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The Twilight Paths Campaign (Updated 7/30 - Questions from Above)
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<blockquote data-quote="Cinerarium" data-source="post: 855372" data-attributes="member: 9349"><p><strong>Sad Partings, Continued</strong> </p><p></p><p>We all stared into our cups for a moment. Pell, for whom I had begun to feel some brotherly affection for after his bravery in the Thieves’ Roads, was the first to break the silence. He grinned. “Moomgibble.”</p><p></p><p>“Moomgibble?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>Our gnome nodded, the tip of his nose waving somewhat comically over his cup. “I grew up in the Lathen Hills, north of the Jaspar, and we had a cow named—“</p><p></p><p>“Moomgibble,” sighed Kazir, rolling his eyes.</p><p></p><p>“Aye, Moomgibble. A wonderful name, no?” Pell was silent for a moment, a serious look passing across his face like summer storm clouds. “At any rate, when I was little… I was always getting into trouble. I always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. And, about once a week, I was unfortunate enough to step into the… droppings… of our cow.”</p><p></p><p>I sipped my cider, eyeing the gnome over the rim of my goblet to avoid laughing at his expense. “Ahem. This is interesting, friend Pell, but what has this to do with us? Or with the Drimm?” I added.</p><p></p><p>Pell exchanged a quiet look with Driade before returning his gaze to me. “I stepped in our cow’s manure more times than I can count. The cow eventually died – struck by lightning, no less – but her name lived on. Whenever my parents knew I had done something stupid, they would only have to look at me and say, ‘Moomgibble,’ and I would just have to nod.”</p><p></p><p>Kazir offered a patient smile. “I fear I cannot discern the reason for this story, friend gnome.” And though Kazir seemed not to know where Pell was going, I had a fear I knew.</p><p></p><p>Pell nodded and sighed, suddenly sad. “Well, friends, there’s been no better time to say ‘Moomgibble’ that I can think of.” His face was serious, and he looked at each of us under a furrowed brow. “We stepped into something. Something big, and foul, and old. We weren’t meant to be in that glade, weren’t meant to spill blood there, weren’t met to steal that boar’s ring. We should never—“</p><p></p><p>I interrupted, more for fear of where Pell was going than any other motive. “That was <em>chance,</em> Pell. Nothing but chance. We do not even know if the Drimm are indeed after us, or if Matrim still lives. We know <em>nothing</em> at this time. There’s no reason to feel we have overstepped ourselves.”</p><p></p><p>“I’m scared, Tryn.” Pell’s normally jaunty expression was nothing if not solemn, and the uncharacteristic look brought back to me my unspoken fears of the last tenday. “I want to visit the city which shares my name. I never have, you know, and I had spoken with Riley of one day going there with him.” At this, we all looked uncomfortable. Even Kazir’s normally stoic face looked sad, and he stroked his mustache thoughtfully. </p><p></p><p>“These people here – these Harren men – they are rude and never seem to laugh. I am ready to move south.” Pell at this point looked genuinely unhappy, more so than when he had thought his mule lost at the Hills estate.</p><p></p><p>Kazir drummed a tattoo with his fingers on the table. “We cannot yet go south, Pell. The black-robed men have been through here. Most likely they slew the Oghmtie priest Fineon found beneath the docks. I, for one, would like to know the answer behind our current enigma.”</p><p></p><p>“Not me, Kaz,” Pell said, shaking his head. “I’ve always been curious but I can tell… I feel certain this is one time when I should just move on and let it lie. Moomgibble.”</p><p></p><p>I opened my mouth to speak, but hesitated. On the one hand, I too want nothing more than to leave these problems behind, that the scene of Riley’s death will stop playing through my mind. On the other hand, if it is not safe here, I do not see why it would be safe anywhere else. At any rate, during my moment of hesitation, Driade spoke. “I, too, do not like this. This city smells of cruelty and suspicion. There are too many whisperers. The smells I want blow wildly across the Weedsea; the whispers I wish to hear are the soldierpines shuffling in the soft winds of the Lantern Grove.”</p><p></p><p>“What are you two saying?” I asked. “You, too, wish to leave?”</p><p></p><p>Pell was silent, but Driade nodded resolutely. “I will leave on the morrow, nadadrel. You are welcome to come with me. My people of the Lantern Grove would welcome you, for a visit. We know how to treat strangers, unlike the men of this city.”</p><p></p><p>I was unsure how to take this advance. The elf’s cold exterior had suddenly flashed warm towards me, but I was more concerned with her and Pell’s determination to leave. “I thank you for your offer, and hope to one day travel to the Grove. But I find myself drawn to this danger, and at the very least I must stay here in the Sevencity long enough to visit my temple and write my father in Cymeria. I am concerned that where once we were six, we would now be three, assuming Fineon is not lost. If there is evil afoot, and if it looks for us, we will be less prepared to meet it without you.”</p><p></p><p>Kazir nodded. “And neither of you would be guaranteed safety, either. Surely you would feel more secure along with us?”</p><p></p><p>Pell shook his head. “I can move well, alone. I can speak with the burrowing animals. I can remain on the forest trails.” He shook his head again, waving his hand to clear away the possibility of him staying. “I will return to my homeland, for now, and none will follow me.”</p><p></p><p>Driade nodded. “I, too, can move well enough on my own. I have hunted these forests of Luc Valu for two summers now. I fear not for my own safety or that I will lose the way.”</p><p></p><p>Kazir glanced from me to Driade, then to Pell. “I am sure I speak for Tryn and Fineon when I say that the three of us wish you both nothing but good fortune. We ask that you think about this decision, however, prior to acting. I fear the roadways are less safe now than they were prior to our crossing of the Daericstream. I fear the Gul-Drimm are more than we now know.”</p><p></p><p>Driade nodded. “Thank you for your well wishes. Nonetheless, I have made my decision. Pell and I spoke last night, even before Fineon was ensnared by the odd spellcaster. I will take him as far as the Jaspar, then I will head to the woodlands of my home.”</p><p></p><p>Pell appeared faintly embarrassed. “I am sorry, friends. Truly, I am. But this is not for me….” His words faded into an awkward silence.</p><p></p><p>Driade stood, nodded, and with a last look my way walked towards the stairwell. Pell lingered for a few moments, gulping the last of his cider before looking at each of us in turn. He, too, then turned and made his way toward his room upstairs.</p><p></p><p>Kazir and I looked at each other, unsure of what to say. I smiled faintly, sad to see them go. “Moomgibble,” I said.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Cinerarium, post: 855372, member: 9349"] [B]Sad Partings, Continued[/B] We all stared into our cups for a moment. Pell, for whom I had begun to feel some brotherly affection for after his bravery in the Thieves’ Roads, was the first to break the silence. He grinned. “Moomgibble.” “Moomgibble?” I asked. Our gnome nodded, the tip of his nose waving somewhat comically over his cup. “I grew up in the Lathen Hills, north of the Jaspar, and we had a cow named—“ “Moomgibble,” sighed Kazir, rolling his eyes. “Aye, Moomgibble. A wonderful name, no?” Pell was silent for a moment, a serious look passing across his face like summer storm clouds. “At any rate, when I was little… I was always getting into trouble. I always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. And, about once a week, I was unfortunate enough to step into the… droppings… of our cow.” I sipped my cider, eyeing the gnome over the rim of my goblet to avoid laughing at his expense. “Ahem. This is interesting, friend Pell, but what has this to do with us? Or with the Drimm?” I added. Pell exchanged a quiet look with Driade before returning his gaze to me. “I stepped in our cow’s manure more times than I can count. The cow eventually died – struck by lightning, no less – but her name lived on. Whenever my parents knew I had done something stupid, they would only have to look at me and say, ‘Moomgibble,’ and I would just have to nod.” Kazir offered a patient smile. “I fear I cannot discern the reason for this story, friend gnome.” And though Kazir seemed not to know where Pell was going, I had a fear I knew. Pell nodded and sighed, suddenly sad. “Well, friends, there’s been no better time to say ‘Moomgibble’ that I can think of.” His face was serious, and he looked at each of us under a furrowed brow. “We stepped into something. Something big, and foul, and old. We weren’t meant to be in that glade, weren’t meant to spill blood there, weren’t met to steal that boar’s ring. We should never—“ I interrupted, more for fear of where Pell was going than any other motive. “That was [I]chance,[/I] Pell. Nothing but chance. We do not even know if the Drimm are indeed after us, or if Matrim still lives. We know [I]nothing[/I] at this time. There’s no reason to feel we have overstepped ourselves.” “I’m scared, Tryn.” Pell’s normally jaunty expression was nothing if not solemn, and the uncharacteristic look brought back to me my unspoken fears of the last tenday. “I want to visit the city which shares my name. I never have, you know, and I had spoken with Riley of one day going there with him.” At this, we all looked uncomfortable. Even Kazir’s normally stoic face looked sad, and he stroked his mustache thoughtfully. “These people here – these Harren men – they are rude and never seem to laugh. I am ready to move south.” Pell at this point looked genuinely unhappy, more so than when he had thought his mule lost at the Hills estate. Kazir drummed a tattoo with his fingers on the table. “We cannot yet go south, Pell. The black-robed men have been through here. Most likely they slew the Oghmtie priest Fineon found beneath the docks. I, for one, would like to know the answer behind our current enigma.” “Not me, Kaz,” Pell said, shaking his head. “I’ve always been curious but I can tell… I feel certain this is one time when I should just move on and let it lie. Moomgibble.” I opened my mouth to speak, but hesitated. On the one hand, I too want nothing more than to leave these problems behind, that the scene of Riley’s death will stop playing through my mind. On the other hand, if it is not safe here, I do not see why it would be safe anywhere else. At any rate, during my moment of hesitation, Driade spoke. “I, too, do not like this. This city smells of cruelty and suspicion. There are too many whisperers. The smells I want blow wildly across the Weedsea; the whispers I wish to hear are the soldierpines shuffling in the soft winds of the Lantern Grove.” “What are you two saying?” I asked. “You, too, wish to leave?” Pell was silent, but Driade nodded resolutely. “I will leave on the morrow, nadadrel. You are welcome to come with me. My people of the Lantern Grove would welcome you, for a visit. We know how to treat strangers, unlike the men of this city.” I was unsure how to take this advance. The elf’s cold exterior had suddenly flashed warm towards me, but I was more concerned with her and Pell’s determination to leave. “I thank you for your offer, and hope to one day travel to the Grove. But I find myself drawn to this danger, and at the very least I must stay here in the Sevencity long enough to visit my temple and write my father in Cymeria. I am concerned that where once we were six, we would now be three, assuming Fineon is not lost. If there is evil afoot, and if it looks for us, we will be less prepared to meet it without you.” Kazir nodded. “And neither of you would be guaranteed safety, either. Surely you would feel more secure along with us?” Pell shook his head. “I can move well, alone. I can speak with the burrowing animals. I can remain on the forest trails.” He shook his head again, waving his hand to clear away the possibility of him staying. “I will return to my homeland, for now, and none will follow me.” Driade nodded. “I, too, can move well enough on my own. I have hunted these forests of Luc Valu for two summers now. I fear not for my own safety or that I will lose the way.” Kazir glanced from me to Driade, then to Pell. “I am sure I speak for Tryn and Fineon when I say that the three of us wish you both nothing but good fortune. We ask that you think about this decision, however, prior to acting. I fear the roadways are less safe now than they were prior to our crossing of the Daericstream. I fear the Gul-Drimm are more than we now know.” Driade nodded. “Thank you for your well wishes. Nonetheless, I have made my decision. Pell and I spoke last night, even before Fineon was ensnared by the odd spellcaster. I will take him as far as the Jaspar, then I will head to the woodlands of my home.” Pell appeared faintly embarrassed. “I am sorry, friends. Truly, I am. But this is not for me….” His words faded into an awkward silence. Driade stood, nodded, and with a last look my way walked towards the stairwell. Pell lingered for a few moments, gulping the last of his cider before looking at each of us in turn. He, too, then turned and made his way toward his room upstairs. Kazir and I looked at each other, unsure of what to say. I smiled faintly, sad to see them go. “Moomgibble,” I said. [/QUOTE]
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