Will's AD&D 2nd Edition - Who knows where it will go!

[William Smith1]

The elf moans, rolls over and looks at you all with unbelieving eyes. "Where am I and what happened to my clothes? Hey, you all highwaymen looking to rob me? I got nothing you want, all my stuff is in the village and it looks like we aren't there. How did I get here anyway?" He stops talking and looks at all of you waiting for answers.

 

[JharyOConnah]

"It'aint like that at all, good sir! We're hardly bandits... Just travelers. We came upon ye here within moments, lad! Thought you might be in distress... "

Jhary kept waving his hanky and biscuit at the wide-eyed elf. The little white mouse ducked out of view, but if you looked closely one could see his itty bitty pink nose.

"You say you don't remember how you got here? That is worrisome, isn't it?"

The halfling turned to the rest of the party as if the question were meant to be real. The tiny mouse looked like he were shaking tiny head.

 

[William Smith1]

Aego now notices that this is no Elf, he is a half-elf. In fact the same half-elf that was in the Prancing KiRin back in the City State and in line at Luby's the previous evening.

 

[JustinCase]

Aego raises one eyebrow at the half-elf.

"Are you following us?" he asks suspiciously before shaking his head. No, that would make no sense.

"I believe I saw you at the Prancing KiRin, and yesterday in the line at Luby's. Did you have any of her steaks?" the elf says with a growing suspicion. To be certain, he sniffs to make sure the man isn't just hungover.

Then, as if half-remembering some tales from his childhood, "Did you have the urge to climb a really high tree despite feeling terrible? Were you following a charming nymph through the woods, or pass through a circle of mushrooms?"

 

[Greenmtn]

"Rob YOU!? How insulting. Like you have anything we would actually want. We should just leave him here to piece together his drunken night by himself." Clalick says obviously irritated by the accusation.

When Aego suggests we are being followed Clalick becomes on edge. Again concerned that this is some kind of ambush.

 

[William Smith1]

The half-elf replies, "I was not drunk! And no I was not following you, I was trying to get to Bobby's before you. You see I heard everything that doddering old fool fed you that night back at the KiRin. All that claptrap about you being good potential adventurers. You are also addled if you think that Raven is not the most valuable thing in Bobby's place. And just Kobolds? Why a Wizard of ol' Weleand's power would have no problem with a bunch of Kobolds, why send you greenhorns? Yes I did have one of the steaks at Luby's, it was the most delicious steak I have ever eaten. Why do you ask? You think that had something to do with me being out here with ripped clothes and not a clue as to how I got here? Enlighten me chaps."

 

[jmucchiello]

Dorana steps forward. "Your problems do not interest me. And your attitude leads me to feel like leaving you here in the woods naked and alone. So I suggest you reconsider how you are speaking to us.

"No, I want to know how do you know Bobby? How did you expect to handle the kobolds by yourself? You have made yourself very suspicious. It might be good for us to remove you from the playing field."

 

[JustinCase]

Aego raises his eyebrows in response to Dorana's fierce words, but he does not interfere. The elf prefers to see how the half-elf responds. There's always time to play the role of good cop later...

 

[William Smith1]

The half-elf says, "Ahh, look little lady, I don't want any trouble, I'm just trying to survive just like you are. I don't know Bobby any more than you do, just overheard what that wizard told you. Actually, I was not planning on taking on the Kobolds in a fight, figured I could put the sneak on them and avoid fighting them completely. Say, maybe you could use a little of my skills to get what you want out of that place. We could team up instead of opposing each other. Name's Luis Álvarez, at your service." With this the half-elf bows to Dorana with a flourish.

 

[JharyOConnah]

Jhary and tiny rodent stared with mouths agape as the conversation unfolded.

Was this raggedy half-elf sucker going to attach himself, leech-like, to the party in similar fashion as himself? There can only be one sucker and that sucker's me!

The hobbit continued his silence as countless emotions played across his features. The little white mouse seemed agitated as well.

But wait! Perhaps this is a blessing...a distraction from my own lies... Yes! Just keep playing it cool, Jhary, like a real gentleman. You're an actor! Keep it business-like.

"Uhh... Perhaps we could use the man's skillet...uh...skill... SET..."

The short, colorful guy couldn't stop sweating and smiling.

"I mean, kind fellow... What terms and what could you offer the band for inclusion? What do you do, sir? In terms of usefulness..."

Jhary cringed slightly, unable to glance left or right for fear of his new-found companions reactions.

 

[jmucchiello]

"First, you accuse us of robbing you. Then, you say you were going to interfere with out mission. Now, we're supposed to smile and invite you onto our team?" Dorana says. "Too much elf blood in you, child."

She turns to the halfling, "And you? How do we know Weleand actually sent you?" Turning to the others, "Security at the Kirin was pretty lax if both of these two know what our mission is."

 

[Greenmtn]

By the Gods this is as bad as that party I planed in the Wizards tower. Everyone has found out about this. Clalick thinks to himself.
"I don't trust this fellow." Clalick states, Possibly to Jhary's surprise he is not looking at him.
"And I like his attitude less. I don't even know if he can trust himself. Pigs out on Demon meat and doesn't know where he wakes up. I'm more inclined to say we tie him to a tree than let him tag along. What do you say about that Elf?"

Clalicks tone is serious. He seems to not like the idea of so many people showing up and trying to get involved in their affairs.

"Waybe we tie him to that tree, you know, for his own protection."

 

[JharyOConnah]

Sensing the emotions along the road to Bobby Bard's, Jhary O Connah wheeled about, in both mind and body, turning to look quickly at the faces of his companions then back at the ragged half-elf.

He made eye contact that almost stated "I'm sorry, mate" but continued: "Apologies, Sir Luis... Your angle seems all wrong... I don't think any of US is fooled... Don't think you can pull the wool over OUR eyes...WE don't buy, sir..."

The little white mouse scurried out of the halfling's pocket and onto his head, into his curly mound of hair.

The hobbit paced about with his hands on his hips, stopping near the dwarf cleric.

He was intentionally ignoring Dorana's accusations, trying to play up his own rightfulness among the party. Jhary tried to do a scoffing, incredulous sort of laugh.

"Hahaha..."

His enthusiasm faded fast. He kept forcing a smile and stare. The little mouse on his head squeaked almost too loudly.

"Shall we tie him to the tree?" He didn't actually stop to listen to Dorana's reaction, instead grabbing at the carefully wound rope attached to the dwarf's belt.

He braced, waiting for everything to go to hell.

 

[JustinCase]

"Do YOU think you should tie him to a tree?" Aego asks Jhary with raised eyebrows. He crosses his arms.

"Great way to start your initiation, little one."

The elven wizard winks at the halfling, before turning back to the others.

"Now, the way I see it we have two potential additions to our team, but if I'm not mistaken their skill set overlaps. One of them," and he gestures at Jhary, "comes recommended by our employer. The other," motioning to the half-elf, "we found in torn clothes by the side of the road. Now, which of those should we allow to tag along?"

Aego holds his chin melodramatically, then says with a big grin, "How about we let them compete for the spot?"

 

[jmucchiello]

"A contest?" Dorana says, stroking her chin. "That sounds reasonable. Do you have something in mind?"

 

[JustinCase]

”Maybe,” says Aego with a mischievous smile. ”But why don’t we let them decide? They know their strengths, and if both win their own challenge, we can always add a final one ourselves.”

The elf pauses, and looks for his companions’ approval.

”Besides, I’d like to see how good they really are.”

 

[jmucchiello]

"I like it. They would know what they do best," Dorana says. "Gentlemen? Who wants to suggest a contest first?"

 

[William Smith1]

Luis replies, "Well I appear to be somewhat at a disadvantage as I have no weapon, but how about a contest of let's say, more useful skills? Now as there are no locks to pick, traps to find, or walls to climb here, perhaps we can compete with our hiding and sneaking skills which would be most useful evading and surprising those Kobolds. But as it is getting quite dark we should plan our defenses for the night and get some rest and do this contest in the morning's light. What say you hobbit?"

 

[jmucchiello]

"This ain't between you and the halfling. This be about us choosing between you and he. I ain't bedding down in the woods not knowing if'n we can trust either of ye," Dorana says.

 

[JustinCase]

Aego nods, agreeing with Dorana. He waits for Jhary to respond to the challenge first, however, before saying more.