Rong was here...FIRST!

YO YO YO
Representin all the Ouat Caste Dwarves in the Osirion Faction!

Let's hear it for all the knowledge seekers out there!

May Sarenrae guide you on all your missions for the Society.

I'll drink to that! Have a beer, it's on me!

I'll drink to that! Have a beer, it's on me!

<<Rong lights a rolled tobacco leaf and settles into a dusty corner with a look that says, "This ought to be interesting.">>

Rong, Clerics of many faiths can be found in the service to the Ruby Prince. Perhaps you can share a drink and we can discuss the appeal of each faith. Here, have a flagon of Cayden's finest! Which, some say, is clearly the color of the Dawnflowers light!

If one 'worships' Cayden enough, they'll see many things of many colors, my friend! I doubt the Ruby Prince needs nor wants to hear about your valiant battle against pink goblins.

If one 'worships' Cayden enough, they'll see many things of many colors, my friend! I doubt the Ruby Prince needs nor wants to hear about your valiant battle against pink goblins.

Those goblins weren't pink - they were red!

Qa'Pelos enters the door of the Lodge room, after it is open by his seneschal, and strides forth purposefully, but with a serene, steady demeanor. He looks about the room with a stoic, stony face, and asseses those who have begun to assemble. He carries the Pharoah's Crook of Order and wears traditional Osirion clothes and the accutrements of one of the Risen Guard. He nods his head slightly, almost making a bowing gesture to those in the room, and sits, his bald, oiled pate glistening in the afternoon light.
He seems satisfied at the small gathering, and in a deep baritone, he says simply ...

"Indeed."

Glory to the Pharaoh!
Osirion will resume her rightful place and all will cower.

Rong, Clerics of many faiths can be found in the service to the Ruby Prince. Perhaps you can share a drink and we can discuss the appeal of each faith. Here, have a flagon of Cayden's finest! Which, some say, is clearly the color of the Dawnflowers light!

Much gratitude for your offer. Alcohol, it is forbidden. I will simply watch, enjoy and remember.

Greetings and Salutations - who was in attendance at the Grand Convocation, and if so, did I speak with you? I played the part of Amenopheus the Sapphire Sage.

I've heard of some rumors about a grand party called "GenCon" in a place called "Indianapolis" where there is some incredible adventures happening. I was wondering if any of my fellow faction members were also attempting to seek out this "party" and perhaps obtain some lost artifact of Ancient Osirion.

I've heard of some rumors about a grand party called "GenCon" in a place called "Indianapolis" where there is some incredible adventures happening. I was wondering if any of my fellow faction members were also attempting to seek out this "party" and perhaps obtain some lost artifact of Ancient Osirion.

Joko Po, Faithful Servant of Irori. I am considering a respite to my retirement. Rumors of a "Special" mission have rekindled my desire to travel again. This Geneva Conclave you speak of, should prove to be a exciting gathering of Pathfinders.

<<Osario enters and finds a quiet table near the fire>>

<<Osario gets up and saunters over to the bar and orders an extra large skillet of spiced potatoes and a pitcher of mead. With food, drink and extra tankards in hand, he returns to his seat by the now dwindling fire.>>

Morning is upon us, and to all of my fellow followers of the desert sun, come eat and share in these delicious spiced potatoes. I couldn't possibly eat them all.

<<Osario gets up and saunters over to the bar and orders an extra large skillet of spiced potatoes and a pitcher of mead. With food, drink and extra tankards in hand, he returns to his seat by the now dwindling fire.>>

Morning is upon us, and to all of my fellow followers of the desert sun, come eat and share in these delicious spiced potatoes. I couldn't possibly eat them all.

Melchior wanders in just as Osario offers the food. "Many thanks friend - they look excellent and I have yet to break my fast. My name is Melchior and I have recently arrived in Absalom from the Ruins of Tumen in search of knowledge and adventure."

Melchior takes one of the proferred plates and fills it with some of the delicious fare.

<<Rong rises, moves to Osario's table, shovels a load of potatoes onto a plate with his gray green hands, nods at the gathering Pathfinders, then flings several coins on the table.>>

Keep 'em coming.

<<...Rong says, and a brief smile crosses his face, revealing grotesque teeth and tusks. A moment later he resumes his seat in the corner and an empty plate clatters to floor. Those who look up see the orcish grin again briefly before Rong wipes his mouth on his sleeve and lights another leaf.>>

<<Osario roars in laughter>>

HA HA! Well met my friend. I see we are among fine and hospitable companions today.

<<Osario gathers the coins, walks to the bar and orders a pint of non-alcoholic cider. He takes it to Rong's chair, and presents it.>>

Perhaps you need something to wash down your breakfast.

It would appear we have a shapeshifter and a traiter in our midst.

I'll have no more of this foolish banter.

<<Cryptichorror (aka Osario) dissappears in a puff of smoke, leaving a small pile of gold and tray of half eaten potatoes alone on an otherwise unoccupied table.>>

A stocky-built Dwarf walks in following the puff of smoke, an obviously well-used Arkenstar-made musket cradled across his chest. He narrows one of his eyes... then reaches down and snags a potato, taking a bite before speaking.

"Aye, well met there lads an' lasses. Jaycen Ruurken's the name, formerly of Arkenstar. Ol' Amenopheus really swayed me, talking 'bout how important it is to keep y'er relics where they belong."

He pats his firearm gently, like a newborn. "That's the sort of thing we do where I come from, so count me in!"

...and then he grabs another potato.

Rong nods to the stocky newcomer and grins, revealing his tusks. Then he lifts the tankard of cider and offers it to the newcomer.

"Welcome. Does that thing <<he points at the wood and metal weapon>> have any purpose in a toe-to-toe fight? Will it take a hit? Can you brain your foe with it?"

Qa'Pelos watches the orcish man, with stony eyes. Though clearly stoic in demeanor, he seems contemplative. As the stranger discorporates, his eyes widen, but he gives away little else away in regards to his thoughts or feelings on the matter. His face seems placid, but it also seems that this may be because his skin is clearly is somewhat stony and thick, giving him a visage similar to that of a carved statue.

He sits resolutely at his table, while a man - seemingly his servant - fetches his drinks and food for him. Another sits nearby working with what look like ledgers from a business and discusses them with Qa'Pelos. All are adorned in traditional Osirion garb.

In a thickly accented baritone that is level and even, he occasionally simply says, "Indeed" when replying to the seneschal. He appears to notice the weapon being discussed, and nods politely to the man bearing it.

Greetings and Salutations - who was in attendance at the Grand Convocation, and if so, did I speak with you? I played the part of Amenopheus the Sapphire Sage.

You did! I thought your costume was great! And it was neat to see how you played him. I didn't get the opportunity to follow up on the trinket you gave me, and only had a spare moment to return my ballot to you. Any chance of continuing the RP here? I'd love to do a little follow up to the Grand Convocation. BTW, I'm Qa'Pelos the Living Monolith.

The Dwarf nods to those who greet him, and grins at Rong's questions. "Aye, this baby does her part juuust fine. She might not get the range an Elf with a bow can manage, but she'll tear through armor like it was rice paper!"

He loops the carrying strap for the weapon on his shoulder and accepts the offered tankard, lifting it in toast. "Thankee kindly lad. If I had any complaints about the prospect of workin' to help the Ruby Prince, it's that Dwarves and sand dinnae mix much...I'll need many more drinks so I don't end up goin' dry out there!"

Hello Knowledge seekers.

As long as you follow the gods of other nations, none of you are Osirion.

Sanakht, I must respectfully disagree.

The true key to being Osirion is to gather knowledge. These outside gods, while inferior to those of our homeland, can be a source of knowledge.

I myself have embraced some aspects of far Tian Xia, but ave adapted them to best suit our sandy homeland. I have found thier skill in swordplay to be as formidable as our greatest khopeshman, and so I use their steel. I have found their horsemen to match our greatest outriders, and so I use their saddles. I have found their cuisine to be both simplistic and delectible, and so I use their food.

This is not to say that I forsake my fatherland for that of afar! Their armor bakes in the sun, and so I bear our shields. Their horses wilt in the sands, and so I ride our camels. Their languages are many and constantly changing, and so I speak the tongue of our ancestors.

Being Osirioni is not about regecting all that which is not. It is about using all knowledge, regardless of origin in time or space.

Zan, knowledge is power, yes. But to bow and snivel and whine at the feet of other gods in hopes to heal our beloved Pharoah is to betray all that makes one Osirioni.

A slender, rangy elf stands near the window, his shaven head raised to catch the sun's rays. Coarsely woven robes shroud his figure, tattered garments more fit for a beggar than an agent of the Pathfinders. Badly scarred and covered with faded tattoos, the elf's hostile expression carries a hint of madness, the distracted look of one who even now hears the desert's cruel spirits whispering in his mind.

"Bow and snivel and whine?" Aconite the Anchorite whispers hoarsely. "The Dawnflower has shown secrets to Her favored ones... I've seen them, hidden amid the sands." Wheeling suddenly, the elven fanatic's pale eyes glare accusingly at a young Pathfinder who had the temerity to snicker at his overwrought display. "You may smirk, but you have not seen! While the ignorant scorn the power of the gods, they have not read the ancient inscriptions, they have not fought the spirits of the haboob! Even the awesome might of the Ruby Prince is as naught before the power of the gods themselves!"

Reaching unsteadily for a cup of sekanjabin, the battered anchorite staggers from the chamber, looking around fearfully lest the wasteland's spirits return to torment him further.

*looking to the others*

I....I am not sure how to respond to that. There is wisdom in his words, and yet also maddness.

He is an elf and not a true son of the land. Elves are a fickle and easily broken people. Be that as it may...

Knowledge without understanding is just stupidity cloaked by ignornace masqueraded by showmanship. Such acts have dire consequences.

<<Though he had been sitting in the corner, minding his own business, this latest slight roused the exceptionally short and tanned elf, dressed in the garb of the desert elves of Osirion's deep desert, to walk into the center of the room and look coldly at Sanakht, then spoke in the concise accent of a native of Sothis>>

"Easily broken, are we? Have you ever walked through a dust storm in the deep desert? I have, as has every elf in my tribe. We are not easily broken. I can assure you, whatever may have unbalanced my... distant kinsman there, it was no "easy" feat. Speak not of knowledge without understanding, lest you reveal your own inadequacies."

<<Khaldun-ra then bows slightly to the rest of the room, somehow conveying the fact that Sanakht alone is not included in the following greeting>>

"Salutations and greetings to you, fellow Osirioni. I look forward to working with you towards our common cause of healing our great Prince, may he outlive us all. As true sons and daughters of Osirion, I agree with Zan, that using things of other cultures for the betterment of our great nation is nothing less than our duty. All who serve the Ruby Prince and his Sapphire Sage are bound to do their utmost for our lord and his trusted adviser."

--With a dismissive wave of his hand--

And again with the ignorance. You hold the very same position that has brought nought but harm to the very Prince that you "claim" to serve. Go back whence you came and allow those of us with wiser heads and far seeing eyes to deal with the attempted murder of the most beloved Ruby Prince.

<<Khaldun laughs derisively at the man>>
The folly and misguided exuberance of a single servant of Orision is not enough for uncowardly persons to discontinue exploring all possible avenues of knowledge. The Sapphire Sage himself has told those of us who serve Osirion from within the Society that he will often ask our help in seeking out foreign ingredients and reagents to be used in the efforts to cure the Prince. He has also instructed us to investigate the lore of Lissala, the admittedly foul goddess whose arcane cultists have caused this woeful state of affairs. Surely you would not tell the Sage that he is mistaken in this? If you would, please tell me when you plan to follow through with this course of action. I would dearly enjoy the show.
A true seeker of knowledge knows that ALL knowledge is worth studying, if only to find its weaknesses. To assume that our ancient predecessors, as almighty as they were, discovered every arcane secret of this wide multiverse is to conjecture on a severe lack of data. Open-mindedness is the first requirement for true knowledge, sir. Any man or woman of the desert could tell you this. The close-minded and inflexible die quickly out on the sands.

Was it not the Sapphire "Sage" that set these events into motion? I have my reasons for doubting the sincerity and goals of this "advisor". Mark my words, the "Sage" plays his game thinking us all fools, and that will lead to our downfall. You may play that role he has assigned you but I refuse. I will find a cure in my own way.

<<Sitting back with a glass of wine>>

Please, prattle on. Don't mind me as I chuckle at your feeble endevours.

<<Raises the glass>>

Cheers.

So, any other supporters of Osirion still around?
Empedocles is no necromancer by any stretch but he can still cast he odd raise thread.

I'm meta-wondering how Osirion faired this season. It must be coming close to crunch time for the dear Ruby Prince. Does faction performance really affect the outcome? What's the deadline?