Khessa, who is still to Ev'alish's side, on the giant-sized stone chair, with her hand held out waiting for Zephyros's handshake, comes to the conclusion that this 'ordning', whatever it is, must be of great importance for the giant... He blatantly ignored her and Ev'alish, choosing to answer Kan instead, in order to speak about this...
The arcane warrior would have really liked to get information about the Countess or at least the Nightstone, but she chooses to keep the conversation on the 'ordning' subject; maybe Zephyros will reply to other questions as well, once he gets reassured about the 'restoration' of this 'ordning' he seem to care so much about. So, still offering her hand to shake as a sign of friendship or, at least, of peace, she says: "You seem to care a lot about the restoring of this 'ordning', Zephyros. We will be happy to help with that, while we look for the Nightstone that has been stolen and for justice for the violence that has been done during the raid. Please, tell us about this 'ordning'. What is this? And why is it in need to be 'restored' now? What happened?"
Gryrim finally reaches the top of the cloud-stairs. His long legged companions ascending more easily. He stops at the top, hands on knees "I'm not fit enough this. Moradin give me breath." He chokes in just enough air to take in the scene before him.
He waits for Khessa to finish asking her question then whispers to the closest colleague "What'd I miss?"
Kramyra leans over to Gryrim, "I'm not exactly sure, but apparently these are not the giants that attacked Nightstone and we have been called henceforth as the ones to restore the ordning. That is according to the mystical planar entities who guard the realms beyond the multiverse. Honestly, for me its a bit much, so I'm just waiting to hear what is expected of us next."
The giant says to Kan, "The mystical planar entities who guard the realms beyond the multiverse told me that you would be the ones to restore the ordning."
“What’s wrong with your Ordning?” Kan may be asking blindly or not, not sure if he would know what this is. intelligence 16
Khessa gives up on having Zephyros shake hands; evidently this custom does not apply among the cloud giants. The tall arcane warrior descends from the giant-sized chair and sees that Ev'alish, also ignored, looks like he won't break from his kneel until told he may. Since her friend has already spent an eternity stuck in a block of ice, Khessa doesn't find it fair that he now risks spending as much time unnecessarily on his knees; she whispers to him: "Ev'alish, it is enough! Our host gestured that you may get up. Didn't you see? Oh, maybe it is because you were looking down..."
She then realizes that a panting dwarf has finally joined them: "Gryrim, are you allright? Something tells me that in the next few days you better join my kids when we get some exercise..." she winks"just in case we happen to run into other steps on our next adventures..."
Finally, Khessa turns to Zephyros again: "So, all of the giants are in an uproar due to the breaking of the ordning? Looks like we must try to restore it as soon as possible, to avoid a giant war that will bring wide-range destruction... But, forgive me," she still seems quite puzzled "if this 'ordning' is a caste system, a law, a tradition, how did Annam 'break' it? Did he simply speak to the other giant kings telling them so? Or they simply all of a sudden felt that they were no more bound by this 'ordning'? And... well, you seem to long for the restoration of the ordning, but what about the other giants? Would they also like the ordning to be restored? Or would they not? It seems to me that they have more freedom, now... Will not they like better things as now are? Or will every giant miss the ordning and welcome its return? (Asking just to know if we can expect help or ostility from other giants, if we declare our purpose)"
The dragonborn slowly rises to his feet. "My thanks, Madame Khessa. I heard not the permission to doeth so, and I dare not disrespect our host now that we know his intentions are fair."
"Mayhaps..."he pauses, and peers down and outside. "One of us shalt returne to the ground, and inform thy children we art safe. We also ought to consider if we art transporting them along with us on our journey with Master Zephyros."
He listens and ponders on Zephyros' words. "This ordning doth seem fundemental to thy society. Its breaking indeed seems dire. How doth the nightstone of Nightstone contribute to the plans of the raiding cloude giants. Doth it have power to them, power over even the Ordning?"
The dragonborn slowly rises to his feet. "My thanks, Madame Khessa. I heard not the permission to doeth so, and I dare not disrespect our host now that we know his intentions are fair."
"Mayhaps..."he pauses, and peers down and outside. "One of us shalt returne to the ground, and inform thy children we art safe. We also ought to consider if we art transporting them along with us on our journey with Master Zephyros."
...
"You are welcome, my dear" smiles Khessa. "But before going back to Yondra and Sarvin I wish to know what we are doing... If there is something we can do right now about this ordning or if we are still heading to Triboar. Just so I can better reflect about whether I'm taking the kids with us or not"
Gryrim responds with a well rehearsed polite nod. He had heard much worse spoken of him in his years behind the tavern bench. "Oh, wee lass. Don't let the huff and puff fool ya. It just be that my legs aren't as long as all you." The proud dwarf clearly in denial regarding his fitness, or lack of. "I'll get to any place you might, just takes these stumps a little longer " he jokes.
Gryrim responds with a well rehearsed polite nod. He had heard much worse spoken of him in his years behind the tavern bench. "Oh, wee lass. Don't let the huff and puff fool ya. It just be that my legs aren't as long as all you." The proud dwarf clearly in denial regarding his fitness, or lack of. "I'll get to any place you might, just takes these stumps a little longer " he jokes.
"I know, lad, I know" Khessa smiles, patting him on the shoulders. "Speaking of that... will you be so kind to go back and tell my children that we are safe?" before the dwarf might have an heart attack, she laughs "Just kidding! I'll go. I changed my mind, I might as well let them come up now, so that they can see this wonder... If they'll have to come back home, they will be at least have been on a flying citadel before!"
Khessa quickly descends the stairs, eager to show her children the wonder of the flying tower.
As soon as she is on the ground, she embraces them enthusiastically: "Sarvin! Yondra! You can come, it's all right. Or better: it's MAGNIFICENT! The owner of the tower offers us his friendship and his help! He even offered to let us travel on the flying tower! Can you believe it? We will make the journey with THAT! We will fly high like eagles! Think what a view... It will be beautiful!"
She enthusiastically helps them to fold up the tent that Ev'alish had lent them in case of need and takes them by the hand during the climb: "Do you feel what these clouds are like? They support us without letting us fall and at the same time they are so soft... If one day I discover the right spells, I'll make us a house that flies on clouds like these!"
As soon as she is back up (even with the long legs Gryrim did not fail to notice, it is a long walk), Khessa lets her children admire the outstanding view and the flying citadel, while she gives the tent back to Ev'alish: "Thank you, my dear. You know what?" she adds with a smirk "You really seem suitable for taking care of children".
“This allows me to make several educated guesses, but correct me where I am wrong, sir giant. Zephyros.” He starts ticking his fingers as he lists the following: “First: you are a cloud giant. Perhaps you might prefer your previous life.” ”Second: someone has brought a dragon back.” “Third: some would rather take the opportunity to wreak havoc than to restore order. The Ordning.” “Fourth: a storm giant of these divining abilities saw… us? But you said celestial, what is that? Who saw us? And how are we supposed to manage all that??”
The dragonborn smiles as he sees the two children emerge from the cloud stairs. Even without thinking much, he instinctively walks closer to the edge of the cloud ground between them, keeping an eye on them as they explore the castle.
He nods slowly to Khessa. "I hath none of my own, but the general instinct feels present. My promise to lorde Bahamut doth apply, to protect all I meet. Thus I watch over them."
Ev'alish listens to Zephyros, though one ear and eye still glances beside him every once in a while.
He nods slowly to Khessa. "I hath none of my own, but the general instinct feels present. My promise to lorde Bahamut doth apply, to protect all I meet. Thus I watch over them."
...
"It is REALLY only a matter of a promise?" Raises an eyebrow Khessa, still a smirk curls her lips; she approaches and puts an arm on his shoulders, while they both look at those two children, whose family had been exterminated by violence, now amazed by the flying citadel. "Isn't it by chance that they seem like the most adorable children in Faerûn to you too? Not even a little? You know, I will always be grateful to Mistress Kramyra for teaching me magic, that's for sure; but since my children have so unexpectedly come into my life, I have realized that there is no mystery, spell or wonder more beautiful than THEM."
She watches them long, like she would never have her eyes full enough of them. Then, finally, she turns to Ev'alish, studying his reaction. The dragonborn's silvery facial features, so near now, make him look so... majestic... It seems to her that they let his inner greatness shine through.
"...and they art willing to go to great lengths to reach this top, barring not even destruction. This doth finally make sense in my mind now." The dragonborn replies with a resolute nod to Zephyros. "Rest assured, I shalt do whatever I must to keepeth this land safe."
He turns slowly, meeting Khessa's eyes as she places a hand on his shoulder. Her passion for the children warms his silvery soul, and he returns the smile. "Tis a matter of promises, yes. More than just the one, I will admit. To Bahamut, I promised to protect all those in the realm he desired protected. To the citizens of Nightstone, to keepeth their young safe as they stride to recover from the terrible attack. To Yondra and Sarvin themselves, to helpeth them grow into fine people. They deserveth a chance to thrive."
Running a silvery claw thru her hair and resting it on her shoulder in return, he adds: "To you, Khessa, out of absolute respect for thy kindness. Thou hast dedicated thyself to the selfless act of raising them, and I shalt ensure that your endeavor succeeds."
The words sit in his mind, and he adds: "They are, truly, wonderful. As are you."
Khessa can no longer pay attention to Zephyros's words, as Ev'alish's silver claws caress her hair. The face of the woman and that of the dragonborn are so close now... The lips meet in a long kiss, at the end of which a quite satisfied Khessa whispers: "I would have thought you liked females more... you know, more scaly than I am. You see me, right? My skin doesn't shine like yours... And I also already have two children to take care of... not to mention parents and three brothers lost who knows where to rescue from slavery... As you may guess, staying by my side you probably wouldn't have a quiet life. But should you ever wish to try that, I think neither my children could have a better father, nor I a better partner. Think about it, will you?"
The blonde arcane warrior seems to remember at last that she has an 'ordning' to restore. What did the giant say? A GOD changed how giants behave? And how are the Cabbage Patch Companions supposed to change a god's will?
She has some more question for the host: "But Zephyros, if your god changed this, how it is that YOU are not trying to reach the top... and are you looking for a way to restore the 'ordning' instead? Not that I'm complaining... I just wish to better understand things, so to have better chances to succeed. And, anyway... have you some clue about how we should start? I do not think we can change the will of a god... but if we can come to understand his motivations, maybe we can find a way to do his will that does not involve a broken ordning and a giant war. The threath of the dragons angered him? But that threath is no more... Or do you know something we don't?"
Kramyra jabs Khessa in the ribs, hard. "Will you two break it up? Do you really think now is the time to start a relationship? Here, not only on a flying citadel, but in front of a giant who is talking about something very serious? And speaking of serious, are you really contemplating bringing your children with us? This is not the place for them. Not only will it endanger them, it will also endanger us as we spend half our energy watching over them to make sure they are safe."
Once she is finished, she looks at Zephyros, "What do you have in mind for our assistance?"
"I hath fifty years of quiet life in the ice." Ev'alish says. "I desireth action, meaning. Thy parents and brothers shalt be saved, as shall the ones that are trapped beside them." He states this both as promise and as a resolute declaration of fact. He listens to her proposition. "I shalt consider it."
He steps away, admonishing himself when he hears Kramyra's words. "Focus. The fates of many rest on this." He thinks, and pays his full attention to the giant's answer.
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Khessa, who is still to Ev'alish's side, on the giant-sized stone chair, with her hand held out waiting for Zephyros's handshake, comes to the conclusion that this 'ordning', whatever it is, must be of great importance for the giant... He blatantly ignored her and Ev'alish, choosing to answer Kan instead, in order to speak about this...
The arcane warrior would have really liked to get information about the Countess or at least the Nightstone, but she chooses to keep the conversation on the 'ordning' subject; maybe Zephyros will reply to other questions as well, once he gets reassured about the 'restoration' of this 'ordning' he seem to care so much about. So, still offering her hand to shake as a sign of friendship or, at least, of peace, she says: "You seem to care a lot about the restoring of this 'ordning', Zephyros. We will be happy to help with that, while we look for the Nightstone that has been stolen and for justice for the violence that has been done during the raid. Please, tell us about this 'ordning'. What is this? And why is it in need to be 'restored' now? What happened?"
Gryrim finally reaches the top of the cloud-stairs. His long legged companions ascending more easily. He stops at the top, hands on knees "I'm not fit enough this. Moradin give me breath." He chokes in just enough air to take in the scene before him.
He waits for Khessa to finish asking her question then whispers to the closest colleague "What'd I miss?"
Kramyra leans over to Gryrim, "I'm not exactly sure, but apparently these are not the giants that attacked Nightstone and we have been called henceforth as the ones to restore the ordning. That is according to the mystical planar entities who guard the realms beyond the multiverse. Honestly, for me its a bit much, so I'm just waiting to hear what is expected of us next."
“What’s wrong with your Ordning?” Kan may be asking blindly or not, not sure if he would know what this is.
intelligence 16
Paladin - warforged - orange
Khessa gives up on having Zephyros shake hands; evidently this custom does not apply among the cloud giants. The tall arcane warrior descends from the giant-sized chair and sees that Ev'alish, also ignored, looks like he won't break from his kneel until told he may. Since her friend has already spent an eternity stuck in a block of ice, Khessa doesn't find it fair that he now risks spending as much time unnecessarily on his knees; she whispers to him: "Ev'alish, it is enough! Our host gestured that you may get up. Didn't you see? Oh, maybe it is because you were looking down..."
She then realizes that a panting dwarf has finally joined them: "Gryrim, are you allright? Something tells me that in the next few days you better join my kids when we get some exercise..." she winks "just in case we happen to run into other steps on our next adventures..."
Finally, Khessa turns to Zephyros again: "So, all of the giants are in an uproar due to the breaking of the ordning? Looks like we must try to restore it as soon as possible, to avoid a giant war that will bring wide-range destruction... But, forgive me," she still seems quite puzzled "if this 'ordning' is a caste system, a law, a tradition, how did Annam 'break' it? Did he simply speak to the other giant kings telling them so? Or they simply all of a sudden felt that they were no more bound by this 'ordning'? And... well, you seem to long for the restoration of the ordning, but what about the other giants? Would they also like the ordning to be restored? Or would they not? It seems to me that they have more freedom, now... Will not they like better things as now are? Or will every giant miss the ordning and welcome its return? (Asking just to know if we can expect help or ostility from other giants, if we declare our purpose)"
The dragonborn slowly rises to his feet. "My thanks, Madame Khessa. I heard not the permission to doeth so, and I dare not disrespect our host now that we know his intentions are fair."
"Mayhaps..." he pauses, and peers down and outside. "One of us shalt returne to the ground, and inform thy children we art safe. We also ought to consider if we art transporting them along with us on our journey with Master Zephyros."
He listens and ponders on Zephyros' words. "This ordning doth seem fundemental to thy society. Its breaking indeed seems dire. How doth the nightstone of Nightstone contribute to the plans of the raiding cloude giants. Doth it have power to them, power over even the Ordning?"
"You are welcome, my dear" smiles Khessa. "But before going back to Yondra and Sarvin I wish to know what we are doing... If there is something we can do right now about this ordning or if we are still heading to Triboar. Just so I can better reflect about whether I'm taking the kids with us or not"
Gryrim responds with a well rehearsed polite nod. He had heard much worse spoken of him in his years behind the tavern bench. "Oh, wee lass. Don't let the huff and puff fool ya. It just be that my legs aren't as long as all you." The proud dwarf clearly in denial regarding his fitness, or lack of. "I'll get to any place you might, just takes these stumps a little longer " he jokes.
"I know, lad, I know" Khessa smiles, patting him on the shoulders. "Speaking of that... will you be so kind to go back and tell my children that we are safe?" before the dwarf might have an heart attack, she laughs "Just kidding! I'll go. I changed my mind, I might as well let them come up now, so that they can see this wonder... If they'll have to come back home, they will be at least have been on a flying citadel before!"
Khessa quickly descends the stairs, eager to show her children the wonder of the flying tower.
As soon as she is on the ground, she embraces them enthusiastically: "Sarvin! Yondra! You can come, it's all right. Or better: it's MAGNIFICENT! The owner of the tower offers us his friendship and his help! He even offered to let us travel on the flying tower! Can you believe it? We will make the journey with THAT! We will fly high like eagles! Think what a view... It will be beautiful!"
She enthusiastically helps them to fold up the tent that Ev'alish had lent them in case of need and takes them by the hand during the climb: "Do you feel what these clouds are like? They support us without letting us fall and at the same time they are so soft... If one day I discover the right spells, I'll make us a house that flies on clouds like these!"
As soon as she is back up (even with the long legs Gryrim did not fail to notice, it is a long walk), Khessa lets her children admire the outstanding view and the flying citadel, while she gives the tent back to Ev'alish: "Thank you, my dear. You know what?" she adds with a smirk "You really seem suitable for taking care of children".
Kan stares at the ground for a long moment.
“This allows me to make several educated guesses, but correct me where I am wrong, sir giant. Zephyros.” He starts ticking his fingers as he lists the following:
“First: you are a cloud giant. Perhaps you might prefer your previous life.”
”Second: someone has brought a dragon back.”
“Third: some would rather take the opportunity to wreak havoc than to restore order. The Ordning.”
“Fourth: a storm giant of these divining abilities saw… us? But you said celestial, what is that? Who saw us? And how are we supposed to manage all that??”
Paladin - warforged - orange
The dragonborn smiles as he sees the two children emerge from the cloud stairs. Even without thinking much, he instinctively walks closer to the edge of the cloud ground between them, keeping an eye on them as they explore the castle.
He nods slowly to Khessa. "I hath none of my own, but the general instinct feels present. My promise to lorde Bahamut doth apply, to protect all I meet. Thus I watch over them."
Ev'alish listens to Zephyros, though one ear and eye still glances beside him every once in a while.
"It is REALLY only a matter of a promise?" Raises an eyebrow Khessa, still a smirk curls her lips; she approaches and puts an arm on his shoulders, while they both look at those two children, whose family had been exterminated by violence, now amazed by the flying citadel. "Isn't it by chance that they seem like the most adorable children in Faerûn to you too? Not even a little? You know, I will always be grateful to Mistress Kramyra for teaching me magic, that's for sure; but since my children have so unexpectedly come into my life, I have realized that there is no mystery, spell or wonder more beautiful than THEM."
She watches them long, like she would never have her eyes full enough of them. Then, finally, she turns to Ev'alish, studying his reaction. The dragonborn's silvery facial features, so near now, make him look so... majestic... It seems to her that they let his inner greatness shine through.
"...and they art willing to go to great lengths to reach this top, barring not even destruction. This doth finally make sense in my mind now." The dragonborn replies with a resolute nod to Zephyros. "Rest assured, I shalt do whatever I must to keepeth this land safe."
He turns slowly, meeting Khessa's eyes as she places a hand on his shoulder. Her passion for the children warms his silvery soul, and he returns the smile. "Tis a matter of promises, yes. More than just the one, I will admit. To Bahamut, I promised to protect all those in the realm he desired protected. To the citizens of Nightstone, to keepeth their young safe as they stride to recover from the terrible attack. To Yondra and Sarvin themselves, to helpeth them grow into fine people. They deserveth a chance to thrive."
Running a silvery claw thru her hair and resting it on her shoulder in return, he adds: "To you, Khessa, out of absolute respect for thy kindness. Thou hast dedicated thyself to the selfless act of raising them, and I shalt ensure that your endeavor succeeds."
The words sit in his mind, and he adds: "They are, truly, wonderful. As are you."
Khessa can no longer pay attention to Zephyros's words, as Ev'alish's silver claws caress her hair. The face of the woman and that of the dragonborn are so close now... The lips meet in a long kiss, at the end of which a quite satisfied Khessa whispers: "I would have thought you liked females more... you know, more scaly than I am. You see me, right? My skin doesn't shine like yours... And I also already have two children to take care of... not to mention parents and three brothers lost who knows where to rescue from slavery... As you may guess, staying by my side you probably wouldn't have a quiet life. But should you ever wish to try that, I think neither my children could have a better father, nor I a better partner. Think about it, will you?"
The blonde arcane warrior seems to remember at last that she has an 'ordning' to restore. What did the giant say? A GOD changed how giants behave? And how are the Cabbage Patch Companions supposed to change a god's will?
She has some more question for the host: "But Zephyros, if your god changed this, how it is that YOU are not trying to reach the top... and are you looking for a way to restore the 'ordning' instead? Not that I'm complaining... I just wish to better understand things, so to have better chances to succeed. And, anyway... have you some clue about how we should start? I do not think we can change the will of a god... but if we can come to understand his motivations, maybe we can find a way to do his will that does not involve a broken ordning and a giant war. The threath of the dragons angered him? But that threath is no more... Or do you know something we don't?"
Kramyra jabs Khessa in the ribs, hard. "Will you two break it up? Do you really think now is the time to start a relationship? Here, not only on a flying citadel, but in front of a giant who is talking about something very serious? And speaking of serious, are you really contemplating bringing your children with us? This is not the place for them. Not only will it endanger them, it will also endanger us as we spend half our energy watching over them to make sure they are safe."
Once she is finished, she looks at Zephyros, "What do you have in mind for our assistance?"
"I hath fifty years of quiet life in the ice." Ev'alish says. "I desireth action, meaning. Thy parents and brothers shalt be saved, as shall the ones that are trapped beside them." He states this both as promise and as a resolute declaration of fact. He listens to her proposition. "I shalt consider it."
He steps away, admonishing himself when he hears Kramyra's words. "Focus. The fates of many rest on this." He thinks, and pays his full attention to the giant's answer.