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Heh, i'll get on it before I sleep! Sorry I caught up to it but then blanked on my action. Bleeding I reckon.
I have a deadline for the 29th and i'm 4000 words and a couple dozen references short so you won't hear from me until then. I will have another nasty deadline on the 3rd of May but i'l attempt to squeeze some posts in on the 30th. Sorry for the slowness on my part. Bot me as necessary.
Haha I didn't even look at the map :P. Although technically you target an intersection on Grall's square, not his square itself.
Arasmes nocked a silver arrow and retreated out of the swarms, intent to land a telling shot if one of the vampire's revealed themselves to take advantage of the chaos their strategy caused...
Arasmes set himself into his combat stance, clearing his mind as much as he could and readying a shot from his bow at the first clear enemy he spotted.
If Triggered:
Arasmes had baited the Ghoul attacking him into exposing its weakness and as it overextended with a futile claw, he swayed to one side and struck it in the back of the head with his heavy, two-handed flail. Even as the Undead crumpled from the powerful blow, he moved quickly past Zeladiel, shaking his head at him in mock disapproval. Can't have our archer exposed now... I shall be the anvil in this strategy, friend Elf. Ragathiel is smiling upon us.
Eager to prove himself and seeing little need to add to Linah's words, Arasmes entered his combat stance and launched an extremely cautious offence against the Dread Ghoul before him, more probing its defences than trying to slay it immediately.
Perhaps you could provide me with three or four and I shall reimburse you in Katapesh? the human offered in response to Zeladiel.
Do not be too hasty to engage the blood-drinkers in melee. Arasmes counselled. We should focus our offensive and bring down individuals as quickly as possible. Without silver weaponry... It will be hard to wound them. And they are bolstered against the positive energy Sarenrae grants you Linah. Do you have your holy symbol at hand, priestess? Presenting it to such a creature will keep it at bay, at least temporarily. Arasmes paused to let his words sink in then finished- Our arrows will suffice as stakes to finish them once we incapacitate them. Once beaten in combat, they will take the form of mist and flee directly to their coffins; at least one of us must give chase in this instance, even if the others still fight. For to fail to discover their resting place invites them to merely attack us again with renewed strength...
^. Arasmes has already contributed as best he feels he can, with sagely advice rather than honeyed words... But Tal's pretty much AFK until monday.
Arasmes moved over to Khalid, once again resting his flail lazily and whispered quietly- Even as far as magical beasts go, a Lammasu is an arrogant one. Play to its ego and sense of honour and duty. Assuring that we are regular enemies of evildoers is also likely to help.
Arasmes will go into Kirin Style. I think hes already made the requisite knowledge check to get the benefits of it. Other than that hes essentially doing nothing. Edit: I guess he'll switch to his bow too.
I'm here, just the order of events has confused me somewhat and it feels like i'm now basically waiting for initiative to start? Nuveril's already interrupted me in narrative so Arasmes' intention was clear.
Expecting hostile intent, Arasmes was about to snap into a combat stance... but Khalid's description gave him pause. He implored the others quietly- A moment please, this noble creature is likely not the spirit your ally spoke of, Nuveril. I will ask it for its help in its native Celestial tongue. ग्रेट और महान रक्षक, हम विनम्रतापूर्वक अपनी भूमि पर अतिक्रमण के लिए माफी माँगता हूँ.मेरे साथियों राज्य के रूप में, हम इस आदमी के बेटे की वापसी चाहते हैं.एक जवान आदमी, अपनी भूमि में खो दिया है, जो प्रेतवाधित होने की अफवाह है.यदि आप हमारे भीतर बुराई से बचाने के लिए की तलाश है, तो आप हमें एक महान सम्मान है लेकिन हम एक तरफ चालू नहीं किया जा चाहिए.जवान आदमी के जीवन अधर में लटकी हुई है.आप हमें मदद कर सकते हैं?आप में बातचीत करने के लिए वस्तु अपने साथियों के लाभ के लिए? Celestial: Great and noble protector, we humbly apologise for encroaching upon your lands. As my comrades state, we seek the return of this man's son. A young man, lost in your lands; which are rumoured to be haunted. If you seek to protect us from evil within, you do us a great honour- but we must not be turned aside. The young man's life hangs in the balance. Can you help us? Would you object to conversing in Taldane, for the benefit of my fellows?
Easily malleable to the group's whims, Arasmes followed alongside with his bow holstered over his shoulder, his heavy two-handed flail held against his shoulder with the metal heads resting loosely on his back.
I would understand worshippers or members of her church getting a bonus on a knowledge check or the DC being higher for Arasmes, but its annoying to simply not get a check. Thanks for rolling with it. Edit: Just realised I rolled far higher than either of them...
I would be honoured to remain and protect your caravan, Master Hamdi Arasmes offered with a slight bow. The Heroes of Kelmarane surely cannot ignore such a plea for aid, you surely understand.
Arasmes pays service to her he just doesn't consider her his patron.
On the first evening of the journey, Arasmes' hands wandered to the letter Garavel had passed him; and he opened it, mind fluttering with possibilities. Still feeling like something of an outside amongst the established group, Arasmes kept mostly to Zeladiel's side throughout the days. As they saw various beasts upon the savannah he discussed their relative merits, strengths and weaknesses with the Elf, as well as idly conversing about life in Katapesh. He was far more at ease with the evoker than the others, having felt that he was still waiting for a definitive answer from Khalid and Linah. When approached or conversed with, he was civil but a little cautious, wary of worrying the Sarenrae worshippers with his talk of glory and deeds once more. He did try to draw Nuveril into his conversations about the Savannah and its wildlife, attempting to build on the fragile dynamic he had established with her and often volunteering to accompany her. While he liked the fiery warrior, his attempts to build friendship with her were also pragmatic. There was a clear rift, a schism within the group he journeyed with. Perhaps it was the death of this man "Sajan" that had caused it, or was he simply the proverbial adhesive holding a shaky foundation from collapsing? Either way- if he was to assist with this rift and keep the warrior woman in the fold, surely the leaders of the expedition would be more willing to allow him to accompany them after the sojourn to Katapesh? Arasmes said little as the Gnoll Grall spoke of hidden voices in the night; but he filed the detail away in his intricate mind, hoping to eventually see a pattern. He did approach Zeladiel with one thought though, the next morning.
As I recall, a Message spell could easily be transferred through scrying measures... It is quite feasible that this genie you have mentioned has such capabilities. Do we have any measures against such acts, other than keen eyes?
Nuveril sizes up Arasmes' fine clothing before swinging the goat over her own shoulder by its legs, unworried about the addition of blood and hair to her leather armor and rough apparel. "You will have a fine feast to share tonight," she remarks, "if you can find someone to prepare it for you. The bird-woman in the old tannery is a good cook, if you don't fear her kind." Perhaps I shall visit her then. I had hoped for more sporting prey, but I enjoyed this excursion with you. Shall we head back? Arasmes said, not reacting to the blood and gore on the halfling.
If it makes you feel better, I was rooting for low numbers! :D
Through little more than instinct and luck, Arasmes was able to spot some of the same tracks and signs as Nuveril herself did; although having made the conclusion that the Halfling was feeling generally frustrated he offered little in comment or conclusions, deferring to her entirely in this regard. Having not asked of Katapesh directly, he nevertheless offered no argument or contradiction to the judgement she had made about the place. A warrior woman born under an auspicious sign, perhaps he offered gently with the same wry smile as she explained her somewhat mysterious origin. I care little for the social structure in Katapesh and I have no great family name I need worry about. Perhaps I can show you a lighter side to the city, if you accompany us? I try to stay out of trouble within the city; but I follow my own codes and the morals that appeal to my honour, when I have any choice in the matter. Suffice to say, I will endeavour to see you are treated as an equal there. A little later after some thought he said- So in a sense, Kelmarane is your home, then?
She leaps down from the window, the prospect of getting out of the populated town never unwelcome. "In battle least of all," she laughs bitterly, then backtracks to be fair. "I am not 'educated,'" she pronounces the word with scorn. "I know nothing of jann or jinn and the evil spirits they conjure. I know the plants and animals, the weather and the seasons, the monsters and the vermin and the natural spirits of the land. But none of that is useful in the fights we have seen. Even the beasts we have fought are unnatural and twisted by magical corruption. I speak out of instinct, while Khalid and the elf speak from books and writings -- as do you. All those fine words you spoke in Almah's nest to impress us with your cleverness -- 'transmution' and 'polymoth.' Would you seek my counsel, o learned one, or simply assume that your years of study make you much wiser than a simple nomad from the savannah?" Arasmes smiled wryly once more at the aggressive counter-arguments, continuing to speak in a soft and frank manner as the pair walked out of the town. It depends entirely upon what I would seek counsel on, Nuveril. I sought to assure competence, rather than impress. Your names are all spoken with awe and I am a humble warrior and scholar by comparison. I would certainly not dismiss your opinion on any subject, if you cared to offer it. I am sure there will be many battles to come, should you allow me to fight beside your band. What do you know of the route back to Katapesh? I travelled here with a rather large caravan and saw little of it. From where do you hail?
A... a Gnome? he asked, a little confused. He decided to let the matter swiftly drop. It is important to me that you accept my presence alongside you, both as a matter of courtesy and a token of respect from one warrior to another. Grall mirrors Khalid and Linah's stance and Zeladiel is known to me. You are far more independent. Arasmes walked silently for some time, chewing over Nuveril's words. My birth is not so high nor am I so rich as you might think. I lacked many of the social graces expected of a lesser noble in Katapesh. I'm far more comfortable on the open road, or cooped up inside a library. I'm a man of action, not an overlord. The others seemed satisfied with Zeladiel's verification. I am still hoping to convince you that I am not this viper you speak of. I cast no magic and I am no shape-shifter, but I think only time and patience will assure you of this. Besides- I have not been formally accepted into your band, so I am not in a position to give my advice to the others unless I am asked for it. Spending some time hunting today therefore suits me well. I shall accompany you back to Katapesh and support Zeladiel with his endeavour. If Khalid and Linah do not wish my services after that, I shall remain in the city.
Arasmes raised an eyebrow. I do not seek to humble or best you, or elevate myself above you in any way. You have already earned names for yourselves, all of you. I am sure we could find a prey suitable to both of our liking, if we look hard enough? I could do with a walk and i'd like to see the plains, at any rate... Arasmes seemed a little awkward on the second topic but spoke up. I want no animosity between us. How is it that your opinion is so little valued, or that you feel it is so? Did you not fight valiantly beside them in this House of the Beast? Is your council reserved only for battle? He shook his head a little wryly. Forgive the many questions; I had meant only to ask you to hunt with me, not inundate you with such queries.
Winning!
Arasmes is not as intuitive as Sajan was. I'm sceptical about his chances...
After making it clear that he would be accompanying Zeladiel unconditionally, Arasmes did his best to gracefully not impose himself upon the others. He nodded politely and returned Linah's greeting but as far as he was concerned; he had not yet been told whether he would be permitted to accompany the group on their future endeavours and sought not to push the matter. The warrior scholar showed little to no interest in Haleen. He assumed that she was the Gnoll's paramour and although he found their interaction intriguing, he did not want to give the beast another reason to swing his sword around. Having made his intentions clear, Arasmes felt the need to let the group talk. He moved outside, having spotted the angry halfling warrior at the window. He moved over to her but kept at a respectful and wary distance of several feet, leaning against the building and attempting to engage her in conversation. Never quite as diplomatic or delicates as most other nobles, he said bluntly after taking a long draught from his waterskin- I would like to apologise for provoking you within Almah's tent. Your words put me on the defensive, after a long journey and while facing hostility from those I sought to befriend. You don't seem to be fond of talking, Nuveril, so i'll leave it at that. I recall something you said in Almah's tent. About judging men by words alone. There is some merit to it. If words will not please you, perhaps we might share a deed together? We can talk no more than is necessary to hunt. Perhaps we might find a stray Gnoll pack or a manticore together? I have no wish to be involved with the decision process about going to Katapesh, I will merely lend my arm to the cause. What say we hunt, you and I?
May she bless you also, Linah Jamil'Kaid Arasmes replied politely. As the group left he turned to Almah- DM:
Well, Almah... That went about as well as I had expected it to. Drawn swords, identity verifications, threats and a complete breach of etiquette. I am sorry for my part in their reaction. Does it not worry you how fractured your greatest allies are? Of course, they have been through a lot lately... Are they usually this chaotic? For his part, Arasmes was not intrusive. He had made his offer to Linah, Khalid and the group they championed and did not seek to press his presence upon them. When he did encounter any of them in the town he gave a polite wave and smile but never sought conversation unless it was initiated by another. Arasmes eagerly told Zeladiel all about current happenings in Katapesh and asked him to inform him of anything that could be useful on the journey there. Although the nobleman found it amusing that he would be travelling back the way he had came in such a short time, he simply assumed his presence with Zeladiel when he heard that he would make a journey there. Although the staggeringly intelligent warrior/scholar had clearly realised that some things were being left unsaid, he did not press Master Rayhan's former apprentice for information.
A little taken aback by the reaction from Nuveril, Arasmes was slow to respond to Grall. Your devotion to your companions safety does you credit and one must consider your background and origins when observing and judging your behaviour. Etiquette and protocol are not ingrained into Gnoll culture and by the standards of most of them... You are quite civil. As far as I am concerned, no harm was done. I see no need for a punishment and you walk along a clear path where you and I are concerned. It is however, not my place to judge you for the slights to Almah and her home. I would not be so rude as to speak for her in this particular matter. He turned to Khalid and Linah, the apparent leaders of the strained group. He gestured towards the exit. I apologise if I struck a chord with your companion- I did not mean to give offence. Will she return?
Arasmes blatantly ignored the drawn sword as he considered Zeladiel's question. You were studying in Master Rayhan's courtyard, as I seem to recall. By studying, I of course mean trying not to set his hedge on fire... he said with a grin. We conversed about your studies and compared our respective longbow's virtues before your Master came to greet me. Before I had announced myself, of course. He can be annoyingly anticipatory. Arasmes considered Nuveril's words and then retorted softly- I think it is somewhat telling that you choose a single aspect of my words and dance around it in triumph, huntress. I put myself forward offering my steel and skills as well as a not inconsiderable pool of knowledge about various lores- not least my intense studies of the Jann; which I have already posited as relevant to your cause. Perhaps the roar of a manticore on your journey has damaged your hearing- I have read that such beasts are rampant in this place. The Kellid man looked straight at Nuveril as he continued to speak, ignoring the hubbub around the sword in an attempt to allow the Gnoll to salvage his dignity. Would you care for it if I were to focus on only a single sentence of your words and base a judgement around it? I could for example, note that you chose not to answer my question regarding whether you trusted the Elf. If I chose to only look at that particular omission; it could speaks volumes... He paused in an attempt to let that point sink in. Quite simply however... I was merely offering you the courtesy of verifying my identity before wasting mine and your time touting my own skills. I can hardly put myself forward and petition to join your ranks if you are not even sure I am not your nemesis. I bear none of you ill will for your suspicions; they do you credit as a matter of fact. I also pledge that I will not hold back my knowledge of these Genies from you; this knowledge is at your disposal irrespective of whether you deign to have me accompany you. I would see you armed with knowledge should you have another run-in with this "Zayfid".
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