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Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
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<blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5354933" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p>The group wound their way through dunes, some rising higher than Alaria could see from atop her mount. After their earlier ambush from the goblins, the four travelers were on edge until they broke though the dunes to the wide flat beach and glittering sea before.</p><p> </p><p> A short distance up the beach from them a long pier struck out into the dazzling aquamarine water. A few small fishing vessels bobbed and swayed with the low calm waves that found their way to the shore. Beyond the pier was a collection of wooden structures of all built upon pilings above the sand and seemingly connected by raised walkways. Near the water’s edge, a collection of children were splashing and playing in the afternoon surf. Once noticing the party, they all stopped and stared for a few moments before heading off at top speed toward the raised village.</p><p> </p><p> The afternoon sun glinted off the crystalline water as another breeze of salty air washed over the travel and battle weary adventurers. Alaria couldn’t help smiling to herself at the natural beauty of the place. She noted, from her raised vantage point, that a bit out into the ocean, beyond the edge of the pier, a long sandbar seemed to run parallel to the coast quite a ways. She also saw a large rocky outcropping that rose up north of the village. A structure of some kind sat atop the precipice of the outcropping overlooking the water.</p><p> </p><p> The party continued on past the pier and made their way among the raised wooden buildings and walkways. An older man, mostly bald but still possessing a laurel-wreath of wispy white hairs, came from one of the larger structures and hurried along the walkways to meet them. He was plump and very tan with a scruffy beard of white whiskers cradling his rounded chins. He wore a fine billowy-sleeved shirt of pale blue with clamdigger-style breeches of a natural hue. A large medallion around his neck glinted in the afternoon sun.</p><p> </p><p> Two other men, one middle-aged and bearded and one younger, both tanned with sun-bleached hair came behind him carrying harpoon-like spears.</p><p> </p><p> “Hail to you, noble travelers. Well met and welcome to the village of Shoal. I am Elder Bundo.” the plump older man said with a broad bright smile.</p><p> </p><p> Haelan, smiling just as brightly, decided immediately that he liked this place.</p><p> </p><p> Braddok stepped forward, “Hail to thee Bundo of Shoal. I am Braddok Kar Barforth. My companions and I are on errand to the hamlet of Welford and seek accommodations and supplies to further our journey.”</p><p> </p><p> Alaria looked about and noticed glances from behind corners and shaded windows. The people she did see about the walkways and moving between buildings stared at them quite obviously…Alaria also noted that other than the men they spoke with, she saw mostly women and children. Not to mention the entire village simply sat within this dune-surrounded beach. No walls. No obvious defenses. “So much for relying on the local authorities.” She thought to herself.</p><p> </p><p> Turning toward the ocean she noticed the sandbar, just barely visible beneath the ebbing tide, seemed to run the whole length of the beach from the pier, creating a very calm and brilliantly turquoise-colored lagoon before the whole village. She also caught the end of another pier extending out nearly to the sandbar, partially concealed behind a jetty of rock at the northern edge of the buildings. </p><p> </p><p> Bundo was also surveying as Braddok made his introductions. A Redstar of Celradorn, a hairfoot and the lovely lady was obviously someone of importance, her dress and accoutrements were obviously R’Hathi making her almost certainly a mage. They were a strange congregation indeed.</p><p> </p><p> “Welford? That’s quite a ways distance yet…much further inland.” the Elder gave the armed strangers a sidelong look. </p><p> </p><p> “Bobrik of Hawkview told us how to find your fine village and that we might find some solace here.” Braddok offered. </p><p> </p><p> “Bobrik, eh?” said Bundo with a twinkle in his eye. “Heh heh. That rascal. I suppose you’ll be wanting to talk to Elder Kama, then?”</p><p> </p><p> “Um…” began Braddok.</p><p> </p><p> “Who’s Elder Kama?” Haelan asked with his glowing smiling and boundless innocence.</p><p> </p><p> “Who’s…? Ah. Well, nevermind that then. You are all welcome to Shoal. As you can see, we are a village of meager means, but what services and supplies we have I am sure we can do business.” Elder Bundo concluded. “You may tie up your animals back there, behind the public lodge.” Bundo pointed to the largest structure among the village buildings, sitting furthest from the waterline. While it too sat on pilings it was only about three feet off the ground with wide steps that led to the sand. “I’m sure Penny can help you out with acquiring other things you might need. He runs the general store n’ tackle shop down by the pier. I’ll send someone to find you when I’ve arranged your lodging.”</p><p> </p><p> Coerraine, somewhat aggravated by Braddok’s omission, now chimed in, “We also have some harrowing news.”</p><p> </p><p> Elder Bundo raised a bushy white eyebrow.</p><p> </p><p> Coerraine continued, “On our way to your village, our scout observed a rather large band of goblins moving to the north and we, ourselves, were set upon and defeated a troupe of their scouts not far from here.”</p><p> </p><p> “Goblins, eh?” Bundo rubbed his whiskered chin. “Well, we have no worries there.”</p><p> Coerraine looked confused. Alaria, confessed to herself, she was as well.</p><p> </p><p> “The Shoal Spirit will protect us.” Elder Bundo said matter-of-factly. “Still, I should probably bring it up with the other Elders.” He turned to return to the lodge from which he’d arrived and turned back. “You can tell your tale to Elder Kama for me.” he said half-asking and waved a hand dismissively towards the large rock outcropping and the structure there. “He’ll be at the temple, no doubt.” </p><p> </p><p> With that Elder Bundo returned about his afternoon business. </p><p> </p><p> The party looked at each other, puzzled. “Shoal Spirit?” Haelan said aloud. “You don’t suppose they have an actual restless spirit of the dead roaming this lovely place, do you?” the stalwart cleric seemed a bit nervous.</p><p> </p><p> Alaria shrugged, “I suppose we can ask Elder Kama.” Though it was only about a week since leaving R’Hath and, technically, she was still on errand for her former master Alaria did not take kindly to being given what she perceived as orders...especially from strangers.</p><p> </p><p> They found a group of pens and raised structures serving as stables and barns, as Bundo had said, behind the large public meeting house along the dunes. They found a youth who was, apparently, working there to unload and watch their belongings and give them details directions on how to get to the temple up on the jagged rocks. </p><p> </p><p> The boy informed them that if they wanted to find Elder Kama this time of day, they’d be better off just going to “the north beach” (the beach north of the village, beneath the temple). “Elder Kama,” the boy asserted, “always takes his afternoons communing with the sea and the Shoal Spirit.”</p><p> </p><p> With a few silver pieces for his trouble, the group began the trek to the north beach. Following the raised wooden walkways was easy enough but when they got to the edge of the village, not all of the building were connected and so they had to trek in the sand. Coerraine, especially, in his metal armor and shin guards was particularly warm and uncomfortable with same grinding between his armor and boots and eventually noticing sand<em> in</em> his boots.</p><p> </p><p> Haelan, as one might expect, thought it was just wonderful to be trapsing barefooted through the warm white sands. “Isn’t this place great…I mean unless there’s a spirit. Well, unless it’s a good spirit, I suppose. But I’m not sure if that’s ok with Faerantha. Seems to me a restless spirit would need to be put to rest…” this one-sided conversation want on for some time. The rest of the party had come to just let Haelan talk until he was done. It was just easier that way.</p><p> </p><p> Coming over the raised dunes that gave ay to the rocky jetty, the group looked out over another picturesque stretch of beach. At the northern edge of this beach was the outcropping atop which sat the “temple.” It was more easily seen now and was ornately crafted with carvings around the edge of the roof and pillars and walls painted in blue, green and white. At the based of the outcropping was the beginning of the long pier Alaria had noticed before that stretched out, almost impossibly far into the sea to end in a large open aired pavilion nearly even with the sandbar, though the sandbar ended before the north beach, about even with the jetty. Without the sandbar’s protection, the north beach had tall cresting waves that came to the shore in a crash of churning white foam.</p><p> </p><p> About halfway to the outcropping stood two figures on the shore, just beyond the reach of the water before it pulled itself back into the churning sea. As they neared, both figures’ heads turned sharply to observe the approaching individuals. They were both shirtless and quite tan with tightly toned bodies. Tangled mops of sun-bleached hair, only barely still blond that hung to their shoulders. Their lower halves were covered in wraps of pale blue-green fabric with white trim and they held some similarly colored cloth bundled in their arms. Without a word, their heads turned back out to look at the waves.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 5354933, member: 92511"] The group wound their way through dunes, some rising higher than Alaria could see from atop her mount. After their earlier ambush from the goblins, the four travelers were on edge until they broke though the dunes to the wide flat beach and glittering sea before. A short distance up the beach from them a long pier struck out into the dazzling aquamarine water. A few small fishing vessels bobbed and swayed with the low calm waves that found their way to the shore. Beyond the pier was a collection of wooden structures of all built upon pilings above the sand and seemingly connected by raised walkways. Near the water’s edge, a collection of children were splashing and playing in the afternoon surf. Once noticing the party, they all stopped and stared for a few moments before heading off at top speed toward the raised village. The afternoon sun glinted off the crystalline water as another breeze of salty air washed over the travel and battle weary adventurers. Alaria couldn’t help smiling to herself at the natural beauty of the place. She noted, from her raised vantage point, that a bit out into the ocean, beyond the edge of the pier, a long sandbar seemed to run parallel to the coast quite a ways. She also saw a large rocky outcropping that rose up north of the village. A structure of some kind sat atop the precipice of the outcropping overlooking the water. The party continued on past the pier and made their way among the raised wooden buildings and walkways. An older man, mostly bald but still possessing a laurel-wreath of wispy white hairs, came from one of the larger structures and hurried along the walkways to meet them. He was plump and very tan with a scruffy beard of white whiskers cradling his rounded chins. He wore a fine billowy-sleeved shirt of pale blue with clamdigger-style breeches of a natural hue. A large medallion around his neck glinted in the afternoon sun. Two other men, one middle-aged and bearded and one younger, both tanned with sun-bleached hair came behind him carrying harpoon-like spears. “Hail to you, noble travelers. Well met and welcome to the village of Shoal. I am Elder Bundo.” the plump older man said with a broad bright smile. Haelan, smiling just as brightly, decided immediately that he liked this place. Braddok stepped forward, “Hail to thee Bundo of Shoal. I am Braddok Kar Barforth. My companions and I are on errand to the hamlet of Welford and seek accommodations and supplies to further our journey.” Alaria looked about and noticed glances from behind corners and shaded windows. The people she did see about the walkways and moving between buildings stared at them quite obviously…Alaria also noted that other than the men they spoke with, she saw mostly women and children. Not to mention the entire village simply sat within this dune-surrounded beach. No walls. No obvious defenses. “So much for relying on the local authorities.” She thought to herself. Turning toward the ocean she noticed the sandbar, just barely visible beneath the ebbing tide, seemed to run the whole length of the beach from the pier, creating a very calm and brilliantly turquoise-colored lagoon before the whole village. She also caught the end of another pier extending out nearly to the sandbar, partially concealed behind a jetty of rock at the northern edge of the buildings. Bundo was also surveying as Braddok made his introductions. A Redstar of Celradorn, a hairfoot and the lovely lady was obviously someone of importance, her dress and accoutrements were obviously R’Hathi making her almost certainly a mage. They were a strange congregation indeed. “Welford? That’s quite a ways distance yet…much further inland.” the Elder gave the armed strangers a sidelong look. “Bobrik of Hawkview told us how to find your fine village and that we might find some solace here.” Braddok offered. “Bobrik, eh?” said Bundo with a twinkle in his eye. “Heh heh. That rascal. I suppose you’ll be wanting to talk to Elder Kama, then?” “Um…” began Braddok. “Who’s Elder Kama?” Haelan asked with his glowing smiling and boundless innocence. “Who’s…? Ah. Well, nevermind that then. You are all welcome to Shoal. As you can see, we are a village of meager means, but what services and supplies we have I am sure we can do business.” Elder Bundo concluded. “You may tie up your animals back there, behind the public lodge.” Bundo pointed to the largest structure among the village buildings, sitting furthest from the waterline. While it too sat on pilings it was only about three feet off the ground with wide steps that led to the sand. “I’m sure Penny can help you out with acquiring other things you might need. He runs the general store n’ tackle shop down by the pier. I’ll send someone to find you when I’ve arranged your lodging.” Coerraine, somewhat aggravated by Braddok’s omission, now chimed in, “We also have some harrowing news.” Elder Bundo raised a bushy white eyebrow. Coerraine continued, “On our way to your village, our scout observed a rather large band of goblins moving to the north and we, ourselves, were set upon and defeated a troupe of their scouts not far from here.” “Goblins, eh?” Bundo rubbed his whiskered chin. “Well, we have no worries there.” Coerraine looked confused. Alaria, confessed to herself, she was as well. “The Shoal Spirit will protect us.” Elder Bundo said matter-of-factly. “Still, I should probably bring it up with the other Elders.” He turned to return to the lodge from which he’d arrived and turned back. “You can tell your tale to Elder Kama for me.” he said half-asking and waved a hand dismissively towards the large rock outcropping and the structure there. “He’ll be at the temple, no doubt.” With that Elder Bundo returned about his afternoon business. The party looked at each other, puzzled. “Shoal Spirit?” Haelan said aloud. “You don’t suppose they have an actual restless spirit of the dead roaming this lovely place, do you?” the stalwart cleric seemed a bit nervous. Alaria shrugged, “I suppose we can ask Elder Kama.” Though it was only about a week since leaving R’Hath and, technically, she was still on errand for her former master Alaria did not take kindly to being given what she perceived as orders...especially from strangers. They found a group of pens and raised structures serving as stables and barns, as Bundo had said, behind the large public meeting house along the dunes. They found a youth who was, apparently, working there to unload and watch their belongings and give them details directions on how to get to the temple up on the jagged rocks. The boy informed them that if they wanted to find Elder Kama this time of day, they’d be better off just going to “the north beach” (the beach north of the village, beneath the temple). “Elder Kama,” the boy asserted, “always takes his afternoons communing with the sea and the Shoal Spirit.” With a few silver pieces for his trouble, the group began the trek to the north beach. Following the raised wooden walkways was easy enough but when they got to the edge of the village, not all of the building were connected and so they had to trek in the sand. Coerraine, especially, in his metal armor and shin guards was particularly warm and uncomfortable with same grinding between his armor and boots and eventually noticing sand[I] in[/I] his boots. Haelan, as one might expect, thought it was just wonderful to be trapsing barefooted through the warm white sands. “Isn’t this place great…I mean unless there’s a spirit. Well, unless it’s a good spirit, I suppose. But I’m not sure if that’s ok with Faerantha. Seems to me a restless spirit would need to be put to rest…” this one-sided conversation want on for some time. The rest of the party had come to just let Haelan talk until he was done. It was just easier that way. Coming over the raised dunes that gave ay to the rocky jetty, the group looked out over another picturesque stretch of beach. At the northern edge of this beach was the outcropping atop which sat the “temple.” It was more easily seen now and was ornately crafted with carvings around the edge of the roof and pillars and walls painted in blue, green and white. At the based of the outcropping was the beginning of the long pier Alaria had noticed before that stretched out, almost impossibly far into the sea to end in a large open aired pavilion nearly even with the sandbar, though the sandbar ended before the north beach, about even with the jetty. Without the sandbar’s protection, the north beach had tall cresting waves that came to the shore in a crash of churning white foam. About halfway to the outcropping stood two figures on the shore, just beyond the reach of the water before it pulled itself back into the churning sea. As they neared, both figures’ heads turned sharply to observe the approaching individuals. They were both shirtless and quite tan with tightly toned bodies. Tangled mops of sun-bleached hair, only barely still blond that hung to their shoulders. Their lower halves were covered in wraps of pale blue-green fabric with white trim and they held some similarly colored cloth bundled in their arms. Without a word, their heads turned back out to look at the waves. [/QUOTE]
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