Tales of Faerun

[AurianaValoria1]

Rhaine had to admit she was rather relieved that the situation turned out as well as it did. When all of the pieces fell into place, and the two told their story to the group, things made much more sense. Rosalinde, afraid and resentful of an arranged marriage but unwilling to let her childhood friend out of her sight, had unwittingly made herself fall in love - or, perhaps, more deeply in love than she unknowingly had been before - with the knight by allowing herself to be witness to his valor and his utter dedication to her. It was a story that was almost storybook material, and she wondered if they shouldn't write down this memory for future publication, so unnaturally perfect it was...

 

Finally, the lovers broke off their kiss, and both of them flushed red with embarrassment. Gregor inclined his head to them and gave a sheepish grin, "My friends...I cannot thank you enough, on behalf of both of us. I think Rosalinde would agree that you would be most welcome at our wedding."

 

"Oh yes!" the lady nodded emphatically, "You must be there! It is only appropriate!" She clasped the knight's hands, "Gregor! There is a gala being held at Furthinghome in two tendays' time! My sister will be there, and so will many other noble mages of Aglarond...surely we can get a priest to marry us there!"

 

"My dear," he brought her hands up and kissed her fingers, "If that is what thou so desirest, then that is what shall be."

 

Rosalinde bounced up and down, her golden locks of hair shimmering in the light of the room, "Perfect! I will send correspondence to my sister and make the arrangements," she turned to the group, "Strangers...please, we would love for you to be present at our wedding as guests of honor. Meet us in Furthinghome when the gala starts, and we can reward you properly for all you've done for us!"

 

"Which wasn't that much," Abby muttered.

 

Rhaine sighed, giving a warm smile, "My lady, Sir Gregor...if at all possible, it would be an honor to be a part of your ceremony. I assure you that we will try to be there in time to see your glorious day."

 

Rosalinde's face lit up even brighter than it was, and she rushed over to the group, giving each member a swift peck of a kiss on both cheeks to show her appreciation, "All of you are wonderful! I cannot wait for that day to arrive. Godspeed you well, good travelers, and may the days pass quickly."

 

With that, the group bid their farewells to the romantic pair and went on their way, continuing on the road to the northwest as the sun began to descend in the sky.

Edited October 16, 2015 by AurianaValoria1

[josh900]

The entire sequence of events left Lucas terribly confused as they rode away. "So... I'm still not... quite sure what just happened."

 

"That back there Lucas," Leif began to explain, "was a perfect example of the insanity that love can cause." He said with a chuckle.

 

"Think I could do without that then." Lucas replied.

 

"You and me both." Azuris grunted nearby.

 

"Oh well you're missing out then, a little bit of crazy in both parties make for the best relationships." Leif said with a laugh.

 

"Nuh uh! Never date crazy!" Hexol yelled out, the horror of experience written plainly on his face.

[GrueMaster]

At first, We'tak was too enthused by the inside of the tall stone hut to pay attention to the initial conversation between Sir Gregor and Rosalinde, but as certain as the phases of the moon, he was soon enraptured by what was surely a part of the softskin mating ritual. So fascinating! He thought with excitement, very softly chee-ing at the scene before him. What's a 'wedding?' The young thri-kreen pondered, but kept silent, not wanting to interrupt this interesting ritual. He could barely keep that silence, though, when his clutch was invited to partake in this wedding, and the dam of questions and enthusiasm poured forth once the group was outside of earshot of the tower.

 

"That was so exciting to watch!" *CHEE!* We'tak spoke, practically bouncing with excitement. "Are all softskin mating rituals so dramatic?" He asked of the group and Conall primarily, prancing alongside the werewolf as he entertained thoughts of whimsy. "Say, what are weddings? Are they as complex as this part of mating? Are softskins like many animals and simply mate right there, or go to special nests for it? Also, how do softskins mate? Is it for life, or do the mates part ways? Are they like many warm-blooded animals, or do they lay eggs?" *TCKTCK!*

 

He suddenly chattered, an idea popping up suddenly. "Those two mentioned getting a priest to marry them. If softskin priests are like thri-kreen druids, does that not mean Winged Pointy-ear is a priest?" He looked over at Rhaine. "If so, would it not be great to have Rhaine marry Rosalinde and Gregor?" *Chee!* "Oh, it would be so exciting to see! Don't you think, Rameses? Eirene?" *CHEE!* The young thri-kreen gave a slight flailing of the arms as he hopped with enthusiasm for events to come, barely able to wait for the celebration ahead.

[tokyobiohazard]

Aera was none too pleased with the fair lady Rosalinde yanking her down to eye level to plant kisses on both her cheeks after an overly lengthy kiss with Sir Gregor. She cringed internally, and was very excited to be outside as soon as the party left the tower. "I thought we'd never get out of there. In fact, I was afraid she'd enchant us into staying forever."

Hazel shook her head at the weretigress' words and replied, "She wouldn't have done that. I thought their love was very sweet, if a little dramatic."

[FreemasonGamer]

Taking Gregor's and Rosalinde's final gestures of gratitude in stride before they bid farewell, Rameses and Eirene gave their last sentiments to the betrothed pair before swiftly mounting their steeds and departing with the rest of the company. Mild, relaxed chatter soon sprouted among their fellow companions as the impressive mage's tower gradually disappeared into the hilly Aglarondian landscape behind them, but Rameses kept quietly to himself at the rear of the group while Eirene exhibited a similar degree of tranquility near the front of their party. Once We'tak's sudden bombardment of questions reached their ears, however, both the genasi and the Mulhorandi curiously sat upright in their saddles, perplexed and intrigued by the youngling's inquiries.

 

"That was by far one of the most dramatic courtships I've ever seen, We'tak, and rarely will you see such a hopelessly romantic couple." Rameses chuckled in amusement, spurring Jarl forward to ride alongside Conall and the thri-kreen, "Also, weddings are parties where lovers are married to one another in front of an audience of friends, family, and other such acquaintances. Oh, and courting among softskins isn't easily summarized since many people have differing preferences for it; some folks favor simpler, more relaxed acts of courtship, and others enjoy more... unnecessarily elaborate displays of affection and flattery."

 

At which point, Eirene gave a slight scoff as she slowed her horse's canter to intervene into the conversation. "Don't listen to such folly, young one." She addressed We'tak with a kind yet somewhat brazen tone, "Any proper wedding or courtship between lovers should be extravagant, heartfelt, fantastic even. As a matter of fact, countless traditions and customs have appeared throughout history regarding how those of our kind should eloquently convey their fondness towards their significant others."

 

Not long after Rameses rolled his eyes while listening to the ranger's opinion, We'tak's questioning focused upon the concept of softkin mating compelled Eirene's cheeks to redden substantially. Regardless, the genasi at We'tak's side was remarkably quick when he answered, "Mating among softskins like us usually involves a fancy dinner, a fine bottle of wine, preferably a comfortable place to lie down together-"

 

Before Rameses could continue his lighthearted explanation, the Mulhorandi quickly interrupted him with an aghast tinge in her voice, "Rameses! That is far too inappropriate to share with a child such as We'tak!" In response to her sudden outburst, the genasi surprisingly fought against the intense urge to laugh, instead freely allowing several wispy snickers to escape. "Well, We'tak will want an answer at some point." Rameses took his time remarking to Eirene with a slight smirk, soon reclining in Jarl's saddle as the towering beast lumbered alongside their fellow adventurers.

 

"Men." Eirene retorted simply with a vibrant rolling of her eyes, and We'tak's last inquiry on the mating subject lingered on the ranger's mind until she briefly noted, her voice barely hinting at her discomfort, "Softskins do not lay eggs; women give birth to live young called babies, We'tak..."

 

An unsettling moment of silence followed the Mulhorandi's explanation until the thri-kreen's final question regarding the group's Doomguide possibly wedding the likes of Rosalinde and Gregor, and the very thought of such an outlandish occurrence garnished amused smiles upon the faces of both Rameses and Eirene. "If Winged Pointy-Ear has the authority to marry couples, then such a service given by such an individual would be the showstopper at any wedding." Snickered Rameses at the prospect, but the nearby Eirene simply remained silent while continuing to wear a faint smile upon her bronze countenance.

Edited October 17, 2015 by FreemasonGamer

[AurianaValoria1]

Zorica glanced over her shoulder as she rode, squinting at Hexol when he loudly protested dating "crazy" people. "So," she hesitantly inserted herself into the conversation, "I'm guessing you've been there, done that?"

 

Nearby, Conall smirked when he heard Aera and Hazel's exchange, "You certainly don't see love like that every day, that's for sure."

 

Abby, who jogged alongside the party, tried her best to tune out We'tak's barrage of questions, and Rhaine, who rode at the head of the group, barely heard any of it, the chatter of the party only becoming clear once and a while and in bits and pieces. All the while, Argyros flew high overhead as he had been doing since the meteor shower, keeping watch from above and enjoying some time to himself.

 

Not an hour or two after the party had left the enchantress's tower did the silver dragon abruptly descend, hovering alongside the party before landing with a loud thud and walking beside them for a ways, "Rhaine...I saw something ahead that might be of interest. It looked to be a drow with wings...wearing some sort of dress." The silver's face was rather expressive, and he seemed concerned as well as a bit amused by the sight.

[FreemasonGamer]

"A winged drow..." Rameses curiously repeated the silver dragon's feedback, clearly baffled as he found it somewhat difficult to envision such a being until the genasi momentarily glanced towards the Doomguide. For a brief moment, he wondered if whether or not those of elvish descent were, for whatever reason, more likely to inherit avian wings. Surely not, Rameses thought to himself doubtfully, quickly casting out the ludicrous consideration. "Evidently, winged people are more common than what most gossip and legends let on..." The genasi addressed to no one in particular, leaning forward in Jarl's saddle as he scratched his jaw, engrossed in his own thoughts.

 

Unlike Rameses, who seemed completely at ease with a dragon's sudden roadside appearance, Eirene yelped fearfully with a violent flinch when Argyros landed unexpectedly next to the group; her fearful surprise in turn spurred a fit of panic from her already stubborn, skittish horse. Several chaotic moments passed as Eirene fought to regain influence over her steed, Rameses watching her critically all the while.

 

Once she had steadfast control of her reddish-brown steed, the Mulhorandi caught her breath and shakily brushed a few loose strands of dark hair from her face. Her gaze fixed upon the majestic silver dragon, Eirene asked hesitantly, "Are we... in league with a dragon?"

 

"Not just any dragon," Rameses corrected with a sarcastic tune in his words, "This is Argyros the great and powerful silver dragon."

 

"Ah..." The youthful ranger replied, still quite apprehensive about the presence of such an intimidating creature. Turning her attention to the rumored drow who supposedly garnished a pair of wings, Eirene's narrow, sleek brows knitted together in confusion until she finally spoke up, "Why would a drow have wings, and should we approach this person?"

Edited October 19, 2015 by FreemasonGamer

[Macman253]

Kellak rode calmly on the back of Terra, he puffed away on his pipe and idly carved a rune into a flat stone he had shaped and polished to a shine. After an hour of shaping, polishing and carving he was satisfied with the stone and tucked it into his saddlebags alongside many others he owned. All with various dwarf phrases and good luck charms. He rode quietly, Terra walked along the flanks of the party, she was unsure around horses but seemed to pay them no extra attention. The Dire Badger leaped to the side, her tail straight in the air and fluffed, she stood with her teeth bared and paws out as Kellak drew his axe when the Dragon landed.

 

"What in te' blazes o' Moradin's forge!" He exclaimed, when he saw the dragons metallic scales he tucked his axe away. "Apologies." He said as he bowed deeply. "No offense meant Master Argryos, myself an' my Clan respect you an' yer' kind..." He said as he raised his head.

[josh900]

Upon hearing about the winged drow, Leif's brow rose up high as he envisioned such a thing. "An Avarial-drow?" He said, knowing that the very notion sounded completely insane, but experience had forced him to meet even stranger beings, so this mixture certainly didn't sound impossible. "Worth checking out?" He asked, honestly quite curious what the dress wearing entity was.

 

"If things could quiet down for a bit.. that'd be great." Azuris sighed, the near constant barrage of events begining to wear him down.

[AurianaValoria1]

Rhaine's brow furrowed as she listened to Argyros's words, and then a slow realization dawned within her, her eyes gradually widening and her mouth dropping open. Her breath stopped momentarily, and she pulled Kaliste to an abrupt halt as she tried to make sense of what she just heard. There was only one drow she had ever known that could have been described in such a manner, and the Doomguide knew that drow to be dead. She had seen her die a horrible death from the conflagration of the dracolich whose phylacteries she still had yet to destroy in total.

 

No, it can't be...

 

But she knew all too well that it could. There was a soft flare of warmth beneath her breastplate, where her amulet lay, and she knew in her heart that it had pulsed an unspoken affirmation.

 

"No...it's not that common at all...not for drow..." she said slowly in response to Rameses statement, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

 

As Conall pulled his mount to a halt beside Rhaine, he glanced to Eirene, "A drow could have wings if they are like Rhaine, yes? And if they are a lone drow on the surface, then they should not pose much of a threat to us, I think."

 

Meanwhile, Argyros laughed at the dwarf's reaction, his chuckle a low rumble, "No offense taken, friend dwarf." Sensing that these two newcomers might be more comfortable with a smaller form, Argyros disappeared in a flash of light and reappeared in his elven guise, smiling broadly, "Is this more to your liking?"

 

Before anyone could add anything else, however, Rhaine suddenly spurred her steed into action, the honey-colored mare springing forth and galloping down the road at blinding speed. Curiosity obviously overtaking the Doomguide, she had decided that she could wait no longer to see if what she felt in her mind and her gut was true...

 

"Don't think things are going to quiet anytime soon, from the looks of it," Abby remarked to Azuris before sprinting after Rhaine. Conall wordlessly kicked his heels into Gaius's flanks and followed, Zorica alongside him. Argyros merely sighed, wishing he had known they would be advancing so quickly, else he would have saved his transformation for later.