Elen speaks to her familiar in a tongue that sounds like chiming bells.
Surely a transformed imp, then... well, perhaps a fiendish raven, but why would he bother? Be on your guard, my love."
She turns to murmur in Numair's ear:
The crow on Azaraunt's shoulder regards the Lyrakien as he might prey.
** spoiler omitted **
The Wizard, just about to sit, hears the offer from the Minotaur, shrugs, and decides to join him. He takes a single step towards the table and then, in an instant, is suddenly sitting with the bull-man. Somehow he crossed 15 or more feet instantly without a sound or gesture. The crow on his shoulder seems unphased by this movement. It appears you appreciate the value of a wizard, and I appreciate that. Might I have the honor of your name good sir. I would prefer to know with whom I drink.
After introductions Azaraunt manages to flag down a waitress and orders bottle of dry Varisian wine.
Pat scowls in the direction of the self-claimed wizard. "Hellknight." She says the word almost as if it were a curse. "What prey tell does the Order wish to have with Tsar?"
She then looks to the minotaur and the pale one. "I too feel some discomfort in such a large setting. Unfortunately, it is almost the only way I can convey the information to you all, including the reason why I so wish to walk upon the cursed soil of Tsar. When you hear my tale, you will hopefully wish to take up my cause." Pat shakes her head, all thoughts of drinking now gone. She had much to do and little time.
To the others, she turns and looks at them each in turn. "I have to return to my post soon, but I wish to tell you all that I can. I'll answer questions one at a time, but bear with me as I go." She takes the seat that Numair offers.
"Half-orc, the reason that I wish to return is twofold. First, my blood brother is one of the fifty who walked into Tsar itself, upon General Zelkor's orders. In the century since the siege, none of them have ever walked back out." Pat pauses a moment to let it sink in.
"The other reason I wish to enter is that, while I serve Sarenrae these days, I once served another god directly, you know him as Aroden. I was once his servant and scout."
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Numair murmurs a proverb from the Book of Light and Truth, Sarenrae's holy text, in response.
His eyebrows raise at Aroden's name.
That is an astounding tale. Please, continue. We wait with bated breath.
Rasso is still lurking, he's just been quiet amongst the multitude of voices. When the drow asks for Pathfinders, he raises up his wayfinder again silently, continuing to listen.
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The elf raises his hand, identifying himself as a Pathfinder in case his wayfinder fails to fully mark him. Speaking with his own tongue he responds to Lt. Ripley. Any servant of House Thrune knows of duty. I salute your blood brother and his dedication to it. He gives a crisp Chelazian salute, his red and black robes rippling as he does so. And my dear lady, the Hellknights do not care a whit for Tsar. My services are from the Paracountess in her roll as leader of the Cheliax faction of the Pathfinder Society. She has wisely surmised that arcane talent will be needed if any measure of success is to be gleaned from a foray into this evil city. Know also that Cheliax opposes Orcus and all demonkind with all its strength. We are a diabolical nation well stepped in the the Asmodean Disciplines and will not abide demons.
A middle aged man with graying temples comes into the door. His clothing is simple and eastern, gray with a adamantine chain about his waist and over his shoulder. The man looks over his shoulder as he comes in like he is dreading someone's company, but with relief sighs and continues into the tavern. He smiles a bit at the people in the packed tavern and finds himself a stool. Quietly and to no one in particular, he mutters something in Tian that is rhythmic and smooth.
Surrounded with friends or foes
It matters little"
And then he orders some wine and seems lost in his thoughts.
Bao listens respectfully to the questions sipping his tea. It seems like there is no particular target in this mission. More scouting and information gathering. But why now? He wonders to himself.
He nods in reply and replies, "I do not understand your comment about 'The clanliege prefers to spend his hours spinning takes rather than be the honorable warrior he might have once been.' What is this spinning? And what do you think he should be doing?"
And asked appropriately in a conversation to allow proper back and forth dialog that PbP inhibits:
"How is the Lantern Lodge particularly interested in Tsar, besides wanting any new information at the same time as all other Society factions? Has something happened lately to trigger interest in this slumbering city?
"Should I be out with the others receiving this briefing?"
Fulanke acknowledges the elf at the table and doing a quick scan of the others at the table comes over and has a seat. Upon closer examination, it would seem that though his dress, manner and language are all eastern, he himself lacks the physical traits common to easterners. If one had to place his country of birth, it would likely be Cheliax. He speaks his next lines to the table in the common tongue without a hint of accent.
"There is a freedom
Within the bounds of the law
The lawless know not."
Hearing the strange words, Fulanke sighed a bit and smiled weakly, scratching the back of his head with embarrassment.
"I never learned the mother tongue.
But I still know when it is sung.
A poet and a scribe am I,
with not much else to know me by.
Sumisu Fulanke is how I'm addressed
Fu to some and Sumis to the rest."
He reaches out his hand in greeting, with an expectant look of receiving an introduction.
To Elen’s lyrakien friend.
Be not so little one. To be true, Nihilist must believe no purpose to life. That be not true. Belike life has great purpose. True it is not to make the future better because the future be not. No future. All must end. After the end is nothing.
Life purpose is the separating, the sorting, the decisioning. It is the attempt showing. By attempt to make life better in the now, quality of self is shown. If self is better, may be part of new beginning. For is it not written all things must end. Nothing is a thing. So is written that nothing will end. After nothing will be new beginning. Only better selfs will be part of said new beginning.
Should not all want to be better self? Then must attempt to make now better for all. Be not make some long future better. Many do great evil in name of better long future. One knows not when end will come. If ending come before long future, be then evil done in name of nothing. So not be right choosing. Make now better or at most short future better. Signs not yet clear, but ending is probably not this week. So make short future better be still good choosing.
Be you understanding now?
Gronk looks at the little creature hopefully.
Gronk waits for a pause in the conversation before asking Lt. Patricia Ripley.
Belike am not sure has understanding.
Be this Orcus temple still active?
Orcus worship be bad thing. Make past, future, and now bad. Stopping such be worthy choice for any. If is possible. Defeat be not make any better. But attempt must be. In attempt is true selfs worth shown.
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A faint blush would have spread over her cheeks at Ruul's compliment. It would be noticeable for being the only non-monochromatic color on her person.
"Thank you for saying so. It is actually a family name shared by my grandmother and aunt. I confess I was a bit intimidated by your presence when I first entered, but now I can tell you have quite the gentle soul. And gentle grip as well, I am sure he could easily have broken my hand had he wished too...
** spoiler omitted **
"It is your second question that I brought you back here. Yes, you should eventually rejoin your peers as they sit around the campfire. But for you does our Lodge require a service. Somewhere inside the city itself, lies an ancient Tien artifact. Little is known about it, except that it was stolen from the Grand Council chambers of the Celestial Emperor's Palace of Tianjing, many centuries ago.
"Those of us who study that ancient culture know little of it, of whether it holds any powers or what they might be. What little is known for certain is that, first, it IS somewhere within that accursed city, and second, the clue to obtain its location is, 'I am the Celestial Lord Regent, who resides humbly within the House of Jade.' Only, we do not know of any such structure that was built within the city, based on our rather limited knowledge."
To Elen’s lyrakien friend.
Be not so little one. To be true, Nihilist must believe no purpose to life. That be not true. Belike life has great purpose. True it is not to make the future better because the future be not. No future. All must end. After the end is nothing.
Life purpose is the separating, the sorting, the decisioning. It is the attempt showing. By attempt to make life better in the now, quality of self is shown. If self is better, may be part of new beginning. For is it not written all things must end. Nothing is a thing. So is written that nothing will end. After nothing will be new beginning. Only better selfs will be part of said new beginning.
Should not all want to be better self? Then must attempt to make now better for all. Be not make some long future better. Many do great evil in name of better long future. One knows not when end will come. If ending come before long future, be then evil done in name of nothing. So not be right choosing. Make now better or at most short future better. Signs not yet clear, but ending is probably not this week. So make short future better be still good choosing.
Be you understanding now?Gronk looks at the little creature hopefully.
Ally takes off from Elen's shoulder, trailing behind her a swirl of rainbows as she takes a position hovering in front of Gronk.
"What you say leads me revise my earlier evaluation of you. I am Alliriyallin, of the Host of Elysium, follower of She Who Formed The Stars. I will be frank and say that I do not believe that the end of all is coming within the lifetimes of you mortals, not even the slightly longer life of my beloved companion. Lady Desna would have seen it coming in the stars if so. But I do not need to agree with the doctrine that you hold to in order to see that you are one who cares about making the world better for all.
"My companion and have long been working to make life better for as many people as we can, notably in the land of Qadira. We travelled here half on a tip from a Venture-Lieutenant, and half because Elen saw a sign in the stars leading her here. I believe we are well met, sir."
"I understand." he responds to the target. "It sounds like you are quoting from an ancient text for our only clue. Would you please describe its context? Perhaps the author or the story around the quotation might make more sense traveling within the city."
** spoiler omitted **
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Not quite sure what to make of the concubine comment, Lavinia instead focuses on his last compliment. "They did. I've seen a painting of my grandmother when she was a young lady and we look almost like twins." She appears a bit saddened by that topic and soon moves on.
"I've never actually heard much about your folk, though I have a good opinion of them now after meeting you. I'm not even sure where your homeland is. Was it a very long journey to get to here?"
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The crow on Azaraunt's shoulder regards the Lyrakien as he might prey.
** spoiler omitted **
The Wizard, just about to sit, hears the offer from the Minotaur, shrugs, and decides to join him. He takes a single step towards the table and then, in an instant, is suddenly sitting with the bull-man. Somehow he crossed 15 or more feet instantly without a sound or gesture. The crow on his shoulder seems unphased by this movement. It appears you appreciate the value of a wizard, and I appreciate that. Might I have the honor of your name good sir. I would prefer to know with whom I drink.
After introductions Azaraunt manages to flag down a waitress and orders bottle of dry Varisian wine.
Pat scowls in the direction of the self-claimed wizard. "Hellknight." She says the word almost as if it were a curse. "What prey tell does the Order wish to have with Tsar?"
She then looks to the minotaur and the pale one. "I too feel some discomfort in such a large setting. Unfortunately, it is almost the only way I can convey the information to you all, including the reason why I so wish to walk upon the cursed soil of Tsar. When you hear my tale, you will hopefully wish to take up my cause." Pat shakes her head, all thoughts of drinking now gone. She had much to do and little time.
To the others, she turns and looks at them each in turn. "I have to return to my post soon, but I wish to tell you all that I can. I'll answer questions one at a time, but bear with me as I go." She takes the seat that Numair offers.
"Half-orc, the reason that I wish to return is twofold. First, my blood brother is one of the fifty who walked into Tsar itself, upon General Zelkor's orders. In the century since the siege, none of them have ever walked back out." Pat pauses a moment to let it sink in.
"The other reason I wish to enter is that, while I serve Sarenrae these days, I once served another god directly, you know him as Aroden. I was once his servant...
But have there been no further news from your brother or the other fifty? Has no one been able to make contact with them afterwards..? That is unsettling...
But something must have filtered back of Zelkor's chase to the fugitives, or even about the fugitives themselves? Even though I feel that the very laws of Nature are askew around this region, the whole population of a city just doesn't up and vanish...
"Half-orc, I don't wish to disrespect you. What is your name so that I can address you properly."
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Since she doesn't get out and socialize much, it takes a few moments for his comment to finally click in Lavinia's head. Wait a minute, I think he's gone from just being kind and courteous to actually flirting with me. Also I wonder how soft his fur is...? She pauses a moment to mentally reassess Ruul in a different category other than fellow pathfinder and then continues on.
"No, it doesn't look like you would have any difficulty walking here. I think your thigh is about as big around as my waist. I arrived her via horse rather than spell. The walk would have been to great for me from my family's home in Ustalav."
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The wizard perks up at the discussion of Ustalav. Always ready to learn more about that land, he listens closely, nodding with the mention of undead plaguing the land. Undead are illegal in Egorian. he explains in a tone that seems to suggest that making them illegal is all you would have to do to fix the problem.