Sajeek blinks as the erudite chases them out of the entrance way to his store/hut. Everything had been going well, the vah shir hadn't said anything, or even poked the fire elemental. Figuring he was the source of the man's outburst, Sajeek looks confused. He realizes that the erudite was freaking out over Noggy. A gnome of all people. The way the man was reacting was as if they had brought a wild troll to his doorstep.
Not wasting anytime, threats coming from the mouth of someone with their own pet fire elemental tend to be backed up, Sajeek beats feet. Stopping next to Noggy, he reaches down and squeezes the gnome's shoulder.
"Hmm, I think I have figured it out, we are outcasts in one way, shape, or form. That's why we all get along so well," Sajeek grins down at Noggy. "Don't worry, I have something that I need to do outside of the city, so you'll be busy keeping me out of trouble. Again." Sajeek chuckles, and gives the gnome a friendly thump on his armored back.
The young Beastlord looks at his friends and grins.
"I thought I had done something wrong again. That part must come when we get into town," he laughs. Glancing back at the hut, Sajeek features harden for a moment or two. The look in the vah shir's emerald eyes is far from kind.
"I hope his fire pet gets free and burns his hut down around his ears," Sajeek mutters, mostly to himself. He tears his gaze from the hut back to his friends.
"Okay, so a race of people who don't like gnomes. That's a new one. I thought everybody loved a gnome. He acted like we were about to walk in with a rapid troll," Sajeek shakes his head. "I really don't understand peoples," he says with a sigh.
Nogglegrop had hied away from the magician's hut, unconsciously following the last pointed direction, until he realizes that he is moving in the direction of Erudin. The gnome digs in his heel and finds himself betwixt the hut and a city full of people that hated him, not to mention any of those dusky hued and megaly-pated individuals that wandered the forest around their city.
Sajeek was the only one that would be treated with any respect, and he has plans to bond with a beast. This leaves the two social pariahs to join Revery in the city. Hardly wedding guests that will help the young erudite's social standing on the day of his union.
Nogglegrop was searching for a home, a place of belonging where he would not be judged for worshipping the King of Thieves, and this simply was not it. It never ceased to boggle the little gnome that those that sought out the path of the necromancer, or shadowknight, were more readily accepted in gnomish culture than those who became clerics or paladins.
Hugging Sajeek hard, the intensity conveys that the gnome was really not looking forward to spending days in the Wyld of enemy territory alone. The solidarity is appreciated.
Nogglegrop looks down at the voluminous sack in his hands, and looks back up at Gwendalyn with quizzical mischief in his eyes. "I plan to march days away from this place, before some random erudite wanders by and reduces me to my component parts. So any wedding gift I help to craft will need to be delivered by a courier."
Revery looks extremely disheartened as the group leaves the environs of the little hut. "I'm so sorry, Noggy, that you were treated that way. The rest of you too. My people are... no better than other people, worse in some ways, and you've just seen some of that."
He tries to think of some place nearby where Gnomes might be accepted, or at least peacefully ignored. Perhaps a church of Bristlebane?
Knowledge/Local Lore
"I don't think there will be a wedding just yet, unless Arwen has dramatically changed plans with me gone. She can be capricious, but I don't think she would do that.... My suggestion is that three of us go into the city and get a room at the Magician's Mouth. We need to figure out where we want to go next for our quest, and for that I think we should ... study certain documents that may hold clues to that action."
If one is seeking a place of refuge from the oppression of the erudite there is no better place to go than visiting those that the erudites displaced. Kerra Island, which is far to the south of Toxxulia Forest and straight west across the Abyssmal Sea.
One need only find a boat.
Gnomes have a lot in common with the Kerrans, since the erudites displaced them for being an "inferior" and "savage" race. They are cat people, so Sajeek will find some commonality with them as well.
So powerful is the memory (critical success) that Revery remembers that a river of water bisects the Toxxulia Forest. It is this river that was likely south of the group's position when they camped.
The party had left the largest city on all of Norrath, with the most expansive libraries known to man, peopled by the smartest races that ever trod upon the soil. Erudin was peopled by scholarly sorts, but their libraries were as nothing compared to the ones in Freeport.
Revery lets the others know that there is really nowhere near Erudin where Gnomes are welcome. The closest place would be Kerra Isle.
"If you follow the river to the sea, you will then need passage across the strait to reach the Isle. I am sure all would be welcome there, except perhaps me."
" Yea! another lovely group of people that don't like most of us." Sarcasm dripping from Kwen's words, as they left most wonderful person in the world hut. " Don't worry Noggy I'll be the courier, I'm sure after a few days I'm going to be bored out of my mind, from keeping myself out of trouble." Kwen says with a grin.
Sajeek gnaws on his bottom lip for a moment or two as he ponders what he should do. He reaches down and rubs the side of his leg where Noggy had hugged him. The gnome's armor had pulled some of his leg fur.
"I'm glad your offering to at as runner Kwen. I want to be there for the wedding," Sajeek grins. "Hopefully it will be outside, and we can smuggle Noggy in." The vah shir looks down at the gnome and grins. He looks up at his friends.
"Okay, how about we travel together to find a boat or ferry to Kerra Isle," Sajeek says after thinking for a few minutes. "I imagine that their should be some decent trails back to Rev's city from there. If there is a port or something that is, the Beastlord adds with a shrug of his shoulders. "And hopefully that should Kwen a good layout of the land." Sajeek looks over at the half-elf and nods.
"Of course, Noggy and I could just go find a good place to camp for a little while. That might work too," Sajeek scratches under his chin. His eyes glaze over a bit as he wanders into another warm beam of sunlight.
" I'd say to save on coin to make camp in the spot where we first made camp, if Revery is correct, there should be a river nearby, or perhaps a day or two outside of town. I don't know, I usually just disguise how I look and find the seedier side of town and find a niche that way. If I such a place exists in this city, well I'll try and get you smuggled in." Kwen says, understanding how the gnome felt.
Kwen would rather have everyone together, less chance of getting jumped, or at the very least the best way to look after each other. Still if that was the average reaction to a gnome, then there might be a good chance that an underside to the city could exist.
Now of course Kwen would have to look in the city for a wedding present for the Erudite, which if that would buy some peace ten Kwen would be willing. Giving an inward shrug at the whole issue at hand, Kwen thinks about what he could do to hide the gnome, in the city.
It was a march of 3 days that lead the group to the magician's hut. A similar march, and more, awaits those that will seek out Kerra Island.
Kerra Island is a small island that lies just off the west coast of Odus. This island's main inhabitants are the kerrans, a race of catlike people who are peaceful until you make enemies of them. The island in Erud's Crossing is often mistakingly referred to as Kerra Island, but it is not.
What awaits Sajeek is an epiphany of sorts, for his race are descendants of the race of cat people known as the Kerrans. His are the small people that were magically transported to the moon of Luclin. The exact circumstances of their teleportation are unknown to much of Norrath, but it is believed to be due to a magical experiment conducted by the erudites. It is thought the Kerrans original home was taken by the Erudites during this uncertain time and for this reason it is believed Erudites will not find themselves overly welcome in their descendants city.
Except to the erudites the vah shir are a very tolerant people and many races that are not normally accepted on Norrath are allowed into their city of Shar Vahl. Even trolls, ogres and Dark elves will find a home there, if they are willing to prove themselves as worthy of their care and respect. Despite their open attitude to the 'evil' races, the vah shir are considered a people aligned with the good races of Norrath, and are accepted into their homelands. Building strong connections based on trust and mutual benefit are an important principle of Vah Shir diplomacy, on the reopening of the portal to Luclin many became residents of other cities and settlements. It is common for their companions to be very varied in attitude and beliefs, with a vah shir able to calm the tension between even a dwarf and dark elf.
Working one's way south from the group's location leads to a river, and an ornate stone marble bridge. Following the river west leads to a dock with two unguarded rowboats tied up to them.
Erudin has a small, but active, port with regular ships leaving for Erud's Crossing and Qeynos beyond that. The city itself sits on the coast, and is bordered on the inland side by the vast, dark Toxxulia Forest. Just off the shore lies the island of the Kerrans, and the city of the Heretics, Paineel, lies somewhere in the forest.
Disgusted with the dissipation and ill manners of most of their fellow Humans, a group of men and women led by the great Erud abandoned their home of Antonica and sailed across the sea to the island of Odus, which was at the time inhabited solely by a race of sentient cat-people called Kerrans. On this island, Erud founded a city based upon the pursuit of pure knowledge: academic, philosophical, and arcane. He alone is credited with devising the entire system of law and social order that exists in Erudin today, well over a thousand years later.
It is said by some that Quellious blessed her faithful Erudites by darkening their skin against the powerful island sun and enlarging their brains to make their quest for knowledge easier. Others attribute the brain development to Quellious and the more practical skin coloration to Prexus. Others claim the Erudites always looked the way they do, and that they were always a distinctly separate race from the Humans. Erud's records are oddly silent on this matter.
The Erudites and the Kerrans managed to live in reasonable peace until the traitor Miragul began experimenting with dark and powerful magics. Horrified by the pain and suffering his studies caused, the High Council condemned Miragul and forbade the study which had come to be known as necromancy. Miragul and his followers broke away from Erudin and a bloody civil war began, ending with massive destruction and the accidental relocation of an entire tribe of Kerrans to the moon of Luclin. Since then, Erudin and the Heretic city of Paineel have kept a brooding stalemate from opposite sides of Odus, each plotting the eventual destruction or overthrow of the other.
Erudin is the home city of the Erudites, a sect of humans that long ago migrated from the known world to settle in an out of the way place and study the known and unknown. Now that they have returned to the world, their capital city is considered one of the finest collections of knowledge in all of Norrath. The city of Erudin is notable for its practicality, and there are buildings for what the citizens need and little else within. Of note, the city is practically built around the great hall of learning, the Erudin Library, the greatest collection of knowledge in the world of good races. Its only rival is rumored to be in the Dark Elf city of Neriak far to the east.
The city of Erudin is a very calm and quiet place, designed for the silent reflection and learning of its inhabitants. There are several prominent locals in the various guilds, and these Erudites, in many cases, represent the most knowledgable in all of Norrath in their various fields of study.
Sajeek looks around as they approach the dock with it's two boats. His ears twitch as the vah shir's emerald gaze moves to the ornate marble bridge. It was impressive, the Beastlord had to admit. Seemed a bit much for crossing a river, but it certainly looked sturdy. Sajeek turns his gaze to the boats.
"Are one of these the boats that will take us to Kerra Isle?" Sajeek looks over at Revery. "Because if they are, this looks like where Noggy and I will be off." Sajeek grins at his friends.
"Oh! Rev, you mentioned studying right?" Sajeek turns his head to the enchanter. "I haven't gotten any details yet," he says quietly, touching the white furred clawed handprint on his right bicep. The spot where the ghost had grabbed him blazed in the sunlight. The white mark was easily seen, for Sajeek had the lighter part of his dervish robes wrapped haphazardly around his armored body.
"But I would brush up on Fropze's homeland and nearby islands, if you were looking for study topics," Sajeek winks at the enchanter. If you have the free time that is before your wedding that is," he says with a throaty chuckle. "I think it would be a little safer if Kwen and Gwen came to get me and Noggy before Rev's wedding."
"Maybe we can throw him a little celebration. Without the guard showing up this time," Sajeek laughs outloud.
"Are we going to split up? I was hoping we'd come up with a plan. And are you suggesting, Sajeek, we'll eventually need to go to Kunark?" asks Revery.
He looks at the rowboat and the sea, and wonders if the boat can make the crossing.
After the incident with the rude magician, Gwendalyn can't fault Nogglegrop's declaration, though she looks disappointed at his departure. "I'll need the sack back then. I have things to do," she declares mysteriously. When they part ways, Gwendalyn hugs the ones that are heading back south. "Good luck! I hope that you find a better welcome than here, but I've really been looking forward to meeting Rev- I mean Brontide's people." She continues on the few remaining hours of travel north to Erudin, her step lightened by the proximity of her destination (and the lack of a hundred-pound weight on her shoulders). It's quite the marvel when she finally reaches the city, which is basically a giant castle. She heads up the steps -- and into a profound disappointment.
It's like Freeport but worse. The people barely acknowledge her existence, the merchants offer prices so insulting that she's hard-pressed to keep her hand off of her hammer's hilt, and when she finally manages to find an establishment with rooms to rent -- without any help from the passers-by, who basically ignore her -- the rates are so outrageous that she's actually glad that she couldn't sell her tent.
Tired of highbrowed short men looking up their noses at her, Gwen grimaces in her effort to remain civil. "I fear that I shall have to seek more promising lodgings, such as a camp. Out-of-doors. As nearly anything would be preferable to your grossly over-priced accommodations. Good DAY, sir." She stalks off, teeth clenched; and true to her word, pitches her unsold tent outside of the city.
At her campsite, the young mystic strives to let go of her anger by pondering the puzzle of the scroll that has defied her understanding time and again. It should be easy for her, as a child of the North. All she has to do is summon and concentrate the chill of her homeland into a weapon; what could be more natural? And yet Frost Rift has continued to escape her, even as harder spells came to her in a dream. Surrounded by the peacefulness of domesticated nature, she is finally able to relax enough to let the pieces fall into place.
After a day of contemplation and an hour of writing, Gwendalyn is ready to try it out on the nearest target. With a sparkle of ice crystals and a quiet howl of wind, an arctic blast slams into her, managing to damage even her cold-inured physique. "Ow! Ow!" She shivers in the warm sun, casts a Minor Healing spell on herself, and then smiles, happy that she (at last!) has an effective response to foes attacking at a distance. (45/50 mana)
And from that day forward, the local spiderling population knows neither peace nor rest, as the determined tailor spends every waking moment gathering webs for her next project...
Meditation (to halve copy time) vs. DC 17: Take 10 + 11 = 21 Success
Frost Rift (Gwendalyn):
Reflex vs. DC 17 for half: Success = 5?
Minus cold resistance (3) = 2?
Minor Healing (Gwendalyn):
Nogglegrop hands the voluminous sack back to the barbarian and wanders away from the city, happy to get away from yet another culture that can only see benefit in one's mental prowess, rather than any other gift they might have.
Erudites refuse to speak any language, but their own tongue around those that enter their city. This hides some of the literal high brow haughtiness, but far from all of it. You are those that would stoop to something so unpalatable as crude manual labour, when magic can solve all, and as such you are despicably uncivilized. As a rule these are creatures that consider themselves more civilized and far more refined than most others, making them extremely hard to like (innate negative to CHA).
Revery finds that he is painted with the same brush as his friends, and receives a very chilly reception back at "home." It is lucky that he chose to marry a high elf, because if he chose a wood elf then she would be as unwelcome as Nogglegrop.
The Vasty Deep Inn is the only establishment that will even consider permitting you to stay the night, but at a greatly increased rate, and only if Brontide stays with the group and speaks for them (upkeep +50% for all).
It is a journey of days between the time of the bridge and western shore of Odus and the dock. Rough sea waters await, but the 9-man rowboats look more than equipped for the journey. Sea sickness will be the norm, but it should only be a few hours before the boat finds ground on Kerra Island.
It is nice to hear the Combine Tongue spoken again, and Sajeek is surprised by the warmth of the reception. Even Nogglegrop is treated well by these people that the vah shir were descendants of. They share their food, warmth and tents with you as if you were born of them.
Kejek tigers are common on the island, since beastlords are very common among the kerran.
Aside from the stomach churning boat ride to Kerra Isle, Noggy and Sajeek had an uneventful journey. The Beastlord had been a little wary of getting into the boat. His last boat trip had left a rather lasting impression upon the vah shir.
When the two landed and made their way to tents of the Kerran, Sajeek had been nervous. He had never met a Kerran before, and had only the stories that he half remembered to give him any idea of what to expect. The young Beastlord had mentally prepared himself for a harsh greeting. Some of the tales he remembered had the Kerran pegged as savages, out for blood and lost children for their cookpots.
Needless to say, Sajeek was almost floored by the reaction he and Noggy had received. It was as if they were family that had not been seen for several years and just dropped in out of the blue. After a short greeting and pleasant exchange of names, Sajeek was hugged, arms were clasped, and cheeks were nuzzled. Noggy was all but swallowed up by the friendly Kerrrans.
Sajeek was amazed by the difference between his people and those on Norrath. While the vah shir were a good and tolerate sort of folk, they were a bit more restrained then the Kerra. The Kerra seemed to live life more in the moment then the vah shir. His own people had always seemed stuffy to Sajeek. Perhaps living on Luclin forced the vah shir to change. It was a brutal place, but the Vah Shir had survived and begun to thrive on the moon. After all, they didn't have any other race for allies. The Vah Shir had been on their own for hundreds of years, cut off from Norrath.
Later, resting near Noggy, his belly full, a pleasant buzz in his head and body from food, drink and smoke, Sajeek sighs contently. He felt relaxed for the first time in, well, years.
"I will be heading out in the morning," Sajeek tells Noggy. "Another reason for me coming was that I feel it is time for me to begin the next part of my training. Although several of my teachers thought that I would never be able to cast spells, they did tell me at that time, i would be ready to find my warder. So that's what i will be doing. I really have no idea when I will be back," Sajeek scratches his chin. "I'm guessing a week, perhaps more."
Nogglegrop attempts to add his magically-augmented might to the task of rowing, but the oars are too far apart for him to sit, and he is too unsteady to stand. After falling several times, making an awful ruckus of plate against wood, he gives up and mans the rudder instead.
Glancing into the warm waters of the Abysmal Sea there are dozens of fish, except these fish have large teeth: piranha. The waters of Norrath are not friendly places, and while they cannot kill you in one pass, your death will be possibly more excruciating, as they slowly slice you apart.
Cats are typically scared of the water, and looking down you realize why.
A pale Nogglegrop glances over the side and says quietly, "I could never ever ever be on a boat again and be okay with it."
Kerran are savages, but there is nobility in their tribal makeup. You see glimpses and glimmers of the vah shir society here and there in their customs, garb, shelter, mannerisms and even their food, but it is like looking at it through a warped lens. While there are many similarities, there are a number of differences as well.
In a way he finds commonality with the erudite. The erudite had left Antonica to search for lands where they could create a paradise. The vah shir had been banished to Luclin by unknown magics, but the society they had created was very similar to what the erudite had done.
Nogglegrop meets with the tribe's shaman offering his healing and medicinal knowledge to them, while learning of their herbalistic ways. He does not speak the combine tongue, and their grasp of the common tongue is limited at best due to how sheltered they are from visitors on their remote island, but he takes it all in stride, laughing at how poor he is as communicating.
The cleric rests in the sand with his new friends and offers Sajeek a smile and a "fare thee well" in his efforts to tame a tiger. The ways of the wyld were not his ways, but he sees that the beastlord will not be complete without a warder.
Sajeek, with a belly full of fresh meat, berries and water, tracks out into the Kerran Island in search of his soul's mate. His fur is temporarily stained in ornate whorls representing the gods that will watch over him.
In the sand he sees a paw print, and the chase is on.
Revery enters the city with two others, and is happy to be home after his recent adventures. Though he receives a cold reaction from people, he doesn't care too much. He's not really a people person.
"First, to find Arwen."
After a short jaunt to Arwen's home, a reunion and introductions are completed. It has been a while, and Arwen is as beautiful as ever. Revery starts to tell her his story, leaving out everything about the quest. He does mention that he still has a quest to undertake, with these friends and two others, but that he will tell her more later.
"This is Kwen, whom we met in Freeport. You will recall he was not a part of the escape from the slavers' ship I endured over a year ago. But we have had some adventures just recently, and Kwen is a fine friend and ally. You both may be happy to have the opportunity to practice your rusty Elvish. And this is Gwendalyn, whom I have told you about before. Sajeek and Nogglegrop are off on a separate trip. Gwendalyn is a great healer and a morale booster for our group - you've no idea how important that is until you go through the kinds of things we've been through. And of course, she too is a great friend and adventuring companion.
Her small apartment is decorated in a mix of styles between Elvish and Erudite, yet somehow she makes it all come together. It is a little messy for Revery's taste, but she is more comfortable with it this way. There are too many plants, especially for such a small place, and as usual he is concerned about insects. He tells himself, as he has so many times before, it is the Elven way...
Understanding his home city, he tells Arwen that he will have to stay with his friends, but that he will see her every day when she has time. He asks her how her wedding preparations are going, expecting her to mention something about 'next year'.
Kwen really had a hard time being in this city, he was used to the looks, and the insults. Something about this city angered Kwen, he couldn't put his finger on the reasons why perhaps the half elf had gotten used to how people acted towards him in Freeport. This town of 'learned' people, acting extremely smug about everything, with a snort of disgust, Kwen pushes these thoughts from his mind.
Following Revery and Gwendalyn, Kwen already feels like he has a target on his back, but then the half-elf always felt like that one he first gets to a new city. Upon reaching the apartment and meeting Arwen, Kwen give a slight bow and in Elvish says " Greetings to you on this fine day, I give thanks to you for allowing us a brief reprieve from the outside world." It had been a long time since Kwen had too use the Elvin tongue, but the words came back quickly and without too much difficulty.
diplomacy
Weeks slide past before the group finds itself reunited at the ornate blue-veined marble bridge that crosses the expanse of the river running from the Kerra Island, through the Toxxulia Forest, towards the Stonebrunt Mountains.
Much in the way of experience hangs on the lips of both groups, awaiting the telling.
There is but one known way to gather up a ship to sail forth from Odus, and that ship leaves in the morning from the Erudin Dock Area. Walking past the city's guards wearing the skin of a gnome is suicide, prisoner/slave or not.
Should the party be able to win their way free of the city they will travel over weeks to months to Antonica.
At the half-point of the journey they will arrive at Erud's Crossing.
Erud's Crossing is the name of the small island which the ferry from Erudin passes through, and it marks the path that Erud himself travelled on his way to the island of Odus centuries ago. Erud's Crossing's only feature is an island that marks the halfway point of the trip, and it is a most unique island, with its own ecosystem of unique creatures.
You will arrive at Qeynos.
Qeynos is one of the largest cities in all of Norrath, and one of the two large coastal cities run by the humans. The docks of the city provide trade from Qeynos to the high human city of Erudin, as well as to other areas along the coast. The Guards of Qeynos command posts throughout the surrounding terrain, providing protection to travellers as far away the the Plains of Karana. Most of the major guilds are present in this town, and it is the home of the Clanhouse of the Silent Fist. There is a seamy underbelly to this city, like other port cities, and rumors of corruption and smuggling as well as unsavory street dwellers are a part of everyday life here. There are many (some say too many) drinking establishments within the high walls of the city.
(please provide an overview of your weeks on Odus)
The morning arrived, as they tend to do. Sajeek had gathered with the tribes Beastlord's to begin his Seeking ceremony. Stripped down his loin cloth, his fur was marked with dyes. Offerings to the spirits made, Sajeek leaves the safety of the tribe. His worldly belongings left in Noggy's care, the young vah shir heads off into the wilderness. Sajeek had observed the ceremony before on Luclin, watching with the young beastlords in training. He notices a difference between his people and the Kerran's Seeking ceremony. On Luclin, he would have be allowed to carry his belongs.
Whether it had to do with the dangerous nature of the moon verses Norrath, or perhaps his his people had become softer in their time on Luclin, Sajeek had no idea. 'Perhaps it is the isolated nature of the island,' the vah shir thinks as he enters the wilderness of the island.
Sajeek had spotted another single tiger print as he entered the Karren forests. The old forest reminded him a bit of some of the jungles back home. What caught his eye was it was just a single print, like back where they had camped near the fallen tree. Heading off in the direction the print lead, Sajeek's ears twitch at the sounds in the old forest.
The vah shir chased his quarry deep into the woods, stopping to hunt for a quick meal when his body threatened to give out. The days blurred by as Sajeek hunted for the owner of the random tiger prints that he had been chasing. There was a nagging sense of seeing the print before, but the young Beastlord couldn't place where else he had seen the print. The claw on the middle toe left just a bit deeper of an impression then the other claws. Even Sajeek's drive to complete his quest seemed to pale with his need to find the owner of the the print.
Tired, sore, hungry, with thoughts that he had missed something swirling in his head, Sajeek hugged his legs closer to his chest. Leaning against the massive tree, his emerald eyes peer into the dark woods. Not that he could see that much, the clouds did a fine job of covering up the full moon. 'At least it stopped raining,' Sajeek thinks, glancing at his soaked fur. He had been drenched in the downpour, the leaves had been nice enough to let the heavy rain pass mostly unhindered. He sighs, knowing that he should get up and hunt some food, but he was just to tired. Sajeek lays his chin on his knees, eyes half closed. His last thoughts were that he should really find a safer place to sleep.
Drawn from the deeps of sleep by a thundering purr and sense of warmth, Sajeek slowly wakes from his dream. In it, he seemed very small and was being rocked to sleep by a lilac scented woman, singing a soft tune in Combine. Opening his sleep blurred eyes and blinking several times, Sajeek looks around. He sought the source of the purr that thudded through his tired frame. Considering the big tiger was sitting on his haunches letting Sajeek lean on him, the vah shir didn't have to look far.
The big tiger looked back at Sajeek and blinks his mismatched eyes. The gold and green orbs had a almost dizzying effect the longer the vah shir looked into them. Moving away, leaving the Beastlord to have to scramble to keep his balance the big feline moves a few feet away and lays down, licking a paw that could tear Sajeek's face off. Several dead rabbits lay in front of the big cat.
Sajeek stared at the the tiger in amazement. He could have sworn that it was his adopted brother from Luclin. All except for the golden eye, anyway. The young Beastlord struggles with a flood of emotions, not knowing what to feel. Given the stories that some of the older Beastlords had told him during his training, he had been expecting some sort of miraculous choir of singing angel or something. He stares at the tiger and Sajeek does feel something different. He feels complete. It was as if part of him had been missing for so long, he had managed to forget about the ache of the loss. Without a word of warning, Sajeek tackles his brother, hugging him tightly around the neck.
Calmly excepting the near strangling embrace of Sajeek, the tiger pats the happy vah shir on the back with the paw he had been cleaning. Licking Sajeek's ear, he let's out a rumbling "murr" and looks pointedly at the pile of rabbits. Laughing, Sajeek lets go of his spirit brother and rubs the bridge of the tigers nose.
"Yes, I was too busy tracking you," Sajeek say grinning at the tiger. "I missed you too Bast," Sajeek hugs his spirit brother again. BAst calmy accepts the hug for a few moments before moving to get a rabbit for himself. He looks at Sajeek and says, "If you're not going to eat, I will finish all of the little prey," Bast speaks in his mind with a smug tone.
Laughing, Sajeek moves to join the tiger and digs into the rabbits. He hadn't realized just how hungry he was until he had caught the scent of blood. The rabbits where still warm. Time passes as the two eat in silence. Well, Bast eats in silence, Sajeek ravages his meal much like the starving vah shir that he was. After eating, Bast goes back to licking his paws, and Sajeek leans against the tiger side.
"I'm glad I found you. Or, you found me if you want to be exact about it. I missed you," the Beastlord says, hugging his spirit brother again. "And I missed you as well, little trouble maker," comes the response, followed by the deep, rumbling purr from Bast. Sajeek slowly falls asleep, watched over by the warder.
Rising in the morning, feeling well rested, but a little hungry, Sajeek yawns and rubs Bast's ears.
"I think you'll like the city-dweller's that I travel with. There good peoples," Sajeek tells the tiger. Bast was a big tiger, but still looked like he had some time to fully grow into his adult frame. If his paws were any indication, he was going to be a true beast. The reddish-orange furred tired looked at Sajeek and flicked his ears. "Food first, talk later," was Bast's reply as he got up and stretched his long frame.
The two traveled back tow the Kerran's tribe, Sajeek informing Bast of his quest as they travel. Bast had calmly looked at the Beastlord with his gold and green orbs.
"Whatever you hunt, Little Troublemaker, I will be there to help you," was his spirit brothers calm reply. Sajeek smiles at Bast's words and mental sense of warmth that the tiger had shared. The tiger looks at Sajeek and cocks his head to the left. "Oh, and be cautious around fire spirits. They seem to like you for some odd reason."
"Those fires were not my fault!" Sajeek protests his innocence to Bast. The tiger blinks at him and seems to shrug his shoulders, as if to say, "whatever."
When the two reached the tribe, Sajeek and Bast were given all of a handle of minutes to greet Noggy before the whole tribe erupted in celebration. These Kerran took the success of a young Beastlord very seriously, welcoming back the pair with a victory feast worthy of a king. After a short, but warm and heartfelt speech and blessing by the tribes shaman, the festivities began.
The feasting lasted well into the night, accompanied by laughter, dancing, drinking the Kerran's fermented juice, and general merriment. It was nice to be around others whom simply enjoyed the moment for what it was. 'And really good booze,' Sajeek thinks looking at the carved wooden cup that was now empty. Looking through a haze of alcohol fumes he sees Bast asleep, lying on his back. The tiger four paws where pointed towards the night sky and twitching slightly. Sajeek notices about a half dozen or so empty cups near the tiger. He grins at what the next morning will hold for Bast, not thinking that it would be holding worse for the vah shir.
Sajeek waves at Noggy who was looking very comfortable sitting in the lap of a young Kerran maiden. The female was toying with the gnomes white hair. Noggy was managing to hold on his half empty cup, but only barely. The vah shir spotted a number of empty cups besides the two. Sajeek grins and turns back to the main gathering, seeking to free a meal from the pig that had been roasting for the last few hours. After that, then there would be time for some more drinking and dancing.
The morning came and went, it wasn't till closer to noon that Sajeek manages to untangle himself from the pile of bodies he had awoken in. Silently cursing his pounding head, he slides the last leg out of his way and rises as if his head was made out of cracking glass. Avoiding stepping on a tail at the last second, he braces himself and closes his eyes. Sliding out past the tent flap, Sajeek shields his eyes and slowly cracks them open. He groans as the light seeks to stab his precious soft eyes.
'Morning sunshine. Did we drink too much last night?" comes the smug sound of his spirit brother in his mind. The tiger sat on his haunches near the opening of the tent. A distinctly mocking expression was on the tiger's feline face. SAjeek would have to been awake much earlier to enjoy the tigers own hangover.
"Voice. In Head. Too Loud...," comes Sajeeks garbled reply as the vah shir staggers off to find the small inlet that wasn't chock full of the little bitey fish. Coming back a bit later, his dark grey fur was damp, the red strips almost looking like stripes of blood in his fur from the wet. The white furred clawprint on his right arm gleamed in the sunlight.
After finding Noggy, the three eat a late breakfast. Sajeek confesses that if they don't leave soon, he may never want to. The young Beastlord enjoyed his time with the Kerran, but the quest was back in his mind once more. Caressing his waking thoughts once again, prodding his eagerness to find the Claws.
The next day, Sajeek was finding it hard to say goodbye to the tribe that been so kind to the two, hosting them and giving them food for the journey. And Noggy was gifted a blanket by a Kerran that seemed a bit taken by the gnome. Sajeek stares at the boat and sighs. He looks up over the waves and a slight shudder finds it's way up his spine. he tries to focus on the thought of seeing his friends again and hopefully being in time for Rev's wedding.
"Sorry Noggy. Looks like one more boat trip," Sajeek says rather glumly, looking down at the gnome. "I'm right there with you. I really hate boats, and deep water, for that matter." The young Beastlord sighs looking at the boat. "Well, let's get this over with."
The trip back to the mainland wasn't really any better then the first. The motion of the boat threatened to make his stomach revolt. The site of the eager piranha was all the encouragement that Sajeek needed to not fall into the water. Even Bast looked a bit queasy. He rode in the center, claws dug as if to counter the motion of the boat. The tiger complained frequently to Sajeek. Reaching the dock and getting back to solid land, smiles, happy to be back on solid land.
"I think we should meet up by that bridge. It's an obvious enough landmark. Plus they have to cross it so it's the perfect spot to reunite," Sajeek says to Noggy as he unloads their rather minimal amount of gear.
There is a large canvas tent on a field outside the city of Erudin. Well, not so much a tent as a large canopy. On this sunny and windy day, it has been tied down by so many ropes -- four on each corner, plus a few more on each side -- to keep the canopy from falling or blowing over.
The structure is beautifully decorated, and the style of decoration includes many flowers - wisteria, lilies, pimpernel - and an abundance of green leaves. This is most assuredly an Elven influence, as the Erudites prefer less soft and less blithe, and more serious decorations for an occasion such as a wedding.
There had been much discussion about the location, almost as much as there had been about the timing. Perhaps "discussion", on this last point, is a little understated. There was an all-out argument, culminating in a tear-soaked, red-eyed, handkerchief-summoning ultimatum: "Do you not wish to marry me after all? Tell me now!" And finishing with an equally saline but much quieter answer, "I want nothing else in this world."
A little ways from this large tent, partially hidden in the trees, is a pair of smaller tents, of the variety used by people who have no permanent structure in which to sleep. At this moment, a number of loud snores can be heard from that direction. One of them comes from a woman who is much taller than your average human - but this snore is somehow, strangely ladylike, and it is overpowered by others. Two of the others come from cats; or rather, large cats. One is a Vah Shir, whose tail is twitching as if dreaming its own dream. The other is a TIGER. A real, large, tiger, and its snoring is almost the loudest of the bunch. Its tail, too, twitches, in concert with the previous tail, and there is no telling whether the two are conspiring separately, or together somehow in a collective hallucination.
Notably, one of the members of this small club is not snoring, as he is awake, watching the forest and at the same time the effort of decorating the large tent and its environs. But the loudest snores come from deep within the smaller tent, from a small creature with a blanket next to him. Yes, the Gnome is the loudest, and it is a fine and good thing that the wedding workers believe it to be the tiger that is committing such a dragon-summoning snore, for if they found it to be a Gnome who knows what they might do?
As the day progresses, the large canvas tent begins to resemble an ant hill, with Erudite ants running back and forth, bringing things.
A finely dressed couple appear: an Erudite man and an Elven woman. Normally they are nothing special to look at, but today he appears full of grace and confidence; and she looks to have stepped out of a royal painting.
"I must thank you for bringing Plangent here," says the man, "I had truly feared we would be forever estranged. She has assured me her training is both practical and academically interesting, and that she has no moral issues with it all. It is so good to see her, and Jaan too. And you must have noticed how happy and surprised I was to see Marsus alive and well! Ah, this is all too good to be true!"
At mention of the name Plangent, the Elf's brow furrows a little. She says to him, ever so quietly, "It is all good, and I'm so glad you're happy with it. But I still worry about your sister. She has a way about her... I don't... anyways, she'll be heading back soon, so I needn't worry. About the ceremony, are you sure you don't mind a lot of Elven tradition in it? I've made it much shorter, be assured, but I just hope nobody thinks I'm being too pushy." Her Erudian is pretty good, but her Elven accent is clear, and indeed it colors her speech, as if it came from a cool brook in a summer meadow.
"Do not worry, my dear," says the man, "My only interest is in the result. Sorry if that sounds overly analytical, but you know me. I must be truthful."
-----
There had been many, many things to do over the past few weeks for the couple. Since Arwen still had responsibilities at the hospital, Revery ended up running most of the errands. He had only a little time to confer with Gwendalyn and Kwen, who were living outside the city in a tent. And not much time to study about Kunark and the ways of the Iksar, as Sajeek had suggested before parting.
Of Iksar, Revery had mentioned nothing to Arwen. When she had asked about his new quest, he had told her very little, maintaining that the nature of the quest itself forbade him to mention details. When she asked him where he would be going, what he would be doing, and how long it would take, he always told her the same thing - he could not say.
Certainly she saw the fire in his eyes during these questionings, and he worried that she suspected him of harboring a secret lover on another continent. She made no mention of it, but he told her anyways - there was nothing between him and Gwendalyn, nor any other woman, or man for that matter. The quest is of utmost importance, and any mention of such details would force his abandonment of it and jeopardize the whole thing.
-----
At the tent, Jaan's father Jonda arrives at exactly the same time as Gwendalyn, Sajeek and Kwen. Revery fumbles with introductions, and there is some confusion, as Jonda had been warned about Nogglegrop, but he is not present. Arwen steps in, saying, "Nogglegrop will be arriving soon, but you may not see him, as he'll be sitting at the back."
Revery looks over toward the tents, but only sees the great tiger named Bast lying there. He smiles inwardly, for if any inquire where the 'accursed gnome' is, Revery could merely point to the tiger and say 'over there somewhere', and that question would be absent from those particular lips henceforth.
The ceremony will start soon. Brontide Revery will wed Arwen Mithranca.
After learning Frost Rift, Gwendalyn passes the days avoiding the city and its people as much as possible. Having spotted spiderlings in the forest on the way to Erudin, she has an idea for a wedding present for the adventurous enchanter: silk armor. Having no desire to deal with merchants who refuse to even speak Common, the outdoorsy mystic decides to just harvest webs herself. A week flies by while she dodges the local wildlife in her self-imposed quest, fishing and gathering edible plants for her solitary meals.
She finds an abandoned web, and carefully sweeps it into her sack.
She spots a snake slithering along a nearby moss-covered branch, its mottled coloration the perfect disguise in the patchy light and dark of the forest. She admires it briefly and moves on.
She sees a spiderling lurking on a rather large web, creeps up on it, and uses her pick to fling it away before stealing all of the silk.
A little earth elemental explodes out of the ground where it had been resting unseen; a short but furious battle ensues, in which her buffs and healing make all the difference. She sits on a nearby fallen log, rejuvenating by meditating on the mysteries of the natural and spirit worlds, confident that other creatures were accustomed to avoiding the elemental's resting spot.
She follows a spiderling for a good ten minutes as it wanders a bit, hesitates, scents the air, wanders a bit more, then just kind of stops for a nap or something, before she finally gives up on the lazy little bugger.
She happens across a decaying skeleton by itself, and decides to relieve the abomination from its burden of unlife. A casting of Frost Rift has no apparent effect; but with a body slam and a swing of her hammer, the deed is done.
The hunter becomes the hunted when she stumbles into a big web -- but it's still just a spiderling. She doesn't even bother to free herself before using her sap to knock out her arachnid assailant, so that it can build more webs later. She mentally marks the location for harvesting again the next day.
She notices kobold tracks in the soft earth. It looks like just a small band; but by herself, any more than a few at a time could be very dangerous. She gives their hunting range a wide berth.
There are no spiderlings. There are no webs. She starts to wonder if they have a gossip network and scouts, before pushing the thought away as a paranoid fantasy. It's just a coincidence of looking where the prey isn't; happens in hunting all the time. She hears a chitinous clatter...
A fire beetle crawls along in the shade, using its natural light to flush out mice and other small prey; it doesn't need to hide itself, since the scant meat inside its hard carapace would hardly be worth the trouble for all but the hungriest of beasts. Unless... I wonder if the kobolds have a recipe. Is it considered a delicacy? She decides not to go ask them.
Jackpot! She finds a spiderling tending to an entire complex of webs. She tries her usual trick of flinging it away with her pick, and the vibrations bring a veritable swarm down upon her. In her panic, she lays about with her weapon to lethal effect; in the end, over a dozen spiderlings lie dead, never to spin again. Breathing heavily, she imagines what could've happened if they were just juveniles and their mom had been there. Wait. What if they were just juveniles, and their mom was coming back? She gathers the motherlode of silk hastily, and decides to go start sewing; she can always harvest more later if needed, and the calls are starting to get too close for comfort.
Returning tired, dirty, and a little bloody after a week in the wild -- but with a sack full of silk -- Gwendalyn gets to work sewing the webs into patches at her camp outside the city. After a week of mind-numbingly dull labor that reminds her why she abandoned her mom's trade for the Church, the adventurous young Northwoman finally has the actual raw material for raw silk armor. It takes another week to sew the patches together into a garment...
"AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" A cry of anguish rises from the barbarian's tent, startling a flock of starlings into the air from a nearby tree. Their wings beat the air as she beats her palm against her forehead in disbelief. All of that work, ruined. She'd never actually worked with silk before, and her inattention to her mom's prattle had been her undoing: she'd done all of the stitches completely wrong for such a delicate material, and even the raw silk was unsalvagable for anything that had to actually hold together. Three. Weeks. Wasted.
She laughs hollowly. Someday this will make a funny story for the grandkids, comes the giddy thought. Sighing, Gwendalyn pushes the useless mass of smooth cloth aside, and goes back outside to be with her friends, who are the real reason for being there. To be with Revery, whose wedding tomorrow is the point -- not the presents, and not her failure -- she reminds herself firmly...
Bast is exceptional as far as tiger go, but his "words" in Sajeek's minds are nothing more than primitive impulses that the beastlord is subvocalizing for him. The warder might hunt for itself, if released to do so, but it certainly would not be hunting for Sajeek. The beastlord was weak from hunger, or perhaps losing his grip on reality, or the potent brew that the Kerrans had him drink before departed, for it was he that had hunted the coneys.
Sajeek has established a bond with a single kejek tiger, and that bond has imbued the ambush predator with an animal spirit, thus making it his warder (can command pet as long as the pet remains within the master's sight, pet will continue to perform its last orders to the best of its ability until its master returns). This is a creature of advanced means (considered a magical creature, INT 4 vs. norm of INT 2), but it is still an animal and as such only possesses a glimmer of intelligence (follows simple orders: attack, stand still, follow, stand guard and attack everything that comes near including friends, stand guard and only attack those that assault their master, et cetera).
___
Nogglegrop remains with the Kerran, sharing a bond of both being outcasts from the erudite. Like him they had accepted their lot without too much in the way of trouble, but the brilliant dusy-skinned offspring of humans were not high on their list of people they wished to break bread with.
The gnome had all but forgotten about his armour, and weapons, since his arrival on Kerra Island. A loincloth is all he wears as the sun is afforded a rare opportunity to darken his flesh and a warm his spirits. Nogglegrop partakes of strange cultural ceremonies, sups on foreign foods, and shares his magic with any that need it.
If wanderlust had not taken purchase in the young cleric's heart, and he had not the impetus to move to complete his quest, there was a draw to remain with this family until time erodes his bones. It is with heavy feet, and a heavier heart, that Nogglegrop says his goodbyes to his new friends.
___
Nogglegrop argues against the wisdom of attending the wedding, but finally relents when it is explained that it will be held near the Toxxulia Forest south of Erudin. This is not a simple misunderstanding, or risk of poor treatment. Gnomes are an enemy of Revery's people, and will be set upon if discovered.
A very expensive gift of the Kerran provides the answer, for the shaman that Nogglegrop was bedding with had given him a single dose of an illusionary potion. He appears as a horribly ugly erudite male, the visage is so disfigured that one wonders if that is how the cat people see the erudite, and though he cannot speak the tongue he blends in without drama.
The sun blesses the field south of the city of Erudin. It is in this place where the union is forged between elf and erudite.
That was days ago, now you stand on a bridge and have a choice of what to do next.
Kwen felt completely out of place for the whole wedding, that and the fact he didn't have a single idea, on what Revery or Arwen could need or want. Kwen had spent his whole life feeling alone, or always watching his back with anyone that he had spent time with.
Kwen wanted to spend time looking at the shop keepers wares for a present but after the first day, dealing with shop keeps and the market he felt like it was a lost cause. Giving up looking for anything to buy in this city, Kwen makes a note of the wedding presents. Kwen decides that when he gets to a city that will not look down on him, or if he ever goes back to Freeport, to get Revery and Arwen a gift. It would be belated, but Kwen will get the married couple a set of rings, that were not obtained through elicit means.
Sajeek had been concerned about getting Noggy to the wedding but the gnome had just winked and waved away the vah shir's worries. When the hideously ugly erudite walked out of Noggy's tent the day of the wedding, Sajeek had been close to tackling the stranger, thinking he had done something to Noggy. The disguised gnome giggles, the sound stopping the Beastlord in his track. Bast had sniffed at the erudite and sat back down, unconcerned. Sajeek was still a bit on edge from meeting Rev's friends and family. Not to mention Gwen's shout. He had almost jumped out of his fur when she roared out. The greetings had been an seemed a little odd and ended with name given and a formal feeling arm clasping.
The marriage ceremony went off perfectly, (or at least Sajeek hoped it had) and the beaming couple were bond together as one. He was glad when the vows had been given, sitting in the warm sunlight had been threatening to put the vah shir to sleep. Bast had given up that struggle much earlier then he had. He had looked at the tiger jealously, as he enjoyed his nap. At least there was the celebrations after the wedding to look forward to. The smell of some of the food had been driving him wild.
Given the bookish nature of Erudites, Sajeek had not been expecting any real selection of alcoholic drinks. The vah shir had been pleasantly surprised to see that he had been wrong. Before the wedded couple vanish, Sajeek gives them some coin (150gp) to help out. He figures the coin would help out the enchanters new wife, since Revery was going to be leaving soon.
A few days had past and know that they had a chance to sit together once again, discussion begins on where to go next. First of all they have to get off Odus.
"Okay, if what I heard is correct, the only way to get off Odus is from the docks," Sajeek say, scratching behind Bast's left ear. The tiger thundering purr starts up. "So other then getting Noggy past the guards and on the ship, we don't have too much to worry about." The vah shir grins. His emerald gaze falls on Kwen.
"I don't suppose you know of any smuggler types nearby," Sajeek asks the rogue, half-joking, half-serious.
Kwen felt completely out of place for the whole wedding, that and the fact he didn't have a single idea, on what Revery or Arwen could need or want. Kwen had spent his whole life feeling alone, or always watching his back with anyone that he had spent time with.
Kwen wanted to spend time looking at the shop keepers wares for a present but after the first day, dealing with shop keeps and the market he felt like it was a lost cause. Giving up looking for anything to buy in this city, Kwen makes a note of the wedding presents. Kwen decides that when he gets to a city that will not look down on him, or if he ever goes back to Freeport, to get Revery and Arwen a gift. It would be belated, but Kwen will get the married couple a set of rings, that were not obtained through elicit means.
Kwen spent some time wondering the shops, not caring about the price gouging, when he spotted a jeweler that had an elvish craftsmanship for rings. Of course, Kwen just so happened to have a bit of trouble, as he was entering the shop, he was bowled over by another half-elf, she had a grace about her that took Kwen’s breath away… of course she was also in the middle of running out of the shop, and bowled the half-elf rogue off his feet. He heard the words ‘sorry’ right before he smacked his head on the ground, Kwen wanted to spend a few hours trying to count all the stars that he could see, but then the shop keep ran out the door after her and tripped on Kwen’s prone form, and trampled right over his armored cod piece.
Kwen rolled right into the fetal position just as the shop keep feel, narrowly avoiding having the man use Kwen’s body as a cushion from the ground. ‘What.Foul.Joke.Is.This. and Why me’ was all that Kwen could think besides remembering how to breathe. Of course the female half-elf managed to slip away in the confusion, and to make matters worse the shop keep started to kick at Kwen for a few moments thinking that he was the one who had stolen from him.
The guards showed up and spent a few moments sorting out the shop keeper, and getting the story of what had happened. It took some time but Kwen wasn’t arrested, but he wasn’t going anywhere for a little bit of time. Kwen managed to purchase two rings that were made out of silver, with a backdrop of a forest; the silver bands also had the elvish words for Remembrance engraved on them. Kwen had to pay full price for the rings, and left the shop limping, wishing for a few bottles of wine to dull the throbbing from his privates.
Kwen spent the next three days searching out the other half-elf that had used him for a distraction, it would have been next to impossible but it seemed like his luck had changed again for the better. Kwen found her outside of town, an odd twist of fate, as she was also looking for him, her name was Rinluieni, and she had gotten overconfident about her abilities for pilfering. Kwen had unfortunly been the perfect distraction for her escape.
Kwen wanted to be angry, but was unable to draw up another other emotion, Rin appealed to Kwen, the fact that she also was a rogue made her that much more attractive. Kwen and Rin spent the next few days together, with Kwen giving her some pointers on her talents, and Kwen also learned a few new tricks that he didn’t know about locks. Rin had meant to only take just enough coinage to make it to the island, where at least it wasn’t being surrounded by Erudites and being looked down upon. On the day before the wedding Kwen told Rin that he would have to leave on an adventure for who knows how long, or even if he would be back along this way. Kwen gave Rin one of the rings, keeping the other for himself, gave her enough coin for the boat ride to the island, and then took back the wares back to town, to return to the shop keep. Kwen would miss Rin, her long auburn hair, and her eyes that held a mirth to them, as if she knew a joke and would be willing to share it with you, if you would let her.
Kwen didn't have any real good ideas for a gift, so he would give the married couple of a small purse of coin on the day of their wedding (10 platinum)
"Sajeek, I'm shocked.... okay no I'm not, ummmm no but give me some time, I'm sure I could find out soon." Kwen says with a smirk, although not sure that he would be able to find a smuggler, he might be able to find someone willing to help them get the gnome out and onto the docks.
Gwendalyn spends the rest of the day before the wedding helping out with the preparations, and calming people when things aren't perfect. She's intensely curious about how Sajeek found his new best friend Bast, but he seems rather on edge, and she knows that they will have plenty of time to catch up later. Likewise, she's happy that Noggy the Ugly Erudite was able to join them for the wedding -- but he leaves shortly after the ceremony, apparently wanting to survive the day.
The magically-enhanced barbarian helps break down the canopy afterward, enjoying using her strength, not caring that it places her in the same category as summoned earth elementals and other beasts of burden. Although she has plans, she's reluctant to bother the newly-weds until the next day -- at which time she asks Brontide to change three opals (180 gp each) and three platinum pieces into 60 silk swatches, 9 silk threads, and 60 heady kiolas. Even at the outrageous rates that his own people charge him for associating with foreigners, she expects that to cover it.
"Oh... I spent some time in the woods, while you were busy with wedding preparations. There were some wild earth elementals... It isn't important. But at least they'd absorbed some gems from the soil!" She grins and shows off two more opals and a peridot.
Days later, they've gathered at the bridge and are discussing what to do next. "Well... I think I could fit Noggy in my backpack, if I emptied everything else out. I'm not sure it's the best idea, though; wouldn't want a guard wondering why my backpack is twitching, right?"
Everyone had been successful coin-wise upon Odus and were around 1000 gold pieces richer. Spells could be found for both Nogglegrop and Revery in the city, but not for Gwendalyn or Sajeek since the erudite had no shamanic traditions, and certainly weren't looking to lure in traders from tribal nations. Sajeek is able to gather spells for both him and the barbarian from the Kerran, though the cost is more, since their supply is limited (regular cost for spells +25%).
Six hours as an erudite had provide wonderful opportunities for mischief, and Nogglegrop had been equal to the task. Perhaps it was his strange height that threw him off, but more likely a bit of harmless fun to step on dress hems and "accidentally" bump into the wedding guests as he had moved about the wedding/reception. The gnome spends his time leaning against the bridge telling and retelling the tales of his actions. As usual the little guy laughed harder and longer than any of the others, with tears pouring forth from his eyes more often then not.
A lovestruck Kwen stands with his coinpurse a tad lighter than it might normally be (+50% got anything purchased in Erudin unless accompanied by Revery). The occupants of Erudin would not even speak to the rogue, unless it was disdainfully in a language he does not speak, he will not be making inroads any time soon.
Gwendalyn is able to pay to get enough of the items required for as many attempts as she wishes at the item she wishes to create, but the cost is far more than she expects: 825 gold pieces per set of components required. Failure (may not take 10 or 20 on the roll) on the final attempt is very expensive (loses half the gold in components in the attempt), and even more so on the smaller components that make up the whole (complete loss of all components on a failure to make a basic tailoring item). No matter the outcome of the combination of items there will be learning involved (may increase a tradeskill up to level +10 ranks with only time and roleplaying, advancement in excess of that will require more intensive roleplaying and time). Gathering components and recipes is an expensive proposition (for ease components for items make, if available, will cost half the market price).
Gwendalyn's jaw drops when Revery reports that she didn't even give him enough for a third of what she wanted. Given her lack of success with simple raw silk armor, she wisely retracts the request.
Revery, wondering what fate held for the group next, says so Sajeek, "Shall we look at the scroll now?"
He had left Arwen with her memories of him, for now, all the much appreciated wedding gifts, and a small gift from himself - a carved silver camel with a dervish atop it, which he had carved himself. He had tried to have it evoke a sense of adventure, danger, and romanticism which people associated with heroes (and which he currently feels is misplaced) - and he his quite happy with the result. The look of determination on the Dervish's fate echoes Revery's plan to come back soon.
Trade Skill (sculptor):
He's happy with his two new spells, Gate (2nd Lvl) and Bind Sight (3rd Lvl), in his spellbook.
Spellcraft DC 17:
Spellcraft DC 18:
Gwendalyn nods. "That sounds like a good idea. But then what? Where would we go from here? Qeynos? Why, just because it's close and not here? Do we hate it here so much? I have to admit, I kind of had fun in this forest." She gestures around them. "And it seems to me that more than one of you has even more attachment to this place. So why go?"
"Because it was the last place I heard mention of my Foster Parents," Sajeek says, his voice small. He turns and digs his scroll case out of his backpack and unlatches it. The vah shir looks around to make sure that they were alone. With a sense of reverence, Sajeek pulls out the well folded page, torn from a tome, written in the blood of the sentient in the curving tongue of the Iksar. He sets it down so that the others may look and read.
"Just don't read it out loud," he cautions. Having been studying the page all most every night for the last year plus, he doesn't really even to look at the words anymore. They had been all but burned into his memory. But of course, he knows that he could screw something up, mispronouncing a word or forgetting to sound something out properly.
"No, I don't hate it here. I love the Kerran people, I felt welcome there, something I have never felt around my own kind. Mostly because I'm a stupid feral savage," Sajeek looks over a tent wall for a few moments, blinking rapidly and grinding his teeth. "I mentioned Qeynos because I wanted to try to find my foster parents trail once again." The vah shir shrugs, trying to keep his feelings hidden. "I mean, their probably dead, I just..,"
Sajeek shakes his head.
"Nevermind. It would just be a waste of time, anyway. We have stuff to find and creatures to run away from," the vah shir forces a grin and taps the page written in blood. "Take your time reading, I've been reading it for over a year now. But I probably missed something. Big shock, me miss something with words in it," Sajeek laughs and then leaves the tent to fetch something to drink.
Bast opens one eye from where he lays near Sajeek. The reddish-orange tiger yawned and stretched, his mismatched orbs following the vah shir until he disappears from view. Yawning, the big hunting cat gets up, turns in a circle a few times and lays back down.
Seeing Sajeek start digging around in his backpack, Gwendalyn gently but firmly leads Kwen away. "I'm sorry, but this is private to us due to some hardships that we endured together. If you think about it, I think you'll agree that The Ex-Slave Society is not really very appealing to non-slaves, and I hope that you'll enjoy not qualifying for it while we have our meeting. I'll come get you when we're done."
While wearing his impossibly ugly erudite guise Nogglegrop had slipped some precious gems, given to him by his shaman companion, to Revery and asked him to purchase some supplies for him. Among the supplies were cleric spells and the special inks to scribe them into his spellbook (purchased from vendor - translation automatic success).
Spellcraft Check vs. DC 16 (Courage): -100gp special inks/materials, 25gp scroll
Spellcraft Check vs. DC 16 (Flash of Light: -100gp special inks/materials, 25gp scroll
Spellcraft Check vs. DC 16 (Lull): -100gp special inks/materials, 25gp scroll
Spellcraft Check vs. DC 17 (Cure Blindness): fail retained: 200gp special inks/materials, 100gp scroll
Spellcraft Check vs. DC 17 (Cure Disease): fail retained: 200gp special inks/materials, 100gp scroll
Hours and days had drifted by dedicated to these spells. The efforts are well worth the time investment.
Nogglegrop shows promise in that 3 new spells find their way into his spellbook: courage, flash of light, and lull. Sadly he is unable to fully wrap his mind around the two cure spells. Hopefully he won't need them anytime soon. The gnome's mind will unconsciously chew on the disconnect until it found a means of breaching the gap.
As usual the gnome is bereft of coin, but full of giggles and smiles.
___
Revery's work with the purified bars of precious metal silver is truly his best work so far. He could not imagine that his skills could produce anything better unless Quellious herself guided his hand.
Such a wedding present is something that Arwen will cherish for years, and will act as a reminder of this time, and times prior, when Revery retires from adventuring.
Abysmal Sea water flows beneath the blue-veined marble bridge you stand upon. Looking into those waters reveals the occasional shape of a fish, and considering the piranha that had been seen previously you all understand that these are waters you do not wish to swim in. Suddenly such an expensive and over the top bridge makes sense, for it is the only way across this brackish river for miles and miles.
The sun is at its highest point, bathing the group in humid heat. You have all seen the terrors of the Toxxulia Forest, and understand that the city of Paineel, a place of evil where the erudites that sought out the necromantic arts of Miragul had fled, lies only a few days south of your current position.
When Gwendalyn asks why the party hates it in Odus so much Nogglegrop raises his hand and giggles, "My focus on departure stems from a deep abiding focus on avoiding death." He lowers his hand and goes back to fiddling with the incomprehensible items he crafts with his tinkering abilities.
Kwen catches a flash of information and sees that the party is treating what looks to be a folded up and filthy book's page, with writing in blood, with utmost reverence. Should he try to get closer he is positive that he likely won't survive the next few seconds. There is a ravenosity to their looks, when they look upon the page, which is more than a little scary. Whatever they are after must be a dragon's hoard or better. There was more than an issue of trusting the rogue here, for they truly appeared to fear that him learning of the quest would lose them the quest, so lifting the page would likely lead to his swift demise if discovered. This was a group to remain among because this quest they were on was too tempting for words.
Kunark awaits. More theories come from the specific reader's interpretation of the context that the words convey, but no one is truly confident that they have cracked the psyche of the iksar enough to read the rest with confidence.
...yet.
Of course, Revery purchased the requested scrolls for Nogglegrop, and anyone else who asked.
Revery's eyes pore over the scroll, for the first time, as he wonders what it is all about. Is it a recipe to find the promised items? Is it a map? Is it a story with clues that must be extracted using great mental or (hopefully not) linguistic gymnastics?
He spends as much time as is required to discern all the weaknesses in his linguistic abilities that cause gaps in the text. Those are the gaps that must be filled, and he is sure that even with those filled, there will be more that he currently is unaware of, like a child struggling to learn to multiply and not even comprehending the existence of square roots, negative numbers, or square roots of negative numbers.
Kwen wanted to argue about leaving but the barbarian's vise like grip, told him otherwise, that and the hunger for treasure. Muttering a few oaths, he goes away from the group out, of ear shot at least. Respecting the group enough to not eavesdrop, he sighs and starts going through motions of throwing his daggers, not releasing them, just making sure that he had the balance correct.
With a grunt, Kwen started pacing; waiting while on a job was one thing, in that respect Kwen was one of the more patient rogues. When not on a job, Kwen suffered from inaction, boredom usually struck him, and that is what would get him into trouble.
Kwen stopped pacing, looking at the forest and getting a sense of eldrich energy oozing out from the area. A chill went up his spine, as he felt like the woods itself was watching everyone that went into its domain, judging all and finding all lacking. Muttering again under his breath he, tries to shake off the sense of unease he felt at the site of the forest. Turning away from the forest he looks back over at where the party was trying to read the ‘map’ or ‘journal’ wishing that he could help, the rogue takes a stop back toward the party.
Stopping himself from going back to the party he starts looking around for trouble, hoping that it wouldn’t be able to sneak up on the party.
If trouble was wandering towards the party playing a tuba it is likely that your rogue/sentry would miss it.
Translating the individual words is simplicity itself, but the meanings of those words are confusing for Revery and Nogglegrop, and nearly mind boggling for Gwendalyn and Kwen. Sajeek is the wildcard, he is either on the right track or so far from being accurately placed that he doesn't even know he's lost.
Kunark is the only thing that all 4 of you can agree upon without disagreement. One of you feels that it is likely Chardok that the master's bones are buried at, one feels that it is in the Lake of Ill Omen and the last two feel that it is near the Swamp of No Hope.
Frustrated that the others would not agree with him, that the bones were in the swamp, A bemused Nogglegrop wanders off to join Kwen. "A lovely day to sweat in a set of full plate. I hear that those blades fly farther if you let them go."
What's interesting, for Kwen, is why this group is pushing so hard to learn the tongue of the lizard (Kwen please include an WIS check vs. DC 15 to make the connection between the tongue and the quest the group is on).
A thousand thousand directions were possible for the group, they only need to set course for one of them before the winds of a storm cast them adrift. This forest was too dangerous, though some might feel the opposite considering how unscathed the group has been lo these last weeks, to stand around gabbing all day.
Kwen gives a snort " Yeah they will, but I'm just going through the motions of the throw. Plus I really don't need start looking for MORE blades today. Of course the day is still early, and throwing a kurki blade into someone's chest is always an eye opener." Kwen says with a grin, but no heat was in his words.
Kwen makes the connection between the group's ravenous digestion of the forked iksar tongue and this tome page.
Though he has not been invited into the inner sanctum of this group's trust, he does understand that he is walking with them, and has followed their lead in learning the tongue of the lizardman.
Perhaps he can prove to them that he has sufficient worth to be trusted to that degree, perhaps not, but traveling with them is his only way of ensuring that he is present when the final decision is made.
Gwendalyn listens to both Sajeek and Nogglegrop express why they don't want to stay. "Okay, fair enough."
After parking the half elf a safe distance away from their private discussion, and then bringing him and the gnome back, she resumes their previous topic. "I'm willing to help Sajeek look for his foster parents in Qeynos and beyond, but we need to start thinking about the long term."
She takes a deep breath. "We all come from different places -- and not just literally. It's a rare city that would accept us all, and then it probably ends up on fire. Let's be honest here: destruction follows us like a destiny. And I reject it."
Her eyes grow hard. "I have a deep anger for having been made a slave, and I refuse to let it control me. But still it's part of me. I refuse to be an agent of destruction, but still it's part of me."
She gets up and starts pacing. "Seriously, one more war started and we'll probably get Rallos Zek's personal attention, since threes matter. They really do. Anyone comes up to you in a bar and says something about how there's a conflict brewing? Buy him a drink, excuse yourself to relieve yourself, and sneak out. Punch him in the face and run away. I don't care, just don't get involved! Do hear me?! This is serious!" the large Northwoman roars, her face twisted with fury.
Gwen pauses and forces herself to relax. "I only see one way for us to take control of our destiny, and that is for us to decide to be agents of construction. Instead of bringing cities down, we need to raise one up. A place that we can call our own, where we will all be welcome. A refuge for ex-slaves, a base for our explorations, a home for our families, and a training camp for our proteges -- since let's be honest, we've all gotten pretty good at what we do."
The inspired mystic looks into the eyes of her companions, intensely. "But I can't do it alone. I need each of you -- all of you -- or this won't work. Will you do this with me? Will you look for a place for us to found a city together?"
She lets the question hang in the air, pregnant with possibility.
Sajeek's head jerks up when Gwen mentions that see is willing to head to Qeynos to aid him in searching for his foster parents. His warm smile stretches from ear to ear, happy that he he wouldn't be all alone once again. He couldn't stay with the Karren, he just couldn't. Their isle was as close to a paradise as the feral vah shir could imagine. Staying with the Karren for a long period of time would be the end of his questing days.
At Gwen's comment of destruction following them around, a crooked smile finds it's way onto the Beastlord's muzzle. Covering his smirk with a clawed hand he looks over at Bast, whom snoozes contently. Perhaps his people did have some merit in referring to Sajeek as the harbinger of ill times. Of course, it could just be a coincidence.
Listening to Gwen's rather impassioned speech, Sajeek cocks his head to the left as he rolls the idea over in his head. The vah shir's mind scribbles down a list of reasons why it would never would work. Sajeek has a habit of ignoring that part of his brain. It nagged, a lot. This was another one of those times.
"Well, your helping me search for my foster parents, so I can't say no," Sajeek gets up from where he lounged on the ground. He walks over to Gwen and stands on the tips of his toes to nuzzle her cheek. "And it would be nice to be at a place were all of us can be seen in the open at the same time," Sajeek says with a chuckle.
"Umm, I guess i just have the one question. Where would be a place to try this?" the young Beastlord scratches under his right ear. "Or are we going map shopping?"
"I have no idea." Gwendalyn rubs the top of Sajeek's head. "But even a geography dummy like me has noticed that most big cities are on a coast. The oceans are the biggest road of all -- they go everywhere. And rivers bring fresh water every minute. So for example, where this river pours into the Abysmal Sea wouldn't be a bad choice, if it weren't for all of the powerful necromancers and whatnot just a short hike from here."
Kwen chuckles " Well map shopping is a good idea, also learning more about the surrounding lands couldn't hurt. I mean if we manage to amass enough coin in a nice enough area, perhaps with access to fresh water and a port. We could build the city like a stop along the way at first, get an inn and expand on an on that way." Kwen stops, his mind whirling on all the possibilities, and the pit falls into securing a large enough place to build a city.
" I can start learning all sorts of things on how to build out city, with some time spent reading building plans, and all sorts of time spent. After all it couldn't hurt to have a leader of the next rogue guild, helping build the city. That way you won't have to worry about cutthroats running a muck, and reducing the population." Kwen finishes, with a grin that could swallow his ears, already thinking about what he could do with a market, and how to hopefully maximize his coin flow.
Revery chimes in, "I think this is an interesting theoretical discussion. Perhaps we can continue it on the long journey to search for Sajeek's family. There may be other alternatives to finding the utopia we desire, including buying the inn or keep, finding one in a dangerous area and offering to take it over after clearing out the danger, or perhaps our utopia is not a city or keep at all, but a cave, or a forest glade, a pleasant island, or an underground complex. It all depends what its purpose is, doesn't it?
.
I think our primary concern is getting us all, including Noggy, on a ship out of here."