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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Arknath" data-source="post: 461755" data-attributes="member: 2850">A new friendIn order to properly tell my tale, I must begin a few days prior to my release.  I was relieved of my guard duty walking to a local tavern to wipe away the foul taste in my mouth from serving a tyrant.  This is when a man approached me in the middle of the street. ‘Strange,’ I mused, ‘most try to avoid me if it is quite possible.’  Something about this man seemed different.  His face was a mask of calm, peacefulness and he was dressed in simple travelling clothes.  His gait as he strode up to me was confident and unwavering.“Well met…Bocata Si Nik Nik,” he mumbled his greeting.  “I have been looking for you for quite some time.”It was no surprise he knew my name.  To my knowledge I was the only larcetan on Xad Nasser, which made it nigh impossible for me to hide – which I rarely do.  More than likely it was my magically enlarged form that was unmistakable, standing nearly 15’ tall and weighing the better half of a merchant’s ton.  A gift from my close friend Lord Leafwalker Oakenpaw.I did not break my stride, uninterested in anything he or any others had to say to me in this city.  I had my own thoughts to consider that night.  He broke into a trot and kept pace with me, though he was nearly running with the effort.“I come on a quest at the behest of my lord,” said he, “I am to be your protector.”I stopped in my tracks, and turned to the man looking down upon him with an incredulous look in my eyes.“You?  Protect me?  Your lord is a fool and so are you if you think that I need any protection that you can give me.”  I sneered at him, in a foul mood because of my current plight made only worse by the simple fact that I was to be released two days hence.“Ah, Acris is no fool,” he sneered back, “and if you are wise, you will listen to what I have to say.”I must say I was impressed by the man’s bravery.  Most would have cringed from me and ran into the night like some small child frightened by a shadow.  I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow.  All I could mutter at that remark was “Do tell.”“I am Archivell of Acris,” he bowed low as he said this, “and my lord bid me watch over you.” I cringed at the name Acris.  I knew it, God of Pain and Suffering, although not wholly evil by any means.  He causes pain as often as he alleives it.   “You are far greater in your reputation than you give yourself credit for.” Archivell smiled, pleased with himself that he had gained my attention so quickly.  Again, I winced reflexively.  My reputation would have to fade away if I was to carry on with my plans.“By his grace,” the little man continued, “he has given me the power to bond to you and keep you from pain, physical and mental.  He believes you are to do great things.”  The look of calm serenity on his face put me at ease, and I used my Fury-given sight to discover his heart, and he yet held no evil will.  I studied him a moment longer, probing deeper into his feelings and finding nothing that would brand him with suspicion from my mind.“I will not accept your offer unless you meet some friends of mine first.” I growled.  If his intentions were noble, he would not balk at the chance to prove his loyalty to me.  “Then, they will use whatever devices they deem necessary to discover your mind and heart.  Do you agree?”He hesitated a bit but nodded in agreement.  “Follow me,” was all I said to him in reply to his motion.  He did as he was told.I found my friends Laurel and Jonas, speaking with companions and friends of their own over a few drinks, in our favorite tavern and asked to speak with them outside.  Jonas made some sort of remark about “the great Bocata wishes to speak to me” to his companions at the table.  I still try to decipher if it was his dry sense of humor or merely a shocking revelation to impress those he calls friends. Laurel, dear Laurel, came without a word.When we had reached the outer parts of the building I introduced Jonas and Laurel to Archivell.“He is to accompany us on our journey to Paladium,” I informed the two, “but first I would have you probe his mind and heart to discern where his loyalties lay.”  I spoke freely and openly as if Archivell were not present.  Even without my weapons and armor, the only parts of my life I hold dearer than Laurel, I felt confident in my boldness and fighting ability should he turn hostile towards us.Laurel studied him up and down for a moment before speaking to the man.  Jonas quietly listened on.“Would you mind a probing spell?” Laurel asked the priest, “It will not hurt you.”Archivell looked a bit nervous, I must admit, but he nodded his agreement and Laurel went to work probing his thoughts.  Laurel is a dear companion, though she practices the art of magery.  I do not hold that against her for she has used it more times than I can count to save my life, so I question her not.  She is, however, the closest I’ve ever been to having a sister, I believe that is the common tongue word for a female sibling.  We have been through death, destruction, happiness and victory together and I would die for her or beside her, trusting her with my very life.  It was she who pulled me away from Zurich’s castle to safety, and for that I owe her my undying allegience.After several, long minutes of concentrating and watching Archivell open his mind to Laurel, she opened her near-almond shaped eyes and declared that she saw no evil intent in his mind.  Later, however, she disclosed to me that she had only searched his present thoughts, not those that were deep down.After her attempt, Jonas stepped forward with a strange look upon his face.  He sized Archivell up quickly, seeing something that he thought familiar in him. “Archivell…” the bard muttered under his breath, but still audible for others to hear, “Archivell…that name sounds familiar.  Do I know you?”I raised yet another eyebrow at Archivell in sudden suspicion.  Either the priest was lying to us or Jonas’ worldliness surpassed even my newfound knowledge of the bard.Jonas was a respectable bard in his day, or so he tells.  Frankly I have never heard of the man nor care too much for his art.  He sings ballads of patriotism to Xad Nasser, and they please my auditory senses immensely, so I spare him my opinion about the other noise he makes.  Granted his kind are thought of poorly where I come from, being weak both with the sword and the land, but there are enough to keep us entertained by the fireside on long winter nights.  Jonas came to me only a few nights before, but for some reason I trusted the man more than I trusted any in my life, save LaurelJonas spoke again, “I’m going to go a little deeper than the lady mage just did, do you mind it?”  It was at this that Archivell almost lost his patience.  A small grunt from me had him back to his cool demeanor.“Of course not, master bard,” he said through a tight smile.Jonas approached the man in such a way that I thought he would embrace him in a lover’s kiss.  The bard and priest were nose-to-nose before Jonas stopped his forward progress.  Just then, that wonderful thing called magic surprised me yet again as multicolored rays of light shot forth from Jonas’ eyes and into Archivell’s own orbs.  I had never seen anything like it and turned to look at Laurel in shock.  She merely nodded her assent and gave me that wink she does when I have that look upon my face.  I let off a sent of spring flowers to let her know my confusion.Larcetan emit scents to one another when the time for talk has passed.  Not that anyone who is not a larcetan can hear our high-pitched voices. Of course, there are those of us, like myself, who have purchased magic collars that allow us to speak in tones and languages that others can hear and understand.  But the larcetan scent-language is one we hold sacred and do not teach to any, save our closest companions.  I have taught Laurel this language as proof of how much she means to me.Jonas and the priest stared at each other for what seemed like several minutes.  Growing impatient I began to talk to Laurel.“Do you see him as being a trustworthy companion?” I asked her in hushed tones.  It was far from my fear that the priest would hear, but more out of courtesy to Jonas so that he could concentrate on his spell.“I believe him to be good at heart,” she said softly, “but you know I’m not an inquisitor, Bocata.  My judgment of such creatures is sometimes flawed.”  She turned away suddenly as if she had just stumbled upon a lost memory that brought her pain.“I believe that as well,” I said, ignoring her pained look and allowing her the dignity to let it pass, “he appears to have no fear of me, which is an admirable trait in and of itself.”Laurel turned back towards me and looked at me with a smirk, “Do all who stand before the mighty Bocata tremble at his presence?” I glanced down at her small, fragile frame, “Not all, but those who stand against me are more stout of heart than those who do not.”  There was no mirth upon my face.Laurel rolled her almond-shaped eyes at me, “Some day, Bocata, you’ll learn humility and then be the better for it.”  She turned back to watch Jonas as he began to back away from Archivell.‘Some day indeed.’ I thought to myself. ‘Let us pray that it is soon.’  Little did I know that my wish for humility would come sooner than expected and from a very unlikely source.As a side note, here are a few things about the PC's mentioned in this post:Laurel is a 14th level specialist wizard.  In our world we have created a few new schools of magic and so she has decided to help us playtest one school.  She is called a Canticle, for her study is in sonic spells and spells that manipulate sound.Jonas is a 16th level bard that Bocata has recently befriended.  He doesn't know much about the man, but he is already very impressed with Jonas' resourcefulness.Also, I have posted Bocata as he currently is statted out in the Rogue's Gallery if any would like to take a peek.  I also have the details of the Rager prestige class if anyone is interested in looking at it.Hope you enjoyed this update!</blockquote>

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