The Sands of Solaris - Chapter One

Tarim considers Renath far, far too foolish to actually pose any threat, although he does not say so.*

"Come, Djamir! We are all friends here. There is no break with tradition to aide other choosen ones.** And Renath, you are welcome to come with us. Unless something more lucrative comes along, I see no reason not to seek employment with your brother, or Djamir's relatives."

He turns to Khalas. "I think you are most likely correct. As the evening goes on, I will ask around. Perhaps I will here more than idle gossip."***

*Sense Motive.
** I'm assuming this is true as far as I know.
*** Gather Information, over the course of the evening. Try and capitalize on my earlier popularity, and go forth with my BS detectors on high.
 

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Khalas nods in deferment to Tarim, then looks to Djamir and speaks. "Indeed, I would think any who listened too intently to your protests would fear to even speak for fear that our quest should curse them in the process. Remember, Djamir, we mustn't receive aid beyond what would be offered should we be strangers!"

With this, Khalas reabsorbs himself in the food and drink available at the table, delighting in the curious spices and exotic flavors so lacking in his former home.
 

As the day progresses the heavy shutters on the Lady's Wait's windows are barred shut, then covered with dark, heavy curtains to ease the eyes from the glaring and persistant light of Solaris (though it is seen as a holy thing, people often require a more comfortable place to relax).

This 'night' rolls into the hours as you throw copper coins across the bar and eventually eat and drink a merry meal of meats and cool fruits. Many man pats you heartily on the back and wishes you his daughter's hand should you return glorious, and a group of ragged men in the corner play up a storm on their well worn instruments.

OOC: Sense Motive DC hidden

Tarim's jovial nature and willingness to dance and sing (though badly) with the men in the tap room goes down well, and many come to wish you all farewell. With one eye on Renath the whole time, Tarim notices that his behaviour has somewhat changed from the coward that stumbled out onto the street, now he seems more confident and sure. Is such a rapid change possible for a coward like he? Tarim is unsure.

OOC: Gather Information DC 26

At one point in the festivities Tarim's questioning prompts a brace of old men to argue over the tales of past chosen. From the swearing and rapping of walking stick upon the table, a third man silences them both by throwing his warm mead upon them and screaming: "Quiet!"

"I shall tell all of you the tales of the chosen, but it will not be filled with such serpentine lies and half-truths that old men create around a table of ale. My grandfather was one of the chosen you see, and he returned exactly one year after leaving the Caliph's city, only to tell us his tale and die on the steps of his own home from serpent venom."

"I will have you all know his name was Farsheem, and he will always be remembered as a man of honour. He left us all on his sixtieth, waving goodbye to his weeping family and journeying towards the northern deserts, looking for Solaris."

"His tale was short when he returned, and he told us that he had seen Solaris and felt its blistering heat. But he had also travelled to the frozen wastes of the edges of the world, where creatures of evil and unlife wander unchecked, in his eyes I can still remember the horror that I saw when he recalled his time there."

"The venom that seeped through his body was killing him quickly, so he would hurry in giving us his love and blessing, but also his warning. He did tell us that the road to Solaris is not straight, for he had reached the centre of the deserts to look into the floating orb high overhead, and watched two of his companions die at his feet."

"Solaris is spiritual, it is an inner peace. He found his Solaris at the end, his soul left his body and floated into the sun to be at peace forever. But he suffered for us all, and he spoke of the creatures of evil that stir in the lands, creatures that would never have been stopped had he not discovered them in his journey."

"Remember that Children of the Sun, when you look deep into the heart of Solaris, searching for a way to lead your people into the Nirvana that has been promised to us, ask yourself...have you found your own Solaris?"

The elderly man looks deep into the eyes of Tarim without a hint of humour upon his face, then slowly sits once more, waving away attention from patrons asking him to tell them more.

OOC: As far as commonly is known, the chosen may assist each other openly in their quest, for they are all brothers and search for Solaris for their kingdom.


Solaris Tip #4: Solaris is the source of all magic, and many wizards and sorcerers testify that the closer that they travel to the central deserts the powerful their magic becomes. For this reason many fear to traverse into the cold wastes of the outlands, for their magic will fail them more often than not when combating the creatures of the wastes.
 

Djamir holds his own at the others acusations that he is being to stern with Renath. "I only wished to understand how we came upon Renath here. Now that my curiosity is sated I am satisfied to have you among our pilgramige." Djamir puts his hand out to the human.

Overhearing the old man telling the tale to the bar patrons he will wait until things quiet down and then approach the man and say, "Thank you for the tale of your grandfather's journey. I will take the wisdom and story of his love and walk to Solaris with the name Farsheem on my heart as a greater man them myself. I will carry this tale with honor."
 

Tarim sits back and nods sagely. This rather belies his inner thoughts, which run along the lines of Inner peace. Right. Nope, ain't got none o' that. Oh well. Thanks anyway, crazy old man... Tarim isn't taking any of this very seriously- as far as he's concerned, being a Choosen One is a wonderful way to make friends. He winks at a pretty girl in the bar. Among other things.
 

The rest of the 'night' travels quickly, and with a handful of lesser coins you gain access to a small room upstairs to accomidate you all. After a restful sleep (at least for everyone except Tarim, he seems more tired then when he went to bed, and yet happier for some reason...) a smiling (was that a wink?) bar wench brings you warm mead and bread to wake you and tells you that your camels have been readied for your needs.
 

Djamir returned from his bath. (possibly the last he will have in some time.) and sees that his companions are awake. "Salutations, Brothers! It is a beautiful morning! Come there is fresh fruit and sweet meats awaiting us downstairs." He says while changing into his traveliing clothes.
 
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"Ah, sweet meats and fresh fruits," deadpans Tarim in a murmur, smiling back at the barmaid. "I just can't get enough of them...." To those who did not overhear it the first time, Tarim shares the story the old man told them last night, offering no comment as to his on beliefs on the matter.

"Ugh. I do not look forward to getting anywhere near a camel again." Tarim sighs. "So what shall we do? Shall we seek of Djamir's relatives, or Renath's?"
 

Joining with the others in the "morning", Khalas approaches the camel with more than a little trepidation, seeming ready to dodge some infernal attack from the stinking beast.

"I suppose it does not matter just who we see, so long as we get on our way."
 

With all of your possessions packed and sorted, you say your farewells to new friends and head off into the city. With food and water for at least a week's travel, you are as prepared for the journey before you as you can get.

The decision before you is how to begin, you have been given several offers to begin your quest, but which will you choose?
 

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