Auromar: Beginnings and Endings (IC4)

[Lochar]

IC3

Extra text

[Greyen]

Dothen

Dothen looks up from his work on their impromtu dugout home. He scans the horizon wiping sweat from his brow. His bow is at hand as are his weapons, he is careful of the possibility of the impending summoner crashing the camp.

[Toliudar]

Reid

Reid bows his head, barely able to look Anura and Grazys in the eye.

I am shamed. We met the dwarf spirit in the woman's body, and I lacked the courage to speak to him about our deceit. He has agreed to come here to rejoin with her spirit in the morning.

However, I believe that we have provided Silas with a more accurate picture of what happened to him in the spirit realm. He has released the divine energy from his belief. I hope that, when he is unable to use spells again, we will be able to put this dangerous fiction of Pygas being alive well and truly behind us.

He eyes the altar at the temple, fidgeting and downcast.

[guardinal]

Anu
Anura looks at Reid oddly a moment, then shrugs and stands.

"A fiction? I hope so."

"Grazys and I were going to try and find Dothen and Kjapp. Beyond what you've told us, is there anything you want us to relay to them? And will you and the guards be making any preparations here in Incrucio, in case the elven summoner attacks tonight?

[Toliudar]

Reid

Reid draws himself up. He is still looking back at the altar, but he is clearly responding to Anura.

Assuming that they're coming back, I don't think I...wait. If we think that it's likely the summoner will attack here soon, wouldn't it be better to put off your departure? We could certainly use both of you.

[guardinal]

Anu
"Maybe. But I don't think the two of them are coming back here anytime soon," Anura says evenly. "And Dothen, at least, told me he is ready to leave for Eras or to go back to the forest. But we'll see what happens at dusk. I do expect this elf will arrive here soon, if he hasn't already.

"I'd like to take custody of Krista's ring now, though, in case you and I don't have a chance to meet up again for some reason. I have some questions I need to ask her if she will speak with me."

[GimliFett]

Grazys Senneker

The binder looks sharply at Anura. "If he is comin', we definitely should postpone a departure," Grazys says with a small, wicked grin.

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Hmm. A conundrum

The up till now silent Hist turns to face both Reid and Anura.

I don't suppose either of you could scry on him? That would simplify things a lot, we'd have some sort of idea of what he's up to.

[guardinal]

Anu
Anura shakes her head. "Not before nightfall, I can't. Anyway...Dothen's note said that you would know where I can find them, Hist. Where would that be?"

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OOC: Lochar, did Anura ever actually see the elf and his sister when they were in Eras, or did he only hear about them secondhand?

[Lochar]

Anura:

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Yes, you would have seen them, if not actually met them.

[GimliFett]

Grazys Senneker

Grazys looks to Anura for a response to Hist's query, though his smile fades at her reply.

Lochar:

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How long has it been since my last conversation with Twitchy's skull? I've completely lost track of time!

[Lochar]

Grazys:

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You're actually several days due to talk to him.

[GimliFett]

Lochar:

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Told you I'd lost track. Too little sleep... RL and IC...

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Meh.... Dothen said they'd be at the spot where I left Kjapp, last time.

When he left town after the break, he made a run for it. Damn it, that man can run. Really. Something supernatural I think. Anyway, it was a fair way...

He thinks about it, then shrugs.

Don't ask me for measurements. I had to sprint to catch up with him. And that was only after he saw I was in trouble, and slowed down. I could show you, if I tag along, or tell you where roughly, but that's about it. It'd be well out of sight of the town though.

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Which direction did Kjapp run in?

[Lochar]

Hist:

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Where else? Towards the forest.

[Toliudar]

Reid

Reid grimaces.

Unfortunately, Hist, I also can't scry on him until tomorrow -

He pauses, and turns to Anura.

Unless the summoner has changed his routine, we should be able to scry him then. I still have a little of his blood, from the time that he sent the hounds after us. I do hope you'll stay until then, but will trust to your wisdom in this.

Excuse me a few minutes.

He moves closer to the altar, kneels slowly, and then prostrates himself in front of it.

Lord Pelor, I humbly beg your forgiveness. There is nothing more odious in your sight than one who professes a virtue, speaks of a path of righteousness, and then dances in the opposite direction. Today, I had the chance to put right a deceit, to confirm your principle that all will emerge for the best in honour and honesty. Lord, forgive me, for my resolve weakened, and I upheld the deceit with my silence.

Undeserving though I am, I ask only for your leave to continue in my service, that I may refortify and strengthen your worship in this blighted place. Book and mace, heart and face.

[GimliFett]

Grazys Senneker

As Reid moves to the altar, Grazys looks at Hist. "How'd Silas take that?" he asks with an arched eyebrow.

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Hist shrugged.

Haven't seen him yet. He went off after Reid told him to prey. Didn't seem to appreciate it though.

[GimliFett]

Grazys Senneker

"Go figure, huh?" the binder smirks.

He looks at Anura and Hist. "So what's the plan? Go see our boys outside an' bring 'em back inta town? Stay out there an' hope tha elf an' his pals don't see us before we see him? Leave now for Eras? Gimme an idea of where we're headed here, folks." Grazys asks with a hint of impatience in his voice.

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Hist seems to consider for a moment, then....

We don't know for sure he's planing to attack us. He could be working towards something himself.He could be lurking in the wilderness, trying to ambush more explorers.

Or he could be ready to strike at any moment.

He winks, though it's slightly out of place. He returns to seriousness..

We just don't know. So we'll have to guess

I can't see him attacking the town. I don't think he's powerful enough to take everyone here. At least not alone.

Miss Anura, do you have any spells readied that could move us from the other's position, to the town, or the inverse? That steed spell could work Reid, do you, aside from the fly?

[guardinal]

Anu
Anura frowns as Reid ignores her request for the ring.

At Grazys and Hist's questions, she spreads her hands. "I am going to join Dothen and Kjapp for the rest of the day. If Reid has now decided that he is not going to expose Dothen to the guards, then perhaps they will decide to return.

If not, and this elf attacks us this evening, I hope to be able to teleport the three of us...or four of us, if Grazys comes...elsewhere. I have no expectation that we would be able to defeat him on our own.

Which side of town, or between which gates, should I look for them, Hist?"

[Toliudar]

Reid

Slowly, the priest pulls himself back up to a kneeling position, and then to his feet. He remains as downcast as before. Reid tugs absent-mindedly at the ring on his fourth finger, and the wooden band comes loose. He turns it about in his hand before offering it to Anura.

I...In the absence of a wedding band, I suppose I was wearing this in memory...but, of course, you should take it.

His voice is barely above a whisper.

If the elf shares Grazys' mark, he too may be able to seek out sources of the curse energy. Since Grazys seems not to be drawn to the energy once it enters Hist, it may be that we can make the town a less appealing target by starting to absorb the curse energy of the voluntarily joined spirits.

What do you say, Hist?

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Head straight for the forest. You should see them that way

The offer of me tagging along is still open by the way. I can show you the way more precisely. I don't plan to return to Eras, but if he does attack, you guys might need a distraction.

He doesn't look that happy at Reid's question but shrugs

Worth a shot I suppose.

[Toliudar]

Reid

Nodding, Reid turns back to Anura.

If I may ask, is the "elsewhere" that you would be traveling to in case of trouble be to the town? Or should we be preparing to defend the place without you?

[GimliFett]

Grazys

The binder sighs. "I was under tha impression I was tha only one with that specific ability, but that doesn't mean I was right," Grazys says. Turning to Anura, he continues, "'Course I'm goin' with ya. I said I was, didn't I? I need a nap an' I'm not doin' it within tha walls of this town."

[guardinal]

Reid

Nodding, Reid turns back to Anura.

If I may ask, is the "elsewhere" that you would be traveling to in case of trouble be to the town? Or should we be preparing to defend the place without you?

Anu
Anura accepts the ring from Reid and slides it onto one finger.

"Returning here is one option, but I will be asking Dothen and Kjapp what they want to do," Anura says in the same even voice. "What preparations are you planning to make at this point? Will the guards be assisting?"

[Toliudar]

Reid

Reid smiles self-deprecatingly at Anura.

I'm afraid that we haven't really had a chance to coordinate with the captain. And with so many of my prayers dedicated to trying to help with...

He gestures towards the empty pews.

Well, I'll certainly do my best to assist in a battle, but if it happens this evening, it will be difficult. Hence my desire to make the town as unattractive a target as possible.

He extends his hand to her.

Well, if you must go, you must. I wish you success.

[guardinal]

Anu
"Thanks. Perhaps we'll all return here soon anyway."

Anura shakes Reid's hand and looks to Grazys.

"Ready?"

[GimliFett]

Grazys

"Be with ya in one sec!" he says as he moves to Reid's side and sticks out his hand. "Be seein' ya, mate. Hopefully sooner, rather than later, eh!"

After shaking the priest's hand, he turns to the aasimar. "Hist? You still comin' with? At least out ta tha camp for a bit?"

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Hist had ground his teeth ever so slightly at Anura ignoring him. As Grazys asked him, he nodded

Sure. If you guys are headed back to Eras, I'd like to see you off.