Torgus approaches the line and says to his friends, ”Finally a Town knows how to treat the CHAMPION OF BALLENWOOD!!” He moves towards the path giving a few flexes and holding up his championship belt, ”THAT’S RIGHT JARMAY, THE BRAWLING BEAR HAS ARRIVED!!!!” He moves down the line greeting all of his fans or at least til someone pulls him off Master Gonds red carpet hehe.
As Torgus moves towards the path, he senses all eyes upon him... but they are not pleased. Oblivious to Torgus in his self-absorption, but the Initiates and welcoming guards both are regarding him with cold gaze.
Javi -- stuck between not wanting Torgus to make an ass of himself and also not wanting all those cold gazes on himself -- stands poleaxed as the Brawling Bear of Ballenwood proceeds to potentially ruin their school's entrance.
O.O
Although Frakdar would prefer watching the Bear make a fool of himself. Frakdar decides that he can succeed on both grounds and sticks his foot out as the Bear passes. Once Torgus has fallen to the ground, Frakdar gives him a dirty, but bemused look and points to the open spot in the line next to him.
"I AM THE CHAM....WOAH!" A thunderous crash to the ground, he then looks eye to eye with the dwarf as he lays on the ground and seeing Frakdar's face and finally starts to notice no one cheering him as his face red turns red he starts to grumbles, "BAH! Another back water town that doesn't know of the pit fighters of Ballenwood." He stands unhappily next to the dwarf and lets out annoyed growl as he lets someone else take the spotlight.
Quiet and reflective as usual, though Gorak chuckles as Torgus bites the deck.
Nisk is too busy gawping at the city to care much about the Bear's usually amusing antics. He'd never seen so many colors of silk, so many tall buildings... the whole place was just ridiculous. He couldn't stop staring, even when a smallish monkey man made a rude gesture as he passed.
Torgus is saved by Frakdar from learning that the jinn bound by the Vudra are not kind... and instead Master Gond emerges from his cabin to walk the line. He is not dressed in the standard robes that you had seen him in all the times prior - but is instead in soft violet robes secured at his waist with a red linen sash. To look at the fabric as he walks hurts your eyes as it seems impossible to focus on it and the edges of the robe blur. He greets the ifrit with a curt bow before exchanging words in a language you do not understand. After a few formal sounding exchanges, the guards start to march through the city and Master Gond and the ifrit follow keeping step side by side.
The Initiates fall into line three abreast behind the lead and follow. You are bade to join the queue and the other Masters bring up the rear. As you walk the streets you see more of the grandeur of the city and also see people whispering and pointing as you walk. There is no fanfare, but it seems very clear that it is known why you are here.
The path winds a direct path through the higher class districts, where cobbles line the streets and smells of heady perfumes waft out from opulent looking stores and souks. You see many men relaxing with shisha's cradled in their mouth drinking tea as the world passes them by. Some stores have women who'se faces are hidden by diaphanous veils though their curves leave little to the imagination. Meats of creatures known and unknown sizzle upon roadside stalls as toothless barkers shout to sell their wares. The overwhelming feeling that you are left with is that this is an exotic city to the most of you... though there are shadows behind the facade.
Perception:
Frakdar follows the others along the streets glancing from time to time at the silks. The only thing that really gets his attention are the jewels and gems displayed by many of the women, and men.
Perception
"WHy do these people cram themselves into such boxy fleeting structures? I'll take the wild expanses over such 'luxury' any day."
Javi is as wide-eyed as Nisk as they move off the ships. His first glimpse of one of the great cities of his people does not disappoint. For every similarity this wonderful city has to others of its size, ten differences seem to jump out.
The language is so enticing, as well. He'd learned Vudrani from his mother, but he realized his mastery of the language was that of a foreigner.
Torgus mutters the group, "Did some on cut out these peoples tongues or something? I am guessing there not used to high caliber pit fighters like us." He looks on at the people and shakes his head at them.
Nisk nearly broke his neck trying to take everything in. His ears almost tingled from all the liquidy smooth language flowing into them. It was all so distracting he didn't even notice anyone looking at them. "I wonder when we'll be free to look around." He thought aloud as he looked at a haunch of some kind of insect and wondered how it would taste.
Looking over the watchers you do get a sense that they are generally reserved, though from the sounds coming out of some of the shadowed buildings you'd gauge that the wariness fades away over time.
Your path brings you to the top of the high district where a massive palace with ornate domes and carved temple roofs are encircled by a great stone wall. The ifrit approaches a guarded door set into the palace's side and opens it arms wide, bellowing some orders to the guards. You can also make out a kind of litany of Master Gond's achievements, slaying beasts, mastering the elements and curiously a term "..son of the saga returned.." before the gate is opened and you move within.
The palace itself lives up to your wildest expectations within. Ivory walls, golden domes, women and man servants scurrying in sky blue clothing and guards wearing gilt armor. You also see servants of the elemental lords among the grounds also, jinn of the four cardinal elements walking free and talking with those dressed as both monks and aristocrats. However your path takes you through the grounds quickly and into a side-building.
Within is a set of great rooms draped in silks and strewn with pillows. Demure serving girls await in the wings of the building and there are massive eunuchs running what looks to be a well stocked kitchen. Once the full party is within, the ifrit turns to you all and speaks in common "The most exalted welcomes the school that left as it returns. A feast will be held tonight, it would do us honor to have you attend it." and it then bows low and withdraws.
The masters make their way to a room on the second floor of the outbuilding, while the initiates begin to avail themselves of the exotic treasures on offer...
Seeing the room and its luxuries, Frakdar can only wonder at what disasters he will have to rescue Torgus from. Frakdar finds a quiet corner away from the fanfare and sits down to meditate and regain his central balance after such a long time aboard the ship. A very unnatural situation for a dwarf.
As they enter the palace, Javi looks over at his teammates, his face screwed up in confusion. He mouths the words 'son of the saga returned?'
When the ifrit turns and leaves, Javi tries to approach whichever of the masters is closest. "Master <insert the appropriate name>, our guide said 'the most exalted welcomes the school that left as it returns'… who is the most exalted? And what did he mean by 'the school that left as it returns'?"
Actually, you need ranks in any skill which requires training to use it. However there are exceptions - with knowledge, you can make an attempt if the check is DC 10 or less. Several other Trained Only skills have some untrained use - Sleight of Hand (DC10 or less), Handle Animal( can push animal, but not train), etc.
Javi is unfortunate to be closest to Fangul as he asks his questions, and the scarred Ulfen just gives a non-committal shrug of ignorance before moving on to join the other Masters above. However a slim elfin Initiate who is nearby ventures his own guesses "Didn't you know that Gond is descended from one of the houses of power on Jalmeray? Years ago there was a falling out and he left and started up the monastery. Something about either a woman or a fish..." putting her hands up against your obviously exasperated expression "Don't look like that, closest I heard was from a drunk vudran sailor before I joined up as an initiate. I'd wager the exalted is the king or whatever's close enough to it in these parts."
Cassadar is able to find steamed fish that is delicately flavored with coconut cream and spices.
Torgus digs in to what ever food is availible and searches for a proper drink. As he gathers these things, he moves towards the serving wenches and tells them of the many fights the Champion of Ballenwood has been in.
Nisk avails himself of a bit of wine and some fruit, then as many exotic meats as he can find. Finally settling on a plate full of some kind of exceptionally flavored meat, he catches the end of the tale. "Master Gond left over a woman. Doesn't seem the type." Nisk chews the thought over along with his food. "Though I suppose we're all different when we're younger." Nisk rolls his eyes at The Champion, disgusted at him making such a straight line for the women. Nisk had little use for women. All the one's he had met had either been willing to slit his throat for a coin or been simpering sycophants of the Elven court.
Javi nods at Nisk's assessment, "I guess I had never thought of Master Gond as anything other than... well... Master Gond." He gives a crooked half-smile, "Maybe he left over a badly cooked fish."
He takes a drink, grazes on some food, and generally relaxes a bit. "You think we have a place to get cleaned up?"
The elvish Initiate shrugs showing his ignorance of any further information, and leaving you to your indulgences. Javi finds that there is a bathroom towards the rear of the compound that he could use to clean up. After about thirty minutes Mtumbo goes to the top of the stairs to the second level and gives a call that everyone is to be ready for the grand dinner in three hours. The time passes quickly as you turn yourself to the dalliance of your choice...
When the evening comes, the masters come from above and await the initiates to fall in behind them. The jinn from earlier meets the group at the door, and leads you through the compound once more. The early evening shows the grounds devoid of activity, and lit by burning coal braziers that give off an earthy scent as they burn.
You are brought into a huge opulent ballroom where long tables are set out like columns before a raised table at the room's head. The entire room is empty at present except for your group, and even the jinn departs once you are all within. The masters and initiates take their seat at the table, leaving you to sit at the bottom end of it farthest from the head.
Gorak looks at the room curiously. His knowledge of "civilized ways" is obviously limited."Does this mean we eat scraps?" He asks in earnest.
aka; Wolf hierachy
I take my seat watching carefully to see what the customs are here regarding eating and table etiquette.
Perception:
At present Frakdar is able to notice that there is no food or drink within the chamber, and the Masters and Initiates are sitting to wait patiently.
Following in kind, Frakdar sits and patiently awaits the food and drink, or whatever else is planned. While sitting, he looks across at Torgus and gives the Bear a look which indicates "Keep your mouth shut and don't do anything to attract attention."
He raises up his hands and gives a puzzled look towards the dwarf, his expression turns to a smirk as he mutters, "What the bear be hungry."
"Does this mean we eat scraps?" He asks in earnest.
Javi shrugs, "I guess we eat whatever they give us." The prospect of eating scraps or nothing at all doesn't seem to bother the Wasp at all. "I'm more curious to know if we'll end up eating in here by ourselves... seems like a big place for just our school."
"I'm guessing we may meet our competition here." Nisk smiles at the prospect. Reading people was his speciality, and he couldn't wait to get a look at the faces of those they were to defeat.
You wait... and wait... and wait... and an hour passes without any sign that you are to be joined within the chamber. No food or drink has been passed out and there are no attendants to be seen. Some of the Initiates are getting restless and agitated, though the Masters maintain then patient and silent vigil.
Frakdar maintains the same silent vigil as the Masters. If he sees the Bear open his mouth, Frakdar will kick him under the table. He makes sure that Torgus know this.
Gorak is bored as the others, but he is accustomed to the solitude of the wilds and he takes the exercise in patience with stride.
If there's one thing Javi understands, it's social structure and how to work within it. In the current situation -- without any instruction -- this is a time to play follow the leader.
So Javi tries to emulate Master Gond. He can't quite control his bouncing knee, and every once in a while the fingers of his right hand drum a quick staccato beat on the thick tabletop before he realizes it.
Treat it like one of the Masters' tests, he thinks to himself as he watches the room.
"Is this how they treat Champions." Torgus says in a low growl. The big man starts to tense up, and starts to shake with anger of being ingnored for so long...
Frakdar continues to stare at the Bear and kicks him under the table as soon as Torgus opens his mouth while silently voicing. You can attempt to take this out on me in the practice ring after. If you say another word before the Master speaks, I will assure you lose your belt.
Intimidate:
Time continues to pass and candles and torches begin burning low. The masters continue to conduct a silent vigil of patience, though many of the Initiates begin to share your frustration at the wait. You hear burbles of conversation erupt about doing something, though they are short lived and pass.
Sense Motive:
Frakdar is too focused on keeping the Bear from embarrassing them all to notice anything else going on.
Confusion and a bit of anger flash across Javi's eyes before he looks back at the door. His whisper is just loud enough to carry to his small group of school-mates. "I think this is meant to shame Master Gond. They are making him wait because they think they're better than him."
Confusion and a bit of anger flash across Javi's eyes before he looks back at the door. His whisper is just loud enough to carry to his small group of school-mates. "I think this is meant to shame Master Gond. They are making him wait because they think they're better than him."
Gorak quirks his face in a gesture of annoyance at the situation, but otherwise says nothing.
After what seems to be hours of waiting, and the passage of the evening into near midnight - the doors to the ballroom open wide and three groups of muscular humanoids stride through to fill the rest of the three tables. Rather than seating from the front to the back, the other three tables fill from the foot to the head... though a single seat is left empty on the other three tables where their equivalent of Master Gond would have sat. The other groups enter in silence and remain resolute in their lack of words for now. The doors to the chamber close behind them.
The first table is filled by men and women in black robes with red edging. They are by far the more muscular of the three groups and move with heavy set surety. There is a greater sprinkling of half-orcs and human's whose ancestry is tinged with earth jinn - though no dwarves.
The second has white robes edged by sky blue. Their build tends to the slight and their footfalls are barely audible as they sashay to their seats. A scan of the heads picks out a smattering of pointed ears and the pure features of the elves among them.
The final table is the most imposing, solid orange robes with lengths of chain serving as belts. They are also the only table to throw their eyes towards you, gaze imperious and dismissive of you. The races are more mixed in this group, though every single one bears a large burn scar upon their cheek below the right eye.
Nisk tries to sit calmly, but is angered when Javi points out the slight. "He returns and they insult him?" He asks with a sneer, then visibly attempts to calm. He sits for almost an hour unmoving, though a close observation shows his teeth grinding. Finally, he begins to stand. "Screw this. I will not sit by whi-" The angry half-elf's outburst is interrupted by the door opening, and he quickly turns to face it.
"It seems the other schools have chosen to join us." Nisk says, not speaking loudly but making no effort to hide his words. "Perhaps it is appropriate they would arrive late." Nisk returns to his seated position, returning the dark glares of the students in orange robes as he also surreptitiously analyzes the rest of the schools.
Frakdar watches the other schools enter the room. During the entry his expression never changes, it remains solemn and fixed like the stone dwarves are born from.
It takes only a few minutes after all have taken their seat for the next step of proceedings to begin. A steady drum beat can be heard echoing throughout the room, though it's source cannot be pinpointed. While it peals it's steady beat, a score of serving boys rush into the chamber with long-spouted teapots. They hastily move among the tables, filling small cups before each person with a strong and bitter smelling tea.
The order of filling starts at the black robed, then moves to the orange, the white and finally Master Gonds table is filled last. Not a soul in the chamber has moved to partake of the tea, instead continuing to wait as the beating drum's beat slowly builds and builds from larghissimo all the way through the tempos to prestissimo...
Gorak looks thorougly confused, but does his best to follow others example. "society" was never his strong suite.