Arcanis: The Spear of the Lohgin

[Argent Silvermage]

Gideon looks at Visha with a shocked expression. "Unlike you. I have devoted my whole life to the caretaking of the peoples of this land. We are not so different Visha, You seek to heal the land itself, and I seek to protect the people and the land both. As for my oath, I gave it to my Duke and Just now these villagers. What makes you think for one moment that I would not give it to you?' Gideon Stands tall and Proud. He takes his holy symbol off and puts it in his right hand. He than takes Visha's right hand with the holy symbol in thier palms he stares directly into Visha's eyes and says, "I swear on the raging storm, the calm winds, the sacred skyfire and my immortal soul that I will lead this group and find the cause of this plague. Then I will destroy whatever is causing the world and the people to suffer from this disease." He holds onto Visha's hand until the Druid says something. He never squeases or tries in any way to "one up" the druid.

 

[GnomeWorks]

"I accept your oath, warrior." Visha says quietly. "And I will follow you until this deed is done."

He removes his hand from Gideon's grasp, and though he is rough in retracting his grip, he is careful to not let the holy symbol fall.

"However, I do not seek to heal the land... and do not presume that I do. My motives are not for you, nor any other to know - never forget that."

Visha sneers at Gideon one last time, then walks to where Cadwyn and Solonir stand.

 

[Byrons_Ghost]

Upon witnessing the end of the discussion, the old priest laughs loudly. "Well done, heros! Such a show of solidarity- I can already see faith returning to these people!"

He pauses, then shakes his head almost sadly. "The plague may be departing, they say. But what could such a reprive be, other than a brief lull in a life filled with hardship and pain? One must focus on attaining peace in the next life, for there is none to be had here."

"As for your quest, you ask details of the wrong person, for I have only just arrived in this town. Healers and surgeons too follow the sick like carrion birds. Why not I? But for you, seek ye the town itself, for the answers you seek- and your eventual fate!"

He then pulls out a wooden bowl from his robes. "Or perhaps you think a small offering would stave off the inevitable? Even the gods take bribes!"

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Gideon mounts his horse and trots to the priest's side. "Well then, Never let it be said Gideon De Angeles never took pity on the gods." and drops a silver piece in the bowl then heads for the town.

 

[Zerth]

The priests speech snaps Solonir back to his senses and he manages gradually to calm down. He gives the priest one final stare and then walks back to his horse and rides after Gideon. He turns to others as they ride on and speaks "I hate to say this, but that old priest had some wisdom in his words. We shouldn't spend so time bickering with each other and rather concentrate on our task. I have a feeling, that we are going to need contributions from each and everyone of us if we are to succeed."

The elf pauses for a while and continues "And I am sorry for losing my temper. Acting like that won't help us at all."

 

[Argent Silvermage]

"Don't be so hard on yourself Solonir. We all make mistakes. I for one got very holier than though back there with the old priest. I'll have to do pennance for that." He continues to ride but slows enough to match speed with Visha. "I appologise and you are correct. I did get a bit out of hand back there. Thank you for watching my back, as it were." Before Visha can respond Gideon urges his mount forward. "Cadwyn, How far is the village from us do you think?"

 

[GnomeWorks]

Visha nods silently in accordance with Gideon's words, as well as Solonir's.

However, before Cadwyn can reply to Gideon's question, Visha breaks in.

"I hope your foolishness has taught you a lesson, warrior." He says acidly. "Hopefully this encounter has put some sense into your head." He then looks to Solonir. "And yours, as well."

He continues walking, leading his horse.

 

[Blockader7]

"Don't be so hard on yourself Solonir. We all make mistakes. I for one got very holier than though back there with the old priest. I'll have to do pennance for that." He continues to ride but slows enough to match speed with Visha. "I appologise and you are correct. I did get a bit out of hand back there. Thank you for watching my back, as it were." Before Visha can respond Gideon urges his mount forward. "Cadwyn, How far is the village from us do you think?"

"I am not like the ants who march on the cook's sink, who have left a trail for all ants to follow. Perhaps the clouds can draw the line for us."

He says as drops in two gold in the old man's offering plate, scanning the horizon to see if the town is in view.

"Perhaps the Duke gave you a map?"

 

[Byrons_Ghost]

(OOC the group was given directions to Ashvan; you estimate that it is a couple of miles down this road)

Your band commences their journey to the hamlet of Ashvan. As you go on, you begin to encounter an occasional farmer in the field, or house by the side of the road. Some of these structures are deserted, others have inhabitants going about their daily business. Things seem more or less normal in the countryside, if eerily quiet.

After another hour or so of travel, you come to a sign reading "Ashvan", and underneath that, "Lohgin Manor". You see a cluster of roofs down the road- the town is larger than you expected, with perhaps a hundred buildings. You would estimate that 300-400 people live here, or did at one time.

Proceeding into town, you see signs that they are beginning to recover from the plague. There is some traffic in the streets, though many people wear mourning colors. You can occasionally spy houses boarded up and painted with red "X"s, but there are no bodies in the street or obviously ill people about. Some merchants stand at their booths, and children play in the streets, although everyone has a quiet, subdued manner about them. Your group is greeted by looks from those you pass- some hopeful, some cautious, most just curious. The people of Ashvan seem to have weathered the worst of things.

After a couple of blocks, it seems appropriate to stop and get the an idea of the lay of things. There is an inn on your right, the "Ashvan Hostel". Across from it is a sign advertising an apothecary's shop. A few blocks further down the road, you can make a large, two-story house set back from the road- presumably this is the "Lohgin Manor" mentioned on the sign. On the other side of town, to the northwest, you can see a small belltower that probably signifies a chapel.

 

[Blockader7]

"As the book opens, another page is turned and there is the place where we all come to rest and to meet the ones who breathed life into the clay.

"There should be some knowledge of those who seek the ones who breathes life into the clay to the weakness that breaks the clay apart, returning it to the ground without the life that was once breathed into it.

"Those seekers would gather there."

As he points to the bell tower.