War of Shadows (IC)

[Tyg3rW01f]

Josiah made very certain no one was looking too closely as he drew an amulet from under his robes. It was a simple thing, only a bonze hand displayed palm out, but the rune hidden in its lines was plain to see for any Brother.
"I look forward to your work, Brother Hasini." So saying, Josiah laid ten gold coins on the counter, using the motion to hide the return of his amulet under his robes.

[Imladir]

Alyndra Aramiar - Elf Wizard (5) - HP 30/30 - AC 18

While she had stayed in the tavern - she had no use for a leatherworker after all - it was quite obvious that Alyndra was ill at ease. Not that she objected to the festive atmosphere as she smiled here or there, but it was very obvious that she wasn't used to the crowd and found it hard to deal with and quite overwhelming in fact. Still, as time passed, she grumbled, “We are going to be late. I hope Josiah didn't forget we're here for more serious things than his fang...”

[sarlon]

As the early evening draws to dark, everyone meets up at the camel vendor.

Spoiler: Alyndra:

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Midnight's belly definitely looks a little more rounded than when you left her here and she is contentedly snoozing atop a pile of soft goods near an equally contented looking jasper. Jasper is wearing the most bizarre-looking foot coverings that go up almost to his knees, but they don't seem to be bothering him, while he munches on something in a nose bag.

The big orc comes out to greet you as you approach a broad grin on his face. he gestures towards 5 large camels laying passively on the ground just outside the city gates a small figure darting around them making adjustments and muttering something (you hear it's a male voice, but too low and indistinct to hear properly).

"I am sending you with my friend Lo'it, who is going home to visit family, he has agreed to take you to the temple as well and bring back the camels. he's a bit......unusual, but I promise he is a good man. Just don't mind his mutterings about temple snakes."

[DeTess]

"Temple snakes?" Elva asked as she set to mounting one of the big camels. "Is that something we should keep an eye out for once we're there?" Due to the festivities she was in a far better mood than she had been previously. Her worries about their enigmatic opponents and the missing blade for the moment pushed to the back of her mind.

[sarlon]

a young mans head pops up hearing the comment of temple snakes, and a wide grin cracks his broad good-natured face.

"oh yes miss, temple snakes are everywhere! 20 feet long, 6 arms, 4 heads! 3 mouths full of razor-sharp teeth! they say just the site of one turns a man's blood cold.....you've never heard of them?!"

He comes to the side of the camel Elva is trying to mount and offers her a leg up. As short as this man is you almost mistake him for a halfling, but he is a very short human, though his voice and build indicate he is no child (you'd guess the maybe mid-20s). His tanned and weathered face shows him being an outdoorsman, and his ease with the large beasts shows he's at least competent. He's wearing a sleeveless vest, baggy loose trousers, and odd-looking pointy-toed shoes, there are several yards of fabric wrapped around his neck hanging just loose enough that you think it might also serve as a makeshift head covering since a pair of goggles hangs around his neck as well.

"temple snakes lives hundreds of years, and pop up all over the world....last time I saw one was....oh let's see here....a few seasons ago! must have been 90 feet long, and spitfire and lightning from its mouth!"

[DeTess]

"Ah, those beasts." Elva replied with a grin. She accepted the man's helping hand and managed to clamber into the beast's saddle. "Where I'm from we call them Well Bears. Thanks for the warning! After the trouble we had with one of those a couple weeks back I think we'd all rather avoid running into another one." She added with an enigmatic smile.

[Tyg3rW01f]

"Terrific," Josiah muttered. To Alyndra, he added, "I have the local leatherworker commissioned for a project, so I need to return within a week."

[Tyg3rW01f]

Josiah listens to the tale of "Temple snakes"...

Spoiler: Sense Motive

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(1d20+3)[16]

[Tyg3rW01f]

Josiah smiled and did his best impersonation of a Master who had helped teach him Speech. "Oh, those temple snakes. Terrifying creatures are they. Heh heh. Teeeerrrrifying creaturrres. Hmmmm."
Dropping all pretense of levity, Josiah glared at the midget. "Too bad your particular version of these snakes smacks of wild pipe-bud, drunken tales, and a scheme to extort 'protection' funds from otherwise unaware travelers."

[sarlon]

the young man places a hand over his heart with a mock hurt look, winking at Elva. "Good sir, I am independently wealthy, I have no need for shiny trinkets of what you call.....money? my family and I have lived among the dunes our entire lives, and know them better than any two-legged ground-based creature! I am going a favor for my friend to escort you to your destination, I will keep my tall tales to myself if they so offend your ears *Eloki no'sani!*"

He turns back to elva with a broad grin pointing to where to hold on if she feels like falling while the camel is moving, and better places to put her feet to hold her on with more comfort.

Any of you will notice hes actively avoiding Midnight and makes a weird hand gesture (think again like a catholic crossing themselves), but will help anyone who needs assistance getting onto the camels.

[Tyg3rW01f]

Josiah gave the midget an appraising look. "Were my Master here, fella, she'd have found the most caustic lye soap available to use in washing out your mouth--twice! That particular phrase is foul beyond even what I am willing to use, and my vocabulary has earned me quite the palette for soaps."

[Imladir]

Alyndra Aramiar - Elf Wizard (5) - HP 30/30 - AC 18

Alyndra briefly inspected Jasper, not so much to check that everything had been done right - she'd be hard pressed to tell that after all - but to see what had been done. While she did, she glanced at Midnight, “I hope you didn't steal all that food.” Though of course, as far as Midnight was concerned, food she could get her paws on belonged to her so it wasn't stealing. More like an unwitting offering. Done with her checks, the young elf nodded to Lo'it, then turned to the orc, “Thak you. And may your son be born strong and hale.” She then observed said Lo'it, but she was squinting as she did so. Not so much because of those temple snake tales - she'd rather hold her judgement on that for the time being - but because of his attitude towards Midnight. As such, she merely observed his instructions to Elva and without waiting, climbed on top of her own camel...and rolled her eyes at Josiah's sermon.

[Thundor]

The dwarf who approached certainly could pass for nobility... "Thundor (pronounced 'Thoon-door') of clan Grunhil has arrived! Word has it there be a group headed for the Southern Temple. As I am going that way meself, I suppose I could offer me knightly services as protector of the realm in exchange for good company... I have heard there be serpents ahead and me axe thirsts for the blood of monsters! If there be any bold adventurers here who could benefit from the talents of Lord Thundor, speak up! " The dwarf certainly could talk like one thrice his size but could he back it up? The greataxe strapped to his right thigh had an insignia suggesting he perchance wasn't just all talk...

[DeTess]

"Well, that sure is an entrance!" Elva cast an appraising glance over the dwarf, though she made sure to keep smiling. He looked capable enough, and there where no immediate signs suggesting he was associated with their enemies, but... "What brings you that way, Thundor Grunhill?" she asked.

[Rakpappa]

Tordic watched the antics of the dunes guide and between listening to him and looking at the camels, his attention was entirely taken up in whole.

Getting on the back of the humped beast, he moved in the saddle a bit and found it a bit more comfortable than the ones (saddles) he had ridden on before. Perhaps it was due to the creature it was on or a design issue, he wasn't sure, but was examining the stitching and leatherwork when the dwarf announced himself. Glancing up at first with only half interest, Tordic sat upright and looked hard at the dwarf, his eyes focusing on the dwarf's weapon: the great axe. While different than the one he had, carried and used, it still drew a warrior's eye to a weapon of that size.

He listened to the pompous introduction and grunted, but said nothing. He was interested in the axe however as he carried one too and it wasn't a weapon that many preferred. Looking at the newcomer he spoke, his slate gray eyes staring at the dwarf while he spoke.

"Thundor, I am Tordic. Not many carry the weapon we do, even fewer those of your stature. Speak to me of the insignia on the blade. Symbols speak louder than we do and tell stories longer than we live..."

[Thundor]

Thundor looked down at the group... no small task for a dwarf to be sure! "What? How is this possible... how can it be that not EVERYONE recognizes the insignia of House Grunhil... only the greatest house of all dwarven kind since the beginning!!! I was bred from a VERY long line of nobles and leaders, and am normally addressed as 'Lord Thundor' amongst me clan! I shall forgive you this time, as you have not the great distinction of being a dwarf, and having heard of the backward ways of the lesser races, simply 'Thundor' shall suffice for now... indeed I have had the greatest honor of all dwarves, having received a recurring dream, likely from the Gods themselves, and venture to the Southern Temple to have it interpreted. In my dream I was flying... possibly on the back of a dragon... and it is well known that no dwarf has ever been known to ride a dragon! Whilst I come from the greatest of family names, and can trace back a long line of nobility for more generations than I have fingers and toes, and have been so blessed to be the dreamer for the Gods, nevertheless I am still but a lad and relatively unfamiliar with the ways of the elvinfolk, orckind, humans, gnomes and halflings. As spoken by my clan elder before being sent off on me quest, I am determined to bear the imperfections of the lesser races and learn more of your ways, as you are too numerous to ignore, and perchance something valuable may yet be gleaned in the undertaking! One thing at which me family excels is singing of our great adventures o'er an open fire at a table laden with food and wine, and I aim to have a new song written of me own tale, and the greatest songs are those in which a great dwarf was able to defy all odds to save the known world with all its races from impending doom! " Having made his speech, Thundor takes a long swig from his flask and asks most loudly: "Who shall share the honor of accompanying me to the temple and helping write me song?"

[Rakpappa]

The burly orc listened to the ramblings and racial slurs and grew more angry as the dwarf babbled on. Gripping the handle of his axe so that the cords and sinews rippled down his arm and forearm, he looked at the newcomer with ire and wrath in his eyes. Jaw tight, it was clear that the barbarian was having none of this.

Spitting on the ground at the dwarf's feet, Tordic's voice was cold and blunt.

"We are not lessor by any means dwarf and any imperfections found with this group start with you. Talk like that again to me and the only song you will be singing is a dirge....I know you not and care for you even less..."

As he was talking, Tordic slid his greataxe into both of his hands...while he wasn't one to start the violence, he for sure wasn't going to be caught unawares.

[DeTess]

"Easy there, Tordic." Elva stretched out a warning hand to the half-orc, though if he did decide to make it a fight, there wasn't much she could do to stop him. "I take it you haven't really dealt with nobles before? This is pretty much par for the course, so don't let it get to you."

[Thundor]

Thundor looked the Orc dead in his eyes, and tried his hardest not to be the first to blink. After a few minutes (which seemed to be much longer than that), he couldnt help it any more and blinked (rats!). At that, a big smile form on his face and he busted out with an amazingly robust laugh for someone his size: "Well met Orc! Finally someone with some gumption! Methinks I like you just fine! You have the mettle needed on the battlefield! It is good to finally be clear of all the boot-kissers and meet someone with character! I have brought with me some fine dwarven ale the likes of which you have never likely tasted... would this serve as a peace offering? Come, let us partake and discuss the journey ahead... I have told ye of my journey, pray tell what brings you this way, and how many are ye?" Thundor climbs onto his camel and fetches the flask of dwarven ale. As he passes his flask to Tordic, he winks at Elva and gives her a quick silent looks which only she could see which seemed to say: 'Whew... thanks!'. Then he put back on his 'I'm nobility' face and nudged the big Orc... "Don't be too hard on yourself, Orc, I have heard of the many storied feats of Gro'big the Orc, and there be rumors that your kind may be more dependable and fierce than the Humans... be there any truth to those? Tell me, and I will listen whilest we savor this fine ale and perchance at our next meal I will share a song with ye which might not be so hard on yer ears!"

[Tyg3rW01f]

Josiah walked past Thundor, but gave him the rough insult-shoulder.
"My companion, Tordic, is wise to stay his hand; you are unworthy his prowess. Tordic would cleave you in twain long before you had even drawn your weapon. Ha! Were Master Theodin Undervault of the Brotherhood of the Open Palm here, he'd have ripped that axe from your hands, then ground you to blustering dust with naught but his grappling before you could so much as set your feet." Josiah had spent many a training session with the old dwarven Reaping Mauler, and knew Master Theodin Undervault was a treacherous opponent no matter the odds.
In further warning, Josiah growled as he mounted his own camel, "You have neither song to sing, nor deed of which to discourse, O Nobody of House Ignominious. Heed ancestral words, therefore, and become wise: He who putteth on armor best not boast as he who taketh off."
Nudging his camel forward, Josiah inclined his head to Elva in acknowledgement of her own wisdom. Nobility was good for two things and two things only: pomp and useless boasting.

[Thundor]

Thundor turned to see this new fellow (hard to tell his race with his hood up). "Ha! Surely in your training with the dwarven master he MUST have mentioned the great house Grunhil, for many be the songs sung of me grandpappy! I have ne'er, however, heard any songs of Josiah... sing one for us now, and I'll join in once I hear the tune! ' Twil make the time on the road go by so much faster!"

[Tyg3rW01f]

Josiah looked at Thundor and lowered his hood. "There are none to be sung, no deeds to be recounted as glory. And so shall it remain until I have earned such honor in the eyes of those with whom I travel or in the thousand mead halls of the Adventurers' Guild."

Josiah noted the dwarf seemed dissatisfied with the answer he'd given. "However... I do know a tale: Joshua Dragonstunner. Yes, now THERE was a brother-monk worthy of song. Joshua had been travelling with a group like ours: Kiba Trapslain--a Marked Rogue out to clear her name; Sarlon Fortressfire--a sorceress who burned a fortress to the very stone by accident; an orc, whose name sadly escapes me, who took on an army of skeletons and its bone-dracolich leader and emerged victorious.
And then there was Joshua.
In combat with a youngling green dragon, he ran up a sheer cliff! Attaining the escarpment, he proceeded to take a leap at full run. Such was his speed that he seemed to disappear when most mortals would have fallen, only to reappear above the dragon. Landing upon the beast's back, Joshua summoned all his ki and stunned the dragon in mid-flight with repeated blows! It's said he struck the creature a hundred times! As the unconscious dragon fell to its death, Joshua leaped off off its back and, holding his hand to the stone, slid gracefully down to land upon the dragon's corpse.
The orc named him Orc-kin on the spot. By the time I was brought into the Brotherhood of the Open Palm, Joshua had long since travelled to other realms. I can only hope I might one day attain such legend. Meanwhile, my own history is one I hope to be forgotten."

[Rakpappa]

Tordic calmed his breathing and visibly relaxed at the words of Elva. For as much as he was following his cleric path, the blood of his barbarian roots still burned strong within his veins. This at times led to conflicts of diplomacy...although violence in its own right was diplomatic in nature, just more final usually.

He began to open his mouth to reply when Josiah spoke. When the monk opened his mouth, Tordic listened as the monk spoke true and straight and the burly orc knew he could learn from this traveling brother. Hearing the words that were spoken, Tordic bowed his head with shame. While his reaction was heartfelt and had justifiable anger, it did not work with making himself a better cleric. Dismounting from the camel, he moved his axe back to its travel position and approached Thundor.

Clearing his throat he spoke again to the newcomer, this time a fair amount more sociable than before.

"Thundor, we all have stories and pasts and families in places that most of us have never seen. We are, right here, right now simply companions that travel together: no history other than what we create with each other. If you wish to continue with us know that where you come from and what your ancestors have done may have shaped you, but it isn't what makes you now. Leave the titles and hot air behind.

I am Tordic, Healer. Sometimes I heal with the aid of the divine, other times I heal with my axe, that choice is usually theirs to make."

Motioning to those present he nodded and looked back at the dwarf, extending his arm in a greeting.

" I will not speak for the others as their introduction to you is their story to tell. Know this though...we respect and care for one another and do not take to those bonds being tested easily."

[DeTess]

"Ah, I'm Elva. Just Elva." Elva gave a slight bow towards the dwarf, as much as her current perch in her mount's saddle allowed for anyway. "I'm with the adventurer's guild, specializing in acquisitions." She quickly showed the dwarf her midnight black guild stone.

[Thundor]

Thundor looked over each party member, peering into their eyes to ascertain their intent (dwarves are, after all, quite slow to trust, for it has been said: the difference between an acquaintance and a friend is about a hundred years). Satisfied that they all at least seemed sincere, Thundor said: "Well spoken, now THAT'S a story worthy of song! Methinks those serpents had best not show their fangs in our direction! Now then who knows the way? Lead on!" At that he took a swig from his flask and wiped the ale from his lips with his arm... "[hiccup] What wrong with ye sir... why do you look so fuzzy?"

[sarlon]

Lo'it makes sure everyone is comfortable on the camels (or as comfortable as one can be) then sharply whistles and as one each camel begins the odd process of standing up (dex or balance checks please).

As the camels begin standing it rolls out a small piece of beautifully woven carpet on the sands and sits down cross-legged in the middle of it and grins at each of you still astride your camels. "ever seen a carpet fly?" he mumbles a few words and the carpet hovers into the air with hardly a ripple moving through it, then with a strong voice (for one the size of a 10 year old boy), commands "Lets move out!"

The camels start moving in single file while the carpet Lo'it sits on hovers 2 feet off the sands along side the group.

[DeTess]

"Never in person, no." Elva replies to Lo'it. "Though I once visited a storyteller who'd tell all kinds of stories, including one with a flying carpet in it, and he'd create illusions to accompany the story. does that count?"

[sarlon]

"carpet flies....those annoying pests that enter homes through a passage the size of a dot, but can't find that entrance and live their entire short lives annoying you? you've never seen or heard of one?!"

He giggles madly at his own bad joke and zooms ahead of the group slightly to make sure the lead camel is heading in the right direction.

[Thundor]

...2+3=5.... "stupid camel... not made with dwarves in mind! "

[Tyg3rW01f]

Happy to see a "noble" be "common" for once in his life, Josiah laughed joyfully.
"No. No, they were not. The camel is a horse made by a committee of nobles."