A you all take a knee before the respective heads of each of the five territories you look about to your surroundings. The large vaulted and pillared rectangular room was deathly quiet in anticipation of the 'kings' words... all five of them. The representative of Lorken steps up first to speak in a hall filled with HUNDREDS folk from all over the territories
"To all my peoples and the peoples ruled by my worthy heads of the new 'Council of The Starfall', we have gathered here today under dire circumstances. Many of you have traveled leagues to see this six brave souls off into an unknown future. What we ALL ask of these fine man, woman, and creature alike is grand and almost blasphemous in truth. We send them into situation unlike nothing ever seen before on this planet yet they go bravely into the unknown with little but thanks and a few 'trinkets' of protection. Words beyond thank you cannot express how bless we ALL are that we have those like your kind souls to rely on when times grow dark and desperate. To each of you we grant you our lands most prized possessions."
To Edvik the king of Lorken betwoes upon your neck an chain in which a pristine angel feather hangs from...
"May this feather bring your back from disgrace my fine once royal warrior."
Next Lorkens king steps to Berrek Sandblade... to him another necklace is place upon him as of of the six gathered to help the Council of the Starfall...
"To you, one of multiple talents, I give to you an amulet of elemental prowess, may you wear it and may it make you fleet of foot in times of danger and despare."
He then moves to the cleric as he lowers unto his hands a beautiful, pristine royal blue cloak. On the back is sewn a helm and sword crest overlaid over a sunburst of holy light.
"To you devote follower of faith may this cloak show you the way to your truth path and guard you against evil at every dark turn."
The king then moves to Eltyr Malacon.... his head lowered in a nod to the man, a small thanks to him in such a small way as he presents him with a fine fist sized sapphire hued crystal etched with an ornate snake like being with large feathered wings.
"To you, specialist of the mind and magics I present to you this item in hopes that it help guide you in your path to true archmage talent."
He moves on yet again to the most eclectic of the six.. Menhir.. he hefts a large ornately carved golden dragon scale nearly as big his the little elementals torso and smiles to the earthen creature.
"To you hero of the earth and stone itself I give to you the protection of dragons, golden protection to be exact. May you wear this scale shield with pride and use it to beat back the blackness that seeps into our world!"
Last buy certainly not least it he comes to the druid Lidia. He hands her an ornately carved belt, it's length carved to look like tree roots and it's large buckle portrayed that of a huge oak tree in looking healthy and almost itself alive.
"To you lady of the forest I give you natures visage. may you wear it with the pride of one thousand forests and may you drive back the evil that has fallen to this land and caused so much terror."
As you are all now properly presented you rise and the king speaks once more for council.
"Once you leave this hall the road before you will take you out of this city and to the northwest almost directly to your first stop in unraveling this mystery of the Starfall. There is a keep five days fast pace from here you must investigate. It is a few miles from the ends of the devastation caused by the starfall. All life even just outside the reaches of the devastation has gone extinct.... save for this one keep. Reports of light and even signs of movement have been reported by out scouts lucky enough to have returned from there exploration into just the outskirts of the wreckage from the starfall. Start there my fine and brave adventurers.... and please... be careful.. you are our best hope!" the king uttered as he ended his long winded speech and let the six be off to do what must be done.
Anton stood from his kneeling, an exercise that cause small amounts of pain shooting from his knee. The elegant blue of his cloak draped masterfully across his ornate full plate, distracting all, hopefully, away from the nervousness and complete lack of comfort that his face portrayed. Waves of self-consciousness had pelted him before and during the ceremony as thousands of eyes split their time looking at him among five others. Even now, as he stood, he felt not the hero, he felt not the savior of the darkened land, instead sweat beaded down his forehead, collecting on his brow and choosing one of the paths downward, to either side of his eyes or between them both.
He kept his eyes lowered as he nodded his appreciation to the four other kings and then finally the fifth, his king. And finally Anton waited for the other five strangers to ready themselves before leaving the assembly. And he hoped that this happened sooner, rather than later.
Muttering a quick incantation to detect magic at the mention of being presented with the prized possessions of the lands controlled by the newly formed ‘Council of the Starfall’ Eltyr watches patiently as three before him are presented with a variety of items, taking as much time as he is able to gaze at each as they are bestowed upon each individual.
When the Lorken king finally reaches him, he accepts the fist sized crystal with both hands and says, “I shall endeavour to make good use of it majesty,” before bowing his head, which has the added benefit of allowing him to look more closely at the crystal and conceal a brief grin at being given such a rare item. Taking what little time is available to him before the next item is presented, Eltyr gives the crystal a cursory once over, before figuring he has time to look at it more later, while he may only get to observe the other items as they are being given to the expedition members once. He does notice a few things becoming clearer to him the moment the crystal is in his hands though, which he intends to investigate when he has the more time and isn’t surrounded by hundreds of people.
Returning his gaze to the king, or more specifically the items themselves as they’re presented, Eltyr runs his fingers over the engraved surface of his crystal, as if trying to memorise every facet of the object while he watches. Rising once all items are presented, he listens intently to the grave situation around the site of the starfall and wonders what they’ll find when investigating the keep.
Bowing his head to the assembled kings as the ceremony concludes, Eltyr slips the crystal into a hidden pocket in his robe before moving to introduce himself to his new companions, hoping they’re not all as overwhelmed as their divine companion seems to be.
OOC: I’ve taken a liberty here assuming Eltyr can cast detect magic while the presentation takes place, if he can’t I’ll change the post to reflect that, otherwise I’d like to know what he finds out with such an action. Also, how large a fist are we talking about with the fist sized crystal Eltyr has?
The spirit of the earth incarnate, whom the druids of Bowtorindale have named Menhir, reaches out a rocky appendage to take hold of the massive dragon scale when it is proffered to it. The elemental regards the wide flat object with a measure of curiosity; trying to ascertain both its composition and significance. Although at first the scale's golden sheen seems to suggest a mineral structure, its surprising light weight and flexibility reveals it to be almost entirely organic in nature. Flipping it around, Menhir quickly dismisses the intricate assembly of leather straps and buckles that have been affixed there as overcomplicated and unnecessary. Instead, the elemental firmly presses the scale's back to its left forearm, melding it's substance to the earthen surface of the appendage.
Menhir remains in its lowered position as the organic leader continues down the line to offer its last gift to Lidia. It keeps a crystalline eye on the druidess at its side for further cues. Although impressed by the large number of sentient beings assembled in one place, the elemental remains rather sketchy as to the perplexing ceremony's significance and purpose. According to the druidess, the convocation was intended to somehow validate the group's imminent efforts to find the star rock and heal the wound its impact had wrought upon the land. Menhir for its part remains unclear why validation is at all necessary or desirable, but defers to its wise companion's better judgment on the matter so long as it doesn't delay them overlong.
It's only once Lidia finally rises from her genuflection that the earth elemental rises up out of the ground into which it had sank to the waist when the group had first knelt before the five kings. Continuing to watch the druidess, Menhir raises a stubby stone finger to point towards the distant star rock's impact crater; its unspoken question all but unmistakable.
Kneeling at the ceremony, Berrek finds himself wondering yet again what's he doing here.
"Why was I chosen? Is person who called me here? What do they know that I don't?"
When magical treasures are announced, Berrek curiosity won over caution and he lowered his head hiding short period of concentration. When he next looked the world changed for his sight attuned now to magical emanations.
Here and there in the throng, slight glow could be seen and some individuals, either rich or powerful or both fairly burned in his vision.
"Thank you, Your Majesty" was all he dared to speak when he received his cloud amulet. He focused on it for few seconds and then turned his attention back to other heroes.
Once the ceremony was over he gracefuly rose and went to introduce himself to his new companions eyeing each of them carefuly. He focused on strangest of them, living pilar of stone wondering who would call such a creature as it's champion. He considered the druids of Bowtoringdale, but it seemed that they already have their champion.
Approaching he bowed slightly to the group in general and again slightly more toward 'The Lady of the Forest'. "Greetings, my name is Berrek Sandblade. I am scout and security specialist selected for this quest."
His enhanced vision showed various magics around their persons, but he didn't take time to study each emanation in details as that would be suspicious.
Last edited by Neurotic; 14th April 2009 at 12:02 PM..
More used to the quite of the forest, Lidia is completely overwhelmed by the crowds gathering to see the heroes off. Unsuccessfully trying to be inconspicuous while been the centre of attention, she manages to stutter "Thank you your majesty" in a quite voice as the king presents her with the belt.
At the end of the ceremony, Lidia fastens the belt around her waist and heads over to where the others are gathering. Once the others have introduced themselves, Lidia will introduce herself and Earth Elemental. "Hello. I am Lidia and this is my friend Menhir. I will apologise in advance should Menhir inadvertently give offense but he has very little knowledge of humanoid culture." Turning to Menhir Lidia says "Patient my friend. We will get around to exploring the crater eventually. However, first we need to look into a number of things. This will give us a better chance of success once we do go down the hole." Turning back to the others, Lidia says "Shall we get going before my impatient friend does something rash?"
As you cast detect magic while those are distracted you are so taken aback by actually how faint the magic aura around each of the artifacts are as you look from your item to the others as well. Somehow you can't get a precise fix on WHAT kind of magic it is, even with a few moment of concentration upon the objects in question(I need to know if you spend more than three rounds[18 seconds] concentrating the detection on them).
And fist sized was kinda vague... it's about as big as a small creatures fist... you could palm the crystal and almost totally conceal it if you tried...
To Berrek:
As you cast detect magic while those are distracted you are so taken aback by actually how faint the magic aura around each of the artifacts are as you look from your item to the others as well. Somehow you can't get a precise fix on WHAT kind of magic it is, even with a few moment of concentration upon the objects in question(I need to know if you spend more than three rounds[18 seconds] concentrating the detection on them).
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The earth elemental listens impassively to Lidia's introduction and comments about itself. If anything, Menhir is perplexed by the qualities the druidess ascribes to itself; the elemental hadn't believed itself to be displaying either impatience or rashness. Lidia's assessment seemed to contradict the general consensus of the other Bowtorindale druids' that Menhir's was rather more ponderous and stolid than they were used to. Considering the issue at length, the earth elemental can only conclude that it's current understanding of organic society and its seemingly mercurial members is rudimentary at best.
Anton listens intently at each introduction, offering a glance or two at this Menhir, the stone with a name. He'd seen his fair share of oddities growing up in Lorken, but this one probably was the strangest. Subconsciously his fingers toyed with the fringes up his new cloak, giving his armored body a regal look to it. In his mind he felt an imposter, ill-suited for such a fine gift.
At the druidess' suggestion, Anton speaks up, "I think this is best. We should, well, leave. We have a lot to discuss but I'd rather it not be in front of all these people who are still staring at us," he gives a furtive glance behind him, offering a weak smile with a clearly uncomfortable look etching his face and eyebrows.
And fist sized was kinda vague... it's about as big as a small creatures fist... you could palm the crystal and almost totally conceal it if you tried...
Thanks, I was worried I'd have trouble hiding it on Eltyr's person for a while there, but something the size of a childs fist is good.
Eltyr nods as each person introduces themselves, not finding Menhir as strange as some of the others seems to as he’s seen various types of elementals at Gormen's School, though he’s not seen one that wasn’t under the control of a wizard before. “I hope you’re not going to be this quiet all the time Menhir, otherwise I’ll have to find some other way to communicate with you. You do speak Terran don’t you, Menhir? I don’t know the speech of the earth myself, but it seems an interesting tongue to learn, if perhaps somewhat difficult to master for one not formed of the earth itself,” he says to the elemental, clearly intrigued with the idea of learning more about it and perhaps understanding it’s reticence.
Before the elemental has time to answer, if it intends to do so, he adds to the assembled group, “Oh, by the way, my name’s Eltyr, Eltyr Malacon, and while we surely have much to discuss and do, there’s no point rushing off immediately. Let the people observe us for a little while longer, and I’ll go see if there’s somewhere we can go to discuss things that’s somewhat quieter ... unless someone already knows of a place.”
If no one mentions any such knowledge of a quiet location or doesn’t suggest another option, Eltyr moves confidently over to the assembled kings and asks if there’s somewhere the expedition may go to confer quietly before they set out.
The Council of the Starfall nods almost in unison as one slides open a large wooden door to a small conference room to the right side of the hall...
"In here you will have all the time you need to plan and discuss... just... try not to use all the time you need if you could.. we need answers quickly the Lorken King pronounces as he ushers you all inside. In this room there finger foods... cheeses... finger rolls.. grapes... and some ale for all of you to enjoy as you plan for your trip northwest....
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Menhir listens to Eltyr's rambling impassively. Not having an opportunity to answer, the earth elemental assumes that the man's questions are rhetorical in nature and so remains silent throughout the monologue.
When the group moves towards the conference room door, Menhir sinks down into the floor to its knees and glides quietly through the flagstones underfoot; seemingly without physical effort and without disturbing the floor's substance in its wake. Once inside, the elemental peers around the room with curiosity, trying to guess what their purpose for entering it might be. When it spots the organic substances clustered on the table it guesses that its companions intend to "share a meal"; a very common social activity for their kind. Not wanting to give offense as the druidess insinuated it might, Menhir studies the various materials on display. In the past the elemental had repeatedly had trouble making the distinction between "food" which was meant to be consumed and other things that weren't (such as flatware, cutlery, napkins, place mats, flowers or centerpieces) which were often arranged confusingly alongside each other. Such mistakes on its part had unfortunately lead to a few offensive occurrences of which Lidia now seemed apprehensive. Once confident that the fruit on display is in fact meant to be consumed, Menhir wastes no time in joining in on the social food sharing; picking up a bunch of grapes (stems and all) and pressing them carefully up against the featureless facet of rock which passes for its face. Instead of opening a mouth however, the elemental merely absorbs the entire bunch into the substance of its head; where it will likely remain encased until the creature thinks to remove them.
Edvik quirks one eyebrow at the King's description of him. A flush comes to his face as he is declared 'discgraced' in front of the crowd, but he masks his reaction quickly and bows in response to the gift. He hangs the feather around his neck and briefly waves to the crowd as he joins his companions, and follows them to the sitting room.
"Is there much we need to discuss? We know the issue at hand, we know our destination. It will not be a short trip, we will have time to discuss details on our way."
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“Now you’ve got me wondering if you speak at all Menhir and frankly where such a sound would even come from, as you don’t appear to have a mouth,” Eltyr remarks with a quizzical expression as the elemental rejoins them in the conference room and seems to absorb a bunch of grapes. “Do you even need a mouth to speak your native tongue?”
Eltyr then picks up a piece of cheese and nibbles at it as he considers Edvik’s question and waits to see if Menhir does actually speak, before offering his thoughts.
“Well, there are a few things I can think of right off the top of my head, such as whether we want to obtain mounts, I know I don’t have one ... whether we need to outfit ourselves further, as perhaps not everyone was completely prepared for a journey that will leave us days from obtaining more of the necessities of life, such as food, water, and the like ... even something as simple as ascertaining the abilities of our companions, for while the kings may know what everyone here can do, we’ve barely even met. They’re certainly all things we probably need to concern ourselves with before we wander into the wilds, assuming there’s nothing specific people want to discuss about the mission we’re about to embark on,” Eltyr offers good-naturedly, with no hint of arrogance or sarcasm.
In PbP it's hard to play withdrawn character without speaking as it's hard to convey body language and fine details that come along short sentences which would happen in face-to-face. Berrek would be more suspicious and silent in face-to-face...
For unleashed and Rathan
You may have noticed (as you said you observed all of us) that Berrek wears a badge that marks him as member of The Black Hand, semi-secret police of the mage guild. Such insignia shouldn't be worn openly.
Rathan, you might decide that he may not know about The Hand, but he is third level and I think he would have at least heard of them...
"Discussing our abilities and tactics would benefit all of us and I don't think we can discuss such while traveling, we would be distracted and spread out. Any other issues may wait.
As for mounts, if we take them we have to take a groom to take care of them as there won't be anyone to keep an eye on them once we enter the castle or later some dungeon, cave or ruin.
I need to take some trail rations for the trip, I'm otherwise ready to go.
My specialty is scouting, including spoting and removing any threat from ambushes and traps. I can sense a spellcaster from some distance and have some ability to render them less potent.
If you allow me, Lord Malacon, I would demonstrate. I need to touch you. You have my word you won't be harmed by it, but it may tingle a little bit."
If allowed
If allowed to proceed, Berrek lays a hand on Eltyr and takes Detect Magic. He then waits for Eltyr's reaction.
"That would be all from me."
If NOT allowed
"As you wish. I'll try to describe it, but I don't understand it fully myself. When touching willing spellcaster or attacking unaware one, I can sometimes focus the hit in such way to take some energy from him in form of his spells whether prepared or cast. I can use that energy to cast that same spell.
That would be all from me."
Berrek steps away and picks some fruit to nibble on while others offer their abilities. He distractedly looks over his cloud amulet turning it this way and that.
For Rathan ONLY
If Eltyr allows me to take a spell, Berrek casts it as soon as somebody else speaks to offer his abilities. (That's why he withdraws from the group and picks the tables). Turning back toward the group he focuses his enhanced sight on the artifact.
If Eltyr doesn't have another detect readied, assign random spell from same level to be taken.
Berrek's amnesy: I assume that he will know some things about himself because he awoke with his equipment and as he handles let's say thieves tools in his mind spring names and uses of this or that item. What he cannot remember is where he learned those.
Those less physical skills (that are not 'build-in' by training) such as spellcraft and arcana knowledge are mostly forgotten (represented by 1 skill point level)
Last edited by Neurotic; 16th April 2009 at 11:50 AM..
Having little in the way of a neck, Menhir swings most of its torso around to regard Eltyr as the man addresses it. The elemental listens and, when the man pauses a sufficient amount of time, guesses that his question to it isn't rhetorical. The surface of its featureless faces cracks and shifts, grinding its rocky surface against itself to produce a deep echoing sound more akin to a turning millstone than a human voice. "Noooo..."
Having little in the way of a neck, Menhir swings most of its torso around to regard Eltyr as the man addresses it. The elemental listens and, when the man pauses a sufficient amount of time, guesses that his question to it isn't rhetorical. The surface of its featureless faces cracks and shifts, grinding its rocky surface against itself to produce a deep echoing sound more akin to a turning millstone than a human voice. "Noooo..."
“So our earthen friend does speak,” Eltyr grins, “Good to hear from you Menhir ... I hope it won’t be too long before you feel more comfortable speaking our tongue with us, though I’d certainly like to try learning yours if you’re willing to teach me.”
Rathan and Neurotic
I'm going with the idea that Eltyr knows what the Black Hand is and what they can do, but he's never felt their touch before, so he's quite willing to give it a go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neurotic
If you allow me, Lord Malacon, I would demonstrate. I need to touch you. You have my word you won't be harmed by it, but it may tingle a little bit."[/color]
“Thanks for starting us off Berrek. As for your demonstration, sure go ahead,” Eltyr chuckles, though the fact he braces himself belies the ease his chuckle seems to imply. As he feels the effect of Berrek’s ability, he shivers almost imperceptibly as if he’d been struck briefly by a chill wind, before he quickly brings his body back under control and says, “That was ... interesting ... to say the least Berrek, just don’t go making a habit of doing it to me.”
“Okay, me now. Let’s see, I’m a wizard, so as you can imagine I have a variety of spells at my command, the breadth of which I won’t go into now, though I’m sure some will find more use than others, but only time will tell for sure. I’m also well versed in deciphering lost languages and the like, and have a fairly extensive knowledge of history and other more esoteric fields, which will hopefully prove useful in our expedition.”
“Since it appears we’ll need to do a little last minute shopping before we leave, I could probably do with picking a thing or two up as well, and as I have no skill in riding beasts of any kind I’d be against getting mounts in general, in addition the reasons Berrek mentioned.”
Lidia totally fails to pick up on Menhir's puzzlement of her comments and blithely goes on thinking that her assessment of him is right.
Lidia following the others into the conference room. Seeing the spread, and thinking that it could be quite some time before she will have access to good food again, she helps herself to a generous helping of cheese and fruit. However, she avoids the ale and sticks to water. Remembering what happened last time Mehir was in a similar situation, Lidia takes a seat where she can keep an eye on the elemental.
When it is her to to speak, Lidia says "As the king mentioned, I am a druidess. I have some affinity with nature and am quite able to feed us all on the way. However, it would take time that we can ill afford. Therefore, I suggest that we hunt as we go but we each take some food as backup. I was going to suggest taking horses but Berrek has a good point about what we do with them when we get where we are going. That said, if we have to carry supplies most of us are going to be heavily loaded and unable to move very fast. Therefore, I suggest we take a pack mule. They are more hardy than a horse and it would be well able to take care of itself should should we need to leave it for a while. As far as water is concerned, I can probably find some as we go. If the worst comes to the worst, I can create it."
OOC
I have made certain assume about taking a mule. Lidia would know this but, as a player, I don't. If I'm wrong let me know and I will re-work it.
Menhir listens to Lidia as she explains her reasoning. The elemental isn't certain what a "mount" or "mule" is, but understands the druidess' explanation that it could be used to carry additional materials for the group's benefit. Taking that as a cue of sorts, the elemental sinks down into the flagstones underfoot. For a moment, only its featureless head and shoulders are visible as they glide quietly across the floor towards the woman. Then, rising back up out of the ground, Menhir hefts Lidia, chair and all, high into the air atop its broad stone shoulders. The elemental remains in that pose, satisfied with the knowledge that it has helped to overcome this obstacle which is delaying their departure.
OOC
Menhir is capable of carrying an additional 100 lbs. of gear without slowing below his base speed of 30-ft per round. He could carry much more, but it'd slow him down to 20-ft per round at the moment. If that's not a problem for the others though, then it isn't for Menhir either.
Anton watches and listens, taking note of each of his companions. The display of Berrec with Eltyr is a bit unsettling and Anton wonders if that would work against him. Whatever it was that was happening, it didn't seem pleasant. He silently considered the journey ahead, being heavily armored he knew he would slow down the group were he to wear it. But without his armor he would be vulnerable to any attacks and the process to don it was not a fast one at best.
After the elemental Menhir lifts the druidess Lidia into the air Anton speaks up, "Well my name is Anton Hill and I am a cleric of Pelor. I am adept at healing and am competent in some casting, but I must admit that I am not the fastest man in the world, even when unarmored.
"I have a few coin to spend on a mule but I think as our friend just illustrated we might not be needing one. However, I do need to get rations for our trip, just in case." He looks at each uncertainly, his lips moving barely a fraction, repeating the last words he spoke in a noiseless mutter.
Also, how large a fist are we talking about with the fist sized crystal Eltyr has?
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