but 90 percent of the villagers are evil too..even the halflings..you wouldnt enjoy ruling the place so it's best to be pragmatic about it
The x marks the location of the Topaz mine.
It should take you 5 days ..barring interuptions..to get to the City.the first 4 days are over wilderness
Ensor and 3 of his workmen will be going as well to see to the cargo.He lays out the journey for you and will answer any questions about the route which he knows well
First nights stop is planned for Grief Castle..basically it's a bandit fort . You are taking a sizable bribe in both supplies and cash so they will not attack you.
On the second day you will bypass the town of Cudgel Ensor doesn't like the place(no surprise there it's chaotic evil for the most part)
On Day three you will cross the river Werekat at Vanguard Hall..a Skandik outpost..you will then follow the banks of the Ruling River to Discam on the borders of the lands claimed by Tarsh. Discam is the base of a paladinical order serving the God Mitra(so you should be safe there)Day 5 will be spent on an actual road...the castle north of Discam is ruled by a paladin of Athena..(Gashelle may want to worship at the temple there) you should reach Tarsh late in the evening.
'Greetings , I'm Aude COOPER , initiate of Pharasma, goddess of life and death. I'm new in these benighted lands so bear with me if I sometimes seem to be clueless. For example , I don't want to offend but I don't know the term 'duskblade'.
'Greetings , I'm Aude COOPER , initiate of Pharasma, goddess of life and death. I'm new in these benighted lands so bear with me if I sometimes seem to be clueless. For example , I don't want to offend but I don't know the term 'duskblade'.
Gashelle smiles warmly, and shrugs. She closes her eyes briefly, and when she opens them, she says, "An elvish m- martial discipline. And I've never heard of Pharasma. We'll have th- things to d- discuss."
"Duskblades are a cadre of warriors trained to use both weapons and arcane lore," I explain. "May I ask, Aude, if you command any divine energy as a priestess?" If she does it will be useful to have a second healer or magic wielder in our group.
I've indeed been given the means to sometimes delay the death of people. It is a grave responsibility since I don't have Pharasma's wisdom but as everyone , I'll be judged by how well I'll cope with this life challenges.
I also find quite strange that neither Pharasma nor even Desna are known hereabouts. I also understand that here the gods are in several pantheons and that there is even gods especially for some races, that seem really strange to me
Which gods do you follow ?
The young blonde woman looks very comfortable in her well worked in yet obviously well cared for leathers. The bow in her hands is of exquisite quality and she handles it somewhat protectively and with the ease which comes from great competence. The woman regards Eltariel for a moment and then her gaze passes over the rest of the party, seeming to take in and measure every aspect of them. She then brings her deep blue eyes back to Eltariel and gives an almost imperceptible nod of acknowledgment. When she speaks, her voice is soft and quiet and one must almost strain to hear it “Lotesse i’ anar direshen no’ ilya losan abrae agar en i’ Edhel.”
Elven
She then switches to common and with a small bow of her head “The name for this one be Layjiani. This one is honoured to be in your company.” Those who speak the tongue of the Edhel notice that while her means of speaking common is a bit strange her Elvish inflection is perfect. There also seems to be…something else
[spoiler]She seems to be very curious yet also…insecure in the presence of full blood elves
After the introductions conclude she continues “This one shall scout ahead. Close now, more far after” She then is seen speaking to Ensor briefly before moving ahead just barely in sight.
"Lakshmi was one of my f- father's gods. She is the p- patroness of effort bent to p- purpose, of achievement, and of its just r- rewards. When I pray to her, I h- honor my father's p- people.
"Athena is better-known here. She guides the arm of the w- warior and the heart of the wise. When I pay homage to her, I show r- respect for my mother's teachings and her sacrifice."
Speaking of which, during whatever downtime we have on this trip, Gashelle will spend with her silver and bronze tool kit, making an ornamental owl to donate to the temple of Athena when the team arrives.
"Are you the fellow guards for this trip, then? I am Holgur."
“Lotesse i’ anar direshen no’ ilya losan abrae agar en i’ Edhel.”
Gashelle nods and replies, "Gilenainath i' gwilith n- na' nethsael, abra h- hen..um..."
..."M- man."
The only Elven word Gashelle knows for humans-as-a-race is engabi, which is conjugated like the words for companion animals. There's probably a polite word, but Gashelle never learned it. And she doesn't want to insult Layjiani.
"Are you the fellow guards for this trip, then? I am Holgur."
Gashelle bows a little. She gestures: "Eltariel, Avinar, and I'm G- Gashelle. It's g- good to have your c- company."
Holgur is certainly equipped for war..in heavy breastplate and greaves and with the trademark Skandik bearded axe in his hands..a longbow lies across the top of his pack and a heavy warhammer hangs from his belt along with a vicious looking dagger.
I've indeed been given the means to sometimes delay the death of people. It is a grave responsibility since I don't have Pharasma's wisdom but as everyone , I'll be judged by how well I'll cope with this life challenges.
I also find quite strange that neither Pharasma nor even Desna are known hereabouts. I also understand that here the gods are in several pantheons and that there is even gods especially for some races, that seem really strange to me
Which gods do you follow ?
"Well I honour the whichever gods as seems appropriate, but as a druid I also observe the natural cycles of life," Eltariel shrugs, "as you say, it is hard for us to judge how to use the gifts we are given, but we must do the best we can and be content," she smiles easily.
She bows slightly to Hrolgur.
"Greetings, Holgur. I hope our journey together shall be a pleasant one - though in these wild lands, anything may happen."
Welcome, Hrolgur , let's hope your presence will be more deterrent than need .
Always formally proper in her behaviour with strangers Lyjanni does not leave out introducing herself to the other humans present. She nods slightly at both Aude and Hrolgur without saying anything further but she does have a barely noticeable smirk on her face when she greets the large man He is noisy that one, I shall have to make sure I keep my distance when stealth is the thing
Welcome, Hrolgur , let's hope your presence will be more deterrent than need .
"But if no foes confront us, what stories will we have when we are through?"
Ah, someone else with a perchant for stories. Gashelle looks at Avinar with a sly grin and mouths the phrase "heroic flanking".
"When we are seeking t- treasure, fame, and g- glory, then may we have challenges aplenty, and minstrels to s- sing our p- praises.
"When we're t- trying to get a load of furniture to m- market, then I imagine Ensor would rather we have c- c- clear roads."
"Ah, Gashelle, ever the practical one. Personally, I think Holgur may likely get his wish - I for one do not trust these bandits of Fort Grief to keep their word if they realise we have any valuables on us. Let us be on our guard, eat our own food and drink our own water, and keep a careful watch."
Gashelle turns to the teamster. "Would it be p- p- possible to take a more northern route, avoiding the f- fort, going straight to Ruti and Discam p- past that?"
Avinar yawns as he lazes atop one of the softer looking Caravans, he eyes up the three newcomers and seems more intrested in the females. He smiles when introduced, but he spends most of his time watching Eltariel as she goes about her day. He wonders how the giant of a man even walks with so much gear on him....
Gashelle turns to the teamster. "Would it be p- p- possible to take a more northern route, avoiding the f- fort, going straight to Ruti and Discam p- past that?"
"If we could, we wouldn't be paying bandits not to attack us, I believe. These wagons require a hard road or at the very least a firm track; the way north and west is blocked by marshes and rivers if I am not mistaken."
Ensor is impatient to get underway
"Ah dinna pey yis ta stan' aroon' and yak lad's an' lasses. Lits get thees shaow on t' rowd. Yow kin dow all yar takkin' theah"
he looks at Eltariel..
"Aye tha's reet thea lass..t' waay oop t' Ruti husn't the breedges t' take t' wate o' t' wag'n. So we hus t' take t' fairy at Vangaad Hull"
Eltariel listens to the strangely accented speech, taking a moment to work out what was actually meant by what was said. Her studies in language reveal it to be a quaint regional dialect unique to northern coastal dwarves on the eastern edge of the Wilderlands, known as G'or'dee to linguists, and after a moment's thought reply in the same dialect:
"Why-aye mon, we'll shake aleeg reet 'nuff!"
I turn to the others:
"Come then, friends, let's be moving!" I call crisply and scramble up onto the lead wagon.
'Hello, while I hope the worst will not happen , it's best to be prepared. do you follow a specific god and what funeral rites would you prefer? Do you believe in reincarnation ? "
Aude
"Bring me b- back if you can, elsewise d- do as you p- please. Funerals are f- for the survivors."
Gashelle
Now there are several theories about the impact the form of funeral has on the type of undead , I'll not bore you with this.
I laugh at Audes question a little.
"Of course I believe in reincarnation - that's like asking 'do you believe in the moon'," I smile. This girl is very young, even for a human.
"Whatever rights feel appropriate, my dear. But please, do not ask these things so obviously. Soldiers who may face death do not want to think about their funerals, what you seek to learn can be found from their friends should the worst happen - please do not bother them now. They may take it as a poor omen for things to come."
I lean down and offer her a hand up onto the wagon with me.
"Come, join me up here and we can talk - I should like to hear more about this goddess you serve. I have not heard of her before, and I've studied at least the basic texts of most religions."
Aude look at Eltariel with a little smile
'I thought the trip would only takes five or six days. It took me 8 years to learn only the basics of the faith. But I'll explain the main tenets this afternoon if you want . For now , I have to continue my questions . I aggree with you it is a grave matter but it's an important one and one it's best to ask directly. For example do you think that Gashelle could reply for you or Avinal ? See you later .'
Well spotted, Eltariel , Aude still have the fanaticism of youth
|
You rumble out of the town along the farm tracks that lead through the fields towards the wilderness. Farmers on their way into the village stoically ignore you as they wheel barrows of grain and other produce towards the morning market.
The rain stops after an hour and the temperature climbs into the 70s then into the 80s as you ride over the almost trackless country heading for Castle Grief.
Mid afternoon sees you entering a fog bank. Ensor is determined that there will be no stopping for anything..though he does allow the speed to slow by half..you get slightly paranoid driving throught the dimness and to make matters worse it starts to rain again
Aude look at Eltariel with a little smile
'I thought the trip would only takes five or six days. It took me 8 years to learn only the basics of the faith. But I'll explain the main tenets this afternoon if you want . For now , I have to continue my questions . I aggree with you it is a grave matter but it's an important one and one it's best to ask directly. For example do you think that Gashelle could reply for you or Avinal ? See you later .'
"As you wish, dear child, but they will not thank you for it," I caution her.
Later as we talk, I keep an eye out as the fog thickens, and urge the others in my wagon to silence.
"Ears are our best eyes in this murk," I tell them.
I need to know who is where..the goods wagon leads with the supply wagon about a wagon length behind. Gashelle and Holgur both have horses, Layjani is up front and Eltariel is in the main wagon. Aude and Avinar where are you. There's space in either wagon for you both
Gashelle is riding ahead of the main wagon, perhaps halfway to Layjani, off a little to the right.
"Layjani, what s- sort of signal will you give, if there's t- trouble? Or if you just want us to s- stop?"
As the fog had rolled in Lyjiani had chocked up her distance from the lead wagon, making sure at least Gashelle could see her and assuming she would be making sure the lead wagon could see her. At the half-elf's question, she stops and waits for the horse and rider to catch up. The Ranger holds up the signal arrow she had pulled from her quiver as soon as the fog began rolling in and says in Elvish "Do you know of the Kairn'sha's? If you hear the loud whistle of the Ta'lava bird (one not common to these parts) you shall know there is danger" and she gives a quiet example of the sound. If it is just a caution and I wish you to stop I will whistle softly as the Kee-lee-a bird (also not very common). Once she is sure that Gashelle has understood she will pull away in front again, still making sure to remain in sight. Her arrow is knocked and she is at her most alert.
Can everyone make a hearing perception check..DC18
if successful...
The wind begins to pick up and the fog begins to disperse
For those in the wagon
For those who did succeed their perception
I tilt my head, hearing the noise ahead.
"That was a voice, somebody shouting!" I warn the others.
"Brace yourselves, we may have been seen, there may be a fight or ambush ahead."
"I'm Skandik, as you can probably tell. When I die I hope it will be in battle with foes laid out around me. If so, then burn my corpse with a slain foe at my feet. If I die without taking an enemy with me then strip my body of anything you can use and leave me for the dogs and crows."
Aude
Holgur
The fog blows away...ahead you can hear a snarling and a few yips.
Layjiani
"That was a voice, somebody shouting! Brace yourselves, we may have been seen, there may be a fight or ambush ahead."
The fog blows away...ahead you can hear a snarling and a few yips.
Gashelle spurs Madhyarati forward at a fast canter and draws her longsword. She's much more graceful on the horse than you'd expect a melee fighter like a Duskblade --or a silversmith-- to be.
Gashelle read the spoiler for Layjiani
Gashelle tries to call out and manages "Wild d- dogs!"
She urges her mount forward with her knees. If she can close to 30', she casts Ghost Sound (a roll of lightning) on the body in the center.
Sliding down from the wagon I jog ahead, trying to see what they see.
"Try to just scare them off!" I call, unnecessarily.
Avinar folows Eltarieal in her Jog, when asked about his death rites Avinar smiles an impish grin and with a sparkle in his eye, he retorts. "My dear girl, us Elves live forever, and I plan to as well, too many things to do and see he glances at his friend Eltariel, besides I doubt anyone or thing could extingiuish my light" At this he looks at the human girl in the eyes, what once was flirtatious banter, is now filled with seriousness.
Nothing live forever
I'll follow Eltariel