Tales of Faerun

[josh900]

As tensions flared up due to the arrival of the new Drow, Leif leaned back so as to get a better view of her. After a moment he let out a sigh and stood up. "Now now Rhaine, mind your manners, ain't no reason we can't all be civilized here " He said with a soft chuckle before looking at the Drow. "Hello there, why don't you come join us? It's not a five star meal but the food's good enough." He said as he approached. "This here's Rhaine and Maydiira." He said, pointing to each in turn. "I'm Leif, nice to meet cha." He said with a smile, offering a hand out to shake the Drow woman's.

[FreemasonGamer]

When the tension spiked among those of the company in response to the Drow woman We'tak had brought back to camp, Rameses immediately took a step back from the winged Doomguide when her patience with the thri-kreen's inquisitiveness went up in flames, perhaps rightfully so considering the possibly dangerous situation at hand. Before the fire genasi could internalize what all was going on around him, the newcomer Drow and Maydiira were speaking briefly in some form of Elvish gibberish that hardly made any sense to Rameses. What was even more unusual was Leif's dinner offering to the potentially hostile Drow in spite of the obvious scrutiny and wariness of the group's leader aimed at the woman.

 

Similarly to Rameses's state of baffled confusion, Eirene was thoroughly distracted with her charcoal drawings when the initial confrontation struck. With the heavily marked sheet of papyrus lying in her lap, the Mulhorandi quickly cast her sharp, vaguely reptilian gaze towards the newcomer. While a small part of Eirene's conscience worried that both parties might jump to unfriendly conclusions, her primary concern was We'tak, who was dangerously close to the Drow both Rhaine and Maydiira evidently considered to be a threat.

 

"How about we all calm down, eh?" Rameses soon spoke up plainly as he lifted his hands up in a nonthreatening manner, but his szudar still flared with caution while his crimson gaze focused on the Drow's daggers, "Why don't we try to start things off on the right foot this time, preferably in Common? I think all this Elvish might have some folks on edge."

Edited December 27, 2015 by FreemasonGamer

[GrueMaster]

We'tak's antennae folded back in displeasure and confusion as Rhaine verbally rebuked him and she along with a few other clutchmates took defensive postures against Sin. "Why are clutchmates so angry...?" He could only asked, befuddled at such reactions. "Are dark pointy-ears clutch-breakers?" The young thri-kreen looked at the female, then at Rhaine, before taking his gythka and placing it firmly in the ground between his clutchmate and the newcomer.

 

"Softskins... you do not even try to talk in peace..." The hatchling stood between the two with arms held out in peace. "I have sworn to watch over and guard the dark pointy-ear Sin, so no harm shall come to any." He nodded in agreement with Rameses, who tried to keep things friendly. "Yes, speaking the same language would be nice..." He clicked in curiosity, studying Sin again. "Though, you speak so beautifuily... could you teach thiss one your language?"

Edited December 27, 2015 by GrueMaster

[AurianaValoria1]

Maydiira was silent for a moment after Sin's greeting; of course she understood the drow perfectly, but it did not feel like her place to answer, yet. When Rameses suggested speaking in Common, however, Maydiira openly agreed, narrowing her silver eyes at her fellow drow and nodding, "Yes...let us do so." She crossed her arms and watched the scene carefully, especially the movements of the newcomer, who still happened to have her daggers in hand.

 

Meanwhile, Rhaine's patience was beginning to thin rather rapidly. Stepping in front of Leif, between him and We'tak, she snapped at both of them, "Get out of the way, and stop being fools! We can all be friends after I talk with her myself!" Turning her attention to Sin, the Doomguide narrowed her emerald eyes at the drow and put her hand on the hilt of her sword, "Now...I ask again - who are you and what are you doing here?"

 

Rhaine knew that a lone drow posed little threat to a group of their size and skill, but she also knew that the drow were some of the most deceptive folk in the Realms...and with the party being tracked, attacked, and lately beaten to their destinations - foiled by mysterious outside forces - she felt she could take little chances at this point.

 

Abby sighed and stood, too, cocking one hip as she mused out loud in a sarcastic tone, "You know...kinda stupid to swear to protect somebody you don't know for sure is all that friendly, yet. I mean, there is such a thing as lying. And having weapons out doesn't do anything to help the situation, either."

Edited December 28, 2015 by AurianaValoria1

[Lisnpuppy]

Sin narrowed her eyes at them all and slowly put her daggers away. Having a million questions thrown at her at once was not something she was used to having. She was also tired, wet and hungry. Very hungry. She blinked several times determined not to cry again in front of these strangers.

 

Deciding to just go with it, but still not able to just obey the arrogant others and answer their questions directly. She was after all, invited to this camp and was being treated without any hospitality. Sin pointed a finger at We'Tak to begin and spoke in rapid common, "We are speaking the Drow tongue and yes it can be taught but it is a difficult language and I honestly have no idea if you are able to make the necessary sounds. I gave her Greetings and blessings of EIistraee. I am however, willing to try to teach you should you be so inclined though I doubt I will be here long enough."

 

Sin then turned and pointed at Leif, stepping forward and grabbing his hand, pumping it like a water well and smiling as much as she could under the circumstances. As she did she noted the squish sound of her boots. "Hello Leif...erm..why are you named after the tree things?" Dropping his hand as quickly as she had grabbed it, the Drow looked over at Ramses then spoke. "Common is fine though some messages go better with one's Mother tongue."

 

Sin glanced next at Abby then answered Rhaine, "What do you expect. I was invited to come with We'Tak by your own friends, I assume those were your friends hunting? Though I do not know how you have friends acting like this. They seemed to find no fault with me to allow me to come to you. Are you so distrustful of all your friends decisions?" Sin looked them all over at this. "If this is hospitality for all of you then I am better lost in the woods." Sin then stood up as tall as her size allowed and spoke to the party in general, trying not to be hurt once again by those who did not know her.

 

"As for what I am doing here, I was lost in the woods. I sat in the tree to try to find my way with some Orc-cursed map with the most terrible scribble upon it. I only wish to find my way to Furthinghome to find my friends and work and somewhere to live now that my parents are dead and I am hungry and wet and tired. By Lolth's smelly slippers, do you have any idea how hard it is to nap in a tree? And then your friends said I could come and you treat me like I am some goblin raider and I have done nothing but perhaps be a bit more fragrant that I would like and you talk to this man..person..We'Tak like he is a child and why should I answer anything when you ask it like that..." Sin continued for some time singing We'Tak's praises for knowing she was a nice Drow and not one of "them" and didn't she have any luck at all and she prayed to Tymora every day to help her and also to Eilistraee. All she wished to do was go to Furthinghome.

 

Suddenly Sin stopped and in the silence her stomach made a loud and low growl. Looking around at the others she bit the inside of her cheek to maintain what she was sure was a most angry and disapproving face all the while, her wet clothes and hair creating a puddle at her feet.

[josh900]

Leif's left eye gave a noticeable twitch as Sin mispronounced his name, years of being called "Leafy-boy" resurfacing in his mind. "No not leaf, Leif." He repeated, slowly sounded his name out for her, putting emphasis on the hard A sound to avoid confusion. And to Rhaine he simply gave a smirk and rested an elbow on her shoulder. Hey now, no reason we can't all start on a good foot. Drow aren't about honor last I checked so I dooon't think one would announce themselves if it wanted to kill us." He said, speaking from his own lengthy experiences with drow elves.

 

He was about to say something else but the sound of Sin's stomach stopped him in his tracks. A few moments passed before he let out a snicker. "Yeah no, I think the only thing in danger from her right now is our food."

[AurianaValoria1]

Rhaine stared nearly unblinking at Sin, silent for a long moment before answering, "I did not get this far trusting everyone and everything they said. And if being rude means the safety of my companions, then so be it. As the leader of this party, I take responsibility for whatever happens when I let strangers into the fold." Pausing, she added, "And if I know the friends you speak of, Conall and Argyros, they turned you this way so that I could gauge if you were a threat, myself...in the midst of the rest of my company, for all our sakes. I doubt they trusted you so easily either - what they did do," she gave a pointed look to We'tak, "was trust our thri-kreen friend to bring you here swiftly and safely." She gave Sin a small smirk, "Take that as you will."

 

Frowning as she noticed Leif's elbow on her shoulder, she shrugged it off with an annoyed expression before giving a slight bow, her black wings curling forward a little, "But...now that I can see you mean us no ill-will, proper introductions are in order. I am Rhaine Alcinea, Chosen of Kelemvor." She gestured around the camp, "And these are my comrades who aid me on my quest in this region. You are in luck; we are heading to Furthinghome ourselves."

 

Maydiira shifted her weight from one foot to the other, "Are you considering letting her come along with us, then?"

 

Rhaine put her hands on her hips, armor jangling slightly, "You know better than anyone else that a lone Eilistraeeian faces grave danger on the road."

 

The white-winged drow's brow furrowed, "But I also know that faith is an easy thing to pretend."

 

Rhaine chuckled, "Well...let us see, then." Turning to look at Sin, the Doomguide's emerald eyes flashed solid white briefly before returning to their normal color, an action that was over in an instant and had no other obvious effect. She then smiled, glanced back to Maydiira, and replied, "She has the mark of Eilistraee...and Tymora. Does that satisfy you?"

 

Maydiira sighed and answered with a defeated tone, "All right. Fine. I trust you, at least."

 

"Well!" Abby cheerfully grinned with her pointy teeth, "Now that that's all settled...I'm Abigail. Abigail Laughingeyes. Folks call me Abby. Yes, before you ask, I'm half-dragon, half-Copper to be precise. Da's side. Never knew him, so nothing to share about him." The halfling monk grinned even more widely and pointed jokingly at her stubby horns, "Though he did give me a lot, that's for sure."

[FreemasonGamer]

The exchange between the Drow newcomer, Rhaine, and Maydiira thankfully concluded in a relatively peaceful manner lacking in bloodshed, which Rameses preferred. Relaxing his demeanor, the fire genasi sighed and rolled his shoulders. "It seems like we have ourselves a new addition to the company." He mused with an aloof, relieved smile as his runic tattoo-like szuldar subtly glowed like embers. He also spared a passing glance towards Rhaine, regretting their conversation was cut short by the encounter. However, the genasi didn't feel much desire to try his luck conversing with the already annoyed Doomguide a second time.

 

So, Rameses simply strolled over to the bonfire and took a seat upon the same log Eirene was occupying, beckoning to the new Drow member of their group. "No worries, friend. Hopefully, Argyros and Cull- Conall will return soon with a better meal than rations..." He noted, momentarily stammering in confusion when he mentioned the knight. Furrowing her slim brows in regards to the genasi's moment of confusion, the Mulhorandi sitting near him rolled up her sheet of papyrus sketches and deposited it in her rucksack before greeting the newcomer.

 

"Greetings, miss. I imagine now would be a suitable time for proper introductions. I am Eirene Atemu," She said to the new Drow with a smile, beckoning to the fire genasi at her side, "Our so eloquently spoken friend here is Rameses Galeran. May I ask what your name is? I am afraid I might have missed it in that fit of caution earlier." As always, Eirene's niceties and formal speaking amused Rameses enough to bring a smirk to his features.

Edited January 2, 2016 by FreemasonGamer

[GrueMaster]

We'tak carried an air of an impertinent child that had just been scolded, offended that his judgement wasn't trusted. Pouting, he stubbornly glared at the winged pointy-ear until he heard Sin's stomach make a fierce growling sound. This, and Rhaine deciding to welcome the newcomer to their clutch, was enough to calm his wounded pride, and so the thri-kreen cheered up once again.

 

"Sso dark pointy-ear needs food?" *Tck-tck?* Excited to be fully welcoming another, the hatchling immediately dashed (with delight, it seemed) and retrieved some rations he had stowed away in his pack, bringing them over to Sin (seemingly having forgotten all that had just transpired). "Here iss food!" *Chee!* "When a guest is welcomed to a clutch, it is proper to give food and water, since the desert is so unforgiving at times," he said, explaining an old custom as he handed the supplies over. Listening to Eirene introduce herself and Rameses to the newcomer, We'tak gave that excited chee again as a new line of questioning appeared.

 

"Oh, does Sin have two names like other softskins?" We'tak asked suddenly, reminded of this by his clutchmates' introductions. "What are they called again? Titles?" *Ss-ss-ss* "Thri-kreen only have one name. Like me! We'tak... just one name, and that is all thri-kreen need. But softskins seem to need many, many names. It is very silly, yes?"

[josh900]

"It... it really is never just one is it?" Lucas asked Azuris, recalling Azuris's comment the last time their group gained new members.

 

"So far it hasn't been." Azuris said with a barely noticeable smirk.