Nice to meet you sheila or rather nice to finally meet someone bigger then me, Hah!
Rorge offers the cyclops a hand up. well fought. It has been a long time since someone has actually hurt gotten through my defenses.
"Well, I do believe that very last of you shall be fashionably late, and we have little time to spare. I have called you all here, because i am unable to free my people. They have been enslaved for so long, that they are devolving of sorts. It is most likely due to some twisted magics. I have tried many times to free them, but to no avail. That is why I have spent these last few decades scrying the universe to find the the best champions I could to undertake such a dangerous task. Well, decades for me, close to two hundred years for the rest of you." says Kazimierz.
He then retrieves a vial filled with some sort of pills and a box from a pocket in space.
"Because my planet is much larger than your own, the gravity here will make it almost impossible for most of you to function normally here. I have created these pills that shall relieve the stress of gravity for a few days at a time. Above ground, you will find the air to be thick, and most creatures either very large, or capable of flight - sometimes both. The task at hand is quite simple, yet sophisticated in itself. The current rulers of this world are a race of Titans. They came here over a thousand years ago. There was a great war, and my people thought that we were on the verge of victory, but soon, we realized the truth. These otherworlders have the capability to adapt as individuals and as a collective. They have built an entire civilization out of special materials they brought and collected extracted as well from the center of this world. Materials, that, make destroying their societies with magic alone impossible. I fear that even our combined strength will not be enough to overthrow them. I do believe, that through guile and deception, we can free my people and find a way to undo the damage they have brought to my planet. All I ask of you is to free my people. The war that will ensue is not yours to fight, and nor will I force it upon you. If you do choose to help, my people and I would be forever in your debt."
Doran looks over at Kazimierz listening intently and scratching his beard as he considers his request. He stood from the table a moment turning his back to the other walking away a slight distance considering the request even more so.
Doran would nod turning back to face the others with a slight smile on his face walking back over to the table with the others.
"I can not speak for the others, but you can count on my assisstance. Im in."
""
The cyclops is bouncy and waving his hand franticaly in the air as only a hyperactive goblin can be, in the giant cyclops body it looks strangly out of place.
"" Sparky asks quizzically before grabing another handful of pastries and stuffing them in his mouth.
I haven't done anything like this in more than a thousand years, sound like fun
"Hmmm... the small chance of meeting others about the same or bigger than me... Once in a lifetime. Count me in sir!" She says in a pleasing tone.
Sheila then turns to Star and replies, "Thank you, you look handsome as well."
"I'm in."
She smiles at the giant, "You are not the only large one here, people just usually find this form less scary."
Virgo looks at Andromeda.
what do you think? could lead to new trade agreements, even new allies.
Andromeda ponders the offer
i do like the idea of being in my debt. that would be profitable to our people.
She looks to her host we accept your offer. It will be Ice to work with you
"If all are in agreement, then please each take a few of these pills to keep on your person. I wouldn't want any mishaps while you are above ground. Also, in this box contains a set of scrolls. You will first find one containing all of your names. You will also find others that are less specific and are meant to be used on my people. These scrolls are very important because they will allow you to send anyone you rescue directly to my home here. The one addressed to you all, will do the same and should be used only when you believe your work is entirely finished, or as a last resort should you need to escape. You will recognize my people by their characteristic bloated, larval sack of green and pink flesh and their brainlike wrinkles interrupted by transparent membranes showing dark fluid. We evolved long ago to have little need of our body as our minds have given us the ability to need not any limbs. Once we are all ready, I can send you outside of the main city. From their you will have to find a way inside on your own. These otherworlders have been known to welcome company from other planets. You may be able to use that to your advantage," says everything almost matter of factly. He then places the vial and the box in the center of the table.
"I do not mind carrying everything that this nice chap has brought for us." Sheila says to her companions. "I got plenty of carrying capacity left in my strength, besides being a monk of Torag."
L'os rose from her bed as Taisia roar shook the orphanage during the early morning hours. Seeing as the sun had only started to rise, she shook her head at her companion's angry words and the sound of men arguing with Taisia outside. Another request denied and they will be back in the morning... Seems we need to move to the southern orphanage for a while lest these men keep asking...
Taisia voiced carried far and rumbled the stones with the intensity of her outrage at these foolish soldiers. Her companion had been far more protective as of late and the continued harassment was riling her scales.
L'os sighed, placing a hand on Peacebringer and taking comfort in the warm thrum of the goddesses might that had enchanted the glaive. The children, who had been sleeping, were gathered in the building proper and many were staring out the open window's as Taisia berated the soldiers. L'os sighed as she saw the angry thumping of her companions tail, breaking the newly laid cobblestone and making a mess of things. You'd think they'd listen to a dragon the size of a building but they keep coming back...
When the children noticed her they gathered around, the youngest ones clutched at her loose robes and hid their faces. L'os focused inward and summoned forth the divine glow from within and soon all the children were bathed the nimbus of light that Shelyn had bestowed upon her. As soon as they were touched by that celestial light they're unease faded, several yawned and she couldn't help but chuckle before having the staff take them back to their room's. Once the children were gone she approached the double door's that made up the front entrance. At her approach the doors sprung open of their own accord, once she crossed out into the open courtyard they closed silently behind her and a heavy iron bar slid into place.
The bond between her and Taisia boiled as her dragon companion's frustration continued to grow. There wasn't much L'os could do other then make the soldier's leave before trying to sooth her companion's anger. As she approached though Taisia sniffed loudly in disapproval. Before Taisia could finish her words L'os stepped in, her holy radiance prevailing over all and quieting her companion without a single word of protest.
One soldier began stepping up, halberd upraised before looking hesitantly at the gargantuan brass dragon staring down at him. Reconsidering he swallowed and spoke in a well rehearsed manner. "We come bearing a message for St. L'os."
L'os avoided grimacing narrowly at the mention of Saint, a title she was still getting used to. "I am her, I will receive your message with grace so that you may be on your way."
The soldier nodded before handing off his halberd, with his hands free he pulled forth a scroll tube and trumped forward. Breaking the seal and presenting it to her. She took it gracefully and once the soldier's were gone unfurled the message and look down at it in surprise momentarily. It was a harrowing tale to say the least and she knew right away that Taisia wouldn't like it one bit.
Taisia picked up the shock that crossed the bond and instantly went on the defensive. Her tongue stilled as L'os read the letter off to her. Her companion was still reluctant but thankfully remained silent as L'os thought for a moment.
It didn't take her long to decided and Taisia groaned. L'os held up her hand and stilled her companions coming speech. "It seems honest and sincere, if they are in such dire need is it not our duty to lend aid? Or shall Tyranny prevail?"
Taisia gave her a dirty scowl, L'os was playing her and she knew it. Before long the brass finally, albeit reluctantly, agreed. She looked back towards the orphanage an unsure look on her scaled muzzle.
The brass had leaned down so her words would not disturb the children more, if they knew L'os was leaving on an adventure then they may worry. But if they assumed she had gone to the other orphanages then none would be the wiser. L'os scratched the side of her brass companions scaled chin as she replied. "The sooner we get there the sooner we get home. Besides if something happens to me then you will take care of them won't you?"
Taisia grimaced, she didn't like talk like that. Not after how close she came to losing L'os already...
Without another word L'os took a steadying breath and signed the letter.
Taisia grumbled.
As Taisia grumbles, the two are whisked away and find themselves in an underground cavern. A rather motley group is holding a conversation over a grand feast. Most are seated at the table, though some, especially a bruised cyclops are a short distance away.
"Ahh, and there are the final two we have been expecting. Perfect timing! I was beginning to worry that you would decline my humble request. I was just explainning to everyone the specifics of what is required. Please, sit, and partake of the food and drink," says Kazimierz.
With a wave of his hand, more food and drink is conjured by Kazimierz to replenish what has already been taken. He then fills in the details of his request with L'os and Taisia to catch them up to speed.
"Are their any questions before I proceed onto the next part of this adventure?"
Doran turns to the new member offering her a small smile beofre speaking.
"Fashinably late I see. It was quite nice of you to join us. You may call me Doran its a pleasure to meet you."
He smiles to her once more before turning back to Kazimerz once again.
Yes actually I do have a question. You said your people are trap in that tower or what not, and that we have scrolls with each of their names on them to tranport them back here, but are we to assume that they are going to just blindly trust a group of outsiders that I assume they have never seen the like of before. What do we do in an instance that they dont trust us enough to give us a name.....or even talk to us for that matter? An on that note you speak Common very well but what do your people speak?"
He ask the question although the languge they speake acrtually shouldent be a problem at all with the right spells. HE decieded to leave the question on the table regardless.
"Oh and one finale thing. Would it be possible to get in contact with you in case there is any information we need after we get under way? I appoligize for being so long winded."
He took a little more food from the table as well as a cup of ale before taking his seat once again.
"Those were the very questions I was expecting one of you to ask. First off, there is only one scroll with names, your names. The other scrolls are specific in allowing only members of my people to be transferred here. Each of the scrolls for my people will transfer about a dozen at a time. I fear that there are more scrolls than people left, but I felt it best to plan accordingly. To answer the next part of your question; the last time I saw my people, the Titans' magic caused them to return to a more primordial state. As such they are virtually mindless and should not resist or otherwise pose you any problems - I hope."
Kazimierz takes a moment to enjoy another sip of wine before continuing.
"My people are a scholoarly race. We have taken it upon ourselves to collect and store all the knowledge of the universe. I specialized in languages and daily activities for your particular region in the universe. My people have evolved passed the need for verbal communication and simply will our thoughts into the mind of those around us. It is precisely because of this form, that I am even given the ability to speak," he says in an almost cheerful manner while speaking of his people. His voice then grows more solemn.
"The Titan's greatest defense, and that which thwarted my people is the very cities they construct. Magic may leave their cities, but it may not enter. Once inside, I can no longer help you. That is the primary reason I have given you a scroll in which to escape. Please use it only the most dire of circumstance. We will only have one chance at this. If they discover that I have brought you or they manage to uncover what your mission is, all hope shall be lost. Their ability to assess and adapt makes it impossible to use the same tricks and tactics. As of now, I have run out of options, and called you all here as my only course of action remaining. We do our best not to interfere with other worlds, and under normal circumstances I would not have called you. Anything else?"
After recovering from their sudden magical travel L'os bowed her head in greeting to the many people gathered before her and Taisia. Without thinking her inner revealed itself, shedding light brightly all around her as she finished her bow and smiled warmly to all those present. Her companion however remained steady and unwavering as she inhaled the various scent's that mingled in the room. At the dwarf's comment she smile's slightly before responding to their host Kazimierz. "My apologies, we were delayed in receiving your message honourable host by unforeseen circumstances. Thank you for inviting us."
Good creatures automatically recognize the radiance surrounding you as a sign of your purity and devotion to the powers of good. You gain a +2 circumstance bonus on all Diplomacy and Sense Motive checks made when interacting with good creatures. Your radiance sheds light as a common lamp: bright light to a radius of 5 feet and shadowy illumination to 10 feet. You can extinguish this radiance at will and reactivate it again as a free action.
Once they were filled in on the particulars of the task at hand, she curtsied to Doran. "Apologies Master Doran, children needed to be guided back to bed before we left, which takes time and patience. Allow me to introduce my companion and myself. This is Taisia, daughter of Razylym and I am Mother L’os, servant of the goddess Shelyn." At the first remark Taisia grimaced inwardly, realizing fully what L'os was hinting at. However she remained stoic in her silence. L’os did her best to answer Doran’s question after Kazimierz had already spoke. "Among my few skills I can also serve as an interpreter, I am able to understand and respond in any language. I can also serve as a diplomat if needed as well."
Hearing the plight that their hosts people suffered under was a terrible story indeed, she looked forward to helping anyway she could.
Taisia didn’t like L’os bringing herself down for the sake of being humble to these stranger’s. Her annoyance carried across the bond as easily as her voice.
L’os remained calm and didn’t judge her companion’s need to make sure she wasn’t disrespected. :We are here to make friends and allies, I don’t need titles to do that. We must keep it simple.:
Taisia’s wasn’t convinced but sided with her close companion.
The newcomer arrives and a little gnome comes bouncing up to her.
hello...My name is Virgo. I am a close companion to Andromeda over there. indicating the blue haired gnome enjoying apparently extremely cold wine.
Virgo is unique that she has only 4 fingers on each hand and it is apparent she was born that way.
She seems to radiate an aura of ice and cold. as does Andromeda.
You looks like a noble, are you a noble? do you have a castle?, is there a moat?, Andromeda has Frost Giants as bodyguards but they stayed home.
L'os greets the little gnome with a warm smile delighting in the feeling of the air cooling around her. Taisia looked down at the startling quick gnome, making a mental notes as the little gnome spoke.
L'os began speaking, smiling as she thought of the many holdings the pair had together. "A pleasure to meet you both and to answer your question I am no noble, but my holdings include orphanages throughout the middle kingdom. Are you both of a noble bloodline then? Frost giant bodyguards, sounds fascinating."
L'os greets the little gnome with a warm smile delighting in the feeling of the air cooling around her. Taisia looked down at the startling quick gnome, making a mental notes as the little gnome spoke.
L'os began speaking, smiling as she thought of the many holdings the pair had together. "A pleasure to meet you both and to answer your question I am no noble, but my holdings include orphanages throughout the middle kingdom. Are you both of a noble bloodline then? Frost giant bodyguards, sounds fascinating."
Virgo speaks up
I'm not, I just am a companion to Andromeda, but Andromeda..
but before she can finish Andromeda makes a motion with her hand and ice forms over Virgo's mouth preventing her from finishing.
she then gets up and goes over to L'os
Its something we are trying to put behind us. pleased to meet you. please forgive my friend she sometimes get very excited and syas things that she shouldn't
L'os quickly withdrew the question as Andromedas discomfort was quite clear. Taisia arch a scaled brow as she carefully watched the dynamics in the pair of snow gnomes relationship.
L'os nodded as the situation was explained. "Had I knew of your situation I wouldn't have pried in the first place, consider my question retracted then."
She looks to all the different faces and quirks an eyebrow at the one mans impatience. Speaking to Android she asked plainly. "Is he always like that?"
"Greetings friend," I say as I extend my big hand over to give L'os a handshake.
"Name's Sheila. I am a monk of Torag. Although I am very big like the giants as well; however, most (if not all) of them are not quite as nimble and flexible as myself." I chuckle loudly as I do my morning stretches.
"Ah, it seems you have a wonderful glow about you!" I exclaim to L'os after stretching. "Pray tell, whom do you regard as your deity?" I ask L'os with a friendly huge smile on her face.
L'os shakes Sheila's hand, covering her mouth slightly as Taisia spoke first. "It is a pleasure to meet you Sheila and you are quite tall. I would be interested to hear more of your service in the name of Torag. As for me I am a blessed servant of the goddess Shelyn and have spent most of my life raising children who were abandoned or had nowhere to go. The glow is a sign of her favor. Taisia here has been my companion and mentor all these years alongside her father."
Her warm smile was infectious as she continued. "I would love to hear more about your homeland when we have time."
Upon closer inspection it is more then obvious that L'os bears many unseen scars, one of which is around her neck. Some of the scars are still raw in appearance, as if it had only just recently healed. Besides her scars L'os stands taller than most humans at a whopping 6'3". She has inherited the lean build and comely features of her elven lineage, but her pale skin color is a direct result of her human side. She retains the pointed ears of elves, her physique is accentuated by her long, pointed ears. Her eyes are human-like in shape, but feature an exotic violet shade with sections of her eyes being a emerald green.
Being a servant of Shelyn her clothing is artistic and tasteful in its design. A multitude of colors decorate her clothing and somehow flowed together in perfect harmony, transitioning from one color to the next. Besides the colors were the decorative symbols of Shelyn that added to the overall design of the clothing.
"" Sparky perked up upon hearing the word and bounded over, not bothering to actually stand up but rather bounce along his butt to where the others were conversing. It looked rather odd for such a large creature to be doing such an... Odd form of movement.
"" indicating Virgo, the comment out of place coming from the 9ft tall cyclops. " so fun... Why are you glowing?" As he speaks he starts shrinking back to a goblin marking the undertones of his first comment. Sparky is getting excited as he is talking and starts talking more and more rapidly, moving from one person to another without pausing for an answer.
"Oh! Im Spunky! Nice ta meetca Taste-ea!" thrusting out a grubby little hand towards Taisia.
Lorelai speaks from the table, "Follower of Shelyn? Have you Mother Mirthway in South Hamton? I did a lot of work for her a while back."
Taisia was still amazed at the taller human, Sheila. "Oh they must breed you all pretty large back in your homeland." She noted L'os finding her words humorous but it was true. This woman was the tallest human she ever laid eyes on.
When the man approached her she became a little guarded before finally extending one of her large claws and shook hands with him. "Nice to meet you and you are?"
As she waited for an answer she turned toward the goblinoid and shook his hand as well. "Shapeshifter eh? Interesting, nice to meet you."
L'os thought momentarily about the dark skinned woman's question before shaking her head. "I don't think so but she sounds like a fine woman to meet. I will make sure to go there and meet her once this is done. Although she may ask who told me about her." She continues smiling, enjoying meeting so many people immensely.
Sheila merely shakes her head. "I'm human, I can assure you of that." She replies to Taisia. "Unfortunately due to a genetic carrier gene both my parents have, I tower over people of my own race. I know it sounds silly, but it's true."
Taisia nods, understanding Sheila's words as best she could. L'os stifled a chuckle before Taisia started speaking again.
L'os not having forgot their host finally nods in agreement with his statement. "We will join your cause as well honorable host, We will do our utmost to see that your people are freed of their tormentor's."
Taisia nodded in agreement with her companion as they both continued to converse with their new comrades.
"I am glad to hear that you are all so willing to aid me and my people. I suggest that you take this time to prepare yourselves as you see fit. I have waited a long time for this, and I am willing to wait longer if that is what it takes to get this right," says Kazimierz as he nods approvingly.
Well lets get on with it before you all die of old age
The sword hanging on Rorges back shouts in a loud obnoxious voice that can be heard over everyone else quite clearly.
"I agree with that! I aint getting any younger, and Goro over there aint getting any older! Lets do this!"
L'os kneels down for a moment, appearing in prayer and then miraculously items materialized on her person. As she stood up she gave a small click of her boot heels and a beautiful rose materialized in her hand. She hands it to Sheila. "For you my friend. To our adventure's ahead."
Seeing the strange Stirix kiss her companion's claw made her quirk an eyebrow as she waited for how Taisia would react...
Taisia remained stoic although she couldn't help but wonder why someone would be so eager to help her. A near intangible field of force started to swirl over her scales after L'os finished her quiet prayer. The last of their items were with them now and they were prepared to move forward. Looking to Start she set her claw down on the rough stone floor and nodded in acknowledgement of his offer.
She couldn't hide the eagerness in her loud booming voice as she had yet to travel to other worlds in her long life and looked forward to the adventure ahead.
ready
"Well, I am as ready as I'll ever be let's go. Dragons first of course." Lorelai flashes a friendly and humor filled smile at the dragon.
"Then giants?" Sheila gives a big hearty laugh that almost shakes the table in the tavern. Oh, which reminds me... I need to try a few hands in poker before we set out...
I can wait for ever, literally. but I would like to get going.
"Well if giants next then it would me then you. I think, anyway, it is hard tell like this." Lorelai judges Sheila's heigjt for a moment then shrugs and starts checking that everything is in it proper pocket.
With a rumbling laugh emanating from the center of her powerful chest, Taisia tips her horns at Loralai in acceptance to her gracious offer.