Transfixed by the image, Marley at last clears his throat before taking a drink of ale and turning to Aquila again. He looks around the room then lowers his voice as he says, "Well truth be told we aren't just mercenaries for hire for the most gold, but journeyed here to serve the Duke helping to make these lands safer." He starts to eat again as he then continues, and a wide grins forms, showing sharp yellow teeth, "And beauty... have you ever seen the ruins of the ancient Elves here?"
Sam pipes up, coming out of a food stupier "Yes, yes we are... " He pauses with a look of invitation to our new friend. Turning back to the gnome "As long as it's not just for treasure hunting." He smiles.
Aquila ceases the subtle movements the tips of her fingers were tracing in the air, and the dome of colors dissipates like a fog quickly burning off over a meadow on a bright spring morning.
Speaking as clearly as she can through her accent to the Gnome, "I am new to the table, but life is adventure in itself, as we all navigate the perils that present themselves."
Marley takes another long drink of ale and waits to see what the gnome says next. He hopes that Aquila's curiosity has been piqued about possibly exploring any nearby Elven ruins.
Marley hears the voice in his head again, clear and distinct, as if the words were thoughts implanted into his consciousness.....
"Indeed the elves were, and continue to be artisans of the highest level, but their creations are both inspired by and reflections of the natural world....
Truly creative artistic endeavors arise from the imagination... abstract representations of the push and pull of the forces violently clashing all about and within us.... stare deep into the abyss and see the beauty above the chaos and suffering... that is True Art!
The Elven people are blinded by their deep connection to the natural world, and are restricted in their vision, though again, I have the greatest respect for their craftsmanship.
I hope my judgemental attitude towards what some hold as a highly evolved race does not offend you, as it might some."
Marley feels as if he has been given permission to respond telepathically, if he so choses.
Marley frowns, and tilts his head to one side as he looks at Aquila, as if wondering what to think. He then shrugs and resumes eating, turning his attention back to the gnome.
The gnome looks at at Aquila for a moment then smiles.
"Yes yes if course life is an adventure. You must be a philosopher. Well I think you would love my proposal. I have a job request notice that was blessed by the Duke. I am looking for a group to protect me while I explore the Northwestern outpost. It's a small set of Teran ruins on the edge of the kingdom. I know what your thinking those ruins have been explored countless times there is no more treasures there. But I found a journal of a guard who was stationed there near the fall. She hinted at something but the journal ends abruptly and there is nothing else."
The Gnome pulls out a copy of his job request. (Marley it is the same one you saw before)
"See here..... blessed by the Duke. He will pay you 500 gold on my safe return plus extra for any artifacts we recover. So would you all be willing to take the job?"
Aquila speaks up, adrssing the Gnome... "why would you be needing protection? What are the dangers you expect to encounter? "
She looks around the table, "I appreciate your enthusiasm my fellows, but...." turning back towards to the Gnome "what information did you discover in this journal that leads you to think more mysteries await in the Teran ruins?"
"Well I'm sure you know the dangers of the open road. (You would know that travelling these days is dangerous, bandits goblins etc it's why the Duke is doing his campaign) plus the ruins are on the edge of the northern wastes. There are the tribes up there that raid all the time. As for the reasons the journal hinted at something big near the fall of an empire. That's the mystery. We don't really know what caused the collapse do we?"
"Wonderful Wonderful, Im sorry I did not introduce myself I'm Sir Warben Megglideses but my friends just call me Ben well the humans do anyways. I can be ready as soon as mid morning tomorrow just after mid morning tea I should think. Will that work for you?"
He sits down and pulls out a rough map of the Norend region.
"The ruins are here roughly two day ride. Do you have horses? If not maybe a 3 day or 4 walk. Then we will set up camp in the ruins while I conduct my search. I think 6 days should cover an initial survey. Then the 2ish days back. So pack for a 10 day. My team consists of 3 including me and we will provide the rations. I think that's fair but you will have to provide the rest of your own supplies."
He grabs a drink. And raises a toast. "To Discovery!"
"Discovery!" Marley toasts, then starts talking really fast. "Excellent, excellent yes mid-morning that is good... unless you want to leave earlier, but ah no mid-morning yes that is good. We have 4 horses and a cart.. and I am called Marley by the way... Ah..." he pauses as he looks around the table, beaming at everyone, giving Aquila a nod. "Truly the Cat Lord has blessed this day."
"Sir Ben, I can be ready by mid-morning, where shall we meet? And thank you for providing provisions, as that will lighten my pack quite a bit indeed.... And to the three of you for providing four-hooved transport, though I am not well skilled in the equine arts, I should prefer to ride in the cart."
She waits for the Sir Ben to leave the table, and then speaks to Maz, Sam, and Marley.... "I hope I can aid this party effectively.... You may have discerned that I have some proficiency as a caster. I have some ability to inflict damage upon those that would seek to do us harm, but my passion is delving into the thoughts of others, and seeking out what they choose to hide from me.... Perhaps there may come a time when I will weave my way into Sir Ben's thoughts when he is unawares, and gain more insight into his intentions." The corners of her mouth curl into a smile.
"So now that I have revealed to you of myself.... what do the three of you bring to this party? Let me now know, and time may come when I may be of support to you with my abilities."
"Ah yes meeting at the stables will be perfect. Now if you excuse me I must let the lads know I found us an escort at the 11th hour and we won't have to scrub the expedition."
The gnome bows then quickly departs almost skipping with delight.
"Please RP as a long as you like. Just state you are off to bed. Other things you can do in the taverns besides food and drink. Gather information about something (investigation check), hear the latest hot gossip, and gamble (a straight d20 roll or slight of hand if you want to cheat).
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Marley's jaw drops as he stops chewing and stares at the dome. "Beautiful.... just beautiful."
Transfixed by the image, Marley at last clears his throat before taking a drink of ale and turning to Aquila again. He looks around the room then lowers his voice as he says, "Well truth be told we aren't just mercenaries for hire for the most gold, but journeyed here to serve the Duke helping to make these lands safer." He starts to eat again as he then continues, and a wide grins forms, showing sharp yellow teeth, "And beauty... have you ever seen the ruins of the ancient Elves here?"
Maz watches the dancing colors in awe.
”Truly a marvel.” He leans his chin on the table and watches the colors. Eyes fixed on their every movement.
A gnome that had been wondering around from table to table catches a glimpse of the display and wonders over.
"Marvelous display you have there.... you would not happen to be a party of adventureers would you?"
Sam pipes up, coming out of a food stupier "Yes, yes we are... " He pauses with a look of invitation to our new friend. Turning back to the gnome "As long as it's not just for treasure hunting." He smiles.
D&D since 1984
Aquila ceases the subtle movements the tips of her fingers were tracing in the air, and the dome of colors dissipates like a fog quickly burning off over a meadow on a bright spring morning.
Speaking as clearly as she can through her accent to the Gnome, "I am new to the table, but life is adventure in itself, as we all navigate the perils that present themselves."
Marley takes another long drink of ale and waits to see what the gnome says next. He hopes that Aquila's curiosity has been piqued about possibly exploring any nearby Elven ruins.
Marley hears the voice in his head again, clear and distinct, as if the words were thoughts implanted into his consciousness.....
"Indeed the elves were, and continue to be artisans of the highest level, but their creations are both inspired by and reflections of the natural world....
Truly creative artistic endeavors arise from the imagination... abstract representations of the push and pull of the forces violently clashing all about and within us.... stare deep into the abyss and see the beauty above the chaos and suffering... that is True Art!
The Elven people are blinded by their deep connection to the natural world, and are restricted in their vision, though again, I have the greatest respect for their craftsmanship.
I hope my judgemental attitude towards what some hold as a highly evolved race does not offend you, as it might some."
Marley feels as if he has been given permission to respond telepathically, if he so choses.
Marley frowns, and tilts his head to one side as he looks at Aquila, as if wondering what to think. He then shrugs and resumes eating, turning his attention back to the gnome.
The gnome looks at at Aquila for a moment then smiles.
"Yes yes if course life is an adventure. You must be a philosopher. Well I think you would love my proposal. I have a job request notice that was blessed by the Duke. I am looking for a group to protect me while I explore the Northwestern outpost. It's a small set of Teran ruins on the edge of the kingdom. I know what your thinking those ruins have been explored countless times there is no more treasures there. But I found a journal of a guard who was stationed there near the fall. She hinted at something but the journal ends abruptly and there is nothing else."
The Gnome pulls out a copy of his job request. (Marley it is the same one you saw before)
"See here..... blessed by the Duke. He will pay you 500 gold on my safe return plus extra for any artifacts we recover. So would you all be willing to take the job?"
Sam looks at Marley and Maz "I'm in if you all are in." turning to Aquila "You too miss, if you'd like to join us."
D&D since 1984
"Absolutely!" Marley can barely contain his excitement as he grins widely at Sam and then the gnome.
Aquila speaks up, adrssing the Gnome... "why would you be needing protection? What are the dangers you expect to encounter? "
She looks around the table, "I appreciate your enthusiasm my fellows, but...." turning back towards to the Gnome "what information did you discover in this journal that leads you to think more mysteries await in the Teran ruins?"
"Well I'm sure you know the dangers of the open road. (You would know that travelling these days is dangerous, bandits goblins etc it's why the Duke is doing his campaign) plus the ruins are on the edge of the northern wastes. There are the tribes up there that raid all the time. As for the reasons the journal hinted at something big near the fall of an empire. That's the mystery. We don't really know what caused the collapse do we?"
"Thank you for your candid reply..." and smiling broadly at the party, she finishes, "I will join, when do we leave?"
Maz smiles widely “another adventure to add to the legacy! Count me in!”
"Wonderful Wonderful, Im sorry I did not introduce myself I'm Sir Warben Megglideses but my friends just call me Ben well the humans do anyways. I can be ready as soon as mid morning tomorrow just after mid morning tea I should think. Will that work for you?"
He sits down and pulls out a rough map of the Norend region.
"The ruins are here roughly two day ride. Do you have horses? If not maybe a 3 day or 4 walk. Then we will set up camp in the ruins while I conduct my search. I think 6 days should cover an initial survey. Then the 2ish days back. So pack for a 10 day. My team consists of 3 including me and we will provide the rations. I think that's fair but you will have to provide the rest of your own supplies."
He grabs a drink. And raises a toast. "To Discovery!"
"Discovery!" Marley toasts, then starts talking really fast. "Excellent, excellent yes mid-morning that is good... unless you want to leave earlier, but ah no mid-morning yes that is good. We have 4 horses and a cart.. and I am called Marley by the way... Ah..." he pauses as he looks around the table, beaming at everyone, giving Aquila a nod. "Truly the Cat Lord has blessed this day."
"Sir Ben, I can be ready by mid-morning, where shall we meet? And thank you for providing provisions, as that will lighten my pack quite a bit indeed.... And to the three of you for providing four-hooved transport, though I am not well skilled in the equine arts, I should prefer to ride in the cart."
She waits for the Sir Ben to leave the table, and then speaks to Maz, Sam, and Marley.... "I hope I can aid this party effectively.... You may have discerned that I have some proficiency as a caster. I have some ability to inflict damage upon those that would seek to do us harm, but my passion is delving into the thoughts of others, and seeking out what they choose to hide from me.... Perhaps there may come a time when I will weave my way into Sir Ben's thoughts when he is unawares, and gain more insight into his intentions." The corners of her mouth curl into a smile.
"So now that I have revealed to you of myself.... what do the three of you bring to this party? Let me now know, and time may come when I may be of support to you with my abilities."
Ben throws back his drink.
"Ah yes meeting at the stables will be perfect. Now if you excuse me I must let the lads know I found us an escort at the 11th hour and we won't have to scrub the expedition."
The gnome bows then quickly departs almost skipping with delight.
"Please RP as a long as you like. Just state you are off to bed. Other things you can do in the taverns besides food and drink. Gather information about something (investigation check), hear the latest hot gossip, and gamble (a straight d20 roll or slight of hand if you want to cheat).