Over the next few days, Urzan patrols the frontier. While doing his continuous circles of the temple, he tries to meet all of the pilgrims. He is looking for anyone who has the skill or desire to learn how to handle animals, like his two constant dinosaur companions. Urzan expresses a desire to harness the animals of the jungle to work for the temple as labor, guards, hunters, mounts, or soldiers. Unfortunately, it takes many weeks to train them into their role, so he is looking for recruits to join him in his endeavor.
"Thank you for showing me this Alamander. I shall begin looking for someone who can get contacts with a nearby city immediately."
Wilhelm walks into the room and picks up the crown and placing it in Alamander's hands to wait for the coronation. Then Wilhelm will wait for Alamander to reseal this part of the temple and then over the next few days he will begin trying to find someone who could possibly start buying goods for building with the gold in the temple.
Then Wilhelm will wait for Alamander to reseal this part of the temple and then over the next few days he will begin trying to find someone who could possibly start buying goods for building with the gold in the temple.
Walking among the people and speaking with them looking for contacts to the outside world, Wilhelm sees another opportunity present itself. While a few enterprising individuals have already found a way to ply their skills in this new settlement, there is a huge surplus of unskilled labor. And while the wilderness around you is tough, it is abundant with natural resources.
You could find a few canny businessmen, give them a lump sum to get the building constructed, and let them hire workers and source materials. You could even organize the workers yourselves, although that might take longer.
You'll never build a castle without a quarry, but houses, a town hall, fisheries, these are all already within your community's capabilities.
Kgosi, a member of an obscure Zenj tribe who is one of the few pilgrims whose home wasn't destroyed during the Chaos Moon, is becoming known in the community as someone who gets things done. He might be a good first stop.
You all spend the month making arrangements to create the first semblance of order in your settlement, taking a week out to map the area around your city and survey it for possible incorporation into your kingdom.
This proves to be surprisingly uneventful; the area around your city seems unusually calm for the Mwangi expanse. Compared to the trip over, and the hard work of the past several weeks the mapping is downright restful.
But before long you're back in the city dealing with logistical concerns once more. You made arrangements for a town hall to be constructed before you left, and by the time you got back it was finished. It's a little rough looking but it's quite sturdy. It's given people a place to gather and already it's strengthening the sense of community.
People have started showing up at the temple looking to give their lives to Acavna, and soon a small lay priesthood has formed to run the day-to-day chores of the ancient ziggurat. Before long you'll have spellcasting priests.
The coronation will also be happening in a few days, and you will have to make some kind of plan for that. The people will want to see it
some days after returning to the city following our explorations, Orsano comes to visit you in private.
There has been some discussion around your coronation or otherwise. people have made their thoughts clear, but i wanted to talk to you about it in private.
you can make a great king, Wilhelm - but a king must not only lead well, he must be seen to lead well. things like coronations may seem like a foolish waste of time to us who know better, but for your subjects - those people who labor long and hard to grow the kingdom - these things are vitally important. it allows them to feel like their efforts are for more than just a meagre handful of coins and a hard bed.
to that end...
Orsano reaches into a bag he has been carrying, and pulls forth a crown. crafted from darkest ebony, oiled and polished till it glows like obsidian, it bears the holy symbol of Acavna and Wilhelms own emblem flanking a larger, central icon - the symbol of our new nation. around the band three words are carved in the flowing script of ancient Azlant - Loyalty, Honor, and Justice.
Take the crown Wilhelm... use it if you wish, or have another made if your prefer. more important is my point. You are honorable and just, ser knight - but i have spent my life in royal courts. if my experience can be of use to you, you need of course only ask. Together i believe the eight of us can conquer any challenge!
with a flourishing bow, Orsano takes his leave.
During one of the meals, Andrezi looks at Almander for a while, noticing that he always sits alone. He approaches him at the table, nods, and sits beside him.
"Greetings, friend. I've noticed that you're always alone, and... distant, in your thoughts. I realize that much has changed for you, as this is not the world you once knew. It must be a challenge to adapt to these new events, and that restoring the old empire will be a difficult quest."
He stops for a while, continuing his meal.
"You are our connection with Acavna. I must admit, she seems somewhat distant to me. Other than the strange dreams, I've no further knowledge of her... This troubles me somewhat... And the fact is that I would probably not even care about all of this if my interests weren't in exacting revenge for the injustice brought to me and my family by the accursed followers of Nergal... And it just so happened that this enemy is a common one. It may be a fortunate turn of events, or something more."
Another pause as he finishes his meal.
"But I do know that these people, and all of you here, are now my family, and I will do everything in my power to make this endeavor work, and I only wish that you accept us as your new people. As I've said, you are our closest bond to the goddess, and in order for us to strengthen our bond with her we all have to work as a close group. A family. This way you can deal with your own troubles more easily, I think."
He smiles at him as he finishes the last sentence.
In a matter of fact way Alamander tells Andrezi, "I grew up knowing Acavna would die and be reborn, like you know night follows day. And now that she has, and I was there - well, how can I ever top that?"
Alamander shrugs and continues, "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to be alive unlike that fella over there. You see that statue in the corner there? The one with the arm missing? That was Baran, he was a friend of mine. I guess he didn't make it. As far as I know no one else made it. Why the hell did I make it? It wasn't ability or piety that's for sure! Oh I believe in Acavna all right, how could I not? Its just some of the others seemed to believe so much more, they seemed more worthy... Still you're right, no point brooding over the past. Who knows what the future brings?"
sunset finds Dexter and Orsano sharing a simple supper in Dexters quarters. Orsano produces a bottle of wine, saying -
i lugged this all the way from Taldor with me. its survived serpent attacks and drowning... i daresay in these surroundings its nigh on priceless... but i say wine is made to be enjoyed.
with a small laugh to make light of his comments, Orsano pours. As is the wont with these two, the conversation wanders from topic to topic but inevitably drifts towards empire.
i should like to speak to you of our King. Wilhelm will be a strong ruler, but i think you and i know enough of how civilization works to know that at some point his moral code will come into conflict with doing what is best for our new nation. i would put it to you that it would befit us to try and prevent as many of these situations as possible from reaching his attention - we should enable him to do what he does best, and take care of the dirty work ourselves - so to speak.
i know at the moment you seem to be pegged as magister, but i believe we should discuss this. a magister is important, but i think your vast intellect is somewhat wasted on such an endeavor. i believe if you were to take on the role of spymaster the kingdom would accrue greater benefit from that intellect. with myself as councilor, we between us would be able to keep a good handle on such things. i had also considered approaching Andrezi with this matter, but i am not sure how he would react - and would be interested in your opinion.
"Thank you for this Orsano I think it will make a nice crown. I also believe that we can all work together to make this kingdom better but don't be afraid to act if you think that it will help out. I want to work with others who will speak their minds when they believe it needs to be done and act when they also believe it needs to be done."
Andrezi observes the armless statue with a mixed feeling of sadness and awe. The thought of him once being alive, much like Alamander is now next to him, was a somewhat disturbing one.
"I'm sorry about your friend. I'm sure that he was a good man, if it can be judged by your demeanor, hmmm? And I'm sure that he would do the same thing as you, were he in your position."
He raises a cup of special tea he prepared for himself on a regular basis, mixed from exotic plants in some recipe passed down through generations of his ancestors of the jungles.
"Well then, for the future, my friend!"
Alamander nods and replies, "Its really strange for me seeing this jungle here. When the temple was built this was all farm land. There used to be an olive grove where the town hall is now, in fact the oil I used to anoint King Wilhelm probably came from it. Maybe, maybe in the future this will be farm land again?"
sunset finds Dexter and Orsano sharing a simple supper in Dexters quarters. Orsano produces a bottle of wine, saying -
i lugged this all the way from Taldor with me. its survived serpent attacks and drowning... i daresay in these surroundings its nigh on priceless... but i say wine is made to be enjoyed.with a small laugh to make light of his comments, Orsano pours. As is the wont with these two, the conversation wanders from topic to topic but inevitably drifts towards empire.
i should like to speak to you of our King. Wilhelm will be a strong ruler, but i think you and i know enough of how civilization works to know that at some point his moral code will come into conflict with doing what is best for our new nation. i would put it to you that it would befit us to try and prevent as many of these situations as possible from reaching his attention - we should enable him to do what he does best, and take care of the dirty work ourselves - so to speak.
i know at the moment you seem to be pegged as magister, but i believe we should discuss this. a magister is important, but i think your vast intellect is somewhat wasted on such an endeavor. i believe if you were to take on the role of spymaster the kingdom would accrue greater benefit from that intellect. with myself as councilor, we between us would be able to keep a good handle on such things. i had also considered approaching Andrezi with this matter, but i am not sure how he would react - and would be interested in your opinion.
Dexter takes a sip of wine as he considers the question. After a moment he nods. "I agree with your point. A ruler must be flexible. A strong moral compass is a fine thing for a role model but can be a hindrance for a king."
"I have never applied my efforts in the direction you are suggesting. I suppose... I can see how it could be an interesting occupation. My interests don't lie in that direction, but I will admit it could be a useful application of my time. The problem is, of course, that at the moment we have no spies for me to be master of."
He takes another sip of wine. "I suppose I could start making contacts in the surrounding villages, particularly with merchants or messengers. I would have to be circumspect, though. It will be difficult to find people to trust with the identity of our little colony's master of intelligence, with so little experience with them." Dexter nods decisively. "But I will muddle through. This is a good suggestion, Orsano. If you have any more, feel free to bring them to me to discuss. I am sure there will be things we needn't bother the king's conscience with."
"I say, this is a good wine." Dexter holds it up to peer down into the rough cup he was drinking the fine wine from. "What vineyard did you say it was from?"
Dexter takes a sip of wine as he considers the question. After a moment he nods. "I agree with your point. A ruler must be flexible. A strong moral compass is a fine thing for a role model but can be a hindrance for a king."
"I have never applied my efforts in the direction you are suggesting. I suppose... I can see how it could be an interesting occupation. My interests don't lie in that direction, but I will admit it could be a useful application of my time. The problem is, of course, that at the moment we have no spies for me to be master of."
He takes another sip of wine. "I suppose I could start making contacts in the surrounding villages, particularly with merchants or messengers. I would have to be circumspect, though. It will be difficult to find people to trust with the identity of our little colony's master of intelligence, with so little experience with them." Dexter nods decisively. "But I will muddle through. This is a good suggestion, Orsano. If you have any more, feel free to bring them to me to discuss. I am sure there will be things we needn't bother the king's conscience with."
"I say, this is a good wine." Dexter holds it up to peer down into the rough cup he was drinking the fine wine from. "What vineyard did you say it was from?"
ah, the wine... therein lies a tale.
orsano proceeds to tell a mildly amusing tale of how, as a result of a dalliance with another mans wife, he came to discover a small vineyard in Taldors south which produced the wine in question.
to be perfectly honest i was not much taken with the maid, but the wine kept drawing me back. her husband must have fired staff left and right for stealing his wine, hah!
anyhow, as for becoming spymaster - why i'd thought to build a network of contacts myself. as Councillor i'd be perfectly placed to meet all manner of folk, and with honest reason. if you wished you could cultivate your own sources, or live entirely in the shadows and dedicate your intellectual skills to picking up patterns in information i provide which my more meagre mind would no doubt miss. i could even play the corrupt official to make contacts within the criminal fraternity.
i have also pondered the post of royal assassin. no doubt good Wilhelm would object to such an individual, but i cant help considering the good it might do. if one were to be engaged in secret, why just the dark rumors might be more effective in some ways than the real thing coming through some potential dissidents window... i get ahead of myself perhaps!
ah, the wine... therein lies a tale.
orsano proceeds to tell a mildly amusing tale of how, as a result of a dalliance with another mans wife, he came to discover a small vineyard in Taldors south which produced the wine in question.
to be perfectly honest i was not much taken with the maid, but the wine kept drawing me back. her husband must have fired staff left and right for stealing his wine, hah!
anyhow, as for becoming spymaster - why i'd thought to build a network of contacts myself. as Councillor i'd be perfectly placed to meet all manner of folk, and with honest reason. if you wished you could cultivate your own sources, or live entirely in the shadows and dedicate your intellectual skills to picking up patterns in information i provide which my more meagre mind would no doubt miss. i could even play the corrupt official to make contacts within the criminal fraternity.
i have also pondered the post of royal assassin. no doubt good Wilhelm would object to such an individual, but i cant help considering the good it might do. if one were to be engaged in secret, why just the dark rumors might be more effective in some ways than the real thing coming through some potential dissidents window... i get ahead of myself perhaps!
Dexter had laughed, enjoying Orsano's story and company, but now he smiles wryly. "You've already convinced me, Orsano. You needn't waste your flattery; save it for your duties as Councillor. Let us be allies and use our tricks on others." He nods, though. "If you find some people you think may be suitable as sources of... information of strategic importance and amenable to providing it, let me know. I am sure we will work closely together."
"As for a post of royal assassin..." Dexter takes another sip of wine. "I can see it being necessary, and perhaps useful to put rumors out about, but I think at our current strength we are more likely to face dangers that need to be killed ourselves rather than send someone to face them on our behalf, don't you?"
you are as usual correct - i was perhaps indulging in a little crystal ball gazing, so to speak. besides, our current crop of candidates are more suited to assassinating fish than spreading terror amongst the crowns enemies.
well my friend, it seems the wine has run dry - i suspect that means its time for honest folk to be in bed. a good evening to you.
Orsano sketches a bow and takes his leave, presumably to bed.
The night of the next full moon, the time of the coronation, seems to sneak up on you as you are all extremely busy helping develop your burgeoning village. Luckily you had made what arrangements you had agreed were necessary, and the citizens of your new kingdom would not let you forget.
The town hall fills past capacity, more people arrive than even when you give out food. They spill outside the building and mill around outside, all trying to get as close to the entrance as they can. Inside people spill out of the seats and into the aisles, filling every available space except the raised portion that serves as a stage. Flanking the stage are a handful of red-robed guards, whose barely matching uniforms seem to have much more significance out here in the jungle, so far away from such typical displays of civilization.
The entire council stands on the stage behind Alamander, who in turn is behind Wilhelm. In the clear night the light of the full moon is sufficient to light the scene through the many windows of the town hall.
The ceremony itself, if it could even be called that, is simple but poignant. Alamander places the new crown upon Wilhelm's head and proclaims him the first King of Azlantis. The assembled masses cheer with pride. The reaction is greater than even those who saw the wisdom in having such a ceremony could have imagined. You have given these people something to believe in tonight. A nation was truly born.
Later in the evening during the lively celebratory feast, Alamander stands up and proposes a toast, "Gentlemen! Friends! Citizens! Tonight we have witnessed something truly remarkable, the birth of a nation! One day you'll be able to tell your grandchildren 'I was there!' and they'll look at you with awe. Right now Azlantis may be small, but just like an acorn grows into a mighty oak, so will Azlantis grow into something far grander! Don't be blinkered by something's current form! Many of you look out there and see jungle, I look out there and see potential! Long ago this was all farmland and, and once we're done, it will be farmland again! If you think that's a challenge, you'd be right but our challenge is far bigger still! Acavna in her wisdom sent us to build farm more than just Nerith... Our job is to build Azlantis into a shining beacon of light and justice, that stretches from coast to coast. Everyone will have heard of Azlantis, and everyone will want to be there. We will be the envy of the world!
A tall order, but Acavna sent us a leader such as the world has not known in an age. A man with a singular dream, a dream that we all share... A man we've all come to know and respect. A man who will lead us to the promised land! Friends! Join me in a toast! To KING WILHELM! First of his name, long may he reign with wisdom and honor!"
Wilhelm drinks with everyone else after the speech and then he stands up.
"Thank-you for your inspiring words Alamander."
Wilhelm waits for any chatter to die down before speaking.
"Today I look out at you all and I am filled with pride and joy. I am proud of what I have seen each of you doing to help out in this new beginning. I am proud of what you all have accomplished in such a short amount of time. Seeing you all united in the bonds of nationhood brings me joy. While Acvana may have led us all here never forget that all of this." Wilhelm motions at this point to the newly built town. "Could not have been possible without you and your labor. I stand here today with a dream. A dream that one day this nation will grow into an empire that shall rival even the old Azlanti! I dream of a day when we will no longer have to worry about famine, plague, or war! A day where our children and our children's children will be able to roam the land without fear of demons, undead, or even their fellow man! I know that this dream can become a reality, but I cannot do this alone. I ask each of you to help me with this dream, so that we all might live in a land of peace, but I will not lie to you. There will be times of trouble before we can see this dream realized. There will be times of war, plague, and famine, but if we work together then we will be able to push through these dark times ,and reach the hour of our dreams realization. So, will you stand with me? Will you all work with me to make this dream a reality? We can do this as long as we all stand together!"
Friends! Join me in a toast! To KING WILHELM! First of his name, long may he reign with wisdom and honor!"
The crowd reacts with boisterous applause and cheers. They bang on every surface, themselves included, to make as much noise as possible.
So, will you stand with me? Will you all work with me to make this dream a reality? We can do this as long as we all stand together!"
The cheering rises to a fevered pitch, bordering on a riot. The enthusiasm is infectious. You can only hope it will last through the hard road ahead.
The next day...
Urzan has been preparing for weeks to begin training some of the dinosaurs he knows roam this primordial jungle. He and his small group of dinosaur hunters walk a little more than fifteen minutes from town, just far enough to keep from causing an upset when the dinosaurs arrive.
It's amazing how thick the jungle gets just outside the borders of the city. Even after having claimed so much of this land in the name of civilization one cannot forget that untamed nature presses in on you from all sides.
Finally you come to a little clearing, which will serve your purposes perfectly. All that's left to is to call upon the power of this jungle.
Brutus couldn't help but get swept away in the emotion of the coronation. The simple service, and the overwhelming reception from the crowds, he was engulfed in the energy and was carried away by it. He found himself, almost unconsciously, standing and cheering right along with the crowd as Wilhelm finished speaking. Eventually, the cheering died down and the celebration returned to a slightly more respectable display, and Kierk was able to take a breath and regain his senses and process what he had just experienced. He looked at Wilhelm from his seat on the raised stage in the town hall, and smiles. "This is what I have been searching for, a dream like this one. A purpose worthy of devoting a life too. Even if my name is never mentioned in the annals of Golarion history, my spirit will be content knowing that I had a part in building this kingdom, in obeying Acavna's orders."
Several hours later, when the party begins to die down, Kierk excuses himself with a smile and takes the round about way back to his tent, enabling him to once more walk around the settlement. In just a few months time, the population exploded from the 8 companions, to almost 2000. And over the last month, when he wasn't off exploring the nearby forest, or sitting in meetings with the other original 8, he found himself adding in his strength and determination on the town hall building project. His willingness to jump in and do difficult labor had endeared him to the many pilgrims who had come to call this place home, and he had connected with a number of the villagers. When the work stopped for the day, many of his new found neighbors sought out his help in all sorts of ways. He had helped shore up a roof in one of the old buildings, he had helped dig more than one well, and he had cleared many a field of rats and snakes and other, much more foul beasts. So far, though, it was nothing unexpected from building something from nothing.
As he walked, Kierk couldn't help but think fondly about the last few days and weeks. But he knew that as calm and peaceful as these last few weeks had been, eventually, the outside world would arrive, and it would bring with it chaos and calamity. It would upset that which he had come to treasure more than his very life. He remembered vividly the difficult of the journey, the hounding from the Lizardfolk, and the rumors they had heard before they had left Sargava about some sort of demon ape society not far from Nerith. He knew that Urzan was heading out in the morning, so he resolved to get some rest and talk with him about training some of the villagers into some sort of makeshift militia, while they headed toward the spot in which they hoped to trap some dinosaur mounts. Thinking about that idea, he laughed and said to himself, "I mean, what sane person wouldn't be drawn to the opportunity to ride on the back of a dinosaur."
He laughed to himself as he arrived at his tent, and ducked his head under the flap and laid down to sleep the calm, peaceful sleep he had only known here, at the foot of the Stairway to the Moon.
Andrezi observed the coronation, feeling mixed emotions of joy and a looming sensation of worry about the events which will follow. He was happy that in such a short time he and his fellow companions managed to raise this budding settlement. But he also knew that they will not go unnoticed in the region. The jungle was a harsh and unfriendly place, and the people living there are usually not the friendliest of people, no doubt because it was the only way to survive the challenges.
But he believed in himself and his friends, and he was more than eager to help in any way he could. He was to be a diplomat for the foreign countries, and he would put all of his training and skills to use, to prevent dangerous situations and to try and soften the people of the jungle. There was also the issue of Sargava, his homeland, which he has not forgotten, and which would most certainly come into play sooner or later.
And he has not forgotten about the suffering they brought to him, and he has not forgotten about the cursed cult of Nergal, which he wowed to destroy in his hardest moments...
There was much work to be done, he thought to himself, smiling and the crowd and his companions, and sharing a knowing look with his animal friend.
For all of his studies, Dexter had never seen a dinosaur. Naturally curious, if not prone to sustained bouts of physical activity, he joins the dinosaur hunting group with his customary crisp khakis and pith helmet, looking more ready for a stroll than a hunt.
Alamander overhears the conversations about dinosaurs and says, "I saw a few as a child. They'd been captured and where held as curiosities. Dangerous curiosities... I must admit I'm fascinated to see how these can safely be captured. Thinking about it, if it was possible to break them in properly, they'd make fantastic beasts of burden or perhaps even cavalry."
|
Azrin remains silent through the ceremony, regarding the audience and their reactions. Some of these people would make fine guards, securing the borders of their young and fragile settlement. Others may turn out to be criminals and enemies, subverting the order of the new kingdom and needing to be put to the sword. He regarded them all with a cold detachment, patiently waiting for them to demonstrate their natures in their own time.
As for hunting dinosaurs, Azrin was not looking forward to it. The last time he'd seen a dinosaur in the Mwangi, he'd nearly been eaten. Although older now, stronger, and empowered by Acavna, he still had his hesitation about confronting a dinosaur, especially in a non-lethal capacity. Nevertheless, he hid his reservations from the others and simply agreed to attend, and now here he stood with only three short words for the others. "Let it begin."
Orsano greatly enjoyed himself at the coronation, feeling for the first time since leaving Taldor to be back in his element - singing, drinking, and carousing. he'd been a little surprised at his own lack of jealousy on wilhelms crowning -
its a hard job being king, aye... and Wilhelm has the bearing for it. better for all it should be this way.
the following day, with a pounding hangover Orsano wearily turns himself out of bed for the dinosaur expedition.
not sure about all this dinosaur business, but the others seem set - must keep up appearances.
Urzan was conflicted at the ceremony. The amount of people in close quarters unnerved him, while the sense of community thrilled him. He kept to himself feeling the pilgrims not unlike the animals of whom he cares.
The next day, Urzan double-checks the pen where he will store and train his newly captured dinosaur. Then, he leads the group through the jungle stopping to address his fellow dino hunters.
"Here is plan. I call dinosaur. When he calmly approaches me, do not interfere. I charm dinosaur, and we return to Azlantis. If angry animals arrive, I calm them before you attack. Understand? Second question. Which dinosaur? Deinonychus is good at guarding," he motions to the dinosaur with the feathers next to him. "Or Pteranodon is flying mount to travel above jungle."
Urzan frowns at Azrin and does not reply.
Dexter looks intrigued by Urzan's question. After a moment's consideration he says "Flight is useful, but training a capable scout to ride a flying mount will take a fair bit of time in addition to the training you will need to give the animal. Let's focus on terrestrial forces for the moment. A few deinonychuses will help stiffen up our guard force."
As the group arrives in the clearing, they make ready for whatever it is that Urzan has in mind. Speaking to types of dinosaurs, Kierk nods his head along with Dexter. "Aye, flight could be a powerful advantage over an enemy, but only if there is a line of defense to keep them occupied. Let us build up our ground forces first."
Turning toward Azrin, Kierk smiles. "Let us see how many come with Urzan does his charming. If there is only one or two looking for entrails, perhaps I can calm them down, but if not, I would assume a dinosaur skin cloak would look good on someone yes?" With that, Kierk turns towards Urzan and makes his final preparations. He adjusts his weapons to ensure they are in their proper place, ready at a moment's notice if things get dicey. "Alright Urzan, lets see what magic you have up your sleeve."
Urzan nods and casts Call Animal specifying a Deinonychus. The spell involves some waving of arms and making Deinonychus-mating noises.
Lacking any kind of dedicated building for it, Urzan is forced to set up his pens in a few old houses in one of the residential districts. The neighbors are slightly less than thrilled.
In the clearing, Urzan draws on the innate magicks of nature to draw in a Deinonychus.
Once the spell is complete there is silence, almost eerie silence. You stand and wait, almost afraid to breathe. For more than a half an hour the tension builds and builds until you can hear a rustling over the deafening silence.
What arrives is not simply a Deinonychus, but a pack of five (as far as you can see). They approach the group of humans quite boldly, but without obvious hostility. Even Urzan is not sure which of them his magic affected.
They come within 30 ft. and approach cautiously but do not show any signs of slowing.
Urzan calmly says to his companions, "The one I called approaches within 5 feet of me. No one threaten. I try to calm them."
He casts Calm Animal on the group, which involves some arm-waving and making shushing noises.
dinosaur cloak does sound nice...
orsano does his best to stay on guard but is just beginning to fidget when the creatures appear. feeling somewhat nervous he edges over to put kierk between himself and the creatures...
Andrezi stays behind, curious at Urzan's methods, but being slightly on guard along with Kogor, who is watching the raptors carefully.
Alamander watches Urzan's work with curiosity. Urzan seems so sure of himself, but ever cautious Alamander took the opportunity to pray for a Calm Emotions spell should something go awry... For now he simply holds his spear as if it was a walking stick, content to see what happens.
Dexter watches Urzan closely, taking notes in a small notebook. When the dinosaurs emerge and approach, he stows his notebook, moves to put an armored companion between him and the creatures, and begins muttering under his breath, preparing a spell in case the beasts turn out to be hostile.
Wilhelm waits to see if these dinosaurs are going to attack.
As Kierk watches Urzan, he feels as if he is standing once more under the Chaos Moon from months prior. He can feel a calm certainty, that not only will Urzan's plan succeed, but that he can do the same thing, he can tap into the same power Urzan does. As he realizes it, he takes note of what Urzan does and finds it familiar.
But to his surprise, not one dinosaur steps into the clearing, but 5. Kierk steps forward, hands outstretched, and prepares to calm those that are not under the effects of Urzan's spell.
Between Kierk and Urzan, they two woodsmen are able to keep the creatures calm. They continue to approach Urzan. It becomes more obvious that it is the largest one who is magically compelled to find Urzan, and the others are following it. They seem curious, but non-hostile, perceiving you as neither prey nor a threat.
Now that his called dino is obvious, Urzan calms the rest of the dinos
He casts Calm Animal on two not called or calmed, which involves more arm-waving and making shushing noises. He gets out his training harness.