Wheeeee!
wooohoooo lets break some rules!
Laws, my friend. We's gonna break laws. A physics...
"Do not scoff at physics. The laws of physics govern the universe itself, and everything we do."
Only 'til yous learn better. I seen plenty a mages make dem laws do backflips on command.
"I am well aware of the power of magic, and similarly aware that it is limited, and that truly powerful mages are rare. Bending reality is one thing, but it is a credit to the laws of the universe that even the most powerful mages can only do so for a short time before reality re-asserts itself."
i was talking bout throwing a rock thats all
Sandpoint is as it usually is. Fairly open, bustling with common sorts of people, and friendly. The gate into town still has its old mirror with the sign that says 'Welcome to Sandpoint! See yourself as we see you!'. There are people about of course, but the eye is immediately drawn to the colorful tents of a fair that's set up just outside town by the north gate.
The tall, elderly man known as Dareon veritably skips along the road into the town, scholarly robes flapping in the wind and a wide grin on his face.
Finally, the chance to be on the road again! It's been so long, I'd almost forgotten what it's like to travel...What a free feeling.
Still, there's always the question...do I miss it?
"Come, Sydney! They say Sandpoint is a lovely little town, full of vibrant culture and people. Surely you won't object to testing this with a quick tour, perhaps a drink and a quick jaunt with a lady far too young for you? Oh wait, that's probably just me."
The old man lets out a loud and hearty laugh, before settling down again. "Don't worry though, I haven't forgotten why we're here. If you catch word of the missing scholar, just come find me."
Dareon walks with a short walking stick and a skipping stride. His hair is fully grayed but thick, and his clothing is fine without being particularly noticeable. He wears a wayfinder about his neck.
Dareon is followed by a barrel-chested youth with sandy blonde hair and an easy, relaxed gait. "Sir, I wish you'd be more serious about this. We ARE on a missing persons investigation."
The boy carries a heavy bag and walks with a staff, despite the fact that he is far from being injured. To picture him using it as support is simply ridiculous. He is clad in traveling vestments over a chain shirt, and wears the golden holy Key of Abadar around his neck.
Mijndert is at the local watering hole (whichever has the worst atmosphere) enjoying a pint and his pipe. Y'know he says to his server. Y'remind me a red. I wonner how that wench is doin'
He absently itches one of the tattoos on his face, sad to have seen the magic wear out of them.
Standing in front of the sign with the mirrio stands an attractive young girl with brown hair in a pony tail and dirty clothes. but under the dirt one can tell those are not peasents clothes. she carries no weapons, wears leather armor apparently an attempt was made to hide the value of the armor (hiding any sign of nobility on the armor).
she appears to be looking at the mirror but it does seem odd that her positon she would not even see her face in the mirror. yet she still fixes her hair as though looking in it anyway.
as people walk by she glances in thier direction apparently having heard them before actually seeing them.
feeling that she is not being followed nor hounded by boys she moves on into the town trying to avoid other pedestians about the street.
Mijndert is at the local watering hole (whichever has the worst atmosphere) enjoying a pint and his pipe. Y'know he says to his server. Y'remind me a red. I wonner how that wench is doin'
He absently itches one of the tattoos on his face, sad to have seen the magic wear out of them.
Terra is attempting to navigate the streets occasionally bumping into people.
as she is walking either not paying attention or she actually cannot see him, she walks right into Sydney (literally).
ohfff, sorry, I,... she starts to say something then taks a coupel of steps back.
you better not be that boy from the other day, I told you No then and i haven't changed my mind!
her hands balling into fists but remain at her side.
"-Huh? Oh, I'm so sorry!" blubbers Sydney. Dropping a scroll, he bends quickly to pick it up, clumsily sticking it in a bag that looks far too small to contain the whole thing before looking apologetically at Vallterra. "I must have not been paying attention! Now, what were you saying? I've never seen you before, let alone was bothering you yesterday."
Smile on his face, Dareon steps into a tavern. He had left Sydney outside to wait for him, as the boy didn't like bars much.
Stepping up to the bar to order a drink (his favorite, the Black's Acid Breath), he notices a particularly large Ulfen man sulking at the bar, scratching at his face.
Dareon addresses him with an expansive stance and a wide grin. "Friend! What's got you so down that you've come to sulk in a bar on a festival day? Big guy like you, I'm sure you could absolutely DOMINATE at the hammer game."
Terra suddenly focuses in on the voice (having looking a bit off before)
she relaxes, Yeah I guess your right, you don't sound like him. I'm sorry, I'm V...Terra, just Terra She extends her hand but is off to the side instead of directly in front of him.
not your full name need to put that life behind you girl
I believe the fualt was mine, I really didn't see you there
Terra's eyes seem to be unfocused, like an old unhealed injury has left her vision impaired.
You sound like a nice boy, what brings you here?
Gently rotating Terra's stance to be facing him dead-on and taking her hand in a firm handshake, Sydney tries to smile. "Truly, it is my fault. The Master is always preaching knowledge and awareness of all, for it is only in that that one can effectively set things in their order."
During his little speech, Sydney's face takes on an inspired look and he looks up towards the heavens, a slight smile on his face. At Terra's question, however, he snaps out of it.
"I am here to assist the honorable Mister Whittlesay in a missing persons investigation of one of his colleagues. Well, and to get out and see the world for a bit. I've been pretty much just in the temple back home for the past few years... Mister Whittlesay said it'd be good for me to get out and about.
And you? What brings you to this charming little town?"
Huh? Wha? I... He tries to come up with a solid excuse for muddling himself and can't really surface one. Suddenly he guffaws at himself and smiles at the stranger. Y'gots a point. 't's a good day, eh? he slaps down some coin and indicates to the tender that Dareon's drink is on him.
What's'a hammer game?
Gently rotating Terra's stance to be facing him dead-on and taking her hand in a firm handshake, Sydney tries to smile. "Truly, it is my fault. The Master is always preaching knowledge and awareness of all, for it is only in that that one can effectively set things in their order."
During his little speech, Sydney's face takes on an inspired look and he looks up towards the heavens, a slight smile on his face. At Terra's question, however, he snaps out of it.
"I am here to assist the honorable Mister Whittlesay in a missing persons investigation of one of his colleagues. Well, and to get out and see the world for a bit. I've been pretty much in the temple back home for a few years. Mister Whittlesay said it'd be good for me to get out and about.
And you? What brings you to this charming little town?"
me I ran...I mean I just randomly headed this direction and thought it would be nice to stop by
She stares at him a bit Mr Whittlesay, missing person?
she seems a bit worried. at this I think I better be going. she says rather suddenly and nervously. she keeps looking all around like a thief evading persuit.
"Thank you for the drink, my generous friend.
Surely you've heard of the hammer game! Do they not have the hammer game here? The hammer game is a game in which a hammer is used to strike a simple catapult and launch a projectile. The person whose projectile flies the farthest, wins!"
Taking a long draft of his drink, Dareon sighs with satisfaction. "Ah, now that's a good drink. So, my friend, are you from here or a traveler like myself?"
"Yes! Mister Whittlesay is my teacher and a great man. He is on leave from his job for a little vacation, and couldn't think of a better thing to do on a vacation than to search for one of his missing acquaintances. Apparently he's a local scholar?"
Sydney seems somewhat alarmed at Terra's sudden change in attitude. "What's wrong, Terra? Was it something I said?"
Any attempt to escape from the 'dragon bumps a person into a little mop-topped boy with a silky blond bowl cut over pointy half-elf ears and a worried, tear-streaked face.
Noticing a crying youth over Terra's shoulder, Sydney gets a slightly pained expression.
I don't want to lose this young woman here in case she needs help...but there's this young boy here.
He is entering the tavern. I'm sure Mister Whittlesay will notice and help him. My hands are full as is.
"Yes! Mister Whittlesay is my teacher and a great man. He is on leave from his job for a little vacation, and couldn't think of a better thing to do on a vacation than to search for one of his missing acquaintances. Apparently he's a local scholar?"
Sydney seems somewhat alarmed at Terra's sudden change in attitude. "What's wrong, Terra? Was it something I said?"
[dice=Sense Motive?]1d20+4
Terra stops when she realizes she is being chased.
with some quick gestures a stone barrier rises from the ground in between terra and Sydney
I'm Not going back there! I don't care what you tell my mother, but I am not going to that place EVER!
she balls her hands into fists ready just in case.
Sydney yells over the stone wall, "I don't know what you're afraid of, little lady, but I'm sure that it isn't me! I didn't mean to alarm you, I was just curious about what was eating at you so badly!"
Very anxious, Sydney does a few little hops and paces back and forth, waiting for her answer. Seeing the alarmed expressions of nearby townspeople, he quietly and softly informs them that the situation is well in hand and that he's sure she's just upset.
"If you're in need of protection, I'm sure that I can arrange that for you! My professor is a good man, and if you're truly in trouble we can help you!"
Sydney yells over the stone wall, "I don't know what you're afraid of, little lady, but I'm sure that it isn't me! I didn't mean to alarm you, I was just curious about what was eating at you so badly!"
Very anxious, Sydney does a few little hops and paces back and forth, waiting for her answer. Seeing the alarmed expressions of nearby townspeople, he quietly and softly informs them that the situation is well in hand and that he's sure she's just upset.
"If you're in need of protection, I'm sure that I can arrange that for you! My professor is a good man, and if you're truly in trouble we can help you!"
Aren't you looking for a missing person? didn't my mother send you to find me and bring me home? there is still a touch of fear in her voice but she seems to be caming down and the wall lowers back into the ground.
she is standing there and as the wall lowers what looks like a fist shaped rock hovering in front of her also drops to the ground.
The mop-topped boy hustles into the pub, leaving them to their business outside. He seems to be looking for someone.
Travel-sharpened senses inform him of a soft sniffling at the doorway of the Rusty Dragon.
Explaining to the Ulfen stranger, "Excuse me, for we haven't concluded our discussion, but something across the room demands my attention." Draining the last of his drink, Dareon takes his leave of the large man with a quick bow.
Crossing the room to the entrance of the Rusty Dragon, Dareon kneels in front of the softly crying young man. "Hello there. What's wrong, young sir? Can I help you with something?" Dareon does his best to look friendly and non-threatening with a disarming grin and softly wrinkling eyes.
"I am looking for a missing person, but you don't look very missing to me. In fact, you're right here, aren't you?
Sydney barely suppresses the smile he feels at his own joke, which sprang unbidden from his lips.
Taking on a much more serious tone and a determined face however, he continues.
"Besides, Mister Whittlesay had lead me to believe that it was a scholar we're looking for, and no offense, but you don't exactly look like a scholar. Please, calm down. I mean you no harm. Just tell me what I can do for you."
"I am looking for a missing person, but you don't look very missing to me. In fact, you're right here, aren't you?
Sydney barely suppresses the smile he feels at his own joke, which sprang unbidden from his lips.
Taking on a much more serious tone and a determined face however, he continues."Besides, Mister Whittlesay had lead me to believe that it was a scholar we're looking for, and no offense, but you don't exactly look like a scholar. Please, calm down. I mean you no harm. Just tell me what I can do for you."
I...I ran away from home and I thought my mother paid you to bring me home. I don't ever want to go back there again. I can't take the pain anymore She sits on the ground. I can't go back
Walking up to lay a hand on Terra's shoulder, Sydney tries his best to project compassion. "I don't know why you ran away from home, but any parent that would use mercenaries to force their children to come home isn't a person I would work for. You won't have to worry about that kind of thing with me.
Although I have to say, I'm not certain that you're exactly in need of protection! That was some trick a moment ago."
terra loks to Sydney brushing the bangs of hair from her eyes. though not intentional the scars on the side of her face show evidence of the beatings.
she looks at him straight at him. I'm sorry I didn't believe you.
I just want to go someplace to eat
Sydney doesn't ask about the scars. Instead, he smiles a big goofy smile at that, saying "Well, that's simple enough! I'm sure they serve food in this tavern here, any tavern worth its salt does. Plus, we can talk to Mister Whittlesay! I'm sure he'll have something smart to say about your problem."
At your apology, he says "Don't worry about it, I'm just glad I didn't have to chase you more, I've been traveling all day already and I'm EXHAUSTED."
He helps Terra to her feet and leads her into The Rusty Dragon.
I didn't want to come in here, but I suppose we all have to endure the boozy atmosphere once in awhile...
Entering, he sees his teacher and friend speaking softly to the distraught youngster from before.
Terra follows along Thanks, oh excuse me a momment
Terra turns around at a boy following behind them and with some quick moves a rock comes out of the ground and is flung toward him missing but shattering a horse trough drenching the ground with the dirty water.
and stop following me she yells to him.
Ok lets go she says turning her attention back to Sydney
Sniff, sniff. The kid says, "My sister disappeared at the fair," He says in a little voice, "I didn't know where else to go, I was looking for Ameiko, but she must be at the festival too..."
"Your sister disappeared? Does that mean you don't know where she is or did you see something bad happen to her?"
Seeing Sydney enter with a pretty young girl in tow, Dareon gives him a slight nod before looking back to the child and continuing.
"I can help you find your sister if you tell me where to start looking. Do you have someplace to stay, so I can know where you'll be once I've found her?"
Dareon didn't live through decades of adventuring without being a tad cautious. This could be anything, anything at all. He knew better than to just trust people at their word instantly and do what they said.
Pulling out a few copper pieces, Dareon hesitates for a moment before handing them to the boy. "Here, grab yourself something to eat. It's much harder to be upset with a full belly."
"Oh, I can stay here," The boy is not so distraught that he won't eat. His thought range from his freckly blond sister to one if Ameiko's meals. He certainly seems genuine though. His sister is missing, and he last saw her in the tents of the fair.
Dareon tousles the boy's hair and sends him along to the bar to grab his food.
"Sydney, I see you've made a new friend." He extends his hand towards her, "I am Dareon Whittlesay. Introductions have to be short, however, I have an errand to run. Feel free to accompany me or not, Sydney."
Terra stands there in front of him apparently not noticing the extended hand at first. then after a momment she reaches out but a touch of reluctance in her motions.
I am Terra. what errand?
"Nice to meet you."
Dareon indicates the boy going to order food at the bar.
"Poor boy's lost his sister, and I have a sneaking suspicion that it's more than just him losing visual track of her. Without a more pressing situation at hand, I thought I'd help look for her."
Terra is nervous. she seems worried that you and sydney are really after her. she has alot of resentment toward her mother and believes you were sent by her to bring her home. though she looks poor she seems to hide that she is from noble birth but hates everything about nobility. thre are recurring themes of earth and stone and dwarven memories. she also plays blind but you sense she does have limited vision.
"Sir, I promised this woman that we would help her with...issues."
"And I promised that boy there that I would help him with issues. It seems there's a conflict here, unless she'd like to come along and talk on the way."
"A reasonable request. I hope you won't mind if I stay behind and watch the boy?"
Sydney begins to walk towards the bar.
Dareon smiles at Sydney's suggestion.
"Not at all! That might be best. At least I'll know I can find him again if you're with him, if anything."
Dareon picks up his cane from its position, leaning against the nearby wall, and sets it onto the ground with an audible click.
"Well, young lady. If you'd like to speak to me you'll have to come along. If not, you can stay here with Sydney. Or do whatever you'd like, I suppose. Don't let me tell you what to do."
With that, he begins to leave the bar to go to the festival.
"A reasonable request. I hope you won't mind if I stay behind and watch the boy?"
Sydney begins to walk towards the bar.
as sydney walks toward the bar Terra grabs his arm.
I can trust him...and you...right? she whispers to him hopeing for a postive response.
its been so long since she could trust anyone. wondering if she can put her faith in them.
When Terra grabs his arm, Sydney jumps a little bit, but relaxes once he sees that it was just Terra.
Obviously feeling somewhat absurd at the concept of someone mistrusting Mister Whittlesay, he says "Of course you can. Mister Whittlesay is a great man, you have nothing to fear from him. If you really require it, I can call upon Abadar, Master of the First Vault, to compel him into truthhood before he tells you that he won't hurt you. He'll be offended, but he'll get over it." Sydney laughs a little bit.
Magically compelling my professor. Ah, what a laugh.