GM Elberion |
Navarro & Morsai
Brena begins to wilt under your combined resistance, her response is quite feeble, "Well, maybe you could train me up?"
She glances at the window and bites her lip for a second.
Shol’a’saul |
Shol'a'Saul shakes her head, "Nothing of major importance. Apparently the townsfolk have been taken advantage of by previous groups they hired and they are understandably cautious of our motives. Their intentions are honorable, I believe."
GM Elberion |
Navarro and Morsai
Navarro Nedraid |
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Seeing the raw need in the girl, Navarro steeled himself.
"Brena. I can show you a bit of what I know, but we leave tomorrow. You really, really need to find a master to train you. The only reason I'm alive right now is that I had an Aldori duelling master train me at University."
Jesset |
Shol'a'Saul shakes her head, "Nothing of major importance. Apparently the townsfolk have been taken advantage of by previous groups they hired and they are understandably cautious of our motives. Their intentions are honorable, I believe."
"That's something...It's been quiet out here, let's get back and get some rest." Jesset says as the other two fall in with him and begin walking back.
GM Elberion |
Back in the barn, you all get to hear Brena's impassioned plea...
"You don't understand! You're climbing over the walls of crumbled temples, toasting lost comrades with stolen Chelish wine and feeling the breath of demons across your neck: you live! You really live.
How can you come here, throw your brightness across me and then leave me behind in twilight?"
Her bottom lip quivers and the bright wetness of impending tears wells in her eyes.
Morsai Gunderling |
No...right now, we're about to sleep in a hayloft, a wondrous prize for maybe being willing to get ourselves killed if we aren't remarkably resourceful...and lucky. Such...glamour...
Morsai extends his arm in a gesture meant to show off the acvomodations...
Chelish wine? I think I.may have some ale that hasn't soured...
Jesset |
Catching the girl's comment and Morsai's more sobering rejoinder, Jesset stalks up to the girl, "What nonsense is this? You want glory, girl? Best stick your nose in a good book, because what we do..." he pauses to look at each of his companions "We do because it's right to do so...combat and battle is blood and bile and piss and fear. There's no glory there, just meat, and a just reward for whatever hellish beast or twisted mind we had to put down."
His piece said, Jesset sits down on a bench and begins to remove his armor, a partial nights sleep looking very appealing right now.
Shol’a’saul |
Shol'a'saul adds, "As the healer of my companions I have seen more than my share of death, Brena. Jesset speaks truly, it is not all glory and heroics. I have had to stitch a...good friend's belly while trying to keep his entrails from spilling out of his body from an ogre's spear, while hearing his screams of agony, begging to be put out of his misery..." Her voice trails off, lost in a distant memory.
"So if you see Glory in that, then you are better than I!"
Timmins |
Timmins listens to the others try and talk the girl out of her ambitions. He pets Shadow on the head and decides to keep out of this talk...for inside he was just like this girl, looking to escape and find adventure. But he has since learned what is lost with such dreams, and still is not sure he got the best of the trade.
Morsai Gunderling |
Ok...look...I'll see if you can learn magic. If you have the talent for it, I'll teach you what I can...not that I'm any sort of great instructor...but...if we go to deal with dragons tomorrow...you have to stay behind...and hope I survive...because if either one of us dies, the deal is off. Oh, and if you learn a little, and decide to go...'find adventure'...on your own...the deal is off...you wait until I don't think you're gonna die the first time you find an unruly orc...you do what I...or one of the wiser in the group..,say. That is...if you have magic talent...or can learn mundane fighting, I suppose.
Morsai sighs and lays down...convinced he just made a huge mistake.
Jesset |
"Fah" Jesset exclaims from where he was currently honing the edge on his falchion, indicating in one syllable his opinion of Morsai's decision.
Shaking his head, he places his weapon among his gear , then lays down, still occasionally snorting in disbelief, until only a soft feline snore is heard.
Shol’a’saul |
Shol'a'saul gives Morsai a look of disbelief and is about to say something. When she realizes the girl Brena is still here, she holds her tongue (barely) waiting for a chance to talk with the girl alone.
Navarro Nedraid |
Navarro awkwardly tries to pat Brena's shoulder, grimacing at the dumping of discouragement on the girl.
"Yes. Well. Nothing to do now but sleep on it for now. Things will no doubt look differently in the morning."
GM Elberion |
Barely holding back her shock and disappointment, Brena forgets her skulking entrance and speeds off through the door gasping out half-sobs.
She charges through the kitchen door and as it slams shut you are treated to the muffled sounds of a shocked exchange between your host and Brena.
Sorry for being away. I have had a ton of real-world business and should really be sleeping right now. Things will be intermitent for the next few weeks but then should pick up again.
Shol’a’saul |
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Shol'a'saul is quiet as she overhears the exchange. Once the voices have died down she replies, "Aye, Navarro, she will be all right. She should consider herself blessed she has parents who care for her well-being so." Still, she may prove to be troublesome in the days ahead. Morsai, she seems...infatuated with you. I think you should try talking with her again tomorrow. We do not need more trouble from her. A dragon already provides plenty of THAT!"
With that she prepares for sleep, instructing her familiar Ith'eong to watch over the party.
Morsai Gunderling |
Yes. I intend to. I doubt she has any talent for magic...or the fortitude for martial training...and she's likely to back away from it, immediately. Still, if she has the talent, she deserves a chance. Freedom...especially the freedom to determine one's own future means so much to me...I can't just sit there and do nothing if that's being smothered.
Morsai sits up for a moment.
Still...I hope it's just the angst of youth.
GM Elberion |
I think I might take this last scene and pin it as defining the difference between your characters. Great stuff.
GM Elberion |
The cock crows, sunlight filters into the room and you begin to roll out of bed.
Your hostess brings a breakfast of fried egg sandwiches and Atheric joins you. When she leaves the group he produces a bottle of thick, spicy ketchup, "It has to taste of something. So, what did you all decide?"
"Now, we're a little less than a day's ride from the Farrow, Cessington Farrow, or we could head out to Knoyle's place: that's closer to the cairnlands and he's seen the beasts himself. It means you won't see the town 'til you're done but it saves a day." He shrugs to indicate the decision is yours.
Shol’a’saul |
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Shol'a'saul nods briefly in agreement. "That is the logical step here. We need as much information as possible."
She leans close to Morsai and whispers in his ear:
Timmins |
Timmins gets up and he and Shadow go out to answer the "call of nature". When they return he nods his agreement with the plan.
"Ok, lets go and talk to this fellow."
Once the others have left the barn, Timmins leaves 10gp someplace that will be easily found.
Navarro Nedraid |
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
In the morning Navarro eats breakfast with great enthusiasm. Glancing outside, he pauses and mutters; "Man, I hope Brena will be alright. She just looks beat down."
GM Elberion |
"Knoyle it is then."
Atheric hitches the horses and readies the wagon.
"We'll head out this way then and go across country" as he speaks, Atheric points northward out of the village.
Last chance to act before you get going.