Caledon continues:
Hand of Fate; never before have I been in the presence of such personage as to draw the direct hand of fate. ,...
,... hear me feline magi; and I am only a small insignificant monk from a far away land; I cannot see as others; but this I do see; whatmore can someone like Thoronhen or the Jewel see with their knowledge. I so very much feel like a very little fish in a great ocean.
Kemnebi nods slowly, obviously much calmer now that he has mental problems with which to puzzle.
"I understand master Caledon. For if you feel that way, how much more so I, who have not your breadth of experience or depth of travels to help me understand the tapestry or put it in perspective. The more so as I have done all my learning from books, and while 'coincidence' is a concept I am willing to accept, I find the fact that there are SO many similarities, as you point out, VERY hard to swallow and accept as 'Coincidence'. Some hand is at work here, whether Fate herself, or a Divine or Demonic being I know not. But there is a hand in this somewhere, or I'll shave my whiskers!"
He looks curiously at Llvenoc as he sets his crossbow.
as I suggested, my companion; keep a cool head and stay out of other races entanglements; see you not the marks of royalty on each of these drow and thier houses; very touchy these; very, I have heard that to look upon drow royalty is death; but then I have heard they have consorts and handmaidens and blood oathed blades of their houses to defend and shroud them; I know not such details; but enough to not interfere with other castes, races, and unknown propriety.
come; let us step apart a bit to avoid such entanglements and show our desire to get moving.
Caledon walks NW.
I am but a humble servant of fate, only my actions may answer your questions.
I wish to speak of the Celestial Emperor and his mortal counterpart. The Celestial Emperor is missing and the heavens are in turmoil and if the heavens fall all hope for the mortal realm will fade as well. If a clue can be found to whom and where the counterpart's can be found the chaos of this world can be diminished. Perhaps a great lady with many connections as you may be able to help in my search.
The Jewel looks you over hwe-ko; you feel a prickle on the surface of your brain...
She looks at you and uncomfortably long time; not moving; then her face softens a bit; in the eyes; and she comes to stand very very close to you, almost touching chests (and hers is nicely ample) you can smell her perfume and see that she has no fear.
she says in Ork "You are a curious conscript of fate, I know your family; very well I might add, my sister Akeiko is engaged to marry a power member of your family. I know him as well; better than most. What have you to offer me Child of the House of Graa? pain, misery? I see that you are well made; strong; viruolent, perhaps intelligent but that remains to be seen; do you have the heart of a dragon?
she sighs; glances at Llevenoc, then back to you "say what you will, there are few here who speak Ork"
Hwe-Ko aproches the drow princess and in Chinese addresses her. Jiuwen daming magisty, may this humble servent speak with you?
My intent is peaceful, I only seek knowledge. But I will focus my ki in case I need to deflect any bolts heading my way.
<Orange robed ork monk; hehe, please roll a bluff if you like; or take a 10 if your trying to hide your emotions and expressions; otherwise; state what your intent motive is at this moment of speaking; thanks much; am just putting in a note from tone of writing; state if different.>
The Ork appears humble and sincere; perhaps reverant.
Llvenoc
** spoiler omitted **Val,
** spoiler omitted **
Kwe-Ko
Jewel responds again speaking Orkish: "Interesting; where are your loyalties I wonder, yes, I know much of such things; my father was laughing over it just a month back; I know of where it is very likely your answer will be found. Thus; did not a mighty Kirin come presenting the very answer and warning as gift to the surface world.
but then knowledge is power; and power must be earned and safeguarded; come with us into the dark places of the earth; show a heroes heart and the rage against death that you should; prove that you can be trusted with such knowlege and use it wisely; and thus you and I will come to an understanding and perhaps I will choose to gift you with such knowledge.
so; tell your fellows to be on their way; let us walk in repose in the direction Caledon leads; that you might ease my boredom by amusing me of tales of your childhood and how you became a monk. Amuse me; tell me; are you one of those chaste monks; or perhaps you are one who fears magic."
She turns and follows Caledon over to the Oracle and gestures "come; it is time for all who go from this place to gain the promised blessing; time is short; gather round if you will." she says somewhat imperiously.
"speak you any civilized tounges, Ork?, speak you Drow or Draconic? This gutteral choking and wheezing tounge is unpleasant"
<Hwe you also speak hmm I think Lenapian; which is the language of
China; you can have this for background free as you spent many years there in study and training>
she repeats in Greek and Egyptian; "The Oracle offers now the Blessing she promised; gather near Caledon if you will recieve it."
she goes to Caledon and speaks in Lenapian " recieve the blessing; then draws a sigil on his forehead"
"come forth Blade of a Great House" she will write the sigil on your brow if you accept.
<she will in turn do the same for any who accept; this is the material part of the ritual blessing that the Oracle will convey; the sigil will recieve the power; any who check; it radiates now a small divine energy>.
At this point some of the Orks get kinda grumpy and start making threats in Ork; but the a couple of them point out in Ork that while they might be able to kill the drow princess, her being very young and unguarded; they would never live it down as she is more or less Balfics sister in law; and incurring his wrath might be all kinds of pain that they are certainly not ready for so best bend over and take it.
The orks grumble; but march off at a good clip.
My goal is harmony; my loyalty is to life.
Sex and magic are tools to be used as are fear and compassion, only a fool would deny their use.
I speak the language of my birth as well as goblin, lenapian and the common trade tongue (I assume Greek) but the tails of my youth should be kept for a less urgent time.
*after the orc's gumble and storm off*
I will accept your blessing on behalf of my less civil kin.
Val,
** spoiler omitted **
Be at ease Llvenoc I know that it has been ingrained since birth but I know that any of the Masked Mages can take care of themselves. Most dont get the mask until they are concidered as the surface peoples call it Hazard class. Though if you are intrested I do know that they have protectors usually with them maybe you could see if you could be hers.
I will accept you blessings.
Jewel give a big hearty belly laugh; after a bit she catches her breath; "hehe....ha..such uncharacteristic wit and barbery under gentile language...hehe as for tales of your youth; you are but short lived; best you tell your tales while life is still within you and the road will be soon enough".
she makes the sigil on your forehead; then moves on to bless thoronhen, his sigil seems more intricate than others.
<btw; read my earlier post about "common tounge" there is no language everyone speaks; common is a trade communication full of grunting and pointing; this for that; trade and parlay type stuff; no higher communication of inflection or even sentences is really possible; a conversation cannot be held in common, but you could use common to buy a sword or get it sharpened and agree on a fee; a very cumbersome set of gesturing and full of grunts of approval or dissagreement.>
To Thoronhen,
Jewel says:
"greetings Agent of the Left hand; perhaps we know common aquaintences; know you Mr. Fingers; or Koob; Or Nickolae, or perhaps that charming fellow Bones? If not; I will introduce you if you desire, they are contacts a person as yourself should cultivate. One of your talents is always appreciated by The Jewel; one never knows when one needs a talented broker. Do you carry the funds for this group? if not you should; a wizer place to place funds i cannot imagine; here is my token of my commitment to you ... and the group.
she hands you a small bag.
Jewel give a big hearty belly laugh; after a bit she catches her breath; "hehe....ha..such uncharacteristic wit and barbery under gentile language...hehe as for tales of your youth; you are but short lived; best you tell your tales while life is still within you and the road will be soon enough".
she makes the sigil on your forehead; then moves on to bless thoronhen, his sigil seems more intricate than others.
<btw; read my earlier post about "common tounge" there is no language everyone speaks; common is a trade communication full of grunting and pointing; this for that; trade and parlay type stuff; no higher communication of inflection or even sentences is really possible; a conversation cannot be held in common, but you could use common to buy a sword or get it sharpened and agree on a fee; a very cumbersome set of gesturing and full of grunts of approval or dissagreement.>
common or undercommon is a free language; only if you want both do you need special circumstances or you can purchase it. You can change to Drow if you spent points on common. The drow you would learn would be low born/
To Thoronhen,
Jewel says:"greetings Agent of the Left hand; perhaps we know common acquaintances; know you Mr. Fingers; or Koob; Or Nickolae, or perhaps that charming fellow Bones? If not; I will introduce you if you desire, they are contacts a person as yourself should cultivate. One of your talents is always appreciated by The Jewel; one never knows when one needs a talented broker. Do you carry the funds for this group? if not you should; a wizer place to place funds i cannot imagine; here is my token of my commitment to you ... and the group.
she hands you a small bag.
Yes Lady I do know of Mr Bones and I believe I met a gentleman named Sticks as well. Mr Bones was my main contact here this side of the world. I do appreciate your token of commitment I will keep it safe.
as I suggested, my companion; keep a cool head and stay out of other races entanglements; see you not the marks of royalty on each of these drow and thier houses; very touchy these; very, I have heard that to look upon drow royalty is death; but then I have heard they have consorts and handmaidens and blood oathed blades of their houses to defend and shroud them; I know not such details; but enough to not interfere with other castes, races, and unknown propriety.
come; let us step apart a bit to avoid such entanglements and show our desire to get moving.
Caledon walks NW.
A grin lights Kemnebi's feline features.
"Again I bow to your greater wisdom master Caledon. And follow you hoping to gain and increase my own understanding." And he bows low, before following Caledon over to the Oracle. Leaving Orkish arguments and Drowish caste entanglements to sort themselves out. For now.
When his turn comes to receive the Oracle's blessing he says, a little too loudly and enthusiastically, "I will accept your blessing Oracle, if you will grant me that honor. I take it as I willingly accept the task you have laid before us!" He declares with youthful enthusiasm.
|
<gm> best I could do to find a bat...]
Falco to Namaste
** spoiler omitted **
"Hold that though, Little One. Let's see if we can get them moving by their own will first."
Stooping to pick up a "twig," she moves to each of the men in turn. "Look closely at it, and understand why we must make haste out of this grotto ... a blissful death it may be, but it is still death."
The "twig" she rips out of the dirt and shows you is a femur bone (upper leg bone) of a humanoid that is attached to a bit of pelvis; lots of clumps of dirt, worms and grass are attached as well as some moss.
*speaking aloud to all who wish to listen*
"Life feeds on life, but I don't wish to be plant food. Perhaps we should heed the witches words and leave with all haste".
Kemnebi, staring once more wide-eyed at the obvious leg bone in Namaste's hand, nods slowly, and swallows.
Twice.
As he meekly follows the group, he can be heard muttering to himself in Egyptian,...
"I thought I was supposed to be the smart one,..."
As he meekly follows the group, he can be heard muttering to himself in Egyptian,...
"I thought I was supposed to be the smart one,..."
"Don't beat yourself up, my friend. It's not a question of smarts. It's a question of wiles. You are male. Those creatures have not only the allure of their natural beauty," she says with a hint of jealousy, "but a supernatural charm on top of that. They will literally love you to death. And you would die enjoying every moment of it. Granted, there are far worse ways to die, and if one day you should be stricken by a fatal illness that has no cure, I will happily bring you to this place. But for now, let us entertain ways to not die!"
Forgive my manners. Introductions must be made. Jewel of the First House. This is Namaste First Daughter of the House of Lusk in Adar. Namaste, this is "The Jewel" of House Din'tan min Amok.
Know the company you travel with Orc. This is Astinos, Knight of the Goddess of War, and Wisdom of this land. Beside him is Zuberi, Just Arm of the Great Pharoah. Thoron, Master of many talents. Kemnebi, Student of Knowledge and the Arcane Arts. I am Llvenoc.
Great Oracle will you please accompany us until we get you to a place of safety. In good conscience I can not leave your side til I know you will be well protected. Perhaps with Astinos's Prince you can stay til we reclaim The Temple Mount in the Glory of your Sun God. You kept me from harm til my wounds healed. Let me escort you to safety or my honor will suffer if you feel me unworthy of this task.
The Jewel says: worry not about the Oracle; she is well provided for; please stand in a circle around me; as I shall be the fulcrum point of the blessing
Assuming everyone does...
The Jewel raises her hand; in the left; a dark obsidian stone; the right; a piece of black wool.
The kobold begin to incant; the oracle pronounces blessing
Hear me O Dark Wonder; hide and shield these servants as they move through the path of your enemies; let none see them; let not sense them; let their passage confound and befuddle until morning first rays do find them in the presence of the next day.
dark beams shoot from each kobold to the Oracle; then to the upraised arms of the Jewel; then a dark cloud settled around the party; even a dark cloud in the pycyhic sense; thus the party is hidden; each person can see normally in the cloud as if normal light; the cloud eminates from the jewel then hits each sigil; each person has a 5' dark cloud around them; and the jewel has a 100' radius dark cloud; though with the blessing you can all see 100' each direction.
The blessing is over; the dark fey cut a hole in the planes to an even darker realm; they, the kobolds; and the Oracle leave.
Caledon says; we should go; and leads the way.
The party will not travel; just about first light you will be at the place of meeting the prince.
I have rolled no encounters during this period as none can sense you; no life detect; no magic detect; no scrying; and no phycic detect can find you at this time; you are just darkeness moving in darkness.
Do as you wish; next post will be at the meeting place; you will all be there awaiting their arrival
it will be on a rocky hill surrounded by grass and lots of ditches and ravines. Sighting distance will be good. you may do as you wish there; talking ;breaking fast; prayer; study; whatever.
Llvenoc
"I am honored to make your acquaintance, milady."
"When we reach our destination, we should take some time to practice the battle tactics we spoke of earlier. It will be disorienting at first for those who aren't accustomed to teleportative magics or talents, and I'd prefer that our warriors are able to work through their disorientation and discomfort in the safety of a sparring ring, rather than in the heat of our first battle."
Namaste,
Namaste,
** spoiler omitted **
Hwe-Ko bows to the lady before he turns to join the others leaving the groto and gives her a mischievous wink "Thank you for all you have given to our cause. Your words are as music drawing me near but the yapping of your pet", a brief head nod to Llvenoc, "brings me back to the ugliness of our world. I only hope that the fates conspire to bring me into your radiant company again".
But for now, let us entertain ways to not die!"
He gives Namaste a bow with a wry grin on his feline features.
"I like the way you think dear lady!" And, after accepting the blessing, follows her out of the grove with his head held higher than any have seen him hold it these past few hours. And he doesn't look backwards."When we reach our destination, we should take some time to practice the battle tactics we spoke of earlier. It will be disorienting at first for those who aren't accustomed to teleportative magics or talents, and I'd prefer that our warriors are able to work through their disorientation and discomfort in the safety of a sparring ring, rather than in the heat of our first battle."
"An excellent suggestion, especially seeing as how some of us have much greater combat experience than others." HE coughs nervously, then looks around, perhaps a touch defiantly. "What? I am not ashamed of my relative lack of physical combat experience. I assure you that my mastery of the Art will more than make up for my shortage of weapons training. And I have a few other surprises as well." He smiles.
Once at their destination, He looks out upon the vista that lies before them with what is either anticipation, satisfaction, or perhaps a little of both, upon his feline features. He then finds a comfortable spot upon the grass, sits cross-legged, and open a large tome from his pack,...
Well; just between you and me; her family - mostly her dad; rules about a third of the known world and about half underdark and is the stuff nightmares come from hehe.
make a knowledge nobility role or knowlege elf or drow culture. Anyone called the Jewel of a family; would have to be pretty special politically; an drow years though; this girl is young; pretty much Llevenoc's age; maybe 14 or 15 in human years equivelant.
At this moment she doesnt seem very bent on formality; seems pretty casually bored, but you know how teenagers can be hehe.
Llvenoc ** spoiler omitted **
"I am honored to make your acquaintance, milady."
Walk with me Hwe-Ko; this land is dull and lifeless; entertain me with stories of your growing up. Were you beat up much; tortured as a kid in the streets; perhaps given extra labors at your wrestling school? says the Jewel? I didnt have contact with anyone but teachers growing up; hmm; and slaves of course and other pets, I used to wonder what a completely ordinary person was like; your ordinary right?
Hwe-Ko bows to the lady before he turns to join the others leaving the groto and gives her a mischievous wink "Thank you for all you have given to our cause. Your words are as music drawing me near but the yapping of your pet", a brief head nod to Llvenoc, "brings me back to the ugliness of our world. I only hope that the fates conspire to bring me into your radiant company again".
I have been in thousands of battled, says the Jewel, well, not personally of course; that would be unseemly; but I was there in the mix watching. That is exciting; people getting vaporized; chopped or ripped in half; some guys about to kill us all - at least that is what they say before they point something nasty at them; they dont get to of course, cause then someone else pops out of the dark and lets all his air out with a sharp blade. yes; lots of noise; the clash of swords; the drumming of feet; everyone screams at different tones; it is musical; fascinating; like a dance; true Opera (she sighs)
But for now, let us entertain ways to not die!"He gives Namaste a bow with a wry grin on his feline features.
"I like the way you think dear lady!" And, after accepting the blessing, follows her out of the grove with his head held higher than any have seen him hold it these past few hours. And he doesn't look backwards."When we reach our destination, we should take some time to practice the battle tactics we spoke of earlier. It will be disorienting at first for those who aren't accustomed to teleportative magics or talents, and I'd prefer that our warriors are able to work through their disorientation and discomfort in the safety of a sparring ring, rather than in the heat of our first battle.""An excellent suggestion, especially seeing as how some of us have much greater combat experience than others." HE coughs nervously, then looks around, perhaps a touch defiantly. "What? I am not ashamed of my relative lack of physical combat experience. I assure you that my mastery of the Art will more than make up for my shortage of weapons training. And I have a few other surprises as well." He smiles.
Once at their destination, He looks out upon the vista that lies before them with what is either anticipation, satisfaction, or perhaps a little of both, upon his feline features. He then finds a comfortable spot upon the grass, sits cross-legged, and open a large tome from his pack,...
I have been in thousands of battled, says the Jewel, well, not personally of course; that would be unseemly; but I was there in the mix watching. That is exciting; people getting vaporized; chopped or ripped in half; some guys about to kill us all - at least that is what they say before they point something nasty at them; they dont get to of course, cause then someone else pops out of the dark and lets all his air out with a sharp blade. yes; lots of noise; the clash of swords; the drumming of feet; everyone screams at different tones; it is musical; fascinating; like a dance; true Opera (she sighs)
Kemnebi listens to Jewels vivid descriptions, eyes widening in horror as her casual, vivid descriptions. But he continues to listen in morbid, rapt fascination,...
Astinos has silently partaken in everything this stioc silence a shield for his unease with the darkness of the proceedings.
He seems to pull out of his thoughts as Namaste suggests practice. "Indeed, prapaaration would be both welcome and advised. The ability to move warriors around on the field in an eyeblink is a phenomenal asset."
His eyes take in the Jewel as she speaks, though no stranger to war he doesn not find beauty in carnage. She may not be of sound mind after all.
gm - those of you warrior types familiar with war would hear here speak as an observer; not as a participant.
"As you wish my lady" provided that her chariot/horse dosn't go faster than 40' per round Hwe-Ko easily paces her. “I am as common as the rain that falls and the grass that grows. My birth mother is a human whore in one of “Mother’s” brothels. My early childhood was brutal, as you would expect a half-breed child among orc children would be, beaten for their amusement, forced by those stronger to take on their chores, scrubbing floors, cleaning chamber pots and any task they found foul. I soon learned to use my cunning and speed the orc children lacked and became the dominant one, by the age of 12 full orcs twice my age did my bidding and none but the Madam of the house commanded me. I thought I would take responsibility running the house, I was already protecting the girls working there and my influence was growing. I had enough influence to send my childhood tormentors on “missions for Mother” that would lead to their early graves. Mother saw a great potential in me and asked, not commanded but asked, if I would like to travel to China and learn the secrets of the Boxers. I jumped at the chance to leave the barbarity of home and left for Qinshu at dawn the next day. In the Boxers Temples I learned of harmony, grace and courtly skills. I was taught of the differences between the rule of the iron fist and the persuasion of the velvet glove, of how a polite word can win a war and the threat of violence prevent one from starting. They taught me their secret fighting styles, of how make my flesh as strong as steel, to hone my reflexes to point where I can pluck the wings off a fly wile it’s in flight. In a few years I had learned all I could teach me, earning my robes and title of priest of the Temple of the Ninth Sun. I must wander the world for ten years before I am allowed to return and pass what I have learnt on my travels to the Temple masters. I heard of the tribulations in this land and came to test my fist against the enemies’ steel my purity of body against their corruption and the wisdom of my masters against their primal chaos. I will not fail my masters, I will not fail my comrades, I will not fail Mother and I will not fail myself”.
Walk with me Hwe-Ko; this land is dull and lifeless; entertain me with stories of your growing up. Were you beat up much; tortured as a kid in the streets; perhaps given extra labors at your wrestling school? says the Jewel? I didnt have contact with anyone but teachers growing up; hmm; and slaves of course and other pets, I used to wonder what a completely ordinary person was like; your ordinary right?
Hwe-Ko bows to the lady before he turns to join the others leaving the groto and gives her a mischievous wink "Thank you for all you have given to our cause. Your words are as music drawing me near but the yapping of your pet", a brief head nod to Llvenoc, "brings me back to the ugliness of our world. I only hope that the fates conspire to bring me into your radiant company again".
The Jewel responds:
your are very humble; indeed; strange in an Ork; generaly how boast loudly and to all who will listen at the top of their lungs of their greatness and power; thus you, who have both greatness and power would belittle your so called humble beginnings with such a tale of so called commoness; think you I was born yesterday; think you I know not who and what your mother is and that once she thought to make war upon the entire Drow society to keep one of her sons from breeding thus with a daughter of the empire?
It was my very sister who was the cause of your mothers consternation; yes, know it well; and Balfic Gra; your kin; who also speaks in such hushed and humble notes of voice; hardly ever raising his tone but to offer wisdom and perhaps; social commentary; he is a true hero. I rever him; it is true; I have seen his heart and it is mighty, but he has not time for a the young, nor any eye but for my sister and all of our goddess, Holy Maiden Loviatar - may we all learn the wisdom of her teachings least the pain of life be taken from us.
Zuberi accepted the blessing and moved along with the others, he had thought it wiser to simply watch everyone’s behavior, he made a mental note of Llvenoc reaction pertaining to Jewel.
“I agree some practice would greatly help us all, as well as knowing in what areas one another strengths lay.” he replies to Namaste
“My own strengths lay in direct combat, and being of draconic blood I possess a breath attack which hinders those caught in its wake for a moment or two.” he then gives a brief description of the Entangling Exhalation effect.
“I also project an aura which augments healing to those whom stay near within 30ft. Its minor but it can keep one from dying. The effect is limited to restoring half one’s health, and thus you can only gain its benefit once you’ve been injured beyond that point.”
“I know a trifling bit of magic, but I expect those more capable to provide our arcane arsenal” he adds looking from one person to another.
Perhaps, but perhaps it you who are being to kind, Mother and Bafic-Graa have done great things, their footsteps have shaken our world but I....I am just a pawn. My birth was commanded because Mother wanted more might to spread her influence, my upbringing was brutal and harsh to weed out the unfit, I, was manipulated to train with the Boxers of Qinshu because mother wanted to know what secrets they held. My being here at this time and place was subtlety arranged by forces not of my own. Every orc child grows up this manner. The Temple of the Ninth Sun wants me to spread their teaching. Mother wishes all of her children to bring her more power. I am but a pawn disposable and common and I am bound by my ambition and pride to follow the path laid out before me, if I do wealth and renown will be mine. There nothing more common than a mans lust for wealth and power.
But perhaps your are just in your view of me for in my meditations I see another path leading to something gander and much more sublime. The path is hazy and elusive, my ki pulls me towards it but fear bars my way. I tell you now I fear not blade or spell, I would charge a dragon to test my skills but this hazy unknown paralyzes me. I will follow that path one day I will conquer the fear that holds me but until that day I am still just a pawn.
“I agree some practice would greatly help us all, as well as knowing in what areas one another strengths lay.” he replies to Namaste
"Indeed, mine lie in two primary directions. The open devastation of a chariot assault, and defense. Though much training I am able to not only render myself difficult to hit, but also make it near impossible to get past me."
If you call yourself a pawn then you will always be a pawn. If your mother has a price, then so do you. If you chase after pride, wealth and power. Then you have learned nothing from your Masters. For these things can be stripped from you as easily as your flesh from bone. I am sure your boxing skills will be useful then you go to punch Ghuls.
War is nothing to glorify. The lost remembered. The gratitude of the living to fight for another day. The bond of survival. The guilt of living. Nothing more.
Give me some time, and I will start the training we talked about earlier Namaste. In the meantime I will share some of what I know of the enemy we face. Thoron, unless you can walk in water or a spider web and not leave a ripple then I suggest you stay close to the party. Unless you can slow the beating of your heart to where you can not feel it in your own chest. Then stay close. This is some of the ways they see us.
Astinos I know you can not see in the dark. But know this. To those who always live in the dark, your Sunrod is a beacon. We can see your light for miles. Reflected off stone and moss. If needed I will guide you. We can not afford to give the enemy such an advantage. We are few. Numbers, and ambushes will deplete our resources quickly. We will fail in our task before we start. If you like we can spar. I am already blind by the Sun. If you blindfold yourself it will train you for the dark. We must use our other senses.
I can also teach hand signals to those who are willing to learn. So we can communicate without talking. Oh Thoron... We will not be going into Hades realm, but beside it. So the danger of having food and drink is avoided for now.
Do not mock that which you know little of, my flesh is as strong as your steel and quicker than your arrows.
I truly know what I am, I feel the forces influencing me and can see all the paths before me. Can you see anything past your jealousy and pride? You are more of a prisoner and pawn than I.
Pride is not an issue here for me. I do not need to feed my ego; reciting titles or to here myself talk. Do not mistake responsibility for jealsouy either. There is no desire in my eyes. I am doing what I feel is right. How would you act... Zuberi, if some unknown person off the street walked up to your Pharoahs Daughter? Or you Astinos if someone approached your Princes Wife?
Then I listen to you insult those Orcs who traveled with you. You insult your Mother. You brag how you manipulated others as you grew up. You preach that sex, and fear are tools to be used. You talk about how you want wealth and power. All the while abase yourself to one such as The Jewel. You honestly think I should trust or respect you?
I don't care how strong your arms are. Your an Orc. Its pretty much expected. But your arms are still flesh. A Ghuls touch can paralyse. There are diseases both magical and mundane that can strip away your flesh and your soul. I am not even going to mention the jellies, the oozes and the slimes that feed off bodies like that.
"Llvenoc, for one who claims to be of noble birth, you have a tavern lout's skill at making friends. If someone were to approach my Prince's wife I would stand ready, but it would be folly to antagonize that which I considered a threat."
He looks to the half -ork with a placating grin,
"Be at ease my friend, we welcome your strength and courage,trust that Llvenoc does not speak for us all, and it is his dark seeing eyes and quick bolts that are his strenth, not his hammerlike tongue."
"Whether your beginnings are humble or regal, your presence is welcome among our company. While you may be a pawn in the schemes of some others, as we all are, peasant and prince alike, in this endeavor you are a knight, an able fist for this small and humble force for life. Some of us gathered here may have been born into or attained positions higher than yours among particular cultures or civilizations, but we do not gather here to fight for kings or countries, but for all living things. Some of us have grown up living under the light of the sun, and some of us have grown up living in the darkness beneath the surface of the land, but we have all lived and found value in life, and that is why we are here.
"You speak of fear paralyzing you from your path of destiny. Perhaps fear has not paralyzed you from treading the path you are meant to walk, but instead has cautioned you to stay on the path you are meant to walk. No man, no woman, no prince or princess, no knight or paladin is without fear. Properly embraced, fear makes us wise. It would be a fearless and brave man who puts his naked hand in the mouth of a cobra, and no doubt his grave would bear the epitaph: "Here lies a brave and fearless man" while his corpse moulders to dust. Fear may caution your steps, but you are no coward, else you would not be here with us now."
"My friend, I know not what enmities your peoples - the drow and the orc-kind - may hold for each other, but I would ask you to make an effort to put it aside. We are brothers and sisters in this, no matter what our parentage. Recall the distrust with which some of our number first viewed you, because they saw only your race and upbringing and not your mind and heart? Is that not how the two of you are now viewing each other?
"Inevitably, your life may depend upon his abilities, and his upon yours. Your arrows will rain death upon a distant enemy, but will slip right through the bones and open spaces on a skeleton warrior. His fists will be of no avail on the distant enemy, but will smash that skeleton to pieces much more effectively than an arrow or steel blade. We all have our parts to play.
"My lady, I know you have been witness to many battles and know the violence and bloodshed they reap. I know also that such things bring a primal thrill to us all, and for that I do not judge you harshly for finding glory in war. But you are no casual bystander in this. In the days ahead, if you remain with us, you will be in as immediate danger as the rest of us. You bear the standard of Loviatar, one of the gods who sponsors this mission, and you are a vessel for her strength, which will no doubt prove vital in the days to come. But I implore you, though one might find honor and glory on the field of battle, remember, there is also honor and glory in life and love and family, and it is for that which we fight. You are not here as the Jewel of your House, any more than I am here to represent my House. You are here as a knight and soldier and heartline for the forces of life. Please do not lose sight of that, sister."
"I have no doubt that each and every one of here has skills that are unique to each, upon which the rest of us will need to rely for our survival and success. Let no one here assume they are in any way of lesser importance or station than any other."
Kemnebi looks up from his tome, all pretense of reading now gone as he tries to follow the varied interesting, and sometimes tension-charged, conversations going on around him. HE listens carefully as the others reveal their greatest strengths in battle, and relaxes visibly at Namaste's low, calm intercession. After a time he slowly returns to his large book. His feline features are hard to read, but he looks as one who is thinking great and profound thoughts. HE seems to be both concerned, and contemplative.
"Yes master Astinos, My Art will be ready when needed. I do not have an enormous library of spells at my command yet, but what I have is varied, and I am considered to be somewhat clever in their applications. With a little preparation and a quick imagination, I will be able to assist in a variety of ways. Among my selections my personal favorites are the ability to turn invisible, and the summoning of creatures to fight for me. I also have spells that can allow me to assume different forms for a short duration. And some of my defensive spells can be cast on others if needed."
Calmed by Namaste's words I bite back a sharp retort, center myself and bow to Llanoc "I apologize for letting my anger slip, I was wrong to imply your devotion to your familial duties makes you a prisoner and
do not fret for my safety I am unaffected by disease and blight both magical and mundane".
Replying to Astinos in Orc.
Astinos. I have never claimed title or position. Only that I am the First Son of my House. I never have mentioned my Houses name or what position of power it holds. Others have spoken for me. You decide the value of there word. All I have claimed is that I am a warrior. I am an enemy of the Devourer in all its forms. Nothing more, nothing less.
I never said I was a diplomat. Nor do I care to be one. I will not pretend to be somebody I am not.
I accept your apology, and I too will apologize. We are too few to rip our throats out before the enemy. Know I am no prisnor or pet to anyone. I choose my own actions and suffer accordingly the consequences if there are any. I choose to protect. I fight, and protect so others can go on. So they can make the right choice. My life is already forfeit. There is no tomarrow for me. I just would hope some of those ideals I hold dear would survive. I was wrong.
“aye Llvenoc, you do have a way with people don’t you.”
“we all best get past our own quibbling, and quickly! Else we’ll not endure any of the adversity we will encounter.”
“Whatever a man strives for in his life is his own affair, its what he does once he has attained that which he desires which defines him.”
With that Zuberi also greets Hwe-Ko with an outstretched arm.
“I think at some point all the living races will have to accustom themselves to working cooperatively with one another, else all our realms will be overrun, leaving not a safe haven to retreat to. We’ve all just witness this for ourselves as we left the Well of Life, did we not.”
“I will be the first to admit that eons of mistrust is no easy task to overcome. I was repulsed and my discipline was tested once I saw the ones that the Oracle had struck a bargain with. So it comes to pass that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Though a fragile association it may be, the Oracle did manage it. We would all do well to learn from her example.”
“Yet, hope does remain, as we are all a testament to that.”
“As Llvenoc mentioned, in all likelihood we will not see the end of this great war. Somewhere within me I sense this invasion of undead will usher in a new age. A new epoch of understanding and peace, and all its glory and riches will be the reward.”
“As to your question my friend, had someone been able to approach one of the Pharaohs daughters uncontested, then they were allowed to do so and must have earned the right.”
“You noticed Acorns position when we were in the Oracles presence, if the Oracle did not wish it so we would not have been allowed to approach near her without Acorn interceding. If you are bound in some manner to the Lady Jewel, then it was you who was careless in your responsibilities. Hwe-Ko cannot be blamed for your negligence.”