Chapter One: Journey to the East

[Zoras]

Adventure Recap: After a hasty escape from Delraine and a clash with the forces of the Blood Razors, you find yourselves in the outback town of Sho-yan, just past the border of Althor into the Empire of To-Shan. There, you met with the mysterious figure the fortune teller told you of, the man known as Balustin.

The meeting left you with little more knowledge that you had previously, although you did find out more about Aleaina's involvement in all this. Apparently she has possession of a potent magical artefact, yet she knows not how to control and wield its powers. Balustin himself claims ignorance of how to unlock its secrets, and has convinced you to accompany him to a stronghold of his Order that they might conduct research into the ancient item.

The stronghold of Sel'arath lies three days away to the south-east, deeper into the territory of To-Shan. After a night to rest and refresh yourselves, dawn has broken, and your new journey shall soon begin...

---

(Re-post of last two actions from the thread)

Esque: "Oh no, don't bother," Aleaina smiles, lifting some of the pallor from her face. It strikes you that she's really quite a lovely young lady, though you have to quickly pull your thoughts back to listen to what she's saying, "I didn't bring much for this... journey. All I really have are the clothes on my back and... the amulet. Just give me a few minutes to freshen up and I will be down immediately."

She gently but quite firmly shoos you out of the room after that, leaving you standing alone in the corridor.

---

The others in the common room: Several of the servants, mostly older ones, look aghast as Ulimin starts his blessing, and you notice that the other guests in the room are quick to scramble for the exit before he can begin his spell, but Ulimin seems not to notice. When he finishes his spell, there is an uncomfortable silence in the room and you are consciously aware of the disapproving stares of the others. The ice is broken abruptly when Ming practically skips over to your table and lays down a tray of steaming food before Jackie. His food is noticeably different from your own fare however, being a familiar mixture of bread rolls, scrambled eggs and a small side of ham. Giving Jackie a kiss on the lips, she grins at him, "I thought I'd make you something special, to... repay you for last night, since I doubt you'd care much for the food here. Oh, and I wouldn't pay much attention to the other servants. They're just a bunch of superstitious old fools."

[Kothoses the Tyrant]

Quinn is not convinced at all, and eyes the people carefully looking for signs of recognition from any of them, if he has time he will ask a few of them about the blessing Ulimin confered to them, and if possable he will ask one of them to accompany him to a temple, (for a few gold) and try and get some knowledge out of the local priesthood.

[Palin the Wizard]

Esque quickly goes to the common room, where he sits with Quinn and the others.

[Zoras]

"Superstitious?" asks Ulimin aloud.  "In zese enlightened times zer is little reason to be anything but superstitious."

---

Ming shrugs slightly, "You don't understand the older folk here, honored guest. They are wary and suspicious of all new ideas and practises that they are not familiar with. I understand that what you just did was not meant as a hostile or offensive action, but in the past, the only ritual conducted by priests in a place of business were exorcisms to chase away evil spirits." She gives a derisive snort as she rolls her eyes at the others in the tavern, who silently glare at her with reproachful eyes, "By your actions, you implied that this place was 'unclean', at least in their eyes. Pay them no heed though. They're too 'well-mannered' to say anything out loud to you."

---

Ariand:

"Well, here we are, miss," the weathered old man drawled as his ox-pulled cart lumbered past the first of the buildings, the broad-shouldered animals puffing huge clouds of mist as they labored to drag the cart through the thick snow that had fallen through the night, "Sho-yan. Its probably not what you're used to, coming from the capital and all, but its a nice place."

You glance briefly around the the town, finding it the usual landscape of identical houses and noisy peasants going about their daily business. Still, this place was considerably smaller than the last town. It would be doubtful that an agent from the Guild would be around to put up wanted posters throughout town. (How did they get such a detailed portrait of your face anyway?) You grimace as you remember the mob that had chased you through the streets of the last town, eager to claim the bounty set on your head. Fortunately, you had managed to lose them by scrambling through several backalleys, and later, animal pens. It helped being a halfling at times.

"...Lots of caravans come and go through here. You should have no trouble finding one that will take you west or wherever you're headed." The man rambled on, evidently not noticing that you hadnt been paying attention to him. You lightly hop off the cart's seat, your backpack in your hands, landing with graceful skill in the snow, "Thanks for the lift, old man. I'll take it from here." You quickly toss the man a coin to keep him from voicing any goodbyes and scamper off while the man squints into the air, hands outstretched to try and catch the coin winking in the early morning sunlight. A muttered curse from behind you indicated failure to do so.

Just ahead, you spot a large sign hanging in front of a large building, proudly proclaiming 'The Golden Carp'. Rather an odd name for a inn nowhere near a large body of water. Still, its as good a place as any to start, and you head for the doorway, just missing getting bowled over by a tall man dressed in traveling gear as he stomps out the door and towards the nearby stables. No apology, and not even a backwards glance.

You sigh, but you'd think you were used to the big-folk ignoring you by now. Biting back the urge to hurl a snowball at the man's back, you step into the common room of the inn.

OOC: You can take it from here, Nach. You've entered the room just at the point where the others are.

[Zoras]

Repost for Aradia, since you didn't manage to reply to the last action by Balustin.

---

Marallyse awakens to find herself in a lavishly appointed room. Elaborate screens depicting scenes ranging from fish in ponds to stills of bloody battle are positioned throughout the room, forming sub-rooms within the main one. The floor is laid down with richly embroidered rugs, and elegantly painted vases holding artful arrangements of flowers bloom atop shelves, in niches and along the walls. Though her bed was the same pallet of soft quilts and blankets that the other rooms held, her bed was atop a raised dais, with a set of braziers flanking the head of the bed, the coals long dead. From the herbal scent arising from the braziers though, you suspect they are used more for aesthetic purposes rather than as a heating element.

A soft rustle draws your attention and you turn to see Balustin emerge from behind a set of blinds made from bamboo slats laced together to form a screen. This morning he is dressed in a traveling tunic and matching leggings of dark green, a thick cloak trimmed in white fur hanging from his shoulders. You realise suddenly that you are still naked, and the memories of last night flood back into your mind. Your face must have reflected your thoughts, for Balustin steps up beside the bed and softly kisses you with a knowing smile.

"A good morn to you, Marallyse. I trust that you slept well?"

[Andy Halfelf]

Looking at Ming Jackie says smiling "yeah, your right i want your food more than inn food" while Galen tastes some of the food Ming just layed before Jackie...

[Kothoses the Tyrant]

Quinn nods, seeming to accept the explanation given by Ming, he flashes her a smile and thanks her for her assistance.

Gathering the group to a table Quinn eyes them all once, as if trying to gain a measure of understanding, he knew the Paladin Esque to be good and honourable, other than that he knew little of the group assembled before him "Well my new friends it seems we are going east, with our host, I trust we are all prepared for such a journy" he then waits a bit, "well might as well wait for everyone to get here and discuss our present course, and what lies ahed"

[Palin the Wizard]

"We should not begin such an important discussion without the presence of Aleaina," Esque says, "or Balustin. They are our travelling companions."

[Rika_CatGirl]

"I agree with Esque. We should wait." Rika says , absentmindly brading her blue hair. She appears to be slightly nervous but trying to be restful.

[Nachtrafe-Tyrant Jr]

OOC: Awesome intro boss man.  Thanks.

Two things I forgot to ask.

1)  What kind of starting money do I have?  I forgot to ask and so dont have it noted on my character sheet.  And I figure it might be sort of important.  

2)  Magik Items.  Do I have any?  If so, what power level.  I have a couple of ideas for things I'd like to have, so if I do have any I'll PM you with what I was hoping for.

IC: Sighing heartily once again, Ariand hitches the backpack upward so that it rests more comfortably against her hips.  There is a muffled squeaking from within and a small furry head pokes out.  It sniffs the cold air and the mingled scents from the inn.  It sneezes daintily and retreats back into the pack to snuggle comfortably into its nest of blankets and clothes.  Ariand smiles fondly and gives her familiar a mental caress.  Keysha's only response is a drowsy snore.

Once again turning to the inn and squaring her shoulders, her habitual half frown firmly in place, she brushes at her leathers, trying her best to be somewhat presentable and moves inside.  Stepping to the side of the door and letting her eyes adjust to the darker interior she scans the room, noting the large gathering of 'adventurers' all clustered at a table to one side.  She also notes the frowns on the faces of some of the older villiage folk that are directed their way, and wonders what backward, country custom the group had managed to trod upon.

Shrugging, she makes her way to the bar, expertly threading her way through the room and avoiding the bumbling legs of the 'talls'.  Reaching the counter she removes her pack and tosses it onto a stool and neatly follows it, perching on the pack to give herself the needed height to be comfortable.  Keysha gives an indignant squeak and scrambles out of the pack, squirming under Ariand's cloak and curling around her neck.  The heat that the small animal generates is welcome and Ariand sighs in pleasure.

Signaling to the barkeep, and attempting a smile that feels wholly unfamiliar on her face, she orders a bowl of hot rice porridge and a mug of mulled cider, feeling a distinct need to both wash away the dust of the cartman's oxen and to drive the chill from her bones.  For Keysha she orders a few bits of raw meat, giving the animal a treat after the lean days on the road.  The barman grunts and moves to a kettle hanging over a brazier, dishing out the thick cereal.  He disappears into the back and returns bearing a small plate with the meat, the bowl of porridge, and a large mug of cider.  He plops all down on the bar and moves off, polishing mugs and keeping an eye on the slightly scruffy female.  Once the food arrives Keysha swarms down Ariand's arm and sniffs daintily at her offering.  When the ferret's mental voice takes on a note of complaint at the small amount presented her, Ariand shusshes her and tells her that there is a small stable outside and that she may hunt the mice that are most assuredly therein...later.  Right now, they both need food and a chance to get warm.

Quickly finishing her meal, feeling truly and honestly warm for the first time in days, she orders another mug of cider, handing the man a small coin for all, and turns to survey the room, sipping the cider and taking it all in.  Keysha resumes her place under her partners collar, belly comfortably full and chest rumbling softly with contentment.  Dismissing the commoners and locals out of hand, the halfling's eyes are again drawn to the group sharing breakfast together.  Noting that their conversation seems to be becoming animated the lithe female drops daintily down to the floor, her soft boots making nary a sound and her landing gentle enough not to disturb her familiar.  Swinging her pack over one shoulder she meanders towards the fireplace, positioning herself so that she can hear what is being said(OOC: Listening) without being obvious.  Dumping her pack beside her she drops bonelessly down to one side of the hearth.  Basking in the fire's heat she settles against the warm brick, wrapping her threadbare cloak about her, and half closes her eyes, focusing all of her concentration on the group's conversation.

Noting that they seem to be waiting for others she simply relaxes, occasionally sipping from her mug of cider and trying to let the heat wash away the painful memories of the last several months.

[Palin the Wizard]

Esque looks at Quinn, and asks: "Has anyone seen Marallyse? I saw her last when we met Balustin. It is not good that the group is so divided."

[Ulimin_Quenada]

"Ze prayer vas merely a traditional 'swearing' I think you call it.  I bind our travels to ze vill of the ze gods above and their divine justice, vith of course ze added prayer zat ze journey should be one of peace and good fortune for us all."

[Aradia]

Marallyse blinks awake, enjoying the lushness of her surroundings, and stretches cat-like in response to Balustin's kiss.  Sliding out of bed with no thought to her nude body, she smiles at him.  "The sleep was good.  What happened before was better.  No time for a morning's play, dear?" she purrs as she lighly fingers his jawline.  Looking around the room again, she asks, "What happened to my dress?  Or the tattered remains of it, I should say!" She laughs at that, running her fingers through her hair to check for tangles.  

[Zoras]

Quinn and the others: Ming smiles fondly at Jackie and drapes herself about his shoulders as she rests her cheek against his arm, "You all don't mind if stay? I know you are leaving soon, and, well, frankly, I'm enjoying your company far too much to have it gone so quickly. So," she kisses Jackie's cheek with a grin, "I want to enjoy it while I can. This conversation is far more interesting than the mutterings of doom and ill omen those greybeards keep spouting."

The sound of a door sliding open interrupts Ming's sprightly speech, and you all turn to see Aleaina step into the room, dressed in a set of traveling leathers with a thick fur cloak wrapped around her shoulders. The clothes look to be of fine quality, judging by the snug way it fits Aleaina, and the delicate stiching along the seams. Aleaina has cast the hood back to her shoulders, the hood's lining of white ermine fur contrasting sharply with her jet black hair. She seems to have had time to freshen up considerably, for Esque notices the rings under her eyes are no longer as prominent. Seeing everybody staring, she gives a self-conscious smile and wraps the cloak closer around herself, "I... I found these in my room after my wash. Apparently they're from Balustin, or so the note accompanying them said."

Aleaina fingers the edge of the cloak, apparently marveling at the softness of the fur, "He really is too generous though. I've seen this worn by noblewomen back in Valis. Its easily a seamstress's earnings in two months..."

OOC: Most of you spot the little halfling woman enter the room, though it is not until she actually moves next to the firepit that she really draws your attention. She seems to be merely relaxing in the heat from the flames, but Quinn and Jackie notice that she tilts her head ever so slightly towards the party, as if positioning herself to hear more clearly your words.

---

Ariand:

OOC: Oops. I forgot about the starting money. OK, basically you have the maximum starting gold for 1st level, + 200 more gold pieces. You start off with NO equipment at all, and this gold is used to buy whatever you need. You may purchase anything from the standard equipment lists in the PHB, including masterwork items.

Magic Items? No magic items to start off with. Caldera is a magic-low world, where wizards and sorcerers are not exactly figures of legend, but they're rare enough that the presence of one in a town is always a cause for gossip. Likewise, magic items will be harder to find than normal. Clerics and priests exist, but magical healing is not that easy to get hold of, and the majority of the populace turn to traditional remedies and medicines for treatment most of the time.

IC: The simple breakfast costs you only a few coppers, although the mugs of mulled cider raise it to a silver Althorian florin. Despite the price, the brew is warm and soothing, bringing a pleasant heat to your belly that eases the ache of long days on the road. As your muscles slowly begin to unwind and your mind gets slightly fuzzy, you tune in to the conversation just a few tables distant.

They seem to be discussing their plans to head southwest. Back, you realise with a small scowl, into To-Shan. Still, it WAS in the other direction from the capital, and your pursuers, if they followed still, might not expect you to suddenly turn and head back into To-Shan, considering you leave a fairly straight trail all the way to the Althorian border.

The conversation at the table stopped as somebody entered the room, and you open your eyes to spot a young human woman, perhaps about 18 or 19, walk slowly over to the table to join the others. Despite her somewhat thin frame underneath the heavy winter cloak she wears, she notice she moves with the cool, assured pace you often see in the graceful court ladies. It seems odd that a noblewoman would be accompanying a group of rag-tag pilgrims. Then again, you ponder as you spot an elven woman with astonishingly blue hair among their number, this was certainly no ordinary group out for a stroll.

"...Its easily a seamstress's earnings in two months..." the noblewoman was saying, eyeing the cloak she wore as she rubbed the white fur between her fingers.

[Nachtrafe-Tyrant Jr]

OOC: K, thanks.  I'm having a bit of a problem with useing the Char generator, so I took the average GP for a 1st level Sorcerer, and added the 200.  Then I just took off 100GP for equipment.  I know it costs less, as this is a similiar loadout to another character, but I figure, she's on the run so will have had to pay premium prices.  I'll update my character sheet today.

IC: Ariand continues drinking in the heat of the roaring fire, the feeling making her drowsy.  Keysha's soft snoring rumbles reassuringly against her neck.  Noticing that her cider is almost gone she signals the barmaid for another.  Unlike the typical tall, this one smiles and promplty delivers a full mug of steaming cider, and, having noted the way that Ariand gobbled her breakfast, adds a small sweetbread.  "On the house.  Can't have people thinking the Carp cant feed her guests proper.  And you, you poor thing, you're all skin and bones."  Glancing down at herself, noting that her cloak had fallen open, Ariand was surprised to see that the barmaid was right.  All of the softness of her placid city life had seemingly burned off, leaving her with nothing but whipcord muscle and diamond determination.  She closes her eyes, frowning as the painful memories of the last several months suddenly wash over her.

Unexpectedly, she feels a calloused hand cover hers, and her eyes fly open.  The barmaid is looking down with genuine concern in her eyes.  Taken by surprise, tears form at the corners of Ariands eyes, and she fumbles blindly for her pouch, pulling out a pair of coins, 1 silver, and 1 gold.  She puts the silver on the woman's tray and mumbles "For the mug" and presses the gold into the woman's palm "For the rest...thank you.  Its been a long time since anyone cared enough to just be civil to me, much less compassionate.  Again, thank you."

The maid is startled by the large tip, but quickly tucks the coin into her skirts.  Smiling down once again at the diminuitive female she stands, resuming her duties, but with a kind smile.  "Should you need a room, let me know.  I'll be sure the barman don't rob you."  With that, she moves adroitly back into the crowd.

Ariand sits for some moments, awed by the woman's kindness.  It had been SO LONG since anyone had even shown her simple kindnss.  The last had been Janus....At the memory of her imprisoned friend, some of her hardness returns and her heart again grows frosty.  But, remembering the barmaids charity, it does not grow so cold as before.