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Knightfall's World of Kulan: Tales of the Companions Story Hour (Final Update: Sep 20, 2014)
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<blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 299735" data-attributes="member: 2012"><p><span style="color: DarkOrange"><strong>TRAVELERS' MET</strong></span></p><p></p><p><em><strong>From the Journal of Bactra Redwind, son of Minonus</strong></em></p><p></p><p><em><strong>The Lione Savanna:</strong></em></p><p><em>Our encounter with the desert elves left me uncertain of whether or not to challenge Dabuk's insistence regarding heading further south. The southern lands seem wrought with peril.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>After the elves’ departure, we took stock of our supplies for several hours. Dabuk wanted to make sure we wouldn’t starve or go thirsty. I spent the time trying to convince Mesik that it would be arrogant to continue on.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Mesik agreed that we should have some sort of plan, but stated matter-of-factly that he has promised my cousin that where the ranger went he would follow. Jeddar and Dvalin hadn’t agreed with me either…</em></p><p></p><p>"If you want to go home lad then go home." Dvalin wasn't known for being anything but blunt, and overly loud.</p><p></p><p>"What's this?" Dabuk hadn't been paying attention, while Bactra tried to recruit the others to his way of thinking. The half-elven ranger was fairly abrupt himself but tended to restrain himself when it came to Bactra.</p><p></p><p>"Bactra, what's wrong?" He looked worried about his cousin. It was strange family dynamic. Bactra was over 100 years old but Dabuk always made the elf feel like he was the half-elf’s little brother. He's always looked out for the elven wizard.</p><p></p><p>"I-I don't like the idea of going any farther south. I don't feel like we are accomplishing anything here. Where is this journey supposed to take us?"</p><p></p><p>What Dabuk said next was surprising. "Damn it Bactra! Here I thought something was really wrong. I thought you were injured or something. Dvalin's right, you need to work this out yourself."</p><p></p><p>He turned his back to his cousin going through the inventory of supplies again.</p><p></p><p>Needless to say Bactra was really pissed. Dabuk didn't even care what he thought. Well it was time for him to learn something.</p><p></p><p>"Ok, Dabuk. Have it your way. You always have to have it your way don't you. Wandering off to who knows where seems to be all that your good at. I am sick and tired of you pushing everyone else around just so you can feel more self-important. And I'm not going to put up with it anymore. Now, if the rest of you want to follow him into Hade's Underrealm, go right ahead. At this rate, you'll all be dead within a week."</p><p></p><p>Bactra stalked off towards a small hill fuming. Dabuk hadn't expected him to lash out. It wasn't something the elven wizard did to others without a really good reason. Bactra climbed the hill and sat down on the ground trying to calm his mind. It didn't do him any good to have his mind unfocused. Without concentration, his wizardry wouldn't function.</p><p></p><p>Of course, if Dabuk stuck to his mind then Bactra would have to go with him anyway. The elven wizard had made a promise to Dabuk’s father and grandfather that he wouldn't abandon him even if he became irrational. But if he didn't apologize then Bactra would turn him into a toad. At least, when he learned how to cast that spell.</p><p></p><p>Bactra was just coming out of his meditation when he sensed the boots clomping up behind him. Heavy, ponderous boots, with all the grace of a wagon with a chipped wheel.</p><p></p><p>"Dvalin."</p><p></p><p>"Beard lad! How do you do that? On second thought, I don't want to know."</p><p></p><p>"Well?" Bactra had resolved him self not to move until his cousin came up the hill himself, suck up his pride, and apologized. "Where's Dabuk?"</p><p></p><p>"Oh, he's brooding over there where you left him. He's real upset. I think you hurt his feelings."</p><p></p><p>"Sometimes I don't think he has any feelings to hurt." Bactra was still angry but was outwardly calm.</p><p></p><p>"C'mon lad, don't make a bad situation worse. You are the older one, remember? He's barely out of his teens."</p><p></p><p>"If he's going to behave like a ungrateful boor then he deserves to be treated like one. I'm not going to apologize for speaking my mind. He need's to learn to listen more, dictate less."</p><p></p><p>"Agreed. But it's hard on him. You of all people know he doesn't forgive without difficulty. You have to make the first move."</p><p></p><p>"Not this time." Bactra refused.</p><p></p><p>"You know, you are the most stubborn elf I've ever met. Are you sure you're not part dwarf?"</p><p></p><p>Bactra kept his eyes closed but couldn't help but laugh. Dvalin sat down next to him slapping the elven wizard on the back.</p><p></p><p>"That's better. I was really beginning to worry about you. And don't worry about having to keep going south if you don't want to. Mesik isn't going to let Dabuk's pride split us up."</p><p></p><p>"It's always the same." Bactra couldn't believe it. He was going to make the first gesture of good faith.</p><p></p><p>"I see something." The dwarf stood up pointing towards the south.</p><p></p><p>Instantly, Bactra was on his feet looking towards where Dvalin was pointing. A small figure was on the horizon walking towards them. It was impossible to see who or what it was.</p><p></p><p>"What do you think?" Bactra asked.</p><p></p><p>"Could just be a trader or a pilgrim. It's only one person." Dvalin was straining to see who or what it was.</p><p></p><p>"Yes, but looks are deceiving." Bactra couldn't help but remember the Lord Protector. He had seemed so ordinary at first. "Go tell the others but remain calm. If the person is dangerous then it will help our cause to seem confident."</p><p></p><p>"Agreed. I'll be right back."</p><p></p><p>Dvalin trotted down the hill towards the others, while Bactra waited.</p><p></p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p></p><p><em><strong>From the Journal of Bactra Redwind, son of Minonus</strong></em></p><p></p><p><em><strong>Thessa:</strong></em></p><p><em>...I had continued to stare as the figure, in the distance, as the person came closer. The sun's glare had made it difficult to see her at first. She was wearing light, billowing clothes that covered her from head to toe. Only her face hadn’t been covered.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>She was mature looking for her size and I though she was a halfling at first. But her features didn't look like a halfling. She was definitely too small to be human or elven.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Her nose seemed a little oversized at first but fit the features of her face perfectly. Then, as the others were walking up next to me, it hit me. A gnome! It had to be. It seemed like I had stepped through a portal into one of my history lessons…</em></p><p></p><p>"Is she a…" Jeddar stood there dumbfounded.</p><p></p><p>"Yes."</p><p></p><p>The little gnome stopped at the bottom of the hill looking up at them. It must have been quite a sight seeing the adventurers looking down at her.</p><p></p><p>"Incredible, I thought gnomes were extinct?" Dabuk studied her as carefully as he would a set of tracks on the ground. "Oh by the way, Bactra I'm sorry, ok?"</p><p></p><p>"It's ok. It's not your fault you’re a jerk." Bactra patted him on the back grinning like a cat.</p><p></p><p>"Ha! He got you there." Mesik stepped forward. He was still the best choice as ambassador for the group.</p><p></p><p>"Mesik, better hope she likes halflings with big egos." Dabuk gave as good, as he got.</p><p></p><p>"I certainly hope so." Mesik cantered down the hill.</p><p></p><p>The gnome was cautious but seemed friendly. Mesik put out his hand and she shook it. He turned point up the hill at the others. Of course, she had seen Bactra before the others had come up the other side of the hill. The elven wizard hoped that she didn't think he was a bloodthirsty desert elf.</p><p></p><p>Mesik offered his arm like a courtly gentleman. She shook her head saying something that makes him stare at her, his mouth agape. Then he nodded his head laughing. They were soon standing next to each other, for a second, looking up the hill. Then they did something none of the others had expected. They start racing up the hill.</p><p></p><p>The companions all started cheering Mesik on. It was a short race. She immediately left him behind. Bactra hadn’t seen anyone out race Mesik, except for Dabuk. It was amazing. She reached the top of the hill laughing. She turned around just in time to see Mesik trip on a hidden hole and fall flat on his face. Soon they were all laughing. Mesik laid there in the dirt, his face red.</p><p></p><p>"C'mon Mesik, don't stop now." Jeddar was loving every minute of it.</p><p></p><p>"Ah, bugger you!" Mesik picked himself up dusting himself off.</p><p></p><p>"Now, now. You promised to be a good sport if I beat you." The gnome's voice was like water running though a forest.</p><p></p><p>"I know, I know." Mesik limped up the hill in a great deal of pain. He had hurt his ankle.</p><p></p><p>"Oh dear," The gnome scampered down the hill towards Mesik. "You're hurt."</p><p></p><p>"I'll live." Mesik beamed at her through a grimace.</p><p></p><p>"Nonsense, now sit down. I can help."</p><p></p><p>The rest of us all gathered around the two smaller humanoids. She slipped Mesik's boot off. His ankle was bruised and swollen. It would take days to heal properly.</p><p></p><p>"Ow," Mesik grit his teeth. "Ok, I admit it hurts a little more than I thought it did."</p><p></p><p>"I think it's broken." Dabuk pointed to where the bone seemed to be out of alignment. "He's going to have to stay off it for some time."</p><p></p><p>"Don't count him out yet." The small gnome woman placed her hands on Mesik's ankle mumbling in a language Bactra had never heard before. Her hands began glowing with a bluish radiance.</p><p></p><p>"You’re a cleric." Dvalin meant it as a statement not a question.</p><p></p><p>"A pretty good one too." Mesik wiggled his toes. "The pain's gone."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, but you're going to have to give a day for the healing to take full effect. After that, it will be as good as new."</p><p></p><p>"Thanks." Mesik was grinning from ear to ear. "Guys, this is Thessa Simmial from Mt. Rockwood."</p><p></p><p>The little gnome priestess stood up putting her hand out. They each shook her hand ending with Dvalin. She seemed a little taken aback by him.</p><p></p><p>"You're a dwarf, right?"</p><p></p><p>"Of course, what else would I be?" Dvalin harumphed.</p><p></p><p>"I-it's just. You're not like any other dwarf I've ever seen. You have so much hair... and that beard."</p><p></p><p>"Is there something wrong with my beard?" Dvalin didn't have very many things he worried about but his beard was definitely one of them.</p><p></p><p>"No, it's very nice. It' just the Torin don't have beards or very much hair at all."</p><p></p><p>"Torin? Is that what you call dwarves in the south?" Jeddar noticed that Dvalin was fussing over his beard. He hoped to keep the burly dwarf from embarrassing himself.</p><p></p><p>"Actually, Torin is what they call themselves. I believe it was originally their clan name. Now they all call themselves Torin dwarves. Most other races call them dwarves, except the rakasta."</p><p></p><p>The adventurers helped Mesik up to the top of the hill. There they all sat in a circle listening as Thessa told them more about the Far South.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Knightfall, post: 299735, member: 2012"] [COLOR=DarkOrange][B]TRAVELERS' MET[/B][/COLOR] [I][B]From the Journal of Bactra Redwind, son of Minonus[/B][/I] [I][B]The Lione Savanna:[/B] Our encounter with the desert elves left me uncertain of whether or not to challenge Dabuk's insistence regarding heading further south. The southern lands seem wrought with peril. After the elves’ departure, we took stock of our supplies for several hours. Dabuk wanted to make sure we wouldn’t starve or go thirsty. I spent the time trying to convince Mesik that it would be arrogant to continue on. Mesik agreed that we should have some sort of plan, but stated matter-of-factly that he has promised my cousin that where the ranger went he would follow. Jeddar and Dvalin hadn’t agreed with me either…[/I] "If you want to go home lad then go home." Dvalin wasn't known for being anything but blunt, and overly loud. "What's this?" Dabuk hadn't been paying attention, while Bactra tried to recruit the others to his way of thinking. The half-elven ranger was fairly abrupt himself but tended to restrain himself when it came to Bactra. "Bactra, what's wrong?" He looked worried about his cousin. It was strange family dynamic. Bactra was over 100 years old but Dabuk always made the elf feel like he was the half-elf’s little brother. He's always looked out for the elven wizard. "I-I don't like the idea of going any farther south. I don't feel like we are accomplishing anything here. Where is this journey supposed to take us?" What Dabuk said next was surprising. "Damn it Bactra! Here I thought something was really wrong. I thought you were injured or something. Dvalin's right, you need to work this out yourself." He turned his back to his cousin going through the inventory of supplies again. Needless to say Bactra was really pissed. Dabuk didn't even care what he thought. Well it was time for him to learn something. "Ok, Dabuk. Have it your way. You always have to have it your way don't you. Wandering off to who knows where seems to be all that your good at. I am sick and tired of you pushing everyone else around just so you can feel more self-important. And I'm not going to put up with it anymore. Now, if the rest of you want to follow him into Hade's Underrealm, go right ahead. At this rate, you'll all be dead within a week." Bactra stalked off towards a small hill fuming. Dabuk hadn't expected him to lash out. It wasn't something the elven wizard did to others without a really good reason. Bactra climbed the hill and sat down on the ground trying to calm his mind. It didn't do him any good to have his mind unfocused. Without concentration, his wizardry wouldn't function. Of course, if Dabuk stuck to his mind then Bactra would have to go with him anyway. The elven wizard had made a promise to Dabuk’s father and grandfather that he wouldn't abandon him even if he became irrational. But if he didn't apologize then Bactra would turn him into a toad. At least, when he learned how to cast that spell. Bactra was just coming out of his meditation when he sensed the boots clomping up behind him. Heavy, ponderous boots, with all the grace of a wagon with a chipped wheel. "Dvalin." "Beard lad! How do you do that? On second thought, I don't want to know." "Well?" Bactra had resolved him self not to move until his cousin came up the hill himself, suck up his pride, and apologized. "Where's Dabuk?" "Oh, he's brooding over there where you left him. He's real upset. I think you hurt his feelings." "Sometimes I don't think he has any feelings to hurt." Bactra was still angry but was outwardly calm. "C'mon lad, don't make a bad situation worse. You are the older one, remember? He's barely out of his teens." "If he's going to behave like a ungrateful boor then he deserves to be treated like one. I'm not going to apologize for speaking my mind. He need's to learn to listen more, dictate less." "Agreed. But it's hard on him. You of all people know he doesn't forgive without difficulty. You have to make the first move." "Not this time." Bactra refused. "You know, you are the most stubborn elf I've ever met. Are you sure you're not part dwarf?" Bactra kept his eyes closed but couldn't help but laugh. Dvalin sat down next to him slapping the elven wizard on the back. "That's better. I was really beginning to worry about you. And don't worry about having to keep going south if you don't want to. Mesik isn't going to let Dabuk's pride split us up." "It's always the same." Bactra couldn't believe it. He was going to make the first gesture of good faith. "I see something." The dwarf stood up pointing towards the south. Instantly, Bactra was on his feet looking towards where Dvalin was pointing. A small figure was on the horizon walking towards them. It was impossible to see who or what it was. "What do you think?" Bactra asked. "Could just be a trader or a pilgrim. It's only one person." Dvalin was straining to see who or what it was. "Yes, but looks are deceiving." Bactra couldn't help but remember the Lord Protector. He had seemed so ordinary at first. "Go tell the others but remain calm. If the person is dangerous then it will help our cause to seem confident." "Agreed. I'll be right back." Dvalin trotted down the hill towards the others, while Bactra waited. * * * [I][B]From the Journal of Bactra Redwind, son of Minonus[/B][/I] [I][B]Thessa:[/B] ...I had continued to stare as the figure, in the distance, as the person came closer. The sun's glare had made it difficult to see her at first. She was wearing light, billowing clothes that covered her from head to toe. Only her face hadn’t been covered. She was mature looking for her size and I though she was a halfling at first. But her features didn't look like a halfling. She was definitely too small to be human or elven. Her nose seemed a little oversized at first but fit the features of her face perfectly. Then, as the others were walking up next to me, it hit me. A gnome! It had to be. It seemed like I had stepped through a portal into one of my history lessons…[/I] "Is she a…" Jeddar stood there dumbfounded. "Yes." The little gnome stopped at the bottom of the hill looking up at them. It must have been quite a sight seeing the adventurers looking down at her. "Incredible, I thought gnomes were extinct?" Dabuk studied her as carefully as he would a set of tracks on the ground. "Oh by the way, Bactra I'm sorry, ok?" "It's ok. It's not your fault you’re a jerk." Bactra patted him on the back grinning like a cat. "Ha! He got you there." Mesik stepped forward. He was still the best choice as ambassador for the group. "Mesik, better hope she likes halflings with big egos." Dabuk gave as good, as he got. "I certainly hope so." Mesik cantered down the hill. The gnome was cautious but seemed friendly. Mesik put out his hand and she shook it. He turned point up the hill at the others. Of course, she had seen Bactra before the others had come up the other side of the hill. The elven wizard hoped that she didn't think he was a bloodthirsty desert elf. Mesik offered his arm like a courtly gentleman. She shook her head saying something that makes him stare at her, his mouth agape. Then he nodded his head laughing. They were soon standing next to each other, for a second, looking up the hill. Then they did something none of the others had expected. They start racing up the hill. The companions all started cheering Mesik on. It was a short race. She immediately left him behind. Bactra hadn’t seen anyone out race Mesik, except for Dabuk. It was amazing. She reached the top of the hill laughing. She turned around just in time to see Mesik trip on a hidden hole and fall flat on his face. Soon they were all laughing. Mesik laid there in the dirt, his face red. "C'mon Mesik, don't stop now." Jeddar was loving every minute of it. "Ah, bugger you!" Mesik picked himself up dusting himself off. "Now, now. You promised to be a good sport if I beat you." The gnome's voice was like water running though a forest. "I know, I know." Mesik limped up the hill in a great deal of pain. He had hurt his ankle. "Oh dear," The gnome scampered down the hill towards Mesik. "You're hurt." "I'll live." Mesik beamed at her through a grimace. "Nonsense, now sit down. I can help." The rest of us all gathered around the two smaller humanoids. She slipped Mesik's boot off. His ankle was bruised and swollen. It would take days to heal properly. "Ow," Mesik grit his teeth. "Ok, I admit it hurts a little more than I thought it did." "I think it's broken." Dabuk pointed to where the bone seemed to be out of alignment. "He's going to have to stay off it for some time." "Don't count him out yet." The small gnome woman placed her hands on Mesik's ankle mumbling in a language Bactra had never heard before. Her hands began glowing with a bluish radiance. "You’re a cleric." Dvalin meant it as a statement not a question. "A pretty good one too." Mesik wiggled his toes. "The pain's gone." "Yes, but you're going to have to give a day for the healing to take full effect. After that, it will be as good as new." "Thanks." Mesik was grinning from ear to ear. "Guys, this is Thessa Simmial from Mt. Rockwood." The little gnome priestess stood up putting her hand out. They each shook her hand ending with Dvalin. She seemed a little taken aback by him. "You're a dwarf, right?" "Of course, what else would I be?" Dvalin harumphed. "I-it's just. You're not like any other dwarf I've ever seen. You have so much hair... and that beard." "Is there something wrong with my beard?" Dvalin didn't have very many things he worried about but his beard was definitely one of them. "No, it's very nice. It' just the Torin don't have beards or very much hair at all." "Torin? Is that what you call dwarves in the south?" Jeddar noticed that Dvalin was fussing over his beard. He hoped to keep the burly dwarf from embarrassing himself. "Actually, Torin is what they call themselves. I believe it was originally their clan name. Now they all call themselves Torin dwarves. Most other races call them dwarves, except the rakasta." The adventurers helped Mesik up to the top of the hill. There they all sat in a circle listening as Thessa told them more about the Far South. * * * [/QUOTE]
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