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Jeggred Von
2007-06-22, 11:13 PM
Gothmoor: The City of Shadows

Background History of Gothmoor


Sitting on coast on the southernmost part of the Mhair jungles lays a city shrouded in mystery. Forged atop ancient buried ruins of a splintered city, Gothmoor has the ocean to its back, mountainous hills to one side and the deadly Mhair jungle on it's other side and front. Getting to the city can be just as dangerous as living or visiting there.

Often rumored to be created as a favor from the gods themselves, Gothmoor has its shares of rumors and legends. One solid fact is the original city, no matter how it was formed, was ruled by the Von Luen family. Lord Sir Bruce Von Luen was the first ruler of Gothmoor and built the city up to what it is today. History has been recorded as Lord Von Luen creating the city along the shore of the Great Sea with the help of a local underground city of dwarves. The city of Gothmoor was built upon the ruins of another civilization that the Dwarves refused to tell Lord Sir Bruce about. To this day, no one who vocally admits it or speaks of it knows about the original city that once stood here.

Often called the Waterdeep of the South, those who find even Skullport too unruly and Waterdeep too constrictive, find themselves comfortable in the walls of Gothmoor. Originally used as a southern waterways trading port, the city has grown into something most don't even dare to dream. The last known recorded size overland of Gothmoor would fit Waterdeep and part of Baldur's Gate within. It is a huge sprawling town. The town originally was like any other town, with people crammed along cramped streets and living atop one another, multiple feet up with two and three story homes, but once the Southern city became noteworthy, people began to spread out. As more and more of the Mhair jungle's encroaching edge is cut back for firewood, building lumber and crop land, the size of the city is increasing.

The local inhabitants of the Mhair do not approve of this human encroachment and often attempt pitiful raids on the Northern wall. The City Watch, also known as The Keepers, keeps strong vigilance and rotates from wall duty to inner city patrols. Most regional patrols outside the city are done with paid conscripts (adventurers) accompanied by a Keeper Captain.

Many jobs can be had within Gothmoor's walls, from cooking and butchery, to armed guardsmen and even bouncers. The port keeps many bodies coming and going, as well as the constantly running earth of the city's graveyard. Jobs become available almost nightly. If you're quick, either with steel or wit, you can find a fortune, or at least a comfortable living within Gothmoor. The only thing that keeps the gravediggers busy year round, or the stockades full, is one thing, racial hatred. Anyone who is not tolerant of other races, or vocally or physically attacks another due to their race in Gothmoor is quickly punished and dealt with behind locked and barred iron doors.

Public executions are common. The local arena is where many work more vicious crimes off, to the enjoyment of others. Slavery is not unheard of in the Southern Jewel of Faerun. You will see a wood elf and a dark elf sipping tea in a parlor house, while a grey dwarf sings a drinking song alongside a shield dwarf with full mugs of grog in their hands. Does this mean everything is happy and compliant? On the surface, yes. But there are ways of getting rid of a hated enemy without getting caught, and that is yet another way one can find his fame and fortune in Gothmoor. Many will smile at your face, because a few minutes earlier, planned for your death. If Gothmoor's upside is as shiny as Waterdeep, Gothmoor's underbelly is twice as dark as Skullport's. Many a patron has drank with his most hated enemy, only to have a shank in his back before he wakes up, while his enemy is in public view with a complete alibi. Strangers must be wary their first few months in the big city. Things that may go bump in the night may just rip the flesh from your face and turn you into a mindless zombie for fun.

Map of Region:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o302/shonuffstudios/Maps/gothmoor.jpg

Map of Merchant Ward:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o302/shonuffstudios/Maps/GothmoorNorthMiddle.jpg

Jeggred Von
2007-06-22, 11:17 PM
Characters:


Vie:Etsia- Druid (http://www.rpgwebprofiler.net/view.php?id=54902)
Ilsh: Jessamyn - Paladin (http://www.rpgwebprofiler.net/view.php?id=55330)
Zarrae:Zarraema - Cleric (http://www.rpgwebprofiler.net/view.php?id=55332)
Edo:Kelzir - Bard (http://www.rpgwebprofiler.net/view.php?id=55678)
Tsol: Fistar - Rogue (http://www.rpgwebprofiler.net/view.php?id=53706)

Jeggred Von
2007-06-23, 12:59 AM
Etsia:
You've been traveling more and more south, seeking out a creature. THe urge continued to pull you south as the trees begin to become less and less deciduious and more and more tropical. The leaves became bladed and hard, and the trunks became more and more ropey. The underbrush covered ground becomes more squishy as your soft boots lead you further south. The sky has become clouded as the temperature has gotten hotter. You have not seen a elven or even human village for the last few days. You being to doubt your course until the jungle you've been trekking through breaks and you spot, what has to be, the hugest and most concentrated gathering of intelligent beings you've ever seen. Huge massive stone walls just up from the coast, and huge building sit snugly behind. A long thick road sits to your left about 300 feet away.

You've checked your pouches and your food is running low. You have heard of rumors of large libraries within these cities liek the one in the great oak tree in your home village. You decide the best place to find out about the local fauna in the area would be within this city..as long as you can keep yourself safe. You've been picked up just outside the walls by a caravan and followed it in.


Jessamyn:
You awoke thre weeks ago in the small temple of Torm on the outskirts of Lapalgard. It is the southernmost village of the Lapaliiya region. The spot is a strategic location for the region's Baron, hence why the temple was allowed to be built. Your studies have been concluded, and the growing information coming out from the Southern Gem of Faerun. Your master Cardinal has decreed your quest is to travel to a large mysterious city to the south, Gothmoor, and see to a temple within it's walls. The old temple of Torm has fallen, and they clerics have actually let go of the property and began to build a new temple. Rumors of Necromancers and undead have been coming from the south. You have joined up on a caravan with a strange pair of dark elves as a caravan guard and headed to Gothmoor.


Zarraema:
You have been skirting the edges of the Mhair jungle to the Northern edge around the outside of Sammaresh. The region of Lapaliiya seems to have a more understanding group of people and they seem to leave you alone as they acknowledge your presence and even have left you packages of food on their porch. The voluntary exile from the underdark left you ill prepared to survive on the surface, but the outskirt farms have been helping you. Your lack of coin and permanent housing situation has had you find work.

A strange human with strange gray skin had brought you and Kelzir both a pair of wineskins and a few packages of food. Upon talking to the man, who is a surface born half drow! He jingles a few bags of coins at you and hires you both to guard his caravan which is headed to a mysterious city to the south. The caravan master has filled both your ears and minds with talk and stories of a huge city, built by surface dwelling, Lloth hating dark elves. Without much discussion, you both take the man's coin and hop aboard toward this legendary city.

Kelzir:

Your travel on the surface has not been an easy one. You have been travelling with this feamle dark elven ex priestess for some time and the surface is much different that the underdark. It is much hotter on the surface for one and the food is much different. it's much harder to hunt when there is no roof above you. The hot jungles of Mhair has been your home for years but you always seem to be drawn to the human town of Sammaresh. They seem to have accepted you for a silent protector and guardian within the jungle. The coin is the only thing that's not flowing at this point.

A strange human with strange gray skin had brought you and Kelzir both a pair of wineskins and a few packages of food. Upon talking to the man, who is a surface born half drow! He jingles a few bags of coins at you and hires you both to guard his caravan which is headed to a mysterious city to the south. The caravan master has filled both your ears and minds with talk and stories of a huge city, built by surface dwelling, Lloth hating dark elves. Without much discussion, you both take the man's coin and hop aboard toward this legendary city.

Fistar:
You've done it again. You don't know how it happened but somehow you woke up with you in the Baron's daughter's bed. Somehow you made it outside and down the wall parapet but were cut off from the stairwell. Once well placed jump landed you in the back of a fabric filled wagon. The caravan master looked over his shoulder at you and told you "I hope you don't mind surface dark elves, because we're headed to Gothmoor. One wagon back, a female and a male dark elf ride as caravan guards in the line of five wagons on their way south.

Gothmoor has been told to you in stories sicne you were born. A mysterious city to the south where wood elves and white elves break bread together and smile at each other without bloodshed. A city of mysteries built upon a ruins of a city of mysteries built on an ancient ruins. The city itself begs to be inspected. You've never had the need to leave the city of Durgar, but now...with nowhere else to go...Gothmoor sounds good as any place.

Jeggred Von
2007-06-23, 02:19 AM
The crack of the whip from the head wagon of the caravan, and a loud yell signals you of the stopping of the line of wagons. The wagon you're on urches to a stop, waking you up, or catching your attention from your current conversation. The Wagonmaster you've known as Daurvin hopped down from his lead wagon and stretched a bit before begining to shout orders to the caravan hands and you guards. His rat faced second in charge stepped down with a small chest and begins to hand out small bags of coin to the other caravan guards.The rat faced man sneers as you approach and tosses you your bag and immediately focus on who is behind you. Daurvin pats your shoulder and shakes your hand and wishes you the best of luck in the City of Mysteries... You've arrived in Gothmoor.

You stand around in a small group, looking at those you've seen a bit during the caravan trip. You look around to the huge four story tall buildings and temples and mansions made of stone and wood. The smell in here is not of sweat and cramped bodies, but of ozone...and commerce. The sky is full of black clouds rumbling overhead, as Daurvin mentions a good and safe inn called the Sleeping Centaur 3 blocks into town. (5 on map).

Bunny~
2007-06-23, 10:32 AM
Etsia adjusted her backpack on her shoulders and then gripped the half-spear tighter. The town made her nervous. All these people made her nervous. She glared at the stone walls, the insanity of living in one spot and within dead materials grating against her nerves. Nevertheless, somewhere within this fake gigantic ant nest there was information. With luck, it would be the information she needed.

She glanced at the people standing nearby, wondering briefly how they had imagined to survive in the jungle in all that heavy armor and clothes. The thought that she was dressed in a strange way never crossed her mind -- the few criss-crossing leather straps and feathers on her mostly naked, tattooed, deep-tanned body were perfectly normal and easy to move in.

Her permanent glare changed into a smile for one brief moment as she heard the screech of a hawk from above. She responded to it with a similar call of her own, and the bird swooped down to perch on the top of her backpack, watching the surroundings with a distaste as obvious as his elf-friend's.

She sighed and glanced at the gathered people again. She needed information, and she rather asked the people that were so conveniently gathered than approach a stranger in the fake ant nest.

"Do you know where the library is?" She did not address anyone in particular, but she spoke loud enough with her feral forest accent to be heard by everyone nearby.

Edonil
2007-06-23, 01:07 PM
He stowed the few coins and pulled his lanky animal around. The light leather he wore creaking slightly as he checked the bags and saddle, ensuring it was secure. He watched the hustle and bustle going on around, and covertly shifted his coin purse to a more secure location.

The noise was odd, but not uncommon. There were places like this anywhere. His eyes continued to scan the area, seeking ink black skin and a baleful glare. In a place like this, one couldn't be too careful, there was no telling what one might stumble across.

He brought his horse around as he avoided the giantess in metal they'd been traveling with. She didn't seem to have much of a friendly streak for a warrior of the church. He stopped the steed so it stood next to the drow priestess.

"Mistress, your mount. And then shall we find our way to this inn, or perhaps something else first?"

Zarrae
2007-06-23, 01:33 PM
Soft, violet eyes peered around the crowd as an old adage rippled past her memory; those who expect death from behind will meet it from the front. Those days were over, she told herself, the Dark Maiden had taught her to return kindness to those around her.

Kelzir's attentiveness brought a faint smile to her lips. It had been a long journey with a good number of scathing looks to which she returned a smile, "Thank you, Kelzir, perhaps we should see about the Inn." With a light hop, she pulled herself into the saddle and carefully stowed her payment in a belt pouch. Perhaps she could coax a song out of him once they arrived.

A strange accent caught her ears, "Do you know where the library is?" She searched the crowd for the voice's owner to, at least, offer the kindness of an answer - even if the answer was no.

bluenihil
2007-06-23, 02:13 PM
Jessamyn straightened her traveler's surcoat with its embroidered Tormite gauntlet insignia, checked the long platinum braid coiled like a snake at the nape of her neck, then cast a cool look over her traveling comrades. The pair of drow had rarely left her scrutiny during the caravan trek, but this had given her little time to consider the other members.

The mostly-naked elf-woman's question caught her ear and she turned her attention there, giving the small lady an unreadable look before speaking up. Her voice was low, her tone clipped and precise. "An innkeeper should know, and with a storm impending, it would be best to seek shelter first and ask directions once there."

A snort and a nudge at her shoulder reminded her of her horse, and she half-turned to pat the dapple-grey's muzzle. "Yes, Ghost, I'll make sure it's comfortable."

Looking back to the tiny druid again, she gave a near-smile and said, "Would you like a ride?"

Tsol
2007-06-23, 02:17 PM
The wood elf looked around enjoying the bustle and sites of the city. He was dressed in his light leather armor with his rapier and and dagger strapped to his side. Lifting his backpack he put it on his shoulders. First thing is to find a place to stay, then to explore the city, he thought as he eyed the group around him. He noted the dark elves briefly and then hearing a hawk call, which startled him briefly, he glanced upwards and watch the hawk land on the almost naked tattoed elf.

"Do you know where the library is?" , seemingly addressing no one in particular.

Fistar smiled and noticed the others turn, "Not at all," he answered smiling, "But I'm willing to help you find one. I'm new to this city as well and wouldn't mind some company to explore it. First tho, I would rather find a place to stay, and store some of my gear. " he thought for a moment.. ".. thats if the place is reputable enough.."

Smiling and nodding to the half elf on the horse, "and she seems to have a good idea.. I wouldn't mind joining you as well.... "

Bunny~
2007-06-23, 02:27 PM
Etsia moved past a few of the tall people in her line of sight to take a better look at the woman in armor. She peered up to see her features. The green elven eyes narrowed in estimation, then she gave her a nod.

"Storms don't bother me, but seems there's no cover except the-" She paused, almost as if the word was something distasteful. "-buildings. The tavern would be good, and if they know about the library, even better."

She patted the big horse admiringly, glancing around out of reflex, frowning slightly in the direction of the drow, then blinking up at the chattery wood elf.

Jeggred Von
2007-06-24, 01:47 AM
General:
The city is thick with people merchants and nobles, walkers and riders, horses and wagons, Giant footpad lizards and giant wolves, saddled and muzzled. It is a strange sight indeed to see the broad range of races and people interacting. Dwarves trading with Gnolls, Orcs talking with Humans.
Huge hulking men the size of two humans tall walk down the street hefting a armfull of 20' long timbers under one arm and a huge axe with the head the size of two tower shields in the other! The city is constantly moving. Busy even through the rain as the skies open up and the downpour begins.

Most people begin moving faster but not many move out of the rain itself. It seems a very common occurance as many throw up a oil coated hooded cloak and continue on their way, protecting the thing they carry from the rain.

Two Dark elves walk past your small group headed down the street. They walk in full armor made from a strange black steel with glints throughout the metal as the female looks the two dark elves in your group and speaks:
"Freedom and Honor, Friends." They smile. a sight rarely seen on a dark elven face without a sneaky hidden motive. They say nothing more and move on.

Lightning plays across the sky sideways as many of the city guards pull out cloaks and begin to don their bad weather gear. One of the other caravan guards walks between your group and looks to you all, pulling up his hood.
"We're all going to the Sleeping Centaur. We hear they have rooms for rent and a great night buffet." The human male runs off to catch up to his small group.

Tsol
2007-06-24, 10:08 AM
Fistar, looked after the dark elves as they headed towards the inn. He shrugged his shoulders and raced off to catch up with them.
"My, that's a nice horse you have there. I really should consider getting my own. But that would be one more mouth to feed, " the wood elf sighed. "I can see the advantage tho," as he picked up his pace trying to keep up. "Darn this rain, I should also look into buying one of those cloaks that everyone seems to be wearing, at least it would keep me dry, " The wood elf looked out and about studying the crowd around him. "Ohh by the way, my name is Fistar, I have a longer name, but it is such a mouthful, that I just prefer to be called Fistar. " he chatted while continuing studying the crowd.


Spot: [roll0]

bluenihil
2007-06-24, 12:21 PM
Jessamyn gave the tiny druid a boost up onto Ghost, and took note of how her feet reached nowhere near the stirrups. Reaching up, she patted the saddlehorn. "Hold onto that if it gets bumpy, but I don't think it's far."

Taking up Ghost's reins, she walked the horse after the rest of the group, green eyes skimming slowly over the crowd. The broad representation of races apparent in even a passing glance caused the paladin to frown slightly, more in thought than anything.

She caught the wood elf's chattering, but as it seemed directed toward the pair of dark elves from the caravan, she did no more than take note.

Edonil
2007-06-24, 01:08 PM
Quickly pulling a cloak from one of the saddlebags, he quickly tossed it around the female elf as he followed the others toward the inn.

"My apologies Mistress, the weather doesn't seem to be cooperating today. We'll soon have you a room where you'll be warm, dry and fed."

He looked back at the rogue, who was actually being amiable. The words of the passing drow still caught him off guard slightly. And it wasn't easy making their way through the throng.

"Well, Feestor, was it? The horse is Mistresses Zarraema's," indicating the drow woman in the saddle. "And so far as the cloak, I believe they would be easy to come by in this area, they seem numerous. My name is of no importance."

Zarrae
2007-06-24, 01:19 PM
The leather-clad priestess readjusted herself in the saddle and gratefully accepted the cloak, "The weather suits my mood."

With a smile towards the Wood Elf, she sighed and pulled out another cloak, laying it over the male's shoulders as she leaned down from the horse, "His name is Kelzir and it is important enough to me, Finster."

The words spoken to them... Freedom and Honor, friends. Perhaps it was true that others could be accepting of those from the Underdark. The Dark Maiden had enticed her away from the dark, cruelty and shown her that she did not have to live in anger, hate, and fear, but to hear other Drow express such a welcome...The hope brought a warm smile to her black face.

Bunny~
2007-06-24, 02:45 PM
Etsia patted the horse on the neck. She was not used to riding on animals, her tribe moved by foot in the forests too thick for such transport methods. Nevertheless, she rather liked it. The horse was well kept and seemed to like the woman in armor. The druid nodded in approval.

She looked up whenever someone said anything, listening to the chatter. Most of it went right over her head, except for the comments about the weather. Served the silly much-wearers right, getting uncomfortable. The cloth would soak up the rain and stay and turn cold, where as all she needed was a fire and she would be warm again in a heartbeat. "Shouldn't wear so much." She half-muttered the advice.

The horse's movement was steady and soothing and she had no trouble staying in the saddle, so she let go of her hold and leaned down a little. Soon she was braiding the horse's mane casually while listening and watching the people and the walls of the fake ant nest.

Tsol
2007-06-25, 10:33 AM
The would elf visably cringed and sound of his name being mispronounced, shrugged. "It's FISTAR, " he grumbled, "...anyways, it seems everyone is heading towards that Inn, I say lets move in that direction, " glancing at a weather worned sign that says "Mithril Maul". The wood elf briefly looked at the sky, the raindrops splattering on his face and he frowned. "I sure hope the weather turns better, " wiping his face with his hand, he then head down the road towards the inn, glancing at crowd as he went along with a keen eye.

bluenihil
2007-06-25, 04:35 PM
Jessamyn led the horse silently, occasionally glancing up to check that the wild elf was still perched comfortably in the saddle. The braids that were rapidly appearing in Ghost's mane made her pale eyebrows rise, but after a moment of thought she decided they suited him.

She slicked the drizzling rain from her face with one hand and grimaced, thinking of the oiling her armor would need. Proper all-weather gear was a must. Mentally she ticked off the necessary actions: stable and see to Ghost, armor upkeep, report to the Temple, look for a cloak. Maybe have dinner somewhere in there.

After Ghost's passenger was delivered safe to the inn, of course.

She stepped briskly along the wet road, the horse's hooves clattering in her wake.

Jeggred Von
2007-06-26, 02:47 AM
Your trek down Mithril maul road has your eyes disbelieving the city around you. The town is still alive with activity as you move down the cobblestone road. Small children play in the raid and impede most people walking. They immediately move out of the way of your horses as you continue. The hot cobblestones steam as the cooling rain falls and makes the temperature within the city come down a few degrees almost immediately. Steam turns to fog as the clouds overhead cling to the area.

You do notice something that many of have never seen in a city this size. Color. It seems, that the townsfolk are preparing for some sort of festival. Colored parchments and fabrics are hung from storefront windows and doorways under eaves and dry from the rain. Even with the downpour, most people moving about with something to do smile at you as you pass. Alot of them give a greeting or watch you pass with a bright look on their faces. Every dark elf you pass, and you have passed at least a dozen since you entered, have all said the same thing in greeting. "Freedom and Honor." As you move past, their faces kind of screw up in a confused look as you reply with nothing.

You round the corner of the intersection and see it. The Sleeping Centaur. A huge gaudy sign hangs on the 2nd story of a centaur laying on it's side with a pillow of grass, and his.....equine member out and in full view. you notice the sign has marks on it, especially near the member of the horse part of the sign. You see children throwing rocks at the sign and a few daggers are thrown at the sign, many sticking, some falling to the cobbles. A man greets you outside in brown oiled leathers and a cloak, smiling at you from under a thick brown mustach that reaches his ears.
"Greetings and welcome to the Sleeping Centaur. I have rooms available, both upstairs and down." He looks to the dark elves when he says 'down'. "We have a stable around back and a boy who can take your horses to the stables for you. We offer the comfiest pillows this side of the Dragonreach Mountains, and a turtle stew, in the shell, to die fer!" What say you fine nobles?"



((do me a favor, when you post, put your character's name in the top line of the post..like THIS (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46062) it's like 3 or 4 posts down but you'll see it. bold and black))

Tsol
2007-06-26, 11:45 AM
Fistar

He smiled at the man. "I would prefer to get out of this rain myself, and that soup sounds like a good idea. ", Continuing to smile, he looked at the others, "I'm sure these others would like that as well. I hope you have a nice fireplace, I really need to dry out a bit. Do you happen to know of a place close by that supplies some cloaks, to help keep the rain off? " the wood elf continued talking not really waiting for an answer.. "... whats with all the colors parchment and banners hanging in the window.. I'm just amazed with it all, some kind of festival? Yes?" Fistar wiped his face, with his hand. "I'm sure there is plenty to do in this large city. I can't wait to explore, any place in particular of interest do you know of? " Fistar shut up, after he realized he's been running off with his mouth again.

Jeggred Von
2007-06-26, 12:35 PM
The human smiled wide and nodded as he called for two boys to come gather up your belongings. They carefully picked up the equipment and carried it inside to what is essentially a cloak room.

The man introduces himself as Thom and tells you to go inside and get warm by the fireplace.

"Indeed the soup is grand just caught today. And as for equipment and cloaks, My brother owns the shop next door. He sells a wide aray of cloaks and weather gear, as well as oil for armor and other general goods." Thom points over his shoulder to the store next to his Inn which has a sign outside that says, "The Haversack".

"If'n you find yourselves wanting a room for a night or longer, we have the nicest rooms in this section of the city."

Bunny~
2007-06-26, 12:47 PM
Etsia

Etsia had hopped down from the saddle and had patted the horse once more before moving in. She ceased to listen to the wood elf's rambling after two sentences, the sound of it a constant chirping in her mind, like an excited bird in the spring. Instead she concentrated on the word 'fireplace' and snuck in to grin at the fire. She rubbed her arms and fluffed her hair, letting the warmth seep in while the little that formed her outfit dried soon enough.

Then her mind recalled another important word from the human-chatter. Soup. She turned around to look at the surroundings, wondering where one fetched food in here. "I'd like the turtle soup." She spoke aloud tentatively. Perhaps one of the humans would tell her what to do. Or the armored woman with the nice horse. She tried to see if she had followed her into the tavern or not.

bluenihil
2007-06-26, 01:04 PM
Jessamyn

The paladin had started to turn Ghost toward the stable when the boys came out to collect belongings and see to the horses. As much as she preferred to see to her own steed, the boys did have a job and she felt quite drenched. She handed off the reins to a boy, along with a tip and a slight smile.

Later, once she felt sufficiently dry, she resolved to come back and make sure they had done a proper job.

For now, she headed into the inn with a nod and a quiet 'thank you' to the friendly proprietor. She scrutinized the interior before drifting toward the fire, tugging idly at the cords that kept her braid-coil in place. At Etsia's comment, she glanced over and smiled slightly. "It does sound good. I will have some as well."

Tsol
2007-06-26, 03:13 PM
Fistar

Leaving the dark elves at the counter, Fistar drifted to the warmth of the fireplace. Steam rose from his wet leather armor as the heat of the fire started drying them. He glanced at the two, standing by the fire, noting the wild elf skimpy leather outfit and the half elf fiddling with her hair, standing beside her. At the comment of soup, he heard his stomach growled, he looked sheepish. "Soup would do wonders for me right about now," He smiled at the two females. "I never did catch your names, even thou I did see you in the that caravan we were traveling in. ", raising an eyebrow, "I'm new to this city and would clearly love to have company, in exploring. " he frowned slightly, "Of course if you prefer to explore on your own. thats quite alright."

Zarrae
2007-06-26, 04:12 PM
Zarraema

Taken aback by the kind and warm greeting they were given, the priestess slipped from Kelzir's horse and followed the others into the tavern. She hoped that her companion would follow as well, but it was difficult to tell with him - he retained a good deal of his subservience from their life in the Underdark; he could very easily decide to stay with the horse. She resolved to at least bring him something warm to eat, if he did.

The growing crowd around the fire drew her attention and she moved to join them, pushing her cloak back behind her shoulders to allow the leather she wore to begin the drying process. Carefully and with as little in the way of movement as she could manage, she began to take a look around the room. Were there any other Dark Elves here? Would they answer her questions about the peculiar behavior of the others they'd met? Why, in the Dark Maiden's name, did they give both she and Kelzir odd looks when they passed and spoke their greeting of "Freedom and Honor"?

The others, those that she recognized from the caravan, earned a polite smile that actually traveled to her violet eyes.

Edonil
2007-06-26, 05:28 PM
KELZIR

He waited until his Mistress had dismounted and removed herself from the sheeting rain, it still dripped down the back of his flowing slivery hair, slicking it to the top of his head. Without a word he led the horse around to the stable area. The words that he had been greeted with were puzzling, "Freedom and honor", they said, what did it mean? And what was the purpose of all the colorfully splayed decorations?

Once there, he looked around to find an empty stall. The horse nickered pleasantly, finally being out of the rain. Taking the animal into a stall, he removed the wet saddle, blanket, and saddlebags to begin brushing it down. It would never do for the Mistress' mount to be unkempt. He checked the hooves for stones and burrs, and then the legs for any signs of injury. Once satisfied that the beast was in as good of shape as he could keep it, he set the simple saddle on the side of the stall to dry and spread out the blanket near it for the same purpose.

He looked around, for a stable master or boy, intent on ensuring that the mount had everything it needed. Not finding anyone in direct evidence, he walked around the stable, noting the other animals penned within, and still hoping to find the keeper or some lackey.

"Ah, there you are. I have a mount that needs tending for the night, and I'd like it well kept. Perhaps we could speak of some way to repay the task of keeping this horse well?" he said in his rich barritone voice.

Jeggred Von
2007-06-26, 05:34 PM
The owner stayed outside and allowed you pass into the huge warm tavern. Being this far down in the suptropical area of Faerun, you expected to be sweating outside and boiling indoors. but with this new weather, the cooling rain made it feel like the northern shores of the Sword coast. The inside of the tavern was warm and smelled of buttered bread with a hint of aged wood in the background. Thick heavy wood beams held the 2nd floor up and thick pillars made the room split into different sections.

A huge bar ran down the length of the west wall to your right. Ahead of you were dozens of tables and the room was thick with patrons. Along the east wall to your left was a wide straight staircase that rose up and disapeared into the ceiling above. You could see an archway under the uppermost part of the staircase, heading the opposite way down to the surmsed basement.
A long wide stage covered the back south wall with two private booths on either side of it. a door in the far right corner swung back and forth as wenches and servers brought steaming plates of food out. In the center of the room was a round fireplace, with it's chimney also dissapearing upstairs into the floor above. a seating bench skirted around the entire fireplace, and many of the bricks were covered with boots drying near the fire.
The scent of buttered bread and the spiced turtle soup hits your nose and almost immediately makes your mouth begin to water. the private booth to the right of the stage is empty (away from the fire), and three of the tables near the fire have room with no one sitting at them.

Etsia:

A woman walks by with three turtle shells upside down on a tray with three huge mugs of foaming ale. she looks down to youwith a sincere smile. "If'n ye want soup, grab a table and i'll be right over, miss." She gives a wink and moves off to deliver the food and drinks to a table.

You notice a large wolf, with glossy grey fur, laying at the feet of a dark elf who is sitting at a table with 4 others. The female dark elf is eating and dropping bits of turkey or some meat to the wolf who is taking it gingerly from her hand. The wolf looks over at you with huge yellow eyes, then looks back up to his owner awaiting another handout.


Jessamyn

The boys take your belongings and move them inside. The one elder lad took the reigns you offered and the coin and his eyes go wide but tries to hide it. "T-Thank ye M'Lady." he stammers. "I will make sure me uncle takes good care of yer steed. He has a pampered stall for noble horses i'll make sure he puts her there and only gets the best oats." The boy slowly leads your horse around back and you can hear him shout joy at the gold coin when he's out of eyeshot.

Once inside *see above*. You move beside the wild elf female who is busy drying herself near the fire. A woman walks by with three turtle shells upside down on a tray with three huge mugs of foaming ale. she looks down to the wild elf with a sincere smile. "If'n ye want soup, grab a table and i'll be right over, miss." She gives a wink and moves off to deliver the food and drinks to a table.

Fistar

Before you head indoors, the Owner outside stops you and tells you. " The festival is Summer's Blessing. It's our seasonal welcoming of summer and the marking of Gothmoor's Allegiance with the Wild Elves of Mhair. Lots of celebratin' ta be had. Go on in. Enjoy yerself, MLord."

Once inside..*See above*. You move to the center of the room, near the fire and find a table next to it with open chairs. You sit down and let the warmth of the fire begin to dry your oiled armor and your damp hair. The small wild elf says something about soup, and A woman walks by with three turtle shells upside down on a tray with three huge mugs of foaming ale. she looks down to the wild elf with a sincere smile. "If'n ye want soup, grab a table and i'll be right over, miss." She gives a wink and moves off to deliver the food and drinks to a table.

Zarraema

You slide off your horse and a small boy barely 12 in human years moves up to silently take the reigns. He keeps his head down and bows at the waist, as if known of Dark Elves his whole life. He silently looks to his father the owner, who nods to the boy. The lad slowly followed the male dark elf around the corner without a word and escorted him to the stables.

You move inside..*see above*. You find that there are indeed dark elves in this establishment. Many dark elves. Those in armor, those in silks and those in simple muslin. Sitting with humans, half orcs and even a few elves. there is a table closest to the right rear private booth with a group of heavily armored dark elves, males and females, drinking wine and mead and eyeing you back without trying to hide it. Their face, strangely is not the smiles that you have found riding here or even on the faces of the other dark elves in the tavern. They seem to remind you of a table of nobles from the Underdark.

One of the males at the table smirks out the side of his mouth as the female next to him whispers something to him and he raises his glass of wine at you and his smirk is joined with a nod of his head.


Zelkir

Once Zarraema dismounted, a small boy barely 12 in human years moves up to silently take the reigns. He keeps his head down and bows at the waist, as if known of Dark Elves his whole life. He silently looks to his father the owner, who nods to the boy. Seeing you approach and take the reigns, he removes his hand from them. The lad silently motions to the street and around the corner and silently walks with you around the corner without a word and escorts you to the stables.

Once at the stable, the boy dissapears and allows you to stable her horse without aid. You seem to look around and before your statement is finished, the silent tow-headed boy is standing in front of you looking at your shoes.

A large man, almost the owner's twin out front of the inn, walks up and is wiping his hands off. "Good Summer's Blessing to you, Noble sir. The name is Jake. I'll take good care of your horse, no need in threats or any type of warning, because i'll protect your horse as if it was the King of Gothmoor's personal Mare." His disarming smile did not fit on his huge frame, but you could tell he had some years adventuring under his belt. His hand went and petted the fine horse, and Zarraema's horse leaned over and nuzzled the man's chest and under his chin. A slight whinney from the horse make the man chuckle. He turned his brown eyes to you as did the horse and he smiled again. "She says you've come a long distance. I'll see to her. Allow my brother to see to you..." He turned to the horse for a moment then back to you. "..and your female companion." Jake moved the mare into a stall and more directed her than lead her. The horse turned to the side and Jake began taking the saddle off and brushing the horse.

The blonde headed boy looked up at you for a second and still stood by your side motioning back to the inn.


**map coming**[/COLOR]

Edonil
2007-06-26, 05:58 PM
KELZIR


"I thank you sir in place of my Mistress, for your kindness to my Mistress' horse," he replied. "From the looks of things here, she'll be well cared for."

He looked at the young boy as he picked up the saddlebags, and bowed to the stable master. Back into the rain, he walked around the building and bowed to the proprietor as well before entering. Once inside he scanned the interior for his Mistress and slipped his way through to her side.

"Mistress, your horse is being tended, and shall be well cared for," he stated quietly with his head bowed.

Zarrae
2007-06-26, 06:01 PM
Zarraema

Warily, though with a pleasant smile, the Priestess returned the nod and turned to find one of the more jovial Dark Elves; the others could wait for a kind greeting until she'd learned what she needed to know.

The first, smiling Dark Elf she located would be met with a barrage of gently-formed questions ranging from inquiries to their "Freedom and Honor" greeting, to the colorful decorations, to even the differing behavior of those in the booth. The behavior of the ones in the booth unsettled her and she could feel the Dark Maiden bidding her to greet them kindly and offer them Her teachings of hope.


Gather Information for Zarraema:
[roll0]


Kelzir's return gave her another smile, "Thank you, Kelzir, please get warm and find yourself something to eat?"

Edonil
2007-06-26, 06:14 PM
KELZIR

"As you wish, Mistress."

He made his way through the interior carefully, seeking the kitchen entrance. As he moved, he listened to the various conversations that he passed. Trying to judge the general attitude of the patrons, in case his Mistress called on him to entertain. It wouldn't do to tell a story or sing a song that may put her in jeopardy.


Kelzir listening to various conversations
Listen Check: [roll0]


He stopped at the door of the kitchen, knocking on the frame to get the attention of somebody inside. The hustle and bustle of gathering meals for people would normally have been a loud cacophony. But his trained ears could hear subtle changes and it made a somewhat happy music to him.

"My Mistress wishes two bowls of this famed Turtle Soup," he let his voice carry over the interior din. "No need to serve, I'll take them to her myself."

Jeggred Von
2007-06-26, 06:25 PM
Zarraema

You move across to a table and sit down next to a pair of male dark elves who promptly greet you , "Freedom and Honor". They look at you strangely as the greeting seems to further confuse you.

"You seem out of sorts M'Lady. Are you new to Gothmoor?" The goateed warror asks, slightly cocking his head, examining you now fully, checking for insignias or house symbols. He then turns to the other Dark Elf at the table.

The smooth faced one in robes seemed to inspect you visually and take a long sip from his goblet of wine. He placed the goblet down and swallowed slowly, matching you eye to eye as he pondered his question before asking it.
"My name is Rek'lyr. Rek'lyr of House Gothmoor if that statement suits you better. You are a priestess. Which god or goddess do you pray to?" The question seemed so basic to him, as if living in the underdark or under the regiem of the Spider queen was never known to this male.

Bunny~
2007-06-26, 06:32 PM
Etsia

Etsia tilted her head, watching the wolf for a moment. It looked well cared for and she nodded a little in approval. She looked up at the tall woman in armor again, remembering soup.

"Grab a table?" Her tone suggested that although she had figured out what it meant from the context, she found the image amusing. She gave the woman a little smile, perhaps an invitation to join her in grabbing the said table and then took a few steps and paused. Fistar's words finally registered from the screen of chirping and she blinked up at him.

"I'm Etsia." She answered the one question clear to her amidst the forest of words. She paused and frowned a little, trying to remember what else he had said, then nodded. "I want to find the library. But first soup." And with that she walked to an empty table closest to the people with the wolf and sat down, dangling her feet that didn't quite reach the floor from the human sized chair.

Zarrae
2007-06-26, 07:00 PM
Zarraema

"I hadn't heard of this place until my companion and I were hired to guard a convoy, so, quite new, yes. Rek'lyr, The Dark Maiden, Eilistraee, guides my steps and has shown me a gentler path than my feet once followed."

"What is it that your companions mean when they greet Kelzir and I with "Freedom and Honor"? The greeting is foreign to me, though I find that I'm growing more fond of it."

Her expression lightened and warmed quite a bit as she spoke with them, growing more comfortable at their disposition.

Tsol
2007-06-26, 07:57 PM
Fistar

"I want to find the library. But first soup."

"Ahh someone who is short and to the point, " looking gleefully at the wild elf, " Don't mind me, Etsia." sitting down on the chair next to the wild elf, "I've been told that I talk enough for two people. ", he chuckled then smiled. Fistar looked around the establisment, noting the wolf aprehensivily and its supposedly owners. He then waved his hand at a passing server, "Could we get some of that fine turtle soup?" , looking briefly at the wild elf, "And probably a pitcher of water, and some wine as well if you could. "

bluenihil
2007-06-26, 11:53 PM
Jessamyn

The paladin followed Etsia to the table, gaze flicking over the crowd and resting on Fistar as he approached. She pulled out a chair as the tiny druid spoke but did not sit yet, still regarding the chatty wood elf. As he plunked himself down at the table, she gave a little sigh and settled into her seat as well, reaching back to start unwrapping her braid from its coil.

"My name is Jessamyn Starwater," she said into the brief lull in his chatter. "And though I am not here to explore, I would be happy to show you the Temple of Torm within Gothmoor. Once I find it myself."

Jeggred Von
2007-06-27, 03:00 AM
Kelzir
The same woman who stopped my the wild elf pops out of the kitchen as you knock on the door frame. He is holding a tray of five turtle sheels upside down, steaming hot with soup and the best smell you've ever smelt. A group of five glases and a bottle of wine also sits on her tray.
"This be fer you and yer party. If'n ye want to take this off my hands, feel free. Jus' bring the tray back, 'kay luv?"
She hands you the heavy wood tray and wipes her hands on her apron.



Zarraema
"Ah-ha, The Moon Maiden is greatly revered here in Gothmoor." Rek'lyr says rubbing his chin. He looks to his silent friend and he slightly nods. Rek'lyr looked back to Zarraema and smiles. "In case you haven't noticed, None of the Bitch Queen's spiders dare set foot in the blessed City of Shadows. Her son and the Moon maiden are two of the many Gods and Goddesses that Gothmoor Dark Elves have found a home with. The city itself has no Houses to speak of. There is but only one house. House Gothmoor." Rek'lyr takes a moment to sip his wine, licks his lips before continuing. His eyes never leaves yours.
"As for the greeting? Get used to saying it. All dark elves who left the Bug Queen's underground hiding hole, and sought a new life on the surface, find their way here. Those who did, cherish two things most in their new life here...."

The other dark elf whispers aloud, looking off into space, almost lost in bad memories. ".....Freedom....and Honor."

Rek'lyr looks back to you with a smile , seeing you now understand. "I take it you didn't give the greeting back to any dark elf who said it to you. This is the quickest way to find clerics of the Dirt Queen's clergy. If you do not repeat the greeting to a dark elf who offers it first, you commit as great an offense as slapping a noble in public...from old times. I would...suggest not toying with the idea of refusing the greeting. I could get...ugly." Rek'lyr tries to find the nicest way to say the warning without offending and yet, not being too vague.

Edonil
2007-06-27, 01:01 PM
A puzzled look crossed his face as the woman handed him the tray. The five bowls were much more than he intended to ask for, and certainly more than either he or his Mistress could possibly eat. Why ever had she handed him so many bowls?

"You and your party," she'd said.

He thought about it as his head tilted to one side for a moment. Could she possibly mean the mountain of metal, the scrawny twig and parrot? They had entered at nearly the same time. With a sigh, he maneuvered through the inhabitants to where some of the others had sat.

First the bowl to his Mistress, an eyebrow twitched in curiosity, "Mistress, it's still warm."

He then took the other bowls to where the rest of the group had plopped themselves down. Eyes cast down, he placed the bowls in front of the armored woman, druidess, and rogue. Then with a sigh, he returned to the table with the dark elves.

"My apologies, Mistress, it seems that I miscounted. I shall fetch another bowl for the last of your collegues." As he sat the last bowl down before the robed dark elf. Then turning with the empty tray back toward the kitchens.

Zarrae
2007-06-27, 01:37 PM
"Wait, Kelzir..." The priestess eyed her bowl for a moment, enjoying the soup's smell and imagining how delightful it must taste, "I find that I'm not nearly so hungry. Please, sit and have mine, I'm sure the others are fine."

She turned her attention back to Rek'lyr as she pushed the bowl in the direction of her male companion, "Freedom and Honor, then. And, I can see how such things would be prized beyond life itself. I shall have to apologize if I meet one of those who offered the greeting before and received nothing in return."

Tsol
2007-06-27, 04:29 PM
Fistar

Fistar's green eye's followed the Kelzir form, after he placed the bowls in front of him and the other's. "Quiet fella that one as well, " Picking up a spoon, he commenced to eat the piping hot soup, almost burning his lips.

He placed the spoon down, and reached for the bottle of wine and glasses, He poured out the wine in each of the glasses and placing them in front of the two. "There ya go, It seems tho that they forgot the water. " he shrugged, "Ohh well, wine is good for you, I always say, adds some flavour to your life. "

Smiling happily, he picked up the spoon, stirring the soup briefly and tasting it carefully this time as not to burn his mouth, "Mmmm very good soup. Best I've ever had." Fistar glanced around the room noting the occupants and seeing what kind of gold was flowing around.



Spot:
1d20+1

Tsol
2007-06-27, 04:45 PM
Spot: for rich merchant
[roll0]

bluenihil
2007-06-27, 06:34 PM
Jessamyn


"Thank you," said the paladin as the dark elf set a bowl before her, though her gaze followed him in puzzlement as she tried to figure out why he was delivering them instead of a tavern employee. The circumstances in this town were undoubtedly strange.

She watched him return to the female drow, at the table with all of the others. The big clusters of dark elves made her uneasy, but they did not seem to be doing anything nefarious...

So many questions for when she found the Temple.

She removed her gauntlets and set them aside, watching through the steam of her soup as Fistar merrily scalded himself. At the offer of wine, she held up a callused hand and shook her head. "Apologies. I do not drink."

Bunny~
2007-06-27, 06:48 PM
Etsia

"I drink." Etsia nodded determinedly and sipped the wine. It wasn't the berry wine she was used to, but good enough. The soup smelled very good and she set the glass down to take the spoon instead. Very soon she found out that the soup also tasted very good and she ate with great appetite, dangling her legs merrily as the warmth, food and drink greatly improved her state of mind.

Edonil
2007-06-27, 07:41 PM
KELZIR


"Of course Mistress, your generosity to my humble self is boundless. I have already tasted your meal, and I assure you there is nothing untoward within it. Perhaps if Mistress would but take a small sampling, she would find her appetite returned. But first I must return the tray and acquire a bowl for your other distinguished partner. My deepest apologies, Mistress for not having the intelligence and foresight to bring more bowls."

He bowed deeply to Zarraema, then the other two drow at the table before once again moving through the patrons. Again at the kitchen door, he utilized the means from his own experience and held up two fingers. Then while he listened to the noises of the room, he hummed to himself and patiently awaited two more bowls to appear.


Listen check: [roll0] For general attitude of the inn.
Local History check: [roll1] To gage if there's a specific type of music that would be offensive.
Perform check: [roll2] While humming to himself.

Zarrae
2007-06-27, 07:48 PM
Zarraema

The Priestess sighed and pulled the turtle shell bowl back to herself as she lowers her voice to one she hopes is only overheard by the two at her table, "Please forgive Kelzir's zeal, old habits are difficult to break."

With that, she lowered her head, whispering a quiet blessing over the meal, and waited for a response and Kelzir's return - she resolved to eat only when he had a bowl of his own.

Jeggred Von
2007-06-28, 04:31 AM
Fistar:
You don't see anything out of the ordinary, except for the random groups of dark elves in a bar chatting and smiling with humans and half orcs.Strange times indeed. You do notice that no one goes near the small private booth to the left of the stage. You do spot the server girl get stopped by one of the wolf-tabled dark elves as he hopped up and stopped her, taking the tray from her and himself, turning and stepping into the curtained booth.


KELZIR

The general attitude in the inn is actually...merry. laughter can be heard over the general din of the taproom. chuckling and shouting humorous comments. The room is in a good mood, even with the weather outside. You happen to walk by a pair of seated darkelven males, one is quietly humming a familiar tune of a battle song of glory, non religious, that you know from down below. The male hears you humming and smiles to you through the humming. The other looks to you and says "Freedom and Honor" as you pass by.

The server girl is standing and watching you return with her tray, holding two more turtle soup shells. She looks to you quizzically. "Um...the 5 bowls were fer your table. These two be fer those men. But..eh, a bowl is a bowl is a bowl. Here, enjoy." She turns to head back into the kitchen and then spins around again. "Oi! if'n yer gonna sit with them, and not those ya entered with...shall I break apart the bill and put you and the lady with those men's?"

Edonil
2007-06-28, 05:29 PM
He nodded to the two drow, having heard snippets of the conversation the two with his Mistress had said. Smiling amiably as the words left his mouth. He after all didn't want to cause his Mistress any more trouble than he already had.

"Freedom and Honor," was his quiet reply. He considered it odd as he continued to the kitchen. Honor was something he understood. People lived and died by and for honor every day, even in serving his Mistress there was honor, perhaps a little more, but still there was honor in it.

Freedom, however, was baffling. What exactly was freedom? What did it mean? He'd heard the word and understood how it was defined, but he'd never known such a thing. It was a hollow word to him, something only to be repeated in litany to ensure his Mistress was untroubled.

He set the tray down before taking the two bowls, looking upward slightly to smile in return. Another large woman in comparison to his smallish frame. He looked slightly troubled at her remarks, unsure of how to reply at first.

"That is for my Mistress to decide. I was not told of arrangement of payment for the meal, and was unaware that those who had also entered were considered with us. I shall inform her immediately and see to the desires of the Mistress' convenience."

With that, he once again crossed the room to place one bowl in front of the other dark elf, careful not to spill it. Then adopted his typical station slightly behind her and to the left. Soup still in hand he leaned down to speak quietly in Zarraema's ear.

"Mistress, there seems to be a confusion as to the dispensation of the bill for the meal. They wish to know if we're to split the bill with those we'd entered with or perhaps with your two esteemed guests. Forgive me, for your humble slave did not have the proper answer to this question."

Zarrae
2007-06-28, 07:55 PM
Zarraema

The whispered words caused her eyes to widen in surprise, not because of the bill, but because she had not thought of Kelzir as a slave since their escape from the Underdark - if anything, she considered him a close friend and her savior. Did he truly continue at her side because he thought she owned him, still?

Praying that neither of her companions heard the comment, she did her best to recover from the shock and shook her head, "I will take care of it, Kelzir. Please, sit and eat? Warm yourself and rest from the journey."

Dear Lady, forgive me for keeping him against his will, if he still believes I am his owner...was her only thought as she carefully rose to see about the bill.

Jeggred Von
2007-06-28, 11:17 PM
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o302/shonuffstudios/Maps/centaur00.jpg

(all barstools are taken except the one closest to the door)

table 1: Three dark elves M,M,F;two humans m,m
table 2: Empty
table 3: Your party
table 4: three dwarvesm,m;two halflings F,F
table 5: four male Elves
table 6: empty
table 7: Rek'lyr and his friend and Zarraema
table 8: Two elves M,F; two humans M,M = armed & armored
table 9: Three Halfing males, one elf robed and one human female
table 10: Four dark elves M,M,F,F
table 11: 5 humans 4 male,1 female = lightly Armored
table 12: Empty
table 13: Empty
Table 14: The five dark elves fully armored, with the wolf.
Booth 15: Empty
Booth 16: Curtains drawn, very very occupied.

Tsol
2007-06-29, 12:26 PM
Fistar

Fistar study the curtain briefly to see if he can perchance glimpse the occupants as the curtain shifted when the Dark elf delivered the tray. He sat back and reached for his wine glass, taking a sip of it.

"Well, so there is a Festival of Summer's Blessing happening, I bet the city will become even more crowded," His eyes gleamed with anticipation.

He placed the wine glass back on the table, and finished up the turtle soup, Between mouthfuls of the soup, he chatted about how he found himself with the caravan and a bit about the baron's daughter, which sounds a bit outrageous, to anyone who was listening. As he talked he noticed Zarraema and Kelzir talking to the other Dark elves.

Soon he finished his soup, and glancing up a the two at the table he palmed the spoon and placed it into his pocket. "So what do you want at the Temple? Can't be much happening there except may a bunch of clerics exponding the god of Torm." The wood elf thought a moment, "Well, personally I would like to rent a room then look around the city, possibly buy that cloak, to keep the rain off. Maybe we should make a trip together, and possibly find that library that Etsia as well. " Glancing at the dark elves briefly again and motioning with his head, "I don't know what those two are up to, or if they may even be interested. Ahh well each to there own."



Spot: Curtain movement to glimpse within.

[roll0]

slight of hand: Palming spoon

[roll1]

Jeggred Von
2007-06-29, 01:37 PM
As you all sit at the table, Kelzir and Zarraema sitting with other dark elves , and chatting, A tall, slender high elf walks up to your table near the fire.
"Excuse me miss, Did you ask for directions to a library?" The elff spoke and his voice sounded like whind chimes in the distance as he almost sung each word. His long straight gold hair was braided several places and held with silver endcaps, and his face held a pure perfect shape with small intricate tattoos of gold, barely visible on his cheeks. His long straight white and grey robe had many designs over it's surface, intricate weavings of gold ornamental frames around a silver or mithril gauntlet in several places.

He waited for a moment and took a free seat at the table, between the wild elf and the paladin, nodding once to the holy warrior. He smoothed his robes out as he sat, and you hear the faint sound of chain links adjust themselves under the robe. His big gold eyes look at the wild elf and he smiles.
"You spoke earier of wanting a Library, this is correct?" He looks around the table, offering a slight nod to Fistar as well. "This town is full of books. There are hundreds of libraries, both private and public. Many offer a small cross- section of topics, but if you're looking for the largest library in this ward, that is open to the public, it would be in the Temple of Torm, not 2 blocks from this spot. One block east and one block south, it will be on your left." The elf smile to her, happy he could be of service.


Fistar:
You have been watching the curtains for awhile, out of the corner of your eye and whenever the curtains do open to allow people in or out from the table below it, all you can see is darkness. At one time you thought you saw a person, but it was blurred, and colorless (like a black and white tv picture)

As you palm the length of the spoon and slide it up your sleeve, you casually look around the taproom, and the table near the curtained booth, the one with the heavily armored dark elves and the wolf, a female with a few badges on her plate mail looks to you and slightly shakes her head.."no".

Tsol
2007-06-29, 04:49 PM
Fistar

Fistar frowned slightly, catching the eye of the dark elf, then put a look of innocence onto his face as he shook his hand and the spoon slide out from within his sleeves and clattered to the table top. "Now how did that get in there, " he softly exclaimed under his breath. He carefully placed the spoon into the empty bowl, watching it very carefully as if it will move again.

Glancing up at the elf who had joined them at the table, "Ahh well that solves the problem of splitting up, then. We can all head over to this Temple , " He grinned.

Bunny~
2007-06-29, 07:23 PM
Etsia watched the shiny elf seriously as he approached and offered his information. She tilted her head and narrowed her green eyes a little, watching him like a particularly solemn little hawk, from the shoes all the way to the golden locks.

"Thank you." She nodded once. The advice sounded good, especially since the tall lady was apparently going to this temple as well. "I need to find an animal." She offered a piece of information of her own in return as a trade. "Maybe the books say where the animal lives."


Sense Motive on the Shiny Elf.
[roll0]

Jeggred Von
2007-06-29, 08:43 PM
The gold elf seems honest and trustworthy as he stands, straightening his robes as the high elves tend to do. His golden eyes look to you and his sharp features smooth as he smiles to you.

"It is my pleasure to support my own library, My Lady of the wild." He bows slightly, half not having the room for a full bow and mainly not wanting to wrinkle his clothes.

He looks to Etsia as she explains her reason for the library. His head tilts a bit and he smiles agian. "It sounds as if your life has purpose and a goal to reach. I wish you luck in your endeavors. Once you arrive in the temple, please tell them Priest Sendilvahl sent you. You should be given access to the full library then. You have a pure soul, little one. I wish you and your friends luck on your travels." He nods deeply once and turns and returns to his table.

Zarrae
2007-06-29, 08:43 PM
Zarraema

Seeming apparent that their companions had not overheard Kelzir speak his former title, the priestess let out a slow, calming breath and headed toward the kitchens to handle supper's cost. Since it was a point of contention, she would simply handle the cost of all seven meals; one small kindness she could give the three that seem to have become attached to them - at least in perceived association - and to the two who had graciously answered her questions - and to Kelzir... to Kelzir she owed more than a meal.

Now...where was that serving woman?


Search for Zarraema:
[roll0]
(NOTE: I am guessing on what to roll...sorry <sheepish newbie grin>)

bluenihil
2007-06-30, 12:10 AM
Jessamyn


The paladin smiled and bowed to the high elf, recognizing the gauntlet-pattern interwoven throughout his garment. A murmured "Holy Champion" was her greeting to him, as she could not discern his exact rank from the vestments. She did not interrupt his discussion with Etsia, though did set down her spoon--it would be impolite to continue eating at such a point. As he left, the young paladin again bowed her head respectfully.

Afterward she smiled at Etsia, almost beaming. "Good news indeed, that we are going the same way. With the Holy Champion's permission given, the Temple will certainly do its very best to assist you."

Turning her attention briefly to Fistar, she noted without rancor, "You see that there is plenty to be found at the holy temple, for faithful and visitors alike. We serve the good of the people."


((Just an OOC comment: Holy Champion was the most generic Tormite priest title I found. If it's wrong...pretend she said something else? >.>))

Tsol
2007-06-30, 05:38 PM
Fistar

Fistar nodded to Jessamyn and smiled. "Well that's all and good, best to have an idea of where we want to go, Yes?" He grinned at Etsia, "I see you have something to look for in the library. Anyways, I guess we should pay for our food and find a place to store our gear, unless you feel comfortable carrying it around on your back. I certainly don't at the moment. "

Fistar looked around, the tavern trying to spot the owner, or that server.


[roll0]

Jeggred Von
2007-07-01, 05:06 AM
Rek'lyr sips his soup and scrunches his nose, never liking the taste of these shelled lizards. His red eyes look over to his silent friend, who has almost completely swallowed the entirty of his steaming hot bowl, not with a barbarian's rudeness, but of an elegant noble that was hungry. He looks up from wiping a bit of rye bread around the inside of the turtle shell and smirks before continueing wiping his shell bowl clean.

Rek'lyr looks back to you, Zarraema, and he wipes a bit of turtle soup that splashed onto his sleeve. "One last thing before you leave my table, surface newling." His yellow eyes look up at her sharply and his voice lowers to barely her ears and when her slave is not at the table. His ally at his side allows his non bread wielding hand to slip underneath the table as Rek'lyr talks.

"Those pales you entered with... If you trust them, Stay close to them. See them not as you would slaves from the underdark, but as allies that can watch your back and not stick a knife in it. Gothmoor is full of dark elves who left the Bug Queen's yolk behind, but many of them still hold their underhanded strive for dominance. Trust is rare with our peoples as it is. But on the surface, some will try to use your new trust to drive that hidden knife in your back. Stay alert, Moon Dancer. Keep those who you trust close until you acclimate yourself to the wild ways of the surface. Knights of the Shadow Dragon can be trusted, but few others." He looks over to the table with the wolf at the lady's leg, the fully armored crew that seem to protect the shadowy few in the booth near them. All of them wearing badges of black detailess dragons on their breastplate. Still wishpering, but a bit more feral in his tone, Rek'lyr speaks low again.


"Now, to show you what I mean... Fly back to your pale friends, Priestess, so I may finish my meal without you at my table." His head dips lower, eyeing you from under his white brow as he fingers a ring on his middle finger. It is covered in mystic runes of a sorcerer's hand. You notice his silent friend has since broughts his hand back up to the table and laid a dagger in front of his body, but moved his hand off the handle, also eyeing you.

Zarrae
2007-07-01, 11:53 AM
Zarraema

The new information unsettled her - she placed a hand on Kelzir's shoulder and leaned down to whisper in his ear, "Kelzir, would you do me the pleasure of moving to the table with those we entered with? Please inform them that I will attend to the bill and would like to speak with them. ...but be cautious. Something is amiss."

With that, she dipped her head to both other Dark Elves and moved from the table, again, in search of the serving woman - time to take care of seven full meals...


Do I need to roll spot again? If so...
Spot the Serving Wench for Zarraema:
[roll0]

Edonil
2007-07-02, 12:00 PM
The appearance of weapons, and lowered voices hadn't escaped the keen ears of the bard. He did as his Mistress bid him and moved without any apparent concern to the table with the others. His eyes scanning everything quickly, looking for any indication that his Mistress might be in any danger.


Spot 1d20+2
Sense Motive 1d20+2

Edonil
2007-07-02, 12:01 PM
Spot: [roll0]
Sense Motive: [roll1]

Me and my insistant use of spaces. **sighs**

Tsol
2007-07-02, 07:02 PM
Fistar

The wood elf scanned the tavern from the table and was about to get up to see about paying, or even skipping out on the tab and letting these fine people here pay. Its the least that they could do for him. After all did he not help find the Inn and table for them. He then saw the dark elf approach them, Fistar jumped up out of his chair, almost knocking it over backwards.

"Kelzir, my man why don't you take a seat right here, I'm glad you finally decide to join us. " Fistar looked eagerily at him for a moment. "These two here," he looked at the wild elf and half elf paladin. ".. aren't that talkative. I'm not entirely sure why.. it seems that I'm always doing all the talking. " and without seeming to take a breath he launched into a question, "Hey, what brought you up to the surface anyways, got tired of being a slave? Yes?" Fistar then proceded to set his chair right again.

Bunny~
2007-07-03, 11:21 AM
Etsia

Etsia raised an eyebrow, watching the exchange quietly. It took a formidable amount of concentration to comprehend what the chattery elf was saying. It was so tempting to just tune out and allow his chirping fade into a background noise.

"I'm not leaving my things here. But I don't carry or wear much." She offered her comment calmly, mainly at the now-finished soup bowl. She took another sip of the wine and turned to look at the dark elf. "You brought the soups. Do we give coins to you? Can we then go to the library?"

Edonil
2007-07-03, 12:10 PM
He looked at the talkative one, declining to take the seat while he sipped at the soup as his Mistress requested. He looked from one to another. Before answering.

"Perhaps because they chose to listen, more," came the answer to the first query. "And the Mistress has come because the Mistress needed to leave the depths. I was required to follow in order to continue to serve Mistress Zarraema, because that is what I do. I am and always will be her slave."

No malice was held in the deep, musical voice, merely statement of the way things were, and possibly something else. He lifted his chin slightly, allowing the light to glint off the collar around his neck. He then turned his head toward the wild elf, his eyes lowering once again in the process.

"Mistress has gone to see to such things, it is not for such as I to make decisions as these, Miss," his voice turning a cautious note, making obvious effort not to offend.

bluenihil
2007-07-03, 12:42 PM
Jessamyn


The paladin's green eyes narrowed as the dark elf showed his collar, and she set the spoon down in the turtle-shell bowl slowly.

For the moment, she latched onto the other comment.

"Your female companion--" No intention of letting the word 'Mistress' cross her lips in this context. "--has gone to pay for our food?"

Edonil
2007-07-03, 01:57 PM
Kelzir's shoulders tensed slightly as the armored woman's ire came through clearly. He didn't move or shift away, fully expecting to feel and hear the ring of the metal she wore on her hands come into harsh contact with him. He bowed, while avoiding meeting her gaze with his own.

"I would not presume to speak for Mistress Zarraema. But it did seem that was possibly her most generous intent."

bluenihil
2007-07-03, 10:32 PM
Jessamyn

"I'll have to speak with her, then."

The paladin stood slowly. Her gauntlets were off -- set on the table beside the bowl -- but the rest of her armor was still quite in place. The large sword in its sheath leaned against the table where she had braced it after slinging it off, and she made no move to take it up just yet.

Though her eyes might have shown the flash of emotion, her face was smooth as a mask. Her gaze slid from Kelzir to track down the drow female, trying to pick out which one she was from the crowd of unfamiliar drow.

Spot [roll0]

Tsol
2007-07-04, 10:56 AM
Fistar

The wood elf looked at the two standing and then shrugged. He thought briefly on what Kelzir had said about listening briefly then waved it off with a smirk. "Well if the bill is going to be taken care of, I'll go see about accomadations, then maybe we can head to that library or temple, " nodding briefly to the paladin and druid.

Spotting the bartender, Fistar stood up and walked over to him, "Say, " addressing the bartender, " We need some accomadations, " nodding briefly back to the table. "...any chance there are rooms still available? Considering that this festival is going on, I hope that there are some. "

Zarrae
2007-07-05, 07:56 AM
Zarraema:

Oblivious to the conversation between her friend and the pale strangers, she finally managed to locate the serving wench and settle, at least, the price for the meals. Three pale strangers, two dark elven strangers, Kelzir, and herself. A quiet relief that there would be more than enough in her coin purse accompanied the counting out of the coins and an honest word of thanks to the woman for the warm food.

Completely unaware that the Paladin was even away from the table, she had begun to think of how she was going to convince the three pale strangers to allow them to accompany them, as Rek'lir had suggested. They'd seemed at, at least, agreeable. ...and then, the task of apologizing to Kelzir. How could she ask his forgiveness for all that she'd done before the Dark Maiden had shown her a different way ... and all that she had not done since their escape? She mentally berated herself, how could you just assume that he would know of his freedom? How could you not see that he still considered himself a slave? Dear Maiden, forgive my arrogant assumptions and the ways of my old life. She mouthed the final words with her thoughts, though gave them no actual volume.

bluenihil
2007-07-05, 10:18 AM
Jessamyn


The paladin's approach was not stealthy -- armored boots have a way of heralding such things, and Jessamyn also moved in from an angle rather than coming up directly behind Zarraema. It seemed prudent, after all.

"Excuse me," she said toward the drow woman as she saw the serving wench head off with payment, "I was told that you paid for our meals? Fistar, Etsia and myself..."

Her ungloved hands went to the coin pouch tied at her belt, unworking the cords that kept it closed as she continued, "How much was our part? I would like to repay it. Oh...and I'm Jessamyn, by the way. Jessamyn Starwater, of Torm."

Though her words were polite, even pleasant, her green gaze stayed unwaveringly fixed to Zarraema's face throughout.

Zarrae
2007-07-05, 10:39 AM
Zarraema:

Violet eyes blinked back at the Paladin. She still had not become accustomed to anyone questioning her decisions or even offering a kindness in return for a kindness. With a faint, but honest smile, she responded in what she hoped was an appropriate manner, "Jessamyn of Torm, it is the least that I was able to do, considering that you have allowed my companion to sit at your table, unmolested. It is also a ... quiet way to apologize, as you seem to have become associated with Kelzir and I without your first accepting it. ...please, don't deny the kindness I was able to show?"

The words were difficult to find, even though she meant them in all honesty. Those on the surface had no concept of the cruelty a soul was capable of and no idea the methods of survival necessary to survive in the daily dangers of the darkness. ...just as she and Kelzir had little idea of how to survive the day-to-day, simple encounters on the surface.

bluenihil
2007-07-05, 11:10 AM
Jessamyn


The paladin considered this for a moment, then nodded shortly and re-knotted the ties of the coin-pouch. "As you request. But we have been associated since the caravan, though not formally and through necessity. It requires no apology."

Another keen look upon the dark elf, though nothing changed in Jessamyn's expression. Without preamble, but in a low tone to show she does not intend this part of the discussion to be public, she said, "You call Kelzir your companion, but he calls himself something quite different. Why is this?"


Sense Motive [roll0]

bluenihil
2007-07-05, 11:13 AM
((*facepalm* And I roll a 1. This can't end well.))

Zarrae
2007-07-05, 11:38 AM
Zarraema:

The priestess' smile dropped, though her eyes continued to meet the tall paladin's. Inward torment at her continued mistake played through her mind and possibly across her face. For a moment, she considered telling the Paladin that it was not her business, and worried that she may have some ulterior motive. Old suspicions blossomed in her mind...and then she caught herself and lowered her own voice to the same tone as Jessamyn's, "I .. made a terrible error when Kelzir and I came to the surface. What I hoped was freedom for the both of us, seems to have become a continued service for him. ...I had thought that he understood, Dark Maiden forgive me, but he does not, and I have failed him in that. I owe him my life."

Would the tall woman believe her? It didn't matter, so long as she was able to beg Kelzir's forgiveness...and then, Eilistraee's.

bluenihil
2007-07-05, 12:18 PM
Jessamyn

The paladin did not believe her...not at all, really. However, Jessamyn knew little enough about the dark elves, and this was not the place to discuss such things further. Gothmoor was too strange a city so far; the Temple of Torm would guide her, but until then she would not act on any problems that were less than crystal-clear.

Instead, she gave the drow woman a curt nod. "If you say. You plan to join us?" She gestured slightly toward the table where the others were gathered, still never taking her eyes off Zarraema. "We might as well sit, if so."

She half-turned and gestured for Zarraema to follow, then headed back to the table whether the drow did so or not.

It was not a welcome, certainly not acceptance, but the paladin was willing to tolerate this... After all, the question still needed a definite answer, and she was prepared to wait and witness it.

Edonil
2007-07-05, 02:34 PM
KELZIR

He watched in horror as the armored woman moved in the direction of his Mistress. His hand moved toward one of his daggers as his horror doubled, that he'd caused her any trouble at all. But, he would be prepared to defend her from the amazon. His hand twitched slightly and he visibly winced, the years of conditioning flooding back to him.

He couldn't make out their voices over the noise of the inn. So he watched the movement of their mouths. Trying to make out the words being said and know if his life would be forfeit in the next few seconds.


Spot roll .. trying to read lips [roll0]
Sense Motive .. is the amazon going to hurt Zarraema [roll1]

Edonil
2007-07-05, 02:39 PM
KELZIR

He made out some of the movements, picking words here and there. His Mistress seemed disturbed greatly by something that was said. The hulking woman didn't seem threatening, but who could tell with surface dwellers. His hand returned to his side as he hung his head when the woman turned back to face the table and gestured.

Again, he'd caused his Mistress trouble. As the paladin came toward the table, his feet caused him to move toward Zarraema. His head low and eyes downcast.

Jeggred Von
2007-07-05, 02:49 PM
Fistar:

The bartender paused wiping down the bar, and used his one good eye to look you over. He tapped the shoulder of another tender behind the bar, replacing the huge keg behind the bar with a fresh one. The younger man looked over his shoulder as you spoke about "accomations" and smiles, turning around fully and dusting off his hands. He raised one hand up and behind him pointing to a sign up above the bar.
There is a sign hanging behind the bartender that says in three different languages:
"Ale = 2 silver,
Meal = 5 silver,
Room 1 bed = 5 silver,
2 bed = 10 silver"

After discussing the price and your list of wants, he produces a key and slides it across the bar, explaining there are only two rooms left available.

Zarrae
2007-07-05, 03:58 PM
Zarraema:

The priestess moved to follow Jessamyn, "I intend to ask if Kelzir and I might join the three of you, yes."

Kelzir's appearance brought a gentle, though guarded in this place, smile to her face until she noticed his demeanor. Anger flared behind her eyes - who would dare cause my...who would dare cause Kelzir to stand so dejectedly?

"Kelzir? Is something amiss?"

Tsol
2007-07-05, 04:55 PM
Fistar

Fistar looked at the sign, then at the key, then glanced at the table noticing that the both dark elves were now there. He sighed.

"I think we will require both rooms, for possibly at least a couple of days," He dropped 40 silvers onto counter, "So could I get the other key, as well?"

Jeggred Von
2007-07-05, 07:42 PM
The bartender smirked and slid the last remaining key to Fistar as well, looking to you as you were about to leave." I need a name to put to the ownership of the two rooms. Fer damages of course. What name you want on them?" The burly bartender had out a large book with writing charcoa, and looked to you awaiting a name.

Edonil
2007-07-05, 07:47 PM
KELZIR

He came forward, head hung low, though he did not hesitate. Stopping only a short distance from Zarraema, easily within reach. His voice was quiet, contrite and sorrowful.

"I am to be scourged, Mistress. For I have caused you discomfort and irritation by some means, Mistress. It was foolish for me to enter here, with these people, I should have remained outside."

He glanced up once before lowering his eyes again. His shoulders stooped downward, as his head became even lower. Without another word, he began to sink to his knees.

Zarrae
2007-07-05, 07:53 PM
Zarraema:

Quickly, hoping none saw, she caught Kelzir by the arm and tried to stand him up, her voice lowering, "No, Kelzir, you've done nothing of the sort and you've no need to bow to anyone. Please, come with me and we will go with the three pales, away from this place. This evening, after I sing to the Maiden, I need to speak with you. It's very important."


Can Zarraema manage to be agile enough to catch the bard before he hits his knees? Dex roll, I think?

[roll0]



((OMG, I rolled a 2... she wouldn't be able to catch a barn falling ON her!))

Edonil
2007-07-05, 07:58 PM
KELZIR

He stopped himself at his Mistress' movement. Staying on his feet and rising once more. His eyes remained closed, expecting a blow to come from somewhere, if not his Mistress, then the armor plated amazon behind him.

"Yes Mistress, of course, it wouldn't do for any chastisement to be done here."

Zarrae
2007-07-05, 08:03 PM
Zarraema:

With a heavy sigh and slightly off-balance due to the attempt to catch Kelzir, she simply nodded towards the paladin's back, "Please, Kelzir, follow Jessamyn of Torm to the others. You are in no trouble. You've done nothing wrong."

Trying to reorder herself, she followed her own advice and began moving towards the table.

Edonil
2007-07-05, 08:07 PM
He naturally fell into step a pace behind her. Head still low as they moved for the table. He heaved a heavy, but silent sigh, 'I must learn to keep my Mistress from these difficulties'.

bluenihil
2007-07-05, 08:13 PM
Jessamyn


The paladin had paused near the table as the drow started their conversation, and for a moment just stared at them, aghast at Kelzir's initial words and behavior. After feeling somewhat like she was a bystander at a bad wagon accident, she snapped out of it and gave the tavern a quick once-over glance; it would help to know how the local populace reacted to this sort of thing.

At the mention of herself, she looked back to Zarraema and nodded slowly, then looked to Kelzir. Gesturing to the empty seats, she said, "Go ahead. I'm sure there will be some... discussion."


And if I knew what to roll here....
Probably Spot, huh?
Spot: [roll0]

Tsol
2007-07-05, 08:38 PM
Fistar

Name? The wood elf, thought only a brief moment, "Kelzir, he's that fellow at that table I am at. " nodding briefly back at the table. He picked up the extra key and started to head back to the table.


So tempted to say Tsol as the name /smirk

Bunny~
2007-07-05, 09:00 PM
Etsia

Etsia felt more or less clueless, observing the going-ons. She blinked and watched in open confusion as Kelzir tried to kneel. When he was stopped she managed to draw her attention away from him. She hopped down from the chair and approached the tall woman, tugging her hand for attention.

"Who do I give coins to for the food?" She paused, then continued decisively. "Can we go to the library now?"

bluenihil
2007-07-05, 09:09 PM
Jessamyn

The paladin blinked down at Etsia, the entire affair with the drow having caused her to forget the tiny druid. Nodding toward Zarraema, she said, "The food has been paid for this time, you can keep your coins. I think it's still raining... If it is, we should wait 'til it lets up. The Temple-- The library won't vanish while we wait."

She moved to retake her seat and the cooled bowl of turtle soup. Someone else had paid for it; that meant she had to make it count.

Bunny~
2007-07-05, 09:17 PM
Etsia

"'s just rain..." Etsia muttered, but climbed back to her chair. She had finished her soup and was beginning to feel restless. She pulled her legs up on the chair and sighed. The food was paid, so she could go... but she knew that this ant nest jungle was unfamiliar to her, and since there seemed to be willing guides, she'd be a fool to leave without them.

With another sigh she began the process of removing the abundance of strings, feathers and beads from her hair, combing the black mane and then reattaching the decorations into tiny braids here and there, humming under her breath.

Tsol
2007-07-06, 11:59 AM
Fistar

The wood elf approached the table and tossed two keys on to it. "We have two rooms for two nights. It seems tho, it had cost me double than what I expected. ", he grimaced " 80 silvers," he sighed, "I guess because of the festival, these seems to be the last two rooms available around here. If anyone wouldn't mind to pitch in, for the cost? " he looked questioningly.


[roll0]

Zarrae
2007-07-06, 03:06 PM
Zarraema:

The priestess nodded and counted out thirty silver pieces. She kept her voice low as she spoke, "This should cover Kelzir and my part of the cost with a little more for your service in obtaining them. Thank you."

"Will we be remaining here for now, or is there some destination in the city that you are bound to until the evening?"


((Oh, OF COURSE the rogue rolls well. <checks Fistar's dice> Not that Zarraema would even try sensing his motives on this. She's suspicious, but has been trying to quell it for so long that it's just...normal.))

bluenihil
2007-07-06, 05:45 PM
Jessamyn


The paladin frowned slightly at Fistar's words, but not at the elf himself; she was pondering the math. After a moment she set down the soup spoon and picked at the coinpouch strings. She counted out twenty silver and slid it across the table without comment or question.

After all, most of her attention and all of her suspicions were focused on the two drow.

Tsol
2007-07-06, 06:30 PM
Fistar

"Ahh thank you, I don't know what kind of sleeping arrangements you are comfortable with. but I'm assuming these two, " nodding to the two dark elves "...will have one room, and us three take the other. There two beds in each room, I don't mind sleeping on the floor I have a bed roll. " he smiled, with a small profit, he would be happy to sleep on the floor.

Looking to Zarraema, "To answer your question, they..., " looking to the paladin and druid briefly, "...want to visit the Temple of Torm, which has a library of sorts, I'm thinking of joining them just to see the sites on the way. "

"I just want to drop off some stuff in the room upstairs, before we head there, " picking up one of the keys that he had tossed down earlier.

Bunny~
2007-07-06, 07:49 PM
Etsia

Etsia blinked. "...dint mean to sleep inside..." She glanced around in obvious confusion and distaste. Indoors felt suddenly suffocating and cramped. "If I don't find the information right away, I can return tomorrow..." She wrinkled her nose and threw a longing look toward the door.

Zarrae
2007-07-06, 08:57 PM
Zarraema:

The priestess nodded, "The Temple, then, so long as they'll accept us. I'm certain our things will be safer with us than in a locked room in a large establishment."

Violet eyes glance over her shoulder to Kelzir, he still believes I want to strike him...it won't do to ask for the horses, he would go fetch and saddle ours, himself... "Will the three of you be able to bear it if we walk? I would prefer to stretch my legs, and the rain will let up, I'm sure."

bluenihil
2007-07-06, 10:40 PM
Jessamyn


The paladin considered her horse, Ghost, for a moment, but after the long ride with the caravan and getting caught in the rain, she was reluctant to pull the mare from the stablehands' care. She nodded slowly to Zarraema.

"I can bear it, yes. If you all wish to seek the Temple now, I have no objections."

Bunny~
2007-07-07, 12:46 AM
Etsia

Etsia grinned. "Don't have a horse." And with that the little druid half-ran out, stopping once she was just outside to look up and let out a relieved whistle-call to her hawk friend.

Jeggred Von
2007-07-07, 03:39 AM
As if on queue, the pitter-patter of the rain falling on the slate and wood roof began to lessen and then eventually died out completely.many of the patrons in the taproom began to pack their belongings up and pay their tabs. Some even drop a handful of coins on the tables and exit without bothering with their change...leaving a tip you suspect.

More people filter in and take the newly vacant chairs, and more move off into the archway, connecting the General Goods store next door. The sun doesn't quite peek out, but the skies do slightly lighten up.

Jeggred Von
2007-07-07, 03:41 AM
As if on queue, the pitter-patter of the rain falling on the slate and wood roof began to lessen and then eventually died out completely.many of the patrons in the taproom began to pack their belongings up and pay their tabs. Some even drop a handful of coins on the tables and exit without bothering with their change...leaving a tip you suspect.

More people filter in and take the newly vacant chairs, and more move off into the archway, connecting the General Goods store next door. The sun doesn't quite peek out, but the skies do slightly lighten up.

Tsol
2007-07-07, 08:56 AM
Fistar

The rogue watched as the almost naked tatooed wild elf skipped happily out the door and the rest following her. He then sighed seeing the coins dropped casually onto the nearby tables, his hand involuntarily spasmed as if on its own accord it wanted to reach out and take them. Instead Fistar, reached down and picked up his pack, and the extra key that was still on the table. He followed the rest of them out, since he didn't want lose them quite yet, the pack was light as it was, so carrying it around shouldn't be a problem, he could drop it off later, besides if the gold elf was correct in his directions the temple was only about two blocks away.

"Wel..." as he walked out side noticing that the rain was slowly letting up "... if that gold elf was correct the temple should be about 2 blocks from here, One block east and one block south, it will be on your left. If I recalled correctly," Fistar looked around and noticed the sign next door to the Inn, "The Haversack". "I know you people want to be on your way, give me a moment, I just want to buy a good cloak to help keep the rain off. " He head to door and entered the shop.

Jeggred Von
2007-07-09, 04:38 AM
You walk down the street and turn North, heading towards the temple.
The smell of fresh rain is thick in the air, cooling the entire city off. The cobbles under your feet steaming as the rain began to evaporate in the hot sub tropical climate.

You turn the corner and you can see the huge sandstone temple ahead on the left. Huge and massive, the steeple has a sort of nautical crow's nest as a large set of shields hand from chains. On each shield can be seen a golden gauntlet, the symbol of Torm. People mill around the front of the temple, and as you get closer, you see clerics and priests handing out food and provisions to those downtrodden souls. You are still about a hundred feet from the steps of the temple but you can see the area around the temple itself is clean. and I don't mean clear of litter or garbage, but the sandstone has been washed on the sides of the temple, and the cobbles in front of the temple almost seem to shine, from the numerous washings and scrubbings. It shows the devotion the priests and those loyal to Torm take care for their church.

You have the strange feeling you are being watched...Ever since leaving the Inn. There are eyes upon you...but from where you cannot see.

Tsol
2007-07-09, 11:05 AM
Fistar

The wood elf stood in the entrance to the shop, taking a quick look around, he then glanced back into the street and then muttered, "Fine ignore me." as he watched the group head down the street. He sighed and looked at the shopkeeper and grumbled, "I'll come back another time."

Fistar exited the shop and raced off to catch up with the group. He then looked around at the crowd, "Hmmm do you get this feeling that we are being watched? I remember one time, I had this feeling and it turned out, it was this little waif of a child following, she got into her mind that I was her father." He continued to chat, explaining how he had to set her straight, all the while he scanned the crowd and looked briefly behind the group just in case they were being followed.


[roll0]

edit: ok I spotted my imaginary friend, who is green has red hair and has elephant ears.

Edonil
2007-07-09, 01:14 PM
KELZIR

The paranoia of the Underdark still served well, even on the surface. The feelings of being watched were impossible to ignore as he followed Zarraema, still a pace behind. The nattering of the other was becoming a problem as it made his normally keen hearing all but useless. He shifted his position in a step to be fully behind his Mistress as he carried their things, better that he should catch a blade in the back instead of her.

His eyes scanned subversively through the crowds, as only a slave of the Underdark could. To look without looking was the best defense in a place where torment and abuse were just the way of life. The condition of the temple was lost on him, ignored because it was not his place to speculate on it. Temples meant sacrifice, and for him it was doubly dangerous as the priestesses of Lolth would frequently pick a random slave to place on the altar and cut out their heart with the eight bladed knives.


Spot check for those following.
[roll0]



Looks like Kelzir sees everything ... yay for a good roll for once.

Zarrae
2007-07-09, 01:38 PM
Zarraema:

A lifetime of pampering in her House did nothing to dull the training given in Lolth's temple during her formative years as a priestess; that, as well as the many years of holding Kelzir's leash gave her the experience to sense his tension. Something is going to happen...and if it harms him, it will taste my sword. She felt Kelzir's shift in possition and forced a guardedly neutral expression - Maiden forgive what I've done to him...

Carefully, but without Kelzir's subtlety, she peered around, trying to catch a glimpse of anything suspicious. The pristine condition of Torm's temple did not escape her, and, in fact, found it rather beautiful and refreshing. Had there not been a sense of danger, she would probably have even smiled. Instead, a foreboding sense of impending doom settled over her as she continued stalking after the Wild Elf and Paladin.


((There was supposed to be a roll here, will do it in the OOC section to avoid a multiple post. - Seems I rolled a 3. <winces>))

bluenihil
2007-07-09, 10:47 PM
Jessamyn

The wood elf is annoying, but he does have a point, the paladin thought. Even at the head of the column, it was hard to miss Fistar's nattering.

The sight of the Temple made her heart swell with pride, but as much as she wanted to run up the steps and hug the nearest priest--home! normalcy!--that would be undignified. Not to mention that there was the suspicious feeling.

Not the best at subterfuge, she turned her head this way and that to scan the crowd, green eyes sharp and a slight frown on her face. Straightforward as she might be, she felt the first twitchings of an urge to cram a sock in Fistar's mouth.


rolling on next post since I screwed up the spoiler tag the first time and invalidated the roll

bluenihil
2007-07-09, 10:48 PM
Spot: [roll0]

Bunny~
2007-07-09, 11:01 PM
Etsia

Something was following them. It felt a little like that feeling you got at the base of your skull when a predator was on your tail. Etsia's long ears twitched a little, but otherwise she kept her gaze at the temple -- so much cold stone. She glanced up and to the side for a moment and the hawk on the top of her backpack took flight to a seemingly random direction, its sharp eyes looking for the following predator.


Spot for Etsia:
[roll0]

Spot for the hawk:
[roll1]

Jeggred Von
2007-07-10, 03:02 AM
Anyone rolling over 15:

On the third floor rooftop of the building across the street from the temple, two heads bob up over the side for a split second. Then as you spot them, they dissapear over the edge. Indistinguishable, but very prominent.


Anyone rolling over 19:

On the third floor rooftop of the building across the street from the temple, two heads bob up over the side for a split second. Then as you spot them, they dissapear over the edge. One was elven due to the ears and the other was thick..possibly a big human, maybe a half orc.


A balding cleric, his clothing mark him as a high cleric, walks down the steps toward his armored paladin (Jessamyn)
"Greetings! Greetings! Young paladin, Torm opens his gauntleted hands and arms to you and welcomes you home. You will find refreshment inside as well as clean clothes and a bath if you wish. Your friends with you are welcome as well and do not be afraid to ask for any assistance from any of my Tormites." The high cleric's blue eyes and disarming smile beam at you all as he waves a hand behind him, sweeping towards the front doors of the temple.

You still have that feeling of being watched.

bluenihil
2007-07-10, 12:41 PM
Jessamyn


The paladin took note of their observers, but as they were on the rooftop there was no way to confront them immediately. She fixed what little she had seen in her memory and turned her attention to the priest.

"Holy Champion," she said, drawing up into a formal salute before cracking a relieved grin. "Thank you for the welcome. My companions have come seeking the assistance of the Temple--this one at least, Etsia," she said, indicating the tiny druid. "Priest Sendilvahl indicated that the Temple has an extensive library that could aid her. And I have been assigned...and come for guidance."

She followed swiftly in the priest's wake, thought glanced back and beckoned for the others to follow if they seemed reluctant.

Bunny~
2007-07-10, 01:22 PM
Etsia

Etsia nodded seriously at the cleric, then glanced briefly up to see the hawk circling around a spot in the rooftops before it swooped down to land on her backpack again. A screech of danger, and she nodded at the hawk as well before letting out a small hawk-shriek of her own. Danger over. No time to climb on the rooftops now, they just had to keep their eyes open later. The hawk ruffled its feathers in obvious objection and reluctance, but stayed on the pack.

"Hello." She nodded at the cleric again. "My name is Etsia and I am looking for an animal." She paused and considered her words, then continued. "Information about an animal I have not seen before. I need to know what it is and where it lives. I was told you have a big library." Another pause and she tilted her head, looking up at the cleric. "Can I look?" Yet another moment and she remembered to add one more word. "Please?"

Jeggred Von
2007-07-10, 01:35 PM
THe high priest listened to the druidess and nodded with closed eyes to her. He spun on his heels and clapped, one of the younger and less influential acolytes ran up and froze. The high priest leaned down to whisper into the boy's ear and then watched as the boy waved them all onward.

"Young Oryic here will accompany you and show you to our library. Our new Library is one of the most grand in the Trade Ward here and we boast, in all of Gothmoor as well!" The high priest smiled and then paid the druidess no more attention and was instantly attached to the paladin's side.

"So tell me champion, what news of the outside world? Where did you originate from? Are you from the North? We have a temple in Waterdeep. Have you any news from there for me?" The priest asked Jessamyn with an almost endless line of questions.


"The library is most sufficent, Lady Etsia. I spend most of my days, when not on door watch, in the library copying books. If it is an animal you seek. I may be able to point you in the corect direction. There are easily enough books here to keep one thumbing through until he dropped dead of old age." THe acolyte moved ahead and opened the door escorting your group through and turning his head as he walked to look at your elven face, looking for some more information.

The hallway into the temple was long. every step you took cooled the temperature off until the inside of the temple was a nice 70 degrees. The liestone and sandstone kept the sun from baking the air inside. You pass many armed guards, full platemail and wielding halberds and shields. Of course the moment they see the high priest, they snap to attention. Their helmets make a slight squaking noise as metal rubs on metal as their heads all turn to watch the dark elves' every move. A new group of eyes are watching you, but at least you know the intentions of the guards.

Bunny~
2007-07-10, 01:41 PM
Etsia

Etsia nodded. "It was a small predator. It looked like a fox, but unlike any fox I have ever seen. It was pure white and it had fur to drive any hunter wild of excitement. Its tail was long and bushy, almost the size of the animal itself. And its eyes were black as the nightsky, sharp but unreadable. And it looked at me, into me..." She trailed off and followed the acolyte in silence for a moment, then blinked back to the present moment. "I need to find out where it lives and go there."

Tsol
2007-07-10, 02:40 PM
Fistar

The rogue looked on watching and listening to the conversation, a few times he wanted to step in and say something, but before he could another question was asked, or responded to. He shifted from foot to foot, slightly agitated and grumbling under his breath as he listened. His eyes looked around as they walked examining every nook and crannie of the hall. He frowned slightly noticing the amount of guards around.

Finding a moment of lull in the conversation, he blurted out, "This is a large library, I'm always looking for interesting information on old history, places where treasure can maybe found. " smiling at Oryic, "I remember the time, I found this old map in this house, someone must have dropped it. Anyways I followed the directions on it to a large 'X'. " he continued on for a moment describing the location in great detail, and how he had dug at the location and only found a box of children toys. "..... and let me tell you it was quite the disappointment all this trouble for some measly children toys. " he finished.

bluenihil
2007-07-10, 11:48 PM
Jessamyn


The paladin blinked, surprised at the rapid-fire questioning. When she had a chance to break in politely, she told the high priest, "Lapalgard, I've come from Lapalgard. The Cardinal sent me here to assist at your temple, against whatever threat there might be. We've heard--" She paused and lowered her voice slightly, glancing back at her companions--possibly an attempt at secrecy, but so blatant as to be silly. "We'd heard rumors of necromancers, Holy Champion. And undead. But I see that this is a strange place in all ways..."

Zarrae
2007-07-11, 06:14 PM
Zarraema:

That her not-so-covert search had left her with no new information, did not disquiet her as much as the overly friendly greeting they'd received. It seemed odd to her, that pales would welcome Dark Elves into Torm's temple without pause. The guards were, more than likely, their assurance that no one would be trouble.

Looking back to be sure that Kelzir was unhurt, she smiled - a private, gentle smile that traveled all the way to her violet eyes. A smile that barely touched her lips and said more than any words in any language that she knew. A smile that she had only ever shared with him - to assure him that everything would be alright. Tonight... tonight, I take his collar and let him go free... then dance until I cannot move and beg the Maiden's forgiveness for remaining as unenlightened as our kin. ...tomorrow, I go on without my..without him.

Dwelling on the depressing thought of leaving him with the pales, she stepped after Jessamyn and her talkative cleric friend, hoping to learn a little of the temple, itself, instead of their books.

Edonil
2007-07-12, 08:43 AM
KELZIR

He stopped on the steps for a moment, a visible tremor passed through his body and his eyes widened. He stared straight ahead, as though looking into another place at another time. A nearly overwhelming surge of recollections passed through his mind and his shoulders hunched downward as if he were trying to vanish where he stood.

He followed the other dumbly, trying in vain to make himself as unobtrusive as possible. He shied away from the guards stationed at their posts, and his eyes never left the floor. And when the younger priest asked his questions, he winced.

His breath caught in his chest and he gasped for air, quietly as he could to avoid drawing the attention of any clergy around. He misstepped, tripping over nothing as one of his legs tried to buckle under him. The motion carried him closer to Zarraema, and he stopped near her. His eyes were flicking this way and that, seeking, watching, warding, and there was a nearly palpable aura of fear surrounding him.

Zarrae
2007-07-12, 09:08 AM
Zarraema:

Kelzir's fear confused her, at first. This was, after all, Torm's temple, surely there was no need to be terrified of such a place. Her own memories jolted her back to her days in Lolth's temple; blood, screams, eight-bladed terror... She could taste and smell is his discomfort and stopped in her tracks.

Carefully, trying not to spook him further, the tall priestess turned and did her best to cover her pained expression with a gentle mask. This was, after all, her own doing - this pain was her fault. Lowering her voice to tones she hoped were only audible to the bard, she whispered, "Kelzir, I would greatly appreciate a calming song, if you would like? Perhaps we could find a quiet place, away from the rest." It took all of her strength not to reach up and pet the side of his face for comfort, as she used to do so just before striking him out of petulance. It wouldn't do to unsettle him further.

How can I erase those memories from him and ease his pain? ...think. Dark Lady, guide me..

Edonil
2007-07-12, 09:12 AM
KELZIR

"Yes, Mistress."

The reply was less than a whisper, it would have barely disturbed a feather had it been placed before his mouth. It was an autonomous response, no emotion held within it what-so-ever. His mouth was filled with sand, and his feet made of clay.

Jeggred Von
2007-07-12, 01:02 PM
Acolyte Oryic kept pace beside the determined druidess. His eyes watched how she moved and was in awe of his first vision of a wild elf. He wanted to drill her with thousands of questions. He wanted to know everything there was to know about living and being a wild elf, but he knew better of it. OryicMoved around a corner and up to a set of huge double doors. Each door was intricately carved in the shape of a huge book. where the door handles were, was the spot where one might close a leather strap to protect the book. On the main face of each "book" door, was a huge Open gauntleted hand palm forward, and in the palm was a carved lion's head with closed jaw. The work was amazing, and each door had to weigh easily half a ton. THe door itself was 20' high. With the slightest push and smile, Oryic pushed the right door inward and it swung as if it weighed nothing.

Inside can only be described as the largest and most extensive library you have ever seen. Shelves that go through the first floor into the second floor and up to the ceiling. The shelves seem to be part of the building itself and and columns flank the sides of every bookshelf. There is a lower floor, and a section of the ground floor is cut out of the center of the room, as a sort of super wide balcony. mons and priests move about above and below, restacking book, replacing book, and siting and copying books. A few people in armor or adventuring gear are also roaming about.

"As High Priest has said, we offer one of the most extensive libraries in all of the Shining South." Oryic said with beaming pride due to the fact, his first eight years of his life had ben copying these books to make duplicates.
"If you're looking for "Animals", it would be in that shelf there, next to "Alchemy" and "Acids". Oryic Walks towards where he is pointing to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

High Priest Dentlor Looks to Jessamyn and nods, also looking over his shoulder seeing the two Dark Elves. His eyes turn back to the paladin after she speaks. "Yes indeed necromancy and the undead have plagued Gothmoor in recent history. Why, just four winters ago marked the end of a three year war against an invasion of undead from unchecked Necromancers. Knowledge is free and no one should be barred from anything, but Necromancers of the South seem ed to think their powerlusting and actions were above the law. This brought down the Necromancer registration Law from the Crown. All necromancers within Gothmoor are registered and tagged. Any necromancy done within the walls of Gothmoor.....or beneath it, leaves a magical residue on these Worshppers of the dead arcane's tag and can be tracked or recorded."

High priest Dentlor makes a gesture of holiness to Torm before continuing. "We have actually lost our original Temple to Torm, during the war, and it has since been marked off limits until the Crown could muster enough men to go in and clear the temple out and consecrate the stones within once again. We managed to get most of our belongings out, butt he war turns soldiers into looters, and not much remains inside."
High priest Dentlor points out a small chapel off the main library where many scholars go to pray and shows the Dark elves a few sections of books of gathered knowledge from the Underdark as well as a quiet darkened nook with a rounded bench in it.

Bunny~
2007-07-12, 01:52 PM
Etsia

The mossgreen gaze of the wild elf traveled slowly from the bottom shelves all the way up, until it looked like she might tip over, her neck craned and squinting up. The hawk on her backpack let out a little impatient sound and stretched its wings, but stayed put after a reflexive soothing sound from the druid.

She blinked and turned back to the acolyte with a serious nod. "Thank you." And with that she headed toward the indicated books. She obviously had some reading to do. She had not even dreamt that there could be this many books in the world, let alone in one building. She knew how to read and write, of course, it had been a part of the druid training, she just did not get a chance to do so very often. Her own nomadic tribe did sometimes visit the tribes that had settled down in one spot -- they sometimes had little book collections available, but this... this was difficult to even comprehend.

She craned her neck again and sighed. It seemed she'd eventually need a stepladder. But for now she'd survive like this. She began the work of browsing the books by the title, ignoring any that were only of an animal or an area she already knew, looking for tomes about the animals in far-away places or exotic small predators.

Zarrae
2007-07-12, 02:00 PM
Zarraema:

With a quick, greatful bow of her head to the High Priest, she stepped over to the rounded bench, praying to the Maiden that Kelzir still had the wherewithall to follow. How could she have forgotten the years that she subjected him to the temple, so easily? ...a male slave in the Spider Queen's sanctuary... Her hands began to shake as she recalled several events.

With every attempt at keeping her voice steady and just loud enough to carry so that others would not notice anything out of the ordinary, she beckoned her once-slave to the round bench, "Come, Kelzir, sit with me and play something soothing. Please?"

Edonil
2007-07-12, 02:22 PM
KELZIR

He was barely aware when she moved, his steps faltering. Anyone watching would have sworn that it wasn't a man, but a puppet who's strings were tangled. He moved into the alcove, and sat without a sound. It was long moments before his hands shifted around to draw the drow made lute from his back to rest before him.

His mind was a turmoil, everything within him wanted to flee this place. The polished and clean stone didn't register. He was seeing dark polished granite, deep sconces arrayed like the legs of a spider. The smell of the oils that were burned floated through his nostrils. His ears could hear the dark, sinister chanting of Spider Queen's minions.

He closed his eyes, a vain attempt to banish the images assaulting him. He flinched away at unheard noises. Slowly, his fingers began moving on the strings of the instrument in his hands.


Perform Roll: sing and play instrument.
[roll0]


Quietly, but with gaining momentum, the chords sprang from his hands. The dark and eerie melody drifting through the relative quiet of the library, accompanied by his deep, soothing barritone voice. It gained in strength as it continued, as though inspired. His eyes were closed as he offered forth his song as a simple and desperate prayer for salvation.

The notes of the song changed as did his voice while the song continued as he lost himself to the music that had always been in his soul. The strains remained in that eerie strum, but his words in drowish tongue spoke of kindness, perseverance and salvation. The tune spoke of the dancing light of the moon, and of his Goddess. It spoke of willing sacrifice, of unending hope, and of boundless love for another. None would remember all the words, as he stopped his first song and began carrying into another. Only the chorus would possibly remain with those able to hear.

"In the deepest dark,
it takes but a spark.
To bring a flicker of light,
into the depths of the night.
Kindness strive to show a soul a way,
from the night to bring it into the day."

The notes faded slowly away into the pages of the library. He sat there, unmoving and his hands trembled against the strings of the lute. Eyes closed, his head bowed, the only one who might know what he awaited sat next to him.

For in the Temple of the Queen of Spiders, he'd just signed his death sentance.

Zarrae
2007-07-12, 03:47 PM
Zarraema:

She knew the hymn he played; not by its words, as he'd never uttered them for her, but by the notes that he once dared to pluck in her chambers, in what was once her home. Somehow, she'd lost him to the past and was at a loss for how to change it.

A single tear, one that she quickly swiped away, dared to roll over her cheek as the tune evoked memories, I will never forgive myself for what I did to him in ignorance and hatred...

Hoping that the sound of his own name would return him to the present, she spoke it, quietly, and in a tone meant to be gentle and placed her hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort, "..Kelzir, that was..." She suddenly realized that she didn't know the words necessary to express what she wanted, and simply fell slient at his side.

Tsol
2007-07-12, 05:48 PM
Fistar

Fistar followed along, staying back and listening mostly to the talk. He looked at the row and rows of shelves filled with books with wide amazed eyes. He became speechless. As they moved along he heard Acolyte Oryic, talk to the druid explaining where to find the books she was interested in. He sighed and then slipped silently in between a set of shelves, that looked like may contain history books.

He glanced thru the books seeing if anything interesting, it was a place to start he figured, that maybe there was some place that may contain treasures in the past, and may still contain some in the present.


[roll0]

((not sure what to roll here just looking thru books and the shelves seeing if anything of interest pops up, so just doing both rolls))

[roll1]

[roll2]




((roll eyes, I think Fistar's imaginary friend with elephant ears followed him in.. ))

bluenihil
2007-07-12, 07:18 PM
Jessamyn


The paladin frowned slightly at the High Priest's words, wondering at the tolerance of necromancers and their magics here in addition to drow and innumerable other dubious individuals.

"Holy Champion, I apologize but I find Gothmoor to be...quite different than what I expected. Though I have nothing negative to say about my current companions, I find it strange to see so many dark elves and other...traditional antagonists of the Temple on the streets. Do they follow the local laws?"

The concept that the laws of Gothmoor might be something other than the rules of the Temple of Torm never seemed to cross her mind. She heard the music and the singing only as a pleasant backdrop to the already-soothing atmosphere of the temple.

Jeggred Von
2007-07-13, 04:52 AM
Etsia:
You move along the books looking for tomes on unseen regions of Faerun. You come across a thick, leather-bound book labeled "Small Carnivores of the North". there is a small wolf print on the cover, burnished into the leather and worn almost smooth. After flipping through the book, you see that many of the animals listed are unfamiliar to you. you flip through more and are happy to see not only are there maps, but regional coverage areas of many of the animals....but not all.

You begin getting depressed, wondering if you'll ever find the creature you saw, and then BAM! there it is. Live in colors, or lack of, since it is white, the colored drawn image is faded and a bit out of proportion, (the tail is twice the size of it's body drawn here.) but there it is. Unfortunately..there is no coverage map.

Zarraema:
You sit back and listen...you eyes watching Zelkir. but before he begins to play, you look around the quiet alcove and the worked stone walls.
((give me a spot check))


Fistar:
(( Dude you're looking for a book in a library...full of books!..you almost didn't spot one hahaha! ))
You thumb through the spined of the books, most have been inked for easy refrence, others actually have gold inlay on the inking, making them stand out against their brown leather spines. You notice many books have two or three copies of them beside the older original tome. It explains why the library was so huge, and as you come across the history section, a small female dark elf in clerical vestments. "May I help you find something M'Lord?" her voice is like a soft breeze over platinum chimes of pure masterwork.


Jessamyn:
High Priest Dentlor looks to you and smiles disarmingly. "Holy Defender, you are indeed new to the land, region and city of Gothmoor. The city's current creation in itself is an act of unheard alliances. The city itself was originally built by dark elves that left the Spider Queen Lloth's grip and escaped to the surface. Good dark elves, or Neutral at worst. They found this lush fertile valley and fought their way through the wild elves of the Mhair jungle to the North to get to a peaceful land of their own." High Priest Dentlor Pulls a small ring out of his robes and offers it to you. It is a white pearl backdrop with a platinum miniature gauntlet fixed atop the smooth flat pearl surface. There is a black dragon with no detail wrapped around the gauntlet. "This is the Loyal Gauntlets of Gothmoor's membership ring. There is a sect of our clergy that focuses it's job in keeping Gothmoor safe. The majority of dark elves you see in this town are here for survival..a new chance at life, and asylum from Lloth or the other evil gods. Some here are still following her will and are here to find fugitives or those who Lloth refuses to let go. You won't be able to tell them apart from just viewing them, but many who you speak with at length you will see the change. not all dark elves are the vicious child killer and sadistic hunters we have come to be taught." High Priest Dentlor moves around you after you take the ring from his hand and reaches for a book two shelves above his head.

"The original Dark Elves that built Gothmoor formed a close alliance with a clan of dwarves in the hills to the NE. We all know the hatred that flows between the Drow and the Dwarven races. These dwarves will come at the first sound of a horn and fight to the death in defense of their new Dark elven neighbors. Since then, the town has become a location for any race, no matter their origin to come and trade and share goods or knowledge. You will see hated enemies sharing a drink, or even praying together. We even have a full orc in our church. It is a great sight to beheld , when you step back with all the information and look at the city from the outside. Walk through this city with an open mind, and an open heart, paladin. You just might be amazed." High Priest Dentlor hands you a large thick tome, the label reads in common, "The Ancient Historical Line of Gothmoor."

Zarrae
2007-07-13, 07:25 AM
Zarraema:

Before settling to listen, Lolth's former priestess peered around the vicinity with a caution born of life in the Underdark - it would not do for anyone to see her companion in such a vulnerable state, especially not if they suspected why.


Spot Check for Zarraema (which Kelzir's player helped me understand where my numbers come from!) -
[roll0]

Edonil
2007-07-13, 08:17 AM
KELZIR

He seemed more aware once the tune had changed, though he still didn't look up. Head still bowed, he observed the floor, marking every crack or flaw in the stone below his feet. It was a trick slaves learned, to focus attention on one thing and only listen for some indication that they were wanted.

"It was my prayer for you, Mistress. For over a hundred years, Mistress, I've sang that song whenever I could. Even in your ear at times."

He fell silent once more, only letting the dulcet strains of another song fill the quiet. His mind still flashed with memories of another, darker, time and place. There were no words to the notes he played this time, merely filling the void, within the Temple, within the quiet of the library, and within himself.

Bunny~
2007-07-13, 09:27 AM
Etsia

Etsia let out a small squeal of excitement and flopped down on the floor, sitting cross-legged with the tome on her lap, reading the parts of the book carefully. She needed to know what the animal was called, what kind of an animal it was, what its behavior patterns were, what did it eat, how did it live -- everything about it. Especially any hints to where it might live, except obviously north.

bluenihil
2007-07-13, 10:46 AM
Jessamyn


The paladin's face showed amazement indeed--and a bit of chagrin--at the high priest's response, and she nodded slowly as she took the ring and the book.

"My apologies, Holy Champion," she said with an embarrassed half-bow. "I was ignorant of all of this. But I am glad that we are among...friends, then. I admit that, hearing of the destruction of the first Temple and seeing the locals for the first time, I was unsure..."

She looked down to the book, then nodded firmly to herself and returned her gaze to the high priest. "I will familiarize myself with the situation, Holy Champion. This will not happen again."

If not directed otherwise, she will go find a place to sit and start reading.

Tsol
2007-07-13, 12:19 PM
Fistar smiled at the dark elf, noting her clerical vestments and her stature, "Yes you may help me, I'm looking for old tomes of the history of the city, ones preferably with maps of the city and its growth." he then whispered with a glint in his eyes, "I've heard that Gothmoor was built on the ruins of a city, anything on the early years of Gothmoor would be of interest." he finished smiling at the dark elf. "Ohh before I forget, I am called Fistar, no need for this "M'Lord" since I am not a lord, and your name would be?"

Jeggred Von
2007-07-15, 05:48 AM
Zarrae:
Your eyes spot a spall piece of parchment or paper sticking out from between two smaller bricks of the alcove, where there should have been mortar. You pull the piece of paper out and examine it, unfolding it. You notice in fact the parchment is a map. a map drawn by an obvious dark elven hand and it shows the city of Gothmoor, as well as a dotted line shoing it going into the Jungle to the North.


Kelzir: You notice Zarrema pull out a small piece of parchment from the wall as if someone tried to hide it in there. She unfolded the parchment and it shows a map of dotted lines going into the jungle.

Etsia: The Creature is known as a Fox. This white version is called the Arctic Fox. They are related to Wolves and dogs but sort of a seperate group of animal altogether. They are connsument hunters and scavengers, and live in burrows underground. The book fills in all the information on the animal and suggests high altitiude and cold regions.
The book does not name any locations that you have heard of.

Jessamyn: ((will be sending you info on Gothmoor from that book, just have to find the file. ))

Tsol: The woman smiles and does not give you her name, instead she points you over toward the set of shelves where the paladin Jessamyn and the High priest just ended their conversation and the paladin has gone off to read a book. You lok back and the female is walking away toward another female acolyte and giggling softly

Tsol
2007-07-16, 04:44 PM
Fistar

The wood elf watched the femaale dark elf walk off towards tye other female. He watched the hint of the sway of her hips under her robe. He sighed as he looked in the direction that she had pointed out to him. More books or talk to the females. He watched Jessamyn carry off a book to a table where she sat and started glancing thru it. He smiled making up his mind, he turned and walked towards the two females. "My dear beautiful ladies..." placing each of his hands lightly on the small of thier backs, "... truthfully the books bore me for the moment... " he smiled charmingly. "I rather talk to the beauties of the library. ", smiling at the two females. "Let me tell you a story, as a child of the woods, I have often ...." Fistar continued talking softly, elaborating his story of adventure with a few ribald jokes thrown in. Occasionally he would ask questions about Gothmoor, listening intently for any gossip.




((prays for some good rolls /smirk))

1d20+1

1d20+1

Tsol
2007-07-16, 04:47 PM
((grumbles stupid rolling.))

[roll0]

[roll1]


EDIT:
Can I take 10 instead.. (rolls eyes heavenwards)
OK I get slapped silly. OMG HOW BAD IS THAT!!

Jeggred Von
2007-07-16, 06:40 PM
Fistar: A heavy and metallic hand tapped your shoulder, and the weight of it could only mean armor. As you turn around a huge plated cleric in field plate and wearing cleric vestments overtop stops you from continuing with the ladies. Once the two girls turn to see why you stopped, their eyes go huge and the swiftly dissapear.

With helmet removed, the male in armor looks down at you from his 6'9 height and sternly looks at you. His voice like a dead corpse in chaimail falling down a gravel hill. " M'Lord, THis is a library of Torm, not a tavern. If you wish to find suitable company for the evening, please leave and seek one of Gothmoor's fine establishments. If you wish to stay, leave the acolytes alone." As he finished the sented, his smooth brow furrows to drive home the point, this armored warrior priest could probably break walnuts with his mean looks.

The man stands in the path of the exited acolyte females and watches you.

Bunny~
2007-07-16, 06:42 PM
Etsia

Etsia nodded to herself and carefully placed the book back to its place. Then she turned to look up at Acolyte Oryic. "Thank you. I found the animal. I need to see books and maps about north next. Do you have any?" She paused, realizing it must be a stupid question. She shrugged, then continued. "Can I see?"

RelentlessImp
2007-07-16, 11:40 PM
Orophen

Orophen lifted his head as he heard someone asking about books on the lands to the north. He was propped back in a chair, legs upon the table before him, a number of books about the lands to the north spread out around him, a number in elven script.

His silver eyes blinked over in Etsia's direction, sliding his fingers briefly through his hair to flick his light hair out of his face. Then he immediately put his eyes back to the books, studying a map of the lands to the north, his eyes narrowed in concentration.

"...Now where is it..." he muttered to himself, quite frankly lost when it came to the map before him.

Zarrae
2007-07-17, 08:22 AM
Zarraema:

As Kelzir played on, she stared at the map - blankly, at first, as her mind trailed over a thousand impossible thoughts - and then, with increasing curiosity as she recognized the script and the city, itself.

Carefully and with monumentous difficulty, she tucked away her own thoughts as to what Kelzir's prayer had truly meant and her musings on why he'd prayed it for one hundred years... He could have run at any time... She cut the thought off - this would have to wait until they were safely away from prying eyes and ears.

The map, she pulled flat and held up for her companion to see, hoping to pull him further out of the past with the mystery and hoping to draw on his former training as the Matron Mother's scribe, "What do you make of this, Kelzir?" She continued puzzling at the map, unused to surface denotations, at all.

Tsol
2007-07-17, 12:07 PM
Fistar

The rogue looked way up then stepped back away from the big armored cleric. "Umm yes, your quite right my friend, I was just about to end my story anyways. " he answered back with a bit of trepidation, He attempt to glance behind the cleric and watch the two Acolytes exit, a brief look of disappointment crossed his face. "Oh well I might as well look at the books since I'm here, right? " Smiling upwards, he slowly stepped backwards to get some distance from the armored giant. His eye's brightened as if he just discovered an idea, and he stopped back peddling. "Say...", looking at the giant. "...you must be quite knowledgeable about Gothmoor and this library, do you recommend any good books that tells about Gothmoor's early history? "


((I'm going to get a good roll even if it kills me, ummm.....))
[roll0]

Edonil
2007-07-17, 01:22 PM
KELZIR

His fingers kept strumming the strings as he looked over at what lay in his Mistress' hands. He took in the details of the rough map, committing it to memory as best he could. Finally his hands stopped as he reached over and tenatively took the map from her hands.

He turned it this way and that, his eyes seeking marks that may not be so obvious to casual observation. Sometimes drawn into the map itself to hide them from discovery. He ran his fingers carefully over it as well, feeling for any indention on it's surface.


Spot check for any unusual markings on the map.
[roll0]


"It was done by our people's hand, Mistress. That much is certain, there may be other signs not so obvious that could be made evident with the right conditions. I'm sorry Mistress, but my glaring ignorance in this matter cannot be ignored." He said quietly so as not to disturb anyone nearby.

Jeggred Von
2007-07-17, 01:31 PM
Etsia:
Oryic Smiled and nodded and led Etsia around a few shelvesand to a shelf with it's one side facing a table with a strange elf sitting in front of a large pile of books. Many of the books in the pile in front of him are written in Elvish, and the bindings have the word "north" scribed in them.
"Here we are M'lady." Oryic points to a few books on the frozen north and the Spine of the World, the town of Mirabar and the Ice Mountains. many of the books he points to have spots next to them or near them, which tells you that copies are currently being read by someone in the library as well.

Orophen:
You sit and scour through the book, as one of the libraries Acolytes you know as Orophen approaches the shelf of the books on the North and points out a few books you yourself have in front of you. the female is short, even in elf standards. Her leather belts for clothing, and random scraps of fur and leathers marks her for a wild elf. You've heard of her kind before from stories within your home, but never actually seen one of your wild cousins. But, knowing what you know of this strange city, with drow kising dwarves and humans hugging orcs, anything is possible.

Fistar:
The huge armored human looks around for a moment, and then rubs his chin. Then after a moment, you can almost see the gears slowly turning as he looks down to you. "M'lord, I am well versed with the inner and outer workings of our grand empire. Gothmoor's common knowledge is taught to all who train and grow up here within these walls." He smiles broadly and raises his arms to motion to the city at large. "I can show you the books that have the same information, but I will be glad to answer any questions you may have, if I can, and will give my information freely."

Bunny~
2007-07-18, 09:03 AM
Etsia

"Thank you." Etsia nodded at the acolyte and then turned to consider the books. A small frown appeared on her features at the sight of so many of them obviously missing. She turned around to regard the table with them, then the elf who was apparently reading them. She took the few steps separating her from the table and peered at the books, checking out titles, looking for a map that would show names of towns.

"Hello." She glanced at the elf again, but did not make a straight eye contact. "Can I look at the ones you're not looking?"

Tsol
2007-07-18, 06:02 PM
Fistar

Fistar nodded slowly listening to the large armored cleric,
"Well, my big man, I'm just looking for old history, I heard that the city was built on top of some ruins, and I thought that I might like to visit them, if any still exists." Fistar then whispers conspiringly, “I’m hoping to find treasure and gold, a person has to make a living you know,” he smirked. “Is it true that Gothmoor was built with the help of dwarves?”

Jeggred Von
2007-07-18, 08:35 PM
The huge warrior cleric looks around and begins to rub his chin, as if it would help his memory. Finally he nods as if his decision to think was a good one, then looks back to you.

"Old History? well this library is full of useful and dated tomes of historical facts. The City of Shadows was indeed built upon ruins. Ruins of the ,rumored, six other attempts at a city here. This place is called The Wound of the Gods by the lizardmen of the Mhair Jungle. This land was settled, this time, by surface drow and the dark elves who escaped Lloth and her terrible grip. They came here to be free, and what one way to hide from a goddess than to live in a place she would not bother searching. These dark elves had no formal fortifications but found ruins poking up and out of the ground. they hddled like nomads until a knight arrived to show them a better way." The cleric warrior points over your shoulder to a three storytall tapestry of a huge human in plate and chain, with a grey halo around his head, herding hundreds of miniature dark elves under his shield and protecting them from a group of clouds with god symbols in them.

"This great man helped the Dakr elves not only build the first city and keep here that our king uses today, but also established their first alliance with the Dwarven city of Citadel Blacksteel to our North East." The man then pointed to a similar tapestry of the man with the halo, now smaller but shaking hands with a dark elf and a dwarf atop a mountain, with the image of Torm over the three of them smiling in seemingly approval.

Zarrae
2007-07-19, 06:28 PM
Zarraema:

As the Drow Priestess stared at the parchment, Rek'lyr's warning came back to her - keep the pales close... That's what they would have to do.

"There is no fault here, Kelzir, it may be drawn by our people's hand, but it is of the surface, something that neither of us is particularly familiar with. We will both have to learn." With those quiet words, she squeezed Kelzir's knee, gently, and pulled herself to her feet, banishing the sentimental thoughts until a more private time. She only hoped that her friend would be able to stand the temple a little more easily now...though, she knew what he saw behind the perfect stone...

"We should see what insight those who are familiar with the surface might have, hm?"

RelentlessImp
2007-07-20, 03:59 AM
Orophen

Orophen looked up at the female elf with a slow blink, jerked out of his study by her question.

"Huh? Oh, sure," Orophen said, looking at the large volume of books scattered across the table. He gestured towards them and the chair on the other side. "Help yourself." Then he went back to studying the map in the book.

Bunny~
2007-07-20, 04:08 AM
Etsia

Etsia nodded to the elf and stepped closer to browse the books until she found one with maps of the north. She glanced at the chair and blinked, then flopped to sit down cross-legged on the floor next to the chair and set the big book in front of her. She opened it and leaned over it, frowning a little as she studied the map.

She tried to memorize the names of the towns in the north, and to map a route from Gothmoor to the closest north-town.

Edonil
2007-07-20, 09:36 AM
KELZIR

Automatically, he stood with her as he still looked at the floor. The only indication of his state, was the slight sound of his fingers on the strings of the lute he carried. With his other hand, he offered the map back out to Zarraema.

"A wise decision, Mistress," came the quiet whisper. "One of them surely must be able to explain it to you."

Zarrae
2007-07-20, 09:54 AM
Zarraema:

Deliberately, she refolded the map and peered around to find the others. She knew the paladin had been closest, last. The others, she hadn't seen since their departure for the library.

One step at a time, Zarraema, he cannot be expected to be calm after such a short time away...if it weren't for the Maiden, even you would be stuck in the past...

"Come, my friend...we have a paladin and a few paler elves to find..."

Out of the corner, she stepped, looking for the nearest of their companions with a determined set to her face, We will figure out some way to keep with them, from now on. It will be good for Kelzir...

Edonil
2007-07-20, 10:03 AM
KELZIR

He fell into place behind her again. Still his movements were wooden and it seemed as though his feet were made of clay. Though his mind was a turmoil of horror, still he stepped with care to make as little noise as possible.


Move Silently: [roll0]


Silence was key to survival. Being seen and unnoticed was the other. His ears listened for any sign that his presence was demanded for anything. In a Temple, the slightest provocation would mean sacrifice.

Zarrae
2007-07-20, 10:14 AM
Zarraema:

The temple was full of strangers, as she looked around, trying to remain a calm pillar for Kelzir to stand behind - to draw strength from, she tried to remember the pales' faces.

...vith...they all look the same...


Search for any of their companions, for Zarraema:
[roll0]

Tsol
2007-07-20, 11:06 AM
Fistar

Fistar looked at the immense tapastries then glanced back at the armored cleric. "Interesting, so the dark elves were one of the first to settle the area and then were helped by that knight later," nodding to the tapestry with the knight protecting the dark elves. He thought a moment thinking of the two dark elves that he had traveled with. Maybe he should locate them again and see if they have any information. He shook his head and smiled, "So is there much information on the ruins themselves and are any still in existance? "

Jeggred Von
2007-07-20, 12:30 PM
The Warrior cleric looked to Fistar and raised one eyebrow in slight confusion.
He adjusted his stance, making his armor clank and groan in the movement, but then looked around the library looking for something.

"Yes the ruins are real. It is the previous city built on this location,which seems to have been pushed into the ground 20 feet or so by the Gods." The warrior cleric pointed one of his heavy gauntleted hands toward a shelf.

"There is not much information on the ruins, but many many books on rumors and speculation. No one who visits the ruins, ever comes back with any information of use, or they just don't come back. I am pretty sure that there are tunnel, and cleared out streets and buildings down there, but no one has dared map it, or even described it for a scribe to pen it to parchment." The Warrior cleric nods and wises the bard a good safe day and returns to his guard duties.

Tsol
2007-07-20, 12:52 PM
Fistar

The wood elf rogue watched the departing armored man return to his duties. He shrugged nonchalantly and returned to looking at the shelves of books that the cleric had pointed out. He grimaced, not really wanting to look thru all those tomes. He recalled his father placing books in front of him, forcing him to sit for hours reading. Little good did that do him as he recalled the stern look of his father, when he said he was leaving the forest. He shook his head, bringing him back to the present and started picking thru the old musty tomes.


[roll0]

bluenihil
2007-07-20, 06:07 PM
Jessamyn


The paladin sat at her reading table, absorbed in the book of history. Her sheathed greatsword lay across the table in front of her, well within reach--training had instilled that instinct in her, even with the comforting atmosphere of the Temple all around.

She was oblivious to her surroundings, platinum-blond brows furrowed in contemplation as she carefully turned the pages. It was her current mission, after all. It would take someone walking up and actually poking her to draw her attention.

Zarrae
2007-07-20, 06:20 PM
Zarraema:

There. The hair, armor, and sword. She recognized them as belonging to the Paladin who'd confronted her about Kelzir's position. She appeared busy, but then, this was a library...

Carefully, keeping her eyes on the blond-haired woman, she picked her way through to the table, knowing that Kelzir would remain within a hair's breadth of her elbow and praying to the Goddess that she could think of something intelligible to say - pales were, after all, so much different here; it was sometimes difficult to speak with them without offending their sensibilities.

She stepped up to the Paladin and kept her voice low, "Jessamyn of Torm?"

bluenihil
2007-07-20, 07:18 PM
Jessamyn


Getting addressed in that manner did yank the paladin's attention back to reality. Blinking, she lowered the book and gave the drow female a questioning look.

"Ah...yes? Zarraema?" Hoping she remembered the name... She was fairly certain it was the same drow, what with the male lurking behind her like that.

Zarrae
2007-07-21, 08:07 AM
Zarraema:

With what she hoped was a disarming smile, she gave a small nod, "I wonder, Jessamyn of Torm, if you can tell us anything of this?" Cautiously, she held out the folded, drow-drawn map.

"It seems to be a map of this area, but that is as far as our knowledge of the surface can determine." She winced, inwardly, at giving away such a weakness as their lack of knowledge - so many things that she would never have done only months before...

bluenihil
2007-07-21, 07:27 PM
Jessamyn


The paladin took the offered map and spread it out on the table, examining it thoughtfully. "I'm not very familiar with this area either, I fear. Is there something on it you're looking for?"


I guess it would be Knowledge: Geography... I have a strikethrough in it on my sheet, but a +1, so... If I can actually use it, here it is.

[roll0]

Zarrae
2007-07-23, 06:55 AM
Zarraema:

She stared at the map for a moment; a question she hadn't been prepared to answer...

"A pale's perspective to where it may lead, perhaps? It seems to simply guide to the woods and stop." She smiled to Jessamyn, hoping by her statement to let the Paladin know that her differing perspective would hold value.

Jeggred Von
2007-07-23, 07:06 PM
((weeeee.....adenture!))

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o302/shonuffstudios/Maps/map_clr.jpg

bluenihil
2007-07-23, 07:17 PM
Jessamyn


The paladin pondered the parchment for another moment, considering the notations, then looked up to Zarraema with an armored shrug.

"It looks like a treasure map, really..."

Zarrae
2007-07-23, 08:21 PM
Zarraema:

"Treasure?" The thought blurted out before she could truly comprehend, "Why would anyone mark such things down on paper?"

She peered over her shoulder to Kelzir and then back to the map, musing to herself ...such odd things are done here. Should such a thing have been written down at ...home, there would be a pile of bodies and pools of blood hiding it from sight. "If you wish to keep it, Jessamyn of Torm, we have little use or understanding of surface treasures."

bluenihil
2007-07-23, 08:36 PM
Jessamyn


"Well, I can't say for sure that's what it is. And I would turn it over to the Temple, regardless. It's hard to know without going to see... Really, it could be anything. Anything someone wanted to keep hidden."

Edonil
2007-07-23, 08:44 PM
KELZIR

His hands still twitched against the strings, causing them to resonate slightly. Eyes continued to stare at the floor, as though boring holes into it.

In a nearly silent whisper, "It was hidden here for a purpose, Mistress. The place it was hidden, was also purposeful. Perhaps it was placed to tell the location of enemies of ....."

The whisper trailed off to nothing as what small spark of courage in the confines of a Temple faded.

Zarrae
2007-07-23, 08:51 PM
Zarraema:

The Priestess paused in near-wide-eyed shock. Kelzir had actually spoken without being prompted. He'd offered information without being commanded... there is still hope...

"...whose enemies, Kelzir?" her words came out gently, as she'd intended, hoping to coax more out of him.

"And perhaps it would be best if it were not remanded to your temple until it was investigated. If treasure, then I'm sure that would be easily handled by yourself."

bluenihil
2007-07-23, 10:00 PM
Jessamyn

The paladin frowned slightly. "I had not meant to turn over your map... It is yours, after all. But if you put treasures in my hands, they would be given to the Temple-- Oh, that reminds me."

She turned away from the parchment and pushed up from her chair, patting at the coin-pouch at her hip as she glanced around for the nearest priest. "I meant to tithe..."

Tsol
2007-07-23, 10:26 PM
Fistar
The wood elf grew bored reading the books, he had gathered enough information about the city, that his mind was starting to fog over. So there were at least five previous attempts of this city, ruins built upon ruins. Who knew what kind of catacombs or treasures hidden deep under the current city. He sighed, if only there was way to find an entrance to the underbelly of this place.

He heard some whispered conversation and glancing around the corner of the book case he saw the dark elves and the half elf paladin looking at a piece of parchment laid on a table..

Whispered words drifted to him. "....treasure... ...turn over your map..."
His eyes widened in glee. He quickly replace the book he was reading and walked briskly to the group.

"What do you have there? ", he asked eagerily. "Can I see?" Making an attempt to crowd out the onlookers. "Wow, this is better than the map I had found, back at that house. ", He pointed to the '8 Days march' " Oh now I definitely need to purchase a horse, I'm not going to walk", he frowned. "Oh well it looks promising and I running out of gold. This place is expensive." He poked Kelzir, "What do you think. You think there could be treasure there?" his eyes gleam as he thought of the treasure that could be found.

Edonil
2007-07-24, 08:45 PM
KELZIR

He shied to the side as the wood elf touched him, removing himself from the growing group. A few quietly muttered words in Underdark, an apology for being so stupid and inept as to be in the way. With his head still bowed he replied.

"Of .. Her .. Mistress. Enemies of Her. I cannot know what lies in that place, only that there is one way of discovering the truth. That is to travel there, so you may see for yourself."

Jeggred Von
2007-07-24, 08:53 PM
"Ah! A well drawn map to the West."
High Priest Dentlor walks up past the table, shoving two acolytes in front of him, both of them piled high with books in their arms. High Priest Dentlorsmiles at you all and takes no more notice to the map out of respect, but looks to Jessamyn.

"Holy Knight. If you and your group of brave adventurers are willing to follow this map to possible treasure, or to find a group of people in need of Torm's protection, we here can provide mounts and supplies." High Priest Dentlor pauses as he looks directly to Jessamyn and smiles genuinely after he speaks.

"Many in this library are adventurers from all over Faerun and are merely here resting before traveling out of the North gate once again for further fame and glory. I am sure there are others who would accompany you, if merely asked."

Zarrae
2007-07-25, 06:50 AM
Zarraema:

Violet eyes stared at the map, a little wider than normal, it was found in Torm's temple in a darkened alcove. Kelzir could be correct. What joy to find others that would fight ..Her.. with us.

"Kelzir and I will follow the map if none other will." Her head bobbed a nod at her own words, as if reaffirming what she'd just spoken aloud.

Edonil
2007-07-25, 09:15 AM
KELZIR

He bowed deeply to all those present, his long silver hair brushing the ground. "I shall go make ready for your departure, Mistress."

Quietly, and with a practice of many decades, he began backing away from them. His footfalls quiet, and even chairs and tables didn't seem to hinder his passage.

Tsol
2007-07-25, 11:18 AM
Fistar

Fistar listened to the cleric offer the use of horses and supplies. He grinned happily, his green eyes glinting mischievously. “Well I’m not one to turn down a helpful hand in this endeavour, but what is in it for you? Surely the loan of mounts and supplies must come at a cost?” The wood elf glanced briefly at the retreating male dark elf with a slight frown, then turned back to Zarraema smiling, “I will go of course, I’m always looking for adventure. “

Bunny~
2007-07-25, 07:23 PM
Etsia

Etsia took a deep breath and closed the tome of maps. She stood up and set it back on the table with another nod at the elf. "I found what I was looking for."

She now knew some town names from the north, as well as others on the way there and had some ideas on the roads going there. It did not really matter where in the north she went, as long as she kept going to the right direction. It would be a long trip and if she had understood correctly, a cold one. She frowned a little at that. She would need new clothes. Furs, probably. And it would be a long, long journey -- dangerous, too -- unless she found another caravan or a horse...

She nodded distractedly first at the elf, then at Acolyte Oryic, and wandered off. The hawk on her backpack made another impatient sound and she responded reflexively with a soothing one. She blinked as she noticed the familiar group and then approached them determinedly. Maybe they would know about such arrangements.

"Hello again." She nodded to the little gathering. "I need to travel north. I think I need fur clothes. And a caravan. Or a horse. Do you know..." She shrugged a little. "...of such things?"

Jeggred Von
2007-07-25, 07:29 PM
Orophen:

High Priest Dentlor walks up to you and clears his throat softly and nods slightly in an apology and whispers to you.
"M'lord, you asked to be notified if anyone was headed north via the jungle, and it just so happens that a group has arrived to do just that. One of them is a paladin of my order, and will gladly take you with them. Your coins fill our offering plates and we would enjoy to see you find whatever it is you're looking for. It is our duty to help you." High Priest Dentlor nodded once again in a slight bow and looked to you awaiting an answer

RelentlessImp
2007-07-25, 07:50 PM
Orophen

Startled out of his intense study (and a minor headache that was coming on) by the approach of the Priest, the elf... falls flat out of his chair, tumbling onto his back, the book sailing.

"Whoa... WHOA!" he cries as he falls, followed shortly by a muttered "Ow..." a moment later. Looking up at Dentlor, he nods briefly, picking himself up and dusting his robes.

Taking the sheathed rapier leaning against the table into his right hand, he nods a quick affirmation to Dentlor.

"I suppose accompanying some strange individuals to the north would be a good idea." Mainly because I can't remember the way myself, he thought to himself.

Jeggred Von
2007-07-25, 08:18 PM
High Priest Dentlor smiles and helps you to your feet as you speak to him he nods once and says, "Very well." He moves off from you to move back to the paladin's side.

"A thousand pardons, Paladin, but there seems to be a man who has come to us seeking knowledge and understanding of the world. and since you have come from the north, he was seeking someone who knew the area to accompany. As I see your map leads North, Would you perform your duty to accompany this man or allow him to accompany you on your trek to the location on the map? He may stya for the entire trip, he may leave, but regardless, it is against my ethos, and yours to deny the dedication to duty....Praise Torm." High Priest Dentlor makes a small religious gesture, for Torm's blessing and waves Orophen over.

Zarrae
2007-07-25, 08:36 PM
Zarraema:

Violet eyes peered around the growing group in swiftly mounting trepidation - I'm surrounded by pales... she took a deep breath, letting the moment of discomfort melt into the background of her mind.

"...I will...help Kelzir make preparations. Should you need us, we will be in or around the Inn or in the room that Firstar acquired for us." She begins patting at her belt pouches, trying to remember which one she'd scooped it into as they hurriedly left the tavern.

"Acceptable?"

With deliberate precision, she refolded the map and tucked it into the sleeve of her leather tunic...for now.

bluenihil
2007-07-25, 09:18 PM
Jessamyn

"Praise Torm," the paladin echoed automatically, mirroring the gesture. She turned sharp green eyes to the unfamiliar elf, but as he was being vouched-for by a priest of the Temple...

"Of course, Holy Champion. As I escort the others to seek what their map might show, I will escort him as well."

She was a bit hazy on how all of this had suddenly become an excursion, but as it seemed to carry the blessing of the Temple and all the trappings of a mission...a mission it would be!

Bunny~
2007-07-26, 09:41 AM
Etsia:

Etsia frowned a little at being ignored, but then her ears perked at the mention of 'north'. She placed a hand on the paladin's wrist and tugged a little.

"If you are traveling north, can I come with you?"

bluenihil
2007-07-26, 03:06 PM
Jessamyn

The paladin blinked down at the tiny druid, but...as the high priest had said...

"Of course."

Zarrae
2007-07-26, 03:22 PM
Zarraema:

She took the first oportunity to slip away from the crowd of pales and turned to pursue Kelzir at a calm, unhurried pace. She hadn't realized how uncomfortable his departure would leave her... it had, after all, been a good number of years since she'd been anywhere without him for more than a few moments. Most days, each activity was performed with his assistance or at least his company.

Headed for what she thought she remembered as the Temple's exit, she peered around for the bard, mouthing a silent prayer to Eillistraee that she would find him and nothing would happen to him, alone.


Searching for Kelzir on the way to the temple's exit:
[roll0]

RelentlessImp
2007-07-26, 03:25 PM
Orophen

The elf blinked once, twice... three times. Once in Dentlor's direction, then in Jessamyn's, then in Etsia's. This was all moving rather quickly, he thought, but shrugged it off.

Lifting the scabbard in his right hand towards Jessamyn in greeting, he spoke.

"Name's Orophen, slinger of strange arts and stranger blades. Pleasure to meet you, Lady Knight, and you, Wild one." He nodded in Jessamyn's and Etsia's direction at each honorific.

Then his eyes alight upon the Drow woman, and he blinks. His eyes narrow slightly, and, for a moment, his right hand twitches, left briefly jerking towards his rapier. Then, all the tension goes out of his body as he shrugs.

"Lady Drow, it is a pleasure to meet you. Do forgive me if I do not lay a title upon you, but old hatreds die hard. However, as long as you don't try to cut my throat, I shall endeavor to keep things pleasant between us." The elf gives the drow a brilliant smile after that.

Tsol
2007-07-26, 03:54 PM
Fistar

Fistar sighed at seeing the new elf joining the party. This would probably mean cutting into his share of the treasure. Well if he can hold his own in a fight, it may be worth it, considering a dead wood elf wouldn't have use for treasure.

"Orophen, I'm glad to meet you, ", putting on an impish smile. "This will be a lot of fun and we can always use an extra blade."

The wood elf listened to the conversation and winced a bit at his mangled name pronounced by the drow. He shrugged it off. He watched the female drow then leave to catch up with Kelzir. He realized that he had the room key, that was left on the table and that the drows would not be able to enter the room at the inn.

"Excuse me," addressing the remaining group, he then dashed off to the receding female figure, calling out "Zarraema, wait! " reaching into his pouch, he fished out a key, "Here, you'll need this for the room, you left it on the table at the Inn. " After tossing the key towards the drow, he quickly turned back to the group.

"So, if we are going to go to this place, I'll need a horse and some supplies. " Looking at Dentlor, "Point me the way, and I'll help gather what we need, Yes?"

Zarrae
2007-07-27, 07:25 AM
Zarraema:

Turning back to face the taller elf, her eyes narrow in the slightest at old reactions to being threatened. He does not know any better... she reminded herself, and calmed inwardly.

Instead of her initial reaction, she simply nodded and turned back to try to locate her former slave, "Understood."

When Fistar caught up to her, she blinked at him, nodding slowly, and offered the briefest, small smile, "Thank you, Firstan. We left in such a hurry that it must have slipped my mind. Kelzir and I appreciate your assistance with the room."

She stretched her neck, still trying to find her friend, "..and now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find him."

He must have already made his way out of the temple...I will find him more easily outside, anyway.

With that thought, she nodded to Fistar again and did her best to calmly and purposefully walk out of the unfamiliar Temple.

Bunny~
2007-07-27, 10:13 AM
Etsia:

"My name is Etsia. Not Wild One." Etsia gave Orophen a short nod, then looked up at Fistar when he mentioned horses. "I don't have a horse. Do I need one? Where can I get one?"

Tsol
2007-07-27, 11:14 AM
Fistar

"Well, this good and kindly gentleman here, " nodding to the High Priest Dentlor, "...has offered us horses and supplies, I'm sure if we follow him or he can direct us we can get a horse for you as well." he smiled at the half naked wild elf, briefly thinking what was under her scant leathers, he mentally brought his mind back to the task at hand and address the rest of the group, "I say we pick up horses and supplies and then leave at first light in the morning, unless you want to start right now "

Bunny~
2007-07-28, 12:40 PM
Etsia:

Etsia turned to look up at the High Priest. She nodded seriously. "Thank you." She glanced at Fistar again, then at Jessamyn, then back at the High Priest. "Where do we pick up horses and supplies?"

Jeggred Von
2007-07-30, 01:17 PM
High Priest Dentlor looked to everyone clamoring around him about horses and goods and he smiled, a bit of memories flooded back to his mind of his younger days preparing for adventure out of Waterdeep. He kept hands folded in front of him and nodded each time he was addressed, then looked to the group and waved a hand towards the exit where Kelzir and Zarraema left through.
"Around back is the Church's stable I have sent Oryic out to inform the Stablemaster of your arrival and since your male dark elven friend left for the lady's horse, you can probably meet him there. Oryic has been instructed to lead you to the church's stores of equipment we have for our adventuring heroes."

Tsol
2007-07-30, 06:40 PM
“Thank you, Dentlor, “the wood elf nodded and head out to where the stables were located after asking for directions. He wandered into the stable, looking at the horses grumbling slightly, wishing that he had paid more attention to his riding lessons that his mother had taught him. He looked at the roan that was shown to him. It looked at the wood elf lazily as if to say don’t even bother. He looked at the stable boy, “You sure that this horse is ok?”
The stable boy nodded eagerly. “Best horse there is here, his name is Jumper” the boy said, hoping to get rid of the horse from his care and unconsciously rubbing his backside where he had got recently kicked.

“Ok then I guess I need some tack and saddle bags.” He looked at the horse frowning slightly as the stable boy quickly got the saddle and the rest of the tack. Fistar put the blanket onto Jumper and then the saddle, Jumper flicked his ears back and turn his head watching the wood elf, the horse seem to breath in expanding his girth as Fistar tighten the girth belt.

“Well lets see about getting those supplies,” he directed his comment to the horse as he lead him outside.

Zarrae
2007-07-31, 07:12 AM
Zarraema:

Stepping outside of the temple, she was again touched by the weather - such a change from the cool of the stone. The weather above ground still amazed and confused her at times.

Back to the Inn... Her violet eyes blinked and squinted in the still-unfamiliar light ...which way is the Inn? ...vith. She had been paying more attention to other things on their way there. With a heavy sigh, she squinted further and attempted to locate her bardic companion again, shying away from the idea of shouting his name.

"...Dark Lady, sharpen my eyes for the hunt..." came whispered to her lips, earnestly.


Zarraema search for Kelzir outside of Torm's Temple, from the entryway:
[roll0]

Jeggred Von
2007-07-31, 02:58 PM
Fistar:
You gather your horse and the stable boy shows you the downward descending stairs on the back of the temnple, directly across from the stables where the church holds its goods. The boy's father is inside and gives you whatever NORMAL gear or equipment you request. ((no a wand of fireballs is not normal)) The boy's father, Davin looks you over and smirks,
"Aye, Little Oryic tol' me you'd be comin down here. Let me set cha up with tha finest a goods in Gothmoor."


Kelzir:
You walk down the street and turn a corner and run smack dab into the back of someone,...or something. Your face smacked into it's lowerback and a few inches lower,your nose would be nuzzling but cheeks. The Hill giant turned and looked down at you with a scowl, then seeing your dark skin, he smiles and moves aside, but you see your further progress is again blocked by others. There is a street fight going on. A combat between two people, as others surround the two fighters. One is a human, bald headed and three scars running down the left side of his face. He is wearing non descript armor, but you know if that armor was for sale down below, no one but nobility would be able to afford it. It was beautifully made, the man's movements were precise, like he's trained in the fighter's academy in the Underdark. His foot positions and tactics screams of dark elven training. He only has out a dagger a pair of short curved blades rest in their scabbards on his back and his cloak lies on the street.

You can't see who the skilled human is fighting, but you feel a tap on your shoulder, as if someone tapped your shoulder with a tree trunk. You turn to see the sheepishly grinning Hill giant hold a hand down to you and point to his shoulder, offering you a "box seat".


Zarraema:
You don't see Kelzir at all, but you do spot qite a number of people watching you. From alleyway mouths to high windows, the city seems to have eyes on you. A few people mill about the busy street but you do notice a large crowd gathering at the end of the street. You spot a few familiar buildings, and realize that is the way to the bar. Alot of the gathering crowd is chanting "fight fight fight" and you figured Kelzir had tohave gone that way.

Jessamyn/Etsia/Orophen:

High Priest Dentlor stands between you three and looks from one to the other before answering. "We have stables around back, my children. There are horses, ponies and even a few footpad lizards at our disposal. You are welcome to use any of them you need." High Priest Dentlor then turns to Jessamyn and speaks. "We accept any and all tithing to replace the goods you and your group takes for this endeavor. Once you return any items or steeds, they will go towards your tithing. We trust you and your divinity to bring your group home safely." Dentlor's face grows a bit dark and worry lines appear on his aged face. "Remember Paladin, The Northwest is a dangerous place. Not even the Gothmoor army travels that way unless is full military gear. The wilds of the Mhair Jungle await, and there are things in there that will not hesitate to kill. Protect your group, and look to the trees for signs. Also, you will pass a small village. ruined and abandoned. It may not be as empty as you think. Take care."

bluenihil
2007-07-31, 03:34 PM
Jessamyn

The paladin drew up and saluted High Priest Dentlor formally. "I will let no harm come to those entrusted to me," she said with conviction. It was a mission--a sacred mission, given by a High Priest!--and that was all she needed to know.

On the heels of that understanding came another, and she blinked and looked around quickly. The others...they'd gone off already!

"I apologize that my stay has been so short, Holy Champion," she said quickly, looking back to the High Priest with a bowed head, "but I will return. We will all return. Thank you for placing your trust in me."

With that, she stepped back from the priest and looked to Etsia (and Orophen?), anxious to be off after their scattered comrades.

Tsol
2007-07-31, 04:17 PM
Fistar

"Ahhh what a fine establishment you have here, " Fistar commented. "Lets see what do I need... " the rogue stood there with his hands on his hips looking around. "Ohh a cloak, 10 day rations.. probably wouldn't need it all but just to be safe, a couple of waterskins..... " Fistar started listing things off as he walked around. He then started talking about the time he had gone on a trip to nearby village from his own village, reciting all the little details of the trip. By the end of the story he looked at the huge pile on the ground. He sighed, with a look of disappointment, "A bit much don't you think," looking across at the bored Davin, almost blaming him for the amount of supplies.

"Well, I guess I'll just take these few items, " the wood elf picked through the pile getting only a few items here and there, enough to fill the saddlebags and a small sack, he then head back out of the storeroom.



((I will list the items on fistar's player sheet.))

Bunny~
2007-08-01, 12:51 PM
Etsia

Etsia nodded at Jessamyn, then trailed into the direction the stables had been said to be in. She wasn't used to riding a mount of any kind, her tribe traveled through the jungle on foot, climbing trees when necessary. There wouldn't even be room for a creature this size and type to move comfortably.

She walked around the stables, peering up at the horses, ignoring the possible human comments, looking at the horses instead.

She straightened her small form, drawing a detailed gesture in the air, touching her throat and lips and forehead in the end. The words of the spell she spoke ended in a soft whinny.

"Greetings horses. I am a druid on my way north with some other people. Does anyone want to carry me on the road?"


Cast Speak with Animals, lasts one minute at her level.

Jeggred Von
2007-08-01, 01:10 PM
Etsia:
All the horses turned to look at youand a few lingered a bit. One did not turn it's head and continued to chew it's oats. with a smashing of oats a whinney escaped.
"What makes you any different than the saddle riders, Forest elf?" The horse spoke to her in a calm manner with only a slight undertone of bitterness.

Bunny~
2007-08-01, 01:23 PM
Etsia

Etsia tilted her head. "I don't know that many saddle riders, I don't know how I differ from them. My tribe travels on foot through the jungle where there are no paths, following the Leaflord's will. But now I am called to north and to travel on roads and a horse companion would be appreciated."

She shrugged a little. "Would you all rather stay penned up in here? I can do like the ...saddle riders and pick one of you with no regard to your wishes, if that's how you like it done. I just thought I'd respect you enough to ask first."

bluenihil
2007-08-02, 08:53 AM
Jessamyn


The paladin lingered outside the stables, watching the streets for any evidence of the elves that had slipped out while she wasn't paying attention. Her horse was still back in the stables at the inn, but the last thing she wanted to do was wander off alone while everyone else was so scattered.

She planned to wait for Etsia and Orophen, unless something important caught her eye.

Spot: Everybody else. [roll0]

Jeggred Von
2007-08-02, 02:58 PM
Etsia:
The huge stallion turns to you and stares at you for a bit as you talk. Finally after chewing on his mouth full of hay, he turns and nods his huge head slowly.

"I do not mean to be brash little one. I merely wish to be out of this city. I will gladly accompany you, as long as You promise me time in the fields."


The stallion leans down and bushes his head against your hand, and the stableman looks a bit suprised and umbfounded. "Never in my 10 years of being here with these beasts have I seen one as small as you, tame one such as the wild one there. He must be akin to you. Would you like him saddled and bridled?"


Jessamyn:
You look around, watching the small wild elf speak to the horse, making strange whinnies and pants in the horse's tongue. You eyes look around and you don't see the dark elves anywhere from the alleyway here in the back of the church. What you -do- see is a few small couples or trios of people trying hard not to lookat you, but still keeping an eye on the stables. You count at least two groups on the ground floor in the alley, trying hard not to be too suspicious, and a third group, up on a balcony, all in the third group, being dark elves as they talk amongst themselves and smoke their pipes and sip from tankards.

Tsol
2007-08-02, 03:19 PM
Fistar

Fistar walked out of the door from the store room and back towards Jumper. He waved at the half elf paladin briefly before looking at his horse. Jumper watched the wood elf approach, shifting from foot to foot. He shook his head briefly and if the wood elf could have known horse language, he would have approached it carefully. As it is, Fistar came up to it whistling a tune and tossed the saddle bags across the back of the horse.

Turning to the half elf paladin he called out, “Hey Jessamyn, if you require anything for this trip, just go to the storeroom, they have ample supplies.”, he hefted his sack of goods with a smile to show the paladin. Fistar suddenly found himself, flying in the air, comically flailing his arm and sack. He landed deftly in a roll and came to his feet, grumbling as he brushed off the hay, and what looked like manure, from his new cloak. He turned back and looked at the horse, which at the moment stood there looking innocently around, if a horse could look innocent.

Fistar grumbled as he went back to Jumper and started berating the horse, “Listen you, if you want to be on my good side you should behave yourself or…,“ the wood elf continued talking loudly to the horse explaining all the nuances of glue making with old horse bones. Jumper stood stoically and was completely ignoring the wood elf and almost seemed to be grinning.


[roll0]

Bunny~
2007-08-02, 04:19 PM
Etsia

Etsia smiled softly and patted the big palomino's head, scratching lightly behind his ears, for the moment ignoring the stable boy. "What do they call you, the saddle riders? Do you wish for me to continue the practice of calling you with it?"

She knew animals did not give names for themselves, they knew who they were without such concepts. However, tamed animals often did learn to recognize and answer to concepts and sounds given to them by the humans.

"I'll ask the boy to show me how to put a saddle on you, so I'll learn..." She petted the fair mane and then glanced at the stable boy, giving him a solemn nod, concentrating on speaking in Common again. "Show me how to do it."

bluenihil
2007-08-02, 04:26 PM
Jessamyn


The paladin took note of their observers, and nodded to Fistar in passing. Her supplies were with her horse at the inn, so she made no move toward the storeroom at this time. Fistar's antics with his horse drew a brief glance of concern, but as he seemed to be uninjured, she gave it no more than a mental eyeroll.

"We should stop at the inn when I get my steed and perhaps request a refund," she commented into the wood elf's rambling, knowing already that she might as well talk over him since he was unlikely to stop. "As we will not be staying in the rented rooms. I would not want you or the others to be out your coin."

Tsol
2007-08-02, 06:55 PM
Fistar

"....and then the flesh is rendered off the bone and ... Huh, what?! ", glancing at the paladin, not pleased with the interruption of his disertion to the horse about making glue. "What do you mean? Do you want to leave right away?" the wood elf seemed a bit worried before continuing, "It is getting late in the afternoon to travel? I hate to travel at night.. "

Edonil
2007-08-02, 07:18 PM
KELZIR

He stood, looking back and forth at the crowd and the hill giant. He checked his coin pouch and shifted it to a less accessible location. Finally, in dismay, he sighed.

"I don't suppose you may know a way around this," he asks the mountain of humanoid? "My Mistress will be coming soon, and needing her horse and things from the Sleeping Centaur Inn."

bluenihil
2007-08-02, 07:25 PM
Jessamyn


The paladin shook her head. "No, I would not suggest leaving immediately unless for some reason the others insist... Indeed I should think it would be too dangerous to travel at night. But we paid for two nights and it seems we'll use only one, unless there is much delay and supplying to be done..."

She shrugged her armored shoulders slightly. "Everyone seems eager."

Zarrae
2007-08-02, 07:29 PM
Zarraema:
(Map - Neatly folded and tucked into the sleeve of her leather tunic and glove)

The eyes... so many watching her, it nearly felt as if she were back at home, the eldest daughter of the Matron Mother. Trying to ignore a forboding feeling, she stepped toward the crowd. I only have to get to the Inn... Kelzir will be there, safely. He's used to avoiding undue attention.

With a deep breath, she tucked the map more securely into her sleeve, ensuring that she did not remove it or reveal exactly what she was doing, aside from straightening her clothing, and pulled her gloves over the gap to make doubly sure that it wasn't lost. Especially considering Kelzir's revelation that it could, indeed, lead to someone or something that would help them battle the Queen's influence over their people.

Consider where it was. Consider that it was in Torm's temple, out of her reach... he could be very correct.

Down the steps, down the street, she headed right into the midst of the crowd, peering over and between bodies as she went, to see exactly what sort of fight the onlookers were encouraging. Her eyes widened at the fighting style and armor as some distant scene played in her memory. No. No, this is a city built by Dark Elves. He must have been trained here.

Jeggred Von
2007-08-03, 12:58 AM
Kelzir:

The hill giant smiled to him and nodded like a moron. he turned around and screamed with a loud bellowing yell that could be heard clearly at the stables behind the Temple of Torm.

"EVERYBODY MOVE!" The hill giant started walking forward, splitting the massive crowd in two. using his height and weight he plowed forward, giving Kelzir a path through to the other street four people wide. All eyes were on the giant and then the seeming noble dark elf that followed him.

Once he cleared the crowd, the giant turned to Kelzir and nodded to him and kneeled down, offering his hand again, this time speaking softly.

"Grakk."

RelentlessImp
2007-08-03, 08:17 AM
Orophen

Orophen follows quietly to the stables, lingering near the Paladin as he watches the wild elf ... is doing something. What in the hells? Was she speaking to the horses?

Shaking his head, he leaned upon the rapier in his hand, looking at Jessamyn.

"Of course they seem eager. It's a good old-fashioned quest, the likes of which adventurers have been traveling upon since the dawn of time!" The elf gave a brief smile. "They are eager to go and to carve their names and earn their fortune. Why would they not be?"

Zarrae
2007-08-03, 10:34 AM
Zarraema:
(Map - Neatly folded and tucked into the sleeve of her leather tunic and glove)

The booming command to move startled her out of her concentration to the point of shouldering a passerby, to which she murmured an apology and hoped that they did not take offense. Her quiet expiation was cut abruptly short as she recognized the form following a Hill Giant through the crowd. How could anyone miss such a display?

...Kelzir?

With her former slave's safety as her only thought, she rushed to meet the gap, hoping to reach the break in bodies before the crowd closed around it again.

Edonil
2007-08-03, 11:35 AM
KELZIR

The explosion of sound caused him to jump and bring his hands to his ears. Noticing the giants motion, he followed it through the breach of lowering his hands back to his sides and attempting to give off some air of dignity. He was fully aware of the eyes upon him and his large cohort, and was fairly certain that there were going to be some irate people around. Mostly those that had been engaged in betting on which of the two combatants was going to be the winner.

When the giant actually kneeled down to him, he blinked in surprise. His mind twitched slightly as his thoughts reeled. The soft spoken, for something that size, introduction snapped him out of it. With a slight smile, he reached out and made a try of taking the giant's hand, more likely ending up with a finger or two.

"Thank you, Grakk." He lifted his other hand, to poke himself in the chest with his thumb, and speaking carefully. "Kel-zeer."

bluenihil
2007-08-03, 11:49 AM
Jessamyn

The paladin nodded slightly at Orophen's words. "Only that we have been well-warned by the Holy Champion as well as being encouraged. Racing into the jungle in the dark would be foolhardy."

Not that she wouldn't do it anyway, if the situation required. Her green gaze moved methodically from Fistar to the stables to the back street on which they stood, never pausing on any of their watchers, just keeping everything in sight as they waited.

Tsol
2007-08-03, 12:16 PM
Fistar

The wood elf followed the conversations briefly and agreed with the paladin, "Very much so, I suggest we gather all ourselves together and go to the Inn, I'm sure the other two would be there waiting. " He thought for a moment, "I guess leaving first thing in the morning, would be the plan," he smiled and looked at the new elf. "Orophen.. is it? Do you require a horse as well, and supplies? The kind people here are willing to lend them to us for this endevour."

Fistar then looked at his horse and frowned, "Mind you I wonder if they just want to get rid of that nuisance, " he sighed and walked towards his horse and nimbly jumped onto the saddle, "Well, Jessamyn shall I wait for the rest to get ready, or meet you at the Inn?" As the rogue was talking, he felt the horse shift under him, and then the saddle slide around the girth, promptly throwing him to the ground. He got up and started swearing in a mixed of elvish and common. While comparing the horse's linage to that of ass's and donkey's, Fistar started to reset the the saddle on the horse, doing a quick elbow to horse's rib, to expell the breath as he tighten the girth belt.

bluenihil
2007-08-03, 02:25 PM
Jessamyn

"I would rather the four of us go together than further split. Zarraema and--" She paused a moment, trying to recall the male drow's name. "--Kelzir will likely be together, we will meet them at the inn."

Tsol
2007-08-07, 09:44 AM
Fistar

The wood elf finished up with Jumper, this time double checking all the straps and bindings. As he thought about the return to the inn, he schemed on how to still retain a profit. He looked at the group, hoping that everyone was ready, he hopped onto his horse, Jumper shifted again almost making the rogue lose his balance, he smirked, "Now now, lets try to be friends ok? " patting Jumper's neck, "I'll even tell you some nice stories as we travel. "

He glanced back at the group, "Well looks like we are ready to move on.. so lets head out then. If we seperated by accident, just meet at the inn." He then headed out of the courtyard, onto the sreets.

Jeggred Von
2007-08-07, 12:43 PM
Orophen Looks to you all and his face almost drains of color. his hands wring each other as he looks back to the church. He begins taking steps backwards and then speaks up.
"I um...seem to have forgotten something in the church. The Sleeping Centaur you say? I shall go gather my things, and meet you either there in the bar, or outside of town. If you plan on leaving tonight, I will be outside the city walls..waiting."

Orophen turn around and curses himself for forgetting a most important piece of his gear. He swiftly dissapears around a corner.


********
The rest of you gather your things and gain any equipment from the general goods store and then saddle up and move down the alleyway toward the Sleeping Centaur. You can still feel eyes on you as you move through the shaded alleyway from the hot sun. You emerge behind a corner building where two streets meet, and notice a large crowd off to your right who have gathered for some reason or another. From your raised position, you can see a open space in the center of the mob and some sort of activity is going on. A large hill giant is standing on the edge of the crowd and turns to look at your riding group, then pays you no more mind and continues to watch the fight.

You turn and ride up the road, away from the ruckus and see the familiar knife riddled sign of the Sleeping Centaur Inn.

The crowd is thick here in this part of town, merchants selling their wares and regular townsfolk passing through on their way to whatever it is they do.Riding is slow going, as to not knock anyone over.

OOC: Etsia and Fistar, roll a spot check

Tsol
2007-08-07, 02:59 PM
Fistar

Fistar eyes darted around the crowd as he moved though towards the inn.


[roll0]

edit: :P Its that purple people eater monster again... its been following Fistar.

Bunny~
2007-08-07, 08:20 PM
Etsia

After she had learned how to saddle the horse -- the stallion had told her that the saddle riders called him 'Elmshadow' -- Etsia had visited the supply shop briefly. After a moment of trying on different clothes and finding most of them helplessly way too big, she had eventually managed to gather a warmer outfit consisting of cloth and wool and leather, with some fur garments on top for the coldest weathers. She had also picked saddlebags for the horse, two blankets and another waterskin. After a moment of poking at the rations dubiously and sniffing at them, she had also taken some smoked meat, dried fruit and nuts and cheese as well as feed for Elmshadow. And some apples.

She had packed all her new things into the saddlebags for the big stallion to carry and after a moment of watching the saddle with consideration, she had also managed to mount up. Granted the process had been more or less her leaping high and grabbing hold of the saddle to swing herself onto it than the more traditional way, but it had worked.

So now she was following the others, riding on her own! It felt strange, being positioned so high above the street, looking down at people instead of up, as she usually had to. The hawk on her backpack seemed to sense her mood and took flight to stretch its wings and to enjoy the air.

Etsia glanced up at its soaring, then back down and around her to make sure Elmshadow wasn't stepping on anyone while she wasn't looking!


[roll0]

Jeggred Von
2007-08-07, 08:33 PM
You both ride through the crowd, following Jessamyn. You see things that you'd never imagine as you travel the roads. people are crammed shouldet to shoulder, and your horses make a nice path as you make your way to the Inn to catch up with your dark elven friends.

You know Orophen will never catch up and decide to just continue on and if he catches up..he catches up...if not...less things to wory about.

People bumping your horse and your legs as you ride make you watch all around you at the people and types of things touching you.

Humans, orc, drow, hal elves, halflings, hobgoblins, gnolls, gruargh, lizardmen, ogres..it's strange to see so many different types of people in one town..

bluenihil
2007-08-07, 10:48 PM
Jessamyn


Jessamyn was walking, since Ghost and her gear were back at the inn, so no doubt she got jostled more than the others.

Of course, she was also a tall armored woman with a six-foot sword and a Tormite tabard, so possibly not.

Onward!

Edonil
2007-08-11, 09:44 AM
KELZIR

Without a word, he walked into the stables of the inn and located his Mistress' horse. The saddle and blanket were nearby on the stall rail. Without waiting, he slipped the blanket over the horse's back, followed by the saddle itself. With a few deft motions, it was secured and followed by reigns. Leaving a few silver, he led the horse out to await Zarraema at the front of the inn.

Zarrae
2007-08-11, 10:06 AM
Zarraema:
(map - still tucked in her sleeve/gauntlet)

It hadn't been an easy trek to the Inn. As the Hill Giant's wake closed in around her, elbows and other appendages bumped and harried her. Setting her face to a stolid, determined expression, she pushed through the sea of people. Fear at the many hands and eyes on her crept into her throat and hung there until she finally pushed free of the throng.

To calm herself, she allowed the memories of Kelzir's song to drift over her mind; the soothing words gave her back her courage and the resolution not to falter. The Inn was finally in sight by the time she'd managed to regain her composure and Kelzir's presence, standing there with the horse he'd found for her, brought a gentle smile to her face. How could I have ever been cruel to him?

"I'm pleased that you were able to navigate the crowd, Kelzir. You've managed to learn a good deal more than I since coming to the surface." The smile fades by a degree as someone's voice echoed through her memories, reminding her of the inferiority of males. Those ways are gone. We are here now, and as soon as I manage a private place, where the embarrassment of his station can be concealed, I will remedy one of my mistakes.

Tsol
2007-08-13, 01:52 PM
Fistar
The rogue looked at the throngs of people, the mix of the different races, colors filled the boulavard. Seeing the Inn up ahead, he quickly dismounted taking the reins in his hand and head towards it.

He tried to spot the stable boy who was there earlier and did not seeing him, instead he saw the two dark elf companions waiting out front.

"Shesh, everyone around here seems to be in a hurry, do you expect to sleep on the road tonight? " He inquired, "Not that I mind, I'm sure there are plenty of bandits around, that will need a good thrashing. " he chuckled.

"Personally since its late in day, I think we should just spend the night here and leave at first light." He looked at Zarraema, "Do you still have that item from the library?"

Jumper the horse seeing his opportunity, at this moment tossed his head yanking back on the reigns, which pulled Fistar off his feet and on to his ass. He got up and started swearing at the horse in elven.

Zarrae
2007-08-16, 07:48 PM
Zarraema:
(Map - still tucked in her sleeve/glove)

Waiting patiently for his tirade at the horse to cease, she patted the belt pouch in which she kept a few trinkets.

"I do."

And I don't trust you with the possible information it holds. Mistrust born of necessity came naturally to most of those raised in the Underdark - as did misdirection and deception. Unfortunately for the former Priestess of the Spider Queen, her recent, honest tendencies caused her eyes to shift away and her stance remained slightly insecure.


Roll Bluff Check for Zarraema's attempted misdirection:
[roll0]

(wow, cannot get a break on rolls with this group!)

bluenihil
2007-08-17, 11:26 AM
Jessamyn


The paladin led her small part of the group carefully through the crowd toward the Sleeping Centaur's stables. "If we're staying here overnight, we'll have to lodge the horses for a bit. We'll need to call everyone together and figure out the full plan," she spoke over her shoulder to Etsia.

She turned her attention back to the street as they drew near the Inn, that feeling of being watched still putting her on edge. Whatever the Holy Champion had said, whatever the Gothmoor history book had detailed, this still felt like a strange and uncomfortable city to the young Tormite. Perhaps in the future, when she had a chance to get used to it, to see how Torm's duties directed her with so many Underdark faces among the crowd...

Speaking of Underdark faces, she caught sight of Zarraema and Kelzir as they broke through the crowd, there at the front with Fistar. A smile of relief touched her face briefly--so they had not all vanished into the twisting streets after all. She led on toward them, giving all three a polite nod as she stepped up with the faint scuff of armored boots.

Bunny~
2007-08-17, 11:32 AM
Etsia

Having followed the tall armored woman carefully -- she was certain she'd get lost within these buildings and streets that all looked the same to her without guidance -- Etsia was glad to arrive back at the stables. She hopped down from the saddle and patted Elmshadow.

She did not bother to hold onto the reins really, after all, the palomino stallion had said he'd be her companion. Instead she offered him an apple and while he crunched on it, she concentrated on petting and braiding his mane, watching the others.

"...we could also sleep under the stars..." Her tone made it obvious that this option sounded heavenly to her in comparison to the crowded buildings.

Tsol
2007-08-17, 05:46 PM
Fistar
Fistar, looked at the dark elf woman, noticing the uncertainity in her eyes. She could be telling the truth he thought, but he very much doubt it. "Well as long as you still have it and don't plan to run off without me tagging along, I'll be happy, " giving a wry grin to Zarraema.

The wood elf watched the approach of the paladin and listened to her and with a nod he grinned.

"Finally someone who has enough sense to see its too late to travel, " the wood elf looked at the armored woman, then without much fuss he took his horse around to the stables. As he was walking he heard Etsia commented about sleeping under the stars, he grimmaced slightly, "Well you can always sleep on the roof, " he chuckled, "Barring that, there maybe a park around here, mind you, I wouldn't trust myself alone in it at night, " he grinned. "You will never know what kind of two legged beasties are about at night." The wood elf looked at the diminative wild elf and thought a moment, "There maybe room in the stables, if its the crowded buildings your afraid of, at least it maybe suited for you then a closed in room."

Edonil
2007-08-18, 06:14 PM
KELZIR

He bowed to Zarraema as she came upon him, his eyes still shifting back and forth, through the crowds. The fact that she'd returned alone and not with the others, was noted with an inward frown. With another bow, his musical voice was quietly heard again.

"One city is much like any other, Mistress. I am used to making my path and finding my way around obstacles. And also adept at avoiding the incursion of another's wrath. If I'd been delayed, then your horse would not be ready."

The noisy elf was bouncing around again, and it appeared he'd found a rather ... entertaining horse. The fact that he seemed to know nothing of the animals, nearly brought a smile to Kelzir's face. Alarms kept sounding in his mind whenever Fistar was nearby, the way he moved, the way he kept weapons, the fact that he was always chattering about something. It was a distraction, and an intended one that Fistar used to his advantage. The elf was deceitful, untrustworthy, double-dealing, and imminently opprotunistic, in some ways, Kelzir was amazed that the surface elf's skin was so pale.

When mention of the map crossed Fistar's mouth again, Kelzir hid the furrowing of his brow and slight frown by keeping his head bowed.

"Do you still have that item from the library?" Fistar had asked, then followed it up with another statement. "Well as long as you still have it and don't plan to run off without me tagging along, I'll be happy, "

Again, the warnings rang out. This one was to be watched, not trusted, and most definitely kept on a short string, somehow. Fistar was interested in money, quick loot, and keeping his own ass safe as he could ... nothing more ... all he seemed to want was a quick trip to the pawn shop.

He noticed the Holy Warrioress and tiny, even to him, Druid returning, he breathed a little easier. Perhaps the ironclad woman would reign Fistar in and keep him in check. The advent of another, behind those he already knew caused him to surreptitiously scan the stranger. From under lowered brow he noted carefully the crease of pants, boots and their shine, another elf, from the size of the feet and light imprint they left on the road.

Jeggred Von
2007-08-27, 12:17 PM
You all stable your horses, and as you walk back o the Inn, you see the tall lamps that dot the streets begin to be lit by the lamplighter's guild. Slowly the city falls under the blanket of dusk and the city is aglow in he evening sky. You move past those rushing to get hom or whereever, and make it back into the Sleeping Centaur. The barkeep smiles at your return and gives a few kind words as he wipes the same spot on the bar down six or seven hundred times.The taproom is jumping. full with people to the point of having to twist around a few people to get to the stairwell. It doesn't take long to see there will be people down here for quite a while.

You get your keys from him and move up into theupstairs section of the inn/tavern and walk to your rooms. There are two rooms, across the hall from each other and they are at the end of the hallway. Your belongings have be taken up to the rooms respectively and the items carefully placed by the door by unseen hands.

You all stand in the hallways, looking back and forth and decide who sleeps where.


ooc: (decide who is sleping where and we'll carry on from here...)





http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o302/shonuffstudios/Maps/centaur01.jpg

bluenihil
2007-08-27, 05:26 PM
Jessamyn

The paladin wasted no time in staring at closed doors, but stepped around the baggage to peer into first one room, then the other. After only a moment's thought, she hefted her bags off the floor and carried them into the rightward room.

Dropping her belongings near the table, she moved to check the windows--their locks, the ease of opening, what they looked out upon--before bothering to take in the rest of the room. Whoever else entered after her could choose their bed first.

Bunny~
2007-08-27, 05:33 PM
Etsia

Etsia didn't even look at the rooms. Instead she watched the tall woman with green sharp eyes like a little hawk. When she walked into the one on the right, she followed immediately and without a second thought hopped on the bed nearest to the window and outdoors. She frowned a little at the whole bed notion, set her bag on it, moved around, tried if it bounced, poked at the pillows, peered under the mattress... eventually she stopped and joined Jessamyn at the window.

"Can we open it? It's hard to breathe in here and the hawk cannot come in if it's closed." She knocked on the glass and pressed her nose against it.

Tsol
2007-08-28, 10:28 AM
Fistar

The wood elf shrugged, one room is as good as the other to him. He watched the paladin and the wild elf choose the right most room, he looked at the dark elves contemplating. Fistar wondered if he should keep an eye on the one carrying the map, nibbling his lower lip in indecision. He had heard so many rumors about the dark elves in general, maybe it would be safest to stay with the paladin for the moment, until he got the feel for these dark elves.

He glanced at the wild elf, watching her forlornly looking out the window. He chuckled, making a decision, he grabbed his bags and tossed them on the bed nearest to the door, he walked up to the window, "Here let me help you with this. " He glanced at the catch noting how it worked, his mind working out ways of opening it from the outside, he then released the catch and opened the window. "There you go, my friend." looking at the wild elf, "I'm assuming you will be sleeping by the window. Do call out if you feel that some one is about to enter thru that way. " he chuckled, "I remebered when ..." Fistar continued chatting about a time when while sleeping with a window open a friend snucked in and placed water bowls around his bed. As he chatted he went to the bed closest to the door and checked his baggage before placing them on the floor, he took out a dagger and placed under his pillow before flopping onto the bed with his hands behind his head.

Jeggred Von
2007-08-28, 01:20 PM
The rooms are comfy. Not too greatly furnished...but Comfy. Three small beds in each, footlockers for those who stay a bit longer, each one has a key hanging from an open lock. a small round table with three backless stoll under it is the only other remaining piece of furniture other than some old, dusty drapes, nailed to the wall above the window.

The window frame is about 2 foot wide and 3 foot tall.(60 cm x 91cm) the wood is thick , old and worn. The window is nice and sturdy, no wory of it breaking, but the building itself smells of age. Not must and dust, but just...aged wood. There are three lanterns around each the rooms, and lighting sticks.

Fistar opens the window with much pressur and defiance from the warped and aged wood, but finally the window slides up without problem. the smell of the ocean can be found on the wind and the air sends a nice breeze through your room and down into the hall.

Bunny~
2007-08-28, 09:12 PM
Etsia

Etsia grinned and almost bounced up and down a little. Then she poked her head out of the window and let out a shrill hawk-shriek. In a moment her companion flew down and settled to perch on the window sill, peering inside, obviously dubious.

The wild elf ran her fingers over the hawk's feathers lightly, mimicking grooming, and turned to beam at the wood elf. "Thanks!" Then she looked up at the tall woman. "I think it can sleep here. It'll wake up and be very angry if anything tries to come in..." It was obvious the hawk would not want to come further in than the window sill.

bluenihil
2007-08-28, 11:34 PM
Jessamyn


As Fistar rambled, the paladin pondered the window as if trying to decide the best way to cram a chatterbox through it.

She blinked at the screech from the wild elf, and stepped back respectfully as the hawk landed on the sill. "If it's comfortable there, I think that's acceptable," she said. "We can open the other window as well. Do you want the corner bed with both windows?"

Expecting the answer to be yes, she moved already to place her gear by the middle bed. Slinging the greatsword and its long strap from her back, she placed it across the foot of the bed and perched there, facing away from Fistar as she tugged at the buckles on her banded armor.

Bunny~
2007-08-31, 02:38 PM
Etsia

Etsia nodded enthusiastically at the tall woman's question about beds -- the one near both the windows was almost tolerable for being indoors. She groomed the hawk for a while still, then hopped on her bed and after a while of inspection and seemingly random blanket removal and replacement, was more or less nested within the big blankets like a little bird. She nodded again, in some sort of half-approval and then flopped down and closed her eyes. It had been a strange and exciting day for a small wild elf and she was soon asleep.

Edonil
2007-08-31, 07:57 PM
KILZIR

Kelzir watched quietly as the variety of people invaded the right hand room. Noticing the odd sort of hesitancy the dagger wielder displayed, before following the small elf. There was an inward frown, because of it. They'd drawn attention, possibly unwanted attention, from that one. And his intermittent harping on the map his Mistress held, was enough to set the alarms off in his head again.

Without a word, he lifted his and Zarraema's things, and moved into the unoccupied room. Setting their parcels down, he moved to the center bed and tested it to see how firm it was, the softness, the feel of the blankets. After satisfying himself, he then performed the same task on the bed closest to the window.

With a slight frown, he pulled the mattress from the center bed and set it on the floor, then lifted the one from the far corner bed and set it on empty frame. With a small effort, he then lifted the mattress from the floor and placed it on top of the one he'd just moved. With efficiency and precision born of decades of performance, he covered and neatly arranged the coverings for the maximum of comfort.

He stood, surveying his work for a short time, again frowning. The distaste blatantly evident that the bedding was so crude. With a slight sigh, he then turned to their bags and knelt at the center chest. He removed various articles, placing them within the container for easier access. Stacking things neatly, or setting other items around breakables to protect them.

His last endeavor was to go to the window, and peer at what the view was like. Noticing how close the next building was, if there were windows across from them. Any possible handholds or odd outcroppings of random things. He checked the latch, ensuring it's ease or difficulty of release. Opening the latch, he determined if it was an upward or downward opening window then made sure it was shut tightly and latched again. Pulling a dagger from a boot, he wedged it into the window frame in order to hold the latch in place now that it was set properly.

When he finally finished his work, he moved himself toward the center of the room, midway between the bed and chest. He surveyed his work, taking note of the items in the room. Finally, he lowered himself back onto his knees to await his Mistress' entrance and opinion of their sleeping accommodations.

Zarrae
2007-08-31, 08:23 PM
Zarraema:
(Map - still tucked into her gauntlet/sleeve)

She slipped into the door and watched Kelzir work in a self-reproaching haze. How could I let him continue like this? I thought I'd left that life behind me. Dark Lady, how can I ask his forgiveness? Violet eyes followed his every movement, letting memories of their century or so together flitter by; every harsh word, every bitter strike of the scourge, every ... everything.

When he finally knelt to await her orders, she knelt in front of him and let her chin rest on her chest as she avoided his eyes. Her shoulders sagged with the guilt of her past and her voice barely managed to push past the weight, "Kelzir, have I lead you to believe that you are obligated to remain with me now that we are both ..free?"

Tsol
2007-09-01, 08:52 AM
Fistar

Fistar layed on the bed and was amazed on how the wild elf had called the hawk to the window. He watched the paladin moved thru the room and then choose the center bed placing her large sword at the foot of the bed. He grew silent and watched the paladin commenced to unbuckle her armor.

The wild elf continued preening the hawk, with a delightful look on her face before nodding to the paladin on the choice of beds. After a time she hopped on to her bed, rearranging it into a nest. He chuckled and wondered if she would sprout wings soon.

His mind turned the dark elves as heard the movement outside, he glanced at the open door and watched the two dark elves entered the other room. The wood elf wondered briefly what had finally driven out these dark elves into the light. The male was obviously a servant or slave of the female. He grimmaced slightly, why would anyone submit themselves that way. He sighed and glanced at the Jessamyn, briefly wondering what she was wearing under her armor.

"Well, I should see about getting a refund for the one night that we aren't staying here," he said as he swung his legs around on the bed and placed them on the floor. "I'll go do that now." Sliding his hand under his pillow he retrieve his dagger and sheaved it.

Fistar checked to see if he had still had the key and then walked out the door and head down the stairs to the tavern. Once he got there he went to the bartender and explained to him that they had decided that they would be only staying the one night, not the two as they had previously thought.
"The rooms are under the name of Kelzir." he smiled at the bartender.

bluenihil
2007-09-01, 12:52 PM
Jessamyn

Jessamyn pulled her armor off bit by bit, exposing the padded tunic and trousers beneath. Nothing interesting for any rogues to see, at least at the moment. She checked over her armor automatically, examining it for rust or damage; remembering the rain earlier, she fetched supplies from her pack and worked over each piece.

All of this was done quietly, briskly. Finishing, she organized the armor carefully beside the bed--away from the window in case of a midnight squall--and set her Tormite tabard next to it. Reaching back, she tugged the clips from her hair and pulled it down.

Once undone from its coil of braids, the paladin's platinum hair was extremely long--impractically so, falling almost to her knees. With brush and comb, she worked the full length of it slowly. Her green gaze roamed back and forth between the door and windows, slightly-pointed ears attuned to the sounds of the tavern below and the streets outside.

Finishing the brushwork, she divided the strands and expertly began reweaving the long braid.

Edonil
2007-09-01, 02:16 PM
KELZIR

Kelzir knelt for a while, contemplating his answer. There were many things that he could say, obvious answers that could be given. The simple fact that he'd thought of this very same thing earlier today was interesting. Finally he settled for the simple truth.

"Free Mistress? Both?" his words were gentle. "My body has never known what this word means. For that is all it had been, just a word. My obligation to you has been forged over a hundred and ten years. For well over a century, I have known many things, but to be free is not one of them."

He sighed slightly, still contemplating the question she asked of him. But then a small smile came to his face as he reached out and placed a finger under her chin to raise here eyes to his. He looked into them, the red tinged violet glowing slightly in the darkened room.

"But that is not all, I've known. My body has been tortured, abused, used for sport, pleasure and as a tool." His words came stronger, though just as quiet as before. "There are certain things, that I may never overcome, because of my sojourn in the Underdark."

If any were watching, the smile he beamed at her belied the collar around his neck and the attitude he carried himself with. It was an honest smile, not one forced from a face that had always known darkness. It was clean, untainted by the evil it had survived for so long. It was a shining beacon, against inky black skin. A spark in the darkness.

"My soul has always belonged to Eilistraee, from the moment I was born. From that first time I found you weeping for the injustice brought down on you, ninety years or so ago. Eight horses passed their lives, waiting and being well fed for the time you would depart. Any of those years, I could have disappeared, and none would have missed me ... save yourself perhaps. But our Goddess bade me to watch, wait, and let kindness bring you to her." His smile, did not remain during the litany, if anything it grew stronger somehow, the deep notes of his trained voice, probably carrying further than he'd care for them to. "No, Mistress, I have never been free. And even now, I am not free. I shall never be free in the sense that others understand. If not to you, then to another, and ultimately our Goddess Eilistraee. But, even in shackles, I have been happy."

Zarrae
2007-09-01, 02:43 PM
Zarraema:
(map - still tucked in the armor she hasn't taken off....yet!)

Guilt settled heavily on her shoulders, draped like a wreath and gaining weight at each reminder of her hand in his training and slavery. Memories of her cruelty and their time in Lloth's temple during her last years of training seared her heart as he pulled at her chin.

How much pleasure she'd gotten from tormenting his every waking moment, for daring to make her uncomfortable by the gentleness of his presence. For all of the times she'd reveled in the fright she caused and the subversion of his faith ... how could he look at her and smile? Even with the burning away of her former self and the change she'd undergone with the Moon Maiden's help... I can never forgive myself.

She remembered the first time Kelzir had come to her attention. A selfish fit of bitter weeping at something rediculously trivial had sent her to her lavish rooms. From that day, and every other time she even thought to need him, he'd been there... that day, to dress the minor welts left by the Matron Mother's punishment for her insolence in breaking some trivial household rule. 'It doesn't have to be this way,' she remembered the words he'd whispered to her. At the time, barely more than a child, it hadn't meant anything. In the end, it was the flame that drew her to Eilistraee's teachings.

She finally found her voice, small as it felt compared to his resonate tones, "...Kelzir, how can I allow you to continue as my slave, after all that you have done for me? It was your gentleness that taught me to dance and your songs that brought me out of the darkness. If anything, my gentle lover, it should be me who is bound in chains."

Too heavy with her past, she leaned forward to lay her forehead on his shoulder, letting the waist-length white-silver hair drape over her, covering over the silent tears like a curtain.

Edonil
2007-09-01, 02:55 PM
KELZIR

He brought his arms around her, gently stroking her hair. The smile still on his face as he turned his eyes to the back of her head. He sat quietly, allowing her this moment before speaking again.

"Remember if you will, the question you demanded me answer on your return home." His voice gentle and strong. "That I tell you what I had done to you. Explain how I'd bewitched you. I had done nothing, and still you did not believe me. But Eilistraee, had touched you. In binding me, she also bound you. So I return the question to you, now knowing this. How can I not continue as I have for so many years, keeping my faith burning brightly against darkness, hatred and evil?"

Zarrae
2007-09-01, 03:20 PM
Zarraema:
(Map - yup, it's still there, tucked in the sleeve)

She left her head resting on his shoulder, letting his very presence give her courage as she remembered the beating she'd given him when he could not answer why he'd remained foremost in her mind during her first year of Temple Training. How humiliating to be a novice in Lloth's temple and yearn for any specific man's company. Especially her slave! She'd come very near to killing him that night, and even after her rage had subsided, he'd been gentle and kind.

"...please, Kelzir, let me at least take the mark of shame from around your neck? Stay and be near me, fight the Dark Queen's influence with me, if you wish, but do so because you wish it, not because you wear a collar and a brand...and not because I wish it. Please, tell me how I can give you freedom?"

His gentle hands smoothing her hair and the deep tones of his voice could only soothe so much. Even the Goddess' gentle teachings could do nothing more than deepen the guilt. I will find a way to atone. I will...

Edonil
2007-09-01, 04:00 PM
KELZIR

He continued stroking her hair, letting his hand run as far as he could along the length of it. His posture, though kneeling, was anything but servile at the moment. She could feel him shake his head against her.

"Zarraema, this collar is nothing more than a piece of jewelry to me. It is no mark of shame. It speaks a thousand things that I do not have the words for. I do not know what freedom is, nor do I care. I have not stayed with you for all your life because of a simple piece of metal. I stayed because Eilistraee wished me to, and because I wanted to."

"I stay now, because I have no desire to be anywhere else and our Goddess has not bade me to depart. This simple piece of metal, says I have survived the worst that the Demon Spider Queen could bring to bear. I have not gone unscathed, but I have survived. It says that Eilistraee's power is greater than that of any drow. It is a symbol of pride, of endurance, of dedication, of kindness, and of love."

"I wear it, to show others that faith in something greater than themselves can help them overcome even the darkest adversity. I wear it to show that even somebody so low as to be little more than a scraping off a boot, can make a difference. I wear it to give others of our people, hope."

"In all the years we were in the Underdark, I have had a hand in many escaping the clutches of the Queen of Spiders. I have helped others leave the city to start new lives elsewhere. I have shown others the way out, the way to the freedom you now have. I am enslaved by my faith and devotion. And were I to not have this around my neck, then others may never know that .... It doesn't have to be this way."

Zarrae
2007-09-01, 04:33 PM
Zarraema:
(Map - guess what! ...it won't be in her sleeve for much longer!)

The sound of her name without the title shook her out of her penitent haze enough to look up. He'd been a lifetime in her House's service and months with her on the surface, and she'd never known of his assistance to others, only that he'd waited for her before escaping, himself. The depth of his devotion to the Dark Maiden and love for their people, despite the way he'd been treated...or, because of it...humbled her.

That his collar, a beacon of her shame, meant so much to him, caused a sudden impulse to touch the adamantite band at his throat - just a piece of metal, a relic from a minor House, that held such a dichotomy of meaning. As she touched it, she leaned forward to touch a kiss to his forehead, "I will never ask you to take it off, again."

"Here," a sudden thought caused her to push a shaky finger into her sleeve to fish the folded map out, "You should be the one to carry this. If it is what you suggested, then you are the only one that can be trusted with its safety." For a moment, she fumbled with the bit of parchment, still trying to pull herself out of the shadows of the Underdark.

Dark Lady, guide me, her spirit pleaded.

Edonil
2007-09-01, 04:50 PM
KELZIR
(Map? What map? I have a map? Oh, you mean this map.)

Silently his hand takes the parchment from her. Under his deft fingers, he carefully refolds it in a specific manner and then tugs the collar. Under his grasp, it moves away from his neck, stretching slightly, and his fingers part the leather backing on it. Deftly, and with much practice, he slips the folded parchment into the backing and lets the collar rest easy against his skin again.

"I will hold it for you, Mistress. Until you need it again," he whispers. "I may be wrong, I may be right. There is no knowing until we find what lies at the end of the search."

Zarrae
2007-09-01, 05:02 PM
Zarramea:
(FINALLY free of the map!)

His trickery actually brought a smile to her lips, that explains so many things... A male slave in her mother's House could never have been assured of any stitch of clothing, but always of his collar.

"It could as easily be a trap or treasure as a key, but for tonight, we can't know."

A faint smile touched her lips, weighted with the previous discussion but still true. "Kelzir, will you sing for me? I feel heavy, I think there's room enough in here to dance, and the moonlight from the window will have to do. I ... will you do me the honor of helping my devotions, tonight?"

Edonil
2007-09-01, 05:12 PM
KELZIR
( Bearer of the One Map, folded carefully behind collar. )

"Our devotions, Mistress. Our devotions."

He rises and retrieves his drow made lute, then moves some of the furniture around to provide a little more open space before closing the door. Finally he settles himself in a corner, out of the way. He clears his throat, and shakes his hands before beginning.


Perform: [roll0]


He winces slightly at the notes, obviously still a little unsettled by the events of the day. It wasn't his best, but it still wasn't too bad. With a slight shake of his head at himself, he decides to carry on. Starting with a light step, and flowing into a graceful turn. He plays not for the woman dancing before him, but for a Goddess he's never seen, but who has been the core of his life since he can remember.

Zarrae
2007-09-01, 05:37 PM
Zarraema:

A deep breath begins her preparations for devotion as her fingers deftly work at the fastenings of her armor until it all lay neatly folded at the foot of the bed that Kelzir had prepared. With haste, but not without grace, she doused the lights and stood bare in body and spirit in the faint moonlight trickling from the only window.

The room melted from her vision, leaving only the vague sense of where objects lay in her way. As Kelzir's song began, she let the emotions bleed into a simple sway and escalate from there in concert with the bard's song and her own inner workings; giving it all over to Eilistraee's sight. Somewhere during the dance, her sorrow gave way to the peace of being away and the hope that she could somehow show the Maiden's gentleness to others.

Through most of the night she danced, until she could do nothing else but sway from the weariness of the day and the exertions of the devotion.