"Ma arvan, Myri võib olla rohkem ideid, mida teha lõkse," says Kalimac. "Aga olen nõus, võttes seda meest üles lossi pakkumise. Mida me saame üle korvab riski."
Almost as an afterthought he adds, "Ja vannid."
"Vali loll." Mel says with a sigh. Her eyes looking over the city skyline, lingering on the displayed rotting heads.
Lio, still holding Shae's hand, steps a little distance away from the group, still in sight, but out of immediate hearing range, so she can have some quiet as she meditates. She says something to Shae, softly. Waits for an answer, and then sits on the cushiony grass and begins her meditation.
Shalelu sits down near Lio on the grass.
"I believe there are several ways for you to safely send money back. When we get to the next town, if you like, I'll help you arrange for it." She offers.
Lio nods to your last question. "They are paid more, but their jobs are much more difficult. Guarding the caravan will put your life in significant danger when we are attacked. I'm not sure you're ready for that. But," She adds, quickly, so as not to discourage you, "I think you'd do well as a scout, and scouting will be invaluable to your druidic studies. I'll speak to Sandru on your behalf, and see what we can do."
Jorun nods.
With the majority of the party either leaning towards boldly venturing into stupidity or withholding their judgment on the subject, the Caravan trundles forward through the open gate.
The well-dress man - whose name appears to be Chua - claps his hands as you approach and a small boy runs up to him carrying an enormous bouquet of black roses. He gives one to each adult woman in the Caravan as they enter the city, declaring, “有沒有火像遠遠土地的婦女的靈魂之火。由於我們的王子是喜歡說，美是女性的智慧，而智慧是男人的美。”
That dispensed with, he leads you into the city of Ordu-Aganhei. On the city's outskirts, there are huge corrals containing herds of the prized Hongali horses, and numerous caravansaries catering to the caravan traffic, but Chua leads you past these without a second glance.
There are larger cities than Ordu-Aganhei, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in bustle and noise. The city has undergone rapid growth and the colorful buildings are squeezed between the walls, nearly stacked on top of each other and turning the streets into narrow alleys. The buildings are timber framed and have high, gabled roofs and ornate, decorated eaves. Prayer flags of all colors dance from every gable and roof. You pass frequent shrines to gods both familiar - you notice Shelyn, Desna, and Irori all represented - and completely unknown in Avistan.
The streets wind around in a confusing, disorderly lack of pattern. Paper lanterns, unlit now, during the day, line the streets.
Everywhere, there are people shouting, running, selling, clamoring for your attention. Despite this, the city is surprisingly clean - not a speck of litter is to be seen, and the walls and walks must be scrubbed daily to be so free of grime.
On a spring day, even outside the season for Caravan traffic, the whole city seems to be out, most of them apparently trying to sell you something. Everywhere you turn, there seems to be another shop. Merchants stand in front of them, exhorting you to come in, sample their wares, the finest that can be found anywhere - porcelain, silk, tea, and stranger and more exotic goods.
The heady scent of incense mingles with the smell of unfamiliar foods. Street vendors offer you dishes of rice, noodles, and spicy soups, and less familiar fare - signs advertise horse sausages, "fried milk", dried fungus, fried rabbit ears, and something called "tanghulu" which proves to be skewers of candied fruit.
There are almost as many street performers as there are vendors, performing a variety of death-defying acts - walking tightropes over barrels of live scorpions, dodging arrows, breaking stones with head butts, and balancing for hours over hot coals.
The mix of people is surprisingly varied as well. Only about two-thirds of the unanimously smiling populace is human - mostly Hongali, but a sprinkling of those from elsewhere in Tian Xia and a dash of more familiar-looking Avistani faces from across the Crown of the World - a much smaller percentage than is typical. Most of the nonhumans are the bird-headed tengu, but you also spot elves, dwarves, gnomes, and halflings, and several humanoid species that you have never heard of or, if you have heard of them, never before seen.
In particular, you occasionally spot dark-haired humanoids with pale blue skin, and solid white eyes with no pupil or iris. Whenever your Caravan passes one, they smile particularly broadly at you and wave. You eventually realize, oddly enough, that they are waving at Liothonae.
Liothonae is not the only one to attract attention. A surprising number of people attempt to touch Shalelu or Kelda, although the only one who succeeds is the one Kelda finally punches in the nose.
Today, you are led directly through the city, without time to do much more than buy a snack from a street vendor should you wish to sample one. At last, you emerge from the narrow streets into a large, parklike garden surrounding a steaming lake. The park is flanked on one side by a large temple to Abadar, and on the other by the elaborate Palace of the Prince, guarded by hundreds of soldiers in smart array.
You are brought to the Palace, and the wagons of your Caravan are stowed in stables easily large enough to hold a small army by themselves. In preparation for your meeting the Prince, you are asked to leave your weapons with the Caravan.
Kalimac agrees to leave his weapons with the Caravan. Not happily, but he leaves them.
The day after they leave the caves, Lio, approaches Jorun, holding something. "Jorun?" she says, to get his attention.
Knowledge nature... are the roses naturally black?
Lio feels somewhat insulted at the wisdom comment. Anyone with a sense motive not in the negatives should clearly be able to tell.
The day after they leave the caves, Lio, approaches Jorun, holding something. "Jorun?" she says, to get his attention.
"Yes?" Jorun replies.
Knowledge nature... are the roses naturally black?
The well-dress man - whose name appears to be Chua - claps his hands as you approach and a small boy runs up to him carrying an enormous bouquet of black roses. He gives one to each adult woman in the Caravan as they enter the city, declaring, “有沒有火像遠遠土地的婦女的靈魂之火。由於我們的王子是喜歡說，美是女性的智慧，而智慧是男人的美。”
Mel takes the rose with a self-depreciating smile. Quietly, under her breath, "And woe be the woman who is lacking in wisdom and beauty."
The heady scent of incense mingles with the smell of unfamiliar foods. Street vendors offer you dishes of rice, noodles, and spicy soups, and less familiar fare - signs advertise horse sausages, "fried milk", dried fungus, fried rabbit ears, and something called "tanghulu" which proves to be skewers of candied fruit.
Mel points to a number of the dishes looking over at Rhost hopefully.
In particular, you occasionally spot dark-haired humanoids with pale blue skin, and solid white eyes with no pupil or iris. Whenever your Caravan passes one, they smile particularly broadly at you and wave. You eventually realize, oddly enough, that they are waving at Liothonae.
Liothonae is not the only one to attract attention. A surprising number of people attempt to touch Shalelu or Kelda, although the only one who succeeds is the one Kelda finally punches in the nose.
Mel tries completely unsuccessfully to hide the smile at Kelda's response. Seeing which of the women are 'touchable' Mel wonders if it is the blue eyes or the blonde hair.
You are brought to the Palace, and the wagons of your Caravan are stowed in stables easily large enough to hold a small army by themselves. In preparation for your meeting the Prince, you are asked to leave your weapons with the Caravan.
Mel considers for a while, quietly, before going into the wagon. When she comes back out her long hair is in a braid and for the first time in seven months, she is not carrying Suishen. She looks a little cold.
Mel points to a number of the dishes looking over at Rhost hopefully.
Rhost already has a thoughtful expression on his face as he sees the unfamiliar-looking dishes.
In preparation for your meeting the Prince, you are asked to leave your weapons with the Caravan.
Rhost leaves his weapons with the Caravan.
"Want help?" she offers assistance with any prep work that she could do... cleaning fish, for example."Hmm," Rhost says, sounding doubtful. "Saute first," he suggests. "Experimental."Mel thinks about that for a moment. "Tuna... fondue then saute. Squash steamed and put on top of the fish?" she asks hopefully.
A pause, "That does sound good, doesn't it?" A cheerful smile.
Melinda considers, "If you think it would work better that way." And then she smiles over at Lio for the offer of help. It's nice to see the elven elder in the kitchen again.
Mel does as Rhost instructs... even when her taste buds start arguing with the apparent lack of cheese.
Mel takes the rose with a self-depreciating smile. Quietly, under her breath, "And woe be the woman who is lacking in wisdom and beauty."
"...said the woman with an excess of both."
Mel takes the rose with a self-depreciating smile. Quietly, under her breath, "And woe be the woman who is lacking in wisdom and beauty.""...said the woman with an excess of both."
Mel looks up at him with a happy blush. Doesn't matter if she believes it or not, the fact that he does thrills her from head to toe. She leans up, kisses him with a pleased smile.
Chua hurries you past countless guards and groveling servants to the palace's central courtyard, a vast chamber nearly 300 feet wide built around an inlet of the steaming lake. Orchids grow in gardened rows overlooking the water, while colorful herons swoop through the air, all beneath a ceiling hidden by prayer flags.
And on a huge bed surrounded by colorful silks, painted screens, and beautiful white-painted women, there sits an enormous, smiling man barely dressed in voluminous robes - Prince Batsaikhar, Chua tells you in a whisper. Behind him stands his bodyguard, the only armed person in the room, a tall figure in full samurai armor carrying an enormous drawn sword.
He smiles happily as he looks at all of you, his glance noticeably lingering on ... ... Myriana.
"Welcome to Ordu-Aganhei, weary travelers!" the Prince says in Taldane. He claps his hands, and servants kneel before you bearing trays of extravagant food and drinks. "Please, I beg you, tell me of your travels, and your reasons for crossing the Crown of the World at such a dangerous time of the year. Surely you must have such tales of adventure to share!"
Mel smiles politely at the lounging man right after he speaks, her eyes almost immediately returning to the steaming pool and the orchids. As proven time and time again, her explicitly accurate way of telling a story is rarely what anyone wants to hear so she leaves the storytelling to the more... inventive. Like Hrunndalf.
Alaric is remarkably tense during this meeting, paying far more attention to the servants than the mandarin. He stops short of being blatantly rude, but the disgust at the man's opulence isn't hard to see.
As the hobbit most used to bending the truth to his needs (as befits a friend of Sandru) Kalimac speaks up. "O Great Prince, you do honor us. And indeed we have tales of our adventures. Such tales do we have! But we are weary from our travels, and are clothed more for the road than the court. I beg your indulgence, Sire. Let us poor travelers have a chance to make ourselves presentable to your Royal Self." Kalimac keeps a completely sincere smile on his face the entire time.
Despite the diplomacy of Kalimac's words, a look of slight disgruntlement crosses the Prince's face. But it soon vanishes as he sits up and raises a finger as an idea strikes him.
"In that case ... you shall stay at the Palace!" he cries. "As my honored guests, my royal guests, for as long as you stay in my beautiful city! Prepare the best rooms in the Palace for them!" he shouts to his servants, who immediately begin scurrying about.
"And we shall hold feasts in your honor!" he continues, wrapped up in his own inspiration. "Yes! We shall hold the Five Feasts of Hongal for you, one each night for five nights! Starting this very night! Prepare the Feast of Three!" he shouts to the already scurrying servants, causing more bustle and rush. "You will tell me your story then! And there will be games and entertainments each night! And you can show us whether the people of foreign lands can compete in wit and skill with those of Hongal!" He is clearly delighted by this idea.
Mel does not look overly thrilled at the five nights of decadent feasting. Nor that as 'honored' guests their freedom to roam the interesting city outside the palace wall will be limited. She leans against Alaric.
Mel K:local
Mel leans against Alaric and gives her cat a dirty look, more properly.
grumble
Mel tries hard to keep what she had been thinking out of her voice and manner as she smiles at the gilded noble. "Thank you for your offer of hospitality." Her smile grows sweet, inward, her hands on her belly, "It truly has been a long journey." A pause, "Other than our story, what kind of entertainment can we offer to thank you for your kindness?"
Melinda considers, "If you think it would work better that way." And then she smiles over at Lio for the offer of help. It's nice to see the elven elder in the kitchen again.
Mel does as Rhost instructs... even when her taste buds start arguing with the apparent lack of cheese.
Rhost accepts Liothonae's help. After she fillets the tuna, Rhost sautes it. "Cheese would burn," he says.
After the fish is cooked just enough, Rhost sets about steaming the squash and melting a small quantity of cheese.
Rhost accepts Liothonae's help. After she fillets the tuna, Rhost sautes it. "Cheese would burn," he says.
After the fish is cooked just enough, Rhost sets about steaming the squash and melting a small quantity of cheese.
"Tasty burnt cheese." she says. But apparently she knows when she is over-ruled, because she helps him prepare the food his way.
"Tasty burnt cheese." she says. But apparently she knows when she is over-ruled, because she helps him prepare the food his way.
Rhost frowns, just a little. "Good burnt, tasty. Bad burnt, sad."
"Tasty burnt cheese." she says. But apparently she knows when she is over-ruled, because she helps him prepare the food his way.Rhost frowns, just a little. "Good burnt, tasty. Bad burnt, sad."
Lio nods, sagely. Then says to Melinda, her voice filled with happiness, "Felly, mae hi'n dal i fod yn cicio dymestl? Ydy hi wedi cicio Alaric neu Zaiobe eto? Os na, rwy'n siwr y byddant yn cael eu synnu pan mae hi'n ei wneud! Mae hi'n cymryd i mi yn sicr oddi ar wyliadwrus."
Lio smiles. Says softly, "Hoffwn gyfeirio at eich bol?"
"May I touch your belly?"
"Tasty burnt cheese." she says. But apparently she knows when she is over-ruled, because she helps him prepare the food his way.Rhost frowns, just a little. "Good burnt, tasty. Bad burnt, sad."
The day after they leave the caves, Lio, approaches Jorun, holding something. "Jorun?" she says, to get his attention."Yes?" Jorun replies.
"Ayve been saven this fer ye, dunna know ef ye'll need it, since naught all Druids do, bought, seein as ye've come into yer power, an' my teach'r gave me unne when I became a Druid, I though, ye should 'ave one, too." Beaming with pride, she hands him a well made spell component pouch, filled with spell components.
Jorun nods.
FYI, turns out Kelda can drive a wagon as well, which may make arranging this easier.
Lio smiles. "Well, I suppose there is one more thing, before today's practice is over, and I officially release you from your apprenticeship." She says in Druidic. Trusting that he'll understand.
"As a token of my esteem, now that your initiation into the Druidic ways is complete, and you are a full fledged Druid, I want you to have this." She hands him a small wrapped item, the paper is wrinkled because she's been carrying it around in her spell component pouch, probably for a little while. When, and if, he unwraps it, inside the pouch is an amulet of natural armor + 1, and a pair of acorns.
Lio nods, sagely. Then says to Melinda, her voice filled with happiness, "Felly, mae hi'n dal i fod yn cicio dymestl? Ydy hi wedi cicio Alaric neu Zaiobe eto? Os na, rwy'n siwr y byddant yn cael eu synnu pan mae hi'n ei wneud! Mae hi'n cymryd i mi yn sicr oddi ar wyliadwrus."
Lio smiles. Says softly, "Hoffwn gyfeirio at eich bol?"
Mel blinks for a moment, taking the time to translate in her head. "Not really. Milena's always really calm around Alaric." Mel smiles, the thought lighting up her face. The next line so quiet that it is hard to catch, "She must like being around him already."
At the second question, Mel nods. "Sure."
Mel blinks for a moment, taking the time to translate in her head. "Not really. Milena's always really calm around Alaric." Mel smiles, the thought lighting up her face. The next line so quiet that it is hard to catch, "She must like being around him already."
At the second question, Mel nods. "Sure."
Lio smiles even brighter. She very gently, touches Mel's stomach, where little Milena is making herself known to the world, in the form of a baby bump.
"Good thot she's calm. Must get thot from 'im." She teases Mel, slightly. But she seems to approve, because her smile is genuine, and you mentioning that Milena doesn't kick a whole bunch when Alaric is near, actually makes Lio happy for you.
First time in, no.... Myri exchanges her normal bladed scarf for one of her performance numbers. It will be stowed, folded nicely along with the rest of her dancing apparel and accessories. Although she considers it part of her normal wear, she does not want to chance putting the others at risk. By the third time, or if she brings in her locked chest, it will be coming in as well.
And on a huge bed surrounded by colorful silks, painted screens, and beautiful white-painted women, there sits an enormous, smiling man barely dressed in voluminous robes - Prince Batsaikhar, Chua tells you in a whisper. Behind him stands his bodyguard, the only armed person in the room, a tall figure in full samurai armor carrying an enormous drawn sword.
He smiles happily as he looks at all of you, his glance noticeably lingering on ... 1d12 ... Myriana.
perception die roll:
Myri apparently remains happily oblivious.
"And we shall hold feasts in your honor!" he continues, wrapped up in his own inspiration. "Yes! We shall hold the Five Feasts of Hongal for you, one each night for five nights! Starting this very night! Prepare the Feast of Three!" he shouts to the already scurrying servants, causing more bustle and rush. "You will tell me your story then! And there will be games and entertainments each night! And you can show us whether the people of foreign lands can compete in wit and skill with those of Hongal!" He is clearly delighted by this idea.
As he finishes speaking a small spark of interest appears in Myriana's eyes and a faint smile crosses her lips. "But for that I would need my bow." she remarks dryly to herself.
He smiles happily as he looks at all of you, his glance noticeably lingering on ... 1d12 ... Myriana.
perception die roll: 1d20
Myri apparently remains happily oblivious.
Lio notices, and leans a little closer to Shalelu.
Stealth
"If she ends up in his harem, you get to explain to her dads." She teases, very softly, a small smile upon her lips, hiding the nearly inaudible words. "And I'll hold down Buttersn...nevermind, you hold down Buttersnips, and I'll do the talking." Lio hides her grin, though you know it's there.
In particular, you occasionally spot dark-haired humanoids with pale blue skin, and solid white eyes with no pupil or iris. Whenever your Caravan passes one, they smile particularly broadly at you and wave. You eventually realize, oddly enough, that they are waving at Liothonae.
Knowledge Local DC 15:
Liothonae is not the only one to attract attention. A surprising number of people attempt to touch Shalelu or Kelda, although the only one who succeeds is the one Kelda finally punches in the nose.
Lio seems a bit confused at the attention, but then concludes it must have something to do with her racial heritage. Perhaps these people were friends with the elves of the frozen North. She attempts to smile, though she's nervous at getting noticed. It would probably be bad form to be rude to the nice smiling people, who have her mistaken for a snowcaster.
When Shae get's attention, however, Lio's smile becomes easier. Of course people want to touch Shae, she's beautiful, her hair is golden like the sun. Who wouldn't want to touch her? When Lio notices that Shae is dodging out of the way of being touched, Lio puts herself between Shalelu and the world. It's probably a silly gesture, all in all, since Shae is much tougher than Lio, but it gives Shae a buffer zone. And Lio is feeling protective.
Mel tries hard to keep what she had been thinking out of her voice and manner as she smiles at the gilded noble. "Thank you for your offer of hospitality." Her smile grows sweet, inward, her hands on her belly, "It truly has been a long journey." A pause, "Other than our story, what kind of entertainment can we offer to thank you for your kindness?"
"There are different entertainments each night at each of the Five Feasts of Hongal!" he declares. "Tonight, we shall have the Feast of Three, so called because each guest shall participate in one of the Three Games of Hongal - traditional tests of physical might and skill." He smiles, and then seems to notice for the first time that Melinda is pregnant. "Ah ... you may, of course, be excused from participating in any of tonight's competitions, given the delicate nature of your condition. I understand that an expectant mother will surely shrink from exposing her child to the hazards of a competitive physical match! If you wish to cheer on your fellows from the sidelines tonight, no shame shall accrue to you."
As he finishes speaking a small spark of interest appears in Myriana's eyes and a faint smile crosses her lips. "But for that I would need my bow." she remarks dryly to herself.
The Prince hears her quiet comment, and the already extant interest in his gaze upon her flares to a a high level. "Indeed, if you have a favorite bow, bring it tonight. We shall provide the arrows. And if any of you have a favored mount, bring that, too. The Three Games of Hongal are mounted archery, bareback riding, and wrestling. And I am," he says, still speaking directly to Myriana, "Most eager to see how you perform."
He claps his hands and a horde of servants rush towards you. "Now show them to their rooms! Bring them anything they wish!"
"Refresh yourselves, partake of our famous heated bathing pools if you like! In two hour's time, we shall begin the Feast of Three!"
Lio notices, and leans a little closer to Shalelu.
"Sandru, I wos wonder'n if I could 'ave a word weth ye, about Jorun." Lio says quietly, as the group is making it's way through the plains.
Sandru raises his eyebrows. "All right. What about?"
Lio smiles. "Well, I suppose there is one more thing, before today's practice is over, and I officially release you from your apprenticeship." She says in Druidic. Trusting that he'll understand.
"As a token of my esteem, now that your initiation into the Druidic ways is complete, and you are a full fledged Druid, I want you to have this." She hands him a small wrapped item, the paper is wrinkled because she's been carrying it around in her spell component pouch, probably for a little while. When, and if, he unwraps it, inside the pouch is an amulet of natural armor + 1, and a pair of acorns.
"Thank you, teacher," he says as he accepts them. "I shall try to be ... to be worthy of what you have taught me."