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Amar is sitting next to crackling fire, reading a old, torn book, which clearly shows signs of countless of hours reading over many years. The pages are crumbling and could fall apart at any moment, but somehow they are kept together as the young mans gently open pages and goes through them.
Young man itself is not so impressive at first time, but occassionally when he raise his head to catch breat [indeed it was dusty and cold now in night, worse especially him since he never had such a good health), his eyes, pure white, were gleaming along his white hair, which he pushed back under his turban.
As he mumbles to himself when reading the pages, something small moves in the sand behind the man and pure black tail raises with a sting. This desert animal or insect, what ever it was, slowly started to creep towards man and climbs up his cloack until its on his neck. It had two enermous pincers compared to its size.
Moment passes and nothing happens and then as a small amount of wind passes, the animal/insect climbs fast on top of his head and stays there,
Amar will raise his head and speaks slowly to his companion Azh, still happy? I know we are back to your home place, but still like a little kid hehe he smiles and raise his hand to gently touch the scorpion.
Suddenly, feeling the gaze of other people, he get confused and don´t know what to say but then coughs little bit and speaks with a bit stronger voice Ah, I am sorry... This is my familiar, Azh. I am myself a wizard, Amar Fuzen in service. I was hired as a scholar for this caravan. They and I as well are interested to study ancient magics and theories of long time ago lost
Romo sits with his bare feet towards the fire and gazes into the flames. He is dressed in his dark grey robes, as he has been for the past week.
"The ride from Solku has been very swift. These lands we are moving on are not safe, and they will become even less so as we move north. Skirting danger here is difficult at best, but what we are doing seems a bit brazen."
He then looks up from the fire to look at the group.
"I guess what I am trying to say, is that I would at least like to know the names of the men and women I ride with. We could be entertaining death together in the coming days, and I would prefer it not be with strangers."
"I am Romo. I have lived and worked in Katapesh for the majority of my life, although I do not call it home. I have been recruited as a guide, because of my familiarity with these lands. Contrary to some I am not here for monetary reasons. I am gathering information for my... reasearch."
He then drops his head for a few seconds as if lost in thought. A moment later he looks up at the fire again, and then to the person sitting to his left.
"and you?"
Khismia happily helps everyone get their share of food. Once everyone is sitting down around the fire she opens the conversation by introducing herself as Khismia and asking how the others have experienced the trip so far. She adds that she has never travelled far outside of Katapesh before and that she finds the sights of the dunes breathtaking.
This cheery girl looks as if she can't be older than 17 .She has dark brown hair and a lightly tanned complexion. She is currently wearing a rather plain red robe with red patterns painted on her face, marking her as a servant of Sarenrae. Her amber eyes glitter as she waits to hear what tales the others have. She seems to be genuinely interested and not just asking to be polite.
Khismia jumps at first when she notices the scorpion, wanting to let out a warning, but then sees that Amar is conscious of the creature’s presence and seems to not be scared of it, quite the opposite.
She smiles and patiently listens to what Amar has to say then she continuous “Greetings Amar and Azh, how have you been experiencing the trip so far?”
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Amar is clearly curious and happy that someone is asking about the trip and seems to be also interested to surroundings. Oh, at last intelligent people! Oooh... what to tell, what to tell
Azh senses his master joy and start to snap his pincer together.
Oh yes, this has been quite fascinating! The type of dynes, the climate, the believes and acting of people. How are they able to stand this hotness during day and coldness during night. That then leads to so many interesting questions of ruins under sand, since almost every week a new ruins or items are found. Oh, also the magic and history of epic tales, fights, stories of famous people. It truly is exciting. Especilly the tradermarkets... and as he continues, you notice how his white eyes are burning with passion, while he explains.
Hale clearly is bored, her features are pleasantly polite - as nobility is wont to do - but she emanates an air of restless boredom and there's a slight fidgeting evident when she's lost in thought.
Only a hint of disdain accompanies her voice as she addresses Romo: "I am Hale Caress, princess daughter to Khalif Fhajee, ambassador to Qin, keeper of the white roses, -" here it is apparent that she stops herself from giving her full name and title, she just continues: "your services are appreciated."
She listens in to Amar's excitement, but soon grows bored of it too. Though she does take a liking to Azh, the scorpion. Finally her eyes rest on Khismia - and for a moment annoyance bathes her face; what wasted potential! - but it is tempered shortly after with the prospect of seeing where this girl's limits are.
Khismia finds Amar’s excitement contagious and tells Amar about some of the items she has seen in the market, like little camel statues that can come to life.
Then Khismia turns to Romo, “ I myself am here on a search for answers, for my sister. Maybe…” Khismia pauses for a second, unsure if she wants to hear the same answer again, “have you heard of a girl called Haleen? She is my sister and she disappeared a few months ago.” She looks at Romo with big hopeful eyes.
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Amar continues talking and is happy by the intriguedness of Khismia. Upon hearing speaking of Romo, he turns and greet him in a Khelish manners.
Hale Caress... a princess. What is a member of royal family doing in a desert like this? An Ambassador on top of that. Nevertheless, if it doesn´t bother you, I would like to ask questions about the royalties in here Khelish
and turns next to Romo and listen his speaking with amasement.
Greetings Romo. It is honor to me. I am quite interested at anything someone could find from here. I would like to talk about nature and geography with you if possible? he finishes and looks at Romo with smiling face
Even though I am just here to be a scholar and provide some information, read about the cultures and make excavations... I thirst for more... the knowledge! The power, the information, the feeling of knowing everything! Amar speaks with more darker tone, while his white eyes start to glow radiating short waves and magic begin to surround his hands unconsciously.
Soon fading and coming back to his sense, he gets quiet when he realisees what happened but soon look at Khismia, when she asked the question Haleen? I am afraid no. I arrived here not so long time ago and was hired due to my knowings. as he explains and apologize in the end
KN:Religion
KN:Local
A halfling sits on the far side of the fire, distinctly apart from most of the others, his legs crossed in front of him and the back of his hands resting on his knees so that his palms are open to the sky. He is dressed in simple dun clothing and studded leather armor, the leather dyed to the same brownish gray as his clothes. His black hair is long and unkempt and his round face looks dirty beneath the several days of stubble that have been allowed to grow there. His brown eyes do not look away from the fire as the others talk but he breaks his silence after Khismia introduces herself.
"I am called Gander," he said, his voice soft, eyes still on the fire. "I am paid as a guard but I welcome any opportunity to leave the cities and kill the gnolls." He settled into silence again, his face expressionless.
Romo immediately relates to Khismia's plight, and envy's her optimism. It is something he lost a long time ago. He replies to her question,"I am afraid not, but I am not one for remembering names. I myself am looking for someone, but I doubt you would have met before." He stops himself short, hoping not to upset the girl by revealing the duration and hopelessness of his search.
He then turns to Amar,"My mind is your book, if you care to read. It is only through learning that we grow."
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Amar will take a look at man while Azh is continueing snapping with pincers. Gander, I see. Why don´t you join us next to fire? My body is not used to coldness so I prefer to stay next to fire plus we also got other people here. As I have understood, we still have a way to go but of course, I am not in a hurry shrugs while speaks and then point at Azh especially this fellow is not in hurry anywhere, so I give him the time to enjoy the desert and as he finish, Azh climbs down and burrow in the sand, emating happiness through the link
For the first time, Gander looks away from the fire and examines the strange human for a moment, dark eyes glittering coldly in the firelight.
"I can feel the warmth of the fire here." He said without moving. "And I can hear your conversation as well."
He looked to Khismia. "I do not know anyone called Haleen. Does she look as you do, with the marks?" His eyes shifted to Romo. "I have travelled far. Who is it that you seek?"
"Who do I seek?", he pauses for a second, then replies,"I don't want to bore you with my story, I'm sure we can find something more interesting to talk about." Risdin realigns some of the wood and places more on top,"Your kind enjoy the city right? I've not seen many come this far out. I'm sure you have heard the stories and know the risks involved. You must be a competent fighter, or am I wrong?"
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Amar thinks for a while until decides to respond: I am not just a for a fun or having a trip... I am weak from my body and my youth I spent in bed or next to wall, sitting and watching other kids to play. My only way to escape was to read books and study... That what i was doing everyday but even then it got boring. Books describing places, books describing wonders, history... but I could not leave and for that I cursed my faith
Time passes until he speaks again Until I got my hands to this bookwhich is now resting on his lap from a woman... I don´t know whom but I am greatly appreciating it, since it changed my life. Ever after that I started to learn more than anything... to bent reality, to command forces beyond human mind, to feel the power of universe. I am hunting this! Knowledge is essential but... I am going to achieve the same as Nethys! All-Knowing God, The Archmage of archmages... God of magic... I will push my limits and achieve everything I have to. There is price to be paid: Time, Gold, countless hours of studying and researching... and danger to die, but what wouldn´t I or anybody else give for this?
Stops and then speaks slowly with just hearable voice I will achieve this... I will take the power and reach the summit, which even the gods dream no matter how long it takes. The potential of human being is to be afraid
Gander watched Romo consideringly for a moment before responding. "Some of the others have bored us with their stories, why not you? But I will not press you." He reached into the darkness at his side and brought a waterbag into the light, drank from it quickly and returned it. "I do not care for cities. Too many people, too much noise, too many rules. I prefer the wildlands like this, where I might find gnolls to kill. And yes, I fight well enough. I'm still alive, aren't I?"
He snorted and reached into the darkness again, lifting a very large axe and placing it in his lap.
After Amar spoke again, Gander shook his head. "Be careful you do not dream too largely. The higher you rise, the further you have to fall."
Hale likes what she hears from Gander - crude, robust and to the point, that's how a man should be.
"A guide, a warrior, and two dreamers. hrmph What is Garavel thinking..."
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Upon hearing Hale´s words, Amar is again taken back to his childhood, kids bullying him and making fun... never able to make friends..
Words did hurt and went deeper... but the anger was stronger, it was gushing in his veins and the magic... it responded to him.
Earth started to crumble and Azh raise up... but much bigger now. Twice it´s size and the sting ready to strike, it lurked behind Hale.
On the other side, a pulse started to emit cold chill, which was spreading from Amar around the campfire. Eyes color representing deep ice blue, he note to woman Princess... or not, do not underestimate the magic. Dreamer? Yes... As was Nethys once upon. As was Ivory once upon! Caydan Cailean, Ismodeus and others.... they had to use Starstone to reach godhood. Who needs brute force if you can´t use your brains. Go ahead and make fun of me... but I will make you eat those words. You will thank me one day for saving you. You will be grateful for me to be there... and be sure... those days will come eventually
The chill disappears and situation return back to normal, while Azh begin to shrink and slowly move towards his master.
Hale regards Amar more closely, her pulse faster than before. A dreamer with backbone. Quaint, but rare. "When you make it that far, well ...I'm not averse to seeing a man crawl up to my level; there is strength in that effort, and strength I can respect. Until then, hope that someone like them", she nods to Romo and Gander, "is there to keep you alive."
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Thank you... I appreciate those words. I am weak, I admit. My condition has never been what it could be or anything compared to even normal humans. So only way to me was to engulf myself deeper to mysterys of magic... studying more than others and harness my knowledge as my blade. You have more than eye can meet, Princess Amar nods to her and accepts apologize.
I will be off to sleep. Tomorrow will be again new day and journey and I need to refresh myself for the morning... one of the curses we spellcasters have...
Gander's hand briefly tightened on the haft of his axe but relaxed almost at once.
"You might be careful about when and where you use your tricks." He said calmly, nodding to where the camels shifted restlessly several paces away. "Unless you intend to ride your bug the rest of the way or are interested in attracting the attention of the hunters this night. This isn't the city, after all, and it may be those you are trying to frighten that you will come to rely on."
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As Amar is walking and upon hearing speech from Gander, he stops and look at the halfling for a while
Indeed. I need people in front of me, I need people to protect me... but can´t we all say same to people in front? I don´t have reasons to frighten, just to correct but I admit in all aspects what I have been told. I hope you will also learn what is being told. World is vast... and about Azh, interesting idea. I have to consider that Amar notes and seems to be quite interested about this subject and about my tricks... ooh, believe me, I have more tricks in my back than Calistrian priestess had "clients" and laughing to his own joke while walking back to tents
Gander watched until the wizard had passed out of earshot, before speaking.
"It seems that the wizard is a madman. He'll bear watching."
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Amar eyes gets wide as the card hits his chest and burst of orange cinders but disappears then.
However, he soon realises the situation around the camp and hops off and move closer to the wagon in fire. As he get closer to burning wagon, m aagic begin to gather around him and Amar start to shoot ice from his hands
"Douse with what, where is the water?", he shouts at the woman. Romo dismounts and runs up to the most agitated camel. He tries to calm it by holding it by the back of its neck:
Handle Animal:
Hale dismounts too, her eyes aglow with excitement. This is more like it! Mayhem! Used to command she shouts at indecisive onlookers: "Move it you mongrels! Line-up! Sand and water! Get that fire out now!" Then she leads proceeds to lead by example, relishing the chance for action after the dreary trip.
Khismia rushes over to where the fire is and gets to work extinguishing the fire. With a quick gesture a small downpour of water appears over a part of the fire. She realises she can’t extinguish all of the flames but she can work in such a way as to prevent further spreading.
Romo realizes the wagon could go up in flames at any time, and runs up to it. He starts to push it in the direction that the mercenaries are pushing it.
Strength:
Cursing, Gander drops his backpack well away from the chaos and rushes forward to where the mercenaries are struggling with the enclosed wooden wagon.
He grabs hold wherever he can find a grip and begins to work with them. "Gods damn it, push!" He shouts.
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Amar watches how his magic has no effect to the fire and curses to himself. He looks around to see how he could help. No any whatsoever healing spells, extinguish spells... this is ridiculous! What to do? Looking at the two burned mercenaries lying in ground, Amar will run towards Khismia Khismia, there is people who need you more than here. Any possibility you know some healing magic? I will replace you here and forgetting his dignity, he begin to dig sand and throw it on fire.
Upon hearing that the fire has already claimed victims, Khismia rushes towards where Amar indicated the patients are. She heads to the untended woman first to makes sure she is in a stable condition then she proceeds to check what additional care the woman needs.
She assumes the red-headed Halfling knows what he is doing, but if she sees him struggle and her patient is stable she will lend a hand there as well.
"Good job men!", Romo then runs over and picks up a bucket. He tries to help where he can, by joining the line or moving back and forth between the water supply and the fire.
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Amar will just keep digging and throwing sand over fire until its extinguished.
Fire is calming down, Amar will move towards the woman who had issued command to put fire out I am sorry but is this card perhaps yours? While showing the harrowed-card.
And about the incident here? What happened? How could a chaos like this happen here? Did some monsters attack or accident happen?
Hale is out-of-breath her chest heaving in the aftermath of the fire fighting. Her eyes sparkle with the excitement. Yes! This is more like it indeed! She catches up with the others, while still barking orders to the unorderly, "Stop slackjawing! You there! Catch those pigs! Tall boy! Get an accurate estimate of the remaining water reserves! You guys over there! Report in an hour with a damage assessment! Go Go GO!"
With the wagon safely out of the way, Gander runs back to the flames and begins scooping handfuls of sand and tossing it onto the fire, moving as quickly as he can. He doesn't interfere with the water line but he hopes that they can extinguish the fire quickly before too much water is lost.
Wearied from the efforts of extinguishing the fire, Gander sank gratefully into a chair and accepted a wet towel from one of the serving women, scrubbing his face clean of soot and brushing away the sand and dirty from his hands.
When Almah mentioned the gnolls, he paused in his efforts and paid closer attention to her words, looking to each of the people as they were introduced.
"I am called Gander, the Longstalk. My axe and sling are yours." He inclined his head a moment in deference. "How far are we from this Kelmarane now? Have there been any attempts to determine where the gnolls have placed their den?"
Romo waits for Gander's questions to be answered, then chimes in."Do we know their numbers? are we to strike the village alone or will you and your men be joining us?"
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Amar listens and then add his own questions How is the geography here? Any information. how we could use desert to our advantage? Anyone who can use magic or something more dangerous among gnolls? Any tiny bit information could be useful here and as Amar finish, he remembers something. Ah, what is this card between? I recognize it as a harrowing-card but otherwise, it wont say anything to me while showing the card
"What about the Carrion King? There are many rumors making the rounds - but nothing we can trust with certainty."
Gander frowned, surprised. "You think the fire may have been deliberate? What reasons do you have for suspecting that?"
Gander nodded. "Doesn't hurt to check, I suppose. You'll have to pardon me, however, lady. Talking to people isn't what I'm paid for. If someone needs killin', I'm your halfling. I think you're going to want the likes of her," he gestured to Hale, "for a job like this. I'll do what I can but people don't particularly care for my...manners." It was clear that he was about to use another word but settled for one that might be a bit more politic.
Hale stays matter-of-fact, addressing those present with accordance to their station. "We'll look into this incident - but we'll need some point of reference from which to start. The essentials would be what you do know about the explosion and the events that led up to it. Was the astrologer doing a reading? If so, why? Who was present? Who knew about it? How long ahead was it planned? Who benefits from such an incidence." Hale continues to list several points relevant to organizational tiers.