From Slaves to Heroes in the Making (Heroes of Destiny)
- Thread starter Taboo
- Start date
Taboo
First Post
Thorin and Turk
Sorry about that, I'll try to make up for it by posting two closer together! Here's the first one, it took a little longer, trying to make sure of accuracy. The next to follow very soon, I promise!
*******************************
The sun had risen. Thorin was in his room sharpening his waraxe with his whetstone, getting ready for the day. Turk strode into the room in full armor and weapons, his stance and expression filled with the power of Pelor - ready to smite the evil of the world.
Thorin looked up when the door opened and said, “Ah, I see I’m not the only one who’s been sharpening his weapon. No wonder there are so many humans around considering how quickly they seem to mate.”
Turk bristled at Thorin’s tone. “I’m not sure what you mean by that.”
“Ahh, If ye don’t understand, I guess it can’t be that important.” Thorin shook his head, and then continued. "I’m glad ye’re here, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about, but have been waiting for a private time to do it.”
Turk looked at Thorin and asked, “What business do you have on your chest, Thorin?”
“I must admit a couple of things to you before we get going too far. My exposure to humans has been somewhat limited, so I will admit that I do not understand them particularly well.”
Turk interrupted, “Speaking, or how they act?”
Thorin continued, ignoring Turk’s interruption “So, now I understand from some of the things you were saying, you went to something called an academy, is that right?”
“That is correct.”
“Was this a Military Academy?”
“That is also correct, Thorin.”
“This Military Academy that you went to, did they teach you about diplomacy?”
“No.” Turk was wondering what Thorin was getting at.
“They did not. Ah, that explains many things.” Thorin exclaimed, like a major question had been answered.
“I learn..” Turk stopped mid-word when he processed what Thorin said. “What do you mean by that?”
“I noticed in my observations of yer discussions with Minx, there’s some advice I feel obliged to offer to ya. You can take what I have to say and try to apply it or ignore it, it’s up to you. Because what you do is yer own business. I mean after all you’re only human.”
Turk stood there looking at him. “Are you insulting me?”
“No, not at all, just observing. In my times in the service of my clan, we were always taught that you praise people publicly, but you admonish them in private. I would suggest in the future, for the sake of the troops morale, when go to have a disagreement with somebody, try not to be so public about it.”
Turk told him, quite honestly, “I think you’re speaking to the wrong person.”
“Well, if you’re assuming a position of leadership, I am talking to the right person.”
“Assuming what position of leadership?” Turk was puzzled at what Thorin was talking about.
“Did you not say that because of your education and your training that you would be good at tactical matters?” Thorin asked.
“Right, when we were back at the pyramid, when we first met, and I am very good at tactical matters. Telling people how we should attack at the flank, who should be at the front or the back. I thought we’d all agreed we’d accept my advice on that.”
“Granted, now this also could be my perceptions based on differences between the way humans run a military group and the way dwarves do. In dwarven society, in dwarven combat, a person who’s the leader in one thing is the leader in everything. Is this not the same for humans?”
Turk had to explain human hierarchy. “Well, in human government there are many levels of leadership. You can have for example a king, who at times will go to battle with his troupes and lead them in tactical matters, but more often than not he simply handles civil matters. He may tell his generals where to attack, but he leaves the tactical matters to the generals. Whereas a lieutenant or captain would have no civil authority in the army, but they would be in control of their men in every aspect of what they do, whether they are on or off duty. Now, if you are implying that I am the leader of this group, that has not been agreed to. All I said was when we’re in a dangerous situation, where combat occurred I felt we need someone to say, you do this and you do that. I have asked for that, and everyone agreed. “
Thorin nodded his understanding as Turk explained. “Ah, I see. So this is a different structure than what the dwarves use. Very well, then I have no issues with that. But another thing I will suggest. You abilities with the ladies being what they may or they may not be, that’s fine, what you choose to do with your time I could care less. But something else I would suggest to you, perhaps it would be wise if you try to refrain from the ladies in the party, because it could cause more problems than solutions. This is just a bit of advice.”
“I think you need to be careful of the advice that you give, Thorin.” Turk kept his voice level, just barely letting Thorin finish his sentence.
“As I said, you can take it or leave it as you so choose.” Thorin finished.
“I will not tell you what to do with your personal life, and I ask the same, that you do not tell me. It is not chivalrous to speak of such things.” Turk’s voice held a hint of a warning this time.
“And I did not ask any questions.” Thorin added.
“But you are bringing up the subject.” Turk clarified for him.
“This is just based on my observations.”
“As I said.” Turk was not backing down.
“But very well, your choices are your own. But do not say it was not a concern that I did not voice.”
“Well I, am more than happy to listen to anything that involves the group and how we are going to adventure down the road. I do think we should probably have a leader, but no one has chosen one yet. Do you feel anyone has chosen a leader?” Turk asked Thorin this time.
“I do not believe there have been any formal declarations, proclamations, voting, or other selections.” Answered Thorin.
“I am in agreement to that. Therefore, I would be stepping out of my bounds to try and be a leader, beyond what has been agreed upon. Perhaps you would like to be the leader? We also have Minx and Kierwin and Snap or Geirmund?”
“As things have gone so far, we have not seen an overriding need for a formal chain of command. And while that’s different from the way that dwarves normally operate, I see no reason to try to, to use a human expression, fix something that is not yet broken.”
“You cannot force someone to obey commands when we are not a military environment.”
“No, it is another sad disadvantage.” Thorin agreed.
“But if we decide down the road to have a leader, then everyone would have to agree to follow that person’s advice. Until we so decide, in a non-combative environment, that it was time to dissolve that leadership. Obviously, you cannot question orders during combat. Just like we are back in town, we could easily at that point say ‘I no longer wish to follow Thorin as my leader and I choose to leave.’ But we haven’t done that, because we are right now, I think, just a loose knit group that decided we all want to help Osa.” Turk explained his thinking on the matter.
Thorin agreed.
Turk continued, “And as long as you all wish to travel upon the same tribulations that I look forward to, to help those people who are in need, to help those that are weak, and need someone more powerful to protect them, to destroy the evil that exists in this world to the best of my ability, then I shall welcome you. But once your path veers from that, then I shall travel alone if need be, but I will not sway from my quest, that I have pledged myself to my god.”
“Very well!” Thorin answered. “All this listening has made me hungry! Let’s go get some breakfast.”
They headed downstairs for breakfast.
Sorry about that, I'll try to make up for it by posting two closer together! Here's the first one, it took a little longer, trying to make sure of accuracy. The next to follow very soon, I promise!
*******************************
The sun had risen. Thorin was in his room sharpening his waraxe with his whetstone, getting ready for the day. Turk strode into the room in full armor and weapons, his stance and expression filled with the power of Pelor - ready to smite the evil of the world.
Thorin looked up when the door opened and said, “Ah, I see I’m not the only one who’s been sharpening his weapon. No wonder there are so many humans around considering how quickly they seem to mate.”
Turk bristled at Thorin’s tone. “I’m not sure what you mean by that.”
“Ahh, If ye don’t understand, I guess it can’t be that important.” Thorin shook his head, and then continued. "I’m glad ye’re here, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about, but have been waiting for a private time to do it.”
Turk looked at Thorin and asked, “What business do you have on your chest, Thorin?”
“I must admit a couple of things to you before we get going too far. My exposure to humans has been somewhat limited, so I will admit that I do not understand them particularly well.”
Turk interrupted, “Speaking, or how they act?”
Thorin continued, ignoring Turk’s interruption “So, now I understand from some of the things you were saying, you went to something called an academy, is that right?”
“That is correct.”
“Was this a Military Academy?”
“That is also correct, Thorin.”
“This Military Academy that you went to, did they teach you about diplomacy?”
“No.” Turk was wondering what Thorin was getting at.
“They did not. Ah, that explains many things.” Thorin exclaimed, like a major question had been answered.
“I learn..” Turk stopped mid-word when he processed what Thorin said. “What do you mean by that?”
“I noticed in my observations of yer discussions with Minx, there’s some advice I feel obliged to offer to ya. You can take what I have to say and try to apply it or ignore it, it’s up to you. Because what you do is yer own business. I mean after all you’re only human.”
Turk stood there looking at him. “Are you insulting me?”
“No, not at all, just observing. In my times in the service of my clan, we were always taught that you praise people publicly, but you admonish them in private. I would suggest in the future, for the sake of the troops morale, when go to have a disagreement with somebody, try not to be so public about it.”
Turk told him, quite honestly, “I think you’re speaking to the wrong person.”
“Well, if you’re assuming a position of leadership, I am talking to the right person.”
“Assuming what position of leadership?” Turk was puzzled at what Thorin was talking about.
“Did you not say that because of your education and your training that you would be good at tactical matters?” Thorin asked.
“Right, when we were back at the pyramid, when we first met, and I am very good at tactical matters. Telling people how we should attack at the flank, who should be at the front or the back. I thought we’d all agreed we’d accept my advice on that.”
“Granted, now this also could be my perceptions based on differences between the way humans run a military group and the way dwarves do. In dwarven society, in dwarven combat, a person who’s the leader in one thing is the leader in everything. Is this not the same for humans?”
Turk had to explain human hierarchy. “Well, in human government there are many levels of leadership. You can have for example a king, who at times will go to battle with his troupes and lead them in tactical matters, but more often than not he simply handles civil matters. He may tell his generals where to attack, but he leaves the tactical matters to the generals. Whereas a lieutenant or captain would have no civil authority in the army, but they would be in control of their men in every aspect of what they do, whether they are on or off duty. Now, if you are implying that I am the leader of this group, that has not been agreed to. All I said was when we’re in a dangerous situation, where combat occurred I felt we need someone to say, you do this and you do that. I have asked for that, and everyone agreed. “
Thorin nodded his understanding as Turk explained. “Ah, I see. So this is a different structure than what the dwarves use. Very well, then I have no issues with that. But another thing I will suggest. You abilities with the ladies being what they may or they may not be, that’s fine, what you choose to do with your time I could care less. But something else I would suggest to you, perhaps it would be wise if you try to refrain from the ladies in the party, because it could cause more problems than solutions. This is just a bit of advice.”
“I think you need to be careful of the advice that you give, Thorin.” Turk kept his voice level, just barely letting Thorin finish his sentence.
“As I said, you can take it or leave it as you so choose.” Thorin finished.
“I will not tell you what to do with your personal life, and I ask the same, that you do not tell me. It is not chivalrous to speak of such things.” Turk’s voice held a hint of a warning this time.
“And I did not ask any questions.” Thorin added.
“But you are bringing up the subject.” Turk clarified for him.
“This is just based on my observations.”
“As I said.” Turk was not backing down.
“But very well, your choices are your own. But do not say it was not a concern that I did not voice.”
“Well I, am more than happy to listen to anything that involves the group and how we are going to adventure down the road. I do think we should probably have a leader, but no one has chosen one yet. Do you feel anyone has chosen a leader?” Turk asked Thorin this time.
“I do not believe there have been any formal declarations, proclamations, voting, or other selections.” Answered Thorin.
“I am in agreement to that. Therefore, I would be stepping out of my bounds to try and be a leader, beyond what has been agreed upon. Perhaps you would like to be the leader? We also have Minx and Kierwin and Snap or Geirmund?”
“As things have gone so far, we have not seen an overriding need for a formal chain of command. And while that’s different from the way that dwarves normally operate, I see no reason to try to, to use a human expression, fix something that is not yet broken.”
“You cannot force someone to obey commands when we are not a military environment.”
“No, it is another sad disadvantage.” Thorin agreed.
“But if we decide down the road to have a leader, then everyone would have to agree to follow that person’s advice. Until we so decide, in a non-combative environment, that it was time to dissolve that leadership. Obviously, you cannot question orders during combat. Just like we are back in town, we could easily at that point say ‘I no longer wish to follow Thorin as my leader and I choose to leave.’ But we haven’t done that, because we are right now, I think, just a loose knit group that decided we all want to help Osa.” Turk explained his thinking on the matter.
Thorin agreed.
Turk continued, “And as long as you all wish to travel upon the same tribulations that I look forward to, to help those people who are in need, to help those that are weak, and need someone more powerful to protect them, to destroy the evil that exists in this world to the best of my ability, then I shall welcome you. But once your path veers from that, then I shall travel alone if need be, but I will not sway from my quest, that I have pledged myself to my god.”
“Very well!” Thorin answered. “All this listening has made me hungry! Let’s go get some breakfast.”
They headed downstairs for breakfast.
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Thanks! That was rather quick. Too bad this one has zero action in it :/ I do like how these two handled the whole 'leader/no leader' thing without metagaming. No 'Paladins have high charisma so we can barter better!" stuff. Can't wait for the next one!
[subliminal]BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD![/subliminal]
[subliminal]BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD![/subliminal]
Taboo
First Post
Thanks Ave!
Sorry about the lack of action (blood)! The next posting will give you Kierwin finding Minx waiting for her explanation about where she's been and what she thinks she's doing, and that's the end of the roleplaying in town. After that the group heads back to the Citadel and a whole lot of trouble!
There's quite a bit of action and BLOOD coming up soon!
Sorry about the lack of action (blood)! The next posting will give you Kierwin finding Minx waiting for her explanation about where she's been and what she thinks she's doing, and that's the end of the roleplaying in town. After that the group heads back to the Citadel and a whole lot of trouble!
There's quite a bit of action and BLOOD coming up soon!
Taboo
First Post
Minx and Kierwin
Kierwin came up the back stairs of the inn, hoping to avoid the rest of the party if they were downstairs having breakfast. She’d planned to be back before anyone had gotten up, but she’d gotten back later than she’d expected. There was one confrontation she couldn’t avoid, so about an hour and a half after dawn, Minx finally heard the doorknob rattle. When Kierwin opened the door, she found Minx standing there, arms crossed, foot tapping and a no-nonsense look on her face, she looked like she’d been waiting for awhile. Kierwin walked into the room and quietly closed the door. She took a deep breath, and leaned back against the door, knowing what that look meant.
Minx asked her pointedly, “Where have you been?”
“I’m sure you know where I’ve been,” Kierwin answered, knowing that she couldn’t lie to Minx, even though she wished she could. She wondered how much of the truth she could keep to herself. She’d had a lot of surprises this morning, and hadn’t come close to accepting it all yet, for that matter, she didn’t understand it all yet. One of the most wonderful nights of her life had turned into one of the most puzzling and troubling mornings of her life.
Minx didn’t give any ground or change her expression, Kierwin could feel the emotions in the room as well as see them in her friend’s eyes and face. Minx was disappointed in her, and none too happy, in fact the word angry quickly came to mind. “Oh, I’m pretty sure I know where you’ve been and who you’ve been with, and were you NOT THINKING about what you were doing??? What did you do? Do I even want to know what you did? Did you sleep or did you just walk up and down the beach? You look pretty rested. No wait! You DON’T look very rested!!!"
“Kierwin, did you sleep with him?!” She finally stopped, waiting for an answer.
Minx said all this without even taking a breath. Kierwin’s mind was reeling. She couldn’t think, the events of this morning were whirling through her head. She wanted to say that they had just talked, that nothing had happened, that it was none of Minx’s business, anything but the truth, but she couldn’t lie to her best friend, and some of it was Minx’s business, not all of it, at least not yet, but some of it. She opened her mouth and at first nothing came out. She closed it, took a breath, and tried again.
“I can’t lie to you…won’t lie to you. I was with Turk. I…slept…with Turk last night.” She said it quietly, in a shaky voice, not happy about telling Minx, she didn’t want to, but what good would it do to try to hide it? She wasn’t sure how much to tell Minx about the revelations she’d had this morning, and she’d thought about all the way here. She knew of at least one that she wasn’t going to tell her about, not right now, not if it killed her. That one was between her and Turk alone, for as long as possible.
“Ok, now then let me just ask you a question. HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU DID?! Did you think about the possible consequences? Have you thought about not only could you possibly be pregnant, but if you are you would have a bastard half-elf?” Minx asked several loud questions that Kierwin was sure they could hear downstairs.
Kierwin answered, avoiding direct answers as to the consequences, she might not be able to lie, but she could withhold information. She thought about that walk in the moonlight, looking up into his eyes, and the way his arms had felt around her. Yes, she’d wanted him as much as he’d wanted her, and she’d made it very clear what she’d wanted. She wasn’t letting him take the blame for this, this time it had been her choice to make. “Look Minx, don’t blame Turk for anything, it wasn’t his fault, it was mine. Yes, I thought this through. We went for a walk, it turned into more than that, I wanted to be with him. I accept the consequences of my actions, whatever they turn out to be.”
Minx sighed, “You made your decision, I can’t blame him for the fact that he is what he is. He’s a love ‘em and leave ‘em guy. He doesn’t care what woman he’s with. He won’t care if you wind up pregnant, and he won’t marry you.”
Kierwin (wondering if she should feel insulted about the "he doesn't care what woman he's with" bit) said ”I don’t expect you to understand why I did what I did. Turk isn’t what you think he is. You won’t ever believe me, but he does have goodness and honor in his soul, and that is part of what drew me to him in the first place. I don’t love Turk. I don’t expect him to ever fall in love with me, I know better than that. He’s not the type of man to fall in love and settle down, and I wouldn’t want any man to marry me just because I was pregnant.”
“Something happened last night because of Turk, because of the way he is. It isn’t what you think, so don’t say anything yet. This is something that is going to change our lives forever, and it’s really hard for me to say. It's painful for me to remember.”
It took Kierwin several moments to start talking again. “Do you remember Darial?” Minx said she did, vaguely. Kierwin told her about the lie she'd lived under for so long, slowly unfolding the events she had remembered that morning, she was nearly in tears again, remembering. Before she finished, Minx guessed that Snap was Kierwin’s child.
Kierwin wanted to tell her why Turk had been the key to unlocking those memories, the near panic that had set in, and that he had somehow sensed it and made it alright. But she knew that wouldn’t mean the same thing to Minx that it meant to her. She left it at, “If it hadn’t been for Turk last night, I couldn’t have handled all of this. In fact, I wouldn’t even know this, I’m sorry, it’s hard to explain. Turk doesn’t know, nobody knows but the two of us. I needed to tell you first.”
Minx asked if Kierwin planned to tell Snap and if Kierwin wanted to have her with when she talked to him. Of course, Kierwin was going to tell him, he needed to know, he deserved to know. They agreed to talk to him together. Minx understood that Kierwin wouldn’t ever go back to the Misty Isle again, that she didn’t consider them her family. Not after what they’d done to her, and to Snap, an innocent child who deserved a real family. Minx said that Kierwin was with her family now, Minx and Snap.
Minx told her she was disappointed in her about what she did with Turk, and how concerned she was that Kierwin was going to end up getting hurt. Kierwin tried again to convince her that he was honorable and good, and to quit worrying about her.
Minx stopped her, Kierwin had misunderstood her feelings all along. “He is a good person, I never said that he didn’t have honor, he is honorable, I just think he dishonors women. He’s going to break your heart. If you do have a child, he’s not going to stand by you, just like he slept with you last night, he’s just going to move on to somebody else.”
Kierwin, startled that Minx kept coming back to that subject said, “Then he will. I don’t expect anything from him, I went into this with my eyes open. No matter what comes of this, I’m on my own. I don’t expect him to stay with me.” Kierwin had misjudged the way that Minx felt about Turk.
Minx said, “I just want you to be really careful. I know that you care for him. You don’t see it now, but he will break your heart.”
“I care for him, but I don’t love him, there’s a difference. There was a reason I was with him last night, and something happened to me this morning when I prayed. I can’t talk about it right now. I will, but I need you to trust me right now. Please?”
Minx said she could understand that, for now. “Try to control your hormones, or at least be careful?”
“I won’t make any promises, but I will be careful.” Kierwin knew full well she wasn’t making any promises, since she had no plans to stay away from Turk.
Kierwin wasn’t proud of the fact that she was pregnant, nor was she ecstatic about it, but she wasn’t ashamed of carrying Turk’s child either, and she'd already shed her tears. There was no going back, and she’d do it again, in spite of the consequences. They had created a life, how could she not love it? What was dishonorable in what they had done? Absolutely nothing, as far as she was concerned. She had no idea what she was going to do, but she had faith that Ehlonna would guide her, and her faith in Ehlonna would be her strength.
Minx said she would kill Turk if the rest of the party found out he’d slept with Kierwin, and Kierwin knew she’d try. Kierwin assured her that Turk wasn’t the type of man to brag about it. Turk would never do something like that that! It made Kierwin shudder to think of what he’d do if he knew Minx said that, in fact she prayed that he never found out that she even thought it!
“We have to talk to Snap, there are some things I need to talk to Turk about, and we’ll to talk again later. Ok?” Kierwin hoped that would pacify Minx for now. It did, but it wouldn't for long. “Can we have breakfast now?”
Kierwin shivered every single time Minx brought up pregnancy, why did she keep saying it? She’d have to be really careful around her.
Kierwin came up the back stairs of the inn, hoping to avoid the rest of the party if they were downstairs having breakfast. She’d planned to be back before anyone had gotten up, but she’d gotten back later than she’d expected. There was one confrontation she couldn’t avoid, so about an hour and a half after dawn, Minx finally heard the doorknob rattle. When Kierwin opened the door, she found Minx standing there, arms crossed, foot tapping and a no-nonsense look on her face, she looked like she’d been waiting for awhile. Kierwin walked into the room and quietly closed the door. She took a deep breath, and leaned back against the door, knowing what that look meant.
Minx asked her pointedly, “Where have you been?”
“I’m sure you know where I’ve been,” Kierwin answered, knowing that she couldn’t lie to Minx, even though she wished she could. She wondered how much of the truth she could keep to herself. She’d had a lot of surprises this morning, and hadn’t come close to accepting it all yet, for that matter, she didn’t understand it all yet. One of the most wonderful nights of her life had turned into one of the most puzzling and troubling mornings of her life.
Minx didn’t give any ground or change her expression, Kierwin could feel the emotions in the room as well as see them in her friend’s eyes and face. Minx was disappointed in her, and none too happy, in fact the word angry quickly came to mind. “Oh, I’m pretty sure I know where you’ve been and who you’ve been with, and were you NOT THINKING about what you were doing??? What did you do? Do I even want to know what you did? Did you sleep or did you just walk up and down the beach? You look pretty rested. No wait! You DON’T look very rested!!!"
“Kierwin, did you sleep with him?!” She finally stopped, waiting for an answer.
Minx said all this without even taking a breath. Kierwin’s mind was reeling. She couldn’t think, the events of this morning were whirling through her head. She wanted to say that they had just talked, that nothing had happened, that it was none of Minx’s business, anything but the truth, but she couldn’t lie to her best friend, and some of it was Minx’s business, not all of it, at least not yet, but some of it. She opened her mouth and at first nothing came out. She closed it, took a breath, and tried again.
“I can’t lie to you…won’t lie to you. I was with Turk. I…slept…with Turk last night.” She said it quietly, in a shaky voice, not happy about telling Minx, she didn’t want to, but what good would it do to try to hide it? She wasn’t sure how much to tell Minx about the revelations she’d had this morning, and she’d thought about all the way here. She knew of at least one that she wasn’t going to tell her about, not right now, not if it killed her. That one was between her and Turk alone, for as long as possible.
“Ok, now then let me just ask you a question. HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU DID?! Did you think about the possible consequences? Have you thought about not only could you possibly be pregnant, but if you are you would have a bastard half-elf?” Minx asked several loud questions that Kierwin was sure they could hear downstairs.
Kierwin answered, avoiding direct answers as to the consequences, she might not be able to lie, but she could withhold information. She thought about that walk in the moonlight, looking up into his eyes, and the way his arms had felt around her. Yes, she’d wanted him as much as he’d wanted her, and she’d made it very clear what she’d wanted. She wasn’t letting him take the blame for this, this time it had been her choice to make. “Look Minx, don’t blame Turk for anything, it wasn’t his fault, it was mine. Yes, I thought this through. We went for a walk, it turned into more than that, I wanted to be with him. I accept the consequences of my actions, whatever they turn out to be.”
Minx sighed, “You made your decision, I can’t blame him for the fact that he is what he is. He’s a love ‘em and leave ‘em guy. He doesn’t care what woman he’s with. He won’t care if you wind up pregnant, and he won’t marry you.”
Kierwin (wondering if she should feel insulted about the "he doesn't care what woman he's with" bit) said ”I don’t expect you to understand why I did what I did. Turk isn’t what you think he is. You won’t ever believe me, but he does have goodness and honor in his soul, and that is part of what drew me to him in the first place. I don’t love Turk. I don’t expect him to ever fall in love with me, I know better than that. He’s not the type of man to fall in love and settle down, and I wouldn’t want any man to marry me just because I was pregnant.”
“Something happened last night because of Turk, because of the way he is. It isn’t what you think, so don’t say anything yet. This is something that is going to change our lives forever, and it’s really hard for me to say. It's painful for me to remember.”
It took Kierwin several moments to start talking again. “Do you remember Darial?” Minx said she did, vaguely. Kierwin told her about the lie she'd lived under for so long, slowly unfolding the events she had remembered that morning, she was nearly in tears again, remembering. Before she finished, Minx guessed that Snap was Kierwin’s child.
Kierwin wanted to tell her why Turk had been the key to unlocking those memories, the near panic that had set in, and that he had somehow sensed it and made it alright. But she knew that wouldn’t mean the same thing to Minx that it meant to her. She left it at, “If it hadn’t been for Turk last night, I couldn’t have handled all of this. In fact, I wouldn’t even know this, I’m sorry, it’s hard to explain. Turk doesn’t know, nobody knows but the two of us. I needed to tell you first.”
Minx asked if Kierwin planned to tell Snap and if Kierwin wanted to have her with when she talked to him. Of course, Kierwin was going to tell him, he needed to know, he deserved to know. They agreed to talk to him together. Minx understood that Kierwin wouldn’t ever go back to the Misty Isle again, that she didn’t consider them her family. Not after what they’d done to her, and to Snap, an innocent child who deserved a real family. Minx said that Kierwin was with her family now, Minx and Snap.
Minx told her she was disappointed in her about what she did with Turk, and how concerned she was that Kierwin was going to end up getting hurt. Kierwin tried again to convince her that he was honorable and good, and to quit worrying about her.
Minx stopped her, Kierwin had misunderstood her feelings all along. “He is a good person, I never said that he didn’t have honor, he is honorable, I just think he dishonors women. He’s going to break your heart. If you do have a child, he’s not going to stand by you, just like he slept with you last night, he’s just going to move on to somebody else.”
Kierwin, startled that Minx kept coming back to that subject said, “Then he will. I don’t expect anything from him, I went into this with my eyes open. No matter what comes of this, I’m on my own. I don’t expect him to stay with me.” Kierwin had misjudged the way that Minx felt about Turk.
Minx said, “I just want you to be really careful. I know that you care for him. You don’t see it now, but he will break your heart.”
“I care for him, but I don’t love him, there’s a difference. There was a reason I was with him last night, and something happened to me this morning when I prayed. I can’t talk about it right now. I will, but I need you to trust me right now. Please?”
Minx said she could understand that, for now. “Try to control your hormones, or at least be careful?”
“I won’t make any promises, but I will be careful.” Kierwin knew full well she wasn’t making any promises, since she had no plans to stay away from Turk.
Kierwin wasn’t proud of the fact that she was pregnant, nor was she ecstatic about it, but she wasn’t ashamed of carrying Turk’s child either, and she'd already shed her tears. There was no going back, and she’d do it again, in spite of the consequences. They had created a life, how could she not love it? What was dishonorable in what they had done? Absolutely nothing, as far as she was concerned. She had no idea what she was going to do, but she had faith that Ehlonna would guide her, and her faith in Ehlonna would be her strength.
Minx said she would kill Turk if the rest of the party found out he’d slept with Kierwin, and Kierwin knew she’d try. Kierwin assured her that Turk wasn’t the type of man to brag about it. Turk would never do something like that that! It made Kierwin shudder to think of what he’d do if he knew Minx said that, in fact she prayed that he never found out that she even thought it!
“We have to talk to Snap, there are some things I need to talk to Turk about, and we’ll to talk again later. Ok?” Kierwin hoped that would pacify Minx for now. It did, but it wouldn't for long. “Can we have breakfast now?”
Kierwin shivered every single time Minx brought up pregnancy, why did she keep saying it? She’d have to be really careful around her.
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Turk won't have to say -anything- since he'd probably have a huge grin on his face the rest of the day 
Could you guys give a meta-game reason why Snap is turning into a dragon? I don't think the elf has any uber-blood in her but I don't know much about the guy that forced himself on her.
Nice update! Allthough I'd of liked it much more if there was some spell tossing! I predict that Turk will hit Minx next. She seems supportive/jealous.
Could you guys give a meta-game reason why Snap is turning into a dragon? I don't think the elf has any uber-blood in her but I don't know much about the guy that forced himself on her.
Nice update! Allthough I'd of liked it much more if there was some spell tossing! I predict that Turk will hit Minx next. She seems supportive/jealous.
Taboo
First Post
Sorry Ave, you know almost as much about Snap's "Daddy" as I do! I have a feeling he'll be showing up to give our heroes misery, afterall, he does have a son. Of course, I'm sure that it will be when we least expect it!
There is one more post in town, I forgot about when I said Minx and Kierwin would finish it up. Then everyone heads back to the Sunless Citadel, but I think you'll like it.
There is one more post in town, I forgot about when I said Minx and Kierwin would finish it up. Then everyone heads back to the Sunless Citadel, but I think you'll like it.
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Taboo
First Post
Kierwin and Minx came down the stairs to have breakfast, and found the others having breakfast with two new friends who were headed north to find children that were missing there. Apparently, Thorin had made friends with them the night before, and had even brought up the subject of joining forces. One had reddish colored skin, was around eight feet tall, and appeared to be all muscle, he said he was an Ogrun. The other was a ranger, and was six feet tall, bluish gray, and was a Trollkin. Kierwin wondered just what she'd missed out on last night at dinner, when she realized that Minx already knew about these two.
Minx felt terrible, and wanted to talk to Turk about the rash she had that Dem had identified as mummy rot. He told her he didn’t know anything about it and asked why she was asking him.
“Dem said something about you being touched by Pelor, and that you might be able to help me. I haven’t seen you until now, so I couldn’t ask earlier.” Minx was doing her best to be nice.
Turk honestly didn’t know anything about mummy rot and couldn’t help her, he said he hadn’t even seen a mummy before yesterday. He was genuinely confused about why Dem had told Minx to talk to him about it, he certainly didn't know anything about healing or diseases! Thorin had the same problem as Minx, but wasn’t as sick as she was. Thorin and Minx decided to go to the temple together to see Dem again, hoping she could help them, even though she couldn’t cure them of the problem, she could help with some of the symptoms.
Geirmund and Snap finally came down to breakfast before everyone split up for the morning. Turk finished breakfast after Minx and Thorin left for the Temple, and their new friends, finished their breakfasts, and after some further talk about what was happening in the north, left on their quest to find the missing children.
Kierwin was having trouble deciding what to do and barely touched her food. She finally decided to tell Turk about the baby, and asked if she could talk to him upstairs alone. She didn’t know when she’d have the chance again since they were headed back to the Sunless Citadel, and was afraid to wait given the circumstances. Turk nodded his head and they went upstairs to his room. They whispered to each other while they walked up the stairs, and shared a kiss for what seemed like no more than a few moments, lost in the passion that flared between them when their lips met.
Suddenly, they heard Kierwin’s name screamed from downstairs so loudly that reality came screeching back. (Kierwin had never heard her name screamed so loudly, Meepo probably heard it all the way back at the Sunless Citadel.) Kierwin remembered what she had asked Turk up here for, and the chance was gone. The longer she waited the worse things would be between her and Minx, and the harder it would be to tell him. It was already going to be hard enough to explain as it was! How did Minx and Thorin get to the Temple and back so fast? She knew the real question was how long had she been lost in that kiss?
Turk and Kierwin walked out of his room, and Kierwin told Minx she needed a few minutes to finish her discussion with Turk.
Minx was irritated to say the least, “Oh, PLEASE, Kierwin, it’s only been a few hours! We need to go get the apple, because I’ll be dead if I don’t.”
Turk winked at Kierwin, who tried unsuccessfully to restrain a smile, “And the reason we should go get the apple is?”
Minx glared at both of them. “I am not even justifying that with a remark.”
Turk replied innocently, “Oh, we are going to go get the apple for Osa. I knew there was a reason.”
Kierwin was frustrated, she’d just gotten her nerve up to tell him the truth! “But I only need to talk to Turk for a few minutes, please?”
Minx obviously didn't believe her. Kierwin tried to explain exactly what she was doing with Turk upstairs (ok, what she’d meant to be doing), “We were trying to talk when we heard someone let out a scream my name from downstairs! It’s a serious discussion, not what you think.”
Minx really didn’t care. “Ok, you know what? I’m going on, if you guys want to come with me, please do. Because I’m gonna be dead if I don’t. Talk on the way! Can you read and write Turk?”
That produced glares from Turk and Kierwin, but it got Minx the desired effect.
“Ok, we’ll talk on the way, but I need to talk to Turk in private. Not a problem, but we’ll keep our distance.” Kierwin got the picture and decided to talk to Turk on the trip back to the citadel, hoping this would work. This was going to be tricky, how was she going to keep all of this secret with everyone around? She really didn't want to hurt Minx, but she couldn't let anyone know about this, especially not her.
They were prepared to move out when they realized they didn’t have Snap with them, Geirmund was standing silently in the back, faithfully and quietly as usual. Minx promptly screamed loudly “SNAP!!!”. Then they realized he was still having breakfast and went and got him, and they set off for the Sunless Citadel.
They stopped by the Temple so Turk could go in and check on Rowena. The others waited outside for him.
Kierwin didn't talk to Turk on the walk back to the Citadel. She was thinking about her talk with Minx that morning. Something Minx had said crossed her mind and she couldn’t get past it. Kierwin admitted she misunderstood the reasons Minx disliked Turk. Minx admitted that he was a good man, but she felt that he dishonored women.
How ironic that Kierwin’s parents said she’d dishonored her entire family. Fault didn’t matter, all they cared about was the way it looked to the rest of the village. She’d brought shame to her family, and they hid it from everyone, while Kierwin suffered for nearly twenty years. That’s why she’d been getting ready to leave the Misty Isle when they’d been kidnapped.
Granted, the circumstances were different. Kierwin’s parents were afraid of the village finding out about their daughter's dishonor. Minx saw the difference and offered to be the family she hadn’t had. Now her child’s father, and the one person closer to her than a sister couldn’t stand each other. Kierwin thought about what Minx had said about the baby if Kierwin was pregnant. A “bastard half-elf.” What would Minx actually think about the baby when she found out?
Minx really was closer to her than a sister, that made this even more difficult. She would give her life to save her friends, or to save the person they were on a mission to save. Kierwin also knew that once she’d made up her mind about something or someone, it was hard to get her to change it.
What about how Turk had taken such good care of Rowena, a woman who was still in a state of shock, unable to speak, and whom he had met less than a month ago? He used his own money to take care of her, and found a place to keep her comfortable and safe.
Didn’t the good he did mean anything? Turk had a kind heart, a good soul, that was part of what had drawn Kierwin to him in the first place. There was a lot about him that she didn’t know, like how he’d react to her past, or to the fact that he was going to be a father. That was what made it so hard for Kierwin to decide what to do now, but whatever she did, Turk would have a say in it.
The more she thought about it, the more her thoughts turned toward the one person in the world who never thought she’d dishonored her family or herself and never would. The person who’d saved her life twenty years ago.
He wouldn’t care that she wasn’t married, and would welcome her and the baby, the words “bastard half-elf” would never escape his lips. She’d have to find out how to get to the palace of Gildor, maybe Geirmund would know.
The next thing she knew they were back at the crevice leading to the Sunless Citadel and it was too late to tell Turk anything. She was back to reality as they readied themselves to descend into the darkness once again. She silently prayed that Ehlonna would watch over them all in this forsaken place.
Minx felt terrible, and wanted to talk to Turk about the rash she had that Dem had identified as mummy rot. He told her he didn’t know anything about it and asked why she was asking him.
“Dem said something about you being touched by Pelor, and that you might be able to help me. I haven’t seen you until now, so I couldn’t ask earlier.” Minx was doing her best to be nice.
Turk honestly didn’t know anything about mummy rot and couldn’t help her, he said he hadn’t even seen a mummy before yesterday. He was genuinely confused about why Dem had told Minx to talk to him about it, he certainly didn't know anything about healing or diseases! Thorin had the same problem as Minx, but wasn’t as sick as she was. Thorin and Minx decided to go to the temple together to see Dem again, hoping she could help them, even though she couldn’t cure them of the problem, she could help with some of the symptoms.
Geirmund and Snap finally came down to breakfast before everyone split up for the morning. Turk finished breakfast after Minx and Thorin left for the Temple, and their new friends, finished their breakfasts, and after some further talk about what was happening in the north, left on their quest to find the missing children.
Kierwin was having trouble deciding what to do and barely touched her food. She finally decided to tell Turk about the baby, and asked if she could talk to him upstairs alone. She didn’t know when she’d have the chance again since they were headed back to the Sunless Citadel, and was afraid to wait given the circumstances. Turk nodded his head and they went upstairs to his room. They whispered to each other while they walked up the stairs, and shared a kiss for what seemed like no more than a few moments, lost in the passion that flared between them when their lips met.
Suddenly, they heard Kierwin’s name screamed from downstairs so loudly that reality came screeching back. (Kierwin had never heard her name screamed so loudly, Meepo probably heard it all the way back at the Sunless Citadel.) Kierwin remembered what she had asked Turk up here for, and the chance was gone. The longer she waited the worse things would be between her and Minx, and the harder it would be to tell him. It was already going to be hard enough to explain as it was! How did Minx and Thorin get to the Temple and back so fast? She knew the real question was how long had she been lost in that kiss?
Turk and Kierwin walked out of his room, and Kierwin told Minx she needed a few minutes to finish her discussion with Turk.
Minx was irritated to say the least, “Oh, PLEASE, Kierwin, it’s only been a few hours! We need to go get the apple, because I’ll be dead if I don’t.”
Turk winked at Kierwin, who tried unsuccessfully to restrain a smile, “And the reason we should go get the apple is?”
Minx glared at both of them. “I am not even justifying that with a remark.”
Turk replied innocently, “Oh, we are going to go get the apple for Osa. I knew there was a reason.”
Kierwin was frustrated, she’d just gotten her nerve up to tell him the truth! “But I only need to talk to Turk for a few minutes, please?”
Minx obviously didn't believe her. Kierwin tried to explain exactly what she was doing with Turk upstairs (ok, what she’d meant to be doing), “We were trying to talk when we heard someone let out a scream my name from downstairs! It’s a serious discussion, not what you think.”
Minx really didn’t care. “Ok, you know what? I’m going on, if you guys want to come with me, please do. Because I’m gonna be dead if I don’t. Talk on the way! Can you read and write Turk?”
That produced glares from Turk and Kierwin, but it got Minx the desired effect.
“Ok, we’ll talk on the way, but I need to talk to Turk in private. Not a problem, but we’ll keep our distance.” Kierwin got the picture and decided to talk to Turk on the trip back to the citadel, hoping this would work. This was going to be tricky, how was she going to keep all of this secret with everyone around? She really didn't want to hurt Minx, but she couldn't let anyone know about this, especially not her.
They were prepared to move out when they realized they didn’t have Snap with them, Geirmund was standing silently in the back, faithfully and quietly as usual. Minx promptly screamed loudly “SNAP!!!”. Then they realized he was still having breakfast and went and got him, and they set off for the Sunless Citadel.
They stopped by the Temple so Turk could go in and check on Rowena. The others waited outside for him.
Kierwin didn't talk to Turk on the walk back to the Citadel. She was thinking about her talk with Minx that morning. Something Minx had said crossed her mind and she couldn’t get past it. Kierwin admitted she misunderstood the reasons Minx disliked Turk. Minx admitted that he was a good man, but she felt that he dishonored women.
How ironic that Kierwin’s parents said she’d dishonored her entire family. Fault didn’t matter, all they cared about was the way it looked to the rest of the village. She’d brought shame to her family, and they hid it from everyone, while Kierwin suffered for nearly twenty years. That’s why she’d been getting ready to leave the Misty Isle when they’d been kidnapped.
Granted, the circumstances were different. Kierwin’s parents were afraid of the village finding out about their daughter's dishonor. Minx saw the difference and offered to be the family she hadn’t had. Now her child’s father, and the one person closer to her than a sister couldn’t stand each other. Kierwin thought about what Minx had said about the baby if Kierwin was pregnant. A “bastard half-elf.” What would Minx actually think about the baby when she found out?
Minx really was closer to her than a sister, that made this even more difficult. She would give her life to save her friends, or to save the person they were on a mission to save. Kierwin also knew that once she’d made up her mind about something or someone, it was hard to get her to change it.
What about how Turk had taken such good care of Rowena, a woman who was still in a state of shock, unable to speak, and whom he had met less than a month ago? He used his own money to take care of her, and found a place to keep her comfortable and safe.
Didn’t the good he did mean anything? Turk had a kind heart, a good soul, that was part of what had drawn Kierwin to him in the first place. There was a lot about him that she didn’t know, like how he’d react to her past, or to the fact that he was going to be a father. That was what made it so hard for Kierwin to decide what to do now, but whatever she did, Turk would have a say in it.
The more she thought about it, the more her thoughts turned toward the one person in the world who never thought she’d dishonored her family or herself and never would. The person who’d saved her life twenty years ago.
He wouldn’t care that she wasn’t married, and would welcome her and the baby, the words “bastard half-elf” would never escape his lips. She’d have to find out how to get to the palace of Gildor, maybe Geirmund would know.
The next thing she knew they were back at the crevice leading to the Sunless Citadel and it was too late to tell Turk anything. She was back to reality as they readied themselves to descend into the darkness once again. She silently prayed that Ehlonna would watch over them all in this forsaken place.
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Taboo
First Post
Back into the Darkness
Thorin descended first, prepared for any rats that may be lurking down there, remembering their first trip. Turk was second, on guard as always. Somehow, in his haste, he lost his hold on the rope partway down and beat Thorin to the bottom. Kierwin was next, and saw him fall as she started down the rope, remembering her own fall the first time they came this way. She kept her mind on what she was doing, although felt her heart jump as she saw him lose his grip. She knelt by him thankful that his wounds weren't worse than they were as the others descended. Thorin kept a careful watch for rats as she was busy concentrating. Turk promised her that he would be more careful in the future, and thanked her for her healing touch as she prayed to heal his wounds. The others descended without incident.
They were back in the tower, now they had to decide which way to go. Turk proposed that if they went back to where they had left off, the goblins would be expecting them, and be lying in wait. Plus, there was that very dangerous pit trap to cross. They still had the map the captive goblins had drawn of the other side of the citadel. The first map had proven relatively reliable. If the second map was also correct, then that would help. They decided to go back to the room where they had found Meepo and go that way.
They entered the room Calcryx had been kept in and Meepo was missing. There was no fire, the only light was from Turk’s ever burning torch. Before they went any further, Kierwin pulled out the scrolls from the Dragon Priest’s Sarcophagus and cast Read Magic on them. In all the confusion, it was the first chance she’d gotten. It turned out she was right, they were clerical like she'd thought, they were Cure Light Wounds, Inflict Light Wounds, Command, and Magical Stone.
They started walking, and came to a door, it was not locked and Thorin opened it, so far it didn’t match the second map. Two of the goblins had apparently told the truth, the others had obviously lied. This room was empty and lightless, not to mention filthy. Rat droppings covered the floor. There was a door at the far end of the room, and Geirmund went over to check it and found no locks or traps. Thorin didn’t hear any noise coming from the other side when he listened at it.
Thorin looked in and saw dust and odd bits of rubble on the floor. An ornate fountain was built into the wall they could see from the door. When Kierwin, Turk and Thorin entered the room, they could see that the fountain was dry and cracked. Thorin went in to inspect the fountain, and Turk crossed the room to guard the corridor on the other side to watch for an ambush. Kierwin followed Turk, figuring she could keep an eye on both fighters that way. That left Snap with Minx and Geirmund in the other corridor.
Thorin noticed that there were carvings of a diving dragon on the fountain, and that it was the same craftsmanship as the elves and other items in the other rooms where they had found the Dragon Priest. He noticed a word that was barely discernable on the front of the fountain, it was so old that it was nearly worn away. The style of the writing appeared to be the same as what they had seen before, so Thorin asked Minx or Snap to try to read it.
Snap came in and carefully studied the writing, it meant “let there be fire”, but he didn’t want to say the word, afraid of setting something off. Thorin decided to search the fountain, but didn’t find anything of interest. Minx promptly came in and said the word meaning "let there be fire" out loud in draconic.
Everyone else moved just out of the room, not liking the implication of the phrase. Turk and Kierwin were still guarding the corridor, watching for signs of an ambush, Snap and Geirmund were out in the hallway they had come in. Thorin stayed with Minx. As Minx said the word, a swooping stone dragon emerged from the wall over the fountain. The tail of the dragon stayed attached to the wall, and the mouth of the dragon was the fountainhead.
It was a stone statue of what Minx identified as a red dragon, then a red liquid came pouring out of the dragon’s mouth. Minx touched it, and then tasted it, then felt her mouth get slightly hot and smoke a little when she breathed, then nothing. She said “Hey Snap, I can breathe smoke!”
Thorin wondered what the point of that would be, then the red liquid quit pouring out and there was a puddle in the bottom of the basin. They thought about collecting it, Kierwin thought more would let you breath fire, Snap thought maybe they needed to throw it on something later, Turk decided to drink it all.
Everyone got well away from Turk when they found out what he was going to do. He drank it. He said he didn’t know what it did yet, he just felt warm right now, he’d done it for Kierwin because she was curious, she smiled at him. Minx tried saying the word again, hoping for more of the liquid, but nothing happened.
Now they turned their attention to the door that was in there. It was a large stone door, carved with skeletal dragons, and they noticed that standing close to the door it was very cold. There were inscriptions in the same flowing script they’d seen before above the door. Minx interpreted it for them.
“Channel good, open the way.”
They started thinking of ways to interpret that. Turk said “Let’s open the way!” Minx sarcastically answered him that they had to channel good. Turk tried to open the door, but it didn’t budge, he could feel the cold radiating from it. Thorin threw all his strength into it, trying to open it, and was nearly hit by a blade that came slicing right above his head and back into the wall. Turk was glad he hadn't put more strength into it when he'd tried!
Kierwin was standing in the back mumbling “channel good”, trying to figure out what that meant, figuring that they weren’t going to get in until they figured out a magical way to channel good. Then she nearly jumped out of her skin when the blade nearly cut Thorin’s head off.
Then, they tried having Turk breathe on the door since it was so cold, hoping that the heat would counter the cold. Sure enough, fire came out of Turk’s mouth, but it only scorched the stone door, leaving a blackened area. At least they knew for sure what the red liquid did!
Kierwin had an idea, she tried turning undead, that had to be channeling Ehlonna’s power, which was channeling good, wasn’t it? With Turk urging her on, saying she didn’t really try with conviction the first time, she tried again with conviction (but not enough), so she tried one more time (really hard and a with new d20).
The door glowed a ghostly blue and opened silently.
Thorin descended first, prepared for any rats that may be lurking down there, remembering their first trip. Turk was second, on guard as always. Somehow, in his haste, he lost his hold on the rope partway down and beat Thorin to the bottom. Kierwin was next, and saw him fall as she started down the rope, remembering her own fall the first time they came this way. She kept her mind on what she was doing, although felt her heart jump as she saw him lose his grip. She knelt by him thankful that his wounds weren't worse than they were as the others descended. Thorin kept a careful watch for rats as she was busy concentrating. Turk promised her that he would be more careful in the future, and thanked her for her healing touch as she prayed to heal his wounds. The others descended without incident.
They were back in the tower, now they had to decide which way to go. Turk proposed that if they went back to where they had left off, the goblins would be expecting them, and be lying in wait. Plus, there was that very dangerous pit trap to cross. They still had the map the captive goblins had drawn of the other side of the citadel. The first map had proven relatively reliable. If the second map was also correct, then that would help. They decided to go back to the room where they had found Meepo and go that way.
They entered the room Calcryx had been kept in and Meepo was missing. There was no fire, the only light was from Turk’s ever burning torch. Before they went any further, Kierwin pulled out the scrolls from the Dragon Priest’s Sarcophagus and cast Read Magic on them. In all the confusion, it was the first chance she’d gotten. It turned out she was right, they were clerical like she'd thought, they were Cure Light Wounds, Inflict Light Wounds, Command, and Magical Stone.
They started walking, and came to a door, it was not locked and Thorin opened it, so far it didn’t match the second map. Two of the goblins had apparently told the truth, the others had obviously lied. This room was empty and lightless, not to mention filthy. Rat droppings covered the floor. There was a door at the far end of the room, and Geirmund went over to check it and found no locks or traps. Thorin didn’t hear any noise coming from the other side when he listened at it.
Thorin looked in and saw dust and odd bits of rubble on the floor. An ornate fountain was built into the wall they could see from the door. When Kierwin, Turk and Thorin entered the room, they could see that the fountain was dry and cracked. Thorin went in to inspect the fountain, and Turk crossed the room to guard the corridor on the other side to watch for an ambush. Kierwin followed Turk, figuring she could keep an eye on both fighters that way. That left Snap with Minx and Geirmund in the other corridor.
Thorin noticed that there were carvings of a diving dragon on the fountain, and that it was the same craftsmanship as the elves and other items in the other rooms where they had found the Dragon Priest. He noticed a word that was barely discernable on the front of the fountain, it was so old that it was nearly worn away. The style of the writing appeared to be the same as what they had seen before, so Thorin asked Minx or Snap to try to read it.
Snap came in and carefully studied the writing, it meant “let there be fire”, but he didn’t want to say the word, afraid of setting something off. Thorin decided to search the fountain, but didn’t find anything of interest. Minx promptly came in and said the word meaning "let there be fire" out loud in draconic.
Everyone else moved just out of the room, not liking the implication of the phrase. Turk and Kierwin were still guarding the corridor, watching for signs of an ambush, Snap and Geirmund were out in the hallway they had come in. Thorin stayed with Minx. As Minx said the word, a swooping stone dragon emerged from the wall over the fountain. The tail of the dragon stayed attached to the wall, and the mouth of the dragon was the fountainhead.
It was a stone statue of what Minx identified as a red dragon, then a red liquid came pouring out of the dragon’s mouth. Minx touched it, and then tasted it, then felt her mouth get slightly hot and smoke a little when she breathed, then nothing. She said “Hey Snap, I can breathe smoke!”
Thorin wondered what the point of that would be, then the red liquid quit pouring out and there was a puddle in the bottom of the basin. They thought about collecting it, Kierwin thought more would let you breath fire, Snap thought maybe they needed to throw it on something later, Turk decided to drink it all.
Everyone got well away from Turk when they found out what he was going to do. He drank it. He said he didn’t know what it did yet, he just felt warm right now, he’d done it for Kierwin because she was curious, she smiled at him. Minx tried saying the word again, hoping for more of the liquid, but nothing happened.
Now they turned their attention to the door that was in there. It was a large stone door, carved with skeletal dragons, and they noticed that standing close to the door it was very cold. There were inscriptions in the same flowing script they’d seen before above the door. Minx interpreted it for them.
“Channel good, open the way.”
They started thinking of ways to interpret that. Turk said “Let’s open the way!” Minx sarcastically answered him that they had to channel good. Turk tried to open the door, but it didn’t budge, he could feel the cold radiating from it. Thorin threw all his strength into it, trying to open it, and was nearly hit by a blade that came slicing right above his head and back into the wall. Turk was glad he hadn't put more strength into it when he'd tried!
Kierwin was standing in the back mumbling “channel good”, trying to figure out what that meant, figuring that they weren’t going to get in until they figured out a magical way to channel good. Then she nearly jumped out of her skin when the blade nearly cut Thorin’s head off.
Then, they tried having Turk breathe on the door since it was so cold, hoping that the heat would counter the cold. Sure enough, fire came out of Turk’s mouth, but it only scorched the stone door, leaving a blackened area. At least they knew for sure what the red liquid did!
Kierwin had an idea, she tried turning undead, that had to be channeling Ehlonna’s power, which was channeling good, wasn’t it? With Turk urging her on, saying she didn’t really try with conviction the first time, she tried again with conviction (but not enough), so she tried one more time (really hard and a with new d20).
The door glowed a ghostly blue and opened silently.
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