Kiss of Darkness: Part 1--A Hint of Shadow

[Nonlethal Force]

Rhaka smiles, trying to be polite. She responds to the princess' earlier words. "Well, it is as I said earlier. We have travelled many days to relay a message. I am in favor of relaying the message. I cannot see any value in delaying the task we have travelled long and hard to accomplish. Once that is done, not only will you have my blessing in helping people you will have my participation. Besides, I do believe that people put far too much value in possessions to begin with. Life can be completely fulfilling simply by using what the gods of nature provide for free!"

 

[unleashed]

Baeleth Dawnmist, Male High Elf Swashbuckler/Wizard

*Elenia laughs.*

"A princess has to know about the other cultures who live nearby. I've spent a bit of time chatting with Tel'Quess ambassadors and the priests at the Seldarine temple, so I know a bit about elven traditions, but truth be told, some of the more minor deities with really long names escape me at the moment."

"Dueling schools? None of the fancy ones, no, but there are certainly maestros who teach eager younglings to become street duelists and blade bravos, hoping to eke out a better life through skill, charm, and a steady arm. Of course, weapons are supposed to be peaceknotted within the city grounds except in designated areas, so street duels aren't exactly legal...in general, I tend to frown on such things. Though the dream of the self-made man is a good one, the casual violence and violent casualties of street dueling are a bit of an excess, I think. Fortunately, it isn't a particularly widespread pastime, though somewhat popular for its scarcity."

“Oh, well I wasn’t looking for street duels or such, Elenia, I was just hoping to see some skilled human bladework and how it compares to the elven style that I studied... perhaps pick up a new technique or two myself. Though you might want to tell the gate guards to inform visitors about peaceknotting weapons, as this is the first I’ve heard of it,” Baeleth remarks, looking down at his unbound blade.

“As for not recalling the names of the more obscure deities of my people, well you’re still doing far better than I... as the human deities I can name could be counted on one hand,” he adds with a chuckle.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Well, it is as I said earlier. We have travelled many days to relay a message. I am in favor of relaying the message. I cannot see any value in delaying the task we have travelled long and hard to accomplish. Once that is done, not only will you have my blessing in helping people you will have my participation. Besides, I do believe that people put far too much value in possessions to begin with. Life can be completely fulfilling simply by using what the gods of nature provide for free!"

"Ah, yes, a message," Elenia smiles and laughs slightly at the irony, "And who do you suppose Val's message is meant to reach, my friend?"

*Elenia winks at Rhaka.*

"With that answer in hand, you'll see why we can head out now and still deliver the message as well."

“Oh, well I wasn’t looking for street duels or such, Elenia, I was just hoping to see some skilled human bladework and how it compares to the elven style that I studied... perhaps pick up a new technique or two myself. Though you might want to tell the gate guards to inform visitors about peaceknotting weapons, as this is the first I’ve heard of it,”

"I imagine they must have been pretty frazzled to forget that--oh, what did you do to the poor dears this time, Val," she laughs.

“As for not recalling the names of the more obscure deities of my people, well you’re still doing far better than I... as the human deities I can name could be counted on one hand,”

"I'd be intrigued which ones those were," Elenia replies, "Though we should be off. So, Baeleth. Dhistan, Rhaka, and Verra," she looks to each one correctly, "And of course Val. Shall we head out?"

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Rhaka replies, "With all respect, princess, I believe the message concerns more than simply you even if you are the one who sent your servant out. Perhaps you should at least talk the time to listen to the message before running about the city?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"You're probably right, so let's talk while we walk, shall we? There's no way they'd have let any of you except Val into the palace, so this will give us a chance to discuss so I'll know everyone's perspective and we can figure out how to proceed."

 

[unleashed]

Baeleth Dawnmist, Male High Elf Swashbuckler/Wizard

“Yes, let’s do that, I’m itching to see some of the city,” Baeleth agrees, before turning to look at Rhaka with a grin, “Oh, come along Rhaka, you know you like to help the less fortunate too.”

Once they get moving, Baeleth turns back to Elenia, “Now, for my list of human deities, let’s see... there’s Mystra, obviously... Mielikki, Silvanus... Selune... and Oghma... those I heard about at home. Since coming to human lands I’ve heard of Siamorphe... a Lord Firemane or The Lord of the Pride, though I’m not sure that’s the common name, as both sound more like titles... and Eldath from Rhaka. Of course I don’t know much about them beyond their names, though I guess I’ll learn more in time. Hmm, well unless I’ve grown a few additional fingers, I guess I know more than I can count on one hand, after all,” he adds, with a soft musical laugh.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Rhaka resigns herself to move with the group. She's not unhappy to go - she just feels like once again the group is simply making an unwise choice.

“Now, for my list of human deities, let’s see... there’s Mystra, obviously... Mielikki, Silvanus... Selune... and Oghma... those I heard about at home. Since coming to human lands I’ve heard of Siamorphe... a Lord Firemane or The Lord of the Pride, though I’m not sure that’s the common name, as both sound more like titles... and Eldath from Rhaka.”

When he has finished speaking Rhaka adds, "Eldath is indeed a wonderful god to know. The peacefulness that comes through worship of Eldath is unlike that of any other. To know the simplicity of the quiet places and to accept their simplicity is much more difficult than one might expect. And to know the turbulent force that runs deep in spite of the outward calm - a force that can only be best expressed through that of waterfalling hundreds of feet into a deep pool - to know how peace and turbulance can dwell together so beautifully is simply powerful. However, while you have spoken of my chief goddess, Mielikki, you should also bring up Lurue and Shiallia as well. Together the cover a beatiful spectrum of beast, intelligence, nature, peace, and wisdom."

 

[unleashed]

Baeleth Dawnmist, Male High Elf Swashbuckler/Wizard

“Well, I hadn’t heard of the last two before, Rhaka, as you’ve only mentioned Mielikki and Eldath in my hearing, so I couldn’t really bring them up, could I,” Baeleth chuckles.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Lurue, the Unicorn Queen--the ruler of noble intellegent magical creatures. It is said that when Mielikki goes to war, she rides on the back of her trusted ally. And Shiallia is a fertility goddess, I believe," Elenia recites, "It is important to understand the customs and beliefs of others to know how to interact with them. That's why they train me up on at least the basics."

*Elenia makes a beckoning gesture and starts to walk away from the palace.*

"So, whoever feels up to it, let me know what's going on--I don't know if you have a better place to start, but this part where you save Val sounds like a natural beginning."

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Rhaka replies, "Actually, Baeleth has already begun the story. Perhaps not intentionally, but he has begun by beginning my portion of the story. I had come to the city because of my love for animals. The gods and goddesses of nature had been directing my hand to explore the rumors of unusual animals - in the cities nonetheless! So I came with my trusty badger, Kinjon. We were to explore the city. As we searched, we heard a cry and saw several of these terrible beasts. They were ferocious and vicious. They didn't act like any animals I had ever seen. They acted as though they were beyond nature. And when they were dealt with, they simply vanished. As for how everyone else came, I'll let them tell their portion."