"I'm Pakak Ironwall, and like the others, I hail from Kenabras," the dwarf speaking is something of a runt for his kind, but would not be particularly distinctive otherwise save for the odd spiral pattern on his brow. "You are lucky to be alive, as are we all."
A man approaches from behind the others from the shadows.
He is roughly six feet, seven inches and though he is not heavily built, he has a lithe and lean development of his muscles which seem more like a tiger than a bear.
Long dark hair is pulled back from his face and a scruffy black beard is on his chin.
Strange and ornate tattoos ride from his wrists up his arms beneath his sleeves, and he has two swords on him.
His features mark him as a man from across the sea; Minkai or Tian Xia, perhaps, though it is difficult to tell, as his clothing and weapons are certainly local.
He studies your face intently, watching you, as if trying to gauge who you really are, but he says nothing at this time, merely content to observe and let others speak, perhaps out of caution or suspicion, or perhaps some other reason...
With a nod, and maintaining his hands open, he responds - "Well met Oriana Zeru. I was at the temple in meditation when they struck - there were others, but I was alone at that particular time. I was fortunate enough to have landed in an underground stream, which allowed me to survive but dragged me further below"
Looking around at everyone, he continues - "You are the first ones I have come across since then" - and with surprising practicality he adds - "I have observed you before approaching, and have made my decision to do so, believing indeed that you would be friend. As such, I offer myself to whatever reasonable inspection or questions you deem necessary to ascertain my purpose" - he bows again.
Zeriax appeared to be speaking the truth and Garith had deemed there was no evil taint upon him. That he kept his palms open eased her mind somewhat.
"As my kinsmen have answered, we are from Kenabres. Maelchar is my brother, Garith, my cousin. The silent one, with the silver eyes, observing you from afar, is So'rien, my twin, and beside him Mister Shin, our scout. Pakak and Ryu are kinsmen to each other and our comrades. We have been tasked with the duty of returning these noble people to the surface. It is fortunate that your fall was eased by an underground stream. Your god, Irori, was watching over you." Oriana's golden eyes continue to take his measure. "Have you encountered any strange, fell creatures as you walked these caverns alone?"
Maelchar gives Zeriax a friendly smiles and nudges Oriana slightly, adding "Of course not all the folk we've run into down here are strange or fell. These folk here are our new friends, and are taking us to their city." He indicates the mongrelmen who are leading their party at present, though he does not refer to them by that name. "Please also meet Carl, Xin and Dax."
There was a reason she did not often talk. She had meant no disrespect to their current hosts; making reference only to the evil creatures they had met and fought until this point.
"Indeed, I meant no disrespect to our welcoming hosts. I lack my brothers' verbal acumen. I was merely referencing other entities we have crossed paths with until this point." Oriana bowed her head to Carl, Xin and Dax.
No disrespect taken ma'am as the description details those imposters perfectly if you are indeed correct in your assessment. As for the rest... Carl continues but is interrupted by a moan coming from Millorn. Clearly he is soon to wake up.
Changing what he was about to say Carl motions the group forward. Shall we continue on? That way I can get Dax to a healer and you can talk to Chief Sull.
If this man speaks true, then let us hurry onward. I am in want of a rest and refreshment from the march. Plus we can get rid of this mad dwarf and seea bout finding a way to the surface.
Ryu says nothing, but continues to examine the newcomer.
He will wait to see what the man has to say after this information, if anything....
"My gratitude for your understanding, sir", Oriana responds to Carl.
Turning her face to Zeriax, "You are welcome to join our group as we enter Neathholm and are presented to the leader, Chief Sull."
Oriana moves back in line and is ready to move into the underground village.
Pakak moves along when the others do. He's highly intrigued by this, but is sure they don't need another wizard asking questions that make them feel like they're under glass.
Hearing the others accept the newcomer, Ryu shrugs and moves into line next to Pakak.
He whispers quietly to the dwarf, his tone somber an his eyes intent.
"You hear that, boss? We'll be pushing through to some civilization! God's damn, I'm eager to find some action," he says eagerly.
Zeriax takes notice of the group's composition one by one - the massive man easily dragging an unconscious dwarf - "No apologies are needed - wisdom alone would dictate that threading carefully and evaluating what you have in front of you is the best option, even more so after all we have witnessed - something is definitely askew in all this, and I have accepted your scrutiny. It is one of my purposes in life - a clean mind and body"
As the dwarf introduces himself, the monk responds - "Well met Master Ironwall. Indeed I count myself blessed by having survived. What I saw in Kenabras was quite overwhelming. I long to return to the surface, but I must admit I am aprehensive at what disaster may have befallen the city"
When the lean, muscular man approaches, Zeriax returns a silent greeting and a nod.
"Well met to you also Carl, Xin and Dax" - Zeriax offers a short bow, then turning to Oriana Maelchar again - "I did not come across any fray while in this underground complex - although I detected movement and activity in some dark recesses, I took the option of avoiding contact during my initial stay in this place. The news about impostors masquerading as crusaders is disturbing - I am starting to think that all this may be more than a random attack..."
When the invitation is presented - "If its inhabitants will allow me into their settlement, I will accept your invitation and company" - he again turns expectantly to Carl, Xin and Dax.
"You hear that, boss? We'll be pushing through to some civilization! God's damn, I'm eager to find some action," he says eagerly.
"Heh. You are fiercer than I, claykin. I would love nothing more than hours and hours of safe study to look at this book. It may make me more useful in the end." Pakak says
Ryu continues to watch Zeriax, his gut telling him that he can trust the man, but still waiting, just to be sure.
At Pakak's words, he turns a quick glance to the dwarf and speaks quietly.
He quirks a brow mildly.
"Fierce? Maybe, but maybe I'm looking for a different type of action, if you know what I mean?" he says with a fast grin.
Clearly the chance for a hot bath and massage was calling to him; as well as the opportunity to get fresh cha and enjoy a comfortable time with some pleasant company...
But after years of travel together, Ryu is sure Pakak now understands his hints.
After a moment more of consideration, he decides.
Moving up to Zeriax, he bows.
"I am Yoshi-Tadamasa-Ryu; well met," he says with a bow, than stands up to examine the man in front of him.
Zeriax smiles - "Thank you for deciding to approach and introduce yourself master Yoshi" - responding to the greeting also with a bow, and addressing the man by his family name.
"I am Zeriax, hailing from the summit of Lamjung Pass, on the slopes of Targ Kang"
** spoiler omitted **
"If my karma's poor it'll be "person", but personally I'm hoping for person's, and I'm hoping they're personable to boot," he adds with a somewhat melo-dramatic wink.
He turns to Zeriax and grins widely.
"Easy there, hoss; "Yoshi" is the name of my clan; Tadamasa is my Father's house... I got a hunch you know that already, but meantime you can call me Ryu," he says genially.
He studies the features of the man in front of him.
"Lamjung Pass... That sounds like it's maybe from Tian Xi? How about it, chief - you hail from there?" he adds a bit skeptically, the traces of Minkai culture obvious on him and possible reservations about folk from Tian Xi as opposed to his homeland.
His Common is heavily accented by slang from gutter-types that would frequent wharves and piers. It's clear that whatever his true lineage is, when the lad came to this land he spent his time on the coast, likely in big cities, learning how to talk this version of the Common tongue.
"Well, anyhow - glad to see you're on board. We got a pretty tight crew here, but I reckon we've got some room to do some damage, too - when the time's right for it," he adds with a friendly tone.
"My apologies for the mistake... Well met then, Ryu" - Zeriax smiles.
"Lamjung Pass is indeed in Tian Xia - and also where I come from" - he offers an affirmative nod.
Looking around to the others that make up the group, he finishes - "Your group does seem solid - hopefully I will be able to assist though, if the need arises"
Leaving the tunnel entrance you start to head down a slight slope. there at the bottom of the slope 30ft away is the edge of a body of water. Looking at the water you realize that the settlement you are looking at is much smaller than you first imagined. All of the lights that you saw were mostly reflections on the water from the hamlet on an island in the middle of the water. Being at water level you can see now that the 50ish lights you saw before is now more like 30 coming from only 15 different buildings.
At the edge of the water a raft is found pulled up on the 'shore'. Traversing the water it takes 2 trips with the amount of people that are in the party. On the far side of the water a group of 4 molemen await as guards. when they see you they all brandish their spears and shields in warning. Then they recognize Carl and relax letting you proceed onward. Carl explains to them quickly what happened in the cave with the tower and they take Dax away to tend to him. They also offer to take Millorn until you finish treating with Chief Sull. We will watch and guard him quite closely. Have no fear of any treachery.
Carl traverses the hamlet going to the top of the small hill to the largest of the buildings. Here is the residence of Chief Sull. May we find favor with each other and share news alike. Please come in.
Opening the doorway and following Carl you see a large man sitting in a chair. His countenance seems soft but that may be the extra 50 pounds on his frame. That softness is in contrast to the Morningstar at his hip and shield resting next to the chair. He also wears a suit of finely crafted leather armor just visible beneath his clothes. His face appears normal except for his right eye is completely white. When you enter you see it move with his good eye making you wonder if he can see out of it or not. Chief Sull nods his head in your direction but does not speak yet. Instead he turns to Carl and gets a detailed report from him first. Carl goes into detail about the collapsed tower, the group rescuing Dax, discovering the Iomedae imposters and finally meeting with Zeriax.
Once done, Chief Sull turns to you. I thank you for helping one of ours. You did a great service to a stranger and that speaks much of your character. Please sit and relax. We do not have much but I will share with you what we do have. Ringing a small bell a woman comes out with a tray of food. It consist of some loaves of bread, the type of which you are not familiar with, a hard cheese, some strips of meat and water. Please, tell me your tale as it is not often we have surface dwellers amongst us and never in such a large group.
stealth check
You can tell that his bad eye is actually staring at Maelchar and occasionally his good eye as well. Specifically, it appears to be looking at the brooch pinned there.
Pakak pets his turtle as he looks about.
Zeriax takes notice of the small details about Chief Sull, and relays them to the closest one belonging to the group he has just encountered - "The chief seems not to be able to withdraw his eyes from the brooch, belonging to the one who names himself Maelchar"
DC: 10
Chief Sull does not notice Zeriax whispering to the group so engrossed is he in what is being told to him about your travels.
Maelchar tells the chief the tale of the earth opening up, the fight between the demon and the silver dragon, how the party all fell into the crevasse that opened in the city, and their travels since then.
He fails to notice the eyes of the chief on him other than his attention towards the speaker of the tale.
He tells of their fight against the huecava (sp?) and the wizard who now is their prisoner, as well as the rest of the travails along the path.
Obviously, Maelchar is not at his best at the moment, and looks to Sori and Garith for their assistance with the tale.
"My apologies for the mistake... Well met then, Ryu."
"Lamjung Pass is indeed in Tian Xia - and also where I come from" - he offers an affirmative nod.
Ryu rolls his eyes a bit at the news that you're not from Minkai, but Tian Xi.
”Ah hell, I figured as much…” he responds somewhat melodramatically, though not really maliciously, despite the problems the two nations have had in the past...
”Well, it can’t be helped; but I figure we can be friends anyhow,” he says with a friendly shrug.
He cocks his head somewhat at the Archer.
The tattoos on his forearms – while you cannot recognize the writing per se it’s clear that it uses the same characters that the language from your Homeland would. On some modest inspection you see various patterns that may possibly be heraldry from ships of his homeland; but it’s difficult to say, it’s clearly not the marking of a noble, but something more… clandestine?
The only thing you notice is a strange marking you’d guess easily with a Knowledge: Religion check (oh wait…).
The symbol alone seems to stand out, though. No telling what it is, but it is somehow unique among the other tattoos. As you’re from the area, it’s possible that you’d know more about the tattoos if you gave it some thought.
You have the chance to discover lots about the tattoos, except for the one unique symbol; perhaps one of the party will share more about it; or perhaps Ryu will himself…
The heraldry reminds you of a minor confederation of various families or gangs.
You believe these house may sometimes be connected for various business reasons. You think that some of the folk in Minkai call such confederations Ninkyō Dantai.
You also recall seeing similar tattoo work before, on occasion…
You think the more complex heraldry is aligned to shipping houses that frequent the seas. You believe that some of the symbols may be connected to wokou
As Ryu watches your gaze, he continues to smile in a pleasant way, and gently pats the shell of Pakak’s turtle, offering little bits of leaves to see if he can tempt the little turtle to munch on as you move to the island…
"Your group does seem solid - hopefully I will be able to assist though, if the need arises"
Ryu looks up at you with a grin.
"No worries, boss; you'll fit in just fine, savvy? 'Sides, I got a good feeling about you, neh?" he says with a smile.
Oriana had not noticed Chief Sull's interest in the broach that was found and now worn by her brother, Maelchar. But she had heard Zeriax's whisper regarding the particular attention it had gained.
To her brother she spoke of it through a telepathic link hoping to remain respectful to the audience granted by Chief Sull.
//We found the broach and Chief Sull cannot stop staring at it. Perhaps you should ask him about it, brother? It may have some meaning to him.//
Maelchar nods to Oriana's words, though he doesn't turn to look at her.
"Ah, Chief Sull, I see you've taken notice of the broach I wear. We found this after fighting a small pack of giant cockroaches. They had collected a pile of detritus and treasure for their nest, and it was in among that. Does it bear some special meaning for you? Perhaps you'd like to see it more closely?"
He unpins it from his tunic and steps forward, handing it to Chief Sull, if he'll take it.
"We thought it just an interesting trinket, but perhaps it has more significance than that?"
Maelchar replies via the telepathic link to Oriana.
//THank you for telling me, I hadn't noticed at all til you mentioned it. Perhaps it is of importance to him in some way.//
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Garith allows the Molemen to take Millorn so they can have an audience with the Chief.
While telling tales, Garith adds details about acts of valor. How Ryu did not hesitate to tace down the dwarf that they had captured, or Maelchar was able to deal such devastating blows to the Huecuva, Orania facing down the Darkmantel herself and not trying to flee even as it tried to choke the life out of her, or how Pakak steadfastly protected our wards and guided Aravashinal, a little too modest to describe his own efforts.
"We Thank you for your hospitality, Chief Sull. As surface dwellers, we have not heard much of your people. How do you call yourselves?" Garith asks, heading off aravashinal before he accidentally says something offensive.
"My apologies for the mistake... Well met then, Ryu."
"Lamjung Pass is indeed in Tian Xia - and also where I come from" - he offers an affirmative nod.
Ryu rolls his eyes a bit at the news that you're not from Minkai, but Tian Xi.
”Ah hell, I figured as much…” he responds somewhat melodramatically, though not really maliciously, despite the problems the two nations have had in the past...
”Well, it can’t be helped; but I figure we can be friends anyhow,” he says with a friendly shrug.
He cocks his head somewhat at the Archer.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **...
Zeriax does take a second look at Ryu, but is apparently too distracted by recent events to be able to find place or meaning for any of the man's multiple tatoos, as familiar as they may seem.
At Ryu's encouraging statement, he bows - "Thank you for the vote of confidence"
Pakak listens intently to the conversation, but mostly hangs near their charges, and he does, as he promised, whisper a description of what he's seeing to Aravashinal
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Chief Sull takes in the beginning of your tale with vivid interest. Through diffent parts of the beginning you can see him clench his fists in anger of the slaying of the dragon by the demons. It looks like he is about to jump out of his chair to rush out to avenge such an atrocity but holds himself back. The rest of the tale you see holds less interest for him until Maelchar steps forward unclamping the bat brooch.
At this turn of events, his good eye gets misty and he reaches out a trembling hand for the brooch. In a raspy voice choked full of emotion, Thank you for returning this to me even thought maybe wasn't your original intention. You see it was my only son's. we had a fight 2 months ago and I have not seen him since he stormed out of here. I had hoped he would see reason with me and come back after he cooled off. It sounds like that is not to be the case and these roaches got to him while he may have been sleeping. The follies of the old plague the young it seems. He wanted to bring the entire group of us out from Neathholm and claim our rights above ground with the rest of the descendants from the first crusade.
I was afraid of the reaction of those above as we have been scorned and prosecuted for our looks before. However, it seems that your tale of the plight of Kenabras has affected us even under ground. As such I will make a pact with you and honor my son's last request. I will show you the way to the surface but you must agree to two tasks. First is that you remove a group to the south of here. I ask you to do this as they guard the most direct path to the surface and I believe they have allied themselves with these Iomedae imposters. Second, carry word to your superiors that we will gather our people and fight with them to repel the demons from Kenabras. With you as our envoy I feel confident that we will be looked favorably upon and not persecuted.
Brining the brooch to his chest he changes the subject abruptly. Please let me trade you for the last token of my son. Raching forward he hands his Morningstar out to you. Take this please. I only ask that you kill some demon with it to avenge the death of my son even if it wasn't by their hand directly. Please spend the night and I will have Carl show you to where the path to the surface starts.
--------------------
Hearing Garith ask what they wish to be called, Sull responds, In honor of our forefathers and the sacrifice they made to shelter and provide for us, we refer to ourselves as The Descendants. Those who we look down upon that live underground we call mongrel men. The clan I ask you to remove are the worst of the worst of mongrels. If you don't mind, I will take my leave of you so I may mourn my son unless there are other pressing questions you need answered before you leave in the morning.
During the talk with chief Sull, Aravashinal listens to both Sull and the description from Pakak. He nods his head in agreement that the name Descendants fit them and to use it in the future instead of molemen.
Anevia seems quite excited that the Descendants would be willing to join forces with the surface dwellers to help the crusades. Surely that would be a boon and morale boost to the survivors of the attack. They could also help restore whatever was destroyed or compromised in the attack.
Grumbling a bit but not enough to cause chief Sull to take notice, those in the back can here Horgus complain about spending the night in such a hamlet instead of proceeding directly to the surface.
Maelchar takes the morningstar with a bow of both deference and honor. "You can rest assured it will be used to slay as many demons as possible. Thank you for the honor of allowing us to carry such a great token of good and memory into battle for you and your son. Thank you, too, for your hospitality. A night's rest among the Descendants of the First Crusade is a great honor for us. On behalf of my companions I accept your pact. We will fight to remove the mongrels to the south and we will be your envoys in Kenabras when we return there." He turns to his party for a sign that they agree with his acceptance of these tasks, hoping that they do.
Once assured that they agree, he turns back to Chief Sull and bows deeply as the Chief takes his leave.
Maelchar, the morningstar is made of exceptional quality and is in fact magical once you allhave time to look at and inspect it closer.
If you do plan on spending the night let me know as you can do some shopping here. Max is 200 gp per item, 1000gp overall. They will also buy items from you capping out at 1000gp. With the right amount of searching there might be a couple of select magical items available as well.
Once the party is alone in whatever place Carl offers them as refuge for the evening, Maelchar will bring up the disposition of the now-confirmed-magical morningstar. "Perhaps, since she already uses a morningstar, Oriana could take the boon we were given by Chief Sull. And she might in turn, allow me to use her hand-me-down morningstar as a backup weapon, as it would do a bit more damage than my dagger."
"Of course if anyone objects to that idea, I am open and welcoming of other opinions of how to dispense our one magical weapon."
"I'd also like to trade my shortbow and arrows for the crossbow and bolts that we found. I'm not as proficient with the shortbow as I thought I'd be and I don't know what possessed me to purchase it in the first place." He shrugs and smiles with chagrin, raps his own forehead in a sign of self-acclaimed stupidity.
As newly arrived, Zeriax stays mostly apart from the gear debate, piping in only once - "If I may suggest that the magical properties of the item should perhaps be determined first? Such information may condition who is the best person to use it?"
Oriana looks to her eldest brother as Maelchar suggests she could carry and use the magical morningstar and he could use the ordinary one at her belt. It would certainly be a boon but she was also aware that others may want to lay claim to it, such as her cousin Garith. She did not want to appear eager to possess it, so she kept her features neutral and replied in a cool, calm manner, "I would be honoured to claim it, if no other has a greater claim. And I would hand over my morningstar to my brother in return."
She then turns silent, allowing the others to have a say in the matter and offer their own claim.
When Mael proposes to trade his shortbow for the Millorn's crossbow, Oriana responds, "I would rather see you with a weapon you are proficient in, brother. I have no issue with the trade and allowing you to claim the crossbow and bolts."
Oriana respectfully takes Sull's morningstar from Maelchar and has a closer look at it. She casts on it. "Pakak, you are better at magical items than I. Can you take a look at Chief Sull's morningstar?"
Maelchar puts his shortbow and 20 arrows into the pile of treasure collected so far and takes the crossbow and 20 bolts acquired from Millorn, unless there are any objections.
"Perhaps we can divide up what else we can use and sell what we can't to purchase things we need, like maybe some food to take while we travel? I'm not sure what else we might need. Pakak, did you determine the qualities of that magical cloak we found? Maybe someone can use that?"
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Aside from the Mw Breastplate (which Garith has prayed over due to concerns of demonic taint) he doesn't really need anything.
On to Millorn
So'rein
(got a 23 last time i rolled)
While Garith stands off at a slight distance arms crossed and casually standing in a non-threatening manner, So'rien sits near the bound caster, taking a moment to set him less ill at ease. "Millorn, is it? Take it easy, ok. You're a dangerously powerful mage, we got the burns and broken bones that taught us that, so we had no choice to bind you and bring you here like this. We only want to figure out what is going on right now. You accused us of deceit and treachery, and we want to get your side of the story ok? So I'm going to take off this gag on you, but don't try to use any of our magic on us." So'rein's tone is aimed to be soft and calming, complementing the Dwarf's Arcane Prowess and spinning the binding as a sign of respect for a dangerous Caster should stroke his ego. We're also jsut trying to figure out what the Dwarf was talking about duiring the fight.
(old roll was 14)
[b]"Aye, I really do not wish for any more of your force missiles beating me like they did. I know not why you bear such ill will toward me and my fellows but wish to hear you out." Garith is not too close as he did put a blade into Millorn, although the wound is somewhat mended i hope but he does show difference to the dwarf as to set the tone of the conversation...
Maelchar stoops down close, but not TOO close to Millorn, as he doesn't want to appear threatening, but more friendly. He smiles warmly as he speaks softly and evenly.
"As my companion has said, we acknowledge that you are a powerful mage, but we meant you no harm when we first came upon you, yet you accused us and attacked. We had no choice but to defend ourselves. That you are still alive and healed should be evidence of our intended goodwill. You can repay that goodwill by talking to us now in a forthcoming manner. Please answer my friend and cousin here."
Oriana silently stood to the side of the proceeding, close enough to observe and listen, but at a distance that she was not readily seen/noticed by Millorn. She left the talking to her brothers and cousin, as was the usual way, for they had a deeper, more obvious charm than she presently possessed. Oriana's talent lay more in her ability to read people and sense their true thoughts and feelings.
When Millorn was ready to answer their questions, she would be ready to determine the truth/validity of his answers to the best of her ability.