Vishal seems to think about for a moment before he says, "I think....it was when I picked to dance at the Festival of Coming. That had always been a dream, a goal of mine. To dance for the Haztaratai story. I was only one of the minor background dancers but still. When someone else, not my family, not my mentors, not myself, but when someone else, someone I barely knew, recognized my talent. That's when I knew I was good." Vishal chuckles for a moment before he says, "You know, my family was against me dancing at first. We're all leatherworkers and fighters. The latter part thanks to our Quori bloodline. I was expected to be a leatherworker or a fighter. Not a dancer. Now I'm all three. After lots of convincing, not giving up, and hard work."
"I-I see..." Taran replies, setting down the half-eaten soup. "But... how did you know that they were right to pick you... how do you know that your family was wrong and those strangers were right? H-how could they tell, b-but the person closest to you... said the exact opposite..."
"Well.....I didn't know." Vishal answer as he looks directly at Taran. "For all I knew I was the worst student out there. But dancing made me happy. That's what I cared about. Being happy." He then gets a little proud smirk on his face as he adds, "And I managed to keep up my deal with the family so they didn't say anything about it. I continue to learn how to fight and I continued to help out the family business. Eventually my parents came around. Especially when they saw how well my dancing blended into combat."His smirk turns into a soft smile as he says, "And then I became a Road Canidate. That really made my parents proud. So....I guess just continuing to do what makes you happy will eventually lead to you being recognized. And then you know you're good."
"I-I see..."Taran says, looking at the Esteemed Vishal with red-rimmed eyes, "I guess... that's one more thing I need to think about. Am I... am I happy... or is it... something else..."
Taran picks up his bowl and continues eating, "Thank you... sir..."
“Taran....are you happy? Does helping people, changing their lives for the better, being a part of the Road make you happy? If the answer is yes than you’re right where you belong. No matter what anyone says or has said about you or your skills or anything. You’re right where you belong. And I will be here with you. Helping you, supporting you, the entire way through. Okay?”
Taran pauses, his spoon halfway between his bowl and his mouth, and simply stares at it.
"I think... I think I do like it, helping people. But... that isn't all we do, is it? And... everything is just very confusing."He finishes his bite, "Sparring with Mr. Lanan... it wasn't like sparring with Father... and, I... I'm not sure about what that means...about him... about me... about what I'm supposed to do..."
Vishal nods and then says, “It sounds like you have a lot of thinking to do. And I’ll leave you to it.” Vishal thenstands up but before he leaves he looks Taran directly in the eyes and says“I don’t know your life and what it was like beforehand. But it’s different now. I’m here. And you can always talk to me about anything, okay? And I promise not to judge you. I’m here for you Taran. We’re teammates now. I trust and believe in you.”
Taran nods silently, then works on finishing his meal.
Afterwards, with the need to clear his head for a moment, he pulls back out his alchemy set and tries to identify the mysterious third vial from Mr. Jharee's collection. It takes him twice as long as normal, until he is in the right headspace for proper testing.
Alchemy: 10
(OOC: Almost gave myself disadvantage, but I actually want to know what this is, and Taran would eventually get to the point of actually doing the test right... I hope.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Vishal makes sure that everyone eats and has their full before he eats himself. Using his magic to clean everything up, Vishal keeps himself busy and wait an appropriate amount of time before starting his dance practice again. Yesterday he practiced the male half of the dance and today he practices the female half. The female half is a lot more subtle with soft elegant movements and spins. Constant worry on the face and mind as Vishal dances to the same place again and again looking out for the soldier that never comes home. Every new spin to the same place is with less and less enthusiasm. Until finally, for the last time, she spins in place there and just collapse, ending the dance. This dance may not be as impressive in terms of skill needed and speed. But it makes up for that with the psionics needed. Throughout the dance, Vishal's eyes are constantly light up as a bright blue as he uses his psychic glamour to share the emotions of the women he is suppose. to be representing. Sharing in that worry and hope that slowly disappear as the soldier doesn't come home. At the end of the dance Vishal is looking at Dulamul, wanting to gauge his reaction, especially as Vishal has released more of kalashtar powers in this dance than with his others.
You still aren't able to quite identify what the vial is. It's not something nice though.
Vishal:
Dulamul seems to be entranced at first, then there's a quick flash of fear as you start to use your powers, followed by intense concentration as he tries to overcome what's obviously his training.
Vishal, seeing the flash of fear come over the shifter's eyes, has his smile drop for an intense as he realizes that of course Dulamul is scared of him. He would be trained to be. Vishal's stomach is suddenly in knots and he feels uneasy as it finally dawns on him that all of them are probably scared of him. He doesn't like causing fear, even if its something that he obviously cannot control. With less pep than usual Vishal approaches Dulamul and quietly says, "I'm sorry for scaring you. That's the female part to the dance from yesterday. It requires a lot more psionics than the other dance. I should of realized you freak out over a Kalashtar suddenly displaying powers like that."
"I'm still sorry. I still should have realized. I'll leave you alone now. So, you can concentrate." Vishal replies, obviously upset about this as he makes his way to his sleeping bag.
The night passes...relatively uneventfully, if a little awkwardly. As you all sleep, you discover your dreams are your own again.
As you wake the next morning, you notice that Aleel, Bhuji, and Lanan all look like they didn't get much sleep last night. Dulamul is difficult to read because of his fur, Shiazala seems relatively unaffected, and Sulaan is occupied with Shiazala.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Vishal packs up camp he takes a moment to look at all the refugees and attempt to read their current mood and how they seem to be holding up. His eyes linger longer on Dulamul than the others, quickly shifting away if he is caught staring.
Regardless of the mood he does take a deep breath and puts on his biggest positive smile for everyone and says, “We’re almost there. We should reach Shakquar today. And then it’s the beginning of the rest of your new lives.”
Taran's dreams are fitful, a mash-up of dripping caves, light flashing on steel, and the earth ripping itself asunder to take the form of various faces who speak in strange tongues. Still, he is up with the dawn and makes a quick porridge for everyone to eat.
"E-Esteemed Vishal is right," he'd say, moving to check everyone's feet for signs of blisters or sores, "Th-the Monastery is less than a full day's t-travel, so we sh-should arrive in time for supper, made by real cooks too, with real ingredients, in-instead of what I-I've been able to scrounge up."
Medicine: 8 I'm never sure about Advantage for this roll... 6
"D-does ev-everyone... um, well, d-do you a-all think, that you'll be ok... until we reach the M-m-monastery?"
Aleel and Bhuji definitely seem like the new dreams shook them a bit, as does Lanan. Dulamul seems a little off, but you're not sure. Shiazala appears to be fairly unaffected, and Sulaan is very occupied with her.
Taran:
They all seem like they're doing okay, nothing serious wrong other than a few blisters from walking.
Taran takes a few more slow bites, then looks at the fire dancing in the night air.
"Sir... when, uh, when did you know? Th-that you were good... at d-dancing? Did one of your t-teachers tell you... or d-did you just know?"
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Vishal seems to think about for a moment before he says, "I think....it was when I picked to dance at the Festival of Coming. That had always been a dream, a goal of mine. To dance for the Haztaratai story. I was only one of the minor background dancers but still. When someone else, not my family, not my mentors, not myself, but when someone else, someone I barely knew, recognized my talent. That's when I knew I was good." Vishal chuckles for a moment before he says, "You know, my family was against me dancing at first. We're all leatherworkers and fighters. The latter part thanks to our Quori bloodline. I was expected to be a leatherworker or a fighter. Not a dancer. Now I'm all three. After lots of convincing, not giving up, and hard work."
"I-I see..." Taran replies, setting down the half-eaten soup. "But... how did you know that they were right to pick you... how do you know that your family was wrong and those strangers were right? H-how could they tell, b-but the person closest to you... said the exact opposite..."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"Well.....I didn't know." Vishal answer as he looks directly at Taran. "For all I knew I was the worst student out there. But dancing made me happy. That's what I cared about. Being happy." He then gets a little proud smirk on his face as he adds, "And I managed to keep up my deal with the family so they didn't say anything about it. I continue to learn how to fight and I continued to help out the family business. Eventually my parents came around. Especially when they saw how well my dancing blended into combat." His smirk turns into a soft smile as he says, "And then I became a Road Canidate. That really made my parents proud. So....I guess just continuing to do what makes you happy will eventually lead to you being recognized. And then you know you're good."
"I-I see..." Taran says, looking at the Esteemed Vishal with red-rimmed eyes, "I guess... that's one more thing I need to think about. Am I... am I happy... or is it... something else..."
Taran picks up his bowl and continues eating, "Thank you... sir..."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
“Taran....are you happy? Does helping people, changing their lives for the better, being a part of the Road make you happy? If the answer is yes than you’re right where you belong. No matter what anyone says or has said about you or your skills or anything. You’re right where you belong. And I will be here with you. Helping you, supporting you, the entire way through. Okay?”
Taran pauses, his spoon halfway between his bowl and his mouth, and simply stares at it.
"I think... I think I do like it, helping people. But... that isn't all we do, is it? And... everything is just very confusing." He finishes his bite, "Sparring with Mr. Lanan... it wasn't like sparring with Father... and, I... I'm not sure about what that means...about him... about me... about what I'm supposed to do..."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Vishal nods and then says, “It sounds like you have a lot of thinking to do. And I’ll leave you to it.” Vishal then stands up but before he leaves he looks Taran directly in the eyes and says “I don’t know your life and what it was like beforehand. But it’s different now. I’m here. And you can always talk to me about anything, okay? And I promise not to judge you. I’m here for you Taran. We’re teammates now. I trust and believe in you.”
Taran nods silently, then works on finishing his meal.
Afterwards, with the need to clear his head for a moment, he pulls back out his alchemy set and tries to identify the mysterious third vial from Mr. Jharee's collection. It takes him twice as long as normal, until he is in the right headspace for proper testing.
Alchemy: 10
(OOC: Almost gave myself disadvantage, but I actually want to know what this is, and Taran would eventually get to the point of actually doing the test right... I hope.)
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Vishal makes sure that everyone eats and has their full before he eats himself. Using his magic to clean everything up, Vishal keeps himself busy and wait an appropriate amount of time before starting his dance practice again. Yesterday he practiced the male half of the dance and today he practices the female half. The female half is a lot more subtle with soft elegant movements and spins. Constant worry on the face and mind as Vishal dances to the same place again and again looking out for the soldier that never comes home. Every new spin to the same place is with less and less enthusiasm. Until finally, for the last time, she spins in place there and just collapse, ending the dance. This dance may not be as impressive in terms of skill needed and speed. But it makes up for that with the psionics needed. Throughout the dance, Vishal's eyes are constantly light up as a bright blue as he uses his psychic glamour to share the emotions of the women he is suppose. to be representing. Sharing in that worry and hope that slowly disappear as the soldier doesn't come home. At the end of the dance Vishal is looking at Dulamul, wanting to gauge his reaction, especially as Vishal has released more of kalashtar powers in this dance than with his others.
Performance: 20
Insight: 7
Taran:
You still aren't able to quite identify what the vial is. It's not something nice though.
Vishal:
Dulamul seems to be entranced at first, then there's a quick flash of fear as you start to use your powers, followed by intense concentration as he tries to overcome what's obviously his training.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Vishal, seeing the flash of fear come over the shifter's eyes, has his smile drop for an intense as he realizes that of course Dulamul is scared of him. He would be trained to be. Vishal's stomach is suddenly in knots and he feels uneasy as it finally dawns on him that all of them are probably scared of him. He doesn't like causing fear, even if its something that he obviously cannot control. With less pep than usual Vishal approaches Dulamul and quietly says, "I'm sorry for scaring you. That's the female part to the dance from yesterday. It requires a lot more psionics than the other dance. I should of realized you freak out over a Kalashtar suddenly displaying powers like that."
Dulamul shakes his head, eyes closed tightly. "Not...your fault. Training."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"I'm still sorry. I still should have realized. I'll leave you alone now. So, you can concentrate." Vishal replies, obviously upset about this as he makes his way to his sleeping bag.
The night passes...relatively uneventfully, if a little awkwardly. As you all sleep, you discover your dreams are your own again.
As you wake the next morning, you notice that Aleel, Bhuji, and Lanan all look like they didn't get much sleep last night. Dulamul is difficult to read because of his fur, Shiazala seems relatively unaffected, and Sulaan is occupied with Shiazala.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
As Vishal packs up camp he takes a moment to look at all the refugees and attempt to read their current mood and how they seem to be holding up. His eyes linger longer on Dulamul than the others, quickly shifting away if he is caught staring.
Regardless of the mood he does take a deep breath and puts on his biggest positive smile for everyone and says, “We’re almost there. We should reach Shakquar today. And then it’s the beginning of the rest of your new lives.”
Insight: 4
Taran's dreams are fitful, a mash-up of dripping caves, light flashing on steel, and the earth ripping itself asunder to take the form of various faces who speak in strange tongues. Still, he is up with the dawn and makes a quick porridge for everyone to eat.
"E-Esteemed Vishal is right," he'd say, moving to check everyone's feet for signs of blisters or sores, "Th-the Monastery is less than a full day's t-travel, so we sh-should arrive in time for supper, made by real cooks too, with real ingredients, in-instead of what I-I've been able to scrounge up."
Medicine: 8 I'm never sure about Advantage for this roll... 6
"D-does ev-everyone... um, well, d-do you a-all think, that you'll be ok... until we reach the M-m-monastery?"
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
River once again begins to sing from her position high in the trees, enjoying the morning sun.
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
Juhaan
He prepares and packs his things getting ready to move, while having a look at the others to see if they need help with anything. "Almost there"
Vishal:
Aleel and Bhuji definitely seem like the new dreams shook them a bit, as does Lanan. Dulamul seems a little off, but you're not sure. Shiazala appears to be fairly unaffected, and Sulaan is very occupied with her.
Taran:
They all seem like they're doing okay, nothing serious wrong other than a few blisters from walking.
The refugees all nod quietly at Taran's words.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!