Tara holds a handkerchief over her mouth and nose as she walks through, peering around Queslin to see what lies ahead.
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Tara descends without hesitation on the elevator's third trip, stepping off and looking around at her new surroundings.
"It seems to be the only way forward, if that is what it is," Tara says nervously. "I suppose one of us could try it?"
Agreeing with Kyle, that the tube should be inspected, but not thoroughly convinced that the human's mind is entirely focused, Tara takes a look for herself.
Tara stares in shock at the small chamber that appeared as if by magic. "This can't be good, can it?"
Tara creeps down the orange passage to see if things look any different there, keeping an eye peeled for whatever is likely to trigger anything.
"What if hanging all the lanterns lets something horrible out of the coffin?" Tara says, anticipation and fear combining in her voice. We'd have to fight it. It could make for an awesome song, as long as we survived. And as long as I remember that nothing rhymes with orange.
Hesitantly, Tara hangs the indigo lamp on the chain hanging in the easternmost tunnel. Because she's so tall, anyone else who comes into this space will bang into it.
Peering down the stairs, Tara nervously fingers her bow strings. "That's certainly ... creepy," she says. "I suppose we'd better get on with it."
"I think being covered in creepy crawling things would suit you, but I suppose we'd be better off burning the webs," Tara says, handing Kyle a torch.
Tara studies the painting for a moment and then nods. "I suppose I have found it, haven't I? If only we knew what it was for."
Detect Magic on both the lantern and the armband.
Tara frowns. wishing she were able to help more, but then walks slowly to where the wolves den was, poking through the rubble and refuse and looking for anything worthwhile.
Tara stops her song after only a few bars, but the familiar refrain will linger in your ears. She draws and shoots an arrow at the wolf.
"Aim, THEN shoot," she reminds herself.
Tara starts to sing, a silly halfling folk song about making wolves chase their tails. At the same time, she readies her spear.
Tara aims at the fleeing white wolf (moving if necessary to get a shot and lets an arrow fly.
Tara lets out a yelp of shock as the wolves rush around the corner, tearing into her companions. In a display of pathetic cowardice, she jumps behind Kyle (J-9) flailing her hands around and babbling in terror. As she reaches out, apparently to push the rogue more surely between her and the wolves, he disappears. (Vanish on Kyle)
It was a nice break, truth told. Not that I'd want to go another 48 hours unplugged anytime soon.
Tara noses around the pile of rubble while the others play with the broken mirror, prodding with her spear.
"Ready," Tara whispers.
"I wonder if she was surprised," Tara says, nodding towards the bedroll.
Keeping the bow in hand and ready to draw an arrow, Tara takes a closer look at the campsite (take 10 on Perception=15)
Wouldn't it be more in character to choose one that did have ...
Sorry been AWOL. Who knew they made hotels without internet anymore?
"I love a good song, but I don't know that one," Tara says, satisfied that at least for the moment, she can focus on dangers outside their group. "Would you like to teach it to us, or are you just making noise?"
Tara listens to the others discussions and smiles to herself. This has the makings of an adventure worthy of song, if the obnoxious one is right. A cairn full of undead, a missing girl, and a challenge from a team as obnoxious as The Four. The one thing that troubled her was the way some of her new-found companions were looking at each other. "Listen," she says, her eyes jumping from Queslin to Kyle, from Eldgrim to Breda. "We're mostly all strangers and we don't all exactly know, like, or trust each other. If this place is as dangerous as it is rumored to be, we're going to need to put that aside. We should make a pledge, that we all support and protect one another, until we all come back out of this hole."
FWIW, the invitation to come outside and discuss an adventure to the Whispering Cairn was extended to everyone. I made a point to acknowledge both paladin and priest with gestures at least, but if it'll help move things along, I can go back in and sweet talk them.
Tara gives the bartender a smile as she pauses at the door. "It's so BIG of you to help us out with no thought to how it may profit you. Truly, I would express my gratitude in diamonds and gold if to do so would not spoil the loftiness of your gesture."
Tara nods and whistles sharply, getting the others attention. She beckons them over and speaks softly, nodding to Kyle. "Our charming friend here has found a way for us to get the drop on those four. If any of you feel inclined to watch them eat a bit of humble pie, let's talk. Outside?"
"You think I have some cause to trust you?" Tara mutters, but looks at the parchment the rogue recovered without further comment.
Tara sizes up the priest as he makes his entrance, and smiles when he uses his power to assist the miners. It is good to see a priest who does more than talk about his god's power and importance. She nods at the dwarf's statement to Kyle, but adds nothing. She is more interested in the parchment the thug palmed, but this is not the moment to talk about it. For whatever reason, he wished to keep it to himself, and for now, it is enough for her to know he is as trustworthy as he seems. "I'm a fair shot with a bow," she said, in answer to Breda's question. "I can scout the way ahead, and sing a little song to keep spirits up in the dark places."
"Little AND quick to finish? You really are a prize." Tara teases Kyle, but with a smile that shows it's in fun. She slips between him and the elf, craning her neck to look up at Queslin. "Pay him no mind," she speaks loudly, as though unsure such a tall creature could hear her otherwise. "We don't call him All-Smoke-No-Fire because he's dangerous. Just unpleasant to breathe around. If his knife were as sharp as his wit you might get a letter open with it." She slides into a seat at the table, and looks after the four as they leave. She sighs, softly. The four are going to have a proper adventure, it seems, and she will spend the rest of the evening trading barbs with a horny toad. If they hadn't been so godawful arrogant, she'd have asked to join them, but at least some of these seem to know what's what. "I can't say I'd be unhappy to beat those pompous twits to the punch," she says, and turns to Kyle. "What've you got there, Claymore?"
"I'm Tara. Thank you for the drink." She lifts her drink and takes a healthy gulp. Looking around, she slides the new mug down to the dwarf. "Pint of stoat for you, sir. From the lawyer, by way of me."
Tara rolls her eyes at the barman and takes a sip of her drink, setting the mug down with a satisfied sigh. "Well the beer at least makes up for the jokes," she says. "Now if you'd just take off that hideous mask, I'd be quite comfortable." When Kyle approaches, she shakes her head and laughs. "Aye, deadbeat," she says. "We can sit in the same bar, but beyond that? Well, when you whip your blade out to impress every girl you see, there's not much point in hiding it up your sleeve, is there? You can brag about what a great swordsman you are, but we've all seen that what you're wielding is a wee dagger."
Tara stamps her feet to shake off the chill and heads straight for the hearth. The last few days of her journey here were downright uncomfortable, and it's good to be back in a town, with a tavern and a fire. She's small even for a halfling, but she moves with assurance. She has long, dark hair and her features are long and graceful. She wears trousers instead of a skirt and a long leather coat under a heavy cloak. She stands in front of the fire, rubbing her hands together to warm them and listening to the noise of the tavern, the miners grumbling to one another like rocks grinding underground, and then the others. An elf, a human woman with a pipe, and a rough looking man chatting with the bartender. When she's shaken off the worst of the chill, she makes her way to the bar, climbing onto a stool and waving to the barman. "A glass of that stout, if you will," she says, nodding towards Kyle's drink.
A little interparty conflict makes it a better story, that's all I care about. Well, OK, that and surviving. And saving the day. Worms .... ew.
I think Tara's in good shape.
dotting and re-checking my character crunches
Woo! Thanks Valkur
I used this to get locations and background for Tara. Highly recommended for anyone who doesn't know Greyhawk or needs a refresher.
Introducing the New and Improved Tara Teller! Now, with background!
A group like this needs a Bard. So here is one. |