Enjoying the tales of his campainion's backgrounds and the exotic locales they have all visited, Ekran is about to tell tale of his own glorious deeds and travels when they arrive abruptly at the fort entrance. Sensing that the time for talking is over for now, Ekran obeys the guards commands and follows the others to certain doom.
Barely surviving a goblin ambush, to be executed by Hellknights for a petty charge. Fate is cruel!
Entering the Citadel, Ekran snaps to a near perfect military step. He keeps his eyes forward, his expression respectful and hand movements to the absolute minimum.
He winces internally at Dav's words. Please forgive the Half-elf's indelicate words, Paralictor Drovust. We are not ones to question your reasons for being anywhere in the realm. Of course we would immediately report anything related to your men and women's whereabouts, it would be our duty to do so. In the event we find that they have met their end, are there any identifying marks, scars or tattoos that would signify them if they are unarmored?
Zinli smiled brightly at Pekoe. Maybe she winked back, but it was hard to tell with her thick glasses. She walked directly to her, and gave her a vigorous handkshake.
"Hi! Nice to meet you." she said in gnome. "I wonder what brought you to this place, as I doubt that it was for the hearty welcome. "
She answered to the Hellknight:
"Yes... Why are you asking poor adventurers like us to do that job? We're amateurs... We're not as brave and experienced as Hellknights... Not as well equipped to fight monsters neither."
She tried to seem confused while saying so, but it failed.
Pekoe did not let go of the other gnome's handshake, apparently beginning an eternal shaking of arms.
"Oh you know, just came buy to be helpful and all that," she explained as she continued the handshake. Palms were in serious risk of becoming sweaty now. "Was on my way to the Worldwound when I was..." Pekoe paused to give the Big Lady Hellknight a look of sassy disapproval. "...Waylaid."
Pekoe finally let go of the other gnome's hand when she started questioning the Big Lady Hellknight. Pekoe did not want to be associated with that at all.
Nope, no questions here! Look away! No skin removal needed! Nopenopenope!
The Paralictor seems pleased by Davlamin's honeyed words, even if she doesn't succumb to the flattery.
She salutes Ekran, with proud martial attitude, and let Pekoe do her thing.
It will be hard to say, as the expedition took place some twenty five years ago. The traditional Hellknight armor the eventual bodies may still wear should be an hint... They probably have gone deep and far into the Spire. As for unusual creatures, you should ask for an audience to the temple. Patrols signalled me they are some undead roaming outside the Fort. Beware, some of these unliving were quite tough to fight, we nearly lost three men, who are soldiers of experience.
Rahiv mostly stayed quiet. When he saw the Pekoe, he understood her position and was glad to see that she would be escaping their grasp shortly.
He did not look directly at the Prarlictor, instead he seemed to be nervously rubbing his wrists. He stayed as close to the door as possible, wanting to leave the second he could.
Thank you very much oh gracious Paralictor Drovust. We shall head to the temple at once and inquire of these strange undead monstrosities. We appreciate you aiding us in our quest to help you in purging these land of any and all evils.
He bowed slightly again, smiling.
Joza remained quiet through the briefing with Drovust; despite his initial faux pas in addressing the woman, Dav seemed to have quickly smoothed things over and she had no wish to risk undoing that by opening her mouth. She was also rather keenly aware that among them all she stood out the most, even more so than Rahiv.
We're the prey here...so drawing more attention to ourselves than we have to is unwise. They might think I'm in league with Strider!
However, she did offer a sincere if slightly uncomfortable smile to newcomer Pekoe.
Another one...looks like our group just became that much livelier.
Pekoe looked around at the group once more, noting that she was not the only one who looked like she wanted nothing more than get out of here.
"So, uh... If that's all we'll just be... going?"
It was more of a question than a statement, though she took a dramatizes sneaky-step towards the door, hoping someone was going to agree with her and she could finally bust out of this joint.
When I'm done here, I'm taking a vacation. Maybe somewhere warm. Far away from Cheliax. I heard Tian Xia is nice this time of year.
The Paralictor looks at Zinli, and decides not answering her question.
The answer, for her and every Hellknight, is obvious.
I am expecting a report each week. Dismissed.
Rahiv barely waited for her to finish the word dismissed before he made his exit. Once outside he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He kept quite though until they could get to a more secluded area before he felt comfortable to speak again.
Zinli smiled.
Funny person.
"We're no professional soldiers. Goodbye! A pleasure to talk to you."
She didn't said another word until the group got out:
"I've never thought I was going to say that someday, but I'm gonna need a book of this Fort's laws. But where are my manners? Welcome to our group, Pekoe! My name's Zinli."
Bowing and politely thanking the leader of the Hellknights before departing after they were dismissed, Dav was thankful to be out of there.
I agree Zinli. I'll need to get one as well. That way we don't have to deal with the Hellknights again. Now I believe that the temple she was referring to was the Church of Abadar. I don't know much about this temple but hopefully they'll be glad to aid us on our quest. And welcome to our group Pekor! We will do what we can to make you feel welcome!
Noticing Rahiv's relief, he asked, So I take it you know her?
"Well I can tell you they don't allow borrowing money from rich guys to give to a poor kid trying to buy an apple... " Pekoe grumbled once they had put some distance between themselves and the chapel where the Big Lady Hellknight was.
"But yes! It's a pleasure to be joining you. Though I think anything is preferable to the cells they keep around here. Even the rats are mean," she added more brightly.
She looked at each of the others expectantly with her big amber eyes, clearly waiting for more names.
Rahiv sighed "Not directly, but anyone with high enough rank in the Hellknights tends to worry me. I tend to always worry if they might find some made up offense or slight that I may have caused and be brought back under their loving care." he said expressing his distrust and slight paranoia.
He smiled at Dav "If you don't mind, I think I will sit out on that church's lessons." he said before looking at Pekoe "I hope that you were treated well under their hospitality, have you had anything good to eat?"
Oh well are my manners! I'm Davlamin Glimmergaunt, a student of sorcery and scholar of ancient lore. And this Rahiv, a undine shaman and healer extraordinaire; Joza, swift ranger from Mwangi and devout follower of Gozreh; and Ekran Batorówka, our skilled warrior and master at arms! Zinli has already introduced herself, but she is our skilled gunslinger and her trusty firearms are always ready to take down evil.
You get out of the Citadel quickly, as you find the atmosphere quite oppressive and unhealthy.
You can either go to the local temple of Abadar, or the Juliver's Inn, or buy anything you might need.
Pekoe lifts her purse up and down, shakes it a bit, sniffs it, then peeks inside before looking a little confused.
Best not to involve anyone who needn't be involved...
Pekoe half turns from the party and pulls a piece of paper from her coin pouch, giving it a quick read.
Rahiv saw the little gnome working with her purse, which wouldn't be odd except for the way she seemed to go about it. He couldn't help but be a bit curious about what she was doing.
He managed to peer over her shoulder to see her pull a slip of paper from her coin pouch and look it over. She didn't seem familiar with her own belongings....
His concern must've been loud enough as the cat that was snoozing on his shoulder perked up and become interested as well in the little gnome.
He climbed down carefully and slipped up and into the gnome's backpack.
Still feeling unnerved by the audience with the high-ranking Hellknight, Joza does not notice anything amiss with either her new companion or her old ones. Once clear of the Citadel, she sighs with relief and visibly relaxes. "I feel as though I'm constantly walking on eggshells here," she sighs. "And I don't like it."
Turning her attention to Pekoe, she finally offers her hand. "As Davlamin said, my name is Joza Fersig, of the Fersig tribe. Forgive me for being silent earlier but remaining so seemed wise, given who we were talking to. It's good to have you with us!"
As talk turned to visiting the temple of Abadar, she frowns. "I'll accompany the rest of you there, but I find myself agreeing with Rahiv; I'll sit out on the lessons as well. I've found that the faithful of Abadar and Gozreh are often...at odds, though not outright enemies."
Davlamin nodded as he realized that the god of civilizations and the deity of nature, not to mention their followers, might not see eye to eye on...well almost everything.
That would be wise. And I agree: I have the same feeling myself while being in this place. Hopefully we can avoid anymore Hellknight entanglement. Isn't that right Pekoe?
Pekoe was far to involved with the slip of paper and musing over the contents of her coin purse to pay much mind to any tricksy kittens trying to sneak anywhere. Though after a moment more thought, she promptly shoved the note into her mouth and began chewing.
She looks mildly alarmed when Joza addresses her. Big, startled eyes peering up at the furry catfolk, and her cheeks are puffed like she's just taken a bite of a snack. She gulps down her mouthful before taking Joza's hand-paw.
"Nice to meet yo-WOW your hands are soft!" Pekoe's handshake quickly devolved into her holding and stroking the back of Joza's hand.
"Oh uh, Hellknights?" she said in response to Davlamin, half distracted by Joza's hand-paws. "Yeah, if we could just avoid those folks we could be alright. Maybe never see them again. Yeah, that sounds nice."
Rahiv didn't seem to react at her swallowing what she had been looking at, while it was odd he knew a few who had done so to keep information from getting into the hands of those that would punish them.
He looked at the others as the gnome became fixated like gnomes generally do. "I will not be joining you to the Church, if you have other things you would like done while that is going on I would be more then happy to take care of them...Otherwise I will make my way to the tavern as I could use a bath and a hot meal. No offense to our cooking skills out in the field, but a nice fish or maybe some frog legs really hits the spot." he said as he stopped in the middle of the street.
"Aaah, if only everyone could have the same soft fur... The world would be more fluffy..."
Zinli apparently noticed what Pekoe was doing, and frowned. However, for once, she didn't asked any questions...
Yet.
"Be careful, Rahiv! You know fishies are slippy and sneaky... Scrambled eggs are much more passive, and less dangerous. I'd like to look for that book with laws written in it. And maybe buy things that would help us to light our way down in the Spire. Pekoe, do you have your stuff? Are you fully equipped?"
Joza smiles down at Pekoe as the curious gnome seems to get lost in the texture of her fur, clearly used to this sort of thing. "Thank you! It's difficult to keep it that way for very long out in the wild but within civilization...well, let's just say that I'm still amazed at all the different things humans and the like have come up with to keep themselves clean! So many different oils and fragrances, many that I've never even heard of before," she chuckles. Her own eyes travel over the first gnome's pure white hair, as well as the pale, baby blue of Zinli's.
"If it's not rude of me to ask, why do your people have such vivid hair colors that I don't see among the humans or even the elves? I believe I've seen nearly all colors of the rainbow and some in-between during my travels but I've never had a good chance to ask!" As she speaks, suddenly her eyes notice something else about the little gnome currently holding her hand, something...odd.
A...tail? Zinli doesn't have a tail that I've seen. Do some gnomes have tails and some don't? How did I not notice it earlier?
Ah Joza I'm afraid you have only scratched the surface of the wonders of the world. One could spend his entire life and never come close to experiencing everything the world has to offer. Every race and creature brings new surprises to all.
He smiles after saying that.
And most gnomes I've met have uniquely colored hair, skin, and eyes. Although, I think Pekoe is most likely a tiefling, someone who carries trances of fiends in their bloodline. Although that doesn't always mean tielfing's are all evil, just as all aasimars, those who carry celestial blood in their veins, aren't always good. Trust me, I learned a lot from my djinni nanny.
Pekoe takes a peek behind her to watch her tail swish-swish-swish back and forth as she finally releases Joza's hand. She looks back to Davlamin and gives him a sheepish look, like she wasn't sure she was altogether too comfortable with being called out. Even if it was true.
"Our hair comes in all the colors of the flowers," she explained. "And the sun, the sky, the trees, the water, the rocks, the snow..." As she lists the various places colors can com from in nature she starts counting them off on her fingers.
"But I don't know why our hair comes that way. Probably the same reason you're all covered with fur and he's all... pink colored," she added, trying to gauge what she'd call the half-elf's skin coloring.
"Tea-fling? Ass-ih-marr?" Joza sounds out the new words carefully, finding them strange on her tongue. "My tribe has stories, stories of mortals born with a trace of one of the elements in their blood, people light and fickle as the winds or as steadfast as the earth itself," she murmurs, looking at Pekoe with something akin to awe in her eyes. "People touched by the planes themselves...I didn't think such things were real, that I would meet such a person myself!"
Suddenly, she stops her wide-eyed gushing and looks down, embarrassed. "Forgive me Pekoe...I didn't mean to make a fuss or embarrass you. Sometimes I get carried away because there are still so many things that I've never seen before, like Davlamin said. And I forget that what might seem exciting or thrilling to me may not be so for someone else."
She clears her throat, obviously ready to change the topic if Pekoe is. "That's a wonderful thing, to have hair that comes in all the colors of nature," she says, smiling once more. "And I suppose you're right, there's not really any need for a reason is there? Our Makers saw fit to make each of the way we are; we should be content with that."
As the others are talking and getting to know one another, Ekran spots a particularly big-bossomed lady and calls after her while breaking into a run...
Mea! Mea, my enchanting flower! Don't tell me that you've forgotten me already!?
Pekoe raises a brow and watches after the crazy human as he chases off after a woman, looking more than a little confused about the whole thing.
"Guess he didn't want to go to the temple either," she said with a shrug, deciding he was just very good at evading responsibility. She'd have to take notes.
Rahiv shook his head and looked about the group seeing that they had things in order. He gives a polite bow and heads off to go enjoy a relaxing bath followed by a good meal. With his cat not in tow, he might actually get to enjoy the meal this time.
So Pekoe what can you tell us about your skills and talents? I'm sure you're quite good but I'm just curious.
Pekoe blinked up a few times at Davlamin, then scratched her chin as she thought about the question.
"Uh, well, I'm good at climbing through windows, making coins disappear and reappear behind people's ears, I'm real good at making locks not locked, and I'm generally quite good at sticking my rapier between people's ribs when I need to," she explained, punching her fist into the open palm of her other hand to really punctuate her last point.
As Rahiv heads off for a bit of relaxation, Joza calls after him, "Will you be okay going alone for now, Rahiv? And should we meet you at Juliver's when we're done with this other business?"
She is about to pose the same question to Ekran, but stops as both his words and tone make it clear that he knows this woman...very well, based on the way the other women had been fawning over him when they'd all first met at Juliver's. She simply smiles and shakes her head.
Some urges can't be overcome no matter how 'refined' civilization supposedly is...
"Um...have a good time?" she offers after the large warrior.
You be careful as well Joza. And I think we should meet back at Juliver's when we have finished with our tasks. I'll see you later, Joza, the half-elf said before giving the catfolk ranger a kiss on the cheek.
Her fur tickles a bit, he thought to himself with a smile.
Joza offers an embarrassed, slightly puzzled smile as Davlamin kisses her cheek. "Thank you, but I hadn't planned on going anywhere...though I suppose I could go and keep Rahiv company while the rest of you go to the temple," she muses.
Sounds like a plan. I'll see you later on then.
He headed towards the temple...actually he was heading in the opposite direction!
"Oka-hey! Davlamin, I think you're heading the wrong way!" she calls after him, unable to keep from laughing though it's a good-natured laugh rather than a mocking one. "I'll see the rest of you back to Juliver's!" she adds, hurrying off to catch up with Rahiv.
Pekoe looks from the catfolk to the elf with curiosity and confusion, then shrugs. "So, where's the temple?" she asked of the elf after the catfolk scurried away.
Oops! Thank you very much Joza!
He waved goodbye to her before answering Pekoe's question, If I don't go in the wrong direction again, it should be...um...this way!?
Luckily, he went in the right direction towards the temple of Abadar.
Pekoe fell in line with the elf as he started his way towards the temple. It was a bit of a challenge to keep pace, as each of his steps were about two for Pekoe's short little legs.
"So who's gonna help us at the temple?" she asked brightly, looking up at the elf. "What're we gonna do at the temple? Do you think they actually have a big book of laws there, or were people being dramatic? Do you think they'd arrest us if we broke a rule? How do we know which rules you can and can't break?"
Pekoe seemed to have a lot of questions. Perhaps it was legitimate curiosity, or perhaps she couldn't stand silence. Either way, he tongue flapped around at a thousand miles an hour as she bombarded the elf with questions. She heard elves were smart. He probably knew some things.
Chuckling a bit, Davlamin smiled before replying, I'm not sure who's going to be at the temple or if they actually have a big book of laws, although I'm pretty sure they do. But I don't think they'll arrest us unless we burn, vandalize, and loot the temple, not in that order of course. And I guess simply just being on our best behavior will keep us out of trouble. Now for why we are going, according to our...mutual friend at the Hellknight headquarters...there have been sightings of some unusual undead in addition to other monsters around the ruins of the Emerald Spire, and that the Temple of Abadar had more information. If you recalled, even the Hellknights have had a lot of difficulty with these monsters, so it is up to us to find out, in order of course, who is behind the increase of monster activity, why they are doing it, and finally put a stop to both the monsters and the villains behind everything. Besides,, quickly looking around before he continued, but lowering his voice to a whisper just in case, it gives us a chance to outdo the Hellknights themselves.
He gave her a wink and a smile before his voice returned to normal speaking level, Now, what the Emerald Spire is, all that I know is that it has some sort of connection to the Ancient Azlanti, who were a branch of ancient humans whose civilization was destroyed thousands of years ago by Earthfall. I hope to learn of what this connection is and the importance these ruins had to the Azlanti.
The half-elf had planned on asking the tiefling gnome a question, but decided against, until they were far from the ears of the Hellknights of course.
Rahiv took his time getting back to the tavern. He was looking forwards to the bath, but was surprised when Joza caught up with him. He raised a brow and looked at her. "I thought you might've been intrigued by the experience to see how another god is worshiped. What's that saying...Curiosity is the cat? Or something like that yes? I had heard that such things translated over to your kind. I don't mean any offense by it if it doesn't." he said as they walked together at this point.
"Are you joining me for dinner and a bath, or is it just dinner? I'm not sure what customs others follow, but it was common in my youth for the tribe to do everything together..." he said thinking back to his childhood. He had a slightly pained look on his face when he reminisced.
Joza sighs and shakes her head. "I suppose all gods have their place in the grand scheme of things, but I've ran across the worshipers of The Gold-Fisted one before and they tend not to see eye to eye with those that follow the Wind and the Waves."
As they walk, she continues, "That said, I hope you don't mind my accompanying you back to Juliver's. It doesn't seem like a good idea for any of us to wander this place alone." When he poses the question of whether it will be dinner or dinner and a bath, she does not look offended - instead, the curiosity that he had referenced moments ago creeps across her features. "Really? That's...refreshing, actually. The humans and the elves and most of the other peoples I've met seem to find such things uncomfortable. Even when kept between one sex or the other," she muses. "My tribe doesn't bathe all together; the women bathe with the women and the men with the men, but that's because it's seen as a time of bonding among the members of that sex. We work, play, and sleep side-by-side for the most part, and so moments where say, the women can speak with just the women are rarer than they seem to be in other cultures." After a pause, she adds, "I think I have heard human women refer to such a thing as 'girl talk'?"
Rahiv nodded as she spoke and found that their cultures did not differ too much. Though the placing of different sexes apart was different for the most part it was the same.
He raised a brow about the girl talk "Hmm...I suppose there was perhaps a bit of...what's the word...grouping that happened during the whole of things. The warriors tended to stick together, the shamans and healers stuck together a bit more and those that kept the family as a whole together and up and running generally stuck together. But as far as genders were concerned, it was not really viewed as taboo or forbidden fruit as the humans like to say. As for girl talk...I have heard the saying but I guess I do not know the meaning. But perhaps that is because I am male, yes? If you wish to bond and relax while watching each other's back, I would not be offended. Though if you prefer to have your privacy, I understand as well." he said as if talking about the weather.
Pekoe chuckled like an evil villain and rubbed her hands together at the thought of outdoing the Hellknights. She probably should try to be less shady around her new companions, but she now had a bit of a grudge with the lot of those over armored jerks.
"The Azlanti, huh? You a scholar or something? I can't imagine anyone else jumping into danger just because they wanna know a thing. Yup, usually just those brainy types willing to do that," she said as they walked along. Pekoe was taking three steps to each of Davlamin's one though she didn't seem to mind the pace. "You know, they say curiosity killed the cat."
The half-elf chuckles a bit before replying, That maybe so, but if not for curiosity, we would never learn and experience new things and wonders! And yes, I'm a scholar...and a sorcerer.
Joza chuckles. "From what I can tell, 'girl talk' seems to be mainly for talking about whichever male each female has their eye on. That and sometimes other matters such as managing children."
"As for your offer..." she pauses, looking thoughtful. "I think I will respectfully pass, at least this time. It is kind of you to offer, but something tells me that you would like to spend some time alone before we all meet up again, yes?"
Rahiv once hearing the reason behind the idea of girl talk raised a brow and shook his head. "Ah, yes...mating meetings. Hmm, my tribe always seem to handle things differently in those aspects. From what I recall, we would meet up with one tribe or another and arrange partnerships between the youths. We would each offer up the same amount of emerging adults and the young males would leave the tribe for the female of the other tribe. Unless it was someone of high desent like the shaman to be or the healers in training. Then it was considered an honor to join the tribe to be the partner of such a person. It was all kept rather fair. Each tribe lost no more then it gained and it kept the lineage properly sown. he said reflecting on that type of talk.
He nodded at her consideration. "Indeed I suppose it would be nice to relax and consider some things. It has been a while since I have truly enjoyed the water and became one with it." he said as they arrived at the Inn. He went inside and ordered a plate of frog legs. Something he hadn't had in a great while and given that his companion was away and unable to steal his food, he felt safe having such a delicacy. "I do hope the others don't stir up anything, it is rather annoying when my friend gets upset and I have to go find her... he said as he remembered where the cat had run off to.
"Ahh, that makes perfect sense," Joza nods. As she and Rahiv conversed, she was more and more pleased to find that their cultures and backgrounds were largely similar despite the racial differences. She had to admit that at times she felt quite homesick for her own people, so having someone else within this exploration group who could relate to her background and experiences brightened her spirits considerably.
Upon reaching Juliver's, she smiles and nods again. "I had thought as much. We'll share dinner, if that's acceptable to you, and then I will leave you to your meditations." As Rahiv orders his meal, she yawns. "It's been a busy day or two, so maybe a quick nap will be in order while everyone finishes up their business."
As the undine remarks on the irritability of his friend, she gives him another curious look. "Does she...get upset often? Or easily?"
He thought for a bit about what she said and shook his head "She doesn't not really get upset too often but when she does, I can feel it and it is a strange experience to have sadness, anger, or the feeling of being upset pushed upon myself from out of nowhere and so strongly. It can be quite the headache. Though, it can be pleasant when is quite happy and content." he said as he thought about it.
He chuckled at her idea of taking a nap "Ah, you do share a few similarities. I imagine she is probably doing that right now in Pekoe's pack. But with our relationship, I tend to keep her happy and content as best I can. I think that she can feel some of my own feelings as well as she picks up on things and she acts on them for me from time to time. I was a bit worried about how she was acting and wanted to follow her but I felt it would not be welcome or taken the right way so I wasn't going to but she snuck in to help watch over her for me. " he said as the food arrived and he liked his lips.