The Gray King

[Eidalac]

Kurst (Human, Artificer/Warlock)

In a mirror of Arrgha'n's motion, Kurst reflexively clutches at the sleeve covering his right arm.

What I want... He thought, is for this to be gone... but no spy could do that. Still, I can't do anything while I'm being hunted... It wasn't a solution, but it was the closet thing to hope he'd had in a long time.

But... going into the Mournland... The idea made him feel almost ill. It had been his home, after all, and the stories were bad enough. In all honesty, Kurst didn't want to see the reality of it.

Running... is the only other thing I can do. But... does this mean he wants me to ... use this... thing... can I do that?

The troubled young man was worried, but silent for the moment.

 

[Zurai]

"So, into the Mournlands, is it? And you have found something to protect us from the . . . unpleasant side effects of travelling there? But -- you need us to acquire said objects, either because of unusual talents we possess or simply because we won't be missed if we fail and disappear. Do I have you correctly?" Valerian speaks softly, trusting that such an unusual host would not require him to shout down the others to be heard.

 

[stonegod]

Irthos, that weird kobold dragon thing

The Kobold listens. No softskin summoned it here. The softskin may think such, but it was the Progenitors. Softskins deluded themselves so easily. The Prophesy has many agents, most unaware of their strings.

The Kobold wanted nothing. It needed nothing. If it desired something, it did not know it yet.

So instead, it listened.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"So, into the Mournlands, is it? And you have found something to protect us from the . . . unpleasant side effects of travelling there? But -- you need us to acquire said objects, either because of unusual talents we possess or simply because we won't be missed if we fail and disappear. Do I have you correctly?" Valerian speaks softly, trusting that such an unusual host would not require him to shout down the others to be heard.

Andoran chuckles a little at Valerian's soft question.

"I am a practical man," he says in answer to his last comment. "But yes, these items will indeed help you overcome the difficulties of the Mournland." He regards the group with a slightly sardonic half-smile.

"These items are in a cache. There are weapons, personal enhancements, armor, utlity items... Some of the effects I am told are very similar to what magic items can do, save, of course, they are not magic at all. And they are guarded, but I expect that won't prove too much of a deterrant. Now, obtaining them may be somewhat difficult in and of itself, because this cache is in the Demon Wastes. There is an old ruined city; we have a map to the place. And we can assist you in traveling at least to the borders of the civilized realms. Beyond that..." He waves his hand airly.

 

[Zurai]

Valerian, Elven Archivist

"Ah, so not only the Mournlands, but the Demon Wastes as well? Truly, we have our work cut out for us - if we agree. I would be interested in some more details before I choose one way or another." He thinks for a moment, then adds, "And . . . I'm also curious about your mysterious 'we'. A junior assistant minister, you claim, and yet you and your 'personal staff' have located items that would allow exploration of the Mournlands? There are many people who have been trying to explore those lands since the War, and with certainly more resources than an ex junior assistant minister of a country that no longer exists and his staff. I think there's more here than you're telling us. Not that secrets at this stage are terribly surprising, mind you."




OOC: Valerian is speaking mainly out of curiosity -- thinking aloud, so to speak -- rather than attempting to finagle more secrets out of Andoran; no need to roll skills there. He will, however, attempt skill checks as appropriate to determine what he can about the situation; Arcana or Spellcraft to see if he can figure out Andoran's dramatic entrance, and Dungeoneering or History for details of the Demon Wastes and Mournlands that may be appropriate. Also, History to see if he recognizes Andoran's name and station, unlikely as that is. All three Knowledge skills are +10, Spellcraft is +12.

 

[Eidalac]

Kurst (Human, Artificer/Warlock)

Though he had no real reason to be surprised, the mention of the Demon Wastes sent a cold chill down his back. The Mournland was one thing, and terrible enough, but the Wastes... He shuddered.

I... i just can't... but...

 

[stonegod]

Irthos, dragonwrought desert kobold copper dragon shaman

The kobold's mouth twisted into something that may have been a grin on a normal human face. "The Wassstes will eat sssoftskinsss. Heat, sssands and glassss, and fiendsss who run free. Neither me nor that hunter of my kind"---it indicates the largish creature---"will be welcome back, sssooo blood will be ssspilt."

 

[EvolutionKB]

Oliver, Human Binder

Oliver smirks at the small reptilian kobold. "I can see why you'd be afraid of demon's, but they don't frighten me." After making the bold statement, he speaks again to Andoran. "If you really think this cache will help us, I'll be the first to volunteer to go." Oliver looks around the room, judging the reactions, and the courage of the others to go to such an inhospitable place.




This is Paimon's influence talking here..

 

[FreeXenon]

Arrgha'n (Half-Daelkyr Kin-Hunter) HP:28

"I would like to see some token of your ability to compensate us in the manner to which you have spoken as a matter of good faith in the bargain that you are attempting to strike with us." Arrgha'n states and then continues "If you can give us what it is we desire that I am in, otherwise there are more important things that I have to attend to."

 

[stonegod]

Oliver smirks at the small reptilian kobold. "I can see why you'd be afraid of demon's, but they don't frighten me."

The smile, if anything, gets wider. Other than a glitter of something in its eyes, the kobold does not reply. Instead, it caresses its scaly cape.

And when the fiends eat your soul, you will remember your words.