When Trent snaps at Ashely and speaks to her so rudely it takes every iota of her will power not to slap him silly. Furious, embarrassed and hurt, she struggles not to cry but despite her efforts her eyes do begin to glisten slightly. 'What a complete and utter Jerk! I will not cry in front of him! Or her!'
For a few moments she tunes out, stepping back a bit from the others and struggling with her emotion. Although she had changed much after the gem ceremony at heart she was still the same sweet girl and Terry's words had hurt her far more than she would have liked. But they also made her look at herself. With the magic of the Dwarves damping down her connection to the Fire she actually felt more like her old self than she had since the ceremony changed her. Looking up now at Trent and the dark elf she asks herself 'What was I doing?? Why was I being so possessive over Trent? I don't even like him that way. And why was I acting so competitive with this elf woman? I don't even know her. And she is beautiful. And Trent is obviously crushing huge over her. He's still a total jerk for talking to me like that but I have some apologsing to do as well'
She takes a deep breath, which does some very interesting things to her blouse causing several males nearby to stop whatever they are doing and gawk. In fact one clumsy fellow crashes into an apple seller causing the fruit to spill everywhere and an argument to break out between them. Completely unaware of all of this, Ashely steps forward and speaks, her demeanour completely different than it was a few moments ago. She looks to the woman and very much does not look at Trent, showing him how hurt and upset she still is. Extending her hand she says "Hi. I'm Ashley. I'm sorry about before. I know I was being silly, playing my little game, but I didn't know someone would be such a jerkwad about it. You are very pretty and I guess I got a little jealous. But Trent and I are not together in any way, shape, or form. It's totally cool that you're a sword master and, to be honest, there's been Way too much testosterone around in our little group. I'd love to have another woman along."
Looking the woman up and down she says " I love what you're wearing by the way. Since this robe is obviously ruined maybe you could show me where you got your outfit? Or something like it? Anyway, I'll be in the market if you want to come find me. It was nice meeting you!" and with that she quickly moves off, very much not giving Trent a chance to apologize or say anything else to her.
Looking around and asking when necessary she makes her way to the market.
Way to go Trent you a$#@@~* lets go piss off Terry next. Trent sighs watching Ashley walk off. Then turns to Arastil.
"I fear I have yet run off another friend. This day....just gets worse and worse. Um not that I mean..that you are making it worse...uhhh" he blushes and quickly ducks his head and then sighs again and runs his fingers through his hair before taking another deep breath and squares himself infront of the dark elf woman.
At hearing Trent's request for training Arastil lets out a giggle and shows a bit of excitement. "Why it would be my pleasure, truly. It is not everyday one gets to train a real sorcerer. Especially in these times. Now you mentioned that you were going to be visiting Melves am I right? Whatever for? The only Melves left are on the east side of Xivasar's dark lands and that is an incredibly long and dangerous road. It would be fraught with all kinds of peril. Why would you go there?"
Before Trent can answer, Ashley pipes in with her apology. "Being silly is right. You weren't being very sincere with your acting, which is why it did come off kind of silly. Though I must admit, that boy has quite the temper on him. Either you did something to him or his pride was horribly tarnished. Either why, emotion is one of the things I love about human men. These stiffs behind me have none. They stand around, work, or train, but say little. Always so simple and practicable. Never show any emotion except to their enemies. Boring are Delven men. Though you mentioned be jealous of my beauty? That is strange. Most races find us Delves to be the least attractive of our kind. Course that is all the bigoted Helves who decided that little stereotype. Never the less. Few other races would look at me and say that I am beautiful. Honestly, I am very jealous of you. Your beautiful red hair and white skin. Lovely, and not to mention that you are a sorcerer. Truly, I have a lot to be jealous of."
At asking about Arastil's silks she laughs. "These are silks made from a special underworld glow worm. Common among those in my class. Some females aren't fond of showing off so much skin but it has never really bothered our kind or the Relves north of here. Something about modesty. The best part of this garb is that it cannot easily be ruined. Any dirt or grime just cleans right out. I have a spar in my luggage back at the inn I am staying at if you would like some. Harddogle's inn is the place. If you drop by later I can fit it to you. Seeya later."
"Ye wunt bay disappunted fer sure. Com see ma tings." Stan leads you into his shop. You see a lot of nice stuff but also some pretty high price tags also. A coupe of things seem reasonable but you may have to ask Leorn for a loan to get them. Then you spy a book. A large black book with metal binding. You feel drawn to it. It looks fascinating. There is definitely something special about it but you can't quite place your finger on it. As you get closer you notice words on the cover. You can't understand them at first but suddenly they become clear. You can read them. "The Book of Necromancy" it says. Suddenly the book opens. In side you see foreign letters take shape before your very eyes. You understand them. "How to make friends of the dead" The book contains spells to summon undead as allies in times of need. Soldiers may fall but many are not ready to give up the fight. Help them continue to fight for you. Is it not better to have those who are dead die for you than those who are living? They dead are bored and waiting to serve someone, they are waiting to serve you. Power is one thing, but so is preservation of life. The dead seek to protect life so that others will not join them. The dead want to serve you. Wield their powers as your own. Slay your foes with mighty curse and protect your allies with powerful defensive spells. The dead wait to serve you."
This book seems to be talking to you. It wants you to take it. "Dat buk be 'ery speshal. Finds it in Turista's lands I did. It be 'er's once. Da Crimson Wizard Yalm and Trista da Vampiress fought Xivasar together many 'ears ago. Powerful magic."
As stan speaks he closes the book. "No is libery. Need coin ta finish readn." Looking at the book you feel as though it's power is already yours to command. You feel as though you can use it to it's fullest capacity. It costs 50gp. The cheapest magic item in the shop. The question is, do you want it?
Trenton feels a smile pull at the corner of his lips as Arastil giggles and accepts him as a student but then frowns at hearing her question about where they were going.
"Our teacher Yalm....he told us to head that way when we were...seperated from him." he answers his voice cracking slightly.
He goes quiete as the two women speak his cheeks reddening slightly growing lsightly embarresed and shy as Arastil goes on about humen men, clothes and the two comparing one another.
Though he can't help but notice how much skin she really does show off. I mean hell guy can look can't he...ug I will have to aplogise to half the world at this rate...She said she was over a hundred is it like in the books where they live for more than a few centuries? I wonder if being a sorceror increases our life spans...or are we still bound by our mortal coils?
He continues to be silent trying to control his thoughts directions by keeping them opccupied with random directions and Not how well Arastil filled out the silk clothes. Hell she was soon to be his teacher.
Terry will make a mental note of the vendor whose weapons have that odd feature and make his way back to the inn to wait for Leorn.
After Ashley leaves Arastil turns to Trent, She pauses a moment and looks at the three delven men standing around looking stoic and angry. "Can you gentlemen please return to the inn and wait for me. I won't need your protection for the time being." The three guards stand there still and silent. Arastil lets out an exasperated sigh as she drops her shoulders and stares at the sky. She takes in a breath and places her hands on her hips and stares at the men. She then starts barking at them in a strange language in a harsh frustrated tone. When she finishes the three men straighten up and leave still bearing the same sour expressions they always have.
Arastil smiles playfully and mischievously at you. "Looks like your all mine at last little sorcerer. I look forward to "training" you." Arastil lets out a seductively cute giggle. "Come, we need to step out of town for a bit to do this or the dwarves will get rather testy.
Should you allow it, Arastil leads to just beyond the city walls. The dampener is still effecting your magic but the effect weakens the farther from the wall you get. Arastil then turns to you with her sword drawn. [b]"Now, draw your sword and conjure some kind of spell. If you can use manipulation simple suspend a ball of water in your hand and we will go from there." Despite her friendly demeanor, Arastil is a harsh instructor. Kind at times but turns into a drill sergeant when you show no progress. She literally beats the hell out of you and by days end you have managed to master the basics of Magus. She hasn't trained you in feats but you get all your level one magus powers.
It is late when you finish. "Very good. You learn quick. The faster you learn the easier I can be on you. You only know the basics, there is still a very long way to go yet but your are on the right path. Well done. Now, would you like to come back to the inn with me? We will get you cleaned up and fed and a place to stay tonight. Or do you already have a place?"
You go immediately in search of Leorn. Last you heard he'd be speaking with the governor. You make your way, with some direction from the locals, to the governor's house. Asking the dwarven receptionist you do learn that Leorn is meeting with the governor at the moment. After a bit, Leorn emerges from the office. He bows at the doorway into the room and then enters the lobby where you sit. He is disgruntled at first and then upon seeing you he seems surprised. "Is there something I can help you with?" When you mention raising someone from the dead, Leorn's eyes widen in shock, though his words aren't what you would expect. "What do you mean raise from the dead? Do you know that spell? Or did you find something with that spell in it? You have to tell me. Its important. Please!" Leorn seems barely able to contain himself. He obviously missed the part about "Crime against Nature" question. Obviously there is something about raising someone from the dead Leorn really wants to know about.
I'm not going to have you simply sit around at the inn and wait while everyone else roleplays. Nope, not on my watch.
As you make your way back to the inn you spot something rather odd. Lizard people. So far this town has mostly been made up of Dwarves, Orcs, and Humans. This is the first time you've seen something other than any of those. There are about twelve of them and they look well armed. The leader, or so it seems, has a large curves sword like a crescent moon. He wears heavier armor than his followers and on his head is a triceratops shaped skull acting as a helmet. They are a very interesting bunch. The are heading in your direction. As they seem to pass you the leader pauses for a moment and looks at you intently. He sniffs the air. He stares for a moment longer. If you do not respond he continues past you and heads on his way.
As you leave Trenton in the hands of the delven woman, you find yourself alone. I need both a perception check and an appraise check out of you girl.
Pulling himself together, Terry smiles and nods his head at the lizard men as they pass, trying not to show his teeth or stare them in the eye, and asks in a friendly tone, "Is there something I can do for you?"
Perception:
Appraise:
Trenton listen's to Arastil's foreign language curiously. He had been talented in different languages, french, german, spanish but this this was alien. He barely could understand where the words began and the language ended. He stands there waiting till she was finished and gives her a small shy smile in reply to hers suddenly conscious of being alone with her but follows her nonetheless as he follows her out of town.
When he sees her draw the sword a simple change passes over her changing her from simple albeit exotic woman to warrior something that came from the mists of legend and inspired dark tales in humans history. He almost rethinks his options but calls up his magic the power flowing through him as if eager to answer the call to his training. Maybe this will be fun he thinks to himself as he prepares to start his tutelage under the delvish woman.
NO this was...definitely not fun Trenton thinks to himself as he gasps for breath his body literally drained of energy. He had thought training for his world's military had been a good enough start but he was wrong. Very wrong. Something had been lost through the ages as the human race advanced through technology, from hand to hand fighting to the use of weapons that any mere man could pick them up and kill many.
Though he supposed no man was ready to literally get his ass handed to him by a girl, an extremely harsh and beautiful girl that held at least a hundred years on him but still to his eyes she looked well to say good was a vast understatement bordering on insulting. [i]Why am I thinking of this she just beat the hell out of me?[i] he shakes his head and looks up at her before struggling to his feet fumbling to sheath his own sword. The magic lay inside him as if a pool that had been drained and only now a small trickle remained.
Trenton glances around seeing the setting sun and then looks at her sharply at her question his cheeks flushing pink, he was glad of the setting sun maybe they would hide them.
"Um I have no idea where the inn we ate at is....I was slightly distracted as we walked into town..." he coughs and looks away quickly struggling for a reasonable answer"all the new sights and...such. I do not even know where the others are let alone where we are supposed to stay the night. Leorn said nothing of it I had planned on meeting up with everyone in the inn but that was before...I met you I missed the meeting by hours probably though probably just misssed everyone scolding me or some such" he risks a glance at her before looking back to the town.
"I would...really like to get cleaned up before we eat though...but bed sounds nice..." He risks another glance at her before blushing even darker and then sighs unsure of what to do.
Though Ashley hadn't found much, she did come across an extraordinary rapier at one of the market stalls. It is a lovely weapon that is finely crafted. The stall owner, a grungy loking old human man, notices your interest and speaks up. "Dat right der be a fine piece of werk. Supposedly is magic. I will accept no less dan 100 gold pieces fer it."
Unsure of the value of the gold coin, you wouldn't know the true value of this weapon, but maybe the old man doesn't either.
The lizard looks at you closely and then speaks in a creepy gravely voice. "Gmgh! 'ou are un unusssa 'uman. 'ou look too kleen an 'ealthy to 'e a re'ugee. 'ust interesssting. I am Kerssshhhak. I am ca'tain o' da lizards of Myyrian. Wat isss 'our name an 'erfesssssion?"
Leorn pauses at the mention of Necromancy and follows Reginald outside. He sighs in disappointment. "Necromancy isn't the same as raising people from the dead. It is wielding the powers of the dead and calling the dead to serve you. I don't know too much about it. Only two major things. First is that only a very few people exist that can read its language and second that one of Yalm's most important friends and allies uses it to command an army of Undead. Other than that I don't know too much about it. I think you mentioned something about "a crime against nature". That is a very odd statement. What is a crime against nature? Your not planning on blatantly destroying woodlands to use this power are you? I didn't think it required that. Does it?"
Arastil giggles again. "Your cute when you ramble." She then takes your hand. "Come. I will bring you to the inn we are staying at and we can stay the night there if you'd like. We can find your friends in the morning" She will then begin to lead you to the inn on the west side of town. Unless you refuse to go that is.
Though a question comes to mind as they walk "May I ask where the delvish live Arastil? What is the culture like? I mean if it isn't forbidden to tell outsiders or something." he says grasping for something to keep the woman talking.
Kershak seems curious. "A scot 'uh? 'or whish ermy? Xsshivasssar's? I 'ope not er I'd 'ave ta kill ya. Xssshivasssar isss on 'eh berder o' our lands an we 'ear da worse. Our sssshaman sssssen' ussss to dis vi'age to 'ind sssome sssssersssssererssss. 'e said 'e sssseen em in a visssion an ssssent usss to 'ind em 'ere. I' 'ou sssseee any, tell em we 'ookin fer em. Ssseend dem to Kawkwall Inn were we sssstayin. Good day." Unless you have something to say, he and his posse move along their way.
Coming up on the inn Arastil looks at Trent kind of puzzled. "No it is not forbidden. Why would you think such a silly thing. We live in the mountain next door to this city. From time to time ambassadors such as my mistress come to this town to talk with the dwarves to gain some protection from Xivasar's power. I simply came here today to browse the dwarven wares. Our tribe is ruled by women mostly because men are born.....defective. They somehow lack independence to think on their own. History says that our kind were evil and corrupt many millenia ago. We cursed the men of our society to be mindless servants. Women Delves have always had a connection to the spirits so we thought it our right to be dominate and the men be docile. That was ancient history. Now mindless men are a drag and we are unable to cure the problem. Though it seems Xivasar may know of one. Strangely he has several male Delves in his ranks that are far more independent than ours. But we are not about to sacrifice our freedom to think for ourselves just so our men can. So we are stuck in this dilemma. For the most part, Delves are underground rangers. Were not particularly fond of our surface dwelling kinsman, well most of us aren't, I personally don't care. Past is past and all that. Normally the women get to do most things with their magic, but with Xivasar cutting off all the spirits, the only thing we are good at now is swordfighting and directing the men." You two go into the inn. "Now time for a bath." The two of you bath in separate bathing units and when you finish and are clean again. You wait for Arastil in the lobby sitting at a tables. She enters the room looking quite stunning in her revealing silk and a big smile on her face. Her long bluish white hair is no longer styled up and is now hanging free behind her back and partially in her face, one eye peeking out from behind her bangs. She sits at the table. "Do you like deep dweller foods Trenton?" She picks up the menu and looks it over.
Leorn shrugs. "I wouldn't say it is a crime against nature. What I know of necromancy and Undead is limited but I do have some knowledge. For instance. Many people die unnaturally. Most commonly is murder and war. The spirits of these float around inhabiting dead bodies or taunting and tormenting people as mischievous spirits. From what I understand, a Necromancer calls these spirits to serve him and his will. Spirits of undead are a necromancer's element just like earth is your element. I think you can use the two together because necromancy is more a language than a connection to elemental spirit. There is more too it but I don't know that much. The way I see it is, if you learn the powers of necromancy, you can put unhappy and troublesome spirits to good use. Personally I think it is a good idea to have some already dead between us and Xivasar's men. We'll miss them a lot less than the living. Here, I will give you the fifty you need. If you think you can use it and it will be of aid to us, then please, by all means buy it. I'll leave the choice in your hands." Leorn hands you 50gp. Do you go and purchase the book?
In the baths Trenton winces as he slips down into the hot water, hissing as he feels the liquid leech the ache away from his body. After a while he examines himself assessing the now varying ranges of color his skin had turned with the collection of bruises he had amassed thanks to Arastil's teachings. "If this training goes on very long I wont have an unbruised part of my body" he mutters hissing again as he probes a particular extravagant colored bruise along his ribs. But to able to wield both the sword and his magic Well its not like the bruises wont heal after all
Letting himself just soak for a while he sighs and begins the arduous task of cleansing himself from the grime he'd collected over the past few...hours...a day maybe? It seemed so long ago when he had been talking to Yalm and just looking forward to the lessons about the power of all of their powers. It felt like weeks had passed since their flight here but it could only be a day at most. Shaking his head to clear those dour thoughts Trent rises and towels himself dry that seemed to have appeared like magic due to the cleaning staff that looked after the bathing units. He wondered how the others were holding up as he dressed, slightly disappointed in the state of his clothes, it seemed useless to bathe and then just get into the sweat soaked leathers and clothes that now felt like a second skin on him.
He sits down in the lobby looking around him still slightly on edge in this new world, so many new things showing themselves to him, the town, the dwarves, his magic, demons, Yalm,....Arastil. He idly passes the time thinking of what she looks like in a bathrobe but quivers slightly and rushes away from that thought and bides his time putting himself through a breathing exercise his Judo teacher in Texas had showed him before his father had made them move from the base.
When he looks up the sight of Arastil in her loose silks and he saw her smile.it's a nice feeling to have a woman smile at you like that a small voice inside his mind says but he ignores it and raises as his mother would have wanted him to and draws Arastil's chair out for her. Once that's done he takes his own seat again and meets her eye briefly before answering picking up a menu as well almost hiding behind it as he feels heat flash through his face.
"I am afraid I have never had any so I wouldn't....know. he finds himself stuttering at the end and goes quite silently berating himself looking for something to talk about. "You look...pretty" he finds himself saying before his mind could catch up to his tongue. Pretty? That's all you can say try gorgeous beautiful but pretty? he sighs silently to himself before saying "What would you recommend?"
But this is the other thing, not to take anything away from Reg, and I love how he's played his adventure, but wouldn't the necro stuff made a little more sense for an Oracle? But of course you know you're world, I was just wondering.
Connected to this is the Mysteries and Curses. Fire is the obvious mystery, but I was thinking Heavens or maybe even Ancestor or Time might give her some nifty extra options. As for Curses, will likely go with either. Haunted or Tongues. Both the Ancestor mystery and Haunted Curse each obviously tie in with the whole undead thing. Or should I ask instead what Mysteries and Curses are possible in this game?
And finally, I was thinking that maybe some of the curses could start happening to Ashley first, and then she seeks/finds someone to help her with/understand it, which leads to her being 'the voice of the elementals' (just my kinda take on an Oracle in your world)
Whatchoo think of all that?
Okay, Ash is able to get the sword by pulling off a few suggestive poses and suckers the seller into parting with it for a mere 10gp. You leave the hormonal high merchant unfulfilled and head back to the inn. You are unable to find the Delven woman though as she is nots staying at this inn.
Reggy buys the book from Stan and returns to and buys the book returning to the inn before even looking to read it.
Terry watches the strangers go and returns to the inn. The three of you arrive in the lobby relatively at the same time. You see Leorn looking somewhat depressed as he sits at a table with a mug of ale. It is dark and there is no sign of Trent anywhere. You all take your seats at the table. Feel free to put forth your finds.
At his comment of "you look pretty" Arastil stares at you for a moment with her mouth open and a look of surprise on her face. For the first time you think you can make out her cheeks turning a sort of purple as she seems to blush. She turns away looking rather embarrassed for some reason. She ties desparately to compose herself. "Ahem sorry, you caught me off guard. Never in my years has a human called me anything other than ugly, let alone pretty. Thank you. It feels nice to know that orcs and gecks aren't the only species that find mine attractive. Though I have heard there are some humans who fancy our kind. Have yet to meet them yet. Thank you for that." She looks at the menu still blushing. "Here we should get these. Dokson Mushrooms with broc weed threads and some boar meat for protean." Assuming you wont refuse a bashful lady you try the meal.
The meal is really funky, the broc weed threads are kind of slimy and stringy, the mushroom kind of resembles a large portabella cap. The Boar meat is the best part. It is just a seared piece of red meat right off the bone, both sauced and seasoned just enough.
Trenton blinks at the apparent blush and murmurs in surprise "But your so beautiful!" Realizing his words he blushes himself and nods silently to her order.
As he digs into the food he blinks in surprise chewing slowly on the weeds not exactly liking the texture but he supposed the taste..was ok. The mushroom was good though and the meat really helped the meal in coming together. As he eats he watches her under his hair falling down out of the loose tail he had put in after he had cleaned up, the blue strands obscuring his face.
"Arastil..." he starts to slowly say keeping his voice low,"Would you come with us? To this moonelf place? We have to pass through Xivasar's lands but....we aim to bring him down and restore the magic of this land. But I guess I should start at the beginning...You asked where I come from and I said a far away place. So far away...We all came from, me and Ashley and two others, we come from a different world." He finishes as he looks up trying to read her eyes hoping she won't outright laugh at him, he knows he's taking a chance telling her everything but..well none of the others were willing to talk about this especially with his attitude this last day,and he needed someone to talk things out.
Arastil looks surprised by the question. "Another world. I have heard ancient legends of another world before, though I know nothing about them. This is fascinating. Heroes from another world come to put down the evil overlord Xivasar and his spirit wall thing that blocks the spirits. Why it is like a story out of the tales of old. This is definitely an opportunity I don't want to pass up. Yes. You have my support. My men have one advantage, they are already mindless and I too am immune to the effects of the obelisk. I guess it is settled. I will journey with you to save Kellmanor from its fate. Thank you for inviting me. I never imagined that was what you were meant for. This will be exciting. Now it is time for bed." She smiles as she goes over to the inn keeper and purchases two separate keys. She turns to you and holds one of them too you. "This is for your room. It's on me so don't worry about paying me back. You defeating Xivasar will be more than enough." She lets a coy smile appear. "Unless the brave hero of the world would like some company from a "pretty" maiden for the evening. I'd be happy to oblige." She says looking at you seductively. She is now holding your key and hers out daring you to take one or the other. "Where will you spend the night?"
Trenton remains silent for a second his face slowly becoming redder and redder before looking up at Arastil. Slowly he reaches out and takes the key to his own room and then without saying anything puts it back down on the innkeepers desk before murmuring to the man "We ummm ...won't need...this.." he then blushes even more not meeting the knowing smile (or scowl whichever) and fidgets slightly with a strand of his hair as he slowly takes the other key from Arastil's warm dark hand.
However when they are alone he says haltingly unsure if he will be ridiculed but has to say it "Umm I've..I've..never..." and finds himself unable to complete his sentence
Although she was fairly proud at having been able to get the price of the sword down so much, as she carried it's heavy and unfamiliar weight back to the inn, she began to regret the purchase somewhat. 'What do I need with a magic sword? I know now there's a good chance I'll have to fight, but I'm not planning to do it with a sword. I need to learn more Magic. Hey, dark elves are supposed to be pretty magical, maybe Trent's new friend could help out now that Yalm is gone.' she then looks down again at the sword 'And I'm sure one of the boys would get a kick out of a magic sword...'
As she enters the inn and sits down with the others she sighs, unhappy to still be in her old, dirty clothes. "Well, I had thought I was going to be able to get something nice and new to wear. That dark elf lady, who actually it turns out is really nice, promised to give me something. But I wasn't able to find her. I think Trent is probably keeping her busy, he couldn't keep his eyes off her and was practically drooling! Hahaha" laughing genuinely for the first time in a while she lets it continue, taking away much of her stress of the day.
Finally she stops and, laying the sword on the table with a clunk, says "But I did manage to find this. I have no need for a fancy sword really. But I did manage to pay only 10gp for it and it's supposed to be magic. So that's a really good deal right Leorn?" giving him a good look for the first time she notices his mood and frowns before continuing "Well, anyway, I thought maybe one of you boys might like it. What do you think?
Even though she was mostly talking to Reg and Terry at the end she keeps looking at Leorn, wondering if he is going to tell them what's wrong or if she should ask. Or even if she really wants to know at all. I mean, seriously, how much bad news is one person supposed to take in a day?
His attention goes back to the sword, a really cool-looking curved blade. He kind of wishes he would have bought that instead of this unreadable book, though he doesn't say it out loud.
"Hey, Leorn. I ran into a bunch of these lizard man kinds of things. Their leader was named Kershak (it came out a lot hissier when he said it, so I'm probably pronouncing it wrong), and he was looking for sorcerers. Said his shaman had a vision of them--of us, I guess--and sent him here to find us. He's at the Kawkwall Inn.
"Oh, yeah. I also saw some weapons at a dealer that had glowing carvings on them. I didn't say anything at the time, 'cause I was afraid that maybe being able to see them was using magic in town. Any idea what that's about?"
Alone in Arastil's room, she giggles and leans in giving Trent a gentle kiss on the forehead. "My first time with a man. So don't worry. It all comes naturally my brave hero. Now lets have some fun." Unless Trent has anything to say, Arastil wastes no time and begins to seductively shed her clothing and commence with the intimate details <Fade to black>
At Ashley's comments to Leorn about the sword Leorn nods. "A good find and a great price. Shame. Poor guy had no idea what he had. Use it well, or someone should be able to use it I guess."
At Terry mentioning the lizardfolk's search he seems surprised and even eager. "How many where there? Did they look combat capable? I know the oracles of the lizards get visions and insights into such things but I never thought they would envision you four. I wonder why. We have to go through the marsh of Myyrian to enter Xivasar's lands safely but we might have just earned an escort through a strange divine rite. I was worried since the governor wasn't willing to support our venture. He owes Yalm a favor and refuses to deliver. I had lost hope we'd ever gain the sizeable escort we needed to get to the marshes. I still want to talk to the dwarf governor. Maybe I can still change his mind." At the mentioning of the weapons Leorn shakes his head. "You have nothing to worry about. Those weapons are runic. They are how dwarves fuse magic and metal together. Though they themselves cannot use magic, they are such good smiths that they can forge magic into a weapon. I don't know how it works, you'd have to ask one of the smiths but those weapons are the best in all of Kellmanor. Better than anything. They're expensive too. More than I can hope to afford."
Reggy looks over the book. Whatever power it had is gone. If anything it looks creepier to him now than it did on the self.
To Ashley's eyes on the other hand, the book seems to call to her. The words on the cover become ledgeable. "The book of Necromancy" a voice in the back of Ashley's mind says "The power to weild the element of the dead. To have them do your very bidding. To be the master of your silent servants and wield the power that only they and a select few mortals can. Rare and potent is the power within this book. Master it, and you will master your own destiny." They voice sounded sweet as honey in her mind. The book had powers she knew She could use it. The powers of the book would be hers.
Ashley observes Reginald as he gazes admiringly on the magical sword she had got. She knew it would attract at least one of the boys. However all of her attention is suddenly captured by the book he placed on table beside him. How beautiful it was! Yet also somehow...repulsive as well. But how it drew her in! The black cover of the book seemed almost...alive, like the black was it's skin and the metal it's bones.
At the very same moment that Ashley's attention is captivated by the book a sudden gust of wind rushes in the window, sends her hair flying all up in her face and blows over a crystal wine glass at the next table, causing it to crash and shatter on the floor. She turns her head for a brief second but like someone turning her head with their hand she is back staring at the book again. She hardly hears what he says at first, all she's aware of is his hand resting possessively on her book. Then he opens it to read it and her heart drops into her stomach and a sudden rage flies through her.
But almost as suddenly, Reggy slaps his forehead complaining that he can't read it and her rage is turned to utter joy. She did not know but she simply had to have that book. And as she catches his eyes drifting to her sword again the answer is suddenly before her. But she knew he had paid much more for the book than she had for the sword, so....
Smiling her most charming smile and leans forward, 'accidentally' exposing a fair bit of her perfect clevege as she says "Reggy dear, I have the most wonderful idea! You see, here I have this magical sword, but it's too big and heavy for me to use properly. But then there's you, who's so big and strong with all those muscles...why a fine sword like this was made for a powerful man like you! Why don't I just give it to you, and then you can use it to help protect me! And, well, in return, I'll take that creepy book off your hands. I've always had a thing for all that vampire and zombie and Twilight kind of stuff you know. So it'll probably be a laugh, if I can read it. What do ya say?"
Holding her breath, she calls on all her acting skills to prevent him from knowing how desperately she wants that book
Bluff:
-------------------------------
AFTER THEY'VE CONCLUDED THEIR BUSINESS AND TERRY WALKS IN:
"Oh hi Terry!" She says absently, caught up in admiring her new possession. She barely makes out his then saying something about lizards?? But it is not until he mentions magic weapons that she points as Reg's new sword saying " You mean glowing marks like those Terry? Why that means their magic weapons silly. Remember where, and who, we are. Magic stuff is just part of the picture now"
And as if on cue, immediately after speaking though her attention is instantly drawn back to the book.
Reginald feels a bit flustered by Ashley's sudden change in attitude, and he tries his hardest not to look down at her breasts as she's talking. He feels like this is kinda silly, as he would have traded her gladly if he knew she wanted to. He practically rolls his eyes when she mentions his muscles, though it does feel kinda good getting comments like those from someone like Ashley. He stands up when she's done, pushing the book her way and saying, "Ahhhh, sure, we could trade." He hopes that she can read it, because it would be unfair if she couldn't either. He pulls the sword over and unsheathes it, admiring the blade and its intricate details.
When Terry comes back, Reggy wonders what kind of cool thing he bought. Though he's a little disappointed to learn that Terry didn't buy anything, he is interested in these lizard-men. Any help they can get is fine by Reggy, and these guys sound like they could help.
Reginald realizes that something feels like it's missing, then says, "Oh, have any of you seen Trent? It's kinda getting late..."
Later, if/when Reginald can talk to Leorn alone, he will say, "Hey Leorn, are you alright? You seem kinda glum. If I can help you, just let me know. You've done so much for us."
As her attention focuses back on the book everything else dwindles in her awareness until the book is all there is. As she reaches for it, it almost seems to come to her of it's own accord, seeming to move all on it's own the last few inches into her hands. Knowing that to be impossible she dismisses the idea, but then the book starts actually speaking in her head and the notion of 'impossible' takes a beating.
She feels no surprise or fear though, for how can she, when it feels so right. She would be the Master of the Element of the Dead. This was as it was supposed to be. Just like the Fire element which had spoken through and become part of her, so too was this new element joining into her body, flesh and mind. For a moment she did feel a thrill of fear, wondering if what was now happening to her would in any way anger the Dwarves. Yet there was simply no way she could stop it even if she wanted too.
Virtually in a trance, she turns the first page and begins to read...
As her attention focuses back on the book everything else dwindles in her awareness until the book is all there is. As she reaches for it, it almost seems to come to her of it's own accord, seeming to move all on it's own the last few inches into her hands. Knowing that to be impossible she dismisses the idea, but then the book starts actually speaking in her head and the notion of 'impossible' takes a beating.
She feels no surprise or fear though, for how can she, when it feels so right. She would be the Master of the Element of the Dead. This was as it was supposed to be. Just like the Fire element which had spoken through and become part of her, so too was this new element joining into her body, flesh and mind. For a moment she did feel a thrill of fear, wondering if what was now happening to her would in any way anger the Dwarves. Yet there was simply no way she could stop it even if she wanted too.
Virtually in a trance, she turns the first page and begins to read...
Ash and Reggy make the trade. Ash looks into the book. Reggy looks at his new blade with a smile. Terry then asks Leorn his question. To which Leorn responds. "We can track them down in the morning. If they are here on behalf of their Shaman, they wont leave until they find what they are looking for." Reggy then asks about Leorn's mood. "I'm annoyed that the governor refuses to give us the aid he promised to give 6 years ago. Yalm helped him gain control of this place. If it weren't for Yalm, this place wouldn't be here today. He owes us a favor and it is suppose to be significant. He promised he would and now he wont come through with his promise. We need an armed escort to get through the dark lands. The lizards are nice but we need the magic immunity the dwarves possess. We cannot leave here without that. I'm going to try again first thing tomorrow. You are welcome to come with if you desire though I doubt it will make a difference."
The book seems to suck you in and reading it fills you with a certain thrill. You know the words aren't english but you can read them all the same. You have no idea how you came to understand such a language. The book starts off with a history of Necromancy and Undead
Trenton turns seemingly unable to go to sleep, looking at Arastils prone form his eyes traveling over her body pausing slightly on the scar along her thigh. Slowly he reaches out and runs his finger along it suddenly curious.
"What happened there?" he asks softly, once she tells him he lays back looking up at the roof thinking before turning his head back to her.
"May I ask something Arastil? How do relationships work in your world?" He sighs knowing he fears the answer but feels he has to ask.
Though Reginald is not sure about what he could do to help Leorn with the governor, he says, "Okay, I'll go with you then." He wonders at what the governor is like, picturing one of the squat dwarves in flowy robes with a white powdered judge's wig.
After talking to Leorn, Reginald will retire for the evening, first meditating to connect with nature, then trying out the new sword, swinging it around his room to get a feel for its weight. He pictures the fight between Leorn and the demon inside Yalm's house, and how Leorn stood bravely against even Drethrum. I've got to be as brave as Leorn is. Reggy thinks, sheathing the blade as he goes to bed.
Arastil is laying on her back with arms behind her head and contented smile of satisfaction on her face. The covers are down just past her knees. Well Trent touches the scar on her leg she gives a bit of a twitch. At his question her smile fades. "That was the day I lot my connection to the spirits. I was challenged to a duel by a rival matron. I lost because I did not have my magic talent. The condition for loosing was that I would be her servant from that point on. She left me the scar to remind me who I now worked for. Most humiliating day of my life."
At his second question she responds bitterly. "In my world? They don't. Since men have no emotion, they are nothing more than sperm dispensers. They aren't any fun to bed with. Though I wouldn't know, I have had no desire to bed one. Because of this, women turn to each other for gratification. A lot end up as sex slaves. Like me. My mistress, the one I lost to and now serve, I am her play thing when she seeks gratification. By the spirits it is good to be free of her. Those nights were always the longest and most unbearable." She turns her head to look at you. [b]"I am sorry to have to spill this on you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. And you still have so much more to offer. I have a lot to offer you too. I will give my life so that your goal is completed. I really hope that we can complete it together."['b] She smiles and leans over to kiss you. And it begins again. <Fade to Black>
Terry spends some time before bed doing gymnastics and practicing with his rapier, working himself hard until he's tired enough to go to sleep even with the memories of the day still fresh in his mind. At least I got a chance to walk around, and maybe meet some allies. This place...I have so much to learn about it!
Trenton smiles in reply to her answers and when she kisses him he whispers "So do I." <Continue to Fade to Black>
Lost in her new book, Ashley follows little about what else goes on around her at the time. She spends 8 hours reading in total. Though exhausted by the end, she at the same time feels filled with new, exciting and powerful knowledge.
Stumbling to bed, she is nevertheless up early as she seeks to learn more. However Reg and Leorn catch her in the morning before she has a chance to get into the book and learning where they are heading, she decides to accompany them.
NEXT DAY!
You wake up to see Arastil standing near the window. She seems to be lost in thought at the moment. She still has not dressed. The light from the window burns your eyes and you feel real tired. "At first I thought it might have been a dream. Here I am and here you are. No dream. Now I follow you. So what's our next step?" She looks at you for answers.
You spend much of the night reading. You notice it is late, more to the point, it is rather early. You go to bed and the next day you can either sleep in to avoid fatigue or get up and join Reggy and Leorn. Or simply get up and go about your business. If you do you will be fatigued the rest of the day. If you go with Reg and Leorn read the following spoiler
Terry, Leorn, and Reginald all share a room for the night together.
Leorn and Reggy are going to go and talk with the Governor again hoping to gain some sort of aid. If you choose to go along, read the following spoiler. Otherwise post what you will be doing for the day.
----Segment 1-----
Leorn heads downstairs and treats you to breakfast. "Okay just to warn you. This guy fancies himself dignified and important. So you should try and be on your best behavior. After we appeal to him we are going to find Trent. Then we look for the lizardfolk. After all that, *sigh* well I don't know.....I really don't want to head into the dark lands without some dwarves with us but I may have no choice. We cannot stay here forever. Soon loyal armies of Xivasar will reach this place and it will be over after that. I hope this shaman that sent the lizardfolk has some aid to offer us or we're out of luck."
----Segment 2----
After breakfast Leorn leads you into the city towards the largest stone building in the place. The inside is the nicest set up any of you have seen yet. The receptionist at the counter greets you. "Mister Leorn back again I see. The Governor Grennum has been expecting you." Leorn heads into the office were you see a black haird dwarf with a forked beard sitting at a nice desk. He is dressed in fine robes and looks sophisticated. He stands as you enter. "Well I see you have brought the motly crew with you. These are they I presume?" Leorn nods. "Yes these are."
"Please have a seat master elf and guests." He gestures to chairs against the wall opposite to himself. "Now about the matter you discussed. I cannot spare any of my men."
Leorn jumps to his feet almost instantly. "What? Why not? This is for Kellmanor? You owe Yalm." Grenumm hold up his hand for silence. "Yalm is a whimsical old man. I looked through the cities archives. There is no prophecy saying that sorcerers will save us. Therefore I am not about to risk this cities security on some rumor I cannot verify. Weather I owe Yalm or not, I cannot return the debt when things are so dire. The power of the obelisk is at the Myyrian threshold and there is a danger that it has already turned the gnolls of the eastern lands and it will soon turn the lizardfolk as well. I need every man I have to help hold against the potential battle that may come. I know you will not stop Xivasar before it arrives so in the best interests of the city and it's people, I will give you no man under my command. Now that is all." Leorn is sitting now looking lost and very confused.
Terry elects to tag along as well.
In the silence that follows, Terry speaks (sounding somewhat tentative at first, but gaining confidence as he goes on): "Governor Grennum? I'm a stranger here, and I know only a little about Kellmanor. I've seen only a small fraction of Xivasar's power, so I might be wrong, but what will you gain if you give Leorn what he asks for--what, as I understand it, you promised Yalm? Will one dwarf--will five dwarves, or ten--be enough to tip the balance for you? I think they'd be enough to tip the balance for us. Yes, we're asking you to take a great chance. But if this place is anything like where we come from, there are no sure things in a war. Please. Take the chance." After a moment, he adds, "There's one other thing. Think about this, not as Governor, but as Grennum the dwarf. What would you, personally, think of someone who keeps their word only when it's convenient?"
With that, Terry shuts up, his ears turning pink with embarrassment.
Reginald remembers what Leorn says, hoping that they can get some dwarves on their side. Their resistance to magic sounds like a precious boon against Drethrum.
-----2-----
Reginald takes a while to think up an arguement against the mayor. He is disheartened that the archives didn't have any prophecy concerning them, and hopes beyond hope that Yalm was serious when he talked of it before. If they are simply 4 kids and don't have prophecy to back them up... Well, Reggy doesn't want to think about that. Unfortunately, Reginald can't come up with anything that's solid enough to convince the mayor, so he remains silent.
Trenton blearily sits up looking around and sees Arastil. He admires her form for a momment and then grounas slightly he was sore....everywhere...
Hearing her words he replies softly "Pretty sure that's my line." He smiles tiredly before struggling to put on some pants thrown around the room before walking over to hug Arastils body to his holding her as they both look out the window.
" I am not sure where we begin, everything has happened so fast, coming here, learning our magic, losing Yalm,..meeting you. I am sure we will have to find Leorn and the others. Though last time I talked to Leorn...we fought I said some things I am not proud of. Maybe he won't yell at me when I tell him I bring a powerful ally." He grins at this last part and kisses her cheek before laying his chin on her shoulder waiting for her reply.
Bleary eyed throughout breakfast and feeling a bit weaker and clumsier than normal, Ashley nevertheless pays attention to Leorn over breakfast, understanding how important the help of the Dwarves would be to them. Asking Leorn for a backpack, she stows her precious book inside and follows along with them to the Governor's
As the Governor diplomatically, but still underhandedly, once again breaks his promise and denies them any aid, Ashley struggles internally to keep her hope up and to keep her temper 'How Dare he! Yalm died to protect this land, and us! And this fool refuses to keep his promise just to try and keep himself a bit safer! But no, no, calm down Ashley. You can't understand all of his duties and responsibilities to his people. And you don't know for sure that he promised Yalm anything'
As he continues on about not finding anything about them in any prophecy her heart drops a bit again but she recovers quickly. For she now knew without doubt that she was not here because of any prophecy. She did not care if there was one or not..in fact, she knew exactly what she wanted to say...
Waiting while Terry speaks and Reg struggles to find something to say, she nods in agreement to Terry words smiling at him gratefully before she turns back to the Governor and adds "I cannot speak anything of a prophecy your honour. Nor can I speak much about Sorcerer's. All I can do is tell you what I know. I know that I and my friends were brought to this world by Yalm. I know that he told us, and believed with all of his heart that we are the ones prophesied to save this world from Xivasar. He believed it so much that he sacrificed his life to save us just yesterday. I know that just a few days ago I knew nothing about this world, and nothing about magic, except what I had read in books, but now, now everything is different. This world has already become a part of me, and magic, the element of fire, has come into me and suffused me body, mind, and soul and now I can do things I would never have even dreamed possible before. Amazing things. Magical things."
At this point she leans forward, her voice and demeanour as earnest as she can possible be, the truth and passion behind her words evident to all "But most importantly sir, I know this. I know that none of anything concerning some prophecy matters one whit to me. Because I know that Xivasar is evil and must be stopped at all costs. I know that Yalm and Leorn have put their trust and faith in us to help save this beautiful land and her people from Xivasar's evil. And I know that, because of my love for this land, because of my faith and belief in Yalm, Leorn, my friends and myself, that I will do whatever in takes to remove the blight of Xivasar from this land forever. We will defeat him. With your help or without it. The only thing I will ask of you is this. If you will not order any of your men to accompany us, will you not at least let them make the decision for themselves? For I am sure there are at least some who would be willing to take a more active roll in the fight against Xivasar. How can you deny them that chance? They are Dwarves! Renowned though All lands, even my own, for being Brave, and Strong and Loyal and Fierce and True!"
She then sits back as she finishes "In the end, the only one you have to answer to is yourself sir, and your knowing whether or not you were true to yourself, and did everything you possibly could to aid your people, to aid all peoples, and the land itself, in passing through this most challenging of times. So please think on that before you give us your final answer."
Diplomacy:
The governor looks at you with a stern gaze. "Listen you people, I know ye be a sorcerers, and I know I owe Yalm, but I just don't have the men to spare for you. I can maybe see about getting some of the orcs to help ye but those guys may succumb to the turning power of the obelisk and try to kill ya. Now I can arm ye as best I...." Suddenly another voice interrupts. "I'll go wit em!" You turn to see the angry short white bearded dwarf that met you at the city gates and made his no magic policy known. "I go wit ye. I wanna kick dis Xivasar fella right in da daddybag!"
The governor lets out a sigh of disappointment. "Battlemaster Dunnely Brogan. You know I need you here to oversee things in the city. With your experience and skill you are more important here."
The short old dwarf identified as Dunnely marches up to the four foot governor and looks up to him square in the eyes. Dunnely had to be just barely over 3 feet in height. Dunnely grabbed the younger looking governor Grenukmm by the beard and pulled him down to look Dunnely straight in the eye. The governor seems scared out of his mind. "You listen ye disrespectful piece of git! I been arund fer way over 200 years! I fought in all serts of battles an survived dem all. Dere be a few were I be the ONLY survivor! I Used ta be a great warrior who cud slay dragons by lookin mean at em! Now here I am! Reduced ta law enfercement an babysittin! I wunt have it! The greatest achievment of ma life is jest beyond dem borders an no way I'm gonna miss it fer nottin! Not ta mention I owe dat Xivy boy a whole lotta payback fer what he did ta ma legacy!" Dunnely reaches into his pack and pulls out an old looking revolver and holds it to the governor's face with the barrel pointing at the ceiling. "I'm gonna take dis here weapon an put a hole right tru Xivy's stones an ruin his legacy an I want ye ta try an stop me!" With that Dunnely shoves the governor and turns to face you. "It's settled. Me an ma team will join ye. This skittish little tunnel rat wont stop us. He doesn't have the stones. Now I git my men ready an meet ye at da east gate. Ta think da sorcerers er still alive. Whoduve thunk it." With that Dunnely leaves the room. You look at the governor and the site isn't pretty. He has a look of horror on his face and a small pool of fluid is collecting at his feet. From the way Dunnely handle that encounter, you get the impression this guy could make even Drethrum and his demons wet themselves in terror. You get a shutter that this guy is going to be joining your group. But at least he's on your side. You wont getting anything more from the governor in his current state. Good job folks.
Leorn stands and turns to you full of vigor. "This is great! We got a group of battle hardened Dwarves and possibly some lizardfolk for an escort. No way Drethrum is going to touch us now. Especially since we have Dunnely. He is famous for his combat prowess. I only hope that age and injuries haven't taken too much a toll on him. Well for now, we got what we needed from........well we got what we needed here. Let's go find Trent. I hope he has had time to cool off. Lucky for him I am now in a good mood and ready to face his attitude. Let's go." Leorn leads the three of you out of the governors and then pauses. He turns to you. "You guys know Trent best, where would he have gone?"
Arastil giggles at the kiss and gently caresses Trent's arm for a moment. She slowly pulls away and turns to face Trent. "Well then I guess we better go find them. I will gather my men and meet you at the east gate. Now go find your friends. Oh and remember to apologize. Traveling in bad company is real awkward and disheartening. Now go I need to get cleaned up and dressed for the trip." With that you don the rest of your robes and make your leave. You don't know where the others are. Where do you go?
Ashley tries and fails somewhat to hide her amusement at Dunnely's treatment of the Governor. As far as she was concerned, the stuffed shirt of a politician deserved no less than what he got. She didn't care what anyone else thought, she liked that old, battle scared dwarf and she decided right there and then to befriend him, whether he liked it or not.
As they leave and Leorn asks about Trent she says "Well, I'd bet anything he's with that Dark Elf woman..Arastil, or something like that. The way Trent was looking at her and acting I don't even think Dunnely would have been able to drag him away from her. She told me to stop by her inn to pick up an outfit but, ah, sorry, I don't remember what inn it was. There can't be too many of them in this small town, can there? If you guys want to go look for him I can wait back at our inn. I...ah, I have something to look into myself." as she unconsciously touches the book through her bag.
She was interested in seeing these lizard-folk, but her desire to get more into the book was far stronger.