As MalaKi moves a single verse springs unbidden into his mind:
Enter again the sweet forest
Enter the hot dream
Come with us
Everything is broken up and dances.
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MalaKi grabs Zuko by the hand. “Are you ready?” he asks. Assuming Zuko is agreeable, MalaKi leads him dangerously close to the wall. MalaKi says, “On the third squeeze of my hand move fast.” MalaKi focuses all his fears, thoughts, and emotions into a single point. In mere seconds he feels himself becoming one with the wall and the arcs. Zuko suddenly feels his hand being squeezed rhythmically; once…twice…three times. MalaKi guides Zuko into the breech.
MalaKi says, “Hey don’t sweat it Faindriac. We’ll take care of this bunch of bones and track down the rest later.” MalaKi is going to carefully study the broken section of wall. He’s trying to see if there is enough time for him to get through the breach to the other side in between magical surges.
With the success of his plan (gulp!?) MalaKi decides against examining the scroll tube at this time. The scroll tube is definitely on his mind though so as he jogs after Skarsnikt he says to Faindriac, “Hey, I found this scroll tube. I know this isn’t the best time to be bringing this up, but maybe you might want to check it out?” MalaKi tries to put on a friendly smile.
"Declaration: Recall, Kreen, we need only go quicker than city dwellers, not not-dead, should wise tactic not work." MalaKi laughs as though Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik has just made a joke. “Good point friend kreen,” he says in a jovial manner. MalaKi begins to mentally gauge his ability to out run the non-kreen in the group.
As the stone sails through the air MalaKi is suddenly reminded of the thin metal tube covered with runic writing that he grabbed with his “magpie” impression. “Now where did I put that,” he wonders.
As Skarsnikt describes his simple, yet brilliant, plan MalaKi begins to smile broadly and nods enthusiastic agreement. MalaKi picks up a promising bit of rubble. He gives Faindriac a questioning look and states, “Maybe this will get their attention.” Picking out a likely target (preferably a skeleton who is “smallish, bleached, and with a thick pelvis”) he heaves the stone.
MalaKi thanks Mistress Sable for the info and assures her that the turban is a temporary measure. MalaKi also begins to scan the area trying to get an idea of the tactical situation. A “standing room only” mob of skeletons at the end of the street has him feeling a bit skittish.
Assuming that the other kreen follow Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik's lead, MalaKi smiles as the group of kreen show their civic pride and join the Faindriac led press gang. He bows in greeting to the new "kreen". He does however keep a little extra distance between himself and the kreen. MalaKi knows nothing about kreen culture. He does know he doesn’t want to become “collateral damage” during some bizarre kreen mating ritual. Mentally he asks Mistress Sable if she knows anything about the new lead templar.
As the templar finishes speaking MalaKi inclines his head and begins to speak. “Master templar, your wisdom is to be praised and exalted. Your choice of my master as your taskmaster for this important task is most gratifying. Please forgive my master for his…exuberance. He is a strong man, a mighty man, and he would not serve an unworthy master. The best way to gauge to the quality of steel is to test it, is it not? Having shown your immense worthiness my master will be your willing servant, and I his.” Spoiler:
MalaKi at first follows Skarsnikt towards the breach in the wall. He goes through the motions of helping while watching all that is going on. As Faindriac and Zuko approach he meanders over toward them. Without a word he bows to Faindriac and immediately begins acting as a simple servant. When the templar is otherwise distracted he gives Zuko and Faindriac a side ways smile and a wink. After that he tries to look very busy doing servant type stuff while conveniently finding himself in a flanking position on the lead templar with Zuko (preferred) or Faindriac.
MalaKi starts to step back in surprise as the skeleton begins to claw at him. His mind races as he thinks something about the skeleton strikes him as familiar. Could this be the remains of the female dwarf who was sandblasted to bone before his very eyes? How could she still be “alive”? His moment of reflection is shattered as he is lifted off his feet by powerful insect arms. MalaKi shouts, “Skarsnikt wait!” to no avail. He makes a last ditch desperate attempt to grab the twinkling item from the dark depression.
MalaKi shakes off the debris left by the twister. He tries to deduce what caused the popping noise that followed the storm. He also smiles and gives a brief nod and smile at Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik as a way of thanking him.
MalaKi goes to the door and yells out to Skarsnikt, “Sand storm coming.” He then beckons for the kreen to join the group inside.
MalaKi follows Faindriac to the bar. After Faindriac finishes speaking to the bar keeper MalaKi silently slides a ceramic coin across the counter. EDIT: Whoops. To late. EDIT: MalaKi slides the coin after the barkeep coughs.
Spoiler: No poop story from me. However I’ll never forget my first manufacturing job. I was still in high school. It was the end of the first day on the job. I was taking a leak and a gruff old welder walked in to the bathroom. He asked me how I liked my first day. Then he said, “Well, see ya tomorrow. By the way, you’re pissing in the sink.” I still laugh when I think about that.
MalaKi joins Faindriac and Illyen_Ven'dreth at the table. “Greetings,” is all he says. Mentally he asks Mistress Sable to share anything she knows about the elf.
MalaKi waits and watches. He stays apart from the rest of the group in the bar.
MalaKi will mentally ask Mistress Sable to scan for hostile intent. Wait, that’s way to broad; more like scan for overt and direct hostile intent directed toward anyone in the party.
MalaKi tries to recall any useful information about “Iz Z’tal?” . As they walk in he checks out the room for the contact and anyone who might be paying a little to much attention to the group. Mentally he tells Mistress Sable to keep her yap shut and lay low. Knowledge (Local): (1d20 5=7) oops...
As MalaKi walks he lets his down his usual stoic mental guard and allows his imagination to run free. In his mind he can see himself battling terrible foes of all types and numbers. He sees himself delivering crippling strikes with Mistress Sable. He can imagine Ostro’s healing powers wiping away the damage from punishing blows. In his mind MalaKi walks the valley of death fearing no evil for he is the baddest m$%^&* f!*^$@^ in the valley. He realizes of course that these things are not to be. With a sigh he removes Ostro. Addressing Skarsnikt he says, “Friend kreen, the ghost in these bracers is quite friendly. His name is Ostro and he will help you to be an even mightier warrior. He won’t try to make you do things you don’t want to do. And he knows when to keep his mouth shut; unlike some people, and things, around here."
Here is a run down (as far as I could tell) of the loot from our last social engagement. Please update any items I missed. Issiki possessions: Blood obsidian dagger, two bone daggers, travelers outfit, sling and 3 stones. Aso picked up: 8 ceramic pieces, toga, a sandal, two pulsating slug creatures, smile pile of notes, locked small wooden coffer, elegant jeweled earring (from MalaKi). Radik picked up: two steel daggers, three blackened steel daggers (Lady Dusk, Lady Ebon, Lady Onyx). Zuko picked up: one exceptional garment complete with a small pouch of jewelry (Noble’s Outfit; male, with a garnet studded wristband, bronze pinkie ring, and a signet ring displaying a set of side-by-side cahulaks). Faindriac picked up: male courtier’s outfit (from Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik) , Sartanis’ scrolls (from MalaKi), broken staff. Shenker picked up: a smattering of gold and silver jewelry, grey bladed short sword (Madame Ebon), masterwork leather armor. Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik picked up: Roughly the equivalent of five Courtier’s Outfits; three male, two female, azure rod/gythka (Matron Jet), a choker set with a black gem. Skarsnikt picked up: a small coin pouch (from Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik). Holdrus Rippor picked up: iron maul (Cer). MalaKi picked up: crown (Mistress Sable), bracers (Ostro, from Aso). Kha-Chik-Chik-Ka picked up: masterwork leather armor (dropped by Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik).
As MalaKi walks he has a mental conversation with Mistress Sable and Ostro. “You each refuse to cooperate because you serve different factions. And yet I serve no faction. I serve no cause but my own. Each of you offers a bounty of gifts. Mistress Sable will allow me strike my foes with unnatural accuracy and effect. Ostro will keep me out of harms way and heal my wounds. In battle, regardless of foe, I need both these gifts. Together, the three of us working as one, we can accomplish goals that each of us as individuals or even as a pair cannot. In order for progress to be made there must be compromise. Compromise is the art of the deal. I can be that compromise. Serve me and I will serve you. When my actions offend withhold your gifts. Otherwise accompany me on my journey and enjoy where I take you.” He pauses for a brief moment and then continues, “Consider the group that acquired you and your friends. Each of us has our own goals, no two alike. By cooperating we achieved great things. Not the least of which was acquiring you.”
MalaKi joins with the kreen. As they walk he makes small talk with Skarsnikt. He knows that Skarsnikt doesn’t like ghost weapons but wants to see how the kreen warrior would feel about wearing Mistress Sable or Ostro.
MalaKi busies himself with ripping up what is left of his courtier outfit and using the rags to wrap his arms and legs. Donning his tan robe, he looks like a travel worn nomad. With a grin he lifts the veil across his face leaving only his eyes uncovered. For the first time since returning to Raam he feels…comfortable. Addressing Mistress Sable he says, “The kreen warrior Skarsnikt is a much more capable warrior than I. Perhaps you would consider gracing him with your powers.”
MalaKi will grab some much-needed shuteye.
MalaKi, in order to do his part in the ritual eating, takes a moment to slip up to the roof and grab a few pieces of Issiki. He looks for a couple choice pieces cooked medium to medium well. He also grabs the liver. MalaKi then returns to his place by the ladder before eating.
MalaKi climbs the ladder to the top floor and slumps down near the ladder. He appears to be lost in thought but in reality he is watching and listening for any uninvited guest.
MalaKi will accompany the rest of the group to the Inn Between.
MalaKi says, “Let’s go to Dirt Naps and eat Issiki. If we go to Inn Between we might have to share him.”
If Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik gives MalaKi a courtier’s outfit MalaKi will do the following: Spoiler:
MalaKi quickly begins to rip up the shirt and turns it into a makeshift head wrap. The head wrap is loose and covers all of his head with a strip that can be pulled across his face veiling everything but his eyes. “Perhaps, Mistress Sable, you can attend the rendezvous after all.”
MalaKi takes an opportune moment and approaches Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik. “I’m sorry sorry about the loss of your friend,” he says, “Perhaps the time for our revenge will arrive sooner rather than later.” MalaKi also inquires about getting one of the courtier’s outfits.
Here is a run down (as far as I could tell) of the loot from our last social engagement. Please update any items I missed. Issiki possessions: Blood obsidian dagger, two bone daggers, travelers outfit, sling and 3 stones. Aso picked up: 8 ceramic pieces, toga, a sandal, two pulsating slug creatures, smile pile of notes, locked small wooden coffer, elegant jeweled earring (from MalaKi). Radik picked up: two steel daggers, three blackened steel daggers (Lady Dusk, Lady Ebon, Lady Onyx). Zuko picked up: one exceptional garment complete with a small pouch of jewelry (Noble’s Outfit; male, with a garnet studded wristband, bronze pinkie ring, and a signet ring displaying a set of side-by-side cahulaks). Faindriac picked up: male courtier’s outfit (from Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik) , Sartanis’ scrolls (from MalaKi), broken staff. Shenker picked up: a smattering of gold and silver jewelry, grey bladed short sword (Madame Ebon), masterwork leather armor. Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik picked up: Roughly the equivalent of five Courtier’s Outfits; three male, two female, azure rod/gythka (Matron Jet), a choker set with a black gem. Skarsnikt picked up: a small coin pouch (from Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik). Holdrus Rippor picked up: iron maul (Cer). MalaKi picked up: crown (Mistress Sable), bracers (Ostro, from Aso). Kha-Chik-Chik-Ka picked up: masterwork leather armor (dropped by Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik).
“Well,” says MalaKi, “we need to find a spot to lay low for a while. And we are going to have to split up. I’ll volunteer to stay behind with the weapons. I don’t think this fancy head gear of mine is going to be very keen on being left behind anyway.” MalaKi thinks hard trying to come up with suitable place to wait for the appointed meeting time to arrive.
MalaKi sticks close to Faindriac. He motions for Zuko and/or Marada to join them.
MalaKi calmly ignores the bickering items and runs for his life!
“Thanks Aso,” says MalaKi while smiling broadly. He slips on the bracers (that is if Mistress Sable doesn’t object) while hoping that Ostro and Mistress Sable get along.
The headless half-elf is (was) carrying a scroll case containing several sheets of skin parchment covered in arcane writing, and an elegant jeweled earring. MalaKi removes the scroll case and earring. "Hey Aso," he says while holding up the earring, "do you want this?" If Aso wants it MalaKi will toss it to him, if not he will give it to the first person to express any interest. He then heads over toward Zuko and Faindriac. Holding up the scroll case he says, "There might be something interesting in here."
MalaKi says, honestly, “I have no desire to wear this crown; however I don’t think I have the final say in the decision.” Addressing the crown he asks, “Mistress Sable there are others here who are more worthy than I. The kreen warrior Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik would be able to put your gifts to much better use than this humble servant.”
MalaKi sneers at the items weak attempt to ensnare him; although the crown does seem…right for him. His sneer turns into a smile as he reaches for the crown and places it on his head.
MalaKi is puzzled by Holdrus' actions but sensing his urgency decides to lend a hand. As he digs he looks up at Zuko and says, "You might want to check the fallen for anything useful."
MalaKi yells angrily at Shenker, “Shenker! You pile of kank crap! Get back here!” He then attacks the most threatening foe (X4 due to his superior flanking position against Faindriac and MalaKi). He lets loose with a flurry of blows with an off-hand attack thrown in for good measure. As he attacks he yells “SHENKER!” with the word taking on the tone of both a curse and a threat. Melee Attack: (1d20-1=1, 1d20-1=19, 1d20-1=3)
MalaKi will move to defend either Faindriac or Zuko, positioning himself between either man and the nearest opponent. He will ready an action to attack anyone who approaches.
MalaKi helps Skarsnikt pulls the bodies off the street. He quickly searches each one for useful items and throws them into a pile. He stops once and looks around at the surrounding buildings. He grimaces at Skarsnikt and gives voice to the nagging little voice in his heard, “I think we are about to get screwed screwed to the wall.”
MalaKi crawls out from under the desk with a sheepish smile on his face. “Uh, yes Aso, the chest.” he replies as the sheepish smile breaks into a wide grin. “Maybe we can use it to carry the daggers. Regardless, we should grab what we can and scram while the getting is good.” EDIT:
MalaKi yells to his comrades, “Company coming via the front door!” He then dives under the front desk and hides. He hunkers down hoping fervently that the group doesn’t suddenly decide to exit via back door.
MalaKi watches the unfolding battle with a wry smile. He remains at his post and readies himself to strike any foe that tries to flee through the front door.
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