The Bard stops at the gates and looks around.
What is going on Kala? This doesn't feel right." He is caught up in her eyes, but tries to resist her allure. "No. Let's head back to the church for our picnic."
"They are... difficult to deal with on more than one occasion," is Eldren's diplomatic remark as he cannot help but concede at least part of the Black Robe's point.
Turning to the kender walking and running about, he smiles. "It would seem my friend here has misplaced his coin pouch," he calls out, at the same time keeping a close eye on his own belongings. He is not shouting, not exactly, but he does speak loudly enough to be heard by the top-knotted fellows. "Could we possibly be lucky enough that one of you has found it? It only just happened after all."
He cannot help but sigh. This could work. Or this could fail. Spectacularly.
Zsar looks the minotaur up and down. "When i was with my people, his kind where often under enslavement... my tribe didn't keep any ourselves. I'd say that it is possible he was a slave, but the best way to learn the truth would be to ask Chizlev. I'm sure she can answer our plight. [/b] Zsar looks to the archedruid for his opinion.
Your father enters the room and cocks his head, "Sonwhatareyoudoing? DidyoumeetwiththeWizardalready?"
She bats her eyelashes at you and then she turns and leads you back to the Church grounds. Your meal is good but she does not sing her song and with so many eyes around, well her skirts stay around her waist...
As lunch ends one of the senior clergy of the Church, Father Dent approaches you both, "Kala and Remy. How is this fine day treating you both?"
The kender that lifted the Black Robes' pouch pauses and turns around approaching again.
"Hey, does it look like this!?"
The Black Robe frowns and snatches it back from the kender.
The kender looks hurt and walks off muttering, "He dropped it, these humans so unappreciative".
The Black Robe turns back to you, "Thank you. Perhaps we should look into booking passage now?"
I shall call upon the Lady to question you. Her powers will reveal your truths and falsehoods. If you speak truly we shall allow you to stay, if you are false we shall send you away on a boat to seek your fate elsewhere. Agreed?"
"Erhm, yeah. I suppose I am a little washed up. Maybe you could help me out?"
"Agreed. I have no use for lying. There is no honour in it."
Remy was disappointed at missing his chance with Kala. Before the passing of his parents, he was often reckless. Since then, he had learned to listen to his inner voice. Maybe Branchala was guiding him? Either way, it was over now.
"Kala and Remy. How is this fine day treating you both?" Remy smiles at the Father. "We are well, Father. How are you?" He looks at Kala trying to figure out what is going on behind her mysterious, lovely eyes.
As they start walking the pale mage keeps his eyes and ears open, looking around for any ships that might take them to their destination.
He points to an empty spot at one of the tables as he turns heel and approaches one of the gnomes who seem to be administering the tent.
Soon enough he returns with food, a cold drink (to your amazement) and a clean set of pants and shirt.
"Now then. How did you come to be here?"
As you race down the docks one of the sailors still on the ship calls down to you, "What're ye fer Master Gnome?"
I make it a point then to slay them all in combat".
Someone calls out for him, [b]"I must go Revered Daughter. I shall see you on the ships later!" He bows politely and hurries away leaving you to your own devices.
The Arch Druid gazes at Red, "What is your name? Where do you hail from? Were you a prisoner of the Dragon Queen's Forces? Do you have evil intent for the occupants of this Isle? Would you rejoin these Armies if given teh chance?"
The Priest sighs, "I hope you enjoyed this fine day as we have a great deal of work to do over the next ten-day. The summit has been confirmed, it seems even the Qualinesti and Silvanesti elves will attend".
Kala's eyes go wide, "I do not believe it".
For a brief moment you thought you spotted a Kender you knew! Then the crowds filled in and you missed her. A pity, you would have liked to have seen Rin though it is likely the Black Robe would have found her poor company.
The Black Robe turns to you, "It seems our luck has run foul, Hiddukel's eyes are upon us. Let us lunch near the port, perhaps we can snatch up the first ship that comes into port. I shall treat you after all, if not for you these wretched little creatures would have all of the gold my master gave me".
You find a spot near the piers as the docks are swarming with folk and sit down to lunch.
The black robe starts the conversation, "So, what type of magic do you envision specializing in as you move along to take your tests?"
Red looks irritated by the use of this magic but try as he might he cannot fight against it. He squares himself and takes a deep breath then speaks.
"I am Red-Ohn Gathas of Mithas. The cursed ogres have been my captors for many years and I have no feelings towards the people of this isle, for good or ill. Now that I am free I will regain my honour. I have no interest in the Dark Queen or her armies."
He ends with a sigh, as if all this talking was an effort for him and he is more comfortable with actions rather than words.
Remy is surprised by the announcement that both nations of elves would be together. "I agree Kala!" He turns back to Priest, "This year's summit must be a big deal. Is something different this go around?"
Eddy explains the events of the past few weeks up until the ship was sunk. He leaves out the stuff with the stone for simplicity, stitching the story so that he wakes up on the beach outside of town after the dragon attack.
"Anyways, thanks for the meal friend." says Eddie as he digs through his pouch. He pulls out a couple of gold coins, adding "for your trouble."
As he finishes that sentence a young Gnome rushes into the tent to the food, he grabs a plate and sits down at your table starting to munch away.
The sailor leans in to Eddie, "I believe that is the Gnome that our current charter relates to. If you want a ride back to the Continent, I would ask him".
The Arch Druid then turns back to Red, "This is Zsar Kizar. He too seeks refuge in this Forest. He will be your guide while you remain here. Be welcome. I apologize for our suspicions but with the Dark Queen one cannot be sure who to trust".
That said the Arch Druid begins to walk away from the clearing leaving the Bakali and the Minotaur alone to become acquainted.
We seek an end to hunger and strife at least in the lands controlled by Goodly folk. There is much to do and little time to complete it, come let us get started there shall be little time for rest over the next week".
Zsar moves to the minitaur and holds out a hand in greeting. It pleases me you passed the test, here follow me and i will show you where you may sleep... you will be staying with me.
Zsar pets his animal companion and leads you to his home, a little hut made in an outgrowing of stone. The vines and bushes have covered the ceiling and walls, but most of it is homely. It is quite large inside, having been dug into the ground a little.
Surveying his surrounding and after listening to the Bakali Druid he says "Thank you."
Then continues after a moments pause as if reluctant to speak. Almost like he finds just the right amount of words and doesnt want to waste any. Anyone around him long enough can see he's not much of a talker.
"You are Bakali. What brings you here?"
"And you? What have you chosen to specialize in if anything?"
Eddy nods and downs his drink. No better time than the present
He takes an empty seat near the gnome and strikes up a conversation "How do you do, stranger? The name's Eddie. I'm looking for a ride back to the continent and I heard tell you're the man to talk to."
** spoiler omitted **
Zsar looks at his animal companion, Slizz. before my people joined the war I was training to become a druid with my tribe... everything was fine, until annother famine hit us, hard. Many eggs had to be sacrificed to feed those already born. My people where starving and I could do nothing. Then came the dreadqueen and her armies. She promised my people food and glory, a world where we would never suffer from famine again. I saw through the lies, and tried to convince my chief of the lies... but he was under some sort of spell, for he wouldn't even listen. I fled my tribe and came here, where I heard there was a great archdruid. He finished my training and is helping repel the evil ravaging the land... but I don't think it's enough. We need to free my people, that's why I came here... to ask for help. The archdruid is thinking about it. Now, i must ask, how you came under the dreadqueen's control... And how you broke free
Eddie blinks and hesitates. Theodore's rapid speech had caught him off guard and he had to seriously think before answering."Uhh...sorry Theodore it's been a while since I talked with a gnome, you got to give me a second to process all of that."
"Alright, alright. Everyone has been pretty good to me here, that's nice, but I have to be making my way. You say there's a chance of me getting on that boat?"
Red looks down at the Bakali Druid as he tells his story.
That is unfortunate. You seem very honourable and do not deserve such hardship. The Dark Queen has many followers who take advantage of those like us."
He pauses and walks outside the hut and stared out into the woods as if gathering his thoughts and weighing each word.
"I was taken to slavery by the ogres when I was very young. The ogres made a deal with a human follower of Takhisis. WE came here and one storm later I found myself on the beach before those elves and druid."
Red turns his head and massive horns to look at the Bakali Druid.
"The storm no doubt caused by your druid friends?"
Zsar nods and sighs. "We where just finishing up when you came by..." he says