"I can still drop down and bite your ankles." the head threatened ominously. "You wouldn't believe how many powerful warriors have been killed because they saw a headless knight and never checked around their feet to see where the head went. One bite, they're distracted, and off with their own head!" She... was joking about that as a technique used to win fights, right?
Sense Motive (DC 5)
"So if I talk with your body do you still hear me?" Nora asks the headless body, giggling at this new turn of events.
"This certainly has been quite the evening. Never knew how much fun it would be to get away from the cities! It'll be tough to top this party."Nora adds with a sultry glare at Gerhard.
"It's certainly interesting, I'll give you that. But I hardly think this would top some of the parties you must have been to, succubus." he says sipping his drink.
Eina shakes her head at Kejal as she apologizes.
"There's no need to apologize. I... I still have troubles sitting on my temper."
The sight of a head sailing through the air brings a snort of amusement from the paladin. The grin that appears on her face makes her look even younger than her freckles and her small size did.
"And here I was thinking that 'losing your head' was just a turn of phrase. I agree with you on both counts, Kejal."
"Perhaps. Nora responds with a chuckle, slightly surprised by his acknowledgement of her demonic heritage. Have to trust Mr. Wolf. This man is not an agent of her.
"But this is the most unique one. Can't recall one with this many different races. well one that didn't involve...." She adds, her voice trailing off at the end.
Nora saddens slightly at her last comment. She is remembering a long forgotten memory that she would have preferred stay forgotten.
With the smile gone from her face, he recognizes her remembrance of a sad memory. He decides to try to lighten the mood.
"I know what you mean. How many parties can you see a weasel-man chase the head of a dullahan thrown at a werewolf without starting an inter-special war?"
Nora brightens at Gerhard comments, a small laugh escaping her lips. "It has been quite the evening. Perhaps I just need something to take my mind off of things..." Nora looks around spotting one of the goat folk she waves it over.
"I have a task that would just mean the world to me if you could do it."
"I would be delighted if you could go a get this ladies head from Mr. Wolf" Nora mischievously says pointing at Della. "I have heard that she simply loves dancing, and it would be a travesty if she wasn't able to tonight. Perhaps you could help and take her head out for a whirl!"
Phurs is astonished that his odd behavior didn't upset anyone, he stops mid stride and tries not to look embarrassed.
"Um excuse my exuberance" Phurs says meekly "Yet one of the few ways for me too keep this new bodies energy up is to eat" . "and eat a lot" He continues.
"And ah deeply regretful lady Ella but one of the few ways to supplement trail rations or wander meal is bye hunting." Phurs states slowly and trails off......
"AH speaking of eating" Phurs wanders off to the sweets table and starts to pile another plate of honey covered pastries.
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Wolf just shakes his head at Della at the fact of her statement, "True that could be quite distracting."
The goat folk obliges Nora and goes to fetch the head.
Wolf offers it up after some feigned jealously over the head.
The goat folk twirls the head around facing him then bringing the head back to its owners body.
"Phurs, chap come on over here, I have something for you." Wolf says.
If Phurs does come over Wolf has a bubbling brew made for him. He will whisper to him as he hands the draught to him. "In instinct we are all predators, be glad we all want to make improvements."
"..." the head was quiet, and seemed vaguely annoyed - nobody had actually asked if she wanted to dance, and knights of any sort were a bit uptight about protocol. She was keeping it in for now, though, and her body calmly took the head back as soon as it was presented.
Phurs walks over to Wolf slowly trying to play it cool.
Looks at the draught and accepts it meekly, and whispers back " Flying things seem to make it worse cause I seem to be able to catch them fairly easily."
Phurs then frowns and almost weeps "I'm not evil sir but in some instances I haven't been able to control the instinct to hunt" Phurs states while trying to get ahold of himself, " I saw your fairy friends and I knew it was just a matter of time before I um snapped"
Phurs calms down somewhat and goes on and says "Real reason I'm here without one of those invites is I um almost ate one of the local fairies Thank the gods thier a bit more understanding than my own kind"
Phurs states and slowly pulls off one of his gloves revealing an old nasty scar. "This is just one of the instances of my hunger getting the better of me" He continues,"that one came almost immediately after my awakening". Sliding the glove back on his mind wanders....
He realizes that the Dullahan isn't kidding. An interesting tactic to be sure.
He smiles at the sight of the goat dancing with the clearly unhappy head.
Gerhard knows that look anywhere - predatory hunger. He himself has worn it. Too many times. I wonder if I should tell him about my experiments...No not now. They are not ready yet and he might not be one to view them...favorably.
Gerhard is staring at Phurs rather intently.
Hoping the draught will help him somehow Phurs downs it without hesitation figuring anything is better than nothing.
Seeing the bear-man he spoke with earlier eyeing him he wanders over to inquire "Whats on your mind good sir?"
Well if he's asking...
After a moment of consideration, he speaks quietly to Phurs.
"Your predatory instinct is strong, yes? Ever since the curse you spoke of? I may have a way to..remedy that. We shouldn't talk about it here, but I could use an...assistant." His words are strangely chilling and his look strange.
Realizing that he's talking about test subject Phurs doesn't even flinch, and states plainly "Listen Gerhard if you can help me with a few of my problems I wouldnt mind being your test subject."
Phurs stares at Gehard and and says "Listen the animal that I became isn't completely gone from my mind and psyche," and then he bluntly goes on "Frankly the only three things a weasel thinks about is how do I kill you, how do I eat you, and where can I sleep once I've eaten you."
"If I can calm it down I'm certain the constant fear of eating one of our hosts helpers will subside!" Phurs shakes his head after saying this.
"Excellent. We will speak more of this when I have done more research. Well that's enough of that. Let us continue with the festivities."
"Della that looked like fun!" Nora laughs as the headless body re-attaches the skull. "Do forgive me, I tried to ask your body but it didn't seem to respond, went with my intuition that everyone must enjoying dancing." She adds failing to contain her laughter.
"Yes well if you wish to review what information I've discovered" Phurs says, "Do ask Sir Wolf to look at the note I handed to him."
Turning his attention to the 2 last members of the party he had yet to address. Phurs states "I once knew a knight who never did anything other than what was protocol and was expected." After a short though wonders if anyone is interested.... no I doubt it.
"Needless to say the thief's guild killed him for reporting some of their misdoings" Phurs says sadly.
"Besides its a party and as i can see so few of us are enjoying it for what it is" Phurs smiles and says, and its obvious that the smile is strained at that.
"Lady Nora ... Lady Nora, I've noted that you are attempting to make the night go easier for some of our less outgoing friends." Phurs states rather wryly. Phurs continues "Its abit ironic that you don't really seem to be willing to take a chance that maybe some of us aren't." mind wanders trying to think of what to say to not insult her
Phurs mumbles something and says"Excuse me Lady I've overstepped myself."
"Oh and Lady Ella, please forgive my earlier actions towards your head" Phurs frowns before walking away he further says "I've got a few demons of my own that still haunt me" Phurs looks Lady Nora's way with the last statement as he wanders off.
"It's 'Della'." the Dullahan muttered... though, for now, she'd set naming issues aside.She glanced at Nora a moment later. "I heard. I just didn't care." the undead knights had some rather freaky magic that connected their bodies and helped them make sense of the world - and vision was only a small part of that.
A Servant comes knocking on your door early in the morning. He will tell each and everyone of you that breakfast is ready and that you should be in full gear ready to depart
Phurs always up with the sun gets his gear ready and sets out to find a good size piece of oak. As he wanders back into the fort from his search he's cutting the bark from what appears to be a decent sized club hes making.
Phurs then follows his nose to the scent of the food, and upon arriving for breakfast he walks in and sits down at a table near the food and continues to strip the bark from his club and waits for the rest of the group to arrive.
Arriving at the table, everyone can see the tall blond man from the night before.
He is standing near the fireplace. He looks tired as if he hadn't sleep at all during the night.
the table is set with plenty of food: meats, chicken, eggs and other stuff.
The blond man will remain silent as if he is absorbed in deep thoughts.
Once every one has arrived and seated themselves he will join the table, presiding it.
He will nod to wolf as he moves to sit
He will remain silent during the whole thing.
Last night the goatfolk would escort anyone that is able to walk on their own two feet to a bedroom to lay their head for the night.
The food is plentyfull and it appears to have no end to it. You have never eaten anything like it.
There is some "divine" qualities to it
Phurs smiles saying "I need something of the smashing variety and a simple club has always worked just as good as something made of metal"
"And frankly I do" tapping his shortsword he says slyly "But for the purpose of breaking bones my granddad used to say ya can't beat the price on a plain club you've stripped of bark yourself."
"Or its trustworthiness for that matter" Finally finishing it he sets the stripped club into his knapsack saying "Done for now"
Gerhard comes down the stairs and starts eating, nodding to those already here.
Nora Saunters into the messhall wearing a stunning black dress, a stylish sack dangling from her shoulder and stretches seductively. "My that was quite the night." she coyly states, a small smirk on her face as her gazes passes over Wolf.
sitting at the table, her eyes light up looking at the feast in front of her. "This looks delicious!" She squeals.
Eina wakes up to a rumbling belly. She didn't eat much at the party, and now she was ravenous. When she arrives in the dining room, her wings are folded behind her. She wears well cared for armor, a chain shirt covers the tunic that can be seen in the gaps between the leather bracers on her arms and the ends of the chain shirt's sleeves. A wide belt covers her middle and her thighs are protected by a heavy leather kilt and studded leather tassels. Rugged pants with leather patches at the knees are tucked into heavy leather boots with armor riveted onto the toes.
The smell of food halts the young woman at the door and her face splits into a wide grin that shows off her fangs. She waits for the first polite moment to help themselves and begins piling her plate with potatoes, rolls, bacon, ham, cheese, and some fruit. She's not a messy eater, having simple, but serviceable manners, but despite this, she manages to give off the impression of a wolf tearing into a carcass.
"Thank you for the wonderful breakfast." She tells Wolf as she piles on a second helping of bacon.
Begins to eat another helping of meat and eggs. Then before stuffing his mouth yet another time Phurs says to Wolf "I was wondering do you have to look far for the scrumptious honey on those pastries from last night?"
Phurs eyes the eggs on his plate and says "Its wonderful not having to raid bird nests to get these little delights" he continues laughing at his experiences "Especially since birds tend to take offense with egg nappers."
The blond man answer yes you woul have to look far for eggs like these, they do not exist in the natural world. And you are welcome Eina, was it ?
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"Yes, I am not the only host here, my friend Zenshiro Stormrider has provided this feast for us, for we will need our strength from what he tells me. The Phoenix is being called to matters that portend to our and other's futures. He knows more than I so I will let him explain it once all are in attendance." Wolf states and begins to eat himself, a sizeable meal to Eina's.
He smiles knowingly at Nora when she makes the comment about the night.
My name is indee Zenshiro Stormrider and i do not belong to this world. The sole reason for my presence here today is to give you a valuable gift. There are events currently unfolding in a realm called Tenth in your world. Wolf has gathered your team in order to go investigate these events. I am in a rather unique position to help you all by offering inside knowledge, but in order for you to realize what you are up against you will have to go gain that knowledge for yourselves.
He takes a small box from a tiny pouch and pass it to wolf.
Once this feast is done i am going to open a gate from here to an island. There you will be free to explore its secrets. Inside the box you will find rings. These rings will allows you to remain on that island for 3 days. Once those three days are gone the magic of those ring will be spent and you will be forcefully expelled from the island and land here.
He pause for a few seconds and looks at the demon
On that island you will not be able to use your teleport or summoning spell like abilities. And if you die there you will suffer Final Death And so will the Undead and the rest of you he says looking Rednal.
Any items you will find there you can try to use but you will not be able to bring back anything for that island.
Magic works normally inside and spell behave the same as you are accustomed to.
Should you choose not to go then i will hand you this greater teleport scroll so that you can go directly to the Duchy of Tenth. I offer no reward, no cash, no items to you for doing any of this. All that i can offer are the spell that i can cast on your behalf as a reward, it is very unlikely that we will meet anytime soon, as i do not reside in this world
Gerhard's ears pique at the mention of him being from another plane, for he too is not native to this one.
"My apologies, Sir Stormrider. I didn't realize that you were to thank for this meal." Eina says as after being informed that there were two hosts.
After hearing about the task at hand, the paladin looks puzzled.
"Why go to this island? I thought the problem was in Tenth."
"And why do these restrictions on time and magic exist there?"
Phurs pipes in and ask the most important question plaguing him "And how is the island connected to this dutchy, if any?"
"There are no rewards, can't keep anything from the island, and Final Death? Why would I go there? All I get is some spells cast by an unknown spell caster sometime in the future? Seems like a lot of risk for little reward... Nora compains.
I mean color me intrigued but I agree with the gorgeous little dragon over there, why risk the island?
The problem is indeed in the duchy, but you will fill find knowledge on the island that is connected to what is currently happening in Tenh.
As for the restriction on the time you can spend on the island is a simple one: My power isn't sufficient to do better due to the island. As to why there are restriction on magic on the island, well the answer is to be found there.
Miss Nora, why risk all that indeed i wonder. In fact i could reply with a question of my own. Why would i go through all the trouble to get you these rings and secure a mean to create a gate with no rewards for myself? Yes you are correct i offer no real reward except the Knowledge you could gain there on that island. And the spell in question would most likely have to be casted now since i will be going back to my world today and there is little reason for me to come back to this one.
he pause for a second
I offered my warning and something i am in a unique position to offer: a little trip to an island. This effect your world not mine so what you do with this gift it doesn't really matter to me.
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"Zenshiro is a new ally or friend of mine, he may not be creating a society to help fix things, but his motives seem to be in the same direction. This is the first meeting of the Phoenix and I thought it worth our time, to first explore this island then investigate Tenth. Please do continue to ask questions." Wolf says supporting Zenshiro's information.
"I'm bound to agree with Sir Zenshiro on this there is no reward other than potentially useful information." Phurs states after thinking for awhile.
"There are reasons to look into this so called island" Phurs continues,"And the most important one being the information on this Dutchy of Tenth that I've never heard of"
"And quite frankly information is your only weapon and the best defense when going into someplace you don't know about" Phurs goes on to say.
"I can understand your fear Lady Nora, any place that will kill someone who shouldn't be able to die is" Phurs shivers and says is"Suffices to say scary for everyone"
"But if we keep it low key we might be able to get thru without a lot of fighting or worse!" Phurs finishes and begins to fiddle with his thieves tools which he digs outta his knap sack while speaking.
Kejal is quiet during breakfast, thinking over the night's events. It had been... interesting, to say the least. Still, everyone she'd met seemed to be a genuinely good person, and that's what she was looking for. Perhaps, together, they'd be able to make a difference. The proposition from Zenshiro Stormrider was interesting to her, but she had to admit that it was risky. The others were asking important questions, but the answers mattered little to the naga. None of it changed the stakes, made it any more or less dangerous. There was only one question that existed - 'Would it be worth it?' - and Kejal knew there was only one way to find out. "I'll go." She said quietly.
I've trusted Wolf up to this point, and he seems to have kept his word in more ways then one.
"If you have Wolf's blessing then I trust that whatever we may find is important. Alright I'll go, if only to keep him safe." Nora replies pensively.
"You mentioned that the rings are the only things keeping us on the island? What would happen if I were to remove it on the island? Is there a way for me to "forcefully expel" myself from the island if things get out of our control?"
The risks may not be so bad if you have an escape plan. You've been in worse situations. Hells, the Abyss was one giant deathtrap and your still breathing.
"But if we keep it low key we might be able to get thru without a lot of fighting or worse!" Phurs finishes and begins to fiddle with his thieves tools which he digs outta his knap sack while speaking.
"Define 'low-key.' I'm going, and I don't exactly blend in with most crowds."
"That won't be a problem. I will be able to give you a potion that will allow you to appear human for a while. I say let's go to the island. My curiosity is piqued
If you were to remove the ring from your finger then you will be yanked out from the island and brought back somewhere to this world. It would be painful I Imagine. If the ring's power is depletes during the final minute you will be transported back to here in a more gentle manner as the last drop of power inside the ring will offer its protection during the travel. he simply reply as stating facts
"Low key is the art of staying away from danger Lady Eina," Phurs states before adding "Atleast till its time to not be"
Eina's eyes flashed at the mention of a potion. Her wings seemed to closed about her and her eyes widened just a hair.
Though she's trying to hide it, she seemed to quail from the idea of drinking a potion, almost like she's afraid to.
Phurs explanation of the art of being Low Key brings a snort from the paladin.
"Right, for all we know this island is full of bastards that worship Rovagug, and last time I checked, Torag and Rovagug were not what you'd call friends." she says in the understatement of the year.