X5: To the Temple of Death - IC

[Dragonwriter]

[sblock=Kinem]
Jex remains behind his ridge, peeking over. At first sight of Keira, he gasps in amazement and happiness. Another survivor! Then his eyes land on her companions and his joy disappears... A wispy hand of shadow reaches out of the ridge. Jex whispers to it, "Easy, Eissun. Stay with me. Let's give her the benefit of the doubt for now..."

The tired young man stays put for now, though he does call out, "Keira, my dear, how ever have you been? Remember your ally Jex?"
[/sblock]

 

[kinem]

A voice calls out from behind a ridge

"Keira, my dear, how ever have you been? Remember your ally Jex?"

Keira looks quite startled, and stops walking, signalling the others to stop as well. "Is that you, Jex? If it's really you, show yourself. I am among friends, they are on our side."

 

[Dragonwriter]

"Oh, I'm not coming out just yet. I've been on the run from the Master's forces for a while now, and you look to be in some... unusual company... But Eissun is here, and he'll wave. You know he and I are never too far apart. "

A black spot rises out of a ridge. It seems to be embedded in the ridge, burying half of itself inside. It raises up a wispy arm and waves.

"There's your proof that it's really me talking. But I wan't your companions to lay down their weapons before I come out to talk openly. I want proof that you're still with me and Darokin."

 

[Rhun]

Aram's hands go to the hilts of his scimitars at the sound of the voice. When Keira answers back, he relaxes a bit, but his hands don't stray far from his weapons.

 

[kinem]

"Jex, I saw you go down, back in the desert. What proof do I have that it's the same shadow creature? Or that you have not been magically controlled to trap us, or have not been turned into an undead creature?

So come out and meet these people, and you will soon see for yourself, they are friends and fight on our side" Keira replies.

 

[Dragonwriter]

Jex sighs, calling over the ridge, "You mean to tell me you've seen more creatures like Eissun? Nevermind... And yes, I went down. They only knocked me out and captured me for interrogation. The physical wounds have only begun to heal. I'll probably have the scars for the rest of my life, but at least they left my face alone... But acting so suspicious of each other will get us nowhere... I'm coming out, so don't shoot any arrows or loose any spells. Or use your silver-blood magic. I remember what you could channel, and I don't want to be on the receiving end of it."

He stands up and walks to the top of the ridge. His hands are up in the air, the universal sign of 'don't hurt me, I'm unarmed'. He seems a little over 5 and a half feet tall, and rather thin. His long brown is pulled back in a ponytail, and there is a slight glint of metal on his chest. His pale skin seems a bit reddened from the desert sun and his face has a weary quality to it at the moment.

The strange black thing drifts up out of the ground about 2 and a half feet, following him closely.

"So now you see it's me, and I'm not transformed or turned or anything of that sort. Care to introduce me to your... companions?

 

[kinem]

"Jex is an ally ... he was on the same mission as me" Keira explains to the others. "The shadow serves him. Don't worry."

She climbs up the ridge to meet Jex, and takes a close look at him. After a moment's hesitation, she embraces him. "Jex, it's really you!

Come, we have much to discuss. May I introduce Aram, Father Fuller - he's the one wearing armor from a fallen foe, and the druid Girgal. They are going to help us complete the mission."

 

[Dragonwriter]

Jex smiles as he sees Keira closer. He returns the embrace after a second, once he's sure a knife isn't headed for his shoulder blades...

He walks down with her, Eissun drifting along as well, still more than halfway embedded in the ground. Jex cautiously looks at each of the people with Keira, then extends his hand as a greeting. "Like the lady said, my name's Jex. And my dark companion I call Eissun. Just don't try shaking his hand," he says with a chuckle. As Keira mentions the mission, his eyebrow rises and a surprised look crosses his face.

"You mean the Bishop got away with the Dagger hilt? 'Bout time we caught a break after the disaster our expedition turned into... And you folks all signed up to take out the Bast- I mean Master?"

 

[Walking Dad]

Girgal, AC 23 (T15, FF20), HP 66/66, F +11,R+8,W+14
Ripclaw HP 57/57

Girgal remains silent for a moment and stays away from this shadowy... thing. Even slightly unnerved by the moving shadow, Ripclaw is nonetheless trained enough to control himself.

Finally he speaks: "I worked with a warlock ones, who summoned shadowy wings to fly. But even he hasn't such an elusive ... companion."

[sblock=ooc]

----

Ripclaw: Hide+15, Move Silently+10

Will use the Summon feat for flavor in out-of-combat situation, alternating between different elements.

Spot +17, Listen +18

Spells:
0 (6) - cure minor wounds x2, light x2, detect magic x2
1 (4) – (jump), produce flame x2, faery fire, cure light wounds - obscuring mist
2 (4) - (spiderclimb), barkskin x2, animalistic power, blinding spittle
3 (3) – (protection from energy), spirit jaws, blindsight x2 – greater magic fang
4 (2) – (freedom of movement), blast of sand – SNA 4
5 (2) - (SNA 5) - animal growth

Ripclaw has:
HP 57
AC: (with barkskin) 30 (T15, FF25)
Full Attack: 2 Claws +7 melee (1d6+4 plus poison) and bite +2 melee (1d6+2) and tail + 2 melee (1d6+2 plus poison)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Leaping pounce, poison (DC 14 1d6 Dex/1d6 Dex), rake 1d6+3
Hide+15, Move Silently+10
[/sblock]

 

[Rhun]

"The Master has earned our ire," says Aram, appraising the newcomer with a practiced, cautious eye. "We seek to destroy he and his minions." The dervish offers a short bow to Jex. "As Kiera has said, I am Aram. Aram Al Tarik, of the Ylari. If an ally to our cause you be, then you are well met indeed."