Megan's Curse of the Crimson Throne (Inactive)

Game Master Megan Robertson

"Trinia and Akina make much sense, Ashe.. perhaps going to Scarwall is our answer. Being reborn if you were not of the clan to begin with is likely to not make you one of them after. Seeking more knowledge elsewhere might be our only path. Given a night to sleep and pray in the morning, perhaps I could get us more information on how to proceed from the Dawnflower or one who speaks for her."

Ashe ponders expressionlessly, the almost always prickly advice of Akina and the admonishment of Inëlûkii not to mention the 'oh no you won't!' look in Trinia's pretty eyes and responds, "...its not just about solving the issues with the Queen. Listen to what One-Life, Thousand Bones and Ash Dancer are saying.. the Shoanti Warriors of the Quah are looking at Korvosa, they see weakness.. and are preparing for war! We must also try to find a way to avert them attacking... as One-Life said.. 'It is best to make your enemies your friends'."

"If our goal remains to save the people of Korvosa.. it would do little good to just stop the queen for the city to be sacked by a horde of vengeful Shoanti."

"But if we can show the Quahs we are a noble, brave, forthright and strong people.. perhaps we can befriend them and avert an attack upon the city?"

"Proving ourselves 'worthy' of their respect is the first step, I would imagine, but .. I am not opposed to a different strategy? Getting swallowed by some beast of the Cinderlands is not my first choice! I only asked Thousand Bones if he believed anyone duplicating this deed would make the Shoanti not consider them Tshamek anymore. To be sure I can see the foolhardiness of it but .. it is such tasks that paladins are divinely empowered to endure such punishment. I would rather it be me to suffer than have to witness any of you do so dangerous a deed and potential die trying! Risking our lives is what paladins are for.. if the cause is righteous..."

"Death is the natural end of life. It will always be mourned, and should be avoided until your appointed time. Outsiders will not be able to stop the Shoanti any more than we could stop those before our time from killing the Shoanti in ages past. You seek to join them for personal gain. Which is the antithesis of what the story of his rebirth portrayed." Akina shares her thoughts flatly, little emotion in her voice and is quick to end the subject once finished.

Ashe looks at Akina, "For personal gain? I'm curious Akina is everything I will say in your presence ALWAYS going to be twisted to the most selfish or indulgent point of view possible? I'm only concerned about the innocent citizens of Korvosa who had no part in their ancestor's actions in forcing the shaonti from their home at the Grand Mastaba of now Korvosa.. I do not seek any personal gain now or ever, other than the preservation of both Shoanti and Korvosan lives! We are outsiders but to use that as an excuse to never try to breakdown the barriers of hatred and mistrust is to be no better than those long-dead who gave cause for such enmity!"

"Well, I will admit that I DO have a personal agenda in this. A fact that I told you when we first met.

Why would the Shoanti even believe us? It is far easier to claim to be swallowed than to actually be swallowed and live."

"Each of us has a personal reason to be here."

"As to you Ashe, were the Shoanti not withholding this information, and were they not riding to war against Korvosa, can you honestly say you would wish to join their tribe? If the answer is no, then you clearly seek personal gain."

Ashe sighs in exasperation, thinking~ 'There is no point to this argument, Akina has a right to her own worldview regardless how cynical I may find it.. its not about ME anyways.'

"...if that is how you wish to see it Akina, sure; I'm seeking personal gain to try to make peace with the Shoanti~ as I have hoped for many years for an opportunity to find some way to redress the evils done to their people. Hopefully, for the benefit of the Shoanti and yes many in Korvosa~ none the least of which is my dear mother and little sister. Satisfied?"

Turning to Garridan, Ashe says, "If you wish to be the one who takes the risk in this~ should it prove necessary, I'll gladly surrender the honor to you Garridan! I hope~ if it is needed your heroism will be enough to appease the Shoanti sense of honor. But I fear it might not be enough.... simply because ...well just look at us.. both. Your dress and manner is as one of them almost already... but I am clearly a 'Son of Korvosa'. They may think less of you doing what you seem born to do than me doing something I'm clearly foreign to. But those are worries for the future.. perhaps it will be enough if only one need prove their worth through the fire."

Ashe seems uncertain and his gaze shifts to Trinia who is STILL glaring at him... clearly she is NOT satisfied and wants no foolhardy heroics out of Ashe that might get him killed!

Taking a deep breath Ashe continues, "Regardless of how we resolve this, I too will want a 'personal interest' side quest. Mandravius. If this once heroic warrior's spirit lingers unrested... I will not be returning to Korvosa until I have made some attempt to help that hero pass on to final rest. I would hope someone would do the same for my spirit were it so troubled in death."

"Ashe, thank you for letting me have the honour, should things come to that. I know that your word is as strong as admantium and I appreciate your giving it. And yes, obviously if for some reason you can succeed where I cannot then I will relinquish my claim. Saving Korvosa is far more important

I will most certainly help to put the spirit of Mandravius to rest when the time comes. You have MY word on that. But the saving of Korvosa must take priority and if freeing Mandravius would either delay us greatly OR too greatly endanger us then the time to put Mandravius to rest may be AFTER we defeat the Queen."

Asherick nods, his gaze that determined certainty all his companions who know him are very familiar with, "Well spoken, and agreed!"

Thousand Bones rubs his nose in thought.

"You ask who Cindermaw is. A legend, yet one of flesh and blood. Cindermaw dwells on the northernmost edge of Shoanti lands, in the place where Shoanti and orc and giant vie for life and water. His hunting grounds are known as the Feeding Grounds of the Quah-Kael, the land of the Clan Eater. The orcs of Urglin avoid this region; the giants of the north hunt only on its edges. Within, few have returned to tell tales, but those who do speak of a mountain that crawls and of fire that roars."

He seems lost in thought for a moment.

"But is this a way for you to earn the Sklar-Quah's favour? Perhaps. Yet this route is more complex than you suspect. The Sklar-Quah would never believe the words of tshamek on such a matter, nor would they risk travel to the Feeding Grounds just to see foolish outlanders attempt to recreate legends. I could come with you, if my bones were not so tired, yet I am Skoan-Quah. My words would hold little light with the Sun Shaman, I fear."

Ash Dancer speaks for the first time. "They could bring a Truthspeaker, Thousand Bones."

Ashe ponders, "...'..a mountain that moves and fire that roars'... mayhap 'Ashe' is indeed my fate?"

Trinia almost explodes at his side as she elbows him, HARD, in the side and GLARING Fiercely at him!!

The blow brings Asherisk out of his curious pondering at the nature of the challenge... which it is clear he is wondering if he could prove worthy of, "..er I mean..sounds like a great challenge for Garridan.. of course."

Turning to Ash Dancer, "Uhm, what is a Truthspeaker?"

Ash Dancer smiles.

"There are those among our people who, after living lives without lie and never speaking falsehood, have earned the title of Truthspeaker. It is a rare honour, one that requires many years of chastity, of self-control, of introspection. There are Truthspeakers among the Sklar-Quah, yet that does not help you. Would that the Skoan-Quah had one. Yet The Skoan-Quah and the Sklar-Quah are not the only Shoanti in the Cinderlands. I have heard tell that the Lyrune-Quah, the Moon Clan, who dwell in the shadow of the Wyvern Mountains far to the northwest, have Truthspeakers among them. If you could perform the ritual of rebirth at the Feeding Grounds of the Quah-Kael in the presence of a Truthspeaker, his words would be all the proof you need to secure an audience with the Sklar-Quah."

Thousand Bones nodded.

"This of course is where it gets complicated. The Lyrune-Quah are nomads. This time of year, they gather at a place sacred to them, a place called the House of the Moon at the northeasternmost edge of the Wyvern Mountains. Yet I fear that they will distrust you as tshamek as well, unless you bring to them proof of your honesty and need... now, how best to do that?"

He rubs his nose in thought.

"The Lyrune-Quah are unusual among the Shoanti. They do not seek enlightenment through our ancestors, but from the Song of the Spheres. They are devotees of Desna, and they trust those who worship her. Yet that trust is, alone, not enough to earn the aid of a Truthspeaker to be witness to your heroics against Cindermaw. The faithful of Desna have a tradition of exploring distant and dangerous places as a way to honour their deity, who watches over all who travel. When they reach the goal of their pilgrimage, a priest leaves a found-mark to honor his journey. One of the Lyrune-Quah's greatest ancestors was a priest of Desna named Tanjah — their legends speak of her pilgrimage into an ancient ruin and her discovery of a potent relic sacred to Desna, a stone globe held deep within a place called the Acropolis of the Thrallkeepers. Those who follow Tanjah's footsteps and seek her found-mark upon this globe are said to be given the Spherewalker's Mark, and with this mark, the Lyrune-Quah would welcome into their camp even their most bitter rivals."

Garridan looks down at the Holy Symbol of Desna hanging from his neck

"So, you are asking a follower of Desna, a man who's grandfather was a shaman of the Lyrune Quah, to go to a place holding a sacred relic of Desna in order to be identified as a Spherwalker and so be able to approach the Lyrune Quah as a friend?

It feels like Desna herself has set my feet on this path. When can we start?"

Ashe nods, "Perhaps indeed it is so... the Gods and Goddesses, sometime only need subtly direct our steps for the sake of the greater good."

Turning to Ash Dancer, "What do you know of this Acropolis of the Thrallkeepers... who or what did they keep 'in-thrall'?"

Ashe ponders if he has ever heard of the name of such a ruin in his Bardic studies...

Kno {History}: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Kno {Local}: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

"The Acropolis of the Thrallkeepers is a ruin left over from an ancient time, a time when great powers ruled over this land. We speak of these ancient lords only in whispers today, but you may know their mark by the Sihedron, the seven-pointed star. I know not what perils await you within the Acropolis, but its location is not unknown to the Skoan-Quah. When you are ready to leave, I shall send with you four boneslayers to lead you there," said Thousand Bones, who looks pleased that you are contemplating this expedition.

Ashe looks up sharply, "The seven pointed Sihedron? A Ruin of the Thassilonian Runelords? Intriguing.. guess all that study I made of ancient Thassilonian language will be of use finally..."

"A Thassilonian Ruin may have many perils we should be well rested before venturing into it."

"One should never travel these lands at night unless at greatest need, so I agree that we should set out in the morning. How long of a trip can we expect?"

Ashe smiles, "...a prudent and wise observation."

He turns to look at Trinia.. who is decidedly NOT smiling at him... clearly.. she has words for him... in private.

"Er... well I guess I'd best get some rest... s-see you all in the morning... hopefully..."

Trinia takes him by the hand and though the armored warrior outweighs her by a great deal; she determinedly leads him like a misbehaving child to... apparently what SHE has claimed as 'their' assigned yurt the Shoanti have provided... her expression and tone clear that she intends to give an Earful to Ashe with the opening words, "...so about this nonsense about you Planning on getting swallowed by some... Cindermaw~... THING...!?!"

Ashe's tone becomes plaintive, as she leads him away, "... now Trinia don't be... that way.. it might only ... be...~"

The young paladin has faced down demons and undead and Evil Reborn Saints of Goddesses of Corruption... and likely THIS may be one of his Greatest challenges... his first.. lover's quarrel.. with a woman he is in love with. A quarrel he has the most dread of and even his paladin immunity to fear can't stop the quailing of his nerves at that prospect...!

Thousand Bones smiles.

"I shall offer some help, not just the boneslayers but some healing magics and some food."

He scratches out a map in the dirt for you.

(As it's more convenient, here's a map for you... probably a bit better than Thousand Bone's scrawlings but there again he's not really one for cartography!)

Hope I'm not pushing ahead too fast...

The next day Ashe is up early, out of his armor doing his morning martial exercises, swordplay practice, and prayers to his goddess before getting some breakfast. He seems a little distracted this morning... not fearful, but certainly thoughtfully pensive. This morning he is dressed in simple explorer's cloths of varying shades of grey as opposed to the Courtiers finery he was wearing yesterday.

Trinia seems to be a late riser... as she has not left the tent yet...

Ashe looks over the though crude excellent map Thousand-Bones provided... with one of his bound journal books in hand he is putting to pen notes and his own hand drawn version of the map with note of the events in the journal entry.

Akina is up just before sunrise, having a small breakfast before proceeding out of the tent provided and finding a small clearing out of the way. She lays out a small number of bones in a spiral on the ground laying rolled parchment on both ends of the spiral. She reaches up and unwraps the scarf that hides her face, letting it drag the ground behind her as she walks through the spiral, quietly chanting a hymn to Pharasma.

Her hymn stops momentarily as she sees Ashe, surprised to see anyone up nearly as early as she was. Seeing him go about his own business, she quietly returns to her own ritual.

The Shoanti also appear to be early risers, probably getting a jump on their day before it gets too hot! Apart from a few curious glances, people leave you to your devotions/exercises.

Garridan is also a habitual early riser, but he comes out in his full plate, weapons sheathed at his side. Seeing Ashe practice out of his armour a 1/2 smile is seen on his face

Foolish youngster. One should NEVER take ones armor off. It has to become a second skin. But I'm being too hard on the lad. Not his fault that he just isn't tough enough yet

He does a morning prayer to Desna which, while heartfelt, is quite brief.

My, we're a religious bunch aren't we? :-)

"Ashe, doing ones Kata is fine but perhaps we could spar a little. Might entertain our hosts, if nothing else"

Asherick smiles at the offer, "Sure.. just a moment."

He finished the note he was scribing in his journal then gets up and walks quietly back into the yurt shared with Trinia and almost a moment letter comes out with an Armored Coat strapped on, and a quick-draw shield slung over his shoulder with three torches as practice weapons in hand.

He walks over and looks with curiosity, "..I'm not sure if your a two-weapon ranger or a bow ranger? So I brought two practice weapons for you..while I'll stick with weapon and shield."

He draws his Earthbreaker and Klar.

"Oh, I'm definitely better with these two. Thunder and Fang is what the style is called. It originates with the Shoanti, and I was trained in it by Shoanti. Hopefully I won't embarrass myself too much using it in front of these people. But I have to use real weapons, the weight is just wrong with torches. I didn't bring any practice weapons. But, now that I think of it, our hosts may have practice weapons. If not, I'll just pull my blows"

He sees if the Shoanti have practice versions of the weapons (ie, blunted). If not, will just take the -4 to do non lethal damage

Edmund is up early as well, wandering the encampment with his journal and charcoal pencil, cataloging everything of any interest whatsoever, chatting with any Shoanti who will actually talk to him.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Asherick will smile when he sees Mr. Gwenn up and about early as well and will greet him, "Good Morning Mr. Gwenn... I see you're up to cataloguing the same as I! You can have a look at my journal book on the table there with my notes and observations to share some of the insights I've noticed. You also might want a copy of the map Thousand Bones provided.."

"Good morning, yourself. Hmmm, yes, thank you. The map is of interest, though it appears to not be to the most precise of scales. On the one hand, it is too bad that these particular Shoanti don't appear to be typical in their interactions with us, thus colouring the sociological insights. However, were they typical Shoanti, we would likely have been run through multiple times with spears by now, so I believe I will take whatever insights I can get."

A Shoanti lad, who says he is called Sand-Claw, fetches practice weapons for Garridan. Several others, youngsters and an older man who says he is a weapons-master who trains the youth, gather to watch.

Hearing the commotion, Akina will gather up her meager belongings and join the crowd, eager to see her companions still in combat.

I'm not sure how you want to handle the practice bout. I hope the following (just description) is ok

Garridan takes a few practice swings with the weapons to get their balance, and then settles into a ready stance. The massive Earthbreaker is held in one hand, the klar is strapped to his arm.

As he and Ashe start to spar, his weapons become almost a blur. The Klar darts in and out, sometimes pasrrying a blow from Ashe, sometimes striking a quick and fairly light blow back. Between the Klar and his armour Ashe finds it quite hard to land a good blow although now and then one gets through and drives Garridan backwards.

But it is his Earthbreaker that is the main threat. Using his Klar as a counter weight and occassionally even using the klar to strike the Earthbreaker Garridan whirls the massive Earthbreaker around with only one hand on it, piercing Ashes defences and striking a blow almost as mighty as if it was wielded with two hands.

But Ashe is no neophyte to be struck senseless with a single blow and he quickly recovers and strikes a blow of his own, which in turn sends Garridan briefly to his knees.

Even with both using practice weapons, both pulling their blows and neither pulling out the moves that end fights there is still soon blood on both of the contestants and they both then to start to concentrate more on defence than offence.

The bout lasts several minutes before ending with both participants panting and on the edge of exhaustion.

"Well done Ashe. That was the best practice that I've had in a long time. I'm glad that we stand side by side and not face to face"

He then turns to the weapon master

"I hope that my efforts have not insulted you, that I am a worthy student of my Shoanti teachers. I would appreciate any comments that you could make to improve my style"

I'm kinda assuming that even by Shoanti standards that was a very impressive fight. Both Ashe and Garridan are L9 martial characters

While it may not be the Shoanti way, Akina claps happily for both the contenders.

"Well done! Both of you!" Her enthusiasm and sincerity clearly ringing in her words.

Edmund cringes as the two warriors draw blood. Low whispers of "Good one!" and "Get him, Ashe", sometimes escape his lips whenever Ashe lands a strong blow.

Wow.. I wait like weeks with little posting here then BAM suddenly 5 in one day...

Ashe nods.. a slight smile on his features. as he begins to divest himself of his magical items that would be ...unsporting. He takes off his belt, detaches his cloak of the crusader...folding it with reverence, and removes his knight-Inheritor's ring to slip it into his pocket.

Then looking at his quick-draw shield.. he closes his eyes briefly .. and a golden sheen seems to fade from its metallic surface as he suspends his vindicator's shield.

Finally ready he salutes and raises his practice sword and shield...

Ashe's style of fighting is very fluid.. though the young man seems to wear his full plate armor like a second skin.. almost all the times.. he is surprisingly graceful and agile in his fighting style. Not for any natural dexterity ...but clearly intense training in nimble acrobatics. Though he is quick, it is clear nature did not provide him with high dexterity but what he does have he has trained extensively.. as his ability to make the most of fighting defensively and total defense are masterful! He does not have very many different combat maneuvers~ clear though it is he has focused on the use of the longsword.

But what is starkly amazing is his skill at turning his weapon to only inflict non-injuring but subduing blows. It is clear to Garridan that Asherick is NOT holding back one iota of his might in his blows his signature overhead power-swing striking home with jarring effect.. but his grace, his control, is nothing short of... otherworldly. Not one single strike no matter how powerful or reeling he delivers... not a single drop of blood is shed by Garridan... only painful welts are inflicted by Ashe's mercifully guided weapon. The divine grace in his movements and the landing of his blows is ..awe inspiring for not once is Garridan's skin broken to cause a single abrasion in his flesh and yet Ashe turns his weapon effortlessly unerring with each strike. He does not always hit but when he does its clear it is as easy as striking normally requiring no added precision or difficult to his attacks.

When the match is over .. the bloodied Ashe makes no comment to his scraps merely offering his hand in gratitude, "Indeed my friend that was an excellent match, I'm honored and grateful for the opportunity to match skills against you! A formidable style you have.. very intriguing!"

During the Match a... somewhat disheveled Trinia comes out of their shared tent.. a somewhat worried look on her face... which then blossoms to a full-on expression of sudden fearful concern... at seeing Ashe in a pitched battle with Garridan!

Majenko is perched atop the point of their shared yurt his tail stinger wrapped around the central anchor point lazily wagging; when he noticed the sharp change in her emotions when she exits the tent and he chirps at her trilling a soothing rough-purr that catches her attention.. and she regards him... her expression slowly growing less concerned, clearly in telepathic conversation with the house drake.

She tuns to regard the 'match' with a sour expression... flinching everything Ashe is struck... she seems more overly concerned than seems appropriate for a simple sparring match. But she endures holding her peace until the match ends.

She quickly moves to Ashe's side... giving a somewhat dirty look to Garridan as she regards the bloodied scraps and minor cuts Ashe has suffered while Garridan seems little worse for wear save perhaps a little tired.

Stepping toward Ashe she softly sings a song of healing and touches his chest with her hand as she meets his frosty blue eyes with her own emerald eyes full of devotion.

Ashe is amused as first at her unnecessary extreme concern... then when he sees just how seriously frightened she is and his expression turns perplexed, "..what's wrong.. darling?"

Trinia swallows hard and produces from her belt pouch a deck of Harrow Cards her voice a almost whisper, "...oh Ashe I did a reading this morning... something terrible is going to happen today! Some vast evil.. not of this world... you will face it..."

Ashe gently takes her by the arms and pulls her close his words comforting, "...shhh.. hush milday. I face danger many times not of this world in a week. We are only mortal... in a big multiverse.. have courage.. IOMEDAE will provide guidance and protection!"

He kisses her forehead and she leans in to touch her forehead to his chest, "...n-not like this... please be careful, you will need all your strength!"

His expression turns somber and he wraps his arms around her to hold her tenderly close, "..always milady..always!"

The Shoanti bang their right fists on their left shoulders by way of applause. Thousand-Bones turns up with four warriors in tow.

"If you boys are done playing, these are the boneslayers who will accompany you. When you are ready, they will bring trail rations and water skins, then set your feet on the path you must follow, companioning you until you achieve your goal."

The weapon master is obviously quite impressed, pointing out various aspects of the combat to his students.

Akina is very interested in the boneslayers, silently observing their weapons, armor, and any other gear they may be carrying.

At Trinia's soft spell song of healing the few nicks and minor cuts close as her curative light wounds spell heals the scrapes in short order

When Ashe releases her they both turn to observe the Boneslayer's arrival. Ashe smiles and nods in acceptance... but Trinia, unseen by Ashe, at his side looks up at his face... the affection in her deep emerald eyes evident.

She slips an arm around his back and briefly cuddles warmly at his side leaning her head upon his shoulder... her soft-hair on his cheek finally catching his attention. His eyes go wide in response as she leans close to give him a quick kiss on the cheek... before releasing him to go back into the yurt.

Ashe turns head to watch her suddenly entranced by her tenderness...

Trinia returns moments latter with a heavy neat bundle of his plate armor, shield and weapons.

Moving around to the front of him ...her eyes.. almost sad, she sets the bundle down and very gently begins to unbuckle the straps of his Armored Coat and removes it. She neatly folds the armor and sets it next to the pile of his armor. With slow loving touches Trinia begins to help Asherick into his plate armor.. her soft touch is sensuously tender... not groping or vulger .. but heartfelt care and tenderness~ a small measure of peace... before the violence of the day to come.

Ashe's frosty blue eyes soften with affection, his cheeks coloring at her gentleness...

Trinia gently touches him lifting his arms to buckle the Corselet of plate about his chest. She continues to tenderly apply each piece of armor touching him softly helping him into the Plate greaves, and metal sollerets, she gently touches his thigh as the greeves are buckled at his waist. Strapping the rarebraces at his shoulder her hand lightly touches his throat as the gorget is put in place. There is nothing sexual in her touch ... but the deep affection and care in her arming and armoring her man for battle is not lost on anyone...

Ashe.. himself is almost moved to tears as she buckles his weapon belts at his waist but a tender touch of her hand on his cheek and her smile forestall it as she hands him his full helm to don.

All-too-soon... for Ashe, he is fully armored in metal, his crimson crusader's cloak at his shoulders and his weapons belts arrayed, celestial shield... with its slowly shift golden tinge as his Vindicator's Shield is restored~ on his arm.. ALL by the hand of the woman he loves.

Trinia says no words... but it is clear her the unspoken message of her deepfelt care has been delivered to her young paladin hero...

She retrieves their steeds and makes ready to travel.

Majenko flutters down to perch on Ashe's armored shoulder...

Garridan smiles openly and widely at the "boys done playing" comment.

"Don't worry, we're ready to go. Thank you again for all of your hospitality"

At some point when he can easily do so, he'll take Trina aside
"Sorry if you thought I was playing too hard but one really DOES need a practice bout that is close to the real thing from time to time. Better a little pain now than a wound or worse later.

I'm not going to tell you to not worry about Ashe because the truth is that we are all going into great danger. But he is strong and he has strong allies. With a little bit of Desna's luck to help us I honestly think that we're very likely to succeed. No guarantees but then nothing that is worth doing comes with guarantees. And if he wasn't willing to risk his life on difficult and worthy quests he wouldn't be the man that you love"

Trinia returns a worried gaze to Garridan... and she looks forward to Ashe following the Boneslayer guides on point his celestial shield at his back shining in the early morning sunlight.. his posture, as always, certain~ in Red Hoof's saddle. Majenko moves about restlessly on his armored shoulder trying to find a better perch as the large white plume in Ashe's helmet is being blown at the tiny dragon in the hot crosswinds of the Cinderlands. Ashe takes no note from the jostling dragon enduring it all with stoic determination...

She slows to fall in close to Garridan and whispers, 'That's what I'm afraid of! Ashe is... he tries to be.. so much ...larger than life, he always seems to know what he must do.. he never considers if he should do it at all! He always tries to be the most heroic, the Most self-sacrificing the MOST valiant he can possible be.. for the simple sake he feels Someone should be that kind of Man! His past companions always took his take-on-all-challenges-head-on to be arrogance... its not; its worse than that! Its an absolute fearlessness and inconsideration of the danger or difficulty~ he does not care how dangerous the challenge is.. if he feels it is a just cause that SHOULD be taken on.. than he will do so if it is the HEROIC thing to do! Ashe looks at the World of Golarion and sees a world full of evil, suffering and injustice.. he sees a world in need of a Hero. He does not think he can be that hero.. he does not think he is best suited for being that hero.. he does not think he can succeed at being that hero~ but he believes.. SOME man~ at least ONE GOOD man.. should be willing to try to be that hero... and if no one else.. then HE is going to try to BE that 'True Hero'; even if it kills him to do so... because he feels for mankind to be worthy to exist.. one man has to be willing to make that sacrifice! I'm so afraid.. THAT attitude is going to get him killed, in fact I think that IS his GOAL.. to die protecting others fighting the good fight against Evil, standing against injustice! I don't CARE about the good fight.. I want him alive... and in my arms!'

Her pretty emerald eyes moisten with unshed tears and she visibly composes herself... gripping her horse reins tightly.

She mutters painfully, 'Why can't Ashe let someone ELSE be that HERO? Let someone else be the Martyr for righteousness!'

The four boneslayers are all tough-looking fellows armed with earthbreakers and longbows who mix the skills of the ranger with those of the cleric. Their names are Ahalak, Hargev, Nalmid, and Shadfrar. It's clear they've operated as a team many times before.

Thousand Bones also gives you five potions of cure serious wounds, a wand of create water (44 charges), a wand of endure elements (23 charges), and five pots of Shoanti war paint (three
red and two silver).

He smiles and says "I had suspected for some time you would need my help. These gifts are nothing to me, but they may be everything to you."

Following Shoanti custom, everyone then turns and goes about their own business, leaving you lot and the four boneslayers to depart.

Ashe will lift his visor and regard Thousand Bones, then gesturing bang his fist to his left shoulder, "We thank you for ALL you have done for us Honored Elder Thousand Bones... 'My blood is Sworn' to prove worthy of your trust! We will not stop until Kazavon's threat is ended, 'Until our skulls are gathered'.. and 'My blood is Sworn' to do ALL I can in Korvosa... to someday redress the EVIL that has been inflicted upon your people! I PROMISE!"

With those words Ashe leads the party out of the Shoanti settlement... following the skillful Boneslayer Ranger/Clerics...

Akina bows with deep respect to each of the boneslayers. "You have my thanks for taking time from your most noble pursuit to guide us. If I can ever be of service, you need only ask and I will repay my debt to you."

"We go as directed, Madam," says Ahalak. "Now, where is it that you would have us lead you first?"

Asherick speaks up at Ahalak's question, "Take us to the Acropolis of the Thrallkeepers... so we may venture into following Tanjah's footsteps and seek her found-mark upon the globe to be given the Spherewalker's Mark. Then we'll be ready to travel to the House of the Moon at the northeastern most edge of the Wyvern Mountains, to meet with the Lyrune-Quah to see if we can secure the company of a Truthspeeker to observe our rebirth with Cindermaw."

"Right," said Asherick. A thought strikes him.

"By what names should you be addressed? We as yet have to earn our names, and go by our milk-names. But you seem to be heroes already. How are you called?"

He sends Hargev and Nalmid to scout ahead, getting them to leave most of their stuff with him and Shadfrar. Once they've been gone (they left at a run) about a quarter of an hour, he indicates that the party should move out.

Ashe ponders his answer and asks, "...I take it to mean 'milk-names' refers to the childhood names your mother gave you? We ...'tshamek', do not have such a tradition.. these are the names we have been given by our parents. But ... since it is our wish to gain your favor and prove ourselves better than 'tshamek'... My 'milk-name' is Asherick Whiteplume-Stolyarev, called 'Ashe' by my close friends. 'Asherick' is my 'milk-name' my mother gave me, it means 'Happy or Blessed - Ruler', 'Whiteplume' is the name my Father claimed for our family and 'Stolyarev' is the Family name my mother's father claimed for his family of my mother. I have 'earned' with deeds the name 'Grey Knight' or even 'Greyeagle' if you find that more appealing. Our Group, is known as the JUSTICARS, also a name we have earned with deeds. We do not consider ourselves Great Heroes... we have merely done what honor demands.. and what compassion moves our hearts to accomplish~ nothing more. We have not sought glory... but.. indeed we have managed to save many lives with our deeds."

"Since you travel with us to lead us, through your lands.. and you consider us great heroes...would it be impolite or presumptuous were WE to give you earned names from the deeds you perform in our behalf? I know we are just 'tshamek'.. but we are here and can observe your valour and courage first-hand... and it would be a great honor to us!"

Akina will listen and answer, "My birth name is Akina, given by my mother as I was taken from her womb. I carry it with honor, as it was the only gift she was able to give me. I have been granted the name Pharas by the church of the Pale Lady. I earned that title when I became what you would call a boneslayer. A destroyer of undeath, and any who would perverse the natural spiral of life and death."

"I DO proudly accept the mantle and name of Warrior and Hero. I do not believe in false modesty. I have done sufficient deeds of valor and might that I have earned that.

All my companions have also earned such renown, but it is their decision whether they wish to claim a name"

To all the old farts out there : Yeah, I'm definitely more powerful than a 4th level fighter :-) :-)

As an aside to my companions, in common

"Be careful. The Shoanti do not hold modesty, especially what they would consider false modesty, in high regard. Humiity is NOT a virtue amongst them."

That is my reading on Shoanti. Megan, if you disagree please correct me. The character DOES have a pretty good idea of their culture

Ashe merely smiles, "Those who do great deeds.. do not need to proclaim them.. their actions should speak louder than any prideful words."