Tales of Faerun

[Deleted6317247User]

Nawen stopped pacing around the camp once their captive, Elaril, began talking. She had to admit that she was surprised to hear her talking willingly. It seems she wasn't mind-controlled after all. Still, the drow was absolutely appalled hearing everything this man, this Silithus had done and what he forced their captive to do. Once Rhaine had dealt with the situation how she saw fit, Nawen continued watching their surroundings and later at night, she still kept watch even if Weyland had volunteered to watch the camp first. She felt far too uneasy to rest knowing someone so dangerous as Silithus was somewhere out there.

 

The following morning when the group packed their things and continued their journey, Nawen found herself glancing at the sky occasionally. She was doing the same when Hazel rode up beside her. "He seems to be doing a little better," she said, "but as you said he's still upset." As the dryad complimented the pseudodragon on his bravery, Aodh poked his head out through Nawen's white hair and before she could say anything, Aodh flew over to Hazel and perched on her shoulder.

 

Nawen smiled a little at the sight before briefly glancing at the road ahead and then back to Hazel. "And how are you doing?" She asked. "It was hard as it was, and then what Elaril told about your home..."

 

Shalena watched the exchange between Rhaine and their captive, curious to see the outcome. What transpired wasn't what the imagined. After the spell was cast, the half-elf jumped from her seat. "What in the hells?! You should have killed her!" She shouted. She had a long tirade already planned out but she didn't say anything, much to her own surprise. Instead, she watched as the Doomguide left the camp. They've almost never seen eye to eye but this... this was different. Whatever her motivations were, what Rhaine did Shalena saw as wrong. She was a pirate after all, one who valued freedom over everything, even over people she believed she genuinely loved, and seeing something like that was frightening to say the least.

 

The piratess spent the rest of an evening by the fire, before retiring to her tent. When they left the camp the following morning, Shalena rode behind Nawen occasionally glancing at Rhaine and wondering whether it was worth it to bring her thoughts over what happened last night or not.

[AurianaValoria1]

As they rode northwards, Rhaine knew that a few amongst their company had objected to her geas upon Elaril, and she was, in all honesty, expecting something to be said to her on the matter before the day was out. However, the longer such a discussion was postponed, the better, and she was actually a bit relieved when Aera's voice broke the relative silence of their ride. The Doomguide halted Kaliste and wheeled the champagne-gold horse around to see a distant rider approaching them on a white camel.

 

"Looks like they're trying to catch up to us," Conall remarked from his seat atop Gaius. Zorica nodded in silent agreement, reining in Araha tightly. From above, Argyros continued to circle, though he seemed to slow down his pace a bit.

[FreemasonGamer]

Rameses' heartbeat begins to quicken as the large troupe of adventurers stops in their tracks to stare back at him, Jarl huffing as he lumbers quickly towards them. Once they are within five yards or so of the group, Rameses brings his towering steed to a halt, surprised by how tall his camel is in comparison to some of the horses. The genasi quickly exchanges looks and expressions with the odd assortment of humans, elves, half-elves, and numerous other beings, and Jarl gives them a particularly fearsome glare as he growls quietly. Patting his steed's neck softly, Ramses quickly summons his voice.

 

"Greetings. I noticed your group as we were travelling north, and my steed and I have been running quite low on water... I was hoping you might have some to share? The nearest source on my map is at least a day away." He asks with a frail smile, obviously wary of the group that could easily overwhelm him; his hand rests on the pommel of his longsword as his red genasi markings smolder with uncertainty.

[Flipout6]

Weyland spent the time on the road caught between glancing at the path ahead of them to make sure he didn't wander off, and watching the dire tiger that followed Connall like a hawk. It was huge, standing almost as tall as Weyland himself and with two fangs sticking out of its mouth that were a foot and a half long each. It was covered in scars and its fur was patched with dried blood, but it loped along unhindered. He didn't trust it, from the way it was scarred like Elaril was from the way it only seemed to trust Aera and- to a lesser extent- Connall. But then, he was hardly an expert on reading feline body-language, so for all he knew it was just sizing them up for a meal.

 

When a stranger approached them from behind, his only word were, "Greetings there, traveler! Mind the gigantic tiger!"

 

Arland was a bit more aggressive. "Keep that beast in line, I don't want it spitting at me." He was referring to the camel, not to the tiger. Weyland just didn't understand it.

 

Amendale, on the other hand, was amicable as he approached Rameses. "You're out of water, you say? Give me a moment..." He whispered something and flicked his hand, casting a spell, and then any water container on Rameses that he could spot was completely filled with water. He noted the hand the fire genasi rested on the pommel of the longsword at its hip. "Have no fear. We're no danger to you unless you give us a reason to be."

 

"Though with our luck with strangers being what it is lately he very well could." Arland saw fit to mutter. Sybille considered correcting him, but decided that with yesterday's tragic events, it was best not to ignite an argument.

 

"I don't know if you're looking to travel with us, and if you are it's not my call. But you've enough water to last you a few days now." The moon elf added.

 

"Rhaine?" Annette sidled up to the Doomguide on her own steed, speaking lowly. "If he's going the same way, I think he should come with us to the next town. If he's alone, having contacted us, and we turn him away, alone...." She didn't finish her sentence. She doubted Rhaine needed any reminding of what could happen.

 

"But." Marie countered. "Just remember the bastard knows how to control minds. You never know who could be under his sway."

 

"You two have no manners." Sybille scoffed, trotting ahead to greet the newcomer. "Hello there, friend! Is there anything else you're in need of?" Her voice dropped a tone. "Because the oasis nearby....can't provide for needs any more, I'm afraid. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that's how it is. Luckily, though, we've a few magic-users with us that may be able to help if you're in need."

[FreemasonGamer]

Rameses quickly checks his freshly-filled water containers in awe after Amendale casts a spell to refill them. Grinning, the fire genasi gratefully nods his head to the gentleman before hesitantly removing his hand from his blade's pommel. However, Jarl shows no such kindness towards the group of strangers as he harshly stares Arland down, as if contemplating murder. "My thanks, friend. I am Rameses. Rameses Galeran." He greets to Amendale, sparing a quick glance and grin towards the others as well. As some among the group begin to converse among themselves quickly and quietly, Rameses aims to explain himself somewhat further.

 

"My path leads me to the north, for now." The genasi replies to the moon elf's statement, his great white camel groaning irritably.

 

Then Sybille and her steed trot up to Rameses' and Jarl's side in a friendly manner, although Rameses' steed growls as they approach. After her initial greeting and explanation of the nearby oasis and her group's spellcasters, Rameses' crimson eyes glint with appreciation for her kind demeanor. "No, my lady. Your friend here has satisfied my lack of water, and such assistance is greatly appreciated. Also, my sympathies towards that ruined oasis; it has undoubtedly helped many a traveler such as myself."

 

Casting his curious red gaze over the large group once more, Rameses adds with a crooked smile and a somewhat-respectful tone, "If you all would happen to be heading northward, I would also appreciate your companionship at least until I part ways for Maerlor."

Edited March 23, 2015 by FreemasonGamer

[AurianaValoria1]

Rhaine briefly nodded to Annette in solemn agreement, "You are correct, of course." Turning her attention to the stranger, who called himself Rameses, the Doomguide then added, "You are welcome to travel with us, if you like, goodsir. This area is dangerous, especially to one journeying alone. We are headed to Maerlar, ourselves, so it would be no hardship for us."

[josh900]

Catching sight of the Camel riding Fire Genasi, Hexol ran forward to greet him in his usual manner. "Hi there! I'm Hexol! You're weird looking? What are you? You look kinda like you're on fire in some places but I don't think you are, I knew a guy that was on fire once and he wasn't as calm as you are, he just kept running around, screaming until we finally put him out, he was all burnt up afterwords but still didn't look like you do, magical fire maybe? But usually that works the same as regular fire so I don't see how that would work, unless it's like, super magical fire. That would be real bad though, maybe you've got like... fire under your skin or something, but wouldn't that be really hot? I don't think I would like being that hot all the time."

 

At this point Azuris would have normally stopped the barrage of questions by now, but given his poor sleep the night before, he simply didn't care too much at the moment, and instead rather enjoyed the energy that Hexol was displaying, if only because it would take everyone's minds off of the events and losses of yesterday for a time.

[Llhunara]

Riding along with the group once they set out the redhead was soon back to her casual demeanor, now fully awake. Random conversations starting just as quickly as they end she was glad for what appeared to be a simple day compared to recent ones. Having been about to move her horse over to Sybille, the commotion of the approaching stranger draws her attention. How odd it was to find someone traveling on their own in such wilderness and in need of water. The fact they had come across him was as unlikely as meeting a half-elf sweating in the blazing sun and in need of refreshment...wait, that had already happened.

 

More familiar now with how friendly the group often was the invitation to travel with them was expected. Having no complaint to offer of her own the rogue might have come off as a bit rude though, openly staring at the strange male and his not so common mount. Sure she had seen both before, yet together the combination was even odder. Saying nothing to him, Llhunarra only offers her usual smile in greeting, the Genasi already being bombarded with questions.

[tokyobiohazard]

Hazel welcomed the newest member of the party with a smile, the pseudodragon Aodh still flitting around her shoulders. After greeting the fire genasi, finding his appearance to be out of the ordinary, but not unexpected with a party so diverse, she turned to Nawen and sighed, "I think I'll be better as time goes on. I can't say I'm doing perfectly, but I suppose I'm doing as well as one could expect to be doing after such news."

Aera simply nodded at the newcomer, feeling slightly distrustful of strangers who just happen to be travelling the same desert as the party. However, upon hearing Arland remark about the tiger, she muttered out, "Don't mind the criminal murderer in our midst, he just doesn't like tigers."

[FreemasonGamer]

Rameses smiled in an amused fashion as Haxol quickly dashed to his side, Jarl eyeing the incredibly short figure with uncertainty. Despite the rapid pace of the kender's bombardment of questions, the fire genasi was able to absorb them relatively quickly before answering them, "I am a fire genasi, little one. Also, these markings are called szuldar, and they don't burn." He explained in a friendly tone, gesturing to the smoldering red marking on his arms before casting his gaze towards Rhaine with a thankful nod.

 

"You all have my thanks, my lady. Curious how we all would unknowingly share such a destination." Rameses replied to her as Jarl huffed loudly, stomping forward in his usual lumbering gait. At which point, Rameses felt that he had held the group back long enough.

 

"Seems that Jarl thinks we should be on our way." He chuckled, patting the white camel's neck as they rode up to Rhaine's side. Glancing back in awe of the sheer number of adventurers in their midst, Rameses witnessed the group begin to move forward once more. The sight itself reminded him of the many caravans he had encountered and often accompanied, although these adventurers lacked the wagons essential to any true caravan.

 

After a moment, Rameses returned his inquisitive crimson gaze towards Rhaine, sparing a slight smile. "Quite an astounding company you lead. I'm sure much history rests among you all, and I hope you might be willing to enlighten me on some of it? I would happily explain myself further in return, if you wish." He inquired in a spike of curiosity, slightly leaning over Jarl's swaying side to peer downward at Rhaine on her somewhat shorter steed.