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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 4013
(2/8/05 3:10 pm)
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Bones and Dirt
Ulwe and Khelzhad took their time as they strolled east toward Janes' tavern. Both had been in the vicinity of the docks purchasing provisions and getting a look at the Kelp Canary ere their voyage in the morning. Their errands complete and dusk fast approaching, the two considered their empty stomachs and headed for home.
The pall of black smoke that rose languidly from the pyre of Yashai's palace was an impenetrable blackness to the south and the whole town smelled of smoke. Even the golden sunset could not pierce the dark column of ash. At the sight of it Ulwe and Khelzhad walked without speaking, memories of the events of the night before marching into their heads.
Their glum meditation was suddenly broken by the clatter of bones being cast at their feet. A filthy, half-naked man hurled himself at the ground and grovelled among the scattered pattern of tiny white sticks, his prone form blocking their path. Ulwe and Khelzhad stopped and stared at the apparition both curious and aghast at the emaciated state of the wretch. Looking up, the beggar pointed a gnarled finger at Khelzhad while his other hand stabbed southward toward the column of smoke. The Ghuraskalli bard couldn't help but notice that the man had no finger nails.
"Too many strangers... all come to kill and take our treasures away. When you go from here, drum-thumper, you will not return! The bones have spoken..."
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squarefodder
Khelzhad
Posts: 513
(2/8/05 9:57 pm)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
The sudden prophesy stops the Ghuraskalli in his tracks, and he winces as he contemplates how the beggar's nails might have been removed. As a seeker of knowledge, old Master Threyar had taught the Khelzhad that such folk should neither be ignored nor taken at face value. The words echo in his mind. "When you go from here, drum-thumper, you will not return!". He answers slowly, still half in thought:
"Likely not, bone-reader, for the journey hither has been perilous, and the voyage ahead brings certain danger. But if you have some gift of sight, then throw again and tell me," he continues, gazing into the smoldering gloom. "Through the darkness, can you see the light?"
Edited by: squarefodder at: 2/8/05 10:37 pm
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 4014
(2/9/05 8:20 am)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
The ragged, half-naked man, his bald head wreathed in old scabs, seems momentarily pleased that Khelzhad didn't just kick him aside as so many others had done before. His ragged grin fades quickly, however, as the man throws himself on the ground once again. With shaking fingers he gathers up most of the dry bones and hurls them into the dirt. His face only inches from the earth, the beggar moans "oooh... hurmmm... no... no... no light at all. A deeper darkness born on the waves."
Suddenly the wretch is on his feet, his hands grasping Khelzhad's collar, rotting teeth grinding and clacking.
"Your doom is nigh, drum-thumper!"
Only a few yards away, the door of a nearby tavern swings open and a young man in a ripped blue tunic comes tumbling out, blood streaming from a wound on his head. Ulwe recognizes the garb, if not the man wearing it, as an acolyte of the Seafarer cult. Hot on the youth's heels are a pair of leather-clad toughs, banded cudgels in their meaty hands.
Ulwe's mind flashes quickly to a growing rumor among the students of the Locamyrida that the press gangs had begun kidnapping young Orlanth priests as well as the normal catch of wayward sailors and other unfortunates. Though an enslaved priest would not pray for the safety of his captors directly his duty would remain the protection of the Moagaran crew. Thus, the captain of such a ship could benefit from the blessings of the Seafarer indirectly, his entire ship sheltered by the mighty hand of Orlanth.
The two men of the press gang, wicked grins on their sweaty faces, advance mercilessly on the young acolyte who bleeds helplessly in the dirt.
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Ulwe
Moderator
Posts: 1259
(2/9/05 9:18 am)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
Ulwe raises his shield and lowers his spear as he enters a fighting stance. Before he charges forward, Ulwe summons Orlanth's rage as his voice becomes a thunderclap of divine power.
[ ooc: Ulwe centers the Soundburst so as not to affect the Seafarer Sound Burst
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Area: 10-ft.-radius spread
Saving Throw: Will partial
Creatures in the area take 1d8 points of sonic damage and must succeed at Will saves to avoid being stunned for 1 round. A stunned creature can’t act and loses any Dexterity bonus to AC. Attackers gain +2 bonuses to attack it.
Deafened creatures are not stunned but are still damaged.]
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 4015
(2/9/05 10:26 am)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
The mini-thunder clap staggers the thugs back against the shuddering walls of the tavern. The two are momentarily dazed by the unexpected attack, but neither is incapacitated by it. A wave of force expands outward from the blast of air and pushes its way through the opening of the tavern. A tumult of screams and breaking crockery can be heard from within.
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squarefodder
Khelzhad
Posts: 514
(2/9/05 10:41 am)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
The sudden tumult wrenches Khelzhad away from the bone-reader and he runs over to the fallen priest. If he is not able to stand himself, Khelzhad drags him back under the protection of Ulwe's shield.
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 4016
(2/9/05 10:52 am)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
Khelzhad shoulders past the filthy beggar and heaves the stunned acolyte back to Ulwe's position. The two thugs look momentarily uncertain but seeing their mark has fallen under Ulwe's shield they quickly retreat into the tavern. Spitting a vile curse, one of the sailors slams the tavern door behind him.
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Ulwe
Moderator
Posts: 1260
(2/9/05 11:24 am)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
Ulwe looks for the tavern's sign and makes a mental note of it as he says to Khelzhad:
"Let us flee with haste!"
Ulwe will keep his eyes on the tavern door as he retreats.
[Which is closer the Locamyridra or
Janes' place? The dou will head towards whichever is closest. ]
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 4017
(2/9/05 11:28 am)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
The young acolyte lays in the dirt, moaning.
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Ulwe
Moderator
Posts: 1261
(2/9/05 11:40 am)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
Ulwe lays a healing hand upon the acolyte.
[Cure light wounds D8 +3 ]
Edited by: Ulwe at: 2/9/05 11:52 am
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 4018
(2/9/05 12:19 pm)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
The acolyte's eyes snap open as his consciousness rushed back into his skull. Still on the ground he murmurs "Brother Argo... where's Argo?"
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squarefodder
Khelzhad
Posts: 515
(2/9/05 12:28 pm)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
"Questions later - we must move quickly before they return in numbers. Come with us!"
Wishing that strong cousin Pogar were there, Khelzhad tries to lift the priest to his feet.
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 4019
(2/9/05 12:31 pm)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
The acolyte allows himself to be lifted, but once he gets his feet he takes a few tentative steps back toward the tavern.
"Thank you, I'm sorry. I have to get Argo. I said I'd look out for him."
The sound of sliding wooden chairs and the angry grumbling of a small mob emerges from within the tavern.
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Ulwe
Moderator
Posts: 1262
(2/9/05 12:57 pm)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
"Is Argo in yon tavern?"
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squarefodder
Khelzhad
Posts: 516
(2/9/05 1:05 pm)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
"Zhallocks!" curses the dwarf. Although prepared for shopping rather than war, Khelzhad keeps his valuables nearby. He reaches into a belt pouch and removes one of 3 leather scrolls therein, breaks the seal and speaks into it:
"Khelzhad and Ulwe. Press gang attack. Old Salt Tavern. Hurry!"
[Whispering Wind directed at the bar in Janes' place. He has his sword and board with him, but his crossbow and javelins are back at the base.]
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 4020
(2/9/05 1:20 pm)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
The acolyte's head bobs up and down in response to Ulwe's question.
Khelzhad's message floats away on the wind.
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doggius
Moderator
Posts: 962
(2/9/05 6:46 pm)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
Pogar, kicking back and relaxing, hears his cousins voice. Looking around Pogar notices that Kelzhad is not around. Pogar will get up and walk to the door. What confuses Pogar the most is he noticed the urgency of his voice. Grabbing his trusty Axe, Pogar will quickly walk towards the Old Salt Tavern.
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Ulwe
Moderator
Posts: 1263
(2/9/05 7:34 pm)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
"Young one, let's get your friend."
Ulwe nears the door and in as loud a voice as he can muster calls out:
"Hand over the Seafarer! There will be no press ganging this eve!"
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Jubilex
ezOP
Posts: 4021
(2/9/05 9:14 pm)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
The clamor within the tavern competes momentarily with Ulwe's demand but as the mob goes silent a single voice thunders through the door.
"Come and get him, whelp!"
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doggius
Moderator
Posts: 963
(2/9/05 10:09 pm)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
[OOC Now that Pogar is out and moving towards the inn, would Pogar hear these booming voices?]
[Um... no. -GM]
Edited by: Jubilex at: 2/10/05 7:09 am
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Ulwe
Moderator
Posts: 1264
(2/10/05 8:54 am)
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Re: Bones and Dirt
[Are there opened shutters which Ulwe can see into the tavern from? ]
Taking advantage of the silence within the tavern Ulwe returns the unknown person's challenge with one of his own:
"Give him up, and beg Orlanth for forgiveness. You have assaulted his priests and that is an assault upon Him!"
Ulwe glances back towards Khelzhad, the beggar, and the acolyte.
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