Aye, a dragon it mighta been...but did a dragon bring winter? I suppose it could be so.
Sturion definitely looks ill at ease...when by all he'd had to drink, he should be more relaxed. Still, he's not speaking as clearly as earlier...
Witches? Dragons? Sounds like a storybook. This should be... Interesting.
Sildur frowns, "Whatever the cause it is powerful and leaves great destruction in it's wake. We must be wary."
Aye.
Aevann still looks sullen after hair-rustling condescension. "Seems like everything frightens my elders except the things that should"
"It was just that... given fate's tapestry seems to have been woven into a tapestry 'round here, I thought that maybe the chant might work better, give us a clue... but most of them don't make sense anyway"
He - reluctantly - leaves his sister and walks to
"I am sorry about saying you were from hell, and scaring you. What do we need to be even?"
He then walks over to
"Do you think so? That maybe I could earn a living as a bard? I know a lot of stories, is that enough? Why is Birth amusing?"
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They the most powerful dragans can control the weather. But why would a dragon odestroy your clan and then disrupt the weather?
Agatha fills her cup and sips it.
Giants could do it,. Were there no tracks or signs.
Refering to aevann Agatha says leave the boy alone. He is fey touched, and so sees to the heart of matters. He may not understand his own purposes.
Sildur returns to his seat, "I've traveled the lengths of these lands and met many a traveler who has devoted their life to staunchly avoiding the heart of matters. Better to ask leave before revealing the truths whispered by your blood...or suffer the ire of bitter elders."
He watches Aevann as he finishes another mug of thick mead, Sildur wipes his mouth and smiles, "I on the other hand have spent all the days of my life searching for a hint of life's truths. Perhaps one day my feet will find them, possibly even following your footsteps young one?"
I decided a long time ago to not worry myself over life's truths, or mysteries, but instead to enjoy just being alive. Too much worry, and you stop forgetting what life is all about. Not to say that that route is correct for everyone, nor that I spend all my time in a tavern drinking and carousing, but I found my purpose is on the road, seeking new adventures as soon as one's finished, and that's enough for me. For now, at least. Perhaps one day I'll get to the bottom of a pint and decide to search for the mysteries of it all, but not this pint! Today is for making new friends, and finding a new path, and so it shall be for me!
I'm sure there were tracks, buried 'neath all that snow...not that I'm any sort o' tracker, but I could've told claws from boots, if I could see anything. Mind ye...I've little doubt I was not in me right mind.
That which can slay a whole clan o' dwarves, that's what scares me. Are ye sayin' it shouldn't, lad?
Sturion turns to look directly at Aveann as he speaks the last line.
Aye, if we're battling a dragon, we're going to need a Mage or two, at least. I can't say I've ever fought one myself, but I've heard the stories from some who have. It could get ugly....
Mmmreh. Kzethax appears to have lost interest in the goings-on around him and is apparently asleep.
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I do not think it was a dragon from your tale. Was your clan rich with gold and magic? Probably not that rich. A dragon powerful enough to do what you said would not be interested in your clan. And you said your burro was untouched. Strange.
Was there sign of burning or lightning or ice? Acid? Then a dragon it was not. This world contains many powerful beasts. A linnorn? Maybe.In any event I don't think we are strong enough to take a beast so strong as to destroy a dwarf clan. Not an easy mark.
Aye, there was ice...but...right now, that's everywhere.
Sturion is starting to look very weary.
Rikael mutters something about wings of death, it sounds like it might be part of a song or poem, and his head slowly leans forward until he is resting on the table, snoring softly.
Aevann's face falls
"I wouldn't wish my footsteps on you, sir, and I don't know any life's truths, just stories and craft."
"I don't know. It's just a stupid rhyme, okay?" the boy seems frustrated "Those are just the words. Why is she birth and she silver?"
"I don't know. Tell me what you know and I'll see if it fits a story. I know lots of stories about dragons; 'The Doomed Twelve', 'the massacre at Blue Hill', 'the Ice that Flies in the Night'."
"As to what you should be afraid of... I don't know. Maybe why it let you go? Hmmm... Some monsters kill everyone but one survivor, then let the survivor go to spread the word and bring more things to kill. Usually only monsters that care about treasure or killing heroes though - or undead tied to a family bloodline, like in 'Haunted Pete'."
Aevan downs a little more stew, and digs out some coins
I have a character to submit, just got to rework the personality/background. I'll get it done tonight.
Rikael mutters something every now and then. It's not coherent, nor even a language. It appears all the ale has finally caught up to him. However, he still has a firm grip on his mug.
White-Fire flies down from the ceiling where he'd been hiding. Noticing his master asleep, and several patrons inattentive, he quickly eats the rest of Kzethax's food and steals a quick morsel from every other plate that isn't being closely watched.
Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! The owl almost sounds like he's laughing.
Seeing the owl stealing food, Aevann sighs and speaks to the bird.
"You mustn't do that, sir. You'll get him in trouble. You may have some of mine if you like." this last is accompanied by an offered morsel t tempt the bird.
Sildur smiles warmly at Aevann, "Maybe not this far but you never know where your feet may take you in future."
He looks at Sturion, "I can promise you little, but if I should go with you and we find tracks left behind, I am confident I can at least give your sire's slayer a name and perhaps an idea of it's direction."
White-Fire gives Aevann a very strange look, then accepts the food.
ZzzzzzzzMREH! Mreh. Burn things. Where I be again? Kzethax wakes up from his short nap with a start. Looking closely, his staff appears to be smoking, though there's no sign that it was burning.
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When the owl comes to steal her food, Agatha snaps a spark spell as a warning shot, and snow dagger hisses loudly. begone fowl. My cooking pot awaits Agatha hisses as well.
probably has lice
Agatha turns from the thieving owl to Aevann and says
I shall aid you path cousin. But be warned, kinslaying, however justified, it not without consequence.
Rikael wakes with a snort and a start. He looks around sleepily then starts to talking to Sturion in an excited hurry.
Sturion! Is your hold near here, and has it been affected by this strange winter? Perhaps the two are connected? What if there was something deep in your hold that whatever killed your family needed to create this foul weather, and you never knew about it? It seems strange that we would all be brought here by fate, and our paths not be connected somehow. Maybe this is it?
If asked about how he came to this conclusion, he says:
It just reminds me of a story my mother used to tell me, and I was dreaming about it just now. The children may be involved as well, didn't they say their stepfather was a... Less than good person? He could have a part in it, thereby involving them... Tapestries woven by the gods are hard to discern by men, my mother would tell me.
"Then we will both be kinslayers. I had for siblings and a mother thirteen months ago"
Know nothing of kinslaying. Know nothing of kin, mmmreh. What be you speaking of?
Late Monday 1/13 update:
I am in training for the next 2 days so I may a bit sparse through Wednesday.
@Camris - I saw your post. I'll start a line for you.
@Sturion - I'm a little confused about what you are updating but let me know when you are done.
@Kzethax - I'm certainly fine with you re-skinning or re-flavoring things to fit better.
Tracked characters: This doesn't have nightdeath's breakout. Do people like that view more? If so, I can model it.
Steven_Evil -Rikal Ashenstone, Half Elf Barbarian (Urban Barbarian)-Complete
Rednal -Shiro, Elf Natural Werewolf Sorcerer -Complete
Le Roy Batty-Uloth Moleskin, Half-Orc Ranger (Wild Stalker/Skirmisher)-Complete
Voyd211 -Kzethax Icerender, Kobold Witch-Complete
KyleS-Izumi Hitomi,Aasimar Sorcerer-Complete
Rhanloi Ehlyss-Lanarial, Half Elf (Drow Descended) Rogue (Sniper)-Complete
Irnk-Grey, the Lady's Dog, Halfling Summoner (Synthesist)-Complete
DM Aku-Aku Warashi, Strix Ranger (Urban Ranger)-Complete
Harakani-Aevann, Human Witch (Winter Witch) - Complete
Necrovox-
nightdeath-Thorn Silvertip, Half Elf (Drow Blooded) Ranger (Spirit Ranger, Trapper)-Complete
Chillblame-Agatha, Half Orc Witch - Complete
OTM Shank- Sildur Farwind, Human (Ulfen) Druid (World Walker)-Complete
EldonG-Sturion Stoutheart, Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) - Mostly complete?
mechaPoet-
Rikash-
wehrpig-Urga the Ogre Prophet, Half Orc Battle Oracle
n o 416-Calah Swimmerswift, Undine Inquisitor (Witch Hunter)
Camris- TBD
Kzethax is clearly quite tired. He nods off to sleep again and starts sleeptalking.
Zzzzzzmmmmreeeehhhhh... fire... frostburn... Cthu... Yaga...
Calah answers the the boy.
Yes, I think you could, if you know what intrigues people, and are able to get their attention. But keep practising. And if you go "kinslaying" I would be interested in joining you."
Calah thinks for a moment.
"Birth" is amusing because I thought myself more associated with Death. Speaking of death: want to see a harmless trick ? It'll give you one more story yo tell."
.
@Thorn: Calah flexes her muscles at Thorn. You need strong arms ? Are these...statisfactory ?
"If you can swear it harmless, then yes" answers the boy carefully
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Sturion I do not wish to add to your pain but how did you clan die. The method of slaying quite oftentimes tells of the culprit. Were they slain by tooth and claw, ice or weapon?
Agatha watches Calah carefully when she performs this "trick". As she does this she wonders why aevann asked her age before.
"I too, am bound by rules that forbid me from breaking my word"
Calah crosses her arms and legs, and concentrates. Her skin turns gray, mouth and jaw widen, and her face becoms slightly more wedge-shaped. The rest of her bofy also grows slightly, bigger.
When the transformation is completed, she changes back quickly. The boy might be fearless, but the girl...
"Shapeshifting like that, bound by oath... are you some sort of Fey?"
Aevann definitely seems intrigued, but suddenly cautious.
Sturion snaps out of his slumber Angeles groggily listens to Rikael...
Aye...I suppose it could be.
Head still propped up, he turns his attention to Agatha.
I dunno much 'bout how to tell, outside o' the obvious. All of 'em were frozen stiff by the time I found 'em. Some had been hit...hard. It takes a mighty blow ta crumple a dwarven breastplate. Some were hacked at...or bit. Nothin' too clean, like a sharp sword. One had 'is guts strewn all about. No marks at all, on a few...like me mother. Me father...he fought...had gashes here an' there...an' I couldn't find his left arm. Mayhaps a thing ate it.
"Listen to your "cousin", boy. Perhaps you can learn from her.
Yes, I have a Elemental heritage, although this trick has nothing to do with it. The only thing "Fey" about me are the scars on my body."
White-Fire watches Calah transform and his eyes go very wide.
He flies down in front of Agatha and hoots a few times to get her attention.
He holds up a wing, pulls a scale off the sleeping Kzethax (it doesn't wake him), and begins to sort of "walking" the scale across the table.
Sildur nods appreciatively at Calah's trick, "I have met those of my brethren with similar talents. Though I am curious, is your "trick" true alteration or simply illusion my lady?"
MREH! Mreh. Fire. Mmreh? Gah, that be my scale! White-Fire holds up his wing and repeats his charade routine.
Mmmreh, bird do this sometimes, since can't talk. Okay, scale-hop?White-Fire shakes his head and repeats Scale...walk? The owl holds up his wings, almost as if to say "Close, but not quite." Skin...walk? White-Fire nods furiously. Mmmreh, you see skinwalker? Where be it? White-Fire stands still, forgetting that his master was asleep during Calah's little trick.
Calah is absolutely stumped by the Owl's behaviour. "Apparently some witches' Familliars are that smart. A useful piece of advice" . She watches intently to see if the bird can make the kobold understand what happened during his "absence".
Her hunch is correct; White-Fire flies over and lands on Calah's head. Hoot!
Kzethax's response is completely unfazed. Sea-spirit be skinwalker? Mmmreh, should not be surprised, White-Fire. Blood mingles, does strange things.
Curious for most o' us. This be a human inn? Hard ta tell. If it were a dwarf inn, ya might find a human...or a gnome, sometimes... here?
Sturion looks around again, at each member of the motley company... Nobody even really local, I'd wager.