Chancre Cailean |
She laughs, but looks a little embarrassed. "I did not mean to imply your skills weren't enough." She leans in to whisper loudly; "you're still my favorite cleric."
"It's okay," Chancre winks at Samirah and whispers back at equal volume. "I'm not a proper cleric. He should be better than me at that stuff."
Konstantin Argentaev |
Konstantin will greet the newcomers with his customary Irrisani warmth and good humor. "I am Konstantin Argentaev. Your precise gods are irrelevant to me. So long as they behave themselves, you will find no difficulties from me."
Samirah Basri |
chavamana |
Rova 04, 4713 - Knights of the Fifth Crusade
Konstantin will greet the newcomers with his customary Irrisani warmth and good humor. "I am Konstantin Argentaev. Your precise gods are irrelevant to me. So long as they behave themselves, you will find no difficulties from me."
"I'm sure my goddess behaves herself better than I do." Sosiel says, then with a hint of a more serious nature, "But I assure you that you'll find no issue with my service."
Back and forth about clerics.
Sosiel's slipped away during the interchange, but his shrug manages to convey quiet confidence. "I know I'll be playing second fiddle in your heart," her says to Samirah, "but I will try to make a dent." A pause, and then he looks around.
His voice rises a but, "Aron?"
At the call a painfully wiry and wary man slips out of the crowd and towards the group, looking ready to fall back into the shadows, but drawn inexorably to Sosiel's side. Sosiel puts a hand gently on Aron's shoulder, presenting him to the group but supporting him at the same time. "This is Aron Kir."
Aron bobs in an uncomfortable mimicry of a bow, twitching really.
Pan meets the Party
After carefully shaking Chancre's hand, Pan looks around, seeing Konstantin and Samirah safely away, she edges away from the group unless someone pins her down with questions.
Rova 04, 4713 - North by North of Kenabres
Samirah looks relieved to see someone who doesn't look like they're taking everything seriously. "What sorts of things keep a poet so busy?"
"Oh," Nurah says breezily, "the important things in life. The correct meter in a story to complement the swing of a hero's sword in battle." A gamine grin, "And then the correct innuendo as to the hero's reward when she returns victorious."
"And then there is the boring matter of sorting fact from fiction in scouting reports and captured intelligence and dealing with politics and the backbiting in the court."
Samirah Basri |
Rova 04, 4713 - Knights of the Fifth Crusade
Samirah chuckles in response to Sosiel's comment, and turns to the thin man named Aron when he's summoned. "A pleasure, Aron. Student of Sosiel's? A friend?"
Rova 04, 4713 - North by North of Kenabres
"Oh," Nurah says breezily, "the important things in life. The correct meter in a story to complement the swing of a hero's sword in battle." A gamine grin, "And then the correct innuendo as to the hero's reward when she returns victorious."
"And then there is the boring matter of sorting fact from fiction in scouting reports and captured intelligence and dealing with politics and the backbiting in the court."
She makes a face in response. "The first part is most certainly more interesting. So you write; do you also perform? And how did you end up on this mission to what I'm promised is a very terrible place?"
chavamana |
Rova 04, 4713 - Knights of the Fifth Crusade
Samirah chuckles in response to Sosiel's comment, and turns to the thin man named Aron when he's summoned. "A pleasure, Aron. Student of Sosiel's? A friend?"
Aron looks uncomfortably at the crowds around, "A frie.." His voice dies off as Sosiel shakes his head.
Sosiel looks Samirah directly in the eyes and with simple pride, "Aron is my lover."
Rova 04, 4713 - North by North of Kenabres
She makes a face in response. "The first part is most certainly more interesting. So you write; do you also perform? And how did you end up on this mission to what I'm promised is a very terrible place?"
"I've been known to give readings when someone asks nicely," Nurah says primly, "And force them on unwilling audiences when no one does." With a return of that bright smile.
"As for this mission," Nurah shrugs, "I'm horribly old and my mother was one of the refugees that managed to escape Drezen. So the old citadel has been one of my research subjects."
"I'm an expert, don't you know."
Samirah Basri |
Rova 04, 4713 - Knights of the Fifth Crusade
"Oh good!" She responds cheerfully. "The world could certainly use more love." Her voice raises in volume when she says "more love", and she shoots a very pointed look at Anevia and Irabeth, then back to the men.
Rova 04, 4713 - North by North of Kenabres
"I've been known to give readings when someone asks nicely," Nurah says primly, "And force them on unwilling audiences when no one does." With a return of that bright smile.
"Nurah, I like your style." She says, firmly.
"Well, I'm sure there will be no shortage of things to research once we get there. And hopefully along the way, willing audiences for your poems and my songs.""As for this mission," Nurah shrugs, "I'm horribly old and my mother was one of the refugees that managed to escape Drezen. So the old citadel has been one of my research subjects."
"I'm an expert, don't you know."
chavamana |
His smile when he sees Samirah is bright, none of the shame that marked his eyes in their first meeting lurking. "Lady Samirah!"
Samirah Basri |
When Miril opens it, there's a smell of deep, dark forests, of sun-baked leather, a hint of oil, and a brief and fleeting note of something flowery. "The flower is a black adder; very hardy, thrives in almost any environment. Bees love it! Although I don't think that last part necessarily represents you."
If he opens the vial, this is what he smells: ancient books opened for the first time in years, rosin, a hint of black pepper, and an overlay of oak leaf. It smells like secrets and dark places.
"There's a little bit of jasmine in there. Something only someone close to you might notice." She places her hand against his heart. "And you don't even have to wear it; I just had fun putting it together."
Chancre Cailean |
Chancre claps Horgus on the shoulder. "If things go badly, never forget that you got to see the sun again. But I suspect I'll be seeing you again."
Rova 04, 4713 - North by North of Kenabres
"Well, I'm sure there will be no shortage of things to research once we get there. And hopefully along the way, willing audiences for your poems and my songs."
Chancre raises his hand. "One," he says.
chavamana |
Rova 04, 4713 - North by North of Kenabres
Chancre raises his hand. "One," he says.Samirah Basri wrote:"Well, I'm sure there will be no shortage of things to research once we get there. And hopefully along the way, willing audiences for your poems and my songs."
"One is a passable audience." In a stage whisper, "Plus these oh-so-holy religious types can get a dirty limerick, they just won't every admit it."
The journey follows the Sellen River north. The horses make good time on the 'safe' side of the river, although you can see bleak clouds form in the west and collapse into the land. You make the camping ground with a little less than an hour of daylight to spare, the army quickly setting watches and cooking jerky into something slightly more appitising.
You've only just had a chance to get your gear off your mounts, when Anevia rides into camp, swinging down and moving over to your group. Her brown and gray clothes blend into the background, "I was checking the road ahead to make sure we wouldn't have any delays." Her lips are a thin line slashing across her face, "I think something happened at Valas's Gift," she shakes her head, "I got as close as the outer fields and no sign of anyone and no smoke from the villiage at all."
Míril Celegeth |
Rova 04, 4713 - North by North of Kenabres
Samirah Basri wrote:"Well, I'm sure there will be no shortage of things to research once we get there. And hopefully along the way, willing audiences for your poems and my songs."Chancre raises his hand. "One," he says.
"Two," adds a smiling Míril. "I love songs and poems."
Míril Celegeth |
At some point after Chancre receives his little vial of perfume, Samirah approaches Míril at the inn. "Good evening! I wanted to make sure I put together one of these for everyone." She says, handing a stoppered vial of liquid to Míril. "Though I think Chancre was the only one in dire need of it."
When Míril opens it, there's a smell of deep, dark forests, of sun-baked leather, a hint of oil, and a brief and fleeting note of something flowery. "The flower is a black adder; very hardy, thrives in almost any environment. Bees love it! Although I don't think that last part necessarily represents you."
"I don't think it's bad if that does represent me. Bees are nice."
Míril seems quite touched at Samirah's gesture.
Konstantin Argentaev |
You've only just had a chance to get your gear off your mounts, when Anevia rides into camp, swinging down and moving over to your group. Her brown and gray clothes blend into the background, "I was checking the road ahead to make sure we wouldn't have any delays." Her lips are a thin line slashing across her face, "I think something happened at Valas's Gift," she shakes her head, "I got as close as the outer fields and no sign of anyone and no smoke from the villiage at all."
"I suppose we should advance to the outer fields -- assuming there is tree cover -- and let you get a little closer."
Samirah Basri |
Rova 04, 4713 - North by North of Kenabres
Chancre raises his hand. "One," he says.
"Two," adds a smiling Míril. "I love songs and poems."
Samirah claps her hands together. "Marvelous. I'm sure Nurah and I can whip up something entertaining."
In a stage whisper, "Plus these oh-so-holy religious types can get a dirty limerick, they just won't every admit it."
She gestures to the halfling. "Exactly. Dirty limericks and drinking songs for all!"
"I suppose we should advance to the outer fields -- assuming there is tree cover -- and let you get a little closer."
Samirah nods at his comment and looks to Anevia. "Or wait just a little bit longer and creep in when the sun has set fully?"
chavamana |
Valas's Gift
"Konstantin wrote:"I suppose we should advance to the outer fields -- assuming there is tree cover -- and let you get a little closer."Samirah nods at his comment and looks to Anevia. "Or wait just a little bit longer and creep in when the sun has set fully?"
Anevia starts to nod at Konstantin's words, pausing when Samirah speaks. "We can wait for nightfall but, if there are demons, they see better in the dark than I do." Irabeth raises a hand as the group leaves, focused on securing the camp ground for the evening. However Nurah seems happy to invite herself along.
The sun paints the sky in vivid reds as you get to the rocks and brush at the edges of the fields. You see Aron Kir lurking behind one of the rocks, well-hidden from the village, but obvious to you. Anevia shakes her head as she scans the horizen, concern furrowing her brow as she points out the chimneys - none with smoke.
"If any of you want to come along," her half-smirk is friendly, "If I scream it means I found something that I think you can kill. If it is something I think would kill us all, I'll try to keep my mouth shut."
chavamana |
"Maybe not necessary, but often the smart thing." Anevia shrugs as she starts to slip into the fields, "Happy to have you if you don't give away our location."
"And if you do, at least whatever is there will be more likely to jump on you than me." Freed from the burden of a broken leg, Anevia moves into the twilight gloom, slipping into shadows and along the wheat fields with no sound.
And the reasons for that being obvious once you get beyond the few small houses on the edge. Deeper in the village many of the buildings have been gutted by fire, the bones of the inhabitants hard lines against the soft ash.
Which is far better than the ripped and mutilated bodies that were left untouched by fire, bloated and fly-ridden.
The tracks indicate a few demons, but most of the prints are from boots.
Samirah Basri |
"I did come out here with the intent of getting us all killed, so I suppose I'll stick to that plan." Even her sarcasm is cheerful. She takes off the jewelry at her wrists that might make noise, makes sure she doesn't jingle when she walks, and follows Anevia and the others who join her. Quietly.
chavamana |
Looking down - nope, it looks like pretty shards of metal carefully enmeshed in a gold alloy. Utterly unremarkable. (Except in the prettiness of the stones and the simple setting.)
Samirah Basri |
Chancre Cailean |
"I can take a look at your necklace if you want," Chancre says, making small nonspecific motions with his hands.
chavamana |
She shrugs, "Seeing if it does anything else is probably a good use of time," her eyes flicker to the dead, "there isn't anything we can do for them now."
The ones with obvious claw marks.
Samirah Basri |
Once the necklace is back around her neck, she shrugs, and begins walking toward the bodies on the ground. She stops, walks away from a body, then returns to it. "The heat becomes most intense here," she says, crouching next to a body that's covered in wounds opened by claws. She looks up to the others.
chavamana |
"You really are a twitchy one, aren't you?" Nurah comments dryly.
chavamana |
Roshan Suraj von Itzal |
One evening at the Inn, Samirah finds Roshan in his typical shadowy corner and sits down next to him. "Although Chancre's served a dual purpose, I wanted to make sure all of my friends got one of these." She pulls a vial from a small bag at her hip. "And I promise I'm not telling you that you smell badly." She adds, smiling, as she hands it to him.
Roshan shrugs and signs "Outside of a city, one stands out too much if limited to only the traditional bath (schedule)."
If he opens the vial, this is what he smells: ancient books opened for the first time in years, rosin, a hint of black pepper, and an overlay of oak leaf. It smells like secrets and dark places.
He cracks the top and his nostrils flare. He smiles, and pulls his left index finger up, slaps the back of his right hand into his left palm, forms a right angle of index and thumb and moves it in a circle before drawing a shape that could be a roof and walls.
"Especially good for libraries or monasteries."Perhaps not what she intended, but he does seem happy at the thoughtfulness of the gift. "Thank you." he adds.
Roshan Suraj von Itzal |
"Two," adds a smiling Míril. "I love songs and poems."
Roshan raises one eyebrow smiling just slightly, then holds up three fingers.
"If you want scouting assistance company, I can be quiet. As can Míril."
Roshan says nothing. Just sticks to the shadows as is his wont.
She looks to Anevia. "What now? Go back to our camp?"
Roshan points to himself, then his temple, then his fist nods thrice. He taps the oil by his side, then his open hand arcs away from his temple. then a pause. He turns to Chancre. Points to him, then his temple, then the bodies and places a forearm horizontal before bringing it vertical.
chavamana |
You are not jumped by invisible ninjas on the way back.
Samirah Basri |
She signs quickly for 'sorry', 'lack of knowledge', and points to her nose and then vaguely to the surroundings outside.
Roshan Suraj von Itzal |
Samirah looks slightly embarrassed. "As I was making it, I realized I didn't know enough about you to be confident in the blend. So, next time... wilder scents, and more questions about your past before then."
She signs quickly for 'sorry', 'lack of knowledge', and points to her nose and then vaguely to the surroundings outside.
A startled and somewhat alarmed expression crosses his face. Two fingers snap down on his thumb in a hard negation before his thumb extends up and slightly toward himself as his fist circles clockwise before his chest.
His index and middle fingers again close on his thumb, twice but not fiercely as before, then his thumb projects again towards himself before tucking under the shelf of his left hand. His open right hand come up, pauses, then makes as if brushing air towards his nose as his nostrils flare.His finger comes down from near his lips to point directly at Samirah, then grasps the bottle to his chest.
"No! Sorry. Not to hide ones scent? Really, very thoughtful."
"Did you know anyone who might have been here when this happened?" Samirah asks as they make their way back to the camp.
Two fingers go towards his eyes then withdrawn. Roshan shakes his head
Samirah Basri |