At the goat's trangression, Able turns towards it, casting Speak with Animals as he does. "Brother, rejoin your herd, lest the desert swallow you and leave your bones as a warning! We must keep traveling!" he says sharply to the goat.
Able chimes in at Variel's farewell, in common once again. "And may Desna guide you upon your travels and grant you luck in your endeavors!" he chirps. The pages he's dedicated to the templars are covered in scribbles and drawings, the products of a bright but disorganized mind. He rereads them eagerly as they travel back to the group.
As the cool desert air begins warming to the morning sun, gentle currents and updrafts create soft breezes delicately shifting the endless sands.
The lone flier glides from draft to draft, catching the wind to push him on his journey like a ship uses its sails, from his height the sands stretch out in all directions like a great golden ocean dotted with the occasional oasis or rocky outcrop, islands of respite in a beautiful yet unforgiving environment. Below him is a well beaten caravan route, looking somewhat like the wake of a ship frozen in time.
Soon, he spies several moving dots in the distance, their shadows cast by the morning sun giving away their presence.
* * * * *
In the distance you notice a small golden flash; it may be a trick of the light, sunrays reflecting off a large white bird perhaps? The large bird is flying in your direction in parallel with the road, its spread wings almost motionless as it glides down to an altitude of around 30 feet.
As it gets closer it tucks and rolls into a loop as it shoots past your caravan, and it becomes clear that it was no trick of the light, it is indeed serpentine, and the brassy hue is indeed its natural form.
Landing on a nearby rock, it stretches its wings and coils its tail below its body; you notice it is wearing some kind of cross strapped bandolier with small pouches.
A pleasant and gentle voice appears to come from it. “Well met friends, and hello again Talu, it seems the fates have brought us together again”
Aurichalcum is that you? And I've told you, you Sciathán Nathair it is Tahlumilali?
Tahl replies blinking slowly probably the first time anyone has seen him surprised by anything.
Lofnaiali this is that little dragon I told you I met once. Auri this is my wife Lofnaiali.
He says as he brings Lofnaiali up to Auri introducing the two of them to each other
M
Talahel spots the sparkling creature as buzzes past the caravan. Alert, he slowly reaches for his long bow but then pauses as he watches as Tahlumilali leads his wife toward the small dragon-like creature. It appears that Tahlumilali is familiar with the creature. Talahel leaves his bow in its place and continues to watch, alert and ready for action if necessary.
The small dragon dips his head in a gentle nod of respect and welcome towards Lofnaiali before turning his gaze back to the tattooed desert dweller.
"Indeed my friend, it is I. My search has led me out onto the sands once more to collect tales and rumours of where my kind may be living, and what better place than the merchant roads?
It appears you are on a journey headed in my direction, well any direction is really my direction at this point, but perhaps I can join you - the season favours travel, and my wanderlust yearns to be indulged, and what better way to wander than in the company of such a fine fellow?"
The small dragon adjusts his posture and stretches out, vaguely resembling a cat waking from a nap, whilst shifting his gaze slowly amongst his friends travelling companions
Aurichalcum is that you? And I've told you, you Sciathán Nathair it is Tahlumilali?
Tahl replies blinking slowly probably the first time anyone has seen him surprised by anything.
Lofnaiali this is that little dragon I told you I met once. Auri this is my wife Lofnaiali.
He says as he brings Lofnaiali up to Auri introducing the two of them to each other
M
I am doing just fine my Grádhán.
Lofnaiali places her hand snugly into Tahlumilali's hand. She looks at the dragon with a large smile.
Ah yes I remember you speaking about your friend.
Lofnaiali stares at the small dragon with wonder and delight. She never did cast her eyes upon such a magnificent little dragon. While looking at him, she had to resist asking if she could touch his wings. She couldn't help but marvel at their scaly friend. She heard some about the dragon, but never could quite imagine what it would have looked like. A large grin etched on her face as she watched the little one stretch.She couldn't help it, it was her normal woman's nature to like small cute things.
I am very happy to finally meet you!
Variel stared at the miniature marvel for a long moment of pure wonder. He was loathe to speak, lest he mar the memory of this day. He took in his surroundings to etch deep into memory. The heat of the sun, the powerful smell of goat, the light glinting off bright brass scales and the soft, eloquent voice all contributed.
Then he began to chant in a sibilant tongue.
"Hail, bright one. Hail, heir to majesty and wisdom unsung by mortal tongue.
Apsu bless your hoard and Dahak fear your sting,
May the desert yield her bounty generously to you as long as life burns brightly."
Auri takes in the honeyed words of Variels speech, and although you aren't sure it's possible, you think you notice an almost...smile.
"It appears that my wandering friends may make for good company, and learned company at that, let us wander the desert for a while, and see what secrets she unearths"
Able watches the incoming dragon approach with eyes as wide as saucers. Upon seeing the little dragon land, Able leaps off his camel and approaches at a full run, quill drawn and ready. Scarcely able to breathe with excitement, he begins a detailed sketch of the little dragon, completely forgetting the formalities of greeting in the excitement of scholarship.
Auri you've been here a few seconds and you are already being helpful. For the first time since this caravan started the little one has talked, he even talks when asleep.
Upon seeing Garavel, and hearing his question Tahl replies.
This is Aurichalcum a friend of mine. He wishes to travel with us.
For all that they had not been properly introduced to each other yet, Variel still thought it best to introduce Auri to Garavel. Tahlumilali Aurvreaanea's introduction had been somewhat abrupt.
"Master Garavel, I have the pleasure to introduce to you Aurichalcum, a friend and ally of Talhlumilali. I have no doubt that his presence bodes well for our purpose."
Turning to face the dragon-kin,
"Aurichalcum, may I introduce to you Garavel, the master of this caravan, who has engaged us to assist in the retaking of lost Kelmarane and in the establishing of a trading outpost there."
Edit: Though I will admit I forgot to mention the reason we are here to him thanks Variel.
Amazing. Azten thinks as the small dragon flies down to meet them. He lets the others introduce themselves before he moves his camel forward.
"Hello there! My name is Azten. I'd offer to shake your hand or something along those lines, but seeing as your the first dragon I've ever meet.. He shrugs. "All I can do is greet you politely."
"I am pleased to meet you, and am warmed by your respectful welcomes, I would be delighted to accompany you to Kelmarane and see what secrets her ruins may hold. Saerenrae guides me in my task to find my bretheren, and she has led me to you - and thus your destination is mine..."
For the briefest moment you notice the young dragons eyes appear to wander, and you can tell he is eyeing off the goat."
"...oh yes, and so we should travel there and help the merchant with his deed. You well read my arrival as being an auspicious sign, few may lay claim to travelling with a dragon...even if a still growing one"
Auri ponders the name Kelmarane and tries to recall any significant facts:
Know:Hist
Know:Religion
Few claim to have traveled with a dragon because they tire of how much they eat. Even small dragons.
Tahl says with a small chuckle as he notices Auri eyeing one of the goats.
It would bring me joy to hear of your travels since I last saw you.
"I did bring enough food with me for a decent trek, its just that dry rations get so...dreary"
Talahel approaches the small dragon warily. "I hope I did not offend as you flew in. These are dangerous lands and one can never be too careful. My name is Talahel Zstelian. Welcome Aurichalcum." Talahel bows slightly toward Auri.
"Not at all my cautious friend; the desert is a harsh mistress, and her subjects are often worth being wary about, indeed I take comfort in your wariness, as it will no doubt be a boon in the darker parts of our travels ahead"
The small dragon nimbly opens one of its overly large (for its size) pouches and fishes out a strip of dried jerky and starts nibling away; his eyes occasionally drifting towards the goat
Also noticing Auri eye the goat, Variel suppressed a smile also.
"And your forethought and self-restraint are as great a comfort to us as our wariness is to you. I have no doubts that a creature whose heritage is as great as yours would scorn to acquire something as perishable as a meal.
On the other hand, it may well be that as Master Garavel has engaged our services, he might be persuaded that certain gifts might be seen as appropriate for such an auspicious occasion."
Variel carefully does not phrase his suggestion in terms of hiring the dragon-kin's services, and hopes that Garavel takes the delicately worded hint.
"I haven't yet acquired the taste for man flesh, nor do I suspect that I ever shall, after all, once they were cooked they might be difficult to talk to"
A small hissing chortle is barely audible from the small wyrmling.
"It seems that Saerenrae has warmed the welcoming breeze that led me back to my vagabond friend, and by extension, to your pleasant acquaintance; so perhaps there is something she wishes me to find in Kelmarane, perhaps some secrets of my kin, or perhaps a new trade route may simply serve as a beacon for news from afar; I shall join your company and we shall make light work of this 'King'"
Auri continues to gnaw on his strip of jerky while securing his pouches, before lifting quickly into the air. The petite dragon quickly settles comfortably on top of a pack camels' cargo bundles, his small head perched aloft, somewhat reminiscent of a gallant knight riding high in the saddle. After a quick look at a strange object he turns and regards everyone expectantly, as if wondering what the hold up is.
"You're a Pathfinder too?" Azten asks as he opens up the pouch at his belt and reveals his Wayfinder. "The organization certainly has it's share of exotic members."
"I suspect they saw the opportunities a dragon and his quest might reveal; they share their mysteries, and in time, I share mine"
The appearance of wayfinders is finally enough to shake Able from his mad scrawling, which has gotten more and more frenzied as honeyed words were bandied about. His eyes flash when the Pathfinder's trademark tool is brought out, and he rapidly takes his own out from where it hangs in his robes.
"How auspicious! To all be brethren here in the deserts! Truly our inimitable luck will guide us to greater glories than we could have possibly imagined!" He returns to the book in front of him, clearly recording yet another potentially important moment into his travelogue.
Talahel sees the three pull out their wayfinders and overhears them talking about a group of which they are all members.
"Pathfinders? What or who are pathfinders? I have never heard of this group. What is your mission?"
"What are we? no more than a group of delvers into the unknown and finders of the forgotten; Likeminded chroniclers on our many roads of discovery. Simple eh?"
"Chroniclers you say. Is that all? What do you do with the secrets and treasures you uncover? Turn it in to coin?"
"No doubt some do turn the secrets into coin, altruists like myself see the knowledge as its own reward and are happy to share freely with others, should those others choose to pay coin in thanks then I am happy to take it.
Auri pauses for a brief moment of thought, you feel as though his examining eyes are reading your character.
"Treasures, on the other hand, I do seek. Although I don't yet understand the fascination with collecting inanimate objects the lore of Dragons is that we must, and for very good reasons, but I am too young to worry too much about those- yet"
"My talents have led me on a different path. I excell at finding people who did not want to be found. It started out as a means to survive the rough streets of Katapesh, and then, when I found that I was quite good at it, it transformed into a job. Until recently, I was more concerned with gaining the next bounty than exploring history. But now..." Talahel pauses and pats his long sword. "after certain recent revelations, I find I am more interested in exploring my, I mean, the past."
"Well then, I guess one of us is looking for their past, and the other looking for their future, how interesting"
It would make for good hearing what it is you hope to find out on this journey. Tahl says to Talahel while he checks his weapons from the back of his camel to make sure they can be easily reached.
It would make for good hearing what it is you hope to find out on this journey.
"Indeed, and how we may assist you in doing so Talahel, after all a problem shared is sooner a problem solved; is that sword a part of the mystery? Surely we can't be too far from our destination, so feel welcome to fill the time with tales...I do love a good story..."
The minute dragon inspects you with rather expectant eyes.
Pardon the threadjack, Megan.
We now returm you to your regularly scheduled PbP.
"All this time I have survived on my own, but your counsel is wise little dragon, and I will accede to your request."
Talahel sighs for a moment and then continues.
"My mother (she was Osirion) recently passed away in the city of Katapesh where we were living. We moved there after my father died when I was three. She told me he had drowned in one of the notorious monsoons that hits this area each year.
I was going through her effects to tie up her affairs, when I found this long sword and a journal hidden beneath her bed. In the journal, she noted that my father (an elf) was really killed defending the town of Kelmarane from a gnoll attack twenty four years ago. This was his sword."
Talahel unsheathes sword and shows it to the group. Elven runes are intricately etched on both sides of the cold iron surface of the sword. The smooth edge forms seamlessly into a metal hilt cast into the shape of a hawk. The head of the hawk wraps the tang of the blade, its wings forming the cross guard and its body the grip.
"Its name is The Talon of Falling Star. I am returning to Kelmarane to see if I can learn more about my father and what he did. Your assistance is most welcome."
Variel continues to ride his camel, seemingly lost in thought. Actually, he was only mostly lost. He spared a little attention to file away the conversation between the elves and dragon-kin. As interesting as the conversation was, and as fascinating the opportunity to observe not only his own kind, but dragon-kin as well, Variel was wary of forgetting his true purpose.
He owed a debt to Haleen, and not dragon-kin, or his own kin or any arcane knowledge was going to distract... Wait, what was that?
"Your father's death in Kelmarane was hidden?" blurts out Variel.
"That is... interesting."
Variel pauses to consider what he knows of the folk assembled. Very little, in truth; in fact, one of his weaknesses as a merchant was his inability to read people well. Still, he might require aid to locate Haleen and a hunter of people could well prove crucial.
"I have come to Kelmarane to seek someone lost. Someone alive, I hope, but missing under strange circumstances. Perhaps there is a link." he slowly added.
Talahel's sword was almost too much for Able to handle - clearly, the implications of a mysterious death and an heirloom sword with a foreboding name has completely excited the little gnome. He flips back to an earlier page with a rough sketch that is recognizable as Talahel - a close-up of the sword promptly follows. When Variel begins suggesting there is a link, the writing becomes even more frenzied.
"I find that given the variety of coincidences that have occurred already on this journey, and the increasing magnitude of importance of those coincidences, that clearly we have been chosen as some part of a greater endeavor by the hands that weave the loom of fates," Able exclaims. "Clearly our traveling together is too unlikely to be anything but."
"I like to believe we create our own destiny. Though I will admit it is strange that almost everyone here has some connection to Kelmarane. Lofnaiali and I are here to learn more about what happened to her father as well, I wonder if the two are related."
Tahl says as he glances at his wife sitting atop her camel. Watching as she sways tantalizingly with the camel.
Ní féidir liom a chreidiúint francach gainimh mar fuair mé a leithéid de bláth álainn mar atá tú.
Tahl thinks to himself as he stares at Lofnaiali.
"How intruiging Talahel...though this time lets make sure history doesn't repeat, and both the sword and its wielder return"
In Elven "I agree Tahlumilali that we do create our own destiny. However, perhaps the gods create circumstances that allow our destinies to mingle if we choose that path. Who knows what we will find in Kelmarane when we arrive, but I pledge to each of you this day, I will aid each of you in your own searches in the best way that I can." Talahel bows to the assembled group. "I would like to learn more about Lofnaiali's lost father and Variel's lost person so that I can better aid you."
Variel's heart leapt as Talahel made his pledge. He had no skill such as the tracker did, and was in no position to turn away such aid. Neither, though, could he afford it, and his years of slavery made him reticent to accept anything he could not afford. Slavery could last such a very long time for his kin.
"Very well," he said slowly, "I accept your pledge, and match it with my own to aid your searches to the best of my own abilities."
"The person I seek is a human female named Haleen. She is an adventurer by trade, and rather capable at it, or so I thought. I owe her a debt that I doubt she comprehends, for she rescued me from a lifetime of slavery; I had been a slave sixty years already when we met, and our kind are long-lived." Variel paused, unsure how the group would take his next confession and added,
"She is my friend as well."
Continuing more briskly, "Some time ago, she vanished, leaving only a scroll with a suspicious plea for me to forget about her and continue with my life. This was not at all in character for her, and I determined that the scroll had been forced, somehow. Perhaps she left to try to protect me? I know not. However, I started seeking word of her or one matching her description. One of my Duskwalker contacts informed me that a person matching her description had been seen in Kelmarane, so here I am."
The elf seems drained, as if revealing so much had exhausted him somehow.
The small dragon perks up as though surprised
"Are you saying this Haleen may be alive, and possibly abducted by gnolls and bandits!? We must hasten to Kelmarane at once, who knows what Hells she may be enduring at their hands! Let them fear our coming, and let our terrible vengance know no bounds if she is harmed!"
With that Aurichalcum puffs out his chest, resembling any famous dragon artwork you can think of...only in miniature
Variel smiles slightly at the dragon-kin, glad to be on his good side.
"I know not of bandits or gnolls, my fear is that her predicament is more subtle, and I would rather come unannounced and unlooked for lest our rescue imperil her further. Otherwise," Variel's hand tightened on the cruel-metal tipped whip at his side,
"I agree with you wholeheartedly."
There is nothing more important than those you care about...I know something of being alone, but fortunately I found someone to spend my life with.
Tahl says as he glances over at Lofnaiali and flashes her a small smile. He then looks back at Variel his eyes a molten gold with reddish hues that seem to penetrate straight to the soul.
Gealltanas mé ar an fhuil mo shinsir go mbeidh mé in ann cabhrú leat teacht ar do chara.
As he says these words he draws both blades across his arms bathing them in his own blood sealing his oath to Variel.
I swear on the blood of my ancestors that I will help you find your friend.
"So keen to shed blood that he will even settle for his own...these elvenbloods are so...passionate!. Variel, lets make haste to find your friend, I shall demand her release at once!
"I'll help too. I can't very well let someone in trouble go without all the aid she can get, can I? I'll lend my blade and my body until both shatter."
He looks over the wounds on Tahl's arms.
"It may go without saying, but you should probably get those bind to prevent infection. A blood vow is no good if you die from the wound."
"Ha Azten! you are a pragmatist after my very own heart."
With that Auri returns to looking imperious, riding high on top of his camel, the little Rajah sweeping his gaze across the desert.
Odd - the sun's clearly setting off to your left, but it seems to be backed by a reddish glow...
"How odd an evening... this Claw place, do we expect any trouble? I wonder why the ominous sunset".
Trying to work out why there could be a red glow or unusual sunset/phenomenon.
Survival