Unafe turns to follow Francois' finger, and the only thing she manages to catch is a flash of someone riding past with green skin and what appears to be vines in place of hair.
She's already out of her seat as she asks, "Could that be a Ghoran? I've never seen-- " She bumps into an Osiriani man, "Excuse me!", then turning back to the bar, "Xander. Come. Do you want to see?" and with that she's outside, keeping Yakini close with a hand on the spinosaurus' neck. Frustratingly, the road is thick with people. Most of them are all too happy to move away from the spinosaurus but still the Ghoran -- if that's what it was -- is almost out of sight by the time Unafe manages to push through the throng.
As she gets to the front of the crowd she sees the massive blonde who she noticed inside The Mangy Gnoll. ”Hello, Avistani” Unafe puts a hand on his arm to get his attention. ”Excuse me, I only caught a glimpse. Was there a Ghoran -- a plant-woman -- on that camel?”
As Thorgrim turns toward her, he sees a Mwangi woman who nearly matches the his height, yet is as skinny as he is wide. She's wearing a rough orange robe with pictograms on it and dinosaur teeth stitched into the seams. She's accompanied by a 300lb spinosaurus that stands 5’ at the shoulder and almost as wide, with three large claws on each forearm, and jagged teeth visible between it’s gums. Seeing the blonde warrior turn she collects herself a bit and says, ”I’m getting ahead of myself. Sorry. I am Unafe Two-Hearted. I'd love to know what you saw.”
"I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you just said. Did I startle you or or do you need help?"
Alhandra smiles, nodding her head at his words. Holding his gaze, she arches one eyebrow and replies, "R'nathng Kasheyr Rab'domen Azir Arc'anthegn. Bcangrahn. V'lagn Fhatagn Kem'natr Osirion Rem'narcj."
Motioning with her arm, she indicates that she has a table reserved for conversation and a half full pipe waiting.
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Now deciding that pushing his luck would be less than... Favorable considering how quickly the merchant he just swindled was likely to find an appraiser who would undoubtedly tell him that it was a standard dagger with a gold coin melted on it and dressed up that he traded two of his best pieces to a stranger to receive. Which would, without question, piss him off. In fact, maybe changing his appearance if he ever entered the market again would be a good idea.
"Worth it"
He decided, instead, to grab himself a drink. Nothing like a little alcohol to calm the thrill of trading butterknives for the weapon and armor of a master craftsman. Maybe bragging about it was something to do once he left the city. Nonetheless, there was a tavern nearby. The Mangy Gnoll
He decided to pay it a visit. As he approached the door, he could tell there were plenty of people there ahead of him. Ah, the more the merrier. That's the way he always seemed to look at it. He stepped into the tavern, bright smile on his face donned in his new armor, under his clothes of course, and sporting his new rapier.
Not sure if she did really understand him or acts in delusion, the monk slightly tilts his head and shrugs upon her continuing to speak in tongues. But seeing that the Ulfen currently either way seems not interested in a continuation of their conversation, he motions her to lead the way.
Being presented with an already smoking pipe he smiles appreciative, but slowly shakes his head in polite rejection. Hopefully she would not take it personally, but most drugs are at worst pure poison for the self or at best poor substitutes for the true mind-expansion of enlightenment.
He then looks at here expectant and worried at once, wondering if there was any true agenda behind her beckoning or she was caught in psychedelic illusions. He also wondered if she currently was even able to speak anything else than the alien "language" or if he might have to try to tap into his gift to understand her.
“Hey! Hey!” the large guard unsheathes his falchion and points at the short, scaly figure trying to keep a low profile “Stop him! Stop that little bugger! He stole my master’s meal!”
A large hand closes itself on the kobold’s shoulder, grabbing him and stopping him from getting away “Let me go, you egg-sucker!” screams Sasbrek “I stole nothing! And it was wasting in the heat. But I stole nothing!” he says as he tries to hide the fruit pastry he just took under his robes.
The fat merchant comes forward, a falchion-welding guard to each side “Oh, you stole it alright, you little disgusting lizard.” he said. “And you’re gonna pay – the Kelish way. For thieving… a hand!” he smiles a cruel smile, as the guard steadies his hold on Sasbrek shoulder and his colleague tests the keen edge of his falchion.
“I am not lizard, you ape!” Sasbrek’s voice was losing the high-pitched tone and getting more menacing “I am Dragonsent! Heir to Meraxes, and fiery disgrace is upon you if you touch me!”
The merchant and his two guards burst into laugh “Oh really?” he puts his hands to his mouth, in an exaggerated expression of fear “I find myself shaking with terror!” he drops the pantomime “Enough with this critter. Beat the s**t out of him and cut off his right hand. that should teach him!”
Sasbrek puts his hands forward “I’m telling you! Apologize to the Dragonsent, or else…”
“Or else what?” said the merchant “You’re not funny anymore. Do it!” he nods to his guard.
Sasbrek’s eyes spread wide open, his toothy mouth hisses and his voice becomes chillingly deep and harsh.
“Én csak azt mondom, szó Drákói, akkor is hülye, hogy megértsük őket, de akkor is félek! Làb! Nagyon vastag láb!”
Now the merchant shows a bit of genuine fear “Come on, quickly!” he spurs the guard, now hesitating and slightly scared of Sasbrek “Kill him! Quick!” the two guards look at each other, hoping the other will be the first to harm the kobold. It is moment of tension, then:
“Hey, is that ghoran? Nethys’s Mask, look at that!” the voice comes from down the street, and the guard holding Sasbrek turns his head instinctively. It takes but a fraction of a second: a small but vivid flame appears on the rim of the guard’s linen tunic, climbing up as it burns him “Aaah! You nasty fu… aaaah!” the guards lets go of Sasbrek, lets go of his blade and rolls over trying to extinguish the flames. His companion rushes to help him, and when the merchant looks up again and manages to see through all the smoke, there is no trace of Sasbrek.
A good twenty yards from the guards and the merchant, Sasbrek reappears. Uuuhfff, stupid egg-suckers! he thinks as he bites a good chunk of the stolen pastry Mmm… bee-honey and figs! Shiny-yum!. He finishes off the meal in two bites. He looks behind him. Egg-suckers! Still looking for poor me! Mpf!
The merchant and the two guards (one holding his half-burned clothes together with the left hand) are still looking for him.
Sasbrek heads for the crowd that gathered along the path took by the ghoran. He squats near two very tall bigfeet, a pale one with beard and a thin mwangi one.
And when he raises his gaze, he finds himself looking in the eyes of a very tough-looking SPINOSAURUS, who opens his mouth showing more teeth than a real dragon.
"Oh." gulps Sasbrek.
Osirion was proving more inhospitable than the worst patch of jungle.
Thorgrim observes in stoic silence as the woman speaking a language bizarre beyond comprehension seems to be directing her words at the monk with whom he had briefly shared conversation. As she gestures towards the table beyond, his eyes come to rest on the pipe that yet remains upon it. Immediately, his mind assumes—incorrectly—that the girl is lost in the grips of a pesh fueled malaise. As Sarthos makes to follow her he simply calls out plainly, though still with more volume than necessary, ""
Something grasps at Thorgrim's arm, and the Ulfen behemoth sedately turns his head to regard the newcomer to his vantage. He had seen the skinny tower of a Mwangi enter the bar, though he had not expected to bandy words with her this day. He found her garb strange. He found much strange in Garund, though, even after so long spent here. The small saurian at her feet warrants little response from Sigurdson. Its demeanor did not strike him as hostile. The Mwangi's words sound unusual and awkward, though he has little trouble following her meaning. That she is speaking Taldane is a refreshing development, though it humors him that her grasp of the language is likely better than his own.
"" Thorgrim smiles as he offers title to the considerable height of the Mwangi woman, though only briefly before he continues. ""
Alhandra holds the pipe out for Sarthos but is not offended when he declines. Her eyes lose focus for a moment and one eyebrow arches when she returns from her reverie. "I speak Taldane if it is your desire. The language is limited and constricting but no matter. That my presence is unexpected is clear and so the reason for yours is inquired."
"Yes! That sounds like a Ghoran. I've never seen one -- just caught a glimpse of this one. I don't understand some of your words though. What was she doing? Who was she with?" Unafe pauses to appraise the mountain of a man before him. The second man today who doesn't seem to fear Yakini. Remarkable!
His pale skin and yellow hair are strange, but even more interesting are the intricate knots and sigils on his armor and the large tusks worn about his neck. With different skin, different runes on the armor, different bones about the neck...this man could be a warrior of the Goapeke. She has gotten used to the trappings of civilization these past seven months, but finds her curiosity peaked by an Avistani who seems to have lived a life away from modern traditions as well.
"You seem a long ways away from your tribe, Avistani. Why?"
As she's asking, she sees a kobold duck down behind her and the Ulfen giant -- and then recoil back from Yakini's glare. She instinctually makes sure she has a hand on her purse but also tries to reassure the little creature, "She won't harm you, if you don't harm me."
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Jack, now a little too full of his pride for his own good, waltzes directly up to the bar. A lively bunch, this tavern... Jack thought, eyeing up a particularly... Large norse figure in the bar. If someone had shown him a picture, Jack would likely ask why someone would carve such a strange statue of of such a large person in the middle of a tavern. Joking, of course. Smiling it off, he made his way up to the bar, no one concerned but himself. If anything, he sat very close to the apparent congregation of people and eavesdropped because, honestly, why not?
"Heya, barkeep. I'm just here to have a drink I think. What's it to ya?"
She's already out of her seat as she asks, "Could that be a Ghoran? I've never seen-- " She bumps into an Osiriani man, "Excuse me!", then turning back to the bar, "Xander. Come. Do you want to see?"
Xander gets up to follow the young Mwangi shaman. He listens intently to Thorgrim. With the Ulfen giant and now apparently a kobold joining their conversation he seems content to gather data on these newcomers and let Unafe do the talking.
On Thorgims call, Sarthos shortly turns to make eye contact and nods concurring. The big man seemed wiser than many a Garundian might foolishly assume upon gazing his sheer northern, hulking mass and hearing his deep, loud bellowing.
The monk's face slightly relaxes as the woman's eyes refocus followed by her talking in a more natural language. Yet it's clear that he is still not really sure what to make of her. Does she believe to know him?
"I wander, train and help, wherever the path might bring me. There is no deeper purpose in my current visit to Eto than the general search for Enlightenment."
Wu jumps down from the roof, landing quite gracefully, his conversation apparently at an end. Seeing the target of his earlier interest, he moves across the street after the caravan has passed to make inquiries of the scholar he overheard earlier.
To Nexander "Excuse me honorable sir, I am but a humble traveller, and I happened to overhear you discussing this wondrous beast in a manner which revealed your level of learning. I would wish to partake of that learning if it is possible. My name is Wu Cheng, and as my god Irori teaches, self improvement is the highest of all pursuits.
It may be of some profit to yourself. As my master used to say 'Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it.' I understand that to mean by imparting knowledge you become more fluent in its use. "
The hand is still standing at the bar, highly perturbed. Loudly, and to no one in particular, he grumbles in Osirani about foreign jackals not even bothering to learn the language of the land they tread beneath their heels. Bringing up his glass in a mock salute to the new comer to the bar he downs his water and continues to stare at the collection of foreigners. His sense of impropriety fully inflamed.
Nexander considers yet another person speaking around him. He takes in the much shorter, heavily muscled tian-shu man. His command of the common tongue is admirable. A follower of Irori, just like pops. S~%$, they even sound the same.
"Honorable disciple of the Enlightened One, you wish me to tell you of yon beauteous reptile?" Xander asks, fumes of Oldlaw Whiskey heavy on his breath. He points one long dark finger at Yakini, who is currently glaring at a nearby kobold. "She's a f**~ing dinosaur! Spinosaurus aegyptiacus to be precise. They are the largest known carnivorous dinosaurs, functioning both in the water and on land. They prefer fish, but can subsist on any diet of meat. Yakini there is only a juvenile. I've been told an adult specimen would dwarf the Gnoll there," he says, gesturing distractedly towards the bar. "We were just commenting on the caravan that passed by with the Ghoran woman. Did you see where they went?"
Seeing that the scholar is blitzed and smelling the whiskey on his breath, Wu thinks he might not have picked an optimal choice for a new teacher. However he decides to persist.
"Ahh yes, thank you for the information. I was unaware of such creatures. Are they of a magical nature? I cannot imagine anything getting so big without the aid of the supernatural.
"Oh, as for the caravan, it continued down the street. There were some odd fellows in iron masks who followed them, but I do not presume to understand local customs. I attempt to keep an open mind to these things. As the master said 'One who is too insistent on his own views finds few to agree with him.'
"There's nothing magical to them as far as I know. They are simply massive animals left over from an earlier age," Xander replies to the monk. "I am Nexander Davramputi! Your master seems wise. Open minds are almost as good as open legs." Xander looks around at Thorgrim, Unafe, Yakini and now Wu Cheng. He Thorgrim and Unafe tower over most of the native people, especially Thorgrim. Then there was Wu Cheng, who looked as if he were carved from solid muscle. "Perhaps we should all go see where they went. They might have need of such towering exotics as ourselves," Xander suggests, with a grin.
"My master was very wise. He is, alas, no more. There are troubles in my homeland, and he perished amidst the turmoil. I do miss him and his wisdom, as I only have what my feeble memory can retain. " he replies with a wistful look.
"But yes, I imagine we may as well follow them. Perhaps they are in need of guards. I must seek employment. Seeking enlightenment does not pay a living wage. "
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Jack, now receiving his drink and downing a decent portion of it, he nods his head at the larger man cursing about the foreigners. Jack was a foreigner, no doubt, but he understood the language of the area. Hell, his languages were something of a bit of pride to him. Wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, seeming a little awkward since it was ale he was wiping away, he spoke out not particularly to the man, but in response to him nonetheless. "العصب من بعض الناس، أليس كذلك؟"
The hand breaks into a smile at the elf's comment. Dropping now into Taldane now for the ease of the foreign man. "Ahh yes yes. The nerve of a man who would leave his home so far behind and yet expect others to speak his tongue. A thousand curses on such a thoughtless head. Ahh, but you are not such a man I see. Tell me my friend, what brings you to this offal infested jackal den of a town? Adventure perhaps, maybe heading west, maybe headed away from the burning flame to the east?" The Osirian continues to beam a smile at Jack.
"I wander, train and help, wherever the path might bring me. There is no deeper purpose in my current visit to Eto than the general search for Enlightenment."
"Expand upon this Enlightenment, its nature, its purpose, any dangers involved. What does it mean for the Dream."
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Jack smirked and returned in common tongue as well. "You could say I'm on the lookout for fortune, but I can tell you're a realistic man who has his priorities in just the right place and I can respect that. You could just say I'm an adventurer with unorthodox techniques."
Then, laughing lightly at his own joke before even making it, Jack finishes with "Including learning languages to earn, if nothing else, the respect of their native speakers." before taking another solid drink of ale.
"" Thorgrim stops as if remembering himself, and his gaze falls back to meet with Unafe's own. Such regard typically requires his chin touching his collar. The woman's staggering length is a welcome surprise. ""
As the offered distinction of Avistani is offered once more, the tall warrior shakes his head, flaxen braids and locks swaying gently as he does so. His demeanor hardens again, the horrors of his past rising once more to accompany his explanations. "" Thorgrim retrieves the massive, sheathed blade from his back; a wide and flat, straight bladed implement with a disturbing grip. He grips the cross-guard between thick fingers, holding it forward for the woman to observe. Small, tar-like fibers comprising the sword's grip twitch and pulse as if still alive. ""
Sasbrek slowly backs away from the humongous dinosaur “She! The tall woman said SHE! This means many tasty eggs!” Without ever abandoning with his gaze the Spinosaurus’s teeth, Sasbrek gets away from the tall woman and the even bigger milk-skinned man – they speak the tongue of the Northern continent and the kobold is not fluent with that.
The local watering hole – The Mangy Gnoll – is in front of him, and seems a good place to hide from the merchant’s guard. Sasbrek adjusts the silken scarf around his snout – better to look suspicious than to show his reptile features and invite drunkards to throw mugs – or knives – at him.
Once inside, he sees the familiar parade of legs and buttocks that every crowd of bigfeet reserves for him.
He makes his way to the counter, where the barkeep does not seem to notice him “Bet he’ll notice me if I burn his apron!”. Despite everything, Sasbrek calms himself down – better to keep a low profile.
Then he finally hears two people speaking Osiriani.
He gets close to an elf casually lounging at the counter and taps him on the knee “Hey! Arrowears! Mister arrowears! Can you ask the barkeep some goat’s milk?” he waves a silver coin, lunging upwards to give it to Jack McAllaster.
Nodding, Unafe repeats slowly and precisely, "Thorgrim, Ulfen of Ullerskad, vikingr."
"I have heard the names Ulfen and Ustlavian before, but until recently all of Avistan seemed as far away from me as Abaddon. The stories blend together. I'm sure I have much to learn. Thank you for passing on what you saw; I wish I'd caught a better glimpse myself."
Bowing her head slightly as Dómrbrandr is presented, "Even in it's fractured form, your blade has a mighty presence. I don't understand all you say, but I understand a quest for your father's soul to find peace." She lays her palm and long fingers flat over the Ulfen man's heart. "May Namane the Founder and the mzimu of the Great Saurians guide your arm, and may your tribe find peace."
Overhearing the Tian-shu's question about Yakini, Unafe shakes her head vehemently and interjects, "She's no more magical than the ostrich she ate this morning. Are there no dinosaurs at all in your land?" She shudders slightly. "I would be lost without them. The great saurians are amongst the eldest and mightiest of animals, and as Nexander says the spinosaurus is the mightiest of them all. All it should take for her to match her mother's gargantuan size is plenty of time and meat...though I worry that following me into civilized lands may slow her growth."
"At any rate, yes, I very like the thought of following them -- if we can manage to catch up. I still hope to meet the ghoran first hand, and as Nexander says perhaps some important opportunity will arise. A ghoran is as close to a sign as anything I've seen in some time."
As they begin to make their way through the crowd, trying to catch up with the camel train, Unafe turns to the Tian-shu man and says, I am Unafe Two-Hearted, of the Goapeke tribe. Who are you and what brings you so far from your tribal home?"
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Jack looked down now to the kobold waving a silver coin at him. His smirk turned quickly to a grin. He knew a little about the wannabe dragons, but he had to admit that he was a little surprised to come across one in the particular place. Still, though, if anything got Jack's attention, it was some good old fashioned coin.
"Well now, my scaly companion. Can't quite reach to do it yourself? Let me help you with that."
He grabbed the silver coin from the kobold and put it on the bar. "Goat's milk, barkeep. My friend here is a little challenged, vertically speaking."
After the exchange, Jack thanked the barkeep and handed the milk over to the kobold, but not before pocketing the change in the inside pocket of his jacket. "For my trouble, of course."
"You could say something of the like. Introductions are in order, I am The Steady Hand Of Totra, late of the Ruby Prince Khemet III's Risen Guard. I have successfully thrown myself into the way of the royal families' enemies on no less than eighty-six separate occasions, only failing once when Xotani himself swallowed the prince and destroyed the city of Sothis in minutes. An unorthodox adventurer such as yourself could use a shield arm to save him from his enemies' blades. I am sure you could pay my fee, it is such a small thing to afford room and board and a share of any treasures found." The hand makes a grand gesture of thumping his closed fist off his armored chest as he speaks of the blades of jacks enemies.
He seems as if he is going to say more, but he is interrupted by a small lizard speaking Osiriani."ما هذا؟"
The Osirion stares down at the little Kobold wondering about a talking lizard.
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In response to The Hand, "Ah, good sir. Sounds to me like you have a whole host of titles. Wish I could say the same about me. The name's Jack McAllaster, some call me the Jack of all Trades. Self proclaimed genius and investigator extraordinaire. Not a lot to say about me, really."
He takes another quick drink of ale before continuing. "Now, in response to your query, good sir, that would depend on a lot. While I'm not as great a combatant as perhaps someone who is know as 'The Steady Hand' of anything, I can usually handle myself. Your mention of treasure, however, has me interested..."
He smiles. It's easy to tell when Jack is talking business. While it is difficult to talk Jack into paying anyone anything, he is a fan of gambling. Putting a little forward for a lot back sounds good to him and the Osirion mentioned treasure. Interest was inevitable.
Overhearing the Tian-shu's question about Yakini, Unafe shakes her head vehemently and interjects, "She's no more magical than the ostrich she ate this morning. Are there no dinosaurs at all in your land?" She shudders slightly. "I would be lost without them. The great saurians are amongst the eldest and mightiest of animals, and as Nexander says the spinosaurus is the mightiest of them all. All it should take for her to match her mother's gargantuan size is plenty of time and meat...though I worry that following me into civilized lands may slow her growth."
"No, I had never seen such a creature before. Tien does not have such. We have all manner of magical creatures including dragons, but non-magical beasts of such a size are not present. "
"At any rate, yes, I very like the thought of following them -- if we can manage to catch up. I still hope to meet the ghoran first hand, and as Nexander says perhaps some important opportunity will arise. A ghoran is as close to a sign as anything I've seen in some time."
"Then let us be off. As my master said 'Your own positive future begins in this moment. All you have is right now. Every goal is possible from here.'
As they begin to make their way through the crowd, trying to catch up with the camel train, Unafe turns to the Tian-shu man and says, I am Unafe Two-Hearted, of the Goapeke tribe. Who are you and what brings you so far from your tribal home?"
"I am Wu Cheng. I am from the Minkai Empire. As you know it is a faraway land. Once I was a student in a monastery, then evil powers came to take over my land and the school was shut down. Some of us tried to organize a resistance, but we were but a rice stalk against the scythe. My compatriots were slaughtered but I managed to escape. I came to Garund in the hopes of gaining training so that I may someday return and free my land. By once here I found that the situation in these lands is even more dire. But as my master said 'Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.' Thus I will find ways to continue with my self improvement and make my life and the lives of those around me better no matter the path required. Maybe someday I can return to my land, but I do not see it from this point. "
Not really sure what to answer the monk just nods very slowly. The conversation didn't seem to become any more logical now that she spoke Taldane.
After a short while he then tries to pull it back into a more "normal" direction.
"And what about you, why are you in Eto?"
"I am Wu Cheng. I am from the Minkai Empire. As you know it is a faraway land. Once I was a student in a monastery, then evil powers came to take over my land and the school was shut down. Some of us tried to organize a resistance, but we were but a rice stalk against the scythe. My compatriots were slaughtered but I managed to escape. I came to Garund in the hopes of gaining training so that I may someday return and free my land. By once here I found that the situation in these lands is even more dire. But as my master said 'Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.' Thus I will find ways to continue with my self improvement and make my life and the lives of those around me better no matter the path required. Maybe someday I can return to my land, but I do not see it from this point. "
Unafe listens to Wu Chen as they walk, shaking her head in obvious sadness when he describes his own exile. "I suppose it's a sign of these times that so many of us hail from ruined homelands. You are clearly devoted to your master. I admire that. For myself, I am no longer buoyed by the words of my own mentor as I once was. Too much has failed to come to pass as he foresaw."
Meanwhile, Unafe finds wading through the crowd as a cadre of four people and a spinosaurus less onerous than making her way on her own. At the very least, the stares and gasps aren't directed at her and Yakini alone. Even so, the crowd can only get out of their way so fast, and before long the camel train has disappeared around a bend. By-standers point them in the right direction, but they don't seem to be gaining any ground.
"And what about you, why are you in Eto?"
Alhandra cocks her head to one side, a doubtful look on her face.
"Your purpose, I'll admit, seems impossible to divine. What secrets do you fear and who exactly do you fear will reveal them, yourself? Me?
You speak of dangers yet do not elaborate. Who has passed to you this warning and why pass it to me? To what real purpose does your presence in this nodality serve? Though time be infinite, that currently allotted to me is not. If you've no need of me, nor better warning to pass, I'll take my leave and you may face this lightening without my aid."
Nexander turns towards Thorgrim as they walk down the crowded street, chasing the caravan. He examines the man's masterfully crafted armor and sword, and takes in the two large tusks around his neck. Few men were taller than Nexander, and if he were honest, he would admit to feeling a little intimidated by the Ulfen. But, as is usual for the bard, his curiosity eventually overcomes his caution. "Tell me, Thorgrim, how is it that a strapping vikingr like yourself ended up in this sandy hellhole? What manner of beast are those tusks around your neck from?" Xander gestures towards the tusks, inching closer. He reaches out and barely stops himself from touching them, examining them. He withdraws his hands, tenting them and putting on a chagrined look. He leans in to Thorgrim, eagerly awaiting his response.
"I suppose it's a sign of these times that so many of us hail from ruined homelands. You are clearly devoted to your master. I admire that. For myself, I am no longer buoyed by the words of my own mentor as I once was. Too much has failed to come to pass as he foresaw."
Nodding with a somewhat wistful look on his face, Wu replies "The wisdom of my master is not affected by what has befallen him. I do not recall my mastering making predictions for the world at large, but only making suggestions of how an individual should live their life. I believe this is because he knew his limitations and only talked on that of which he actually knew. It made his pronouncements perhaps smaller in some ways, but a small truth is greater than a big untruth. "
Looking forward at the mass of people separating them from the caravan "I would guess we shall not catch the caravan until it decides to stop. "
With a grimace of concentration, Alhandra's dreamy eyes refocus. Looking across the table to Sarthos she says, "Pardon me, how can I help you?
"The wisdom of my master is not affected by what has befallen him. I do not recall my mastering making predictions for the world at large, but only making suggestions of how an individual should live their life. I believe this is because he knew his limitations and only talked on that of which he actually knew. It made his pronouncements perhaps smaller in some ways, but a small truth is greater than a big untruth. "
Unafe's head snaps suddenly toward Wu Chen. For the briefest moment, her features seem far more saurian -- yellow slit eyes glaring at him, nostrils flaring, mouth brimming with sharp teeth, her voice roaring. He taught the ways of the Saurians, he could fly like a Pteranodon, but it wasn't enough. Nothing is happening like it was supposed to. Everyone is dying and I'm--"
And just as suddenly her face is very much that of a seventeen year old, her lip trembling, her eyes lowered. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean -- I'm glad you had a good master, it's just -- things are more complicated, I think. I think maybe I need to be quiet for a bit. I'm..." and as another word fails her she slumps a bit onto Yakini's saurian shoulders, letting the dinosaur carry some of her weight as her eyes soften some and she looks down at their walking feet, the spinosaurus' gate strong and steady beside her own.
Not realizing that he had played a game of oneupmanship , Wu realizes that he must have offended his new acquaintance. "A thousand apologies. I did not mean to offend. I am certain your master also imparted much wisdom which remains relevant. Even the gods do not know the future for certain, so it is unfair to criticize a mortal for making an error in such a prediction. I will leave you be as you wish. Just do not remember your master harshly, he obviously meant well. Everyone dies, but he obviously did good things in his time allotted. "
Thorgrim affixes Xander with a firm, appraising stare. "" Thorgrim grabs at the pair of tusks with his right hand, rubbing his thumb over them in a brief moment of idle reminiscence. In short order he offers response to the first question posed: ""
Thorgrim pauses a moment to reflect on their current path, finding the throngs of people proving obstacle behind the Ghoran and her caravan an annoyance. Turning again to Xander, Thorgrim gestures to the man to follow as he lowers a shoulder and begins bullying his way quickly through the masses, a wake forming behind with considerable protests. "" The Ulfen juggernaut seems to have little regard for the teeming masses being displaced before his long strides. ""
The Hand precedes to ignore the little intruder, for a talking lizard it had a lot to learn about manners. His focus shifts back to the elf at hand. "Ahh yes, I thought that may interest you. Are you not here for the same reason as all the other foreigners? Did you not know there is treasure out among the dunes, collected in the ruins of the first empire. Why I would wager a pretty pound of gold that we could make a fortune you and I, enough to afford your heart's delight, enough to provide for your children's children's children, enough to get far away from this place, enough to find somewhere safe. What do you say my new friend, we should maybe join together in this, maybe see if that obvious group of adventurers over there" The Hand points to the collection of other pc's who have congregated outside. "could use an enterprising man and his hired shield. We could do this my friend, we could become rich like Pharaohs. What say you?" The Hand waits patiently for the idea to sink in, all the while sipping at his water; gauging the elf; waiting for him to bite.
Could it be? Does this giant have what I seek so desperately for myself, an artifact? Xander raises his eyebrows before asking, "Oh? What do you seek to restore your blade to? Surely it is already a mighty tool for slaughter. Was it once something more?"
He follows along in the giant's wake, scrutinizing his blade. "I am somewhat of a scholar of magical items myself."
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Jack's grinned turned into an uncontrollable smile. Emotions rarely got the better of Jack, but he was happy. 'Rich like pharaohs, he says. Isn't this the whole reason I'm here? Treasure hunting?
Jack nodded. "Rich is good. Let's see what we can do then, friend. Jack extends his hand for a hand shake. "We can work out the technicalities later, but for now; you're speaking my language. Gold. With your strong arm and my, well, everything else. Hell, we'll be set."
If there was something Jack was good at, it was telling a liar. He'd have to be considering how often he did it, and this man was either crazy or telling the truth. Both of which were personality traits with which Jack was more than happy with allying.
"Yes of course I speak in Taldane, it is only polite for me to speak the language of my benefactor yes?" Hard slag and scarred flesh clasps your arm at the wrist as The Hand returns the gesture of acquaintance. "May Khepri see that our struggles be not in vain." The Osirian looks off towards the crowd of foreign devils arranged outside. "Now let us go see if we can find ourselves a caravan." And if not maybe we could find a patron and build one of our own. Khemet may have done one thing right in his last few years if this gets me the funds to leave forever.
Abasi Omondi wasn't the only one who seemed to prefer taking to the rooftops of Eto. Another, smaller shape--cloaked despite the heat--Gi'chak scurries across from building to building, nimbly jumping alleys and side streets as he prowls around town. He is no daring daytime burglar however, simply a lost and lonely soul; the cloak he wears is tan coloured, the better to deflect the sun's rays and blend into the sands of the surrounding deserts, a bow case and small pack hang from his back, while beneath the cloak the handle and scabbard of a simple blade hangs at his belt. He wears travel-stained clothes, and the only other notable thing (that he wears anyway) is what appears to be a skeletal tail hanging down his chest from a leather thong.
He pauses as a stir from the crowd of a nearby street catches his ear, and he moves in that direction, curiosity piqued. A procession featuring a strange plant woman seems to be the source, while further up the street another small commotion surrounds what appears to be... a dinosaur! He smiles fondly; he wouldn't want to face the creature, and it seems odd to see one in a city like this, but his own presence here is it's own oddity. It has been a long time since he has seen it's like or any of the other species he hunted or fled from as a boy and he indulges for a moment in his memories. A moment is all he allows himself however, for that way lies great pain. His hand clutches the tail as despite himself he recalls his brothers and sisters. The tail--his beloved Theria's--was all that he had been able to find after he was thrust from his former home into this dry, barren land.
He recovers slower than he would like, perched exposed near the edge of a rooftop but eventually backs away. The woman had been odd certainly, but there were many odd things beyond what these 'civilized' people saw. If they had seen half the things that Gi'chak had just in the last few years of the wastes they would likely faint from fright. He chuckles to himself, a quite malicious sounding mirth as he ponders what to do. He would have to descend from the rooftops at some point, seek out some lodging that would accept his patronage for the night and seek out fresh work. He pats his side, reassured by the bulge of his weapon as he watches the group surrounding the dinosaur. Did one of them have a snout? It was reassuring to see others as out of place as himself.
Sasbrek gulps down the milk with big sips, caring little for manners. Only after he chugged the entire cup he notices that the two bigffet started talking among themselves, as if he wasn’t there. Still, he knows that if he doesn’t get some help, he’ll never find out what he wants to know.
“Hey! Hey! Don’t go off like that! I can come with you!” he says to them as they move looking for a caravan. “I’m very powerful, for I have the blood of dragons in me! I’m Sasbrek of the Shivfang Clan!” he extends a small clawed hand: he learned that this is the expected gesture in most bigfeet societies.
“The Aucturn Alignment is going to be a very good special moment for me. Many powers awake! You should do the wise thing and keep me around. When the Alignment is complete I will become a fearsome ally. I mean, I already am. But better.” he jumps around the Hand and Jack, trying to get into the conversation that takes place three feet above. Typical bigfeet, if it is below their chin they don’t see it! he thinks, quickly getting offended where there is no reason to.
Could it be? Does this giant have what I seek so desperately for myself, an artifact? Xander raises his eyebrows before asking, "Oh? What do you seek to restore your blade to? Surely it is already a mighty tool for slaughter. Was it once something more?"
He follows along in the giant's wake, scrutinizing his blade. "I am somewhat of a scholar of magical items myself."
"" As he had done for the Mwangi woman before, he allows Nexander the opportunity to observe the sword a little more closely. ""
As the final portion of what was likely the last major caravan headed towards Eto in a while, excitement from the new arrivals died down to normal festive levels - which is to say, still quite busy all things considered. It was just one more thing that added to the festival's busy week.
As the days drew nearer to the end of the festival and the grand feast, those wandering around the city, be it for whatever reasons, such as shopping, looking for work, or looking for less savory unmentionables, are able to easily notice the odd figures walking around. Like the three that followed Dr. Pinkerton's envoy, these figures, always in groups of three, stand heavily robed in black and their faces concealed by strange iron masks. While some of these groups walk around talking to shop keepers, purchasing wares with pristine platinum coins of some foreign mint, most stand around loitering, talking amongst themselves, or watching fellow foreigners, particularly those of the adventuring sort. If approached and conversation is attempted, they stand in abject silence, staring creepily at the person or persons until they leave them be. As a result, most people give them a wide birth - unless, of course, money is involved. For these men, these followers of some so-called northern god-king, pay well - their oddity is all but forgotten in the wake of their money.
By the time the festival was nearing its end and the feast day arrived, most of the foreign expeditions had left - they sought not to stay and enjoy the food, and instead each sought to be the first to the various ruins and tombs that were being uncovered by the sandstorms that plagued the deserts around this time of year. Eto has thankfully been spared most of the storms so far, though weather experts were predicting a major khamsin in a few days time. Even so, the day was scorching by the time the feast came around. Luckily for those attending the feast, or at least those who get there first, the clergy of Abadar are prepared for the heat, and offer free-of-charge castings of Endure Elements for as long as their supplies are available.
The feast itself was catered more towards the locals, rather than the foreigners - it was a time to celebrate a the stimulated economy. With such food and drink that one might almost forget the recent disasters - the destruction of Katapesh and Sothis almost lay forgotten. Almost.
Among the foods available, most were imported from elsewhere in Osirion. Meats included various types of fresh-water fish from the life-giving waters of the River Sphinx, not to mention crocodile and various types of fowl. Served as a filler, bread was also available, though northerners found it to be quite hard and tough, and one might worry about the bread damaging their teeth. Fruits were also in abundance thanks to the River Sphinx's bounty, and mainly included figs, pomegranates, and chickpeas. Finally, served with the meals was beer made mostly from barley and kumis, also known as fermented horse milk. For those less inclined towards alcholic beverages, all of the freshest magically-created and purified water was available - something quite popular in the arid region.
The feast was primarily held in the town square, where tables were lined up and manned by various clergymen, and anyone could come and go as they please - eating primarily took place standing up, though numerous coffeehouses and taverns opened their doors as well. For what few foreigners remained, the Mangy Gnoll remained the most popular destination thanks to its northern-feel, which was quite out of place amongst the locals. The tavern had its doors opened on this festive day and served those unaccustomed to the local cuisine, if they so wished.
The Hand drags Jack around to yet another strange table filled with odd food. "Ahh, see here my friend. Abadar provides such rare treats on this, his most special of holy days. Come come, they have Fatta." The Hand proudly points out the delicious foods of his people. "Eat up my friend. After today, the rush to the dunes will begin. Many many parties will set out, looking for the lost treasures of this ancient land. We will begin an adventure, and no man should adventure on an empty stomach." He waves at a group of foreigners he recognizes from the gnoll. "COME, COME, FEAST WITH US." He shouts above the crowd, truly enjoying himself for the first time in..... well as long as he can remember.