Nakatura Valley game thread

[Lorthanoth]

Hoping to appear cheerful, the old man says, "Hmm, well I recollect that the goliaths (y'know tall grey fellas?) came from round here way back when. And er... we should be pretty safe here, lotsa wards against evil bugaboos. Yep."

 

[mfrench]

Some sense of relief seems to wash over the head of the family, Quan, who says, "Then this place should provide us decent protection from the storm then, without being too much trouble, eh?" It seems to Chen that the whole family seems a little on edge about any hidden dangers of this place.

************************
Outside, the spiritualist Otaru waits as Kerim finishes his ritual, meditating for himself as the westerner makes known the honored dead of his bloodline. As it ends, he starts to ascend the steps, saying "If the shelter doesn't look to work out for one of us, he should go to find the other. Perhaps, with fortune's favor, we may yet find some rest here." With that, he disappears into the rain, up the stairs and above the cave's entrance.

 

[GlassEye]

Kerim nods as Otaru ascends the steps. "With Fortune's favor..." With a hand placed reassuringly upon one hilt of Naheri al-Fulad, Kerim examines the entrance and steps inside and looks around.

[sblock=OOC]Is this an actual cave? Is the entrance large enough that Kerim could lead his horse inside?[/sblock]

 

[mfrench]

OOC: The entrance to the cave is tall and narrow, but was built for goliaths; it can accomodate the horse as long as you lead it.

After following the rough stone walls for several yards, Kerim and Riukh approach the entrance to a chamber, and their eyes begin to adjust to the faint glow from an as yet unseen fire. The sounds of conversation can be heard from within above the crackle from the fire, and the noises of a few animals.

 

[Lorthanoth]

"So, anyways, there I was with only me and my magic scarf against the the most feared swordsman in the province! He pulls off some fancy swordwork and crows 'So, old man, you fear my Dragon's Tail Cut!' Well, I gots to say I damn near fell to laughing!" Chen recalls as he regales the company with a story of his adventuring days.

 

[GlassEye]

Kerim feels a rush of adrenaline as he thinks, A bandit nest! No, if that were the case I would have been set upon by now. Unless they are very foolish bandits. Not sure what he'll find but trusting the protection of the spirits he continues down the passage. "Cha, Riukh. Let us find who has taken shelter here."

 

[mfrench]

Kerim comes to the end of the tunnel, and can see a small group gathered around a fire, listening to a speaker: an old man, quite animated while telling tall tales to a group that appears to include several children. An ox and a horse mingle by a cart on the far side of the fire. A woman is cooking by the fire. With all of their attention turned to the storyteller, they don't seem to notice the new arrival.

 

[Lorthanoth]

"So I says,'Boy, you're getting a bit wrapped up in y'self!' and I whacked him with my iron scarf! Heheh!" Chen chuckles at the memory.

 

[mfrench]

The children laugh, but the mother only shakes her head at the sound of such nonsense. Quan grins, obviously thankful that this stranger has managed to lighten the mood around the campfire. The as (unintroduced) korobokuru remains a mystery, sitting at the fire, picking at his feet. He seems to laugh at inappropriate times during the tale, yet seems to not be listening at all during the important parts. The mother, cooking by the fire, shoots him disapproving looks between offering complaints about the poor condidtions she has to prepare his meal.

The first of the circle to notice the visitors in the doorway is the horse, who must have noticed Riukh. She whinnies, and Riukh answers, drawing startled looks back toward the entrance.

 

[GlassEye]

Kerim watches a moment trying to determine who the leader of the small group is until he is introduced by equine greetings. Quickly stepping forward he bows to the old man. "Greetings, Honored Elder. I am Kerim al-Asad. This is Riukh who, it seems, has already made acquaintance with your horse. I have traveled here with Otaru, a holy man who is above looking for shelter. Would you and your family have room at your fire for a couple of weary travelers?"