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Fowl Play? Btw, I really need to get myself a document containing my XP and prestige and boons, because I just realized I dont really have an overview of it all...I think I might be leveling but not sure...Bah! Also, has anyone claimed the pearl of power from the last scenario? I think Jorag would like it.
"Ive heard of most of these people." Jorag mumbled as he took his turn reading the note. "As the Captain said, the order might be made for a reason. If nothing else, I suggest we leave the Chelaxian till last in any case." He shrugged apologetically. "I must admit I do not possess much love for that nation, and suspect she might be a bit of a handful. Could cost us time." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I wonder what the item on loan is..." He put the note down, before beginning to pace around the room, mostly because he enjoyed walking and was in the mood to do so. "Im not married to the idea though, I shall let the rest of you decide our course."
"Very good!" Jorag applauded Wei, between channels. "A bit to the point, certainly no bards tale, but effective recounting of events." He grinned at the birdman, mirth having come over him again now that the danger had been removed. "In fact, the way you all conducted yourselves was most magnificent to watch, certainly Kurgess is pleased." His healing done, he approached the minotaur corpse, looking it over with something akin to reverence. "Such a mighty beast it was. For all its evil it still exemplified the very basis of my faith. Live strong, fight well. Such a mighty champion for good he could have been, had the fates been different." He got up, dusting off his robes. "well, ahem, enough of that. What is done is done, and rightly so." He turned to Janira with a stern yet soft expression. "As for you young lady. You have the making of a hero in your own right. You may not match the, ahem, typical Kurgess champion, but I suppose you make up for your lack of brawn with that patented Halfling bravery. Blessings upon you Janira, and my thanks." He bowed deeply, making sure that his head ended up below hers. Straightening back up, he held his hands to his hips, before pushing had, an audible crack issuing forth. He sighed with relief. "Giving proper thanks isnt as easy as it used to be." He chuckled.
Um, would an acrobatics check count as a move or quick action?
"Noo!" Jorag roared, a deep bellow emanating from his throat, reminding everyone of the warrior he once was. Without a thought he sprinted towards the river. As he ran, he looked at the stricken halfling, hoping against hope that there was yet a life to save.
Aided by his god given speed, he just barely managed to clear the river. Not thinking straight, he came to a halt at her side, within reach of the beasts weapon. "Would that these muscled were not ravaged by time, I would make you eat that axe, monster!" He howled, fists clenched, his stance wide and challenging.
Boldren had barely finished talking before Jorag was past him in a blur, making haste towards the sound of battle. "Less talk, more running." He half shouted, the urgency in his voice evident. Paying little heed to the others, he soon outpaced them in spite of his age. "Please dont be dead, please dont be dead, please dont be dead!!"
"I shall carry the wand as I do the other one." Jorag said, accepting the wand from the Gillman with as much courtesy as he could muster.
"Yes, the dead should remain still as the gods intended it. It would be a crime to let such creatures continue to shamble around in a mockery of the living. We shall bring them to rest." Jorag looked very passionate as he spoke, clearly repulsed by the very thought of undeath. "Who shall I use the wand on first once battle is joined?"
Having remained largely silent except for briefly waving the wand at Kiri, Jorag stepped forward at Boldrens request. "Well, I dont exactly speak anything exotic, but Im told I have a friendly face, let me try." Approaching the man, Jorag walked around him in a wide circle, until he was facing him. Crouching down, he tried to get his attention. "Hello there stranger, we were just passing through and couldnt help but notice you dropping in. Would you have a moment to talk?
"Careful!" Jorag said, even as Kiri tumbled into the hole. "You alright down there? Nothing broken I hope? Either way, ill patch you up once we get to the other side." His worried expression softened as Kiris movements suggested that the worst of the fall was mere bruises. Jorag nodded at Boldens words. "Most impressive yes!" He said excitedly, beaming a smile at Mira across the hole. "Seems ive no shortage of potential with me today."
Jorag smiled at Mira. "Oh I didn't necessarily mean for him to take the physical lead, but rather be the vote to break any discussion ties. I find it helps designate such a role and avoid heated debates." He chuckled softly in spite of recent events. "People with the drive for this sort of profession tend to be fiercely individual, you'd be surprised how often even the simplest decisions can spark disagreements." At Havok and Boldrens, Jorag nodded. "I would prefer to remain outside of immediate combat and focus on what I do well, but should you find me needed in the fray, I will do my best."
"But..." Was all Jorag managed in reply, a pained look of indecision on his face as the tiny woman darted towards the minotaur. Pushed into motion by someone else in the group, he found himself in the cave, wondering what had just happened. "We cant just leave her to handle that thing! Shes like a little girl!" He took a few steps towards the opening, before realization set in. He sighed heavily. "But its too late now, isnt it?" He clasped his hands, and after a few deep breaths his expression turned more serene, though still troubled. "Kurgess willing, she will endure the trail she has chosen. I shall pray for her safe return." "Now." He said, turning towards the others. "Who shall take the lead? Maybe you Captain? And do we have some light?"
"Oh no my good Wei, I most certainly did mean sincere." Jorag gave a wide smile. "It is I who pay tribute to Kurgess, and in so doing am granted what powers I possess. Kurgess trusts that I use them on worthy individuals, whether they pay him tribute or not. Think of this little prayer as more of a formality, a means to an end, than actual worship...Well except for me ofcourse." He smiled even wider, patting Havok on the shoulder. "See, Havok gets it! I cannot wait to see what you will accomplish young man."
"You know, I think I shall have to accompany you Wei." Jorag said, following the birdman. "Never really had a use for a tent either, so I shall have to purchase one." Returning with Wei, one tent richer, Jorag smiled at everyone and added after Wei. "I am ready as well. But first, might you all join me in a short prayer to Kurgess? You do not have to be sincere worshipers, but if you do, Mighty Kurgess will be able to see you more clearly when I call upon his glory to assist you."
"Well, I have already hinted at my background, but I suppose a proper account of it is appropriate." Jorag said, raising his offered mug of ale in cheers to those others who had decided to partake of it. "The arena was my home for most of my life." His gaze turned distant once more as he recalled it. "Nothing too bloody, mostly wrestling and mock fights with blunt weapons, although there were the occasional blood sport bouts. I never really liked or approved of those though. An arena should be a place of competition and displays of strength and prowess, not murder." He gave a serious, determined look to each of them, wordlessly letting each know the sincerity of what he had said. "Ofcourse, when I refer to "the arena", it isnt a single place. We traveled from arena to arena, some would say like a circus or gypsies, and I suppose they would be correct to a degree. Kurgess was always our patron, and ever a prayer to him on our lips before competition." He gave a guilty smile at what he said next. "In my young days though, I can hardly be said to have been a proper devotee, atleast not enough to be granted any powers. But as the years wore on and my body grew frailer, I learned to look past the ambitions of a young warrior and instead found true worship, and with it, came the gifts of mighty Kurgess." He took another long drought from his mug. "Mind you, this was hardly unusual, it happens to a great many of my kind when age robs us of our physical ability. Whether that is just the natural enlightenment of age or a consolation prize from the Strong Man, well, theres alot of debate on the subject." He emptied his mug and set it on the table with a satisfied look, smacking his lips with the after taste. "Anyway, as is customary, I took to coaching and training the next generations, and while that was and is a fulfilling way to spend my life, when this whole Pathfinder business became known to me, I just had to accept. As much as I disapprove of deadly sport in the arena, Ive always wanted to get involved in the gritty reality of the heroes work. What better way to honor mighty Kurgess?"
"A buff Tengu!" Jorag said with all too much excitement in his voice as he arrived, his venerable face gaining a multitude of additional wrinkles as he ogled Wei with wide eyes. Realizing the rudeness of it, he quickly straightened up, smoothed a few wrinkles on his tunic and introduced himself. "My apologies friend, my name is Jorag, ex-fighter and trainer of the arenas, current Pathfinder, at your service." He offered a hand in greeting. "You must forgive me, but, well.." He paused a moment, clearly thinking his words over before continuing. "I havnt seen many of your kind in all my years, and only once before one such as yourself. Your people tends more towards, lets say, lithe physiqes." He got a glint in his eye again. "Only other one like you I ever saw was in the arena, well past my own fighting years, when I was a trainer." His gaze became distant as he reminisced. "A whirlwind of steel and claws he was, quite the sight. Not to put any pressure on you ofcourse, but I dearly hope to see something similar in your company." A sudden realization struck him like a thunderbolt, and he slapped his forehead. "Silly me, I left out arguably the most important thing. I am a humble servant of Kurgess, the Strong Man himself. Where my bretheren choose to exemplify the deeds of mighty Kurgess, I instead see to it that his true champions, those of a more fitting age and physique, have all they need to do their good work." He chuckled a bit to himself. "I may not be in the arenas anymore, and I may not officially be a trainer currently, but the job description didn't change much when I chose to become a Pathfinder. It IS more exciting though."
Im not too concerned with getting into a game. If you want to run something Jorag can participate in, ill definitely join, but dont go out of your way for my sake. Ive honestly lost track of how close I am to leveling. I think Jorag leveled before this last part so not close. I think ive played one scenario with another GM, and these three with you, if memory serves.
With finally a moment to look around and catch his breath, Jorag quickly produced a pained expression at the sigh of the dead. "These people should be seen to." He moved to the edge of the waters and fished the nearest corpse out. "For now, let us gather them. I will perform the rites, and we can leave their recovery and interment to the authorities." Back at the Swift, Jorag looked more than a little annoyed as he read the letter. "Scoundrels!" He grumbled, then sighed. "I suppose we should have done more than simply confirm it was here, and now it is lost, for gods only know what nefarious purposes."
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