Rhost takes a moment to count up the legs of the dead monster.
It proves, perhaps disappointingly, to have forty legs.
As they work, <I am looking forward to being off of the high ice. I never realized how small the caravan was until we all needed to stay within the coverage of the banner.>
She smiles, <I miss us being able to spread out away from the others.> Her smile goes a little wider, <But having an excuse to curl up with a book and the people I love is nice.>
Zaiobe nods as she takes down the hangings, exposing the bare walls. <The snuggling has been lovely. And I've certainly been able to catch up on my reading.>
<But I miss flying ... a great deal. I've braved it once or twice despite the weather, but it hurts. Getting off the ice will be a very pleasant change.>
Zaiobe nods as she takes down the hangings, exposing the bare walls. <The snuggling has been lovely. And I've certainly been able to catch up on my reading.>
<But I miss flying ... a great deal. I've braved it once or twice despite the weather, but it hurts. Getting off the ice will be a very pleasant change.>
Mel agrees, "I would have love to be able to leave and I could stand the pain, but..." She looks down for a second in embarrassment, then goes back to fiddling with the bunks to shift the wagon into prisoner mode. "I know it may be silly, but I've worried that the pain may hurt Melina. I haven't wanted to ask Lio or Alaric, because if it does it will make it that much harder to leave the caravan when we get to the tower..."
But she smiles, obviously not worrying about that until the caravan gets there. She looks around the wagon, which has grown harsher, less cozy. "Where do you want me to put him?"
Mel agrees, "I would have love to be able to leave and I could stand the pain, but..." She looks down for a second in embarrassment, then goes back to fiddling with the bunks to shift the wagon into prisoner mode. "I know it may be silly, but I've worried that the pain may hurt Melina. I haven't wanted to ask Lio or Alaric, because if it does it will make it that much harder to leave the caravan when we get to the tower..."
<Well, if it gives you any comfort to hear it, I don't think it will ... she's in the warmest place in the Caravan. But I understand your worry.>
But she smiles, obviously not worrying about that until the caravan gets there. She looks around the wagon, which has grown harsher, less cozy. "Where do you want me to put him?"
<Straight through the door, I would think. If he's blindfolded, I wouldn't want him tripping.>
<How about the key on a chain around my waist, under the dress? Perhaps I can deny I have it when you ask ... you can cut some clothes off ... ?>
Looks around the transformed wagon, "Well, I think we got depressing aura down. So, now I just need to make sure he prepares the right spells." She finishes with a mischievous smile.
<Hands behind him?> She smiles, just a tad nervous, "Seems a pity to cut up such a pretty outfit, but the idea makes sense."
<Hands behind him is good. And the beauty of Mending is that we can do that, and make it good as new if we want to.>
Looks around the transformed wagon, "Well, I think we got depressing aura down. So, now I just need to make sure he prepares the right spells." She finishes with a mischievous smile.
<And that part of the preparations are in your hands. I'll be here.>
Impulsively, she gives you a quick kiss.
"First a giant lava centipede thing, then these crystal scorpions. What's next, a lightning cockroach?" muses Kalimac.
After the caravan stops one evening, Mel goes to sit next to Alaric has he contemplates his book of poetry. She leans against him, her hand going to his to trace the line of his thumb. She seems a tad nervous.
After the caravan stops one evening, Mel goes to sit next to Alaric has he contemplates his book of poetry. She leans against him, her hand going to his to trace the line of his thumb. She seems a tad nervous.
His returning look is confused but pleased. "Three, huh? Sure."
His returning look is confused but pleased. "Three, huh? Sure."After the caravan stops one evening, Mel goes to sit next to Alaric has he contemplates his book of poetry. She leans against him, her hand going to his to trace the line of his thumb. She seems a tad nervous.
Mel smiles at him, a deep jade blush staining her cheeks. She pulls a well-maintained and much loved case out from her bag her fingers running over the frog on it with a smile. Her flute is treated with the same delicate care.
She plays something that is soft and somehow both happy and sad at the same moment. She continues to play while Alaric concentrates.
Rhost nods. "Eventually," he says, looking over toward the Graff Family Wagon.
"Okay. Still not sure how you got from 'babysitting' to needing to know about animal training." Kalimac thinks to himself inappropriate thoughts of Rhost using animal training techniques on the Graffs' daughter and chuckles at the bizarre image.
"Whatever the reason, do you want to learn how? You can help me train the rhinos and pick up some experience."
Mel smiles at him, a deep jade blush staining her cheeks. She pulls a well-maintained and much loved case out from her bag her fingers running over the frog on it with a smile. Her flute is treated with the same delicate care.
She plays something that is soft and somehow both happy and sad at the same moment. She continues to play while Alaric concentrates.
As he finishes up, shutting the book, he smiles. "You learned them."
As he finishes up, shutting the book, he smiles. "You learned them."
Mel smiles, a deeply rooted joy lighting her features. She nods as she puts away the flute. "I don't think the ones for Milena sound right quite yet, but I'm hoping soon." She stands stretching in the darkness broken by firelight and stars. Holds her hand out to Alaric, a smile playing on her lips.
Mel smiles, a deeply rooted joy lighting her features. She nods as she puts away the flute. "I don't think the ones for Milena sound right quite yet, but I'm hoping soon." She stands stretching in the darkness broken by firelight and stars. Holds her hand out to Alaric, a smile playing on her lips.
He takes the offered hand, dusting himself off and putting the book of poetry away. "Give it time. When she starts moving -- kicking you with that Sorn strength she's going to have."
Melinda walks with Alaric towards their wagon. Her free hands goes to her stomach, "I am probably looking forward to the idea of feeling that much more than I will be when she actually starts kicking."
Melinda walks with Alaric towards their wagon. Her free hands goes to her stomach, "I am probably looking forward to the idea of feeling that much more than I will be when she actually starts kicking."
"I can't wait." He shrugs, grinning. "Well, she won't be sitting on my bladder."
"Oh. Roeddwn i'n meddwl ... heh. Nid ydych yw'r unig un sy'n ymosod arno. Efallai os ydych am gyfrannu tuag at y cyflenwad o ddeunyddiau garafán atgyfodiad ... fyddai'n gweithio. Ond mae angen i chi. Yr wyf yn falch y gallwn i ei helpu. A fyddai yn ei wneud eto." A small pause. "A fyddai ladd ef eto, hefyd, er mwyn atal y dref rhag cael eu dinistrio. Hyd yn oed os yw'n wasn 'y bai."
"Roedd angen ei wneud. Rwy'n difaru ei angen." Rhost tilts his head and looks at Liothonae (as he continues to brush Attatoq). "Yr wyf yn falch eich bod yn gallu ei gywiro. Would put money to that."
I regret its necessity.
I am glad you were able to put it right."
"I can't wait." He shrugs, grinning. "Well, she won't be sitting on my bladder."
Mel smiles oh-so-sweetly, "I'm sure I'll find some way for you to share my joy."
If he does so, he feels cold hard metal enclose each wrist. As the manacles click shut, he can feel Melinda's mind. She's happy and excited, but the act of putting the manacles on him disturbs her in a way that she wouldn't be able to put into words if she tried. <If you are uncomfortable or not happy at any point, just say or think so.>
Much more timidly, "Okay?"
"Whatever the reason, do you want to learn how? You can help me train the rhinos and pick up some experience."
Rhost nods. "Like the rhinos," he says.
The blindfold is whipped off of Alaric's head.
The room he is in has bare walls. A stripped-down cot and little else. A prisoner's cell.
Standing in front of him, holding the blindfold, is Zaiobe. She wears a beautiful, full-sleeved gown in shades of white and cream. A glittering tiara rests in her crimson hair. She looks Alaric up and down, her gaze regal and commanding.
<So,> she says. <The self-styled Leader of the People's Rebellion. In my power at last.>
She returns to stand directly in front of Alaric. <Someone whom you ... are against.>
Hrunndalf once again attempts to throw off the effects of the black sludge.
And he is finally able to do so, the stain slowly fading from his skin.
Myriana tries to operate the elevator controls on the second floor.
And after only a short time, she is able to get it working. Once again, the blue floor of force appears and slowly rises. This time, however, there is also a protective dome over it, with a gap to enter through. As you go up, the howl of the wind grows fiercer; the winds seem to be stronger closer to the top of the tower, and the dome may be keeping the smaller among you from being blow off the platform.
* * *
The duration elapses on the following spells as you rise:
Bull’s Strength on Rhost
Aspect of the Falcon on Liothonae
Bull’s Strength on Hrunndalf
(It has already been mentioned that Divine Favor on Hrunndalf is no longer active; I do not think Hrunndalf recast Shield from the wand on himself, but if he did it would also no longer be active)
You would have time to cast or recast any spells desired while rising in the elevator. Other spells, including Alaric’s Bless spell, will still be active by the time you reach the top.
<My right to rule is one you will acknowledge, before this night is through,> she replies.
Uksahkka, during the past few months, has generally come across as friendly but shy. She is pleasant with everyone, but the only person she appears to be close with, even now, is Ulf.
Not an adventurer by trade or inclination, she is arguably the most "normal" member of your crew, which has, oddly enough, made her a little more difficult to get a sense of than many of the others. She has shown moments of quiet courage when called for, and has always kept a cool head under difficult conditions, but she is clearly unused to the monsters and mayhem which are the adventurer's stock and trade.
Rhost nods. "Like the rhinos," he says.
Kalimac nods in return. "Good. I can use the help. And besides, it's good experience, since we're taking them from wild, to tame, to trained. Lots of work, that."
Melinda, sitting a few people down from Kalimac, smiles over at him. "I believe that you said I could ask you anything a while back," she asks him with a impish smile, Does that still stand?"
Melinda, sitting a few people down from Kalimac, smiles over at him. "I believe that you said I could ask you anything a while back," she asks him with a impish smile, Does that still stand?"
"It certainly does," replies the cavalier.
"Roedd angen ei wneud. Rwy'n difaru ei angen." Rhost tilts his head and looks at Liothonae (as he continues to brush Attatoq). "Yr wyf yn falch eich bod yn gallu ei gywiro. Would put money to that."
Lio nods, agreement. "Me too." She says to the words he speaks in elven. Then adds, very carefully forming the words, "Alright, I accept."
A small smile, "missed a spot" she playfully musses Attatoq's fur.
"It certainly does," replies the cavalier.
"I remember when I first started picking up on Halfling there were a bunch of word that I had to ask Rhost what they were, and they have since slipped out of your vocabulary." She smiles, "So any reason you stopped swearing when we started learning Halfling?"
On the way up the elevator, Alaric will use the Pearl of Power to recover Bless and will cast Aura of Doom. The latter is accomplished by heavy, labored breathing inside his helmet, a deeper voice, and his tendency to find the presence of faith disturbing.
Lio is speaking quietly with Ulf. She looks deep in thought; at one point, she attempts a small smile, and even succeeds at looking friendly.
He scratches at the side of his neck. "I'm about one eighth orc," he says. "My grandfather, great grandfather, they were from there, I think." He shrugs. "Doesn't really matter, I guess. And probably a totally different tribe."
You suspect he's a little curious about his heritage, but doesn't want to press on what might be uncomfortable memories.
Lio nods. "Uksahkka menshuned ye 'ad Orc blood." Her words are calm and quiet, she carefully picks them out. "There are a lot of tribes... but I 'ad a long time to learn about 'em. I liv'd with Orcs... to put et in human terms, from when I was about 6, to age 14 or so. Bought as I am not human, that's almost five decades all togeth'r." She's clearly thinking back to her childhood, such as it was. "Whot... tribe es your grandfather? Maybe I've 'eard of 'em." She tries a small smile. "I did a lot of scribing back then, was 'e only one around for miles who could read and write multiple languages. Met a lot of people." After a while, the smile fades, but you can tell she's not upset, rather, she's just thinking about the past. "I was most likely living there when your grandfather was a young man. " She says, "You're certainly welcome to tell me more about your family. How did they end up in 'e far north?" She inquires.
"Oh. Um, okay." Myri frowns a bit with just a tinge of tension in the left side of her jaw, but she stays silent."Is something amiss?" Shalelu asks you, her glow dimming just a fraction.
"Oh no, not at all." Myriana responds enthusiasm returning to her voice, "sorry, I...was um, counting on talking with 'meiko or Koya. I...don't really know what I'm...um, supposed to do."
"Amazin'," she replies. "Worth th' trip, right there. Hard t' find words."
"I'm doin' well. Travelin' is actually my great pleasure, an' I've had precious little chance t' do it before. How are you gittin' on?"
Lio blushes several shades of pink. "Wond'rful aktually." She admits "I woulde ne'er have thought that I'd ever be 'appy. An' yet, 'ere I am, in 'e middle of 'e arktic tundra, "appy. It's probableh painful ta wotch." A small grin. "I blame Shae." Mischevious. "Aft'r all, she kissed me first. How could I resist her? I was... defens'less." Having just said more to Koya in five minutes than she's said to her in the previous five weeks combined, Lio's blush deepens. "Althou' in 'er defense, she did aske my permission first." She smiles.
Aye miss, room service." She says. "An I coulde do wethout 'e bone chillin colde." Apparently she prefers to be warm over being cold.
Ulf Gormundr DC20:
Skygni DC20/DC25:
Suishen DC20:
Jorun DC20:
Uksahkka DC20:
Sandru nods. "Maybe I'll ask one of the non-drinkers to keep an eye on things at the next party, make sure things don't get too rowdy. Nothing obvious, just someone to keep an eye on things."
Lio nods. Thankye. Aye asked Mel, last time, an' Alarek was mad at me fer weeks afterwards, since she spent time wotchen Jorun, an naught weth 'im." A quick pause. "En retrospect, ah shoudda kept an eye on Jorun, 'es my responsibility. I'm jus' naught sure whot 'e line es between being an attentive teacher an' guide, or an' o'erattentive an' insane mentor. He's bright an' motivated, so summatimes I've ta remind myself thot he's younger thon 'e seems. An' sometimes, I need a night off... so 'avin summeune else there to make sure he's ok, es a good thing." ...a hint of a blush, not really noticeable from more than a few feet away.
"First a giant lava centipede thing, then these crystal scorpions. What's next, a lightning cockroach?" muses Kalimac.
"Mock the awe inspiring torden kakerlakk at your peril." Myri intones with a bad attempt at being ominous, then adds, "I guess I could have said, 'mellt chwilod duon' but it just doesn't sound right."
"I wouldn't worry. Thing about lightning cockroaches is, as soon as they use their powers, they scatter into the cabinets."
Rhost nods. "Like the rhinos," he says.Kalimac nods in return. "Good. I can use the help. And besides, it's good experience, since we're taking them from wild, to tame, to trained. Lots of work, that."
Myri, clears her throat softly from a short distance away. "You know, I know you're by far the best at training animals...and Lio can speak with them, but just 'cause I'm not as good doesn't mean I'm totally useless, you know?" Myri's smile belies the tortured, hurt expression she was apparently trying for. She pauses before continuing, "...actually, I would love to assist if the two of you wouldn't mind the extra company." Her smile seems to have just the hint of a hopeful expression.
"I wouldn't worry. Thing about lightning cockroaches is, as soon as they use their powers, they scatter into the cabinets."
"Hmmm, I suppose the red fire-breathing demonic variety might be a little more dangerous in those environs. Still, if someone knocks over a vase or something with enough water, could still be a problem I would think...or at least enough to get your attention.
Course, if they're anything like the little blue lizards, they're more dangerous in packs. ...and if they're like other cockroaches, if you find one..."
Alaric seems enchanted with the weird little crystal bugs.
So does Lio.
"Low in fat, kind of light in flavor. Milkable when she has young. I suppose it would thus depend upon if she was with child, and then after that, upon her being consistently milked so she continues to ...give milk." Lio feels silly for stating the word milk so many times.
"You'll have to let me know if she gets pregnant... I'd feel bad to ask Rhost for rhino milk if it was impossible." Mel says with a smile.
She looks at Lio for a moment and then speaks quietly, "If you're curious about Milena or anything about her... you don't have to wait until I come to visit you." She looks down at her feet, "I don't always notice what people want around me, but," looking up at Lio, "I'm always very happy to talk you." A pause, "Both." When she realizes that she was excluding Shalelu.
Lio nods. Thankye. Aye asked Mel, last time, an' Alarek was mad at me fer weeks afterwards, since she spent time wotchen Jorun, an naught weth 'im." A quick pause. "En retrospect, ah shoudda kept an eye on Jorun, 'es my responsibility. I'm jus' naught sure whot 'e line es between being an attentive teacher an' guide, or an' o'erattentive an' insane mentor. He's bright an' motivated, so summatimes I've ta remind myself thot he's younger thon 'e seems. An' sometimes, I need a night off... so 'avin summeune else there to make sure he's ok, es a good thing." ...a hint of a blush, not really noticeable from more than a few feet away.
He cannot help but break into a broad grin. "Well. Everyone is entitled to their nights off. I'll make sure someone's keeping an eye out who isn't longing to be otherwise occupied."