Hero's Quest (Solo Eberron Campaign)

[Kaodi]

" Oh no, not really, " answers the kalashtar. " I was just looking around at the assembled personages, hoping to find someone with some interesting experience to chat with, and you seemed to fit the bill quite well. "

Extending his hand, he says, " The name is Valsamath. I am on my way to Darguun to conduct some business. Yourself? "

 

[Blackrat]

He looks at your hand with puzzlement for a second and then mutters. "Ah, indeed, human and gnome way of greeting, yes, very interesting. Gripping ones hand, yes indeed." He takes your hand and grips with almost bonecrushing force and you realize that this orc is probaly both exceptionally strong as well as smart and peculiar example of his race. "Grizhnak is my name. Excuse me but I'm not familiar with socializing customs. I spend my time studying other matters."

 

[Kaodi]

Rubbing his hand, Valsamath says, " That is quite alright. "

" What sort of studies do you engage in, Grizhnak? I would be interested to hear about what you do. "

 

[Blackrat]

"I conduct research on beasts that inhabit Khorvaire. I am on my way to hold a series of lectures about owlbear anatomy in Korranberg University. Very intriquing creatures. Have you ever met one? I'm transporting a specimen with me. Darned dockworkers almost let it loose in Sharn. Can you imagine what it could have done if I weren't keeping an eye on the loading." He gets an irritated tone when talking about the loaders.

 

[Kaodi]

" An owlbear, eh? " says Valsamath. " I count myself fortunate to have never met one of those things when I was travelling from town to town in rural Breland. But if you are willing I would certainly be grateful to have a chance to look at your captive specimen. "

 

[Blackrat]

"Yes, yes, why not. I had to rent almost half the cargohold for it. Do follow." He leads you down to the cargo-hold and you see a huge cage. So big that it could have never been moved into the ship as a whole. So it was probably built inside the hold and the creature in it moved in with a smaller cage. In a far corner of the cage, slumped in shadows, is a big form of a creature, but you can't really see it good. Just a shadowy mass. But the low rumbling growl can be felt as it resonates through your body.

 

[Kaodi]

" Hmmm... I guess if I were cooped up in a cage, in a strange, dark room that tilts back and forth, I would not be much for making friends either, " says Valsamath, frowning. " It is interesting to just be here, to listen, however. Thank you for this opportunity, Grizhnak. How were you able to come by this creature in the first place? "

 

[Blackrat]

"Don't be too compassionate my psychic friend. It is a vicious predator that would carve your inside out given the chance. Here, let me show." Grizhnak mutters a few words and you see a big fat rat comes running from somewhere and walks slowly towards the creature. Suddenly the big mass moves with an unbelieavable speed to grab the little animal and tear it to pieces with it's beak before starting to eat. Now that it's out of the corner you can see it clearly. The magnificant creature is as frightening as you have heard of. "I bought it from a woodsman who had managed to subdue it. By what means I don't know since these usually fight to the death." He goes on a while, starting to give a lecture about owlbear physiology but you listen only halfheartedly as something in his earlier words bother you.

Suddenly the realization hits you. He called you psychic even though you have not told him anything of you yet.

 

[Kaodi]

( Yeah, I picked up on that before you explicitly mentioned it, hehehe... )

Cocking his head slightly, Valsamath begins to step backwards towards the door. " Yes, I suppose that it is quite viscious. But then again, I have known many civilized folk with the same streak in their personality. In any case, I think I shall return to the deck and turn my thoughts towards more pleasant things... "

His muscles tensed, the kalashtar gets ready to draw Falchion, though unfortunately he left his shield back in his room...

 

[Blackrat]

"Yes, I don't think it likes company too much. I shall come back up too. It's too dim to read here and I need to prepare my lecture."