Will be making a decision soon and talking it over with the group too.
Just so you all know, while Kzrira is in another campaign, I would love to join you all. Thus, the reason I created Carina. Please keep me, Kzrira/Carina under consideration.
Carina is standing, or perhaps she is floating out of her body, outside of a stockade. In front of her is the strange green tusked witch doctor from her previous nightmares. The witch doctor turns toward her, almost as though it can see her. Then in a guttural language the witch doctor says: You are a warrior, you must defeat you enemies any way you can, if it is with the powers I have taught you, then let it be so. If it is through deceit or subterfuge, then use whatever skills you have. Today, this is your enemy.
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The witch doctor then gestures with his hand and standing outside the stockade you see a whole range of individuals, a short gnome in robes, a half-orc comfortably sitting astride a warhorse, an elf with a raven sitting on her shoulder, a half-elf wearing a black and crimson tabbard, and several others.
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These are your enemies, you must crush them or they shall crush you. Go now and use your powers, and assuredly victory shall be yours.
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Carina awakens from her nightmare drenched in sweat. Recalling the words of the witch doctor, but having no clue what language it was. She shake her head and thinks:
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No - I must fight this rage, I will not harm these other people. If they are enemies, then we shall meet fairly when the time arises.
Carina then goes to the garrison where the swordlords are to announce the new adventurers to be sent into the Stolen Lands and is amazed that there among the group are many of the individuals from her nightmare - the half orc, the gnome, the elf, the half-elf, and many others.
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u'shao-dei, human female monk
u'shao-dei stopped at a short distance from the entrance. the dried grass mat carpeting the wooden floor of the narrow hallway felt cool under her slightly moist soles. she drew a deep breath, regaining her center. she brushed her black frock of debris and straightened the fabric, then stood erect. she swung her head gently side to side, allowing the stark white tresses to fall naturally.
one foot after another, u'shao-dei realized she became acutely aware of their steady, purposeful pacing toward her destination. a casual ten to twelve steps would have brought her to the doorway, yet the distance seemed momentarily daunting. as she reached the door, facing the shutters, the smell of aged bamboo, mixed with the aroma of sandalwood root incense, drifted up her nostril. a few strands of hair danced to the draft as the air passing through the narrow slit between the shutters cooled her forehead.
"enter, young one," a soft, yet venerable invitation came from within.
as surprised as she was, u'shao-dei was comforted at the same time by master pei-shens's voice (one of the few times that she has heard him speak). with a hand on each shutter, she spread her arms outward and the panels slid effortlessly apart, revealing a spartan, ascetic interior. the room was furnished with utmost bare minimum. it was naturally bathed in evening sunlight that cascaded through a wide opening of the side wall. a lone wizen man sat in lotus position, facing outward to a pond of white pebbles with even, static waves etched on the surface.
"when the mind is free, the waves undulates: seeing what is not seen. when a mouse tracks through a field of tall grass, the stem tips shake violently: expecting what is not expected."
u'shao-dei was familiar with these lessons as her mind conjured the imagery of the master's insight. although his back was toward her, he might as well have been facing her; u'shao-dei bowed ceremoniously in respect. her hands reached back and the shutters slid shut.
"we have received words from our sister monk, song lin-wey'lin. it has been forty-two moons cycles."
u'shao-dei frowned at these words, retrieving long packed-away information. sister song was summoned -- probably to this very same room -- when u'shao-dei heard rumors of it during the initiate years of her trainings. sister song was never heard of again. until now. knowing that eliciting more from the master was energy wasted, u'shao-dei restrained her anxiety. more information was forthcoming; it always was, and with much sense, to those who were patient.
"your heart is restless, young one.... u'shao-dei, is it?"
"yes, master." she blurted, at the same time trying to slow her heart.
"anxiety consumes energy like rice paper consumes ink, my child." she knew that. "it is this quality about you, which is why i summoned you here."
the wizen master rose from his position with surprising ease, unfolding his leg as though they were naturally done as his arms, then stood up in one graceful movement. such grace and agility for one approaching 110 human years, u'shao-dei thought. she focused on master pei-shens's staff as he propped it beside him, as though requiring its aid to steady himself. surely the staff serves another purpose, she wondered, rather than a geriatric aiding device. his age was but an illusion of what laid beneath the frail surface of this master.
"i have just returned from an emergency counsel of the five winds," master pei-shens began slowly. "many minor wind masters from near and far were present as well. such comprehensive gathering can only mean one thing: brevoy is on the brink of civil war. this shall have direct... and certain destructive consequences... on the hidden sacred temples of the east wind," shaking his head gently. "these masters have vowed a neutral stance: with the aid of arcane allies, the temples have been successfully shielded from crying political eyes, especially those of house surtova. they have had their agents scouring the stolen lands in the past decades for the temples. they must not discover and uncover what the temples protect..."
u'shao-dei's mind returned to the moment as she listened intently. there was gravity in master pie-shens's account, but the old man showed none. he regarded the younger woman with curiosty, then signaled her with a nod and a smile to take a seat on floor cushion. a pot of hot water, two empty cups and green tea powder awaited her on a small unassuming bamboo table. u'shao-dei kneeled, bowed at the components and began the delicate and methodical tea ceremony.
master pei-shens looked on. "even the simplest task is a lesson of life. the task becomes a ceremony.... the ceremony, a ritual.... the ritual, a habit.... once a series of actions become a part of you -- being aware of every minute movement and its purpose -- only then.... enlightment begins." he nodded in approval at the pupil's meticulous efficiency in preparation and delicateness in handling the tea.
"sister song was a part of an intelligence unit -- one of many -- established decades ago by the high winds -- myself being part of that counsel. several weeks ago, sister song and her unit uncovered irrefutable evidence of house surtova preparing to commit hostile acts against rostland to ignite the flames of civil war."
u'shao-dei completed the tea mix. she poured some in one cup with utmost grace and control, then replaced the pot. with both hands, she gingerly lifted the teacup as though it was a fragile egg from heaven, eyes fixed on it. still on her knees, the pupil advanced toward the master, one knee at a time, then with her head low and hands up, proffered the master the ceremonial content -- symbolically, presenting herself. the master paused as she approached, hunched in modesty, then accepted the cup with sincerity and humbleness. he held it in his hand and remained still, waiting for the pupil to retract her steps and poured a tea for herself. once again, raising a teacup to the master, she waited for his first sip.
"sister song's unit had also discovered a new location -- possibly -- to move the temples' secrets for temporary safekeeping."
the master looked at the pupil, still bowing with a raised teacup. "there are things... like this teacup... that will cool with time -- more manageable." master pei-shens lifted the teacup to his lips and sipped the content, then smiled. "i am honored with your presentation, child." u'shao-dei lowered the teacup to her lips and sipped, then returned her attention to the master.
"she holds only a part of the imformation of this new location. everyone in her unit -- two of which had additional intelligence -- lost their lives when they were discovered. had it been the case where sister song not follow and dedicate herself to the path of the wind, she may have not escaped the fate that had befallen her companions."
u'shao-dei's heart raced.
"i remember having summoned sister song here.... she was a young woman, not unlike yourself. a path was already laid out for her to choose; we simply pointed her the way. you are here, child -- like all the sisters and brothers before you -- not to carry out blindly the biddings of old men and their motivations. you are here to be shown the path on which you may choose as your destiny."
Took a while but I have finally come to a decision:
1. Balodek A.K.A. Jameson Addercop IV
2. Carina Stigard
Head over to the OOC Thread to intoduce yourself and have any finalisation or work on what happens when you've arived at Oleg's.
Good luck to those who didn't make the cut and I hope you all get into a kingmaker or other game sometime.