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[Respite] - Factions
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Re: [Respite] - Factions
#481"All hail! We've come to this respectable yet musky place with an expedition in our mind, t'wards the mountains on the horizon, to the north, to find ore and thus future for us. You wouldn't know of hardy folk ready to go?"
"Who is this fine fellow beside you? I'm Gideon of the house of Crane, nice to meet you!" he reached out with a meaty hand towards the lizardman. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#482Rajani thought that she had seen the strangest that the world had to offer. In endkelton, there were only humans. It had taken a bit to get used to the elves and the halflings, and the other races that she had encountered. Seeing the lizardfolk was something quite a bit more than she had expected, even after arriving at Respite. She at least had the dignity to keep her mouth from hanging open like a gawking sightseer on their first trip to the Temple of Opulence and Indulgence.
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Re: [Respite] - Factions
#483Fafnir smiled his toothy grin, gripped Gideons hand and said " My name issss Fafnir and it seems we may have similiar things in mind. I seek adventurers to ... explore the region a bit more. I wish to clear a path for a new settlement or at the very least find something beneficial for such." Letting go of Gideons hand Fafnir turned and bowed to the lady "What might your name be, miss?" -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#484"I am Rajani Endkelton, priestess," Rajani offered the reptile man a curtsey, she felt it was too stiff and formal, almost as if she were trying to apologize for her near breach of manners. -
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#485"Well, my greetings to you as well, Lady Rajani. I suppose you are here for the same reason as Gideon? Or some other matter that brings you to this rather rough place." -
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#486While studying his spellbook, Balin thought he heard something behind him. A quick look around showed nothing. His roomates - there were four bunks in the room, had all left for breakfast some time ago. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#487"As a matter of fact, Gideon", Tobran said to him, "I have just recently promised my services to Balin for an exploration. But I know not in which way he was planning to head, 'haps our paths will lie in the same direction". -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#488"Alright then. Breakfast sounds like a good idea, but I do have my doubts that the breakfast itself will be any good."
With that, Jhoric and Jaegarmond left their room hoping to find something nutritious, and make small-talk along the way. -
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#489Balin carefully closed his book, put it down, and got up to go check. Probably it was a rat or something but he had heard of the occasional untrustworthy mage who would use invisibility to spy on others spell books. That could not be allowed. So he walked over to see what he could find. -
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#490Balin looked around but found nothing and no trace of disturbance. So he went back to his spell book but made sure his back was against a wall. -
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#491Fafnir continued " I was thinking if there are so many people wanting to leave this city why has it not been done? Well, as far as I can tell we could be the first to leave and return alive maybe if our groups joined up we could all accomplish our goals. At least some of them. I say we gather like-minded adventurers and leave within the week. Who would join me?" -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#492"I've already told you, Coldblood", Toboran said jovially, "I'll join you and Balin in venturing forth into the great unknown". -
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#493"Include me in" Gideon added. "It sounds like you're going towards the northern mountains anyway, and that' where the bones of the bones of the earth are closest to the surface." -
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#494Balin closed his book and laid it down. His spells were refreshed and he was ready to go.
Down in the dining area he tried to find what was on the menu so that he could have breakfast and then search for Jhoric and the others. -
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#495Balin took little time finding Jhoric and Jaegarmond - they were quite easily found - especially Jaegarmond. He was the subject of many quizzical looks, not the least because a small animated tree was rooted into Jaegarmond's earthy 'flesh'. Seeing Balin, Jhoric waved him over to join him and Jaegarmond.
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Re: [Respite] - Factions
#496Balin saw them and went over.
"Well, did you have a good night's sleep?" -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#497"The sleep was well enough. It was the waking that was unusual." He started tapping on his wrist again, trying to puzzle out what in the world the little sprout was saying. He wasn't sure how long it would take to learn the complicated language, but he would learn it soon enough. Especially if the sprout remained attached to him. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#498The breakfast was still largely acorn gruel, but apparently someone had found some honey, and this appeared to make everyone's morning a little lighter. In conversation with his sapling, Jaegarmond found out the word for 'water'. The critter simply pointed at a mug of water and repeated a pattern again and again until Jaegarmond figured out what he wanted. It withdrew a root from Jaegarmond's earthy shell and stuck it in the water, seemingly satisfied after a short interval.
Apart from the honey, and the saplings attempts at conversation, the meal was uneventful. Shortly the trio - plus the sapling - had completed their repast and were ready to move on with the day.
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Re: [Respite] - Factions
#499"So, shall I go down to the Warrior's Guild and get anyone who wants to go now, Or should I wait until we make some more preparations?" Balin asked his two companions.
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#500"Well, how long have you two been trying to gather people together for this venture? If it's been more than a day or so, I don't see much reason to keep trying. Lets just get to it." -
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#501"Sounds good to me. I need to let Master Taryer know we're heading out, so he can give us whatever he has to spare for our expedition. I think there were some long-lasting spells he was going to cast, or get someone to cast, on us and potentially the warriors.
"So, Balin, I think you should head to the Warrior's Guild and assemble our team in the common room. I will get Taryer there as soon as I can.
"And, Jaegarmond, you can come with me unless you have something else that would better benefit this time.
"Alright, everyone? Let's get to it."
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Re: [Respite] - Factions
#502Fafnir grinned, this was going quite as planned. The need to explore boded well for his thoughts. He spoke "If we all agree, I say we leave within a day. I will gather supporters at the Lizardling camp if anyone should wish to come alongside me. I will be back before nightfall with all I can gather to our banner."
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Re: [Respite] - Factions
#503Balin headed down to the Warrior's guild hoping that everyone was in the same place so that it could be quick. As he came in through the door he saw that they were and walked over.
"Greetings, Toboran, Gideon, and you too, Rajani. Well warriors, we are preparing to set off and you may come to priestess, if you wish." -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#504"We as well might!" Gideon pointed to the sacks lying beside the table and to the prospector's perch he'd strap to his back.
"Ready when you are." -
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#505When Fafnir arrived at the Lizard Folk encampment he called out for all to hear " I believe that this city is too crowded for the likes of us, we should build a great new city. This land has given us a new start, why waste on this pathetic excuse for a town. Come with me, I have friends organizing a party. We will walk towards a new dawn! He then waits for any interested Lizards to speak with him.
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#506"Well then", Toboran said happily, "It seems settled then".
He picked up his gear from beside his chair and stood next to Gideon, ready to go. -
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#507Of the lizardfolk, only Eskithar and Yarwishh chose to join him. The lizardfolk were hastily reinforcing their walls and larger numbers stood about on guard duty. The priestess Shathathia came over to Fafnir.
"I did not have a chance to properly thank you for your assistance yesterday, Fafnir. And while I find your enthusiasm refreshing, note that all you see here is all we are. It will be many seasons before we can consider our own home - we are too few to defend a city. Like as not, until these lands be more tame, we would likely perish without the warmbloods help.
Now of course, should you find things of value to ourselves, or the warmboods, this would greatly help our cause. I would be grateful for any help you can provide.
But watch your back, Fafnir, not all of the warmbloods are trustworthy. That scorpion attack was not random - we suspect sorcery! And not of the evil in the forests either."
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#508"I understand your concern mistress and I will follow your counsel. Some of the men I have found to be trustworthy, these will be the ones whom I follow into the woods. I will gladly begin a quest for the benefit of our people. I will take any resources you have to spare, this journey will not be easy. But the strong backs of Eskithar and Yarwishh will make it much easier. If that is all I must return to the city as my companions will not be long to wait."
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#509"Very well then, we shall depart as soon as possible; but, where is Fafnir?" -
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#510Fafnir reenters the Fighters Guild " Ah, talking about someone behind their back is not kind Balin. Though with the best intentions I may forget it. I assume you are all prepared to go? My men Eskithar and Yarwishh will accompany us. Let us be off!" -
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#511"Hooray! I thought I would set root here!" Gideon stood up and headed out, confident that his strength would carry him far, and back again. "Estwick, we're finally done sitting, let's go!" he adressed the old man, offered Rajani her coat and was more than happy with his smooth play. -
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#512"We shall finally set this venture under way. I suggest we spend no more time for preparations as the day is wasting. Let us be off friends!"
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Re: [Respite] - Factions
#513It took the better part of a day for the party to find the roadstone. The streets of Respite had been choked by yet another influx of refugees, and it seemed it would not be long before the cramped city burst from the already huge population. Improved catches from the fishermen had somewhat alleviated the hunger situation, and had contributed to several pounds of dried fish being added to the party's provisions.
The gaurds had said little to the odd party as it marched out of the gate, though they had attracted many stares as they wended through the streets. A half-ogre with an old man riding him like a mule, Jaegarmond, a brace of lizardfolk and a dwarf made a very strange picture.
Balin had been given a scrap of precious parchment and some charcoal to take an impression of whatever was on the roadstone, and was also asked to grab any samples of odd plants he should encounter.
Windell had laughed when Jaegarmond approached him about the sapling. "Well, my dear Jaegarmond, you seem to be quite the fertile fellow! Now, take care of him - he _can_ move by the way, and he's not quite as helpless as he looks. Have a good journey!"
The party had also been given a pair of healing potions, to be returned if they weren't used during the expedition.
The stone had been fairly easy to find, just a few dozen yards north of the treeline. A group of charcoal burners were at work nearby and stared at the party as they approached.
The stone was about 4' tall, and had five smooth facets, all carefully carved and polished. Not a sign of an errant chisel mark could be found. On the smooth faces were a number of words deeply enscribed and filled with moss. The runes, Balin could attest, were definately of dwarven origin, but the words themselves, being names, did not provide much information. "Hathredhar", the north-oriented face said. "Othisthar" said the North-east, "Yaardmar", the south-easterly, "Marythranar" the southern, and "Traya Thnar" the western facet said. Some of the words rung somewhat familiar, but it would take some time to digest their meaning.
While Balin pondered over the meaning of the runes, the charcoal workers became bored and went back to work. Toboran noticed that nearby the charcoal workers a number of warriors were stationed under some cover, and each worker was quite well armed. Apparently this was not a quiet area.
Eskithar, rooting about, gave a hiss of triumph and held up a turtle he had found nearby a log. "Lunchssssh!" he said... -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#514Sometimes, Rajani reflected as the others inspected the small stele, that certain things ought to be left to those who know, or pretend to know what they were doing. The symbols on the stone had some important meaning, she gathered, but they meant nothing to her. The burly fellow seemed to understand them, and the others seemed to grasp some of their meaning. It was a much larger world here, and for the moment she was glad to have the friendship of someone as unique as Gideon. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#515"Well, Coldblood", Toboran said to Fafnir, "I believe I will go out a little bit to get some food, do you wish to come with me?" -
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#516"If you wouldn't mind, I would like to copy down these words and study them a little before we leave."
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#517"A little excitement would spice up my day Toboran, though Eskithar has had some minor sucess already. Let us search for nourishment among the wild, as it should be." -
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#518"Not that I have never tasted turtle, or found it to be good to eat, but I think that some of the more... Refined members of our group would prefer a good veinson steak". -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#519The wild. So long he had spent running through places that had once been like this, before the fel-hordes came and put it all to the torch. Jaegarmond examined the leaves on a tree in passing, feeling the texture and enjoying it. His occupied hand stayed close to his body, affording some measure of protection to his wooden companion. He tapped against his wrist to get the sapling's attention, then began pointing to various parts of the tree, trying to discern the pattern associated with each part of the tree. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#520"I would imagine deer of this land will be difficult to kill. A hearty venison steak would make this adventure all the more bearable."