Tales of Faerun

[FreemasonGamer]

We'tak's swift departure from the campsite had convinced Rameses to usher an exasperated sigh as he slowly made his way back to the campfire, his movement still noticeably sluggish and uneven like that of a drunkard. Taking a seat upon a nearby log facing the flames, the fire genasi futilely attempted to rid his countenance of the charcoal marks with his sleeve to little avail; soot black smears stained his forehead and cheekbones, even smothering the subtle glow of his szuldar. Eventually giving up, the fighter shrugged before uncorking his waterskin and pouring its contents over his face. "I'll get him back for this, he'll see..." Rameses mumbled broodingly, drying off his face in the crook of his right elbow after stopping his waterskin with a cork and stashing it back in his satchel.

 

Meanwhile, Eirene still wore an amused smile as she followed her companion back towards the fire, considering her options before taking a seat at Rameses's side with a respectful amount of space between them. Feeling more at ease than she had all day, the Mulhorandi observed her friends for a few quiet moments before responding humorously to the fire genasi's remark, "Oh come now, We'tak is innocent at heart, and he seems to look up to you."

 

"Precisely. No one ever anticipates the innocent ones." Her companion countered plainly with a growing smirk, sighing once more as he leaned closer to the bonfire. "I'll need a plan, a strategy for what is to come with that thri-kreen..." While Rameses's words seemed menacing, his lighthearted tone dispelled any such notions of potential maleficence. As a matter of fact, his musings only brightened Eirene's amusement, and she soon inquired curiously, "Has it always been like this between the two of you, may I ask?"

 

Her curiosity broadened Rameses's grin and compelled him to shake his head, and he crossed his arms as he watched the flickering fire in front of them. "Not exactly, although We'tak has always been a little mischievous in his own way. He is very... unfamiliar with the rest of the world outside of his homeland, and he finds a good bit of amusement in most things we do." As he spoke, the Mulhorandi at his side curiously noted how his tone sounded like that of an older brother speaking of his younger sibling, which warmed Eirene's heart slightly.

 

"As odd as the young one might be, his intentions seem pure." Eirene hummed in response, contemplating on the thri-kreen's caring and considerate nature, "And I suppose we are all somewhat odd in our own ways, aren't we Rameses?" Unsurprisingly, Rameses immediately scoffed at her remark with that amused smirk still etched across his face, although he did not argue against most of their company being unusual sights in comparison to the mundane commoner. "I suppose that might be true," He replied simply, stretching somewhat as his mind wandered towards the subject of dinner.

Edited December 14, 2015 by FreemasonGamer

[josh900]

"Heh, guess that bit of info was too much for him." Azuris smirked as We'tak fell out of the tree and left the camp.

 

"Well," Leif shrugged, "I'm not sure how anyone should react to that information." He said with a perplexed look on his face.

 

"Falling out of a tree's probably not the healthiest." Lucas spoke up from his cup.

[Macman253]

Kellak grumbled a laugh as We'tak fell out of the tree. He had to admit the Thri-kreen was rather pleasant company. The dwarf gestured in his direction while speaking to Lucas.

 

"'Tere' is an ol' dwarf sayin', It 'taint te' fall 'tat kills ye', it be te' sudden stop at te' end." Mused Kellak. He puffed on his pipe lightly, realizing his flame had gone out so he struck up another twig and went about lighting it again.

[josh900]

Casting Kellak a curious look, Lucas scratched at his own head. "I... I don't think that's.. a predominantly dwarvish saying." He replied.

 

"Nah, nah." Leif shook his head with a grin. "That's definitely an Ogerian saying,you know how philosophical they can be. For truly? Is it not the sudden stop that kills us all?" He mused in a tone that would suggest he was deeply searching for the meaning of life.

 

"I thought it was an owlbear saying myself." Azuris smirked.

 

"Oh now you're just being rude." Leif chastised him.

 

"I thought the dragons said it first because of how much they fly around and all that?" Hexol spoke up from his bedroll that he had been in since they set up camp. He was very quickly ordered back to sleep by Lucas, Leif, and Azuris all in unison, fearing what would happen if the Kender got involved in all of this. Thankful Hexol gave a short "Mkay," before laying his head back down and quickly passing out.

[AurianaValoria1]

Argyros raised a brow at the drow's bizarre behavior, unsure whether or not her reaction bordered the insane. Beside him, Conall relaxed his grip on his crossbow slightly, exchanged looks with the pale elf, and then turned to We'tak, "If you wish to be her guardian, then lead her to Rhaine. She can tell her how to get to Furthinghome, if she desires...and will likely be a better judge of her character than either you or I." With that, he nodded to the disguised dragon, "Let's keep going, and trust the others to handle this. We have food to catch and skin before dark."

 

Argyros gave a small smile and lowered his bow, "Things will be nothing but fine, I am sure."

 

With that, the pair continued on into the darkening woods, searching for fresh game to bring back to their fellows.

 

Meanwhile, at the campsite itself, Abby piped up, "We should ask Argy when he gets back...maybe he knows where the saying came from first."

 

Maydiira shook her head, "Does it matter that much?"

 

A distant "no" came from the direction of Rhaine and her horse, where the Doomguide had Kaliste's left front foot between her knees and was picking the hoof clean.

[FreemasonGamer]

"Well there you have it, folks." Rameses mused after hearing the distant rebuttal from the direction where Rhaine was tending to her horse, "An answer straight out of the horse's mouth."

 

Soon bored from the ensuing silence by the campfire, the fire genasi stood before gradually wandering over to the Doomguide's side, leaving Eirene behind with the others. Observing the winged paladin as she cleaned Kaliste's hooves intrigued him somewhat, mostly because he did not have to tend to Jarl in such a fastidious manner.

 

Finally, Rameses soon asked her with a rather plain tone, "If you're anything like me, you're doing chores because you have something on your mind. Why are the cogs grinding in there, Lady Doomguide?"

 

Only half listening to the genasi's conversation with their leader, Eirene rolled her shoulders and yawned quietly from both fatigue and boredom.

 

"Oh dear, pardon me." The Mulhorandi quickly uttered in her typically regal manner, glancing up at the reddening sky afterward. Sunset would be upon them in a few hours, and their hunting party would hopefully soon return before then bearing fruits for their efforts.

 

With little else to discuss among her companions, Eirene soon thought of a means to dispell her worsening boredom and looming broodiness. Taking about a fresh sheet of papyrus and a stick of drawing charcoal, she undertook the admirable challenge of sketching out the scene in front of her: a band of adventurers peacefully huddled around a campfire.

Edited December 18, 2015 by FreemasonGamer

[Lisnpuppy]

Sin listened with some confusion as the bug thing argued...it seemed to her..passionately for her protection and to give her a chance among this group. Not to just be told to run away as fast as possible which was really the best she thought to expect once they spoke of the "other" Drow, and not seemingly to just point a compass direction, but to let her come with them. Come with them and others in their party..and another Drow? Like..like her? Or was it a trick of one of Lloth'a agents? Still..could she dare hope?

 

Could Tymora's smile shine down on her once again in the form of the bug man?

 

Sin shoved the map quickly into a bag on her belt and brought out her gold coin featuring Tymora's face. She kissed it firmly, the young Drow smiled, "Thank you, you beautiful thing you." Sin then looked about and then too, shoved the coin back into its hiding spot. This was all done with astonishing speed. The Drow, adjusted bags, weapons, clothing, and giving herself another smell then marched smartly over to the pond, tossed herself splashed about then come marching back over to We'tak. Dripping, long red hair falling like dark lava down body and face and shivering like a newborn, Sin smiled at the Thri-kreen.

 

"Well that is the best I could do about the smell on short notice...shall we?" Sin motioned for We'tak to lead the way.

[GrueMaster]

Almost as soon as Conall said to take the dark pointy-ear female back to camp, We'tak dropped all hints of seriousness and was his cheerful, talkative self once more. He chattered with slight disapproval as she simply jumped in the water, not wanting to possibly spoil the pond, but his excitement soon asserted itself. "Okay!" He said, turning to lead the way. "I think you will like my clutch. They are very nice softskins." The thri-kreen began speaking quickly, sharing about his clutchmates unbidden.

 

"Rhaine and Maydiira are very nice winged pointy-ears... Abby is the cutest little hatchling... Rameses is a very nice fireskin... although he is not very happy at the moment... long tale... Leif is somewhat sstrange, but friendly... Kellak smells of the deep earth... Eirene smells like wet lizard at times... She and Rameses fight at times over silly things, like clothes and weddings... I do not understand softskins sometimes. Say, why do softskins place so much emphasis on wearing so much cloth? What do you think, Sin? Oh, greetings! I am back!"

 

This sudden barrage of information and inquiries would have continued had they not made it back already. "Argyros and Conall are still hunting, but we found this nice dark pointy-ear named Sin. Conall said I could lead her back here. Sin, welcome to my clutch! Say..." He began to say, that familiar tilt of his head heralding another surge of curiosity. "How do you dark pointy-ears make fire? Is it like dark winged pointy-ears...?"

[AurianaValoria1]

When We'tak reentered the camp with a drow in tow, Maydiira instantly jumped to her feet, reflexively reacting to seeing another drow nearby. Her wings snapped close to her back as she tensed, and she tossed a warning Rhaine's way, "Barra Ktonos!" Rhaine had been about to answer Rameses when her fellow Favored Soul gave the call, and the Doomguide immediately looked up with concern in her eyes, dropping Kaliste's hoof unceremoniously to the dirt.

 

She strode over to the thri-kreen and his drow charge and gave the former a sharp look, "We'tak, enough! There are more appropriate times to ask questions, and now is not one of them." Turning to the red-headed drow, she added, "What is your business here?"

 

Abby was uncharacteristically quiet as she watched the scene unfold with wide, yellow-green eyes. The half-dragon monk's entire body was still, and her senses were on high alert; she would be quick to move, if needed.

[Lisnpuppy]

Sin's demeanor had been cautiously optimistic while on the way to and into the camp. Listening to this We'tak's chitter and chatter was amusing after one got used to the peppered questions and frequent clacking-like sound in between. Really if she let herself admit it, she was much the same when excited and she gave a soft smile as she walked beside him. Though she knew nothing about this unusual being she was under the impression We'tak was young. Even so, she scanned the area around her. She and her parents had not survived the surface world and years of their fellow Drow by not paying attention. Well...Sin thought as she pushed down a wave of pain and swallowed tears...she had survived...

 

Suddenly Sin heard a voice and her head snapped to one side. As the winged Drow moved toward her she seemed to freeze. Sin's senses rose up to an edge nonetheless. By the time the Rhaine's question came out, SIn stood, dagger blades casually in hand and green eyes glowing. This was second nature and she knew better than to show fear or even being intimidated to another , especially with a Drow waiting in the wings. Giving a sudden, elegant bow to Rhaine, daggers still in hands Sin looked around to the Drow completely ignoring the question. Sin then smiled in a way that any Underdark Drow would have been proud. In an almost taunting voice, Sin stuck out her chin and spoke in the Drow tongue, testing the waters.

 

"Natha dumoas d'Eilistraee, Dalninil, (Blessing of Eilistraee, Sister.) " Sin spoke softly watching for any untold movement by the other Drow or Rhaine still standing in front of her. Any action, look or movement which would betray either's oncoming acts or even possible future actions as one of Lolth's followers. Sin held her body poised, if needed, to escape back to the treeline. She may not be the greatest fighter but she had learned many tricks from her city friends and wished to remain prepared for an escape.

 

(edit for my confusion)