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Message: <blockquote data-quote="spacehulkster" data-source="post: 2984334" data-attributes="member: 13070">“No, no, no!  You’re not listening.  Whoever built this fire is through these doors.”  The accent was un-mistakenly out-worldly, an outsider from another plane of existence, and a bit annoying.“So why is it our concern to search for them?  Why not enjoy their fire and when they come back, just zap’em.”  This voice had a definite accent, the type Rudgar had previously heard before.  Thayan!Rudgar leaped through the doors, his axe within a foot of the wizard’s head, when he saw a sight that stopped him cold.  Another dwarf, much taller than he, but its hair looked to be on fire.  “What kind of creature/dwarf was this?”  Next thing, he was on the ground, his axe in the huge hands of the fire dwarf.  Qwergain rushes in and hesitates as the Thayan wizard holds up one hand, index finger and pinky pointed at him.  He had seen Thayan wizards before also, and knew his next step could be his last.  The two drow melted into the hall darkness, watching.“What a strange pair we have here!” the wizard exclaims.“Yes indeed, a strange pair,” the flaming haired dwarf agreed, eyeing the axe he has just grabbed from Rudgar.  “It is fortuitous that I grabbed your weapon from you small one or you would have a burning hole through your armor and chest!”“Your too kind Pfröte, please go on,” the Thayan acknowledges, still pointing his fingers at the orog.From the shadows a voice calls out, “It would be a shame to lose two worthy and stout warriors so soon and we were just getting to know them, wouldn’t you say priestess?”“Yes, a dreadful shame.  Can I torture the wizard after you’ve incapacitated them?”  Her voice sent a chill through the Thayan and Qwergain’s spine.The Azer and Thayan looked at each other and into the darkness.  The Azer could make out two shapes, but what if there were more beyond?  He could not tell.  Shrugging his shoulders, he lowers Rudgar’s axe and offers Rudgar a hand to get up.  “No harm little one.  You have a superb weapon.  May I have it?  My name if Pfröte.”The wizard reluctantly lowers his hands and bows to the foursome.  “And I am Kara-tor of Thay.  Come join us at our fire.”  Kara-Tor motions for the shadows in the hall to come forth.  Looking toward Annalia, Zafnir questions, “Our fire?!” Rising to his feet, Rudgar spits and shakes his head as he reaches for his axe, “Thayan wizards, a troublesome lot they are.”“Perhaps a hole in your armor and chest would be better?” remarks the wizard.  Although a response from Rudgar is not heard, Qwergain’s ears pick up snippets from his mumblings.  Kara-tor and Pfröte take seats by the fire as Annalia, Rations (Rudgar’s dog), Zafnir and his pet spider issue from the hallway.  Qwergain keeps his eyes on the newcomers as he also sits and tends the flames.“Look Pfröte, a dog AND a spider!  How quaint!” Kara-tor exclaims.  He knows they would have had their hands full if he and Pfröte had won initiative, but keeps his cool, calm and dignified repose.  After all, he is a Thayan wizard!Zafnir cuts the awkward silence that follows.  “We were just heading south into Thay,” pointing to Annalia and himself.  “Perhaps you can enlighten us a bit on your country and what we might find there.”Staring directly at Zafnir without flinching, Kara-tor responds, “Likely you would of find 10 minutes of freedom, followed by capture, six months of training and finally a two minute fight in the arena before you would be killed.”  “Aye, that likely be it,” Rudgar acknowledges, stroking Rations neck.Zafnir and Annalia are dumbfounded, but intrigued.  A lengthy conversation ensues between the wizard and the Dambrathans.  One which puts Qwergain to sleep.  Kara-Tor explains in detail of Thayan society and the abundance of slaves and pit-fighters.  And how, without letters of intent (diplomatic immunity) or an escort, just walking into Thayan territory could be dangerous and not advisable.  Pfröte and Rudgar spark up a conversation, each asking questions of the others race and home.</blockquote>

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