Commander Pharamol addresses the Council. Members of the Spurhorn Council: we are presented with these travellers, offering to lend a hand breaking the siege. We have heard their words. It now falls to us to accept or reject this overture.
Zusk, of the Dragon Legion, and your partner Herjan: what say you?
We cannot yet choose, Zusk says. We need a moment. He turns to confer with Herjan.
Pharmol nods and continues. Sumira, of the Dragon Legion, and your partner Calissus: what say you?
Sumira does not hesitate. We vote accept, Sumira says eagerly.
Pharmol next turns to Thronull. Thronull, of the Spurhorn Council, commander of the Defenders of Spurhorn: what say you?
Thronull is incensed. I can think of no reason whatsoever to trust these...persons. We emphatically vote reject, and further recommend to the Commander that they imprison these obvious spies for Yrax at once before they bring about the fall of Spurh--
The time for debate is over, Thronull, Pharamol says firmly, cutting their companion off in mid-sentence. Your vote is noted, as is your perspective.
Been hardly any debate at all, Thronull mutters.
Ignoring the commentary, Pharmol moves on. Jarilne, of the Spurhorn Council, leader of the Ice Seers: what say you?
Jarilne clears her throat. As is customary, she says, our role is only to advise the Commander when the signs portend ill. Seeing none at this time, we will only say that we shall abide by the ruling of the Council.
Pharmol nods, clearly knowing full well what Jarilne would say. Nevra, of the Dragon Legion: what say you?
We vote accept, Nevra says haughtily.
Talsune, of the Dragon Legion: what say you?
The words of the travellers have not convinced us to set aside our qualms, Talsune says, looking genuinely unhappy at his conclusion. If a dragonkin can weep, Talsune looks like he might do just that. We must therefore vote reject.
Pharamol nods, giving the copper dragonkin a few seconds to compose themselves before moving on. Bescaylie, of the Dragon Legion, and your partner Efrixes: what say you?
As the ones who have introduced this group to the Spurhorn Council, our view is plain, and so we must not choose, Bescaylie says, and the look on Commander Pharmol's face makes it obvious this is the expected course of action.
Pharmol turns back to Zusk. Zusk, of the Dragon Legion, and your partner Herjan, the time has come. What say you?
Zusk looks over the group with steely eyes, then turns to Herjan a moment before looking back at the Commander. Herjan and I acknowledge the presence of a devotee of Zumlzi -- whom they call Apsu -- in their midst, Zusk says woodenly. For this reason, and this reason alone, we vote accept while advising the Commander to exercise caution. Zusk falls silent as their glare returns to the party.
Your vote is noted, as is your perspective, Pharmol says, then pauses. This Council has decided, with three votes to accept and two votes to reject, that we will accept these Golarians as defenders of Spurhorn.
Davosh shakes his head, eager to be away from this parliamentarian show.
Besaylie and Efrixes come over, the rider smiling. Welcome aboard, defenders of Spurhorn! she says. I'm glad you were able to convince the Council of you-
She stops abruptly as Thronull brusquely shoves past the party and the Dragon Legionnaire, a deep scowl chiseled on his face as he storms out of the room. Zusk and Herjan follow closely behind him, nodding with characteristic polite iciness, while Talsune pauses on his way out of the Council chamber. I do hope you convince me I was wrong, Golarion travellers, he says. I would like to be wrong. Very much. Over Talsune's shoulder, Jarilne and Commander Pharmol can be seen conversing with Sumira and Calissus as Talsune gives a polite smile, then turns and departs as well.
Bescaylie resumes. ...able to convince the Council of your intentions.
She is about to say more when Nevra saunters up, her wings neatly folded behind her and her manner lofty and proud, yet soft at the same time. As Bescaylie, of the Dragon Legion, and their partner Efrixes, have said: welcome, defenders of Spurhorn. Nevra's gaze meets each of yours in turn, finishing with Vojtek. I would be pleased to show you about the stronghold, if you are interested, Golarions.
"Yes, please give us a tour both geographically and socially. Clearly your forces are not a hive mind."
Thank you, Nevra. Ali gives a deep nod. And thank you for your faith in us. You will not be disappointed. Talsune will be relieved when we prove him wrong!
|
Ed's smile is plastered to his face, even with the rudeness of Thronull. Victories are still victories, even if they are small, they lead to the next victory.
At Talsune's words Ed keeps eye contact with him, and nods indicating that the challenge to prove him wrong is accepted.
Ed is listening to Bescaylie, but his gaze is held by the beautiful blue Nevra as she approaches. His smile flickers for a moment at the arrival because he knows what the unbonded drakes actions infer. Ed wouldn't be Nevra's first choice, Vojtek would. Ed's smile returned because if that bonding did happen he would be happy for them.
Thank you Bescaylie, Efrixes, and Nevra. Now it's time to honor our side of your acceptance, and starting a tour of Spurhorn seems like a fine way to start.
"Yes, please give us a tour both geographically and socially. Clearly your forces are not a hive mind."
Just so, Nevra says with a nod. Individual thought is to be encouraged, so long as it does not impact our defense of Spurhorn.
Thank you, Nevra. Ali gives a deep nod. And thank you for your faith in us. You will not be disappointed. Talsune will be relieved when we prove him wrong!
I trust he will, Nevra says. It will do Talsune well to have his faith restored.
Thank you Bescaylie, Efrixes, and Nevra. Now it's time to honor our side of your acceptance, and starting a tour of Spurhorn seems like a fine way to start.
Excellent. I will let Commander Pharmol know and be back shortly.
Upon Nevra's return, the blue dragonkin escorts you down the steps to the guest quarters -- Yours now, Golarions -- and here Bescaylie and Efrixes depart with a smile while Nevra waits if you wish to dress warmly for the excursion. Once outside, she guides you counterclockwise about the keep, pointing out the eight forty-foot-tall bastions, each bristling with siege weapons and the occasional figure atop, standing guard. Between each run the thirty-foot-high walls, bearing patrols of Thronull's crossbowyers, and within stand five twenty-foot-tall blockhouses, each, Nevra tells you, leading below to Spurhorn's lower levels.
Nevra takes you up on the south wall, where the vista in perpetual twilight is stunning.
The Varisian lad stares in disbelief for a moment. He then holds his tongue to avoid blurting out. With a breath to calm himself he quickly and succinctly points out to his party and host.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"It appears the game is awing!"
Nevra nods. Excellent job, Kappi with no partner, she says. Just so. This is our imminent threat: the Drakelands army Yrax has sent to lay siege to Spurhorn. We know they plan an assault -- it is a matter of when, not if.
Nevra leads you around the rest of the keep, asking questions about your home world and about devotion to Apsu, whom she calls Zumlzi. Is this ubiquitous on your world, to pay homage that is due to the Maker of All?
|
|
Ed pauses a moment to see if Davosh had a comment. When he didn’t Ed spoke up. Golarion has much in common with your world. Different countries, regions some get along, some do not. The current threat is from the Winter Witches that we are trying to stop an eternal winter, there may be others, but this is the one that we know about.
Ed pauses a moment as the serene and joyous look comes to his face and eyes. Apsu is not a common religion an Golarion, most who worship him are actual dragons, and drakes, who are not near as common as they seem to be here. His name is known, but the younger races have others that have larger worship bases like Desna, Abadar, Sarenrae, Erastil, Calistria, Torag, Pharasma, Nethys. The list continues, but those are some of the more popular good gods. There are some that worship the evil ones, but I try no to speak their names.
Please forgive me if I am getting to personal, but I would like to know more about how your partnerships come about. How did Bescaylie and Efrixes choose each other and then be considered partners?
Nevra hesitates a moment. It...is not easily explained, she says after a moment. It is a partnership of equals, bearing bonds of love and trust and fellowship, but also the bonds of caretaking and of sacrifice and of duty.
She stops as she collects her thoughts, then continues. A partner, a partner in all things, is different from a mate. One can opt for a different mate, should one desire, with whom to procreate. This is natural and expected. But a partnership, it is a commitment not to be taken lightly -- not by rider nor by dragonkin.
But you asked how, which is not the same as what, Nevra says, with a chuckle.
Dragonkin and knight meet -- and love grows, trust grows, fellowship grows from that seed. They learn to share, to care for each other, to owe each other fidelity. They learn to bear and be borne, to spar and fight, to become as one. For some, it happens early; for others, late; for some, swift as the wind; for others, slow as the wearing of the mountain. For some, never -- it is not the destiny of all to have a partner. She pauses a moment. For a few, one partner is lost, and the remaining half must re-learn to be whole before considering whether to be half again.
I do not know if I have answered to your satisfaction, Edward with no partner.
Ali takes this all in, and her eyes are shining by the end. That...is simply lovely
Nevra nods. How do such things work on your world? she asks, resuming her pace toward the tower bearing the guest quarters. How do you pick partners? How did you become companions, for instance?
"Liska chose me. There are MANY different ways on our world. Many. In my case I heard the voices of my ancestors and travelled into the forest. Then she simply walked up to me and gave me a fuzzin'. Then that was it! Bonded!"
|
|
Ed takes a moment digesting Nevra's words, he feels all the emotion that Ali does, and basks in the good feeling for a moment. The bond in his bow gives a small pulse in agreement.
While wiping a tear from his eyes. Nevra with no partner, as you can tell your answer was more than sufficient. Davosh is correct our world does have bondings, some mystical and magical, some of just pure trust and respect, and I'm sure a few that have both.
As for our Ka-tet I guess we were all in the wrong place at the wrong time. He adds with a chuckle while clapping Vojtek and Kappi on the back.
I say that in jest. Our Ka-tet, by the grace of Apsu or Zumlzi, arrived seperatly in a small town called Heldren. A local noble went missing, we met volunteering but along the way searching for her, we discovered this threat to our world, and were bound together since then. Some would call it luck or chance, I call it being blessed to be on the path set out for me which is part of our US. The last is added with a look of respect and appreciation for their friendship.
Nothing happens by chance, I am told by the Ice Seers, Nevra says with a smile. I do not always believe that. But then there are times, like your arrival, when I begin to.
She looks at the sky with an expressionless face, then resumes her pace.
I had thought your small creature to be a pet, Nevra says to Davosh, but understand now it to be your partner? Do they defend you, and you them, as needed?
And the rest of you, have you partners?
Ali pauses, then thumbs to the rest of the group. Just them.
|
|
Ed takes a quick look at the sky also.
. The colors and smells are just a bit off Ed's not sure what Nevra was paying attention to, but might be able to assist if someone else is close.
As far as I know none of us are married, or have a partner other than Davosh. Although being a paladin Zumlzi he has gifted me with a spirt that is bonded to my bow. But it is nothing like the partnership that you have described. I think that would be a most wonderful thing to have in my life.
Nevra thinks a moment. I have seen that which you describe, bonding with an item, she says. Some powerful arcanists do this. It seems cold to me, but to know that it is not at the same level is some comfort.
After a bit of silence, Nevra shakes herself out of her reverie and walks the rest of the way to the main tower. We have completed the tour, Golarions, she says. It was a pleasure to learn of you and your world. I hope to continue the discussion another time. Perhaps you can tell me more of this Heldren and its threat to your world.
Vojtek is fascinated by the discussion of partnerships and asks for more details on Dragonkin partnerships. Is it possible for him to partner with a one?
Vojtek is fascinated by the discussion of partnerships and asks for more details on Dragonkin partnerships. Is it possible for him to partner with another one?
Vojtek expresses his interest, which generates some amusement in Nevra. Well, now, Golarion, your boldness is evident, she says with a chuckle. It has never happened, to my knowledge, that a dragonkin has bonded with someone not from Triaxus. But then, it has never happened, to my knowledge, that someone from Golarion has come to our world to ask such a thing.
Our Ice Seers know things that ordinary folk cannot discern, she says thoughtfully. Start your inquiry there, and see if what you ask is even possible.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Sounds like my kind of people... dragon... dragonkin. Dragonkinpeople."
Nevra casually looks up. It appears we are in for a storm of some kind, and soon. Perhaps before nightfall, perhaps after.
But soon.
Kappi stands around gawking at strange new things.
Ahh a storm that is what it looks like here. . Ed pauses for a moment contemplating. Nevra I may be a bit of alarmist, but if I was an army assaulting this defensive masterpiece during the cover of a storm is when I would do it. Should we warn someone to increase our vigilance?
Nevra smiles. Your insight is keen, Edward Fell with no partner. I will inform Commander Pharmol of your strategic advice. I believe it to be sound.
Unless there are other questions, Nevra departs.
"Nonetheless, I've an intense desire to pair with a dragonkin for deeply seated and deeply personal reasons. I feel a heartfelt link to the Blood of a Dragon, and a dragon is my sworn enemy as well. I can't think of a better way to face my enemy that with the help of a dragonkin. Let me tell.you of the Tundra at the edge of the ice..."
Vojtek tells his tale of loss and woe.
Nevra pauses long enough to hear the Tale of Vojtek Wartooth. She even exchanges knowing glances with the rest of the party when Vojtek glosses over the part where he fell to the claws of Logrivich but "came back, good as new." Clearly the dragonkin detects some holes in the Northman's retelling.
Your brief life has had much tribulation, Vojtek with no partner, she says, her words careful and her countenance inscrutable. We should speak more on this in the coming days. For now, I beg your leave, and repeat my guidance to speak with our Ice Seers. Good fortune to you.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Davosh opts to spend time with just Liska. Liska, however, wants to check out the seers.... Liska wins.
Davosh heeds Liska's advice as Edward leads the group to find the Ice Seers.
A few pleasant inquiries with some of the soldiers of Spurhorn leads them to a youthful Triaxian messenger, who agrees to bring the party's request to the Ice Seers. Edward writes a quick note asking for a meeting to discuss "matters of interest to us" and the messenger dashes off deeper into the keep.
The party has barely returned to their chambers when a staccato knock is made at the door; the messenger has returned with a reply in the affirmative and an invitation meet in the Spurhorn Garden in an hour's time.
Built on the roof of the keep, the garden is open to the sky above and is currently buried under several inches of snow, though a few pathways wind among the unmanicured, exotic m(to you, anyway) evergreens there.
You don't see her arrive, and are confident she wasn't there when you arrived, yet Jarilne is suddenly somehow among you. Greetings, Golarions, she says, facing you but not focusing her blind eyes. What would you learn of dragonkin bonding?
"Gah! Whence did you come? Nevermind. Nevermind. I'm just here as moral support."
Her face turns toward the sound of Davosh's voice. I live here, Davosh and their partner Liska, Jarilne says simply.
|
|
Ed is startled not by Jarline's appearance but by Davosh's reaction. Ed raises an appreciative eyebrow at how informed she is by our visit, not sure if it is some kind of claravoyance from being an Ice Seer, or naturally deduced by assuming that outsiders would be directed to her to answer such a question.
Ice Seer Jarilne you have correctly deduced our reason for coming here. We or shall I say Vojtek and myself are interested in learning more about this bond. Have their been bonds from some not of the Legion, or ones who are not from tis planet? How long do these bonds take to form?
Ed pauses just a moment and has a bit of an uncharacteristic subject change, but the nagging thought in the back of his head. Also on an unrelated subject. Being a Seer can you see what is hiding in those clouds coming our way. If that storm looks as bad as what I think it is I'm going to guess that the ones who have us under siege would use it to advance and attack.
Jarilne gives Edward a long, quizzical look, trying to get the measure of the Oradin. After a long, somewhat uncomfortable pause, she replies.
Nothing says a dragonkin must choose a Triaxian partner, she says. Indeed, nothing says a dragonkin must choose a partner at all. Yet bonds form where bonds are meant to form, Edward with no partner. Nothing happens merely by chance.
As to your other question, I think your insight serves you well. Follow your instincts on this and seek to get Commander Pharmol on your side.
|
|
Edward takes a moment to consider the Ice Seer's words.
He bows Thank you for your council, I'm sure it wasn't and easy admission. I do take your words seriously Ice Seer Jarline. I think I speak for both Vojtek and myself that your words are comforting in that we can open up our hearts and feelings to be acceptable to a partnership if that kind of trust builds along the path that Zumlzi has set before us. If the spark of such a bond happens we won't feel obligated to shut it down because it is against the rules. But I do take it from your pause that some might consider it impolite or offensive that an off worlder would be chosen to bond?
As the diminutive sun begins to set in the Triaxian sky, the wind begins to pick up velocity. At the same time, dark and ominous clouds roll in and darken the sky earlier than usual. Triaxus, always cloaked in twilight by the reckoning of Golarions, soon feels lightless. By eight bells that evening, the winds have brought in a full-scale blizzard, with blinding snow blowing furiously about. It is difficult to see more than a few feet in front of one's face.
The party is summoned to Commander Pharmol's office. Arriving, the Commander is flanked on one side by a smiling Sumira and her partner Callissus, and a glowering Thronull. Behind both is Jarilne. Sprawled before the Legionnaires is a topographical map of the surrounding area, with a number of pawns placed about it.
Pharmol looks up pointedly as you enter. Golarions, he says, dispensing with pleasantries, I ask you a single question at this time: are you responsible for bringing this storm down upon us?
|
|
Ed starts to speak a denial, but just to make sure turns to Davosh, and Ali and raises a questioning eyebrow just to make sure.
Commander Pharol, and his partner Amerenth, thank you for the summons. I can deny that we have any direct responsibility for this storm. Nor do I or any of us know of any indirect culpiblity for this storm. I will now assume that this storm isn't normal, and will repeat my warnings that I assume have made it to your ears. If I was the enemy and could approach under the cover of this storm to avoid your impressive archers and defenses I would. So how can we help? Our abilities are at your disposal.
Commander Pharmol turns to face Jarilne, who stands expressionless behind him. With a nod, he returns to face the party. Sumira wears a grin; Thronull a scowl. Acknowledged, the Commander says, eliciting a snort from Thronull, which is immediately silenced by a withering glare from Pharmol. Your instincts have proven right, Edward with no partner. Our foe is on the move. He points to a gathering of black markers on the map. Scouts on the ground — we cannot rely on our normal reconnaissance in this storm — have gathering of troops moves toward the Ningward side. Yet this represents only a fraction of the army assembled. Something else is coming.
I'm afraid I don't. Most of my magic deals with what to do once I've found the threat.
"I believe I can, in this instance. It's tricky, but Liska can act as my conduit to the ancients. The Ancients see all, though they do not always tell all. I can try to commune with them for this."
Liska yips in agreement.