The Indomitable Fire Forest of Innenotdar

[Dragonwriter]

Barrik eases the grip on his weapon and reaches down to stroke his wolf-like friend between the ears. This causes the beast to cease growling, though it doesn't look away from the strange elf. "A cursed and hated outcast. I know the feeling," Barrik mumbles. He looks at the rest of the group and shrugs. "Sounds more useful and a bit more personable than Shade, if a bit stranger. And his terms are pretty easy to fulfill. We've got the spare components thanks to the crazy woman's departure," the half-orc says quietly to the group.

[sblock=OOC]
Eidolon has Resist Fire 5 and doesn't wear any gear. It won't have much trouble in the forest. If we really want to spend the potion/spell on it, we can, but it isn't necessary.
[/sblock]

 

[jbear]

Spirit's sharp ears catch the half orc's every single word and his gaze sharply comes back to focus on him, his eyes widen with shock and surprise.

The beast ... accepts us ...? Before one of our own accepts us? Maybe in the end blood is water thin, and pointed ears mean nothing more than pointed ears? And maybe tusked teeth and thick brow are just that and not a beating waiting to happen without fault or warning...? We have made our judgements too quickly, the world is upside down. Thank you for these words ... beastmaster. We will not forget them.

Spirit seems to grow in confidence after the half orc, who he had feared the most, speaks gently and in his favour. His back straightens and a look of hope takes hold of his expression, softening the rough, scarred features of his face, a face that has known little of love, kindness or acceptance, but one that what little it has received, keeps close, and fiercely treasured. He looks to the rest of the group, awaiting their reply, especially towards the elf; the one most similar to him, the one who for some reason he needs approval from the most.

 

[Dragonwriter]

Barrik's lip curls as he is apparently called a beast. "I'm guessing you haven't spent a lot of time around other people. Word of warning: don't call me or my kind beasts. We don't care for it. You're lucky I'm the sort to warn, rather than just pound. Your other words are true, though. And one should reserve judgment until one has looked beyond appearances. Sometimes the seemingly-civilized are more cruel and cold than the savage," the half-orc says, the last words coming out with a sneering tone.

 

[jbear]

Spirit shrinks back instantly in response to the anger brimming in the half orcs words, his confidence vanished.

We have offended him. Be careful with names, they are hurtful things. When will we learn how to handle words? When will we cease to be targets of them?

His gaze lowered in a trembling voice Spirit addresses the Half Orc.

We are sorry we have hurt you with words. We do not know what your name is. We do not know what hurts you. Our apologies.

 

[Dragonwriter]

Barrik sighs. "Your words were careless, not really harmful. Believe me, I've been called far worse than beast. As for what to call me in the future, my name is Barrik."

The eidolon's eyebrow rises at all the talking around it. The wolf-thing rasps out in Common "Strange one speaks in riddles... But the pack is one less, and one stands before us." The unnatural beast sits and scratches behind its ears in the same manner as a normal canine. "New member of the pack or no? Choice to be made before entering great fire..."

 

[jbear]

Spirit almost falls over when the wolf creature speaks. His jaw drops slack until it turns into a massive smile.

The wolf talks? We can hear it. Barrick can hear it? The others can hear it ... or is it in my head?

 

[Dragonwriter]

Both half-orc and wolf-thing laugh, the first a deep chuckle, the second a raspy near-bark. Barrik squats down and pets his eidolon, nodding. "Oh, he talks alright. Because he's not a real wolf." The creature growls a little at the choice of words. "Alright, real, but not a wolf. Just looks like one. A form of magic called him to me and bonded us. He's actually a being from a celestial plane and takes this form because I wished him to do so. It's all a little more complex than that, but I don't want to get into the details right now."

[sblock=OOC]
Jbear, you are the first person in the group to actually react to the fact that this summoned wolf-thing can speak Common clearly.
[/sblock]

 

[jbear]

A warm feeling begins to tingle away in Spirit's feet. He doesn't quite know what to make of it but it's pleasant. In his amazement the voices suddenly fall quiet, the sound of silence is thunderous.

I ... we ... I ... want to be part of the pack.

The monkey clinging to Spirit's neck dives into his pack, rustles around and leaps out, a banana in hand. It leaps to the floor and scampers up to the wolf creature, leaving the banana in front of it and scampers back to its perch on Spirits shoulder. The banana is obviously not fresh, mostly black with the odd yellow patch on the skin.

Will has been saving that one. It's the last one. This means Will likes you ... Barrick and Barrick's celestial wolf. Does your friend have a name?

[sblock=OOC] I'm glad I could give you that satisfaction, as I was genuinely surprised! There has to be some benefits to someone learning the system! But even if I knew a bit more about summoners, having a talking Dire Wolf sized/shaped creature seems like a pretty remarkable thingto see! [/sblock]

 

[Dragonwriter]

The ashen canine leans forward and sniffs the ancient banana. It seems to shrug, then takes half the fruit in its mouth and bites down, followed by pushing the other half back towards Spirit and Will with its nose. The wolf-thing then sits on its haunches again and simply says "Gulujak."

Barrik's heavy eyebrow rises at the gesture. The half-orc is genuinely puzzled. "Well that's his name, at least in his current form. Orcish for Ghost-Wolf. And I'm pretty sure him nosing half that fruit back means he accepts and is sharing the meal... Never seen him do anything like that, and frankly, I think he's learning the traits of his adopted form. Very curious..."

[sblock=OOC]
Slight correction, jbear: the eidolon is only Medium size, like a normal wolf. Still, a talking wolf-beast is quite a thing!
Heh, I remember confusion in one game I ran when the characters ran afoul of a Warg pack... "Talking wolves? WTF?" was pretty much the reaction IC.
[/sblock]

 

[HolyMan]

[sblock=OOC]

[sblock=OOC] Spells for the day:
Cantrips: Resistance, Daze, 1 Slot Open to be decided (Did I understand right: I can do this?)
Lvl 1: Gravity Bow, Fire Slot: Burning Hands, Bonus Slot: Endure Elements [/sblock]

Yes you may leave slots open and later during the day you may take out your spellbook and fill them with whatever you think is need. It takes at least 15 mins. (longer if you are preparing 1/4 of your spells allowed or more).

[sblock=OOC]

Fantalass had not prepared the 'Stand the Heat' spell. I assumed there were also potions for his familiar (a liability again ) and the Eidolon. Maybe we can discuss this in the OOC thread?

---

Fantalass
AC 12 (T11, FF10), HP 12/12, F +1,R+2,W+4


Acid Dart: 6/7 (+3, 1d6+2) (includes Point Blank bonus)
Magic Missle Wand: 20/50 (1d4+1)

[/sblock]

When did you use up one of your Acid Darts??[/sblock]

Torrent watches warily the stranger that seems immune to the heat of this accursed place. {{And we are only a quarter mile in! Goddess help me!}}

Marda looks to Torrent, "There is an elven village in there." she points deeper into the forest with her axe.

The dwarf's words pull Torrent out of her revere and she answers quickly then takes a drink from her waterskin. "Well there was. The elves called this forest Innenotdar. Refugees from this forest reached Gate Pass forty years ago to tell of the forest catching fire. The moved into the elven ghetto there, so he could have family from here."

"New member of the pack or no? Choice to be made before entering great fire..."

I ... we ... I ... want to be part of the pack.

"Well if Gulujak thinks you and your little friend are ok, then who am I to argue with the Great Ghost Wolf." Torrent says with a grin that pulls at her scar. She reaches into her hip sack and pulls out two more small vials and hands them to Spirit Finder. "There are just enough left to get us through, but we can't tarry long. We need to set out again." she says seriously as she checks the satchel.

[sblock=OOC]
OK that would be 8 out of 16 potions used.

Torrent
Cyrstin
Marda
Aaron
Barrik
Fantalass
Caty
Spirit Finder
Will

Just remember they protect you from the heat but not from being burnt or from smoke inhalation.

Is everyone ok with advancing the thread?[/sblock]