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<blockquote data-quote="Enkhidu" data-source="post: 256317" data-attributes="member: 351"><p>And now, some of the speculation gets laid to rest...</p><p></p><p>I've seen where a number of posters really like the "leper." With that being the case, I certainly hope you like this post.</p><p></p><p>I also want to say thanks for sticking with us through all this character development. We probably could have just given stat blocks for everyone, but we really wanted to fold in as much exposition as possible within the confines of the story itself, before resorting to gamespeak. </p><p></p><p>That being said, if you would like, we do have those stat blocks. Now that you've got a better idea of who's who, we figure you might want a peek at them.</p><p></p><p>By the way, <strong>most posts from here on out contain one or more spoilers about the Sunless Citadel</strong>. I'll let you know when we wrap it up.</p><p></p><p>For now - as always - enjoy!</p><p></p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>Pack’s backside was sore. Butter, his pony, seemed hells bent on breaking him in two, starting with his tailbone, and with every bounce Pack swore he would never ride again. Soon he began to feel every jolt and misstep, as he fought a losing battle with the headstrong pony. He looked over at Aurora, who rode alongside, and saw her wince as her horse picked up it’s pace, jarring her so that her thick red hair bobbed in the light wind. At least he wasn’t the only one due to have a sore rump come evening.</p><p></p><p>It had been an uneventful trip so far. They had trudged up to the Hillshire – the estate run by Theo – and the old priest’s nephew had been waiting with horses for each of them. The animals were already saddled and packed with provisions. After a quick goodbye, they started them on their way, Ander in the lead.</p><p></p><p>At Lizon’s request, Ander led the group south and then west, checking on first the Trappers and then the Skinners, and warning both families of the dangers that faced Icemist. Pack had spoken with the first of them while Ander scouted the area: the Trappers were unlikely to take heed of anything the olive skinned woodsman told them. It was well known that they despised him violently; or rather they would have been violent if they had ever caught him alone and outnumbered. The Skinners, however, welcomed the woodsman the same as most people in the town did, with a cold indifference.</p><p></p><p>After warning both households, and receiving a warning in return – old man Skinner had said that the brambles and thickets had grown wild and out of control this past season and horses might have a hard time getting through them – the volunteers cantered northward, into the Forest Gap. They paused long enough for Ander to stop by a small cabin at the edge of the wood. Four years ago, Pack had helped Worm and Ander raise that building, and it was beginning to look worse for wear. <em>One day, before festival</em>, Pack mused, <em>I’ll have to see about helping him with some repairs, especially if he’s got any more of that wine stashed away. I wonder…</em></p><p></p><p>Pack’s train of thought was cut short by the bandage wrapped beggar coming out of Ander’s cottage and moving out of site around the side of the building. The halfling glanced at the others: Theo seemed unperturbed, as if he had half expected to see the leper, while Aurora blanched at the sight of Ander’s guest. Ander followed him out of the door, a large pack over one shoulder. “More food for the road” he said, and strapped it the saddle of his horse. “We’ll need it to feed the extra mouth.” </p><p></p><p>Pack glanced at Aurora, who shrugged her shoulders and looked perplexed. Then Butter tossed her head and began to whicker nervously; Pack grabbed the pony’s reins and held on as his mount danced in place, quaking in fear. Ander rushed over and laid a hand on her head, leaning in to whisper to her, and she calmed. As he did, the wrapped beggar rounded the corner; the pony became skittish again, until the dark woodsman renewed his efforts and calmed the animal with soothing words and touches. As the leper walked closer and mingled among the horses, each became agitated until the young woodsman calmed them the same way he had Butter. The leper walked straight up to Ander’s horse, and began stroking its side, and Pack could see that he had dealt with a horse’s fear before. </p><p></p><p>Pack studied the beggar. Normally, the wrapped figure seemed about ready to fall apart, tightly bandaged hands quaking with weakness as they held an almost empty coin cup. But now those hands, though still bound in dingy cloth, moved with the grace and surety that Pack expected out of the figure that vaulted to the roof of the Shimmering Sword like a cat jumps to a tabletop. He looked more closely, and noticed that a fold of his voluminous robes had slipped down his arm. Before that fold fell back into place, Pack caught a glimpse of thick dark hair, almost like fur. </p><p></p><p>“This is Ashrem,” Ander said to no one in particular. “He’ll be riding with us.” With that, the beggar vaulted onto the woodsman’s horse and began settling himself in the saddle. “But we’ve got to get moving if we want to make the Break by nightfall. Let’s move.”</p><p></p><p>“Please hold a moment, son,” rumbled Theo. “Don’t you think these two have a right to know, now, before they ride with him?”</p><p></p><p>Ander regarded the old campaigner for a long moment, and seemed to deflate. He glanced at the beggar and nodded, weakly at first, and then fully. Wordlessly, the beggar pulled back his deep hood and slowly pulled away thick bandages that completely covered his deformed visage.</p><p></p><p>Pack heard Aurora gasp as the wrappings fell away to reveal a dark furred and whiskered face, like that of a great black panther. Green eyes with slit irises stared at one face and then another, and the halfling’s heart raced as the false beggar opened his mouth and licked his teeth, just like Lizon’s housecat had done this morning after eating his morning meal. Three long, pinkish scars traveled from his forehead, over an eye and his snout, and down to his cheek. “Greetings,” he said. Pack stared in awe at his feline countenance. He had heard traveling bards tell stories of a fabled race of cat people and its battle prowess, and distinctly remembered they called themselves Feloines. The halfling recalled that those legends had said that they had died out years ago, fighting the demons during the war, but one of their number certainly now stood before the volunteers.</p><p></p><p>Pack sat speechless as his pony softly whickered. “I found him half dead about a year ago,” he heard Ander say. “And if it weren’t for Brother Theo he would have died outright. Since then, we’ve kept him a secret. There’s no telling what the people in town would have done if they had known. But, I know he’s trustworthy, and he’s proved to be good in a tight spot, especially at night.”</p><p></p><p>The volunteer’s fell into a long silence, with Ander and Theo glancing at each other as they readied to leave, and Ashrem staring toward the east. Pack sat dumbfounded until he heard Aurora’s soft, unsure voice. “We’re glad to have you,” she said weakly. Ashrem nodded, and Ander, afoot, led them north.</p><p></p><p>As they traveled, Pack watched the feline featured man… <em>is it right to call him a man?</em> His movements seemed languid and sure, exactly like a cat stalking prey. All the while, the woodsman and priest were discussing the route they would take, and Pack only lent half an ear to their conversation.</p><p></p><p>For some time, the two men conversed in low tones, until Theo thundered, “Are you mad?”</p><p></p><p>“It’s the only way, Brother. I’m sure of it.”</p><p></p><p>“It’s too dangerous for them.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s their decision, and it’s our best chance of getting underground and linking up with those tunnels.”</p><p></p><p>Aurora spoke up, “It’s whose decision?”</p><p></p><p>Ander looked sheepish while Theo gestured to him. “This young pup thinks the only way to track those beasts is by heading underground through some caves.”</p><p></p><p>“That doesn’t sound so bad,” said Pack.</p><p></p><p>“The caves he’s referring to are in Orloff’s Wood.”</p><p></p><p>Pack gasped, everyone in Icemist had heard of Orloff. He was a bear unlike any other, standing over two full grown men’s heights, and reaching wider than a barn door. If he was hungry, whole herds of deer would go to fill his belly, and he would drink streams full of water to quench his thirst. He was truly a force of nature, and the most frightening thing Pack knew.</p><p></p><p>He swallowed heavily, and heard his small voice say, “If it’s the only way, then we must go.”</p><p></p><p>Aurora interrupted, “It may not be. I think Athena has found us an alternate route.” As she finished her sentence the great white owl floated into view and perched atop the sorceress’ outstretched arm. Pack saw her eyes narrow as they met the owls, and she cocked her head to the side in concentration. “Yes. There’s a… hole?... up ahead. No, make that a rift.” Aurora seemed to be translating for the owl, and was having a difficult time with it. After a few more moments of intense concentration, the strawberry haired woman closed her eyes and shook her head. When she turned back around, she had a smile on her face that Pack felt was just for him.</p><p></p><p>“The brambles are thick in the direction we need to go, but I know a way for us to get underground. And it’s not in Orloff’s Wood…”</p><p></p><p>*****</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Enkhidu, post: 256317, member: 351"] And now, some of the speculation gets laid to rest... I've seen where a number of posters really like the "leper." With that being the case, I certainly hope you like this post. I also want to say thanks for sticking with us through all this character development. We probably could have just given stat blocks for everyone, but we really wanted to fold in as much exposition as possible within the confines of the story itself, before resorting to gamespeak. That being said, if you would like, we do have those stat blocks. Now that you've got a better idea of who's who, we figure you might want a peek at them. By the way, [B]most posts from here on out contain one or more spoilers about the Sunless Citadel[/B]. I'll let you know when we wrap it up. For now - as always - enjoy! ***** Pack’s backside was sore. Butter, his pony, seemed hells bent on breaking him in two, starting with his tailbone, and with every bounce Pack swore he would never ride again. Soon he began to feel every jolt and misstep, as he fought a losing battle with the headstrong pony. He looked over at Aurora, who rode alongside, and saw her wince as her horse picked up it’s pace, jarring her so that her thick red hair bobbed in the light wind. At least he wasn’t the only one due to have a sore rump come evening. It had been an uneventful trip so far. They had trudged up to the Hillshire – the estate run by Theo – and the old priest’s nephew had been waiting with horses for each of them. The animals were already saddled and packed with provisions. After a quick goodbye, they started them on their way, Ander in the lead. At Lizon’s request, Ander led the group south and then west, checking on first the Trappers and then the Skinners, and warning both families of the dangers that faced Icemist. Pack had spoken with the first of them while Ander scouted the area: the Trappers were unlikely to take heed of anything the olive skinned woodsman told them. It was well known that they despised him violently; or rather they would have been violent if they had ever caught him alone and outnumbered. The Skinners, however, welcomed the woodsman the same as most people in the town did, with a cold indifference. After warning both households, and receiving a warning in return – old man Skinner had said that the brambles and thickets had grown wild and out of control this past season and horses might have a hard time getting through them – the volunteers cantered northward, into the Forest Gap. They paused long enough for Ander to stop by a small cabin at the edge of the wood. Four years ago, Pack had helped Worm and Ander raise that building, and it was beginning to look worse for wear. [I]One day, before festival[/I], Pack mused, [I]I’ll have to see about helping him with some repairs, especially if he’s got any more of that wine stashed away. I wonder…[/I] Pack’s train of thought was cut short by the bandage wrapped beggar coming out of Ander’s cottage and moving out of site around the side of the building. The halfling glanced at the others: Theo seemed unperturbed, as if he had half expected to see the leper, while Aurora blanched at the sight of Ander’s guest. Ander followed him out of the door, a large pack over one shoulder. “More food for the road” he said, and strapped it the saddle of his horse. “We’ll need it to feed the extra mouth.” Pack glanced at Aurora, who shrugged her shoulders and looked perplexed. Then Butter tossed her head and began to whicker nervously; Pack grabbed the pony’s reins and held on as his mount danced in place, quaking in fear. Ander rushed over and laid a hand on her head, leaning in to whisper to her, and she calmed. As he did, the wrapped beggar rounded the corner; the pony became skittish again, until the dark woodsman renewed his efforts and calmed the animal with soothing words and touches. As the leper walked closer and mingled among the horses, each became agitated until the young woodsman calmed them the same way he had Butter. The leper walked straight up to Ander’s horse, and began stroking its side, and Pack could see that he had dealt with a horse’s fear before. Pack studied the beggar. Normally, the wrapped figure seemed about ready to fall apart, tightly bandaged hands quaking with weakness as they held an almost empty coin cup. But now those hands, though still bound in dingy cloth, moved with the grace and surety that Pack expected out of the figure that vaulted to the roof of the Shimmering Sword like a cat jumps to a tabletop. He looked more closely, and noticed that a fold of his voluminous robes had slipped down his arm. Before that fold fell back into place, Pack caught a glimpse of thick dark hair, almost like fur. “This is Ashrem,” Ander said to no one in particular. “He’ll be riding with us.” With that, the beggar vaulted onto the woodsman’s horse and began settling himself in the saddle. “But we’ve got to get moving if we want to make the Break by nightfall. Let’s move.” “Please hold a moment, son,” rumbled Theo. “Don’t you think these two have a right to know, now, before they ride with him?” Ander regarded the old campaigner for a long moment, and seemed to deflate. He glanced at the beggar and nodded, weakly at first, and then fully. Wordlessly, the beggar pulled back his deep hood and slowly pulled away thick bandages that completely covered his deformed visage. Pack heard Aurora gasp as the wrappings fell away to reveal a dark furred and whiskered face, like that of a great black panther. Green eyes with slit irises stared at one face and then another, and the halfling’s heart raced as the false beggar opened his mouth and licked his teeth, just like Lizon’s housecat had done this morning after eating his morning meal. Three long, pinkish scars traveled from his forehead, over an eye and his snout, and down to his cheek. “Greetings,” he said. Pack stared in awe at his feline countenance. He had heard traveling bards tell stories of a fabled race of cat people and its battle prowess, and distinctly remembered they called themselves Feloines. The halfling recalled that those legends had said that they had died out years ago, fighting the demons during the war, but one of their number certainly now stood before the volunteers. Pack sat speechless as his pony softly whickered. “I found him half dead about a year ago,” he heard Ander say. “And if it weren’t for Brother Theo he would have died outright. Since then, we’ve kept him a secret. There’s no telling what the people in town would have done if they had known. But, I know he’s trustworthy, and he’s proved to be good in a tight spot, especially at night.” The volunteer’s fell into a long silence, with Ander and Theo glancing at each other as they readied to leave, and Ashrem staring toward the east. Pack sat dumbfounded until he heard Aurora’s soft, unsure voice. “We’re glad to have you,” she said weakly. Ashrem nodded, and Ander, afoot, led them north. As they traveled, Pack watched the feline featured man… [I]is it right to call him a man?[/I] His movements seemed languid and sure, exactly like a cat stalking prey. All the while, the woodsman and priest were discussing the route they would take, and Pack only lent half an ear to their conversation. For some time, the two men conversed in low tones, until Theo thundered, “Are you mad?” “It’s the only way, Brother. I’m sure of it.” “It’s too dangerous for them.” “That’s their decision, and it’s our best chance of getting underground and linking up with those tunnels.” Aurora spoke up, “It’s whose decision?” Ander looked sheepish while Theo gestured to him. “This young pup thinks the only way to track those beasts is by heading underground through some caves.” “That doesn’t sound so bad,” said Pack. “The caves he’s referring to are in Orloff’s Wood.” Pack gasped, everyone in Icemist had heard of Orloff. He was a bear unlike any other, standing over two full grown men’s heights, and reaching wider than a barn door. If he was hungry, whole herds of deer would go to fill his belly, and he would drink streams full of water to quench his thirst. He was truly a force of nature, and the most frightening thing Pack knew. He swallowed heavily, and heard his small voice say, “If it’s the only way, then we must go.” Aurora interrupted, “It may not be. I think Athena has found us an alternate route.” As she finished her sentence the great white owl floated into view and perched atop the sorceress’ outstretched arm. Pack saw her eyes narrow as they met the owls, and she cocked her head to the side in concentration. “Yes. There’s a… hole?... up ahead. No, make that a rift.” Aurora seemed to be translating for the owl, and was having a difficult time with it. After a few more moments of intense concentration, the strawberry haired woman closed her eyes and shook her head. When she turned back around, she had a smile on her face that Pack felt was just for him. “The brambles are thick in the direction we need to go, but I know a way for us to get underground. And it’s not in Orloff’s Wood…” ***** [/QUOTE]
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