Mariel Uth Kaldar |
I am aware from my study of Solamnic history that some wizards, such as Magius used magical staves. I wonder if this staff is similar. I don't recall hearing if the Staff had magical abilities
Gavin Carroway |
Kothian"We could move this to my parent's home once we're finished eating. I know they'll be happy to see you."
"What say we take this over to my family's home after food and drink to speak more privately" He leans in to whisper, pointing at the disguised minotaur with a wry smile on his face, "and so that this old geezer can expose himself to us."
Jakun Stormhoof |
Jakun speaks with reverence in his voice at Mariel's words, "I should like to hear more of your tales of Magius my dear". The rasp in his voice seems to fade with his words.
Gavin's lewd jest brings a chortle to Jakun's throat and a verbal riposte, "No human male should wish me to expose myself, no Gods exist in these lands to remove the 'bout of depression you would experience..."
Mariel Uth Kaldar |
Well good Sir, it would depend on who you ask. Magius is either villian or hero. I would suspect a bit of each. Some hate him in Solamnia for being a wizard, especially after the Lost Battles. she says, But I dare not say much, the matter of magic, even with Master Theobald, a White Robe wizard here in town, is not too favorably looked upon, especially with Raistlin studying there. she remarks.
Thistletorp Babblebrook |
"Caitlyn! Beautiful as ever." He gives her a strong bear hug, nearly lifting her off the ground. Caitlyn had been his first, and he'd argue, only crush. He made it no secret that his biggest weakness was his feelings for Caitlyn. Lucky for him, she was no damsel in distress and could probably toss him around the room like a sack. He sets her back down and pats her on the shoulders.
"A lot more's grown since last we met. Check out this sword! Can't believe I fancied the ol' sword & board at one point. I got this lovely piece about a year ago while abroad and haven't looked back since. " Gav mockingly searches for his sword, muttering under his breath "Now where did that sword even get to? Could it be? Did Thistletorp manage to filch something bigger than he?" Another massive hug, this time for Thistle and with less pressure. "How are you, dear friend? I sure did miss your thieving little crab claws"
The old man catches him off guard. Who could this old man possibly be, and why would Caitlyn and Thistletorp risk his poor life with their company?
"Greetings old man, I don't believe I know you, but a friend of a friend deserves the same welcome" He leans in close and hears the mention of his oldest friend.
Whispering back in Kothian, he fights to contain his excitement
<<"Jakun? Surely this must be some twist of fate! I am elated to be in your company again!">>"Wow! What a great moment, us all being here. I nearly forgot about Fewmaster Froege or 'atever his name was asking Mariel, Tania and I for the same object. A Blue Crystal Staff. How peculiar that something could be such a hot ticket item."
"Thief!? THIEF?!" Thistletorph splutters, indignation mixing with his mad giggles in Gavin's arms. "I'm no thief! Thieving's bad! I find things for people that they lost because they weren't paying enough attention to them!" He kicks and squeals in Gavin's crushing hug.
Then, he sees Gavin's sword, and he deftly slips free from Gavin's hug and scampers onto his back. "Wow! That's a really big sword! How can you lift that thing? I bet it would be really hard for it to walk away. But, you never know. I should keep a good look on it!" He flips off Gavin's shoulders, with the bigger man barely feeling anything. Yes! Let's go back to Gavin's house! We could get some tea and cakes and cheese!!! Yes! Cheese!
Caitlyn Weissman |
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow, "Going so soon? We only just got here! Still I remember good things about Gavin's Ma's cooking. Adventurous with the herbs and spices in a way my Ma never was." her stomach rumbled as she said this...
Samnell |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Where was I then," the oldster said, taking a deep drink. "Oh yes, I think that I would like an old story. Older than elves, you know. It was sung once -by elves, in fact- but those days are long behind me and I have it from those who know that I would be a poor guest to inflict my elvish upon you."
He cleared his throat and recited:
like heaven's rain or tears,
and washes the years, the dust of the many stories
from the High Tale of the Dragonlance.
For in ages deep, past memory and word,
in the first blush of the world
When the three moons rose from the lap of the forest,
dragons, terrible and great,
made war on this world of Krynn.
Yet out of the darkness of dragons,
out of our cries for light
in the blank face of the black moon soaring,
a banked light flared in Solamnia,
a knight of truth and of power,
who called down the gods themselves
and forged the mighty Dragonlance, piercing the soul
of dragonkind, driving the shade of their wings
from the brightening shores of Krynn.
Thus Huma, Knight of Solamnia,
Lightbringer, First Lancer,
followed his light to the foot of the Khalkist Mountains,
to the stone feet of the gods,
to the crouched silence of their temple.
He called down the Lancemakers, he took on
their unspeakable power to crush the unspeakable evil,
to thrust the coiling darkness
back down the tunnel of the dragon's throat.
Paladine, the Great God of Good,
shone at the side of Huma,
strengthening the lance of his strong right arm,
and Huma, ablaze in a thousand moons,
banished the swarm of her shrieking hosts
back to the senseless kingdom of death, where their curses
swooped upon nothing and nothing
deep below the brightening land.
Thus ended in thunder the Age of Dreams
and began the Age of Might,
When Istar, kingdom of light and truth, arose in the east,
where minarets of white and gold
spired to the sun and to the sun's glory,
announcing the passing of evil,
and Istar, who mothered and cradled the long summers of good,
shone like a meteor
in the white skies of the just.
Yet in the fullness of sunlight
the Kingpriest of Istar saw shadows:
At night he saw the trees and things with daggers, the streams
blackened and thickened under the silent moon.
He searched books for the paths of Huma,
for scrolls, signs, and spells
so that he, too, might summon the gods, might find
their aid in his holy aims,
might purge the world of sin.
Then came the time of dark and death
as the gods turned from the world.
A mountain of fire crashed like a comet through Istar,
the city split like a skull in the flames,
mountains burst from once-fertile valleys,
seas poured into the graves of mountains,
the deserts sighed on abandoned floors of the seas,
the highways of Krynn erupted
and became the paths of the dead.
Thus began the Age of Despair.
The roads were tangled.
The winds and the sand storms dwelt in the husks of cities,
The plains and mountains became our home.
As the old gods lost their power,
we called to the blank sky
into the cold, dividing gray to the ears of new gods.
The sky is calm, silent, unmoving.
We have yet to hear their answer."
He subsided then, looking thoughtfully into his tankard.
"They don't all end well, I'm afraid. I used to know a girl who would sing it so high and bright... Far away and years gone now," he looked off vaguely to the south.
A cloaked, hooded plainswoman who had come in just as the oldster began stepped up close to him and put a firm hand on his shoulder. Her other gripped a hide-wrapped staff decorated with feathers.
"You told it well, Father," she said.
The inn's door opened again and a chill breeze brushed away the fire's warmth for a moment as a half-dozen Holy Guards entered. The plainswoman saw them and looked away, a bit too quickly.
Caitlyn Weissman |
"So sad. The age of despair!" murmered Caitlyn, clearly enraptured she could have listened all day to such stories. When the old man falls silent she warns him, "Old timer, that was an amazing story. I'm not sure the seekers would appreciate it however..."
When the door opens letting in the blast of frigid air and the seeker guards enter, Caitlyn mentally adds, 'Speak of the devil...' Her eyes meet Jackun's and she whispers, "Here comes trouble."
I'm assuming she is sitting next to Jackun.
Jakun Stormhoof |
Jakun murmurs back to Caitlyn, "Perhaps now would be a good time to go. Though I would love to hear more such stories. My people mostly speak of the God your people name Sargonnas..."
Mariel Uth Kaldar |
I have always loved that song. Huma was so gallant and he had the powers of the gods. Did we chase them away into other worlds or places with the Light bearer from Istar. Did they abandon us thus forcing us to seek the new gods.
Jakun Stormhoof |
Jakun eyes the Plainswoman but says nothing further about her.
With his raspy voice he calls to the Old One, "Have you any tales of Magius? Huma may have been a hero but allies like Magius and Kaz the Minotaur aided him in achieving his goal as I understand the tales".
Samnell |
Jakun eyes the Plainswoman but says nothing further about her.
With his raspy voice he calls to the Old One, "Have you any tales of Magius? Huma may have been a hero but allies like Magius and Kaz the Minotaur aided him in achieving his goal as I understand the tales".
"Magius? Magius... Oh yes, that one. Let me see, now..." The oldster stroked his beard and pondered.
"There she is! You! With the hood up! Come here," one of the guards demanded, pointing at the plainswoman.
"Is there another way out of here?" she spoke urgently.
Caitlyn Weissman |
Caitlyn watched the guards enter with suspicion, 'What gives them the right to enter the inn like this? Oh sure the sheriff sometimes had to haul people out, but he was trying to stop trouble not cause it.'
When the clearly frightened plainswoman asked for help, Caitlyn couldn't help but imaging those grubby guards having her in their power. Would they be honorable? Hard to tell, but they were men so they had little to loose and the plainswoman had everything to loose.
Eyes narrowing slightly as she fought back the reflixive anger blooming inside her and she whispered to Jackun and Thistletorp, "Mariel needs a distraction."
Her chair scraped loudly as she got up and sauntered over to the most self important looking guard and asked innocently, "Officer, are you hunting for this lost staff? It must be very valuable... Is there a reward for its return? If so what makes you think its in Solace? Is that where it was lost? Seems like a lot of effort, what's so special about it anyway?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
She will be annoyingly persistent while asking this and likely get in the way.
Gavin Carroway |
No matter the situation, there is always strength in numbers.
Without skipping a beat, Gavin jumped to his feet and joined Caitlyn in questioning the guards, being sure to break line of sight as much as possible.
Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 +6
"Is there some sort of trouble, Officer? What would you value that staff at? What is it's importance? Have you any certainty that it is near? There seems to be a lot of people asking for the staff."
Sometimes, music sounded better with a second fiddle.
Jakun Stormhoof |
Jakun stands and shuffles next to the Plainswoman, "Help an old man to the privy will you?"
That said he begins to guide her to the kitchen motioning for Thistle and the Half-Elf to come along.
Mariel Uth Kaldar |
Leading the Plainswoman to the backdoor leading to the kitchen the half-elf will make a diplomacy check so that the lady does not think we mean her any harm 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
Samnell |
Her chair scraped loudly as she got up and sauntered over to the most self important looking guard and asked innocently, "Officer, are you hunting for this lost staff? It must be very valuable... Is there a reward for its return? If so what makes you think its in Solace? Is that where it was lost? Seems like a lot of effort, what's so special about it anyway?"
"Yes, ma'am. It is- If you'd just- There is a rew- We have rep-" the guard flailed under Caityln's onslaught of questions as Jakun, Thistletorp, and Mariel escorted the plainswoman toward the kitchen. Another one started to edge past her, only to meet Gavin.
"And yes, sir, we have orders to- That's not for me to s- The Highseekers- If you'll please-"
Behind them, the plainswoman and her new friends slipped into the kitchen.
Tania Teg |
Tania has kept to herself so far, glad to stay far from the center of attention. Listening to the old man, she pushes back bitter thoughts; these grand tales were just false hope, for the gods may have abandoned them, but they may also, she started to suspect, perhaps never existed...
Still, when the host barged in, old reflexes kicked in, and she moved so as to be able to block the path of following guards easily.
Caitlyn Weissman |
Caitlyn flashes the flustered guard a smile and carries on, "About these Highseekers, they are the ones who are looking the staff? Are they in Solace too or would we need to got to Haven to see them?"
Mariel Uth Kaldar |
Quickly my lady, we do not want to daly. The guards are looking for a staff, which you seem to carry. They will harass you for that as well as being from the Plains of Abanasinia. she says with a bit of urgency in her voice.
Gavin Carroway |
"Well, perhaps you should check in with that handsome fellow Toede around the way. He and a few of his men seemed rather excited to find that staff of yours. Perhaps they've already acquired it while you've been dilly-dallying at an old inn like this. Be honest, are you here for a drink?"
Bluff?/Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Not sure which it is, but they're the same bonus, so you pick.
Jakun Stormhoof |
Jakun nods to Mariel still maintaining his disguise knowing that to be identified now will make it quite easy to locate the group.
With a raspy voice he whispers, "Lead the way to Gavin's house, he is clever, he will know to find us there" as they enter the kitchen.
Jakun Stormhoof |
ACaitlyn's brother is actually a sheriff here in Solace. It might be better to hide there for a bit. replies the half-elf.
Jakun shakes his head wheezing a response, "But our last conversation we all agreed to go to Gavin's for dinner, will the others know that we have changed plans here in the kitchen? Where is this other set of stairs down anyway?"
Samnell |
Come with me lady of the Que-Shu, we can keep you safe. We are from around here and know the area quite well. she says with a warm smile.
The woman complied, holding her staff close to her cloak.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the common room:
Caitlyn flashes the flustered guard a smile and carries on, "About these Highseekers, they are the ones who are looking the staff? Are they in Solace too or would we need to got to Haven to see them?"
"I don't know what we'll do after it's in Theocrat Hedrick's hands, madame. Now if you'd just-"
"Well, perhaps you should check in with that handsome fellow Toede around the way. He and a few of his men seemed rather excited to find that staff of yours. Perhaps they've already acquired it while you've been dilly-dallying at an old inn like this. Be honest, are you here for a drink?"
"Haven't heard of anybody by that name and we're here on Guard business. Now I'll have to ask you to make way."
As the guard asked, the plainswoman and her protectors slipped out of the kitchen and into the Solace night.
You and your damned high interaction skills. :)
Gavin Carroway |
"Very well. Guard on, gentlemen."
He steps aside to allow the men to carry on with their business and quickly whispers over to Caitlyn and Tania.
"We should probably leave too, before they scrutinize us." Gavin downs the rest of his ale, takes one last bite of the spiced potatoes and grabs his sword. He leaves enough money to cover the group's bill, and a very generous tip for Otik and Tika before stepping outside through the front door.
Caitlyn Weissman |
As they leave Caitlyn comments, "Gavin your Ma hates it when hungry guests turn up unannounced. It'll be like old times!"
While she had an air of relaxed bonhomie, Caitlyn was alert, hoping to spot the movement of Mariel and any of the seeker guards.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
If nothing happens, she will follow Gavin to his place.
Thistletorp Babblebrook |
I'm back!! holy crap that was a lot of posts...
Thistletorp giggles as they walk the plainswoman down the path. That was fun! Wow! Those guards are silly!
sleight of hand: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
[b]Look what they lost! They don't keep good track of their things! Things always run away if you don't watch them closely. Just like my Uncle Brambledown said!
He giggled again and scampered down the road.
Caitlyn Weissman |
Gavin do you want to tell us the names of your parents and what home looks like. I assume it's in a vallenwood :)
Safely ensconced in Gavin's place, Caitlyn grinned at the others, "Well that was fun I suppose, the Seargant's face was a picture. Soooo what was that all about anyway? Something has riled the ant's nest! Oh and Mariel are you going to introduce us to your new friend?" She smiled at the plainswoman.
Mariel Uth Kaldar |
Oh my, in all of the confusion and the excitement, I forgot to ask her name. Lady of the Que-Shu, I am Mariel Uth Kaldar, this is Caitlyn Weismman. The kender is Thistlethorp Babblebrook. The old man is Jakun Stormhoof. This is Tania Teg and we are in the home of Gavin Carroway
Thistletorp Babblebrook |
Thistletorp bounce over and sticks out his hand. Hiya! I'm Thistletorp Babblebrook. Pleased to meetcha! Where are you from? That's a really neat staff, can I look at it? You should hold on to it, because it might walk away and end up in my pockets.
Jakun Stormhoof |
Safely inside Jakun straightens to his normal height and removes his hat showing his true form to all present that of a 6'4" Minotaur wearing the robes of an unaffiliated Wizard - the color grey.
"This is my true form Mariel, the less than warm reception at the edge of town convinced me that I should hide my true form. I believe my feelings were well founded after the events at the Inn. I apologize if you feel deceived".
The Minotaur smiles and grins at Gavin's parents, "It has been some time Mr. and Mrs. Carroway, how have you fared away from the lands of my people?"
His nostrils flare as he turns and speaks to the Barbarian, "Daughter of the Plains. Tell us, why have these men sought you out?"
Gavin Carroway |
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Gavin leads the group to his family's home. A mouthwatering aroma, rich in herbs, wafts down the mighty vallenwood, along with a jovial sea shanty on the pan flute.
"Oh how I missed that smell! Mother's making a roast!"
The home belonged to Gavin's maternal grandfather. With his grandfather's passing, and his father's injury at sea, his grandmother decided that it would be best if Saria and Kallos took the home to give Gavin a "proper" upbringing. In keeping with Grandmother's wishes, the Carroways improved what grandfather in old age couldn't. The stairs leading up, the doors and window frames all appeared to be relatively new. Though modest, their home had a very elegant look, as most artisan's homes typically do.
Knocking was unnecessary. The Carroways had an open door policy during meals, and often planned on a neighbor or two stopping by. The warm glow of home made Gavin the happiest he'd been in years. The only thing he loved more than being with friends was being with family, and he missed his family very much.
Gav pops into the open doorway as his mother, Saria, puts the finishing touches on her pot roast, and his father, Kallos plays another song on his pan flute. Grandmother Tora is the only one to see the group approach the door, as she assists Saria. She cracks a wide grin, but contains her excitement. As Kallos plays his song, Gavin joins in.
"Weeelllll! I left me lady alone at home, oh save 'er save 'er for me!
A rough old trip 'round the ragin' sea, oh save 'er, save 'er for me!
I be home in a year 'r two, by then my son'll be workin' too! We'll all come a-sea, and be a travelin' three, oh that be the life for me!"
Teary-eyed, both Kallos and Saria jump to hug Gavin.
"My dear boy! Welcome home." Kallos cheers.
"We've missed you dearly." Saria adds.
"Is that Caitlyn outside? Gavin! Bring your friends in, how dare you leave them to wait outside! How many of you are there? Sit, sit, sit, all of you! I wish you would've told me you'd be home today, but there should be just enough for everyone to have something."
At the sound of Thistletorp, Kallos eyeballs all of the smaller knick knacks in the house. "Now Thistle, if any of my belongings go missing, I'd hope they find their way right back to where the belong."
Saria and Kallos jump at the sight of Jakun. Wow. Who would've thought that he'd find his way to Solace! They embrace him as they embraced Gavin. They both regarded Jakun as family and they were just as ecstatic to see him as they were to see Gavin. though it had been years since they've needed to, they both fell into a half-Kothian speak, switching back and forth between their languages. Like Spanglish
"Jakun! Child, you've grown! What a... Wow! Things aren't as exciting here, but it is what Kallos needs after he nearly got his back broken in two. What brings you to Solace? Is everything all right at home? And a WIZARD! Kallos, would you look at that! Mischievous little Jakun, a wizard! Please, sit. We'll have to catch up."
As they question Jakun, Gavin closes the front door.
"Mother, Father, I'm afraid our stay is a short one. It seems that our new friend here is being pursued, and we needed a place to stop by for the night until things settle."
Tania Teg |
Tania sighs as the guards' threat is easily handles and smiles to herself. She knew why she loved her friends. Full of life, of surprises. What a thing to feel and touch, to live so near of. How she had missed them!
She found her way to Gavin's smiling at the Carroway with a hint of shy sadness. the warmth of their welcome touched her heart, but her heart was sore, and the touch felt painful as much as it felt warm: "It is so good to see you... To see you all! Oh, how I've missed you! How I've missed Solace!"
Caitlyn Weissman |
Nice post Gavin. Guess I'm waiting for Goldmoon to introduce herself before Caitlyn makes herself at home.
Jakun Stormhoof |
Jakun responds to Saria and Kallos keeping the conversation in common and sitting down on the sturdiest looking chair they own, "Since you folks and Gavin left I had started getting into trouble, bar room brawls caused by too much drinking. Mother thought it best if I learn discipline so she forced me to learn the Art, something she had once dabbled in at a young age. I took to it. My father was not thrilled but he was happier then when I was out drinking and fighting.
Life is ever the same there. Our leaders dream of conquest and payback for the Ogres but such is all talk. Instead we ply the trade of sailing or mercenary work as is seen fit.
I have come here to take the test. I should like to war the red robes of Magius. I may be the only of my friends who dreams of Magius and not Kaz from the old tales.
Who would have thought that my chance meeting with Thistle would lead me to a reunion with my old friends!" he chuckles.
Jakun nods to Mariel, "Yes, past the blood sea lies the island homes of my people, what humans call the Blood Sea Isles".
Gavin Carroway |
Saria and Kallos share an all too familiar glance.
Kallos speaks up.
"Funny that you say that. I remember a certain person acting out much like you did."
Saria chimes in. "The frustration of assimilating to a new culture and way of life left Gavin with so much aggression, we had to find a way to repurpose that anger. He spent some time with my brother, Tov...."
"Learned him the ways of the sword and a rudimentary understanding of sorcery." Kallos finishes.
"He wasn't even a real wizard! You guys lied to me for years!" Gavin bites back.
"Not a wizard, no, but you looked up to Tov all the same. As if he could move mountains." grandmother chuckles as she eats.
Samnell |
The plainswoman remained silent for some time, clearly gathering her wits and weighing her company.
"Thank you all for your help and hospitality," she said in a soft, firm voice. She sounded like a woman used to being obeyed, but wise enough not to demand it. "I am Goldmoon, princess of the Que-Shu."
She drew back her hood to reveal the face of a young woman with striking blue eyes, white-gold hair, and well-tanned skin. Then, after a moment's deliberation, she unwrapped her staff. It was a pure, translucent blue.
"I am the one those men want, because of this. It is not theirs; I am not a thief. My beloved wished my hand. My father refused, unless he brought back magic from the Foreaken Lands. Months later, Riverwind returned carrying it. Father broke his word, declared Riverwind the liar, and demanded he be stoned. I rushed to him with the staff and a light grew inside it. Then we were elsewhere, far to the west."
"Since then, others have wanted the staff for their own. Men and goblins both. There were many to we two. Riverwind killed four at a bridge, but he was one man against a dozen. One seized me, wrestling for the staff. We went over the rail and fell in the water together. It water swept us far away. I have not seen my beloved since. He may be dead. But I will not yield his bridal gift any more than I will give away my heart to another."
"You have troubled yourselves much for my sake already. I do not know where my road leads, save into danger. You have my thanks, but I cannot burden you longer with my presence. I will leave at the first chance and say nothing of you to any who question me. I'm sorry I can't repay you better."
Caitlyn Weissman |
Caitlyn listened to the young plainswoman's remarkable story with a furrowed brow. With conviction that surprised even herself, she cried hotly, "Gavin we can't possibly let her wander about alone! You've seen what it's like out there. The fate of a lone unarmed woman in the wilds doesn't bear thinking about, let alone the fate of one carrying something sought by half of Abanasia! No we must escort her!"
There was a momentary pause when the full implications of what she'd just said sunk in. Sheepishly she faced Gavin's parents, "Uh sorry Mr Carroway, sorry Mrs Carroway. I know you've only just seen Gavin after all these years but I think we may need to be away for a couple more weeks to see this lady to safety."
Of course Caitlyn had no plan to bring Goldmoon to safety, or any inkling of the magnitude of the journey that would be involved. Years later she would laugh at the naivety of her notion of 'being away for a few weeks more'.
Jakun Stormhoof |
Jakun stands again, "Caitlyn is correct. We could no more allow you to leave alone then we would let each other do so. We have helped you so far and will help you yet longer. Do you seek your beloved or is there somewhere else you are seeking to go?
We may best leave now under cover of darkness. After dinner of course", He grins at the Carroway's.
"I am a wizard Goldmoon. I am Jakun Stormhoof. To be sure that staff is magical, may I inspect it to decipher it's qualities? I will not hold it away from you long".
Tania Teg |
Tania heard the story, but she did not believe it. No one comes back from the Forsaken Lands; that's what every traveler said back at the inn. Perhaps the staff was magical, and certainly the woman needed help, as she was foolish enough to travel in such a guise that would immediately attract attention to her.
Plus anything to get out of Solace. She came back for her companions. For her friends. For the oath she made to them.
"While Jakun examines your staff, perhaps we should discuss a way to get you and your staff out of Solace... Where are you going, by the way?" she asks, suspicious.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19