|
"Er, I could try, but I'm not much of a tracker, and it's... a city... footprints in a city... Orphans in need, that is a thing that is a priority now," suggests Samara, fidgeting with her hair with one hand and holding on with the other. "From what I know, when people hate you as much as he looks like he hated. You run into them. Over and over. And it's... uncomfortable."
|
Jaces eyes widen as Passio speaks, saying how it was his fault. You can almost see Jace's thoughts written across his face; 'Shut up! Mate I didn't say anything. Oh ****. She's an honourable lady, this is not going well.'
Jace squirms like a naughty school kid under Mai glare; holding up a hand. "I think what my friend was saying was, I hope I have done nothing to offend. I have certainly said nothing disparaging and hopefully made my words intent clear. However, if I have acted to offend your honour then I'll certainly give you satisfaction....err I mean a duel, after the mission is over." he stumbles over his words; as his feet whilst he nearly falls over.
Trying to change the subject; "My skills are not in tracking but in others areas. And I have met few enough of the halflings that any would be my enemy." he says regaining some composure.
"Good point, Samara. The temple is our priority; even if I dont like having an enemy at my back." Jace lamely concludes.
'Poor Samara, it seems like she is often uncomfortable.'
|
Mai shakes her head and looks up at Samara. "Your words are wise, Sister. Surely if that man has business with us, he will find us again. We have our tasks."
As the group squeezes through the crowded streets, Mai lets herself fall behind slightly until she is walking next to Plod. His silent company seems to relax the small woman.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
|
Passio looks greatly confused by the mention of an angry halfling. As Jace attempts to save face from Passio's gaffe, Passio suddenly puts "small one" together with halfling and realizes he may have unintentionally complicated the situation between Jace and Mai. As Jace's face becomes crestfallen, Passio leans in close and speaks softly to him.
Passio claps Jace on the shoulder and winks. "I will do my best to help you woo her. You can count on me!"
Passio gives Jace a comradely touch on the shoulder and whispers one last thing with a smile.
Then he glances at the rest of his fellow Pathfinders. "I sure feel good about this day. Feel the flow of energy in these streets!" Passio spreads his arms wide, quarterstaff lifted in one hand. "Something exciting is coming our way. I just know it!"
|
|
Jace breaks out into a smile, Passio's enthusiasm is infectious. "Thanks friend, that's an idea." he replies. He watches as Passio stretches out his staff, Jace see that he could be drawing to much attention to them and blocking the street. He bounces forward and grabs the larger man into an embrace, spinning him whilst in a bear-hug. "Oh, let's get on. First rounds on me tonight."
Despite further efforts to the contrary, the possible threat has receded into the crowd with no trace as the Pathfinders enter the Ascendant Court. This quarter of Absalom is markedly different from the Foreign Quarter: the buildings are primarily edificed in gleaming marble, decorative columns abound, and it appears as though each building is striving to look as though it is a temple, a government building, or both. The rough cobblestones have become smooth, beautifully laid, and incredibly expensive masonry, often decorated with Absalom's crest.
The wide boulevard leads to the Temple of the Shining Star, your destination. This grand temple is dedicated to Sarenrae, and Her emblem shines proudly from above the entrance. A wide series of stairs lead up to the great central doors; however, as your group approaches, several priests and priestesses clustered by the entrance notice your appearance and part.
From their midst strides an armored woman with the grace and poise of a warrior...or a queen. She is young, and her unhelmeted visage is plain, but seems to shine with grand purpose. As she approaches, she breaks into a wide grin, running her gauntleted hand through short-clipped hair.
"Hail, Pathfinders!" she says, shaking each of your hands firmly in turn.
"My name is Ollysta Zadrian, and thank the Light of Sarenrae you have arrived! I knew Ambrus would come through for us in the Silver Crusade. I desperately need you to bring medicine to an orphanage and let me know if the headmistress, Gilga Baltwin, is deserving of our charity."
She begins to pace, frowning thoughfully to herself.
"Since our quest began, the needy have clamored for our aid, and I suspect some are abusing our generosity. It may sound cruel, but there are plenty of dishonest people out in the world eager for easy gold."
She then stops, appraising each one of you in turn.
"Do you know of the Silver Crusade? After discovering so many factions splintered the Society, a number of us banded together to proliferate the cause of charity and kindness using the Society’s resources. As it is said, ‘The Dawn brings new Light’, and I’ve made it my life’s work to use our recent darkness to bring a new light to the world and to the Pathfinder Society."
She gives herself a little shake and chuckles, then beckons to one of the priestesses, who bows and moves forward bearing a heavily wrapped packet.
"I apologize for straying off point. Will you bring this parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?"
Though she notices the frown, Lady Zadrian still inclines her head politely to the Tian Xian.
"Our purpose in sending you is twofold, Pathfinder. First, we obviously wish the medicine, which is provided by the charity of the members of the Silver Crusade and by the worshippers of this temple in Her Light, to arrive safely."
She takes the package from her sycophant and dismisses her, then turns and lowers her voice.
"I shall not revel in hearsay, but we also wish you to determine whether the rumors we hear of Auntie Baltwin's Orphanage are true. I would recommend that you younglings make haste to the Eastgate District and...stir the rumor mill, shall we say? I am sorry, but I cannot say that I know more with any certainty of the Orphanage, and I must not pass on untruths."
|
|
As they approach the building Jace's mind is in a whirl, so much happening so quickly. Like a battle he muses, how do people stand to live here where everyday is constant combat?
Approaching the temple his step slows becoming more solemn as he looks to his comrades. At the ladies approach, he bends a knee and firmly shakes the proffered hand. "I thank you my lady, I am Jace." He looks up to her throught long lashes and bright eyes.
"Too many see youth, as a cheap labour, or worse." he pauses remembering the visit to that one town. "Seeking to make profit off the misfortune of others. For those that are honest an orphanage is a tiring prospect and inevitably reliant upon the generosity of others. Although it can be so rewarding."
Rising to his feet; "Of course, we will guard the package. If she is not suitable what are we to do then?"
"The Silver Crusade, what do they do other than charitable works? Is it for Sarenrae alone?" Jace asks.
|
|
Mai's eyes widen slightly at Jace's words and a slight flush suffuses her face. She takes a breath as if to speak, stops, then begins again. "Our masters at the monastery instructed us to observe animals to learn from them. Thus one may learn the cunning of the dragon, the flashing swiftness of the falcon, the ferocity of the tiger. Maybe we could take the lesson of silence from patient Plod," she says placidly.
|
|
"Hail, Lady Zadrian! I am Passio Mancini. I also have taken up the cause of the Silver Crusade. I am excited to meet you!" Passio pumps Ollysta's hand enthusiastically with a big grin.
"I am honored to be able to be a part of your goodworks."
Passio hears the exchange of Mai and Jace out of the corner of his ear. He feels torn as he wishes to try and help his friend but he would really like to speak more with this paragon of virtue...
|
|
"Yes. Guarding packages. It's good work, orphans need medicine, or else they will be sick forever," says Samara, obviously putting a lot of effort into getting those words out, "I am Samara Nolien, treasure hunter, at your service. But I think stealing medicine is bad. So do not worry about me." She smiles, at least sort of, baring her teeth at Ollysta with her strange and unpracticed grin before it fades back to her near blank expression (though always keeping that edge of uncomfortableness). "I will keep my ears and eyes open for any rumours."
Once Ollysta moves on from the handshake, she crosses her arms close around herself, peering towards Plod and then towards Mai, deciding to be social and contribute to conversation, missing the social cues, "Donkeys are strong, too. Helpful. Cute."
|
|
The bickering continued around them, mostly ignored by the green-haired cavalier who was no more aware of the crowds surrounding them. Watching for any sign of further hostility and allowing the budding relationships to unfurl as they would among the companions he had joined. The talk ranging back and forth from their mission, personal, and then to the tracking of the halfling. Like his master Turin was swinging his massive head back and forth, ears perking and moving almost constantly.
"Peace, children."He murmured softly when Jace and Passio began exchanging slightly more heated passes over Mistress Mai. But given the faint smile playing on Faeron's lips he didn't believe they would come to anything more. It was a typical dance to attract a female's attention and healthy in most cases, so long as it stayed friendly. His storm coloured orbs only dropped away from his scanning when the dark haired monk fell back away from them towards the donkey that followed. Turin's brief drop of ears showed that he did not like this sudden change in positions but he was in battle mode and thus didn't drop his guard position as he clearly wished to.
"Mistress Samara, I believe our companion would appreciate a little conversation that did not involve male bickering if you would be so kind as to keep her company along some stretches of our assignments?"The tall elf asked of his riding companion in a low voice, keeping it dropped so that only the white haired female could hear as they shifted position to come up a change in scenery. It would make it much easier to track as there were fewer people around and the area was much neater. Turin's shod hooves rang sharply on the elegant new paving and the stallion's head lifted proudly at the change. Faeron chuckled softly and gave the neck a stroke as they turned towards the temple. Helping Mistress Samara off the tall grey horse as soon as a woman approached them.
"A pleasure Mistress Ollysta, I am Faeron."He murmured with a short bow, listening quietly after as she began explaining her order. One that the cavalier was aware of. It was a faction that he could take heart in and had plans to peruse when he was more worthy of it. His gaze following the passage of the package from the hands of the Silver Crusader and into Corbyn's hands to be placed with Plod's belongings. Apparently the largest part of their mission was to find out if the orphanage had some truth in rumour. If it didn't he would have more than a passing word to say to the operator. Inclining his head but leaving the conversations to the others. At least until Jace once more walked into a wall as far as Mistress Mai was concerned.
"Well played, little sister."His accented tone held approval for the way she put the male in his place but his smile said there was nothing malicious in the teasing. It was good that the human would have to work for her attention, he would treasure it more if she bestowed it on him in the end. The grey orbs sliding towards Passio as he admitted his desire to join the silver crusade as well. His smile growing as he added points in the favour of the Sorcerer. To work towards good. Both male's seemed to be just within their own hearts. The pale-haired elf promised to assist them with the mission as well. Apparently Turin did not approve of her love of donkey's as he turned his head and shoved the grey nose into her chest with a demanding nicker and lipped at her clothing so she'd admit that he was more impressive.
"The Silver Crusade, what do they do other than charitable works? Is it for Sarenrae alone?" Jace asks.
The paladin smiles. "No, any of good faith can join the Silver Crusade. Our purpose is to ensure that the power of the Society is used for the good of all, and not just the Pathfinders themselves. We vehemently oppose any who would pursue purely glory to the detriment of the Society or to the people of Golarion."
"I'm sure Plod will not mind the extra burden. Its what I bought him for and he does it better than any other."
Lady Zadrian relinquishes the parcel to Corbyn, and watches carefully as he stows it in Plod's saddlebags. She is obviously uncomfortable with his taciturn nature.
"Hail, Lady Zadrian! I am Passio Mancini. I also have taken up the cause of the Silver Crusade. I am excited to meet you!" Passio pumps Ollysta's hand enthusiastically with a big grin.
"I am honored to be able to be a part of your goodworks."
She returns the sorcerer's handshake with gusto. "Excellent! We are always in need of others willing to serve a cause greater than themselves. If you need assistance in the future, please, do not hesitate to ask."
"I will keep my ears and eyes open for any rumours."
"That is exactly what I would like you to do," the Lady replies, cocking her head and frowning slightly at Samara's strange mannerisms. "Thank you for your diligence."
"A pleasure Mistress Ollysta, I am Faeron."
"A pleasure as well," she replies. "By your horse and bearing, I assume you to be Ordered. Go in peace, brother."
She then steps back, regarding the party as a whole, and nods in satisfaction.
"Now, then, Pathfinders, if there are no other questions, please attend the matter at hand. You will find the Orphanage in the Eastgate District, next to Militivis' Market. Fare you all well."
|
|
"Eastgate district extends our planned 'arc' by quite a bit. Lady Zadrian, is this an immediately urgent mission, or would we have time to attend to a couple of small matters nearby? The other matters can wait if need be, never fear." Mai absently pats Turin as she quietly addresses the paladin.
"Eastgate district extends our planned 'arc' by quite a bit. Lady Zadrian, is this an immediately urgent mission, or would we have time to attend to a couple of small matters nearby? The other matters can wait if need be, never fear."
Lady Zadrian regards the small woman coolly.
"If I did not feel it urgent, Pathfinder, I would send one of the Temple Acolytes to attend to this diversion rather than you. The sooner you finish this errand and report your findings to me, the sooner you can focus on your other matters."
|
|
"I am always ready, Mai." His words are punctuated with a cheeky wink, "It'll be long journey across the city, but for a deserving cause. What precautions should we take? Keep in a tight group, or send out some fore-runners to break trail and scout ahead?" Jace asks, despite his occasional preoccupation with the smaller Tian lady he tries to show a tactical mind.
|
|
When Faeron speaks to Samara, she seems to listen, looking between him and Mai with a bit of a tilted head. 'Prefer my conversation to someone else's?' She shakes her head, shaking off the idea of such an absurd notion. 'Still, he knows how to interact with people better than me.' Samara then nods her head, seeming to contradict her previous headshake, her body language betraying that she is having an internal conversation. "Understood," she concedes to the male elf.
"If I may, I might... well, I should not talk to people. I'm not a strong conversationalist. I may say something. Something perceived as strange is a thing I might say," says Samara, frowning at the prospect. "Guarding is a thing I could do."
|
"I don't believe we were given a time limit in which we had to complete our tasks. I'd rather do everything well than quickly. If efficiency is not something we can afford than we will take on our missions in order of importance. We have time."
Corbyn looks at an odd shaped birthmark on his skin. His eyes focus on it as he says:
"Ragathiel is keeping a watchful eye on us and will guide us through our tasks as need be."
|
|
Jace nods to the imposing inquisitor; "Certainly, better to do a task well than, to rush it. 'More haste, less speed.' as my tutor used to say."
Samara's words pull upon Jace's exposed heart-strings; 'Poor girl, her turn of phrase seems to be endearing. Someone in her past must have teased her.' he shakes his head very slightly. 'I would see how Faeron feels, he seems to have some affection for her.... but who knows with elves. They are enigma's.'
|
|
Jace bids the Lady Zadrian a farewell bow; "I wish I could find out more about the Silver Crusade, but you're mission is urgent." He smiles warmly at the composed young woman, before turning to leave.
As they make their way down the streets to the Eastgate, the quiet ladies talk is a revelation; it seems the men like most are gabby and full of bombastic boasts whilst the ladies have a quiet competence.
'Is that a compliment? Does she think I have a nimble tongue?' Jace almost skips for a step as his spirits soar, before he forces his movements to return to his the normal strides.
He looks to the large horse of Turin and the graceful deadly rider; 'Quiet, but there seems a strong depth of character to this one.'
The road to the Eastgate District leads you through the Coins; the entire district is dedicated to mercantilism, and the street vendors you have seen in other quarters pale in comparison to the shops' edifices that greet you here. Smithing wares, pottery, and carpenter's wares predominate, and it seems as if every shop has an urchin on the payroll to try to lure you into the door.
Perception DC15:
Sense Motive DC15:
|
|
Jace watches at the crowds intensify, the commercialisation making the mind boggle and his heart ache. 'So many people their lives ruled by the coin, yet without it death or slavery. But this is just another type of slavery' he thinks; not realising he is saying it out loud.
Jace keeps near the front it seems like Mai is avoiding him, he can feel her eyes upon him. Glad he wore his shorter waist high jacket he walks obliviously.
|
|
Jace looks over his shoulder at the elegant elf; "True, but these people, so crowded, poor seem to be verbally fighting each other for money. This can not be good for the soul, perhaps I am a simple agrarian in my heart."
"Money, to my mind should simply be a tool for bargaining. Not a deity to worship." Jace's voice holds a sad note.
|
|
Jace shakes his head; "It can be an inspiration, a force to drive an individual. But it can be a shackles, to keep those poor in poverty and to limit those who have it." Jace pauses remembering his youth as he moves around another man selling wooden amulets. "The rich can be bound as much by their wealth as the poor, though at least they can throw off their restraints."
Looking from one merchant to another, he concedes; "True, they just wish the comfort and security that money provides."
|
|
Perception:
The green haired elf tapped his chest and dipped a deeper bow of respect for the woman who had honoured him by recognizing something within his stance and greeting him from it. Not breaking the petting the dark haired woman was giving the huge grey as he mounted smoothly once more and offered a hand for the pale haired elf to resume her seat with him as well.
"Mistress Mai is correct, breaking apart at this juncture would only cause more problems. We already know we are being watched."the tall cavalier murmured as the group set out once more. The warhorse grumbling about having to loose a chance for the monk to continue touching his soft pelt, but he walked once more with the focused intensity of being on active duty.
"The Crusade is a noble cause if it is your wish to peruse it, friend. There is no greater light in these times."The stormy grey gaze shifted towards the male who was walking ahead of them. A slow eyebrow climbing at the rather...interesting walk he caught. Turning his head slowly, Faeron glanced behind them to where Mistress Mai was walking with the more silent of the group as his lips twitched up into a smile. There were birds from his home who behaved in such ways. Fluffing brilliantly coloured feathers and prancing in elaborate dances to draw a female's attention. Turning back towards the front with amusement and laughter dancing in his eyes and along the edges of his expression. Just catching the tail end of Lady Samara's words with the strutting male.
"Money may not be evil, but it absorbs the blood and pain of those whose hands it passes through. I should hope coins never find a way to speak or the world will fall to its knees in despair. So perhaps it is more a pretty illusion that evil men hide behind."He shrugged slight and then glanced down towards the elven female. "But then, I have never gone hungry either and can not know what hope money might represent. I suppose in the end, your wisdom is greater than my own. It may be just a tool yet."There was a deep, old pain though rising in his eyes as he lifted his gaze once more and swept the stalls. Seeing somewhere far away instead, a world broken under money when it never should have been. "Money shouldn't be a game."It was quite the speech coming from him and he shook his head and grinned almost repentantly for it and fell silent once more.
|
|
Perception:
Sense Mood:
He'd been enjoying getting touched by the human female, so he was not in a very happy mood when they set out the second time. Grumbling and champing at the bit when the reigns loosened enough for him to do so while dark eyes swept the area just looking for something he could trample into the ground.
When the dark haired girl even moved away from where he could just watch her he forlornly turned his head with a whicker that managed to sound completely depressed then swung forward with a droop of his neck. Until he felt eyes on them. Chuffing in annoyance he lifted his head and stared right at the woman. Stomping a foot heavily into the ground to cause the shoe to ring solidly in warning for his master while nickering harshly, ending in a snort. Picking up the ill intent and not liking it.
The big stallion slowed his pace into the more deliberate trot of a warhorse getting ready to charge up. It also meant he'd dropped back beside the annoying donkey, and more importantly the female, so that his riders were forced to come with him. Bringing the party tighter together. The velvet nose briefly dropped and nudged the pack animal in silent demand to protect the girls and goods too. Then his baring came back up into crisp military precision.
|
|
Jace looks up to the mounted figure, blinking away his thoughts, as the group slowly comes together. Carrying on completely oblivious to any potential danger. "You are eloquent when thy wishes and your words resound with honesty. Let us only hope that more use their money to purchase goods and medicines with mercy to mind, like this." he gestures to the bags, plod carries.
"Though as Samara says it can be a game, provided those that play it cause no harm." Jace concedes, "Money is not good or evil, but it would be nice were it not so easy to consume peoples lives."
"Exactly, but time and peace is needed to contemplate them. Money can buy that time." says Jace happy to converse with Mai without any regard for physical attraction.
|
|
Mai looks startled as Turin drops back and noses Plod. She moves to put Plod between herself and Turin, then casually removes two wooden handles joined by a leather strip from her pack, holding them loosely at her side in one hand as she scans the crowd.
"Turin seems unhappy, friend," she says to Faeron, "He isn't jealous of Plod, is he?"
|
|
From on top of Turin's back, Samara stares down towards the horse with a confused expression, glancing around. "Threatened is what Turin seems to feel." She points off towards the textiles shop, "He is looking over there." She speaks to the horse, as if genuinely wishing for an answer, "What is the thing that has you spooked?"
|
|
With a casual glance to Mai, trying not to be obvious he sees he unsheathe an implement. 'What is that? Oh by Caydens' mugs, I hope I'm not in for a beating. That looks like it'd hurt.' He swallows nervously.
Samara's words give him some reassurance, but at the same time he stares in wonder as all elves it seems talk with animals.
Mai moves away from him briskly. Jace does a double step to start after her, keeping a couple of paces behind her. Although he keeps his eye watching the back of he head, her silky hair shining in the mornings light, an ebony braid cascading down her back across the muscular shoulders. The brief flash of pale skin at the nape of her neck, there his gaze halts not daring to go lower. He watches enraptured as it bounces up and down - a snake enthralling it's target.
|
|
The heavy stallion snorted, pleased, when everyone reacted to his warning. The level of alert among the humans going up as his dark gaze remained locked on the shop that the woman had disappeared into. The only sign he gave when the pretty monk moved away was a huffy chew on his bit. Harder to protect her when she was on that side, so he blew out a huff that creaked the leather of his saddle and tossed his head. Long silver strands resettling messily and nodding several times towards the shop almost as if he actually understood the question being presented to him. Feeling his master shift and slip into the same battle ready sense that the warhorse was currently giving into. And then the female moved forward, weapons drawn.
The long head swept forward, trying to catch her, and missing completely because the stupid donkey was in the way. Which meant Turin released a startled whinny of protest, his ears dropping flat in annoyance and then his muscles bunched, weight shifting, and with a surge he lifted his front hooves off the ground completely. The heavily shod hooves slashing through the air, a safe distance from people or animals, while he screamed a ringing challenge that echoed off all the stone surrounding them.
|
|
A hand dropped from the reigns the second he felt the muscles below him tense. The warning coming up through minor signs before Turin actually dropped back and alerted them to a threat. The gauntled hand settling on his sword pommel as the storm orbs hardened and swept the surroundings looking for anything that was attacking them.
"Turin is very simple in his desires, if this was jealousy he would have gone after the donkey."A light twist of his lips showed the humour that occasionally surfaced in those on the gallows. "Not to point out the obvious, but it appears there's a threat."He drawled following both the white-haired elf's directions and Turin's own to see the shop. Although there didn't appear anyone there now to show an immediate threat.
"Our half-ling friend from earlier?He inquired softly, shifting a little so he could fight from Turin's back while still protecting the female sitting in front of him. Gaze flickering towards Mistress Mai.
"Mistress Mai, I do no-"And that was as far as he got before sucking in a breath as he felt Turin surging in a very familiar way. Wrapping an arm around Mistress Samara and pulling her harder back into his armoured chest as he braced forward in a practiced move while Turin screamed a challenge to the world. On the battle field it was expected, in the merchant district it was embarrassing enough he sighed and kicked the horses sides to get him to cease the activity.