Sunny sighs with relief as the stinging sand is kept at bay. She moves as far away from every one as their surrounding walls allow and begins to vigorously shimmy and shake to get s much of the clinging sand off as she can.
(^_^)
Khaod, body still aching from te blows he took and shocked to see the Paladin Knight felled by a foul spell before Lilandra slew the caster with her gleaming axe, does his best to shield Dim and Sunny from the scouring sand and wind by using his bulk as a windshield to prevent them from suffering as much of the painful stinging sand as is possible.
When the dwarf arrives and summons his alleviating wall of stone, Khaod gives the dwarf a wary nod, hammer stowed across his back and he cannot resist keeping a little back from the dwarf. His kind and Dwarves did not share a sense of understanding and he had heard telling of Half-Orcs slain by the Forgers for simply being around. He glances at Sunny and chuckles at her odd dance to remove the sand, then he begins doing the same, thinking it the most logical course of action. The sand sloughs off of him in small sheets, mostly from his wild hair and he is forced to unbraid it to get the most of the sand out of the fur-like strands of hair. Afterwards he rebraids his hair and sticks close to Sunny and Dim.
"Easy friend" The dwarf says as he looks at Khoad. "I am not a member of one of the Deep Clans or some simple guild of fighters. I harbor no bigotry against any creature."
"This river delta is my territory. Or at least it was; until the invasion. Ever since that lich showed up, I have" been grappling with him for control of the region. He is tremendously powerful and I am in your debt for banishing him, even if it is only for a short time before he recorpreates."
He shifts where he is sitting, as sand falls from his armor. Sighing, he says, "I have done my best to deflect travelers from this path but today I was away, mourning the recent massive corruption of the village by some unknown means. I arrived too late to save your friend from the fire. My failure has upset the balance you strike, unwieldy as it is. Magnus was his name? I heard her scream it as he died." He gives a somber look at Lilandra.
"I can atone for this, but I am weak from my struggle. Our options, appropriately, are dualfold. First, I can raise him from the dead now, albeit weaker in fortitude than before. In order to do this, I will need a sacrifice, perhaps the piles of corrupted golem reagents you are carrying with you. I am sorry to ask, but I have nothing to offer for such a sacrifice, so I must ask you."
"Alternatively, I can reincarnate your friend. He will come back in a manner that the forces of nature see fit. It is even possible that your friend will come back stronger than before! Or perhaps not."
"What say you?"
He begins to summon more rocks and stones for the casting circle to complete either spell.
As the stout fellow speaks Sunny listens intently, though still wiggling and fidgeting as she tries to get comfortable and remove sand from her self and clothing.
As the Dwarf explains his point of view and the things he is proposing, Sunny's eyes widen in wonder, awe and amazement. At the talk of 'Raising' or 'Reincarnation', Sunny squeals in delight and hugs Lilandra, then Khaod and finally jumping over and giving the Dwarf a smootch on his cheek,
(>_<) "Blerg!" *Pfft!* As she brushes grit from her lips, though this is but a momentary distraction as she again giggles and hugs Lilandra,
"Th' feller be offerin' t' bring Magnus back te us! Ooo! maybe as a bunny? Or a lion, or a..a..Horse!" She says her new word with verve and gusto. "Or, maybe Magnus will come back all big an' rugged like Khaod? Or as svelte an' as charmin' as yerself?" An she hugs Lilandra again as emphasis, before beginning to bounce up and down with even more excitement and enthusiasm, while running through all the possible permutations and possibilities that the 'Natural' order of things may manifests in an equally excited whisper....
Magnus is surprised at hearing his old mentor's voice, he becomes confused on where he is but upon hearing his mentor's later words he is filled with anger and a burning desire to meet out this injustice on the foes.
"Give me life and I shall seek out this evil and shall be the conduit of our lord, give me another chance and I shall not dissapointment, I shall be the blade our lord wills to strike this evil down!" At the last Magnus looks up his eyes filled with righteous hate and anger.
"We would be greatly in your debt if you were capable of this. I wold leave it up to your wisdom as to how to best proceed."
Lilandra smiles at the stone clad dwarf, brushing sand out of her hair.
Oh this is fun. :) So the dwarf would much rather use reincarnate. Just need to hear Khoad's side of it then we'll probably go with that option.
Khaod beams happily at the news that the dwarf can bring back the Knight and he stands nearby eagerly but trying not to be in the way to let the dwarf do what he needed to do.
As the body rises from the floor, the Dwarven druid's eyes go wide with amazement. Magnus's form, wreathed in dust and stone, slowly cracks from the magical mold build around him.
"It seems, that your friend has no ideal form other than himself."
As he completes the ritual, the storm dies down and all is peaceful. Nature itself seems to bask in the warm glow of life brought back into the world.
Sunny 'squeeees' with joy and bounds over to hug and snuggle the returned Magnus.
"Hey-YA there!" (^_^) then she giggles, even as she continues to welcome back her friend.
"So....does this make ye 'Magnus Wolfgang the III'?" She asks softly with both a twinkle of mischief as well as sorrow in her large blue eyes.
Gorchag punches Magnus a little too hard in a manly greeting, but only on accident. Then, dryly, "It's good to know we'll still have someone to jump through fire hoops for our wandering circus." The joke falls as flat as it does over text.
Afterwards, he turns his attention to the Dwarf. He bows, armor creaking and scraping as the granite plates brush against one another, "If you pass these lands again, and you feel it fit to call on me, you may know me as Mordin. Let the sands claim what is theirs, and you will always have my approval."
He and Gorchag move to a corner for a moment to speak as the dust storm kicks up again. More violent this time.
Gorchag, before talking to Mordin, quickly adds, "We may as well stay here till tonight, the storm is probably going to continue on and off for the next few hours. Prepare camp."
Lilandra steps forward offering a warm, if less ebullient than Sunny's, yet heartfelt embrace.
"Welcome back!"
Can't wait to move along! The party needs to set up for the night then we'll head to the coast. Map still incoming.
Magnus reacts oddly with everyone's reactions merely blinking in confusion and lifting his hand to inspect it as he opens and closes it. Looking around himself he smiles slowly at his companions.
"It is good to see thou hast dealt with the foul sorcerer. I admit twas foolish to charge ahead without thou."
Sunny continues to hug Magnus,
"Jus' so we's clear on a few things." And she waggles a finger at his nose and manages to look stern,
"Don't you be doin' anything like that agin, I dun't want t'be mournin' ye a second time 'round." But then she suddenly grins brightly,
"Though t'is all-a-ways a good enough reason fer a snugglin'!" (^_^)
Magnus begins to feel his face grow hot from the two beautiful women embracing him and coughs slightly and looks away not letting them see his face.
Lilandra grins.
"We should set up camp for the night and let the storm pass."
Sunny moves over and quietly discusses with Lilandra as to the best way to get the worst of the sand out of their hair and clothes and such.
"It's just every where" She bemoans even as she runs a hand through her blond mop of hair.
"I know," Lilandra replies squirming. "I'd love a hot bath, or even settle for a river at this point,"
She sighs, a quite noticeable action on her form.
"But after a day like today I'd gladly settle for a good night's sleep."
SUnny's eyes close as the mention of even an amount of time in a river brings memories and feelings unbidden to her mind.
"Oh...aye...a good soakin' any where be somat t'be dreamin' of..." She too sighs wistfully. The she looks about their small amount of space free of the winds and blown grit 'outside'.
"So...how are we t'make bein' here more comfy?" she asks.
Khaod grunts and slaps the returned Magnus on the arm in a greeting, then goes about helping Blue-Eyed Sunny set up their camp site, erecting small makeshift tents to shield them from sand gusts and the like as best as he is able to.
"It may not be comfortable Sunny, but it should service us well" he comments to his companion with a grunt of satisfaction at the job. He then goes about doing basic chores, asking the others if they need anything while he tries to make the site more habitable.
Sunny,
The party has as much or as little space as they need for the night. Probably about a 50 foot diameter camp ringed by sturdy sandstone and quartz formations.
Also, upon nightfall, Mordin sculpts surprisingly comfortable beds made of moistened sand, and a thin layer of interlocking stones. The horses are tied up in a separate circle, connected to the camp.
The druid assures you that he will keep watch for the night, since he requires little sleep.
Gorchag briefly addresses the party, looking particularly grave, but collected. "Tomorrow we will press on to the fort, known to us as the Salt Fortress. I have been speaking with Mordin and he seems to think something is amiss there. He's seen smoke and fire and other symbols of battle or discord near the fort. If the fort is taken, we will need to travel, much, much farther, to Manaket in the east. I am concerned that, after our recent experiences, that we will come under attack by more more corrupted gnomes of the sand, goblins or other worse horrors of the deep desert. It seems all is conspired against us. The druid here, strong as he is, would not agree to travel with us, as his bond is to this part of the river. I am sorry to have involved you in this. It seems that events are progressing more quickly than we initially expected."
Unless anyone has anymore business, we'll move on to morning! Then onward to the Salt Fortress.
When you wake in the morning, Mordin is gone, leaving a series of runes on the rocks in rough common instructing you he has duties elsewhere.
Gorchag dons his armor and reloads his potion slots on the gauntlets and pauldrons. He seems in better spirits, stopping to exchange a few playful blows with Khoad and toss a few easily dodged apples at Lilandra and Sunny. He doesn't know how to react to Magnus being back, but smiles warmly when he glances his way. He finally sets himself to the task of getting to the fort.
"Alright grunts, lets get a marching order. I'll bring up the front. Who will ride next to me?" He drinks a potion.
Also, he offers another potion to the group. "This potion will make your skin tougher for a few hours. Who wants it?"
As morning broke, Lilandra rose to view the beauty of the sunrise. Stretching as was her normal morning routine, she donned her cleaned armor and joined the others in preparation for the morning trek.
"Something occurred to me last night. That scroll the little monster was going to use,I wouldn't want that falling into anyone else's hands. I'd rather destroy it than sell something that allows people to raise the dead."
As morning broke, Lilandra rose to view the beauty of the sunrise. Stretching as was her normal morning routine, she donned her cleaned armor and joined the others in preparation for the morning trek.
"Something occurred to me last night. That scroll the little monster was going to use,I wouldn't want that falling into anyone else's hands. I'd rather destroy it than sell something that allows people to raise the dead."
Gorchag looks at you calmly, and thoughtfully. "Don't do that. Not just yet. We have secular archivists at in our order that would like to have access to the magic these scrolls contain, Archivists that could help us study and combat this scourge. I'm sure they would compensate us for our efforts."
"That makes sense I suppose, knowing how something works can give an idea on how to unravel it. Fair enough"
She pauses looking over the group as they ready themselves. "Um, aren't we a horse short now?"
Gorchag ponders for a moment, "We are. But my horse is larger. I could use one of the smaller horses. Sunny and Lilandra could ride mine. The commander is going to be upset I lost another steed."
"That would work, besides, Magnus needs his own horse more than I do," she replies with a mischevious grin.
"Trust me I think your commander would be far more unhappy if you came back undead, Gorchag."
----In the morning-----
Magnus rose and immediately went to find a secluded spot away from the others and kneeled down ready to pray, he then bowed to the rising sun and gave thanks to his lord for giving him this time on earth to seek out vengeance to the evil wrongdoers of this world.
Later on he thinks on his actions and of the others, how could one just come back from the dead without repercussions? Was he changed somehow? What did the others think? I suppose I shall have to find out along the road he thinks before rising from his knees to don his armor and make ready his gear with the others.
---------Afterwards--------------
He approaches the spot where Gorchag and Lilandra seem to be talking and calmly waits for a break in their discussion. "I seeist that thee are already talking about today's journey. To where do we set off to mine companions?"
Alright,
Sorry for the hiatus. So the party is setting off now? After a few hours of travel, I'm going to need a perception check OR a survival check from all of you.
Gorchag
The road is mostly straight here on out to the fort. It is still dusty from the storm last night and a series of low dunes have moved in over the quickgrass that usually covers the thin layer of soil. Buzzards circle over the dead carcasses of coyotes and other miscellaneous fauna.
With the coming of the morning and the dawn, Suny rises and does begin her day asking Gorchag and others how long until they find the next river, stream, watering hole, coastline or settle ment.
After this answer, she checks the groups amount of water in their canteens/barrels/what have you and uses a wet towel to wipe a good amount of the previous day's sand-storm from herself.
Seeing the desolate devastation Suny doesn't seem to be effected/mind it so much. If a overt glance or inquiry into her behaviour is made her reply is,
"Oh, I seen atolls an' such look somat similar after a rilly big storm washes over 'em. Ye jus' need t' give all-a th' wild life a chance, it does spring back right soon enough." She replies with her usual, cheerful grin.
With the coming of the morning and the dawn, Suny rises and does begin her day asking Gorchag and others how long until they find the next river, stream, watering hole, coastline or settle ment.
After this answer, she checks the groups amount of water in their canteens/barrels/what have you and uses a wet towel to wipe a good amount of the previous day's sand-storm from herself.
Seeing the desolate devastation Suny doesn't seem to be effected/mind it so much. If a overt glance or inquiry into her behaviour is made her reply is,
"Oh, I seen atolls an' such look somat similar after a rilly big storm washes over 'em. Ye jus' need t' give all-a th' wild life a chance, it does spring back right soon enough." She replies with her usual, cheerful grin.
Gorchag intones, smiling a bit at Sunny's hope, "It used to be like this, for years at a time. During the hungry years, people used to set up long walls to hole out the sand. Keep your eyes peeled for newly hidden dangers."
The horses trot forward.
Survival
Lilandra grins at Sunny's actions behind her on Gorchag's massive stallion, longing for an opportunity to luxuriate in a bath, while appreciating the devastating power of the sand storm.
She guides the well trained horse with her knees, looking at their surroundings.
Sunny,
You notice some movement in the low sanddunes off to the right of the party. But it suddenly disappears
Lilandra,
You notice some dashed lines in the sand off to the right that are probably tracks.
Lilandra reins in the warhorse, looking at the sand.
"There's what looks like tracks over there, they would have to have passed here after the storm."
Khaod sticks close to the others, scanning the wide expanse of landscape with a speculative eye, but on the lookout for any new dangers.
Survival:
Perception
Magnus pats the neck of his horse rather glad it had not fallen to the foul goblin sorcerer as he had. As they make their way over the dunes Magnus glances about him wary of another ambush.