"Lady or Madame both have a delightful purpose!" With a coy smile and sweeping bow, "Well met, 'Lady' Silena Dulare. I am Jengren Dsustrun and mystical electrical energies flow through my veins." As he speaks colorful tattoos appear to dance on his forearms. "I, for one, am no front line warrior, my talents are better spent sculpting the battlefield."
He turns towards Amon and repeats his bow, "I've long been interested in the lost mysteries of Osirion; it's good to meet you sir, I am Jengren Dsustrun." His brown eyes catch the sun and sparkle gold.
Then I am here to humbly serve you Calain, Pugwampi God-King. Amon strokes his long goatee as he ponders the words of the barbarian. Maybe he is more formidably than I first thought. At least I have not been sent to aid incompetent caravan guards.
You mistake me, friend, though I see my words have lead you astray. I command no service. From Anyone. The pugwampi have chosen to call me god-king. A title I accept in the intrest of sparing thier slaughter. We were to take the camp. The pugwampi are not worthy to face me and I am not some butcher boy. A simple scare and the promise of better food and some pay was all it took to bring them on side. Here our Merchant princess arrives to a camp not only safe but equipped with willing workers for a pittance of food and coppers. Free to go if they wish, for I wish slavery on no one. Gnolls on the other hand, are dangerous and worth the effort of killing.
Sonya fumbles with the map provided her eyes darting around the landscape searching for anything she can use as a landmark.
I crossed the river a mile ago so it should be right here.
Frustrated and exhausted Sonya takes out her water skin cringing slightly as she has to bend her scarred arms to take the drink.
What am I even doing here? I don't belong out in the desert. This wasn't the plan at all.
Sonya's thoughts travel back to the day she acquired these scars, falling into a forge that should have killed her, she instead managed to not only survive, but recover completely in a matter of days. The only lasting suffering being in her blackened arms that will likely never recover. In her absentmindedness Sonya finally arrives upon the shine. Hearing voices inside, she sets about making herself presentable.
Sonya is covered head to toe in a light airy silken robes, with a loose head covering and a small veil. The entire ensemble is a royal blue and hides most of her features. Sonya's bright green eyes study each person in the room as she finally manages the courage to enter.
Sonya speaks in a quiet yet dignified voice. Greetings all, are you by chance the group working for Princess Almah?
Samuel takes in the newcomers quietly, studying each in turn, from his position near the pools. He offers no words for a while as he frowns heavily at the half-drow, his precise thoughts a mystery to all but himself. Finally, he straightens up his slightly worn travel gear, and introduces himself, his voice quiet but confident, "I am Samuel, a scholar and caster trained in the service of the Pathfinders." At that, he falls silent once again and turns his attention back to the ruins.
Startled at the sudden presence of the third person, "H...h...he...hello, w...why yes we are the group working for Princess Almah." Regaining his composure, Jengren has another sweeping bow, "I am Jengren Dsustrun, and you are?"
Sonya smile at Jengren's sudden loss of composure, veiled as she returns in a formal bow of her robes pull open enough to show matching silk gloves covering each of her hands and forearms.
I am Sonya Amir, a pleasure to meet you
Sonya's eyes fall to Samuel, then the curiously dark skinned woman, the like she has never seen before.
This shrine, is it to Sarenrae like the monastery up-road?
Silena dismounts from her night black stallion. Looking the assembling group over. She removed her smoked goggles to get a good look at them all.
Her eyes revealed to all are a deep vibrant violet hue that are both eerie and enticing to behold. Her hair is a shock white streaked with strands of silver that catch in the sunlight.
Her voice is a purr of seductiveness, "Well met indeed, 'lightning adept' Dsustrun. I am a 'scourge' of The Midnight Lord... a warrior priestess of pain and traveling Nobility of dread Nidal. I both cast The Midnight Lord's dark miracles and do battle upon the field of honor."
She leads her dark steed by his reins clutched in her spiked silver gauntleted right fist towards the fountain. She is short, 5 and a half feet perhaps? Her blackened Spiked Banded Mail gleams darkly in the sunlight. A sable tabard adorns her armor with some noble house emblem embroidered upon her breast. About her slender waist a spiked chain worn as a belt. There is a light crossbow at her back and a boltcase strapped to her shapely left thigh. A deep ochere-green cloak is at her shoulders and the spiked symbol of her Midnight Lord hangs at a chain at her neck.
Her step is not light... but like a great hunting cat predator stalking prey sensuously and is none-the-less graceful. Her inky black skin and long slender ears glisten in the sunlight... lightly moistened with sweat. But she does not seem overly exhausted or even adversely touched by the heat of the desert over much. She must have an endurance of cold iron or a will of unbreakable steel to be dressed in so much black and yet not smothered by the heat! Though, she is wearing a token set of desert hot weather clothing... cut to a very sexy and provocative fit over her petite feminine frame. As she walks by the faint hint of perfume can be caught on the wind from her passing... enticing and mysterious.
There is no doubt - she has a beauty and charm to her that are noticed by all! Her lovely face is almost constantly an expression of perhaps a dark mischievousness... but strangely enough no dark malice or brooding grimness as is oft with the worshipers of the Midnight Lord. She is not criss-crossed with self-mutilation, or detracting piercings anywhere on her face or even ears. In fact her clothing and gear seem to be of the best quality possible and styled fashionably.. if a bit seductively immodest.
She smiles wanly at Calin, "Yes, we will have need, I'm sure, of stalwart warriors in these lands of deceit. I welcome the chance at battle beside you 'God-King'... I'd like to see the measure of what metal you are made of..."
The smile touches her eyes but the effect is seductive and strangely disturbing. It is not clear if it is irony, amusement, or mockery in her tone...
Silena continues to the fountain and looking for a place to tie her steed... giving a disdainful look at the vagabond old man babbling there when Sonya rides up.
She pauses to look her ways, reflexively reaching for the silver Morning Star under her cloak before listening... she realizes the new woman is no threat.
At Samuel's identification she perks up and steps over to him turning to the face the ruins herself to hide her making the sign of the Open Road.. and pulling her Wayfinder from under the Sable tabard she wears over her spiked banded mail.
Speaking in a low voice only for him,
She whispers to Samuel but her gaze follows Haidar ... keeping him in sight while examining for herself if she can place the styling of the ruins to place the faith that might have used the ruins stones for devotion...
Sonya quietly makes her way to the fountain. Her steps graceful, elegant, and ladylike but lacking the sexual daring of Silena. Sonya unclasps her veil removing it, revealing the dusty skin it hides. She lets her shoulders roll her pack off her back and sets it to the ground with a light thud. The bag is noticeably empty showing Sonya's lack of preparedness for this adventure. She stoops to the ground opening her pack. A crossbow and a number of bolts sits near the top. The mechanisms looks to be recently greased and the condition of them make it seem as though the item has never been used. Sonya finds her waterskin and pulls it free. She brings the sweet liquid to her lips and greedily drinks the bladder empty. Sonya then dips her waterskin and both arms into the fountain, a wash of ecstasy flows over her face as the cool liquid mixes with the silk on her flesh. As the bag refills Sonya's eyes fall to Silena, quietly watching this brash woman. A mix of admiration at her boldness and chagrin at her lewdness welling inside her.
From her crouching position Sonya can see that Silena bears a silver morning star under her cloak at her waist next to a well-oiled brown-leather whip... well used apparently.
Silena looks down at the woman crouched near the fountain to meet her eyes looking up at her. Something... naughty flickers in the half-elf's violet eyes and her smile widens.
"Well well.. what a lovely desert flower we have here!"
She crouches down to look her in the eyes getting a good look at her features - Sonya's veil no disguise to the discerning tastes of the half-dark elf woman!
Her voice purring in delight, "Are you in the service of the Princess...lovely Sonya.. or are you just one of her lost handmaids...hmmm... ? You should be careful traveling alone in these deserts... someone might try pluck this lovely flower that you are! Are you.. hopefully, here to assist or... service us... little one?"
She leans close and lightly touches Sonya's silken gloved hands affectionately... demeanor friendly but her smile is... lasciviously hungry in the extreme... her gaze... most immodest!
Sonya watches Silena's hands cautiously as she nibbles her lip nervously. Thankful to Silena's soft touch she parts her lipsand replies,
I am in service to no one, though I do choose to aid the Princess. As far as my flower, the Dawnflower has claimed it and she is quite a fierce protector.
Sonya watches Silena's hands cautiously as she nibbles her lip nervously. Thankful to Silena's soft touch she parts her lipsand replies,
I am in service to no one, though I do choose to aid the Princess. As far as my flower, the Dawnflower has claimed it and she is quite a fierce protector.
Silena grins a genuine and light laughter tinkles from her...
"Hahaha! Oh sweetling... everyone knows desert flowers have their thorns... its good to see yours have not been pruned! I make only reference that these lands are full of those who own others... I find the practice deplorable personally... I prefer those who willingly put themselves into my mastery."
"But one must always consider... service can become sloth and turn your flesh to alabaster. Then suddenly one can find your servant is your master!"
"But there can be equally... or even greater pleasure in submitting to the wishes of others and sometimes more... interesting than dominating the will of others."
"But this is off the course of things.. I'd not let anyone claim the 'flower' of your heart.. or body... against your will were it in my power to oppose such! You would find me no less a fierce protector of what is not freely given! If you be your own master and it be YOUR will to aid our efforts... then I bid thee welcome... sweetling desert flower Sonya, servant of the Dawnflower!
The look in her eyes does not lessen in it's intensity.. but her gaze is less immodest. Silena seems well-pleased with her reply...
Samuel as a whole seems rather unimpressed with Silena's appearance or behavior; where others may see allure, he sees taint of a failed bloodline and memories of a broken past; that much becomes clear quite quickly. Still, while he is clearly not overly enamored, he equally doesn't show any obvious signs of prejudice to either her racial blood or her chosen god as he responds to the conversation going on around him. "The road has treated me well enough, always ensuring that I have the companions I need around me to carry out my appointed tasks, so I have no room for real complaint. According to our good friend over here , this is an old shrine dedicated to Nethys. You arrived just in time for help us to investigate it in detail." As he talks, he starts to go a bit deeper into the forest of ruined columns, his crossbow ready, clearly wanting to get on with the task at hand now that the party's ranks have been bolstered.
Calain let's out a quiet, lewd grin. F##king marvellous, now let's check the ruin and move on. Are any of you newcomers a sneak or shall my blade lead? The morning past and we''ve yet to claim a single kill today. We are here for pay, are we not
Calain waits briefly to see if any better suited wish to scout and heads off.
Amon responds to Calain. I have been trained to scout ahead if that is what you mean.
To Jengren: As a follower of Nethys, I will be interested in learning from you. We will have much to discuss. For now, I will scout ahead.
Amon ties up his camel and gets his gear in order He moves with remarkable gracefulness as he finished his preparations. With a quick word in Osirion, he casts a spell (message). Now we can communicate silently. Just point and mouth the words.
Amon moves toward the monastery.
Silena stands and smiles at Samuel, "It is well then that you have not wanted for support. There is no better path than the one of seeking unknown trials to endure that build one's strength and skill. Let us be about this then...!"
Silena ties 'Nightscream's' reins to the brambles of one of the desert weed bushes at the edge of the fountain... that will be enough to make sure he does not wander and yet loose enough if danger presents itself he may flee.
Silena walks with the giat of a dancer as she approaches Calain pulling her Buckler on to her left fist. She grips the tang of the spiked chain at her waist with her right spiked gauntleted fist unhooking the weapon and makes a graceful pirouette - eliciting a rasping metal on metal shriek as the weapon whirls around her in a graceful dangerous arc to come to a neutral heft in both her hands. As display of weapon proficiency that is... ominous.
She purrs,"Oh no 'God-King' Calain.. I'd not take the honor of 'first-In, first-blood'... from thee... I will support thy flank.. and enjoy watching the mastery of thy much vaunted and bellicose arena might..."
There is no mistaking the mocking jest in her voice at this point but her tone is only one of friendly needling.
Silena whips her spiked-chain around her in a second pirouette draping the weapon briefly across her armored and spiked body and over a shoulder to free her hands momentarily as she gestures to casts detect magic...
Then Silena lightly dances over to Calian asking,"Will you - Calain, accept and give thanks to the blessings and pains of Zon-Kuthon? If so say merely - ..."
If Calain accepts and only if he gives thanks as directed she casts guidance upon him rasping her spiked gauntlet uncomfortably across his shoulder... but not drawing any scratch or harm on him and again she cast the orison upon herself as well.
Noticing Ammon moving to take point Silena will step lightly to his side and ask.. a slight bit more respectfully, "Will you - Ammon Rahotep, accept and give thanks to the blessings and pains of Zon-Kuthon? If so say merely - ..."
If Amon accepts and only if he gives thanks as directed she casts guidance upon him tenderly stroking her flesh hand sensuously across his cheek... almost... affectionately...
This close her light perfume can be scented ... it is smokey and exotic...
Then just as quickly Silena spins gracefully away again and the spiked-chian is weapon is snake-like in her hands once more.
She moves with an economy of motion and grace... clearly a trained warrior and priest... she moves to support the opposite flank of the advancing Ammon that Calain covers as they enter and explore the ruined temple complex.
At Ammon's casting of the message spell she whispers back...
Apparently.. showing proper respect for the gifts and devotions of others.. is important to her... especially divine devotion...
The Osirion Worship many Gods. I know not of Zon-Kuthon, but if he will aid me in my endeavors then I will gladly pay homage...My thanks to Zon-Kuthon! And... to the mysterious lady. Once again, the tomb raider's senses have been immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the dark elf. Stop it Amon...focus.
Amon shivers as the magic of the Prince of Pain washes over him and for a moment feels the ecstasy of giving control to another. Embarrassed by the lack of discipline over his emotions, he quickly turns and then mentally switches modes. His mind begins working like a gnomish tinker, methodically inspecting the area around him and deciding which would be the safest route. From his time in ancient Osirion tombs, he measures the depth of the dust on the ground and anything else that could signal danger. He cautiously moves forward.
Amon slowly moves through the pillared entrance.
He points back to the group and mouths using the message spell: It is a Temple of the All-Seeing Eye.
Well that was er, ...interesting to say the least. Unconsciously he pushes his light white sleeves up past his elbows. Vibrant greenish blue swirls appear to dance up his thin forearms. As Amon take point, followed by Calain and Silena, Jengren slips in 10 feet behind. His gold flecked eyes sneaking a peek at the cat like wiggle of the newcomer. Interesting indeed. A genuine smile crosses his full lips.
We are here for pay, are we not?
If you do not mind, what exactly is your mission here. I was given instruction to support you, and have my own reasons for being here as well, but I have not been informed of your mission here yet.
Sonya asks candidly as it is clear that many wish to move on from this camp. When the group moves in she falls into line near the middle.
Jengren responds to the Sonya's question, "we were to make a scouting mission into the outskirts of the village in an attempt to gauge the forces defending Kelmarane. We were warned by our employer not to attempt to fight your way to the battle market immediately, there is a presumption that the gnoll tribe has set up shop there, as preliminary intelligence suggests that the forces there are sufficient to overwhelm us at this time. We were requested to use guerrilla strikes into the town, taking out its defenders a few at a time and exploring the ruined buildings on Kelmarane's lower slopes."
"We decided to head to the river than sweep our way back to rejoin the caravan."
A twinge of nervousness rides through Sonya's body. A deep breath later, she replaces her veil hoping to hide herself from her comrades, drawing her crossbow and a wand from her bag stashing both in easy to reach spaces just in case.
I see, then I guess we should be off. The Dawnflower blesses the day and we are burning it away.
Silana keeps her attention on the points of concealment that foes might be hiding behind in the ruins but favors Sonya with a brief smile and a few words of encouragement, "I am here because ... my superiors favor some of the trade practices of the Ruby Prince and as such I have been sent to assist in securing this trade rout as part of ongoing negotiations for trade concerns between Nidal and Osirian. Plus, occasionally my absence from home is... more conducive to my personal safety. I have... step-sisters and brothers who would shed my blood if they could arrange so clandestinely to gain favor with my mother. Absence makes the heart... beat longer - in my case. Given a year or two my dark family will grow board seeking my death and go back to their usual cruel distractions and I may return home for a bit before catching their attentions again. I'm just marshaling my strength right now in the fires of strife and adventure. Perhaps someday I'll be strong enough that my step-siblings will be no threat I cannot handle even on my own!"
"So do not worry desert flower Sonya... this is mercenary work of the best kind a clandestine insurgency to uproot an entrenched tribe of bandits plaguing an important trade route. Pretty standard - should be fun and profitable! Worry not we'll protect you from too much harm..."
Then Silena lightly dances over to Calian asking,"Will you - Calain, accept and give thanks to the blessings and pains of Zon-Kuthon? If so say merely - ..."
I believe in the gods and welcome the blessings of those who would offer them in the service of battle. Whether your god deams me wothy of blessings is his choice. If your god does not favor war, he will likely have no interest in me. You speak of Endurance of Hardship. My life is a roadmap of such. I have been chained, burned, beaten and a slave and have risen stronger. Let your god decide.
He did not directly say thanks as he was asked. Calain was Calain. A warrior and he could endure and rut and kill as does a lion or a bear.
He had not yet seen a diety that could speak to his heart.
Silena smiles sweetly and replies, "Then you have no need of Zon-Kuthon's blessings for he brings only pain and enslavement to cruel torments. I daresay you have had enough of such treatment. Be greatful for your strength and envy your... life 'God King' Calian... there are worse fates..."
The look in her eyes is... lovely yes... but something haunted and horrifying stirs in the violet depths of her gaze - a haunted memro of madness flickers there. Calian knows that look.. he has seen it before... in the faces of those damned and doomed to despair and death in the slave pits. She has seen and endured much suffering. It is incongruous with her current dress and claims of nobility. Yes, old scars can be seen upon her flesh.. not something strange to a fighting man or woman.. but there is something more in her eyes. This woman has ...possibly literally looked into the damnation of the very Abyss... and miraculously survived! It's eerie... and disturbing. But she does him the honor of respecting the hardships he has endured and makes no comment her tones becoming less mockery and more understanding.
She steps away no spell cast for Calian... for now.
Her thoughts respectful, {The Midnight Lord demands his due... but a man must be respected if he should choose to stand on his own...}
Sonya takes in the room, focusing her attention on the fountainheads. Her eyes betray her fascination that such ancient magic could still function as she nervously rolls a wand between her gloved fingers.
Silena sees the arranged forest of stone pillars and her warrior's trained senses come alive with warning.
Whispering across the Message spell effect,
Silena moves into the forest of pillars and goes total defense.
Now there is a true god's aura...Nethys. Mood swings yes, madness no.
"Aye, we've got spiders overhead," with that Jengren feels the wave of electrical current flow through his body culminating in ray,
;
The bolt fizzles away. Great first impressions.
Silena rolls her eyes...{How foolish .. I did not look up... such a simple rookie mistake... Were it an attack by my step-siblings.. I'd be dead right about now... 'sigh'...}
Speaking, "Thank you, lightning adept Dsustrun... for the warning..."
Silena warned turns her attentions to the tops of the pillars, trying to maintain her total defense posture to receive the on-rushing arachnid assault...
Sonya turns her attention upwards in the direction Jengren's sparks fly. She seems impressed, completely unaware that his spell failed.
Such a powerful mage, sparks fly just from the flick of his wrist, I cannot wait to see when he unleashes such power.
Samuel lets loose the bolt prepared in his cross bow as he puts as much distance between them and him as he can.
Finally!
Calain's eye's whip in the direction the others indicate.
It had been too long since his last fight and his head ached from the pot his companion skillfully threw at him. What WAS her name again?
Depending on how close they get, Amon will move backward to allow Calain to take the lead. He will fire one shot at the nearest spider that is not in melee.
Calain moves to cover the veiled woman, she had not the look of a warrior and might be fun to play with later (drawing) a dagger as part of the move. The then throws the blade at the nearest spider.
Silena moves to intercept the spider nearest to the retreating Samuel... pirouetting she spins around dancing through the forest of pillars swinging her wicked spiked and serrated chain laterally so as not to get it hung on any of the stone pillars - bringing the cold iron weapon to bear on the leaping spider from its perch atop the pillar in a savage spinning slash as it moves to attack... blocking its approach.
Suddenly... on impact the entire chain lights up with a bale-fire of the air filled with the foul smell of brimstone...
Her leering smile in the light of the flaming chain in the growing evening shadows ... wicked with delight!
She whispers in dark irony, "...may the fires of Hell bring thee torment in the Midnight Lord's shadow - beast."
Move to engage 20'ft
Initiative Order:
Tarantulas (21)
Jengren (18)
Sonya (17)
Amon (16)
S.W (14)
Calain (9)
Silena (5)
RD 1: Jengren
With a simple phrase, "Ailo Protectus" and flick of his left index finger an invisible field surrounds his body. Tracking the spiders Jengren will step away 15 feet, as long as it does not provoke an AoO, otherwise he will stay put.
Silena excitement at utterly destroying her initial spider dims slightly at her oversight as the fourth spider leaps from its perch to land on her shoulder it legs skittering across her armored form biting with a loud frantic tapping - its foul chelicerae scraping across the blackened spiked armor smearing it's venom... but not piercing the armor!
She scowls at the scurrying spider on her shoulder commenting, "...you remind me of my cousin Briza..."
Silena turns and slams her armored and spiked shoulder into a nearby handy pillar of stone attempting to pin and crush the offending vermin...
But the spider realizing its imminent death skitters away from her shoulder as Silena impacts the stone pillar. Skittering around to her back...
Silena does not stop moving and rolls her armored body against the stone pillar armor spikes scratching noisily against the stone surface and scraping the spider off her form as she rolls away depositing the vermin to the floor...
Silena again pirouettes bringing her spiked chain and specifically her blackened buckler up to protect herself. The stench of brimstone lingers in the air even though the baleful flames around the blackened spiked chain in her hands die out dripping cold embers to the floor stones. There is not the slightest burn on Silena's inky black delicate fingers...
She favors the spider - now on the flagstones of the ruined temple, with a frown commenting, "...she is also a vile poisonous vermin who can't keep her lips, legs and claws off other people... especially pretty women!"
Burning Blades that was fast!
Sonya does not seem off-put by the gore but is genuinely impressed by the haste with which the party dispatched of the vermin.