Test run!

[Rainbow Prism]

Escorting stranger inside, paladin led him into wide room with air being a mix of humidity and burnt meat. Kitchen, with exception for boy scrubbing a kettle in the corner, was deserted - no one had leisure of eating in peace since start of this night.

Giving empty stare to the bag of coins which landed with solid sound of metal. Moving cold gaze to his eyes, trained sight noticed unnatural pupils of the mage. It never meant anything good in his line of work.
"I can offer only simple supper, no matter how many lucres you throw out of your folds. Not until the martial law will end or I make sure you are not threat for this land, good sir."
Then he called for urchin to fetch a bowl of gruel and cup of water for starved human. Yet he knew that something was hidden under guise of middle-aged wizard, therefore his senses were pressured to their finest.

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Nodding his appreciation, Jherall took the gruel and wolfed it down. [highlight=#ff0000:rcg7le8c]"Thank thee sir. Martial law ye speak of? War is not the province of the Lower Netherse. What enclave is thy patron surely they can send arcanists?"[/highlight:rcg7le8c] He stood up and waved his hand, the bowl flew over to the boy. "And I can assure you I am no threat. The name is Jacx, second arcanist of Enclave Daemonium, at thy service."

[Rainbow Prism]

Another surprise. Whatever the creature was thinking of, old man would play along. For now.
"Netheril? Like the ancient civilization? Are you traveling actor?"

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Jherall arced an eyebrow, [highlight=#ff0000:3pjy9pf5]"An actor? Hold thy tongue, thou art speaking to a high arcanist. Albeit I am not from a well known enclave, however I am still an arcanist."[/highlight:3pjy9pf5] Jherall stood up, and walked around the table, his eyes glaring at the impudent captain of the guard. [highlight=#ff0000:3pjy9pf5]"State the name of thy enclave, I shall lodge a formal complaint about thy attitude. I shall not ask thee again."[/highlight:3pjy9pf5] He paused, scratching his chin thoughtfully, [highlight=#ff0000:3pjy9pf5]"Thou hast called Netheril ancient? What do you mean by ancient? Has Karsus failed?"[/highlight:3pjy9pf5] He turned away from the captain, lost in his thoughts, mumbling to himself, [highlight=#ff0000:3pjy9pf5]"Mother did say his plan was folly at best. However, if Karse had fallen, I suppose I could easily pick through the ruins... yes, there could very well tomes I could use, inscriptions to some of Karsus' magic. Mayhap even his greatest work..."[/highlight:3pjy9pf5] Jherall whirled back to the armored man. [highlight=#ff0000:3pjy9pf5]"You there, speak quickly, what era is this, where is this village, and have there been any tales of mountains falling from the sky? Speak quickly man, this could very well decide the fate of thy village."[/highlight:3pjy9pf5]

[Rainbow Prism]

When the seemingly insane mage's speech was getting tone of aggressive demand, paladin concluded that his tolerance of this man is very close to nil.
"Listen well, wizard. I am called Kars, some know me as paladin, many know that scorching evil roots is my calling. I do not know who are you or what ailment stricken your mind, but I know that right now this settlement let you enter, even in position when every visitor can be a danger by itself, remedied your starved state and gave you protection from chaos that happens outside in the wilds. But with little gratitude, you not only answer with rudeness, which could be forgiven in your confusion, but threatened this village. Another such threat or act, I swear, I will not let go unpunished. Greyguards always keep their word, stranger."
When he gave the promise of swift brutal retaliation in most polite form, as he spoke the words with cold assurance and his experience of making point, be it with blade or without it, he did not think of what kind of creature was before him. He saw crimson visage of priest fallen due to his inaction. This fresh memory left his aging face devoid of mercy or compassion.

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Jherall laughed, [highlight=#ff0000:1xwuxn3u]"Thou hast fulfilled thy duty to an arcanist nothing more, and it was MY gratitude that paid for this food thou hast given me. And I have made no threats against thy village. If a Netherese enclave has fallen here, a veritable army of mages, theives and other unsavory characters will no doubt be on their way here to plunder the ruins. As an added precaution they could very well sack this village, just to be certain they had not missed any of our secrets. Hast thou any inkling of an idea what a mythallar could do for this town, Mystryl take thee?"[/highlight:1xwuxn3u] He glared back at the paladin, and sighed. [highlight=#ff0000:1xwuxn3u]"Knight Kars, was it? I can assure thee my mental faculties are my own. I have asked thee simple questions, and unless thy village is possesed of a great deal of chronomancers in hiding, these questions are not only simple to answer, they are quite harmless. What year is this, and hast thou heard tales of a mountain falling from the sky? Please, if thou require, I have coin."[/highlight:1xwuxn3u]

[Rainbow Prism]

Just like the guard before him, Kars was left speechless, coming to the same conclusion. The man was mad. The eyes could be result of experiment gone wrong. At least he had no way to break illusion right now if it was present. And if he is truly insane, then spell of truth simply will not work if he really believes it to be true. He was afraid to use Zone of Truth to not make the illusion more real for the victim. There is nothing he can do, for healing of such state was beyond his powers.
"It is year 1372 of Dale Reckoning, pilgrim. This is not age of flying cities, nor you are of Netherese. You are confused by books you read, my friend."
Shaking his head with pity, he felt ashamed for his edginess. Turning to the boy who still looked at the mage expecting new wondrous tricks, he called for him, snapping youth's dream state.
"Farn. Get the man free lodge in the barracks."

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Jherall scowled. It was past a millenium, much less the century he had expected to have passed while in stasis. [highlight=#ff0000:yei8in0d]"Thank thee. It seems I have slumbered too long. Fear not, thy city is in no danger. Even if Karse had fell here, her secrets have long been plundered."[/highlight:yei8in0d] He looked back at Kars, [highlight=#ff0000:yei8in0d]"However, thou too hast made an error. I am of Netherese origin, this is only a guise I wear when speaking to those not of my enclave so as not to frighten them."[/highlight:yei8in0d] He snapped his fingers and the polymorph spell was ended. Jherall reverted back to his usual form, and smiled at the paladin, showing his true fiendish origins. [highlight=#ff0000:yei8in0d]"However thou hast nothing to fear. I mean thee and thy city no harm. Hast thou any issues needing magical assistance? Perhaps a group of bandits has been bothering thy caravans? Or a dragon burns thy fields to the grounds? Anything to repay thy kindness to me, I shall assist to the best of my abilities."[/highlight:yei8in0d]

[Rainbow Prism]

Eyes widened at sudden transformation. Immediately burning eyes were followed by incredibly fast for such age drawing of greatsword from the back, blade free of sheath cutting the table to the side of the warrior. Already he was prepared for lethal strike at the monstrosity that tried to trick him and now offers a deal.
"No parleys with fiends." Massive blade started to brim with white flash, illuminating the dim room.

[Agmasek]

Birds assaulting windows? No doubt rodents making a fuss too. Large wolf sets up when all this agitation outdoors really starts brewing, and presses face between the bars of small opening at back of his cell, a common feature in dungeons, level with the ground outside, and sufficient to keep the air within from becoming stagnant and anymore foul that the inmates themselves make it. Out he gazes until he spies one of the dogs of the town, and simply growls a, "Come 'ere!" to the dog, which coming from him, is as much spoken word in Common, as preternatural speech with a kindred animal. When the dog has come near, he begins speaking, low and quiet, hoping the guard won't pay him anymore mind than they already have, and instructs the dog to find and dig up any rib bones, at least two, it or the other dogs have buried, and return with them, then he will help with punishing the humans.

In truth, he has no idea what has all manner of beast angry at human, but for the time being, he'll try to take advantage of the situation.

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Jherall raised an eyebrow at the human now wielding a fancy looking sword, "I am not a fiend... least not all of me." He looked at the warrior as if amused when the latter proceeded to cut apart a perfectly good table, [highlight=#ff0000:29ooadtk]"Why hast thou done that? Has that table displeased thee? I saw no harm in it, and I think my eyes see no less than thine."[/highlight:29ooadtk] Jherall snapped his fingers and a stool flew out from under another table and positioned itself so the sorcerer could sit down, [highlight=#ff0000:29ooadtk]"Now I think I am being quite reasonable with thee. Even if thou has some sort of religious duty to slay any fiend, or progeny thereof, thou happens to come upon in thy travels, I think you could very well at least accept any aid said progeny is offering."[/highlight:29ooadtk] He snapped his fingers yet again, and another flew over, positioning itself behind the paladin, [highlight=#ff0000:29ooadtk]"Now sit thee down, and tell me what is this martial law thou spoke of. Is there an army thou expect to attack this village?"[/highlight:29ooadtk]

[veraka]

[quote:2ftg2ew1]"Whatever your magnificent wolf is wanting us to do, can we hurry along? I doubt it's even possible I could hear her as you do, and even I can see it's urgent." [/quote:2ftg2ew1]

Veraka, whom already has had his patience pushed to the breaking point, looked directly at Vailintin and nodded.

He then turned to Aurora; [i:2ftg2ew1]Alright, Aurora; where are we going.[/i:2ftg2ew1]

[i:2ftg2ew1]First to deal with this one.[/i:2ftg2ew1] Aurora padded over to the elf-disguised-drow, lifted one furry leg, and marked her territory on the elf's boots. When she was done, the 4'8" white wolf turned and stared the drowess right in the eye; [i:2ftg2ew1]now; I've done my [b:2ftg2ew1]thing[/b:2ftg2ew1], smart-ass, so let us proceed.[/i:2ftg2ew1] With that, Aurora took off in a run towards the trouble. Veraka quickly saddled up onto Blaze, and thundered off after Aurora, his warcharger carrying him, Neriah, and their children, Dante and Alasse.

A deep chuckle could be heard from Jormungander as he quipped over the ordeal that the elf had just gone through; "perhaps, young drow, next time you will be careful to choose your words. Wolves are known to be quite serious among the sentient species."

The great golden dragon then lowered himself to the ground and indicated for Vailintin to get on, as well as the female elf; should the female elf refuse, Jormung merely added "you got yourself into this mess; I intend to see that you get out of it as well, but the hard way. Now up, you first." One way or the other, Eowiewiel was coming with the group that she had previously hunted.

[Rainbow Prism]

The elderly warrior gave no mind to antics of the monster about the table that was cut in attempt to draw his big weapon fast in cramped quarters. Though he heard the other words and gave closer look. Unlike fiends he seen in his adventures, this was deformed in certain way, showing it to be similar to humanoid. While demons and devils used human stature for deals and negotiations, it seemed like this one is individual with mixed blood. It did not bring relief or more trust.
"So you say. If you bear malign thoughts in your heart, your fate is sealed." His eyes iris lost their color, turning white. Yet it did not diminish pressure of his stare. In fact, it was getting worse with each second that he looked, as if he stared at the nature of the being. [uses Detect Evil]
Much less could be said about great blade, shimmer of which did not stop.


Still continuing the weave-and-play, Eo gave a glance to the winter wolf approaching her, full attention given. "Aw, so cute. Good doggy. Good do... Hey!"
The animal stained her boots with foul liquid reeking of concentrated smell of urine before she could evade it. "Eww! Gross!" Quickly jumping away, she looked at the legs. "No no no no! I bargained for hours to lower the price on that leather!" Eyes full of hatred stared back at the beast that locked it's ferocious orbs with her. "You stinking wolf!"
Under deep chuckle of the wyrm, right now drow was wondering if two hundreds of silver were worth that. Hearing that they do not intend to leave her after this, she raised her head.
"Only if I get the best place on your back. No way I am walking in these."

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Jherall's aura showed none of the steadfastness of a paladin, in fact chaos was very prevalent in his mind. However, there was no evil in his mind... rather there was nothing. Jherall truly cared little about the morality other people often spouted at him. However, he truly cared little for the sake of this village, his mind lost within the depths of itself, planning how to best make use of his unique situation. He glanced at the paladin, [highlight=#bf0000:1firjljn]"What art thou doing? Have I not given thee enough proof that I mean thee no harm?"[/highlight:1firjljn] Jherall sighed and theatrically sat down, crossing his legs and arms, an impish look on his face. [highlight=#ff0000:1firjljn]"Are you done prying? Have I passed thy test?"[/highlight:1firjljn]

[Rainbow Prism]

The sight revealed that the creature before him was not embodiment of pure evil and had no evil intentions in his soul. Really fascinating situation with all the claims, but paladin had no time for this. He knew that this was not simple case of trust. Sometimes even mistake of the kindest man could bring disasters. The forged iron lowered, divine force abandoning the weapon. Still, the sword was not sheathed.
"Not yet. You just gave me a reason to not slay you outright in cold blood as your fullblooded kin. My promise is still true to your actions. As for the hold on the village..." Taking his time to put sword in place, he put away the stool behind him, motioning to the entrance with his gauntlet. "If your intention is to help, be it for money or glory, follow me and you will know more of predicament."