Tales of Faerun

[josh900]

At Abby's departure Hexol looked at the door for a few moments before speaking to himself. "I'm not that hairy..."

-------

 

With the noise finally being too much for him, Azuris picked himself up off of his bedroll up in the loft and made his way down to leave the barn and get himself some breakfast. He grunted a few choice words of frustration as he passed those that were arguing in the barn before walking out, stopping to stare at the mass of pitch blackness out in the field for a moment before shaking his head and walking to the inn.

[tokyobiohazard]

Hazel had slept fine, considering the sense of openness that the hole in the roof of the barn seemed to create. Perhaps, she thought, being exposed to the elements played a factor in her being well rested this morning. At times, she caught herself remembering who and what she was, and being slightly shocked at the strange sense of self-awareness. Her hands wrapped around the locket resting on her chest. She wondered how her tree was doing. Was it growing steadily?

With Hazel's musing came thoughts of Ianthe and her unborn child, and she wondered at how far along in her pregnancy the nymph was. She had seen a nymph's pregnancy last as long as two years once, when the seasons were especially harsh, and longer ones still were not unheard of. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the shortest pregnancy in Ianthe's species resulting in a healthy child she'd witnessed had been three weeks and four days long.

The dryad pushed herself to her feet, feeling a bit stiff as the groan of wood filled the air. She stretched a bit before heading downstairs and taking in the strange scene before her. Deciding it was too early for curious inquiries, she walked past without questioning it. She began to tend to her horse, as she'd noticed Rhaine looked ready to start traveling.

Aera awoke as Abby stormed out of the room, greeted with the sight of Hexol nearly stark naked, if not for a pair of socks on his feet, and Lucas was gone from his bed. Eyes widening as she realized what she was staring at, she snatched her boots and dagger up as she leapt out of bed and rushed out the door. She passed Abby on her way to the barn, muttering to herself quite loudly, "Dear gods above, what did I just... I don't even... Hair!"

[FreemasonGamer]

Feeling slightly reassured by the assistance his companions were quick to provide, Rameses fought to gather his scattered thoughts before gingerly rubbing his knitted brows and casting his conflicted gaze—his eyes still smoldering with a flaming crimson glow similar to his blazing szuldar—towards the others. With the threat of Harlock revitalized, the fire genasi felt a pressing urgency to shed light on the topic of his old adversary to alleviate his friends' ignorance. So, he sighed heavily and addressed Rhaine's question while his tone was still clearly agitated and upset, "Yes... I know Harlock Dorne, and I wish I didn't."

 

Rameses explained as best as possible with a strained voice, glaring at the young ranger all the while, "He is an accursed crook of a yuan-ti who threatened my family and myself before he finally chased me out of Myratma, my home, over a year ago. The only reason he did was because of his ability to do so without being caught. Harlock is a murderer who had paid for the negligence of the law, and he tried to kill me since I wasn't afraid of him. Luckily for me, our 'honorable' duel in which he had given me a beating drew too much attention for my death to be merely swept under the rug by the city's careless officials."

 

Closing his eyes momentarily, the genasi soon resumed his hateful leer aimed at the Mulhorandi. "That man has hunted me across Faerûn because I rattled his cage, understand? What's worse; if he did kill me and never left Myratma, he might have even hurt my family, the few people on this earth-" Biting his lip to cease his painful ranting, Rameses took a deep breath and spat furiously at Eirene to conclude his explanation, "That is the 'bounty hunter' you hope to so dutifully assist, Eirene Atemu."

 

Then, the genasi busied himself with finally equipping Jarl's saddle and packing away his own gear, and he soon spoke over his shoulder to We'tak, Conall, and Rhaine specifically, "Harlock Dorne is a dangerous man who has come this far for my head, and now you've seen how manipulative he can be when persuading the ignorant to aid his cause. If he's still on my trail, then we should get moving with haste."

 

Once his camel was prepared for the ride ahead, Rameses beckoned the others out of his way as he exited the stall, Jarl's reins held firmly in his left hand; the genasi also paused beside Rhaine briefly and revealed a polished copper amulet of a feathery-winged serpent baring its knife-like fangs, showing it to the Doomguide. "I was given this by a yuan-ti woman who was close to Harlock Dorne. She explained to me once how this is the symbol of their race's deity, Sseth, so knowing that might also help you gauge how dangerous Harlock is." Rameses noted to her before pocketing the trinket away and departing from the barn with Jarl in tow, eager for some space and fresh air to hopefully soothe his tension.

 

Meanwhile, Eirene was left in a dazed shock by how sinister the man she agreed to help truly was, and she glanced among the others who remained with a shameful, apologetic expression etched across her dark countenance. Focusing on the winged Doomguide and the silver-clad paladin, the Mulhorandi lamented condemningly, "I... I cannot apologize for the trouble I have instigated, nor can I ask for forgiveness. Although, I will cease my associating with this Harlock Dorne since he is the true villain, it seems..." After a moment of careful consideration, Eirene added in an attempt of compensating for the turmoil and distress she caused, "If I can offer any service or recompense for this, I will not hesitate to."

[AurianaValoria1]

Rhaine raised her eyebrows at the medallion that Rameses showed her; sighing heavily after the genasi left the barn, the Doomguide turned her attention to Eirene, "If you wish to join us in our quest, you are welcome. I am Rhaine Alcinea, Doomguide and Chosen of Kelemvor, and my comrades and I are searching for unknown Sharran foes who have taken an interest in the phylacteries of a very powerful dracolich. Be warned that several in my company have died in aiding me, and that death is a very real threat here. But if you are earnest in wanting to help...if your heart seeks justice, you care for the fate of the Realms, and you are willing to lay down your life for it all...then your blade is welcome." With that, she led her mare outside after Rameses and Jarl, meeting up with Abby on the lawn before the inn. The Doomguide briefly went inside to secure some food for those anxious to depart before returning outside, parcels of hard bread, cheese, and overripe fruit in hand.

 

Conall and Zorica left the barn soon after, the former thinking on recent events, his elevated status in Selune's eyes, and now - after Rameses relation to the group of his relationship with this Harlock Dorne - the possibility that Raidan would still be hunting him, too. The werewolf paladin had to admit that it had been a while since the last attempt on his life, and he was starting to get suspicious.

 

He didn't know if thinking such was humorous or just plain sad.

 

==============================================

Shadovar Citadel

 

Quarylene watched Nyx carefully after the vampiress had given her her task.

 

"So," the drow began, "I want to make certain that I have your...instructions...correct. You have contacts in Aglarond who associate with the followers of Velsharoon, and you wish to inform them of a formal event that will be held in Furthinghome?"

 

"Yes," Nyx replied, her lips curling into a sweet smile, "You will also have a very important letter to deliver to someone there...one that will be key to my plans, though it may not seem like it now. I am entrusting you with its delivery, because I know you will not fail."

 

The drow stared at her for a few moments, then answered, "Very well. I must admit that I am intrigued by all of this scheming. I am ready when you are."

 

==============================================

 

Maydiira had the good fortune, in her crouched wanderings along the edge of the Yuirwood, to eventually find an overturned caravan wagon alongside the dusty road. There were only a few containers that had not been picked through by robbers, beggars, and other folk, but one contained a few articles of old clothing. The only thing that would fit her, though, was a woman's pale rose nightgown, embroidered with blue butterflies, and even this she had to rip the back out of for her wings. Still, it was better than nothing at all.

 

Finding a small puddle of standing water, she moved to examine her reflection in it. A frown immediately crossed her dark features.

 

Or...perhaps not...

[FreemasonGamer]

Internalizing Rhaine's introductory speech, Eirene weighed her possible courses of action very heavily and seriously, even as the Doomguide herself departed from the barn after Rameses; not only did the Mulhorandi feel a certain degree of obligation to assist these adventurers after unintentionally aiding an enemy of theirs, but any opportunity to possibly accomplish some good also appealed to her. Hence, the young ranger quickly convinced herself to join their seemingly heroic cause as she followed the remaining individuals out of the barn with her horse's reins in hand, speaking to them all collectively, "It would be my pleasure to offer my blades to your aid for as long I am able. At the very least, it is the right thing to do after our... misunderstanding."

 

While Eirene spoke to those such as Conall, We'tak, and the Doomguide upon her swift return from the inn itself, Rameses had comfortably perched himself atop Jarl's saddle and was keeping a sharp eye on their surroundings, caution and paranoia compelling his newfound demeanor. Similarly, his great white camel was unusually obedient and silent, knowing better than to show out defiantly when Rameses was in such an agitated, tense state of mind and body. His szuldar flickering and crackling sullenly, the genasi did however graciously accept a bit of the breakfast food which Rhaine had brought from within the inn's establishment.

 

Once he hastily devoured the meager meal and washed it down with a drink from one of his flasks containing water, Rameses asked his fellows from his vantage point, "So, do we have a heading?"

 

Following the others' leads, Eirene was also quick to mount her own steed, and she stood among the back of the group quietly. Even though she had pledged her abilities to the Doomguide's company, the Mulhorandi still felt a fair bit nervous and decided it best to only speak when spoken to until she was better acquainted to at least some of their group's members.

[Macman253]

Kellak meandered on next to Terra with her reigns firmly gripped in his hand as he followed the mares tracks. He had been following rumors of the Chosen Of Kelemvor for a few days now, watching the roads from a distance, it was at the Inn behind him that he had gotten a description of the Chosen and he had gotten a break in his pursuit. The tracks led to a barn where a fairly large party of armed individuals and their mounts waited. Kellak wrapped the sling he had on Haelga around his torso and tied off Terra's reigns to a nearby signpost. The large black and grey badger laid down and grunted calmly before relaxing and watching Kellak approach the party. Odyn the Raven perched on his shoulder was squawking loudly as he approached the party.

 

Kellak wore stone armor covering his chest and shoulders, it was chipped and worn but it once was covered in intricate runes and carvings which now were faded and worn almost away. He had a spiked stone bracer on his left arm with a series of spurs on each knuckle and a knuckleduster wrapped around his fingers. Slung across his back was a dwarven Urgrosh and draped over his right arm was a dark grey hide cloak that was also his hood which hid his face, his black and grey beard hung down to his waist and was tied in a fairly tight braid. Along his exposed skin which was his abdomen and his left bicep were a series of grey runes that were tattooed into his flesh in Terran. His most notable feature was that despite having matching stone shin plates he wore no shoes, his feet on the bare earth.

 

"Who among ye' call ye'self the Chosen Of Kelemvor?" He shouted loudly in a gravelly voice that seemed to boom. Odyn cawed loudly after he spoke.

Edited September 22, 2015 by Macman253

[josh900]

Dispelling the shroud of darkness that he had enveloped himself in not too long ago, Leif emerged packed, cleaned, and ready for travel. His morning limp having already been dealt with, he made his way to the barn where the others had gathered in time to hear the newly arrived Dwarf ask for the Chosen of Kelemvor. Leif leaned against the open barn door frame, crossing one leg in front of the other. "I'm your Huckleberry." He said, letting the twang of his accent emphasize itself. "What can I help ya with?" He asked the Dwarf. If the dwarf was there to cause any trouble, he'd rather it be aimed at him, least this way he could get his morning exercise.

[AurianaValoria1]

Zorica nearly dropped the bite of cheese she had taken from one of the parcels Rhaine had bought as she glared at Leif's response. Conall gave Rhaine an uncertain glance, but the Doomguide herself said nothing as she sat perched on her caramel steed, waiting for the others to assemble; she thought it rather ironic that Leif had been skeptical of her claim and now was pretending to be the selfsame thing he had doubted her being...for what reason she was not quite so sure unless it was to feel out the dwarf for possible antagonism. Rhaine was tempted to doubt that such a noble deed was the half-elf's intent, but she would not look a gift horse in the mouth, if that was his purpose...

[Macman253]

Kellak smiled lightly and drew back his hood, his eyesight was not as good as it once was but he knew a woman from a man. He ignored the half-elf's response and stepped forward a few paces and looked at the woman atop the caramel mare.

 

"A fine mare." He said, gesturing to her steed with his exposed arm, the other safely hidden behind the cloak. "The tales of te' Chosen 'ave been varied as the demons of the Nine Hells themselves. Some say she is a fearsome beast of a woman capable of destroying a village with her glare, others say she is beautiful enough to rival the goddess Sune herself. But they all share one 'ting in common." Said the dwarf in a long monologue and gesturing towards her, "That she 'as wings..."

 

Kellak bows suddenly, "I am Kellak Stoneaxe of Clan Stoneaxe." He said as he rose from his deep and formal bow. "I come to offer meh' services to ye' and yer' kin." He added with a warm smile. The raven on his shoulder cawed in protest to the sudden bow that made it leave it's perch, the dwarf swatted at it to get it to shut up before turning his attention back to Rhaine. "What say you lass? Could ye' do with a dwarf?"

[AurianaValoria1]

Abby stood by Leif and smirked as she chewed away rapidly at a chunk of bread that made her cheeks puff out it was so large. The monk elbowed him playfully, "Sho...looksh like shomeone called yer bluff there, Huckshter."

 

Rhaine looked down from her saddle at the dwarf for a few moments, digesting what he had greeted her with. After a breath or two, she replied with a small smirk, "I am happy to say that neither of those first two ridiculous rumors are true. But the last is, of course, a fact," she sighed, "Well...I trust since you know enough about me to spot me in a crowd, you also know enough about my cause. I will not turn away a willing blade - yours will be the second I accept this morn, should you insist on joining me - but I must warn you as I warned her," she glanced at Eirene, "This is no child's play or quest for glory. This is a mission to keep evil from choking the Realms in its clutches, and it is a quest upon which you may very well lose your life."