the world.

Ciri's lips quirk at the thought of a 'terribly abstract' ram's head, trying to imagine it, but it does give her enough to go on. ]

All right. I'll keep an eye out for the inn.

[ She does not volunteer her own location. In fairness, it is hardly a permanent solution, all three of them crammed into a cheap little room, but it's still better than prison. ]

...and the woods. They sound like an interesting challenge, the way you put it.

[ Not exactly welcoming to guests. It's not the most straightforward invitation she's ever gotten, but it sounds like one anyway, so maybe his domain won't entirely try to throw her out if she decides she needs to speak with him. ]

[cryptsleeper]

[Or at least someone tell them they're doing it. Alucard will stop immediately.]

They're not particularly meant to be [They're not at all a metaphor for how he feels about the world, nope!] but I can't say I'm surprised that you'd take them as such.

[He's met Ciri for ten minutes but her personality is pretty clear in some regards.]