"The crisis point for the mare is past I think." Bronan replies "You don't have any healing magic by chance?"
"I do not have the ability to heal, no."
"Sorry, I don't either, unless you think singing would help." Gwyn answers with a grin.
"Well, nothing for it then." Bronan uncorks a vial and carefully manipulates the fluid into the horses mouth.
Odd'n snorts to himself after seeing Bronan feed the horse his own personal potion. Maybe he ain't that bad after all.. still.. he keeps this dog as his own personal toy. This is something to sleep on.
Grabbing the dead mans arms his attention is drawn back to Baru. "Come.. let's take care of this.."
Umaveti, now rested (and a little cramped), had unintentionally snuck up on the group, and had overheard Garret's explanation of the letter.
"A monk you say? Hm, the only monk I know of in these parts is one named Sun from the temple of Pyralis on the mountain. Didn't think he had a steady lover...would you mind if I took a look at that letter?" he asked in his hiss of a voice. Holding out his hand he noticed the man behind them, the horse, and the tent. "No one's going to check the tent? Never know what we might need on a trip like this, and it's clear that man won't need them anymore."
I shrug and pass the letter to Umaveti, "I believe this was Sun, or he was delivering the letter to him." Then taking Umaveti's advice I move over to the tent and start rummaging though it. After putting anything useful into the backpack that I retrieved I collapse the tent and stow it as well.
Snatching up the letter, Umaveti reads it quickly saying under his breath, "Oh dear...the Queen? No wonder he kept it quiet." Quickly changing the subject the nagaji says, "Should we press on? It's a long way yet to Fwey."
In the backpack Garret will find a sunrod, another blowgun, and block & tackle. In the tent, Garret only finds a set of artisan's tools.
...not steal the letter. Do not steal the letter. Do not...
Gwyn nods to Umaveti before adding, "And no telling what we'll find."
"We can deliver the letter when we return. We should press on and do what we set out to." Bronan leads the horse back to the main road. "I didn't know that this island had a Queen."
Slinging the backpack over my shoulder again I follow the others back to the main road.
Smoothing the last bit of soil over the grave, Odd'n says a small prayer to Milani before following the others back to the main road.
Take this soul upon you. I know not the life he lead but no one deserves the fate he met...
While directing his glare towards the mop-haired man, Odd'n pauses a moment; ..well, I know some who may deserve such a fate.. .
"This island?!" Umaveti surprises even himself with the tone he uses...he tries to play it off, "no this island doesn't have a queen."
And little does he know, but the prayers of the raucous man were answered.
Once finished, Alhandra expresses that she finds the lot of them quite boring, and that she has a great deal to attend to. So, dismissing the uneasy monster, she moves eerily into the nearby trees until she's completely out of sight.
A little further the road, the heroes find themselves at a large stone with the old numeric "XIV" carved into it.
"Wonderful! Mile marker fourteen," Umaveti exclaims.
"Who's that then?!" The group hears the voice of an elderly man to the west. Umaveti leads you to whence the voice came, and you find the source: a very old, but tall and strong man wearing the same symbol on Garret's robes, only this was large and took up the entire front of his poncho-like robes. His hair unkempt and wild, and his hands and feet bare. On either side of him were two young, beautiful maidens with equally wild, bright red hair, and who were dressed similarly.
When they come into view, Umaveti answers, "I am Umaveti, Librarian of Krisol, and these are...er...my escort," the nagaji gestures toward you.
The wild trio burst out in laughter in a three-part cacophony that makes you all feel alive. "Nice try, Librarian," the old man says as he walks over and hugs him strongly, to Umaveti's chagrin, "but I'm sure you have your reasons for lying." When he finishes hugging the now scarred-looking slave-born, the old man turns to face all of them at once, and says, "I am Aidan, Temple High Priest to Pyralis the Brijidine Azata...sister to this one's ancestor if I'm not mistaken..." he says indicating Gwyn, "and these are my Acolytes, Ignacia and Tanwen . Now sit with us, and eat!" He adds without skipping a beat.
"Were you expecting us? I thought that we were gathered rather quickly. Was I mistaken?"
Gwyn asks the priest after getting over the initial not-quite-surprise. Her tone is polite, but just a hint of flatness colors her voice.
"This island?!" Umaveti surprises even himself with the tone he uses...he tries to play it off, "no this island doesn't have a queen."
"Then what is she the Queen of?"
A little further the road, the heroes find themselves at a large stone with the old numeric "XIV" carved into it.
"Wonderful! Mile marker fourteen," Umaveti exclaims.
"Who's that then?!" The group hears the voice of an elderly man to the west. Umaveti leads you to whence the voice came, and you find the source: a very old, but tall and strong man wearing the same symbol on Garret's robes, only this was large and took up the entire front of his poncho-like robes. His hair unkempt and wild, and his hands and feet bare. On either side of him were two young, beautiful maidens with equally wild, bright red hair, and who were dressed similarly.
When they come into view, Umaveti answers, "I am Umaveti, Librarian of Krisol, and these are...er...my escort," the nagaji gestures toward you.
The wild trio burst out in laughter in a three-part cacophony that makes you all feel alive. "Nice try, Librarian," the old man says as he walks over and hugs him strongly, to Umaveti's chagrin, "but I'm sure you have your reasons for lying." When he finishes hugging the now scarred-looking slave-born, the old man turns to face all of them at once, and says, "I am Aidan, Temple High Priest to Pyralis the Brijidine Azata...sister to this one's ancestor if I'm not mistaken..." he says indicating Gwyn, "and these are my Acolytes, Ignacia and...
I look the old man up and down. "I must be wearing the armor that you commissioned then. What brings you out here.
"We can't tarry long I'm afraid. We're in a bit of a hurry to get to Fwey. It's also a little early for supper."
Umaveti answers Garret's question curtly, "I'm sure I don't know. I've heard her referenced since I arrived in Krisol, and no one will tell me anything more."
Aidan chuckles at Gwyn's question, "No, young aasimar, I've simply been in the company of the azata long enough to know when one of their descendants is before me. As for the meal, we of Pyralis share and share alike, freely giving as we have freely received. No rules, no boundaries."
"Tell me about it," Umaveti mutters under his breath.
"And what's your story, eh?" The priest continues, looking Odd'n over, "bet you don't have many enemies left, eh?"
After Garret speaks, he replies, "So you are! Be sure to wear it well, and watch what you do while wearing it. I'll not take very kindly to Pyralis' name being besmirched by your actions. My acolytes and I are on a pilgrimage to the House of Pyralis, somewhere around the volcano to the Northeast. It hasn't been found yet, but she is with us, and it will be found!"
After Bronan speaks, he replies, "Just like an angelkin, all work, no play. Well if you must leave presently, is there anything at all we can do for you? Healing perhaps? Potions? As that armorer knows all to well, we're always in need of coin."
It's at this point you notice that the acolytes are amongst you, looking at you closely, looking at your things, as if they're all completely alien to them.
Odd'n just snorts at the mans question. Enemies require relationships.. and I don't even have that yet..
Umaveti answers Garret's question curtly, "I'm sure I don't know. I've heard her referenced since I arrived in Krisol, and no one will tell me anything more."
"Have you ever met her? Do you know where she can be found? How is she to get the news that her lover died if we can't find her."
After Garret speaks, he replies, "So you are! Be sure to wear it well, and watch what you do while wearing it. I'll not take very kindly to Pyralis' name being besmirched by your actions. My acolytes and I are on a pilgrimage to the House of Pyralis, somewhere around the volcano to the Northeast. It hasn't been found yet, but she is with us, and it will be found!"
It's at this point you notice that the acolytes are amongst you, looking at you closely, looking at your things, as if they're all completely alien to them.
"Tell me a bit about Pyralis, what exactly does Pyralis stand for? perhaps I should not be wearing these colors."
As one of the Acolytes passes close to me I smile and wink at her.
"I mean no disrespect and thank you for your hospitality sir. I'm sure once our task is done, there will be plenty to time for such things." Bronan thinks for a minute. Caltrop takes the opportunity to sniff at the acolytes. "If you're offering succor, this mare has seen a rough day at the hands of some centipedes. I've patched her up as well as I could, but a better hand at it might be best."
Umaveti looks at Garret coldly, "If I don't even know her domain, what makes you think I know her name, or can help you find her? And if she is some sort of Queen, who's to say she doesn't already know?"
Father Aidan simply beams at the opportunity to tell of Pyralis' wonder to Garret, "Pyralis is a Brijidine Azata, one who gave of herself to seed this island for all those who believe in untethered good and beauty! It is she who began the volcano to the northwest, which is why our order refers to it as the Seed of Pyralis. She and her sisters live in Elysium, the heaven plane for those of us who believe in Good without Limitation. A place where we one day hope to rest with her. Does that answer your question?"
Tanwen, the acolyte subject of Garret's wink blushes, then kisses him square on the mouth before running back to her tent; this made Father Aidan laugh aloud, "Careful with your winks young archer, we don't preach modesty at the temple of Pyralis!"
"I don't feel disrespected, but I'm afraid we may not cross paths again, as we walk west toward the temple, so we may not indeed have plenty of time." He turns his attention to the mare, "Hm, I see," he rubs his hands together until they glow a red-orange, and he places them on the horse, saying something in celestial.
Cure
The light leaves his hands and seems to fill the horse. Afterward, the mare picks itself up and whinnies, shaking it's mane in delight. "Haha! No fire'll go out on Father Aidan's watch!" Aidan beams, patting her neck. "What's her name?" he asks Bronan, thinking it's his horse.
"Obviously not." Gwynn murmurs in agreement with the priest as she watches the events unfold.
An Azata? What kind of Azata would cause me to have hair as black as night? Are all of them as fiery, and flashy, as this priest seems?
Her eyes unfocus as she drifts off into thought. Her thoughts come back to her parents, and why they left her. The cheer that never seems to be far off is a distant memory as she looks back to her past and tries to find why she'd been abandoned.
Umaveti looks at Garret coldly, "If I don't even know her domain, what makes you think I know her name, or can help you find her? And if she is some sort of Queen, who's to say she doesn't already know?"
Sense Motive On everything he told me about not knowing the queen.
Father Aidan simply beams at the opportunity to tell of Pyralis' wonder to Garret, "Pyralis is a Brijidine Azata, one who gave of herself to seed this island for all those who believe in untethered good and beauty! It is she who began the volcano to the northwest, which is why our order refers to it as the Seed of Pyralis. She and her sisters live in Elysium, the heaven plane for those of us who believe in Good without Limitation. A place where we one day hope to rest with her. Does that answer your question?"
Tanwen, the acolyte subject of Garret's wink blushes, then kisses him square on the mouth before running back to her tent; this made Father Aidan laugh aloud, "Careful with your winks young archer, we don't preach modesty at the temple of Pyralis!"
I am pleasantly surprised at the kiss and look after her as she runs off, "It does answer my question, it is a shame that you cannot travel with us for a ways I feel I could get used to your brand of hospitality."
"Thanks again. When time is more on our side, I'm sure we'll meet up again. This Pyralis seems a brilliant lady." says Bronan. He shrugs at Aidan's question. "She was Sun's horse, so I don't know. I suppose we should call her something. Any suggestions?" The latter question is directed broadly in case any members of his own party have some.
Father Aidan raises his eyebrows at Garret, "Goodness knows I'm in no shape to follow you lot, and I'll need one acolyte to help me on my way, but Tanwen only joined me to hone her skills she's free to join you if she wants," he turns to face her, she gasps, hugs the Father tightly, squeezing a grunt from him.
Then in a flurry of cloth, metal, and hair, she dons her scale mail, fastens her wooden shield (bearing the Pyralic symbol) and her shortspears to her pack, puts the whole thing on, and stands at the ready next to Garret. And takes a step closer. Then, as if realizing her behavior was a bit odd, she says calmly addressing everyone, "I'd very much like that, if it's quite alright with you all."
After receiving Bronan's answer, "Hm, Sun's horse eh? Why not call her Sky? That's what the sun rides after all!" He laughs aloud to his own...er...joke?
Responding to Tanwen with a smile, "I would quite enjoy if you came along, you look well prepared and it will be nice having someone along for good conversation."
Tugging at Gwyn's sleeve, Odd'n leans down and whispers (not all that quietly) about his distrust for their presumably new travelling companion. "I might not trust half the people we began our journey with.. but at least the mayor has vetted them in some way. This new lady.. the way she warms up to that.. noble, they are up to something..".
Standing upright he looks around for the lanky armed man. He is a strange one but at least he has some sense in him.. and a heart to express his opinion regardless what others may say. I'll have to ask him about this when he gets back from where he is.. hmm.. maybe he is 'relieving' himself in the bush...
With that, Odd'n stomps a short distance into the brush looking for Baru.
Perception
Placing my hand on Tanwen's shoulder protectively I turn toward Odd'n. "And what, pray tell, has a person of the cloth ever done to cause you to mistrust them so?"
Ignoring Garret, Odd'n turns and stomps off in search of Baru.
"I've no objections M'lady. We ought to be on our way in any case."
"Sky it is then."
Odd'n searches high and low for Baru, but it seems he's found something better to do in the heart of the forest. Perhaps seeking out Alhandra?
"I agree with Bronan, adieu Father, Ignacia," their nagaji guide says pointedly, as he continues at a brisk pace down the road. He stops himself briefly to tell Garret, "Make sure your new friend knows that I cannot vouch for her to the Mayor, so there's no guarantee she'll get paid."
"I can speak Taldane, you know," Tanwen replies to the librarian. Umaveti grunts in general disapproval before continuing on.
Odd'n, as usual, walks somewhat apart from the group. With the disappearance of Baru he is down to having only one person he can trust- Gwyn. Well.. maybe two he thinks, .. the mayors aid here seems decent enough. Then again.. he works for the mayor.. that fierce ifrit... His thoughts drift back to his past life in the pits.. fighting all manner of humanoid and others beside. Maybe these ifrit aren't as tough as I remember.. Odd'n muses with a smile, remembering that he is still alive and must have won that fight those many nights ago when he first faced the man wrought of fire.
Shaking his nead, Odd'n focuses his attention on Garret and their new travelling companion hoping to catch of bit of what passes between them.
I drop my hand from our new companions shoulder and begin to follow Umaveti down the road. I say to Tanwen as we walk "Are you looking to be payed? Tell me a bit about yourself and your order, I don't know much about it other then what Father Aidan told us though I currently wear your symbol. I saw the armor and couldn't say no to the price. Why did you join?"
"I think you're just being a little paranoid." Gwyn whispers back to Odd'n, not harshly, but still trying to help the strange man understand what is going on.
When the group is on it's way again, she waves bye to the rest of the strange group and hurries to walk beside Odd'n, keeping her eyes out for any other strangeness.
Then again, we're likely the strangest things on the road. She thinks with a chuckle.
Oh.. and..
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DEUTSCHLAND!!!!!!
"Oh no, the temple provides all I need, the followers are very generous, sometimes irresponsibly so. In fact, that's how I came to be an acolyte, my parents gave so much to the temple, they could no longer support me! It's how it usually turns out for followers of Pyralis, you give her you're all and she ensures you want for nothing! We're not organized in the least, Father Aidan is the temple high priest, but beyond that there's not a hierarchy, or a mission, or even a direction. We just do good for no reason!" Tanwen ends with her arms outstretched in bewilderment, but beaming as if she loved it that way.
Umaveti rolls his eyes as obviously as he possibly can.
A little further down the road, Umaveti squints as the afternoon sun beats hard against the right side of his face. He stops and sighs as the troop comes to a fork in the road. One trail leads high into the mountains, giving him the shakes; the other leads afar off to the east around them. He takes off his pack and it crashes hard to the ground, he turns, and begins digging through it like a dog searching for a buried bone, tossing books, gadgets, a mess kit and some scrolls behind him before he emerges with his target, "Ah! Yes, the map of the paths through the Wyrm."
"Yes, so," Umaveti addresses the group, "We have two options, we can keep to the Road, which will be a longer path, but smoother, or we can take the Mountain Pass, which will be shorter in distance, but more treacherous to master what with the cliffs and rocks and all." Umaveti shudders visibly at the thought.
A breeze rolls in from the east carrying on it the smell of the sea, kicking up Umaveti's papers as he tries to return them to his pack while the group makes their decision.
I pick up the scrolls that Umaveti tossed out as he is looking into his sack and try to discover if they are arcane or not.
I cast Detect Magic
Odd'n grunts to himself as Garret moves to gather up the scrolls.
"Umaveti.. uhm.. sir.. aside from your mayors desire to see his son again.. uhm.. is there any rush? If no I would like to take the route void of.. unnecessary danger..".
Umaveti smiles at Odd'n's vote for the smoother path as he recollects his things. "I have to agree, fighter, we nagaji are a people accustomed to low, smooth paths. And you all?" He asks this last bit absently as he confusedly looks about, and around him.
I pass him all three scrolls, "You seem to have dropped these Umaveti, I didn't want the wind blowing them away." As I hand them back to him I look at his pack and see if anything else is magical on him.
"Ah! Thank you, Master Powers," Umaveti says, relieved to have all his materials back. Garret's inspection of Umaveti's bag proves uneventful: a great deal of parchment, ink, quills, a book or two, navigational and camping supplies. Nothing else out of the ordinary.
Standing up he addresses the group again, "Are we to follow the road east, around the mountains then? If you remain silent, you submit to the will of those who speak up."
"The mayor seemed pretty keen on getting his son back as quickly as possible, I would vote for going over the hills. But I will differ to Umaveti's judgement on the matter since he knows the mayor better."
Umaveti shakes his head, "No no, it takes the same amount of time, we can move faster along the road, but there's more road; the mountain pass is shorter as the bird flies, but more difficult to navigate. It'll make no difference to the task at hand which path we take. I just don't like the mountains much."
In his boredom with those around him, Odd'n begins to walk off into the forest alongside the road to scrounge amongst the brush for whatever edibles, herbs or wonders he may find. "While you guys discuss the inevitable.. I'll be around.. call when you decide whatever remains to be discussed..". Thinking he had said something witty, when in fact it was much rather nonsense, Odd'n stalks off with a smile offering Gwyn a wink as he passes.
Odd'n peruses the end of the tree line when he sees, somewhere in the brush, a vibrant green cactus which he recognizes as the source of Poppy Tears.
As he collects it, Odd'n hears a beautiful cry high above him. He feels a tickle on the back of his neck. Reaching back he pulls forward a radiant and shining feather; it fills him with wonder. Looking up he sees the source of the feather, a large bird shining bright like the sun, inspecting the wrestler curiously.
"No sense in making more work for ourselves, lets take the low road."