Scene #2643: Witcher Contracts

Owner	Pose
Geralt of Rivia	Where does one find a Witcher? Beyond the answer being 'surrounded by the bodies of his quarry', it depends entirely on the man in question. This evening, Geralt of Rivia can be found in the Passiflora in Novigrad. It's clearly a tavern - or perhaps a brothel - inside one of the largest cities of his region. And expensive, too - clearly, Geralt is enjoying some time to himself after some recent events. The man isn't hard to find. While the institution is quite busy, the White Wolf with his distinctive golden eyes and pale hair can be found in a private room. There's a table - upon which Geralt rests a mug of ale - and chairs - where Geralt sits in one, recieving a firm massage to his back and shoulders from an elven lady in green silks. While there's no 'do not disturb' sign, generally few people would disturb a Witcher for anything beyond business. Luckily for many others, Geralt is a (reasonably) friendly sort.
Dorian Pavus	Fortunately for Geralt's peace -- and probably also fortunate for himself, too -- Dorian is indeed here on business. Having heard about the Witcher and his penchant for fighting demons, and gotten the idea to start asking for assistance in dealing with the ones in Thedas, that's what he's looking for! The things he has to do for Thedas. Imagine the scandal if the scion of House Pavus was sighted in a brothel! Naturally, Dorian is not in disguise despite this. Not only because this is not his world -- even if it almost seems familiar -- but because he enjoys scandal. Particularly when it surrounds him. Some part of him just wants to make his parents squirm. He hasn't quite gotten over that rebelliousness. So it is that, after getting better acquainted with the place, talking to the bartender a bit -- or whoever passes as one -- he does ask for this 'Witcher'. If any ask why? Dorian responds that he knows of a place with demons that are just begging to be dispatched, and heard the Witcher does those sorts of things. This will, presumably, get someone to point him to the Witcher's room. Perhaps setting the tone for the conversation to follow, Dorian pauses in the door once he sees that Geralt is 'busy'. In a tone that's equal parts amused and smug, Dorian drawls, "Should I come back later? I do have a business proposition, but I wouldn't dream of interrupting a proposition of a more /personal/ nature."
Geralt of Rivia	The Witcher's eyes lock onto Dorion immediately. He's clothed in only his breeches, his armor - thick leather and chain - off to one side. The man is /covered/ in scars - claws, teeth, a few that look like blades and maybe even the perculiar splashmarks of fire-related injuries. "Just a massage," Geralt says, voice gravelly. "What's your proposition? Amrynn's discrete, don't mind her." The elf nods, and works her fingers into some deep part of Geralt's shoulder.
Dorian Pavus	On the other hand, Dorian is clad is light leather armor, with a white cape thrown over the lot. At his back is a staff with multiple serpent-heads at one end. He doesn't comment onf Geralt's state of undress, not in a place like this. It's just fortunate Geralt wasn't, er ... more engaged when he arrived. When Geralt seems to tolerate his presence, Dorian moves into the room and shuts the door behind him, leaning against the wall to one side of the door. Getting right to the crux of the matter, Dorian begins, "I've heard you hunt the supernatural. There's plenty of that in my world." Leaving no doubt that he's not from this one. And here his tone becomes somewhat wry. "You see, someone was quite careless and ripped open a hole in the sky. Not only that, but all over my world now, there's smaller rifts opening, and all of them are spitting out demons. I don't expect you to close them, no. Thinning the numbers of demons around populated areas would be ideal."
Geralt of Rivia	"A hole in the sky," Geralt murmurs, listening. "Got a bit of a demon problem? Might be able to help out, although magical rifts ain't my area. Have t'ask a sorceress," he adds. He bends his head down, chin almost touching his sternum, thinking... "Demons - how many? What kinda proof would you want?"
Dorian Pavus	Dorian nods. "The Breach is a whole other problem," he confirms. "It was made with magic, and they'll probably need magic to seal it. For now the concern is keeping people alive. The whole world's having the demon problem, but for now my main concern is Redcliffe." A pause. "Oh yes. I'd advise to stay away from the rift itself. It tends to have strange effects on time around it." The question of proof gets a moment's thought. "Most of them have claws. What about collecting some of them? That said, I do have contacts there in Redcliffe. So I'll know when the numbers thin." He sounds serious. "Though ... I don't actually know how many are there," Dorian replies. And here the sarcasm returns as he notes, "I've not had the opportunity to go, nor has the desire to lose my life grown strong enough." He smirks.
Geralt of Rivia	"Standard payment," Geralt says, "We'll talk in pairs of claws. If it's a long-term problem, I'll handle it when I can, over time, around the locality of Redcliffe. Might be different to the demons I know of - they vulnerable to silver?" The talk of the Breach seems to go right past him. All business, this Witcher is. He reaches over and takes up his flagon, taking a long drink.
Dorian Pavus	"Silver?" Dorian shakes his head. "No, but they don't really seem immune to much of anything either, physically speaking. They go down equally well whether you prefer bludgeoning, slicing, or stabbing. If you have the ability to drain mana or nullify magic, though, you'll find an easier time of it. Look out for their weakening magics, too -- hence why I suggest draining the mana or nullifying ther magic." As for payment. That gets a sigh. "Obviously I don't expect you to do this for free. Though I'm no representative of any order or group, so I'll have to pay you out of pocket. That will decrease what I can pay," Dorian states. He reaches into a pouch and retrieves a small bag, then tosses it onto the table near Geralt's mug. It clinks with the sound of coins as it lands. It's not a large bag, but it's not exactly tiny either. "That's half of what I can offer you," Dorian replies seriously. "I'll have the rest of it once you're done with the task. Will that suffice?"
Geralt of Rivia	Hmm. Monsters that aren't vulnerable to silver, that's new. Geralt nods, white hair falling around his shoulders. "Ggot a few things that'll nullify their magic, if it works." He reaches over to the coin pouch, picks it up, examines the weight. "Hmm. That'll be fine," he decides. "I'll accept. Now, these demons, what else can you tell me? As much as might be prudent."
Dorian Pavus	The astute might note a momentary slouch in Dorian's shoulders, just for a moment. It's of relief. "Thank you," he says earnestly. He's aware that once someone does this sort of thing for so long, it becomes less a matter of saving people and more a matter of profit for one's hard and dangerous work. And he's not sure exactly where Geralt falls on the scale between 'fighting for the people' and 'fighting for the money'. Dorian rubs his chin in thought. Then he adds, "Some of them will try to evoke fear in you. But, if you /can/ nullify their magic that will make most of their more unconventional attacks useless against you. They're still quite strong though, so do be careful. If you do need to get near the rift, finding some way to disrupt it will stun the demons temporarily." Then he seems to remember something. "Oh yes. It should go without saying, but don't go into the rift. You'll be drawn into the Fade. That's ... a very unwelcome outcome in this case. It could kill you." Dorian frowns. "Or worse."
Geralt of Rivia	For Geralt, it's somewhere between fighting for the people and doing it for the money. And, sometimes, more closer to the former than the latter than he'd admit. "Might have a few dimerterium bombs that could affect their magic," Geralt muses, passing his flagon to Amrynn the elf.
Geralt of Rivia	"Could work on the rift, too," Geralt supposes idly, "If the bomb's big enough." The mention of the Fade draws his attention and Geralt continues, "This Fade. Is it some other world? Can I be dragged into the Fade or would I have to enter willingly?" Pause. "Sit, drink," Geralt advises, pointing to a free chair by him.
Dorian Pavus	"Thank you," Dorian returns, sitting in the chair indicated. Ordinarily he'd have sat down at the beginning of the conversation without being bidden. But considering he's asking a favor, he figures he can't afford not to be polite. "Dimer ... terium? I'm not familiar with it," he comments. As for the Fade? "It's ... you might call it the spirit world," Dorian explains. "Mages in my world draw their power from it, but it's not exactly friendly to living beings. Spirits reside there. Spirits and demons both. Our world and the Fade get along perfectly well if they remain separate." Getting pulled in? "To my knowledge, the only way to go there is to mean to," Dorian replies. "Though I would caution against that. It ... was tried before, and the results were disastrous." He's hiding a /lot/ on that last point.
Geralt of Rivia	"Got no wish to go there anyway. Hate portals," Geralt adds, after a moment. He shakes his head and says "Don't worry about it," to the question about dimerterium. Amrynn pours out a goblet of wine for Dorian before she returns to Geralt and his massage. "Sounds like a big issue, this Fade. 'course, I've never been one to know about magic and such. Might have to ask for extra if there's significant magics involved. Particularly if I go through a portal." He shrugs. "Spirits - like wraiths? They an issue, too?"
Dorian Pavus	Dorian nods to Amrynn as the wine is poured. "Thank you," he offers. As to the dislike of portals? "Do the warpgates give you much trouble?" he asks. "Given what I've read of them, they're very stable, so you don't need to worry about them too much. And yes, I'm well aware that probably won't help." He smirks. "That said, you shouldn't have any trouble with it," Dorian replies. "If you go through a portal, you've already made a mistake. That's a good rule of thumb in Thedas -- portals are generally bad." The question about the spirits gets a shake of his head. "No. Spirits will be /in/ the Fade. Where you will /not/ be unless something goes horribly wrong. When spirits come /out/ of the Fade, they become demons. Something about the real world ... unbalances them, I don't know how else to explain it. They go absolutely berserk and begin attacking anything that moves in their sight."
Geralt of Rivia	"I try not to think about 'em," Geralt replies. "Doesn't matter that they've very stable - saw man get shorn in half by one once. Memory sticks with ya, something like that."
Dorian Pavus	"Mmn. I imagine something like that /would/ stay with you, yes," Dorian replies. "No helping that sort of thing," he recognizes. "But yes. If you end up going through a portal in Thedas -- other than the one to get there, of course -- you'll know immediately that you've made a mistake and should turn back if at all possible."