On the Shores of Despair

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt disspelled his spell of invisibility, and a simple cantrip that he whispered turned his dark skin into a pale, almost vampiric, hue. "Aye, I could catch him, but Argo is an interesting horse, smart, and obedient, if you ask nicely." He unfolded his legs, and stood on the ground, his spell of flight wouldn't expire for a while yet, but he didn't want to waste the energy for another one, infintismally small though it was. But he could just kick them across, the thought brought a barely concealed twinkle in his eye. He bowed to them, and smiling said, "Zazzt at your humble service." Meanwhile his fingers were quickly saying, "Not so young, by his age I already realized that I was weak, and so I applied my studies, instead of cavorting around with friends, making such a rucuss as that."

[CinderSuru]

Cinderanna lowered her bow giggling to herself,

silently watching the events infolds from her hillside view.

Large flacks of snow began falling softly in the moon lit woods.

She thought best to stay put and watch for now, it looked as though they would be soon ready to make camp for the night.

She tickled her stags ear "Meldrinus they are only horses you fret too much." she whisper to him.

Cinderanna sent out a mental probe around the woods in search of any wolves that could be close

Meldrinus seemed to be a bit edgy and horses don't usually make her uncomfortable.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Lyon looked embarressed when Adian caught him. He was startled when an pale skinned elf appeared and introduced himself. That caught the dwarf's attention. With his and Lyon's bowl he walked back to the gathering. Handing Lyon his dinner, "ye keep that up, be not needing orcs to fight," he chuckled then looked to Adian, "and no stinkin orc gunna stand up to us." He loved Lyon's antics even when they were silly. Lyon grabbed his bowl and begin to slurp it down.
Adian suggested the dwarf fly across...
the dwarf sputtered and coughed, nearly spewing on the closest drow. "FLY? are ya nuts? ye talking as bad a Lyon. dwarves dont handle magic well," he began to laugh uncontrollably. Lyon looked at him then back to the party, then began to laugh himself, nearly spilling his soup.

"the group is exposing themself to any lurking around. they're making themselfs an easy target with all this noise," Zarae spoke in drow, "there is still someone or something out there."
Moonlight kept alert as he snacked. He was ready to keep going but knew he had to wait. Zarae thought she hear a low and distant giggling laugh as slid from Moonlight, making not a sound with her boots as they hit the snow. She rubbed Moonlight neck and then joined everyone else.
"As much as any enjoys a good laugh, it's not wise to be so loud. you might as well hang a sign that say 'come get me, here we are,'" Zarae spoke softly (in the common tongue) to them. Her face was still covered and hidden in the shadow of her hood. She considered disappearing sneaking around to find them, for she could become hide even while being observed.

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt smiled at that one, "Aye tis true, you might consider investing in some stealth lessons." He looked at the group, "And a mage, as long as I am being generous with my advice. And many orcs stood up to me, back in my adventuring days, do not expect any different treatment. You will not live past a century." He waved his hand dismissively, "But that is not a conversation for strangers, here, perhaps you might enjoy this more." Zazzt's fingers twitched, and he whispered a short word under his breath, and suddenly, a ray of light, as tall as he, grew out from the ground in front of his feet, and widened to a door, ((Mage’s Magnificent Mansion, I could explain it, but it would be much easier if you looked at the spell on d20srd.org)). Zazzt waved imperiously, and the door opened, revealing a large foyer, where a dozen semi transparent servants could be seen, "Please, come in," He said, "You are letting the heat out."

[Ra'Sona Races-The-Wind]

((I would like to keep them around, it's much simpler than having to be coordinating her actions with someone else and risk slowing the RP down. Quick question, does he have a set class or are we just talking a low-level militia NPC?))

Pwdn smiled again at Lyon's bravado, catching Zazzt's reply and signing to clarify. "I didn't say he was doing the right thing, but you know how much children always hate to study; I suspect there may be someone at home he's trying to impress. He will learn from this though, in some way he will gain from his travels." She didn't mention that this was almost the same as he way the drow liked to force their children to become strong through constant lethal competition, and those that survived were inevitably the ones best suited to the cutthroat lifestyle. Yes Lyon was foolish and naive, but he was also enthusiastic and determined to make a difference for the better, and she couldn't fault that even with such clumsy execution.

In response to Frad's question, Pwdn held a hand out to catch the flat of Lyon's wildly flailing sword and still it before he hurt someone, and then her hand seemed to pass through the blade to the other side, leaving a slightly grey dusting where it had been. Those with sharper vision and better knowledge would recognise her as moving around the blade rather than through it, by the slight ripple of her skin and the fact hat she still held the sword in place as she did so. "I'm just somewhat exotic; the changing pigment is a part of what I am. Maybe if there was more time I'd tell you the story." She allowed Lyon to take back his sword and caught his hand instead. "I was hoping you'd agree to come with me, if I asked. The both of you, of course, though it's sure to be very dangerous and maybe even deadly but I would appreciate it greatly if you would." She didn't know how the others would take this request, but hoped that they'd respect her choice and trust her to be responsible for them both.

The signs of danger had passed her by while occupied with Lyon and Frad but she now realised what was happening, being the last to notice but Lyon and Frad. "I suppose it makes sense, then, for those of us who can hide to do so." She flipped her hood back up over her head, hiding her crystal-clear skin from easy view, reached over to Lyon and caught his shoulder to get his attention. He seemed to be easily distracted, and if he and Frad were still talking it would make interlopers complacent. A handful of amateurs didn't provoke the same kind of awareness than a group of capable fighters and the sudden appearance of unexpected allies was a better resolution than the hope of those present dissuading an attack. "Want to see a magic trick? I bet you'll never guess how it works."

EDIT: Zazzt's unusual choice of tactics was a welcome change; as much as she encountered hostility she had never gotten any kind of taste for it; even the purifying of the troubled undead gave her no real satisfaction. This seemed a much better option in that no-one would have to get hurt on either side and she hoped that Lyon and Frad would agree. Somehow though, she wasn't sure it was entirely likely.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

((they just young teenagers , maybe a level of ranger in the human. but u are welcome to develop them as u wish, if u wanna to play em. u can even take them after this post if u want.
I'm not sure of the chronological sequence- if Zazzt's door is before Pwdn's hand thru Lyon, I'll fix it. i wrote responses as it appeared to read to me.))


Pwdn's hand on Lyon's then going thru him shocked him more. Frad hollered, "she's casting a spell," when he caught a glimps of her signing. Lyon calmed him when her hand touched him again. he was speechless for the first time. here a beautiful lady was asking him to join and didnt mock him. He tried to nod, captivated by her, but was elbowed by Frad. "what? if we travel with them we get part of the action. besides, they look like they could use our help," he winked to Pwdn. Frad just grumbled, his way of agreeing.

Lyon and Frad's jaws dropped when a door appeared to a room. they were stupefied by it all. never had they seen such magic. they stood their a second just staring.

Zarae shook her head. this situation was devolving quickly. A group of 6 now, and they only had 4 horses. who would carry them? she didnt doubt the horses were capable, tho extra weight would mean more stops. the two hadnt even found out they were drow yet. how would they react to that. and who was out there?
so much going on.
[i:2e70kuok]what do you think Adian?[/i:2e70kuok] she signed. He had been a bit quiet, possibly trying to figure out the same things.
Turning to Pwdn as she pulled her hood on, she signed, [i:2e70kuok]I think he likes you.[/i:2e70kuok]
When Zazzt 'opened' the door, it surprised her as well.
"that explains possible resting arrangements for some," she joked.

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt's eyebrow rose slightly at Pwdn's antics, an impressive feat, even for one of his order, but nonetheless, he waited for the young adventurers to enter the door before he did, or else they would be locked out. The thought elicited a slight smile on his pale face, "For all who wish them. There is ample room there for us all, and then some. Food will not be a problem either, and the door will seal itself behind us, so no need to prove that orcs fear you, although, if we are to live in relatively close quarters, I suppose this would be best dealt with now..." Zazzt disspelled his illusion, revealing his dark drow skin, "Most of my party are drow, if you have any fears get them out in the open now, so that we do not waste the food in pointless squabbles."

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

their eyes grew wide as they stepped back in fear. they didnt expect to see a dark elf, for he had to be, skin as black as night...they had only heard stories of the fabled evil elven race. Frad tripped and landed hard. he began to look for his ax.
luckily for them, it was by the fire.
Lyon couldnt move, he stood their frozen by it all. He turned an outraged eye to Pwdn.

Zarae stepped up, and aggraveted at their reaction, "no one betrayed you, least of all her. But to openly show ourself is to bring unnecessary trouble to us and anyone else. you just both just proved why we cant be out free like you surfacers are. We once dwelt here with you. yeah our ancestors messed up, and most our kin are evil. but can u say all are evil? if we wanted to cause harm you would already be before you god or goddess."

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt smiled, "Aye, true words those. And the fact they have no mage, I would give them maybe enough time to draw their weapons before they were laid low by orcs." He winked at Lyon, "Women can be such tricksters, eh? However, if we could please continue this discussion inside, it is rather frigid out here."

[CinderSuru]

Cinder's eyes widened at the appearance of the door from thin air .
`hmm... she thought this is no simple drow but one of obvious talent who has had years of training from some great teacher perhaps. An interesting group. And yes there were some orgs in the area but they seemed to be many leagues away and going in the opposite direction unaware of there presents, org minds are always full of drowl thoughts.
She was unconcerned, she had talants of her own to protect her from the beasts of the wood.

[Ra'Sona Races-The-Wind]

((Thanks, and wilco.))

Pwdn had noticed Lyon's attraction to her, but as of yet thought little of it; she was a comely female (or at the very least seemed to be) and he was a young male and from her experience that was the only requisite for attraction in humans at this point in their lives. Elves encountered their flowering when better prepared, and even the wild elves didn't seem to be quite so strongly affected by it. She signed back a dismissive retort, but was a little too hasty about it. She was dismayed that Zazzt's brazen move seemed to affect them quite so strongly, but then Drow were better known than Pwdn's own kind; or whatever you might call the handful of them that travelled the surface. No news always seemed to be received better than bad news, somehow. Then again, there had once been a point where she'd been recognised, and that had become very unpleasant at a startling pace. The scale of hostility she'd provoked still rattled her when she remembered it.

While considering this she caught Lyon's glare, and shook her head. "Frad, please stop; you don't have anything to fear from us. As I said, it's easier to stay covered at least for a while; people tend to react badly." She fixed Leon with a gaze that despite her glasslike body caught him like a rope snare and rather than being annoyed or defensive, just seemed somewhat sad, which in actuality hurt a lot more. "And so it seems do you, which is a shame. Further explanations will take time, and given the temperature that might be better spent inside. I admit I'm probably as curious as you about what lies within." Frad and Leon paused, looking at each other, then at the group and the door.

Eventually it was Leon who decided. "Very well, I accept your gracious offer of hospitality. But be warned, I shall be watching for any further signs of betrayal." Frad grumbled and cast about for his axe, but slung it safely away upon finding it. "S'not right, a door like that just hanging in the air." Lyon joined him to pack up camp and pointedly didn't return Pwdn's grateful nod as he strode back forwards into the doorway. Frad however paused as he passed her, looking up. "Lass." He followed Lyon, and the two of them went to look at this miraculous creation of Zazzt's. Pwdn followed a little later, turning to the wizard as she stepped through. "I've seen this before, or something similar. I once spent some time with a thayvian illusionist who liked to interspace actual castings with an illusion of it and a wall of force; he thought it was funny to watch people walk into walls. This version is far more grand though, I feel like I should be better dressed?"

[Adian Novar]

Adian smiled and pulled his own hood back. "Good and done then," he said. "Perhaps a more formal introduction is called for then. I am Adian Novar of the Promenade of Eilistraee, a servant to the Lady of Song and the Hunt.

"We welcome your assistance, Goodmen Lyon and Frad. Extra hands could do us good. We only seek to end the misery of the people of Bitterleaf, nothing more."

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

((no problem. is it a secret plot development for later that u wanted them? I threw in a dwarf b/c i dont think i've seen a single dwarf PC on the site...and the tossing a dwarf scene was funny on LOTR))

when Zarae saw everyone else pulling back their hoods and revealing themselves, she decided she might as well get it over with. She pulled back her deep crimson piwafwi cowl to reveal her dark obsidian skin and red streak silver hair.
"Now that done with, I assume we're resting here for while? Tho I think they got some more in them. so who plans to stay with the horses? If we 'vanish' they may leave and return. Pyoro said they will return should something happen to us."
She looked at them then remembered, "I'm Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar, or Zarae for short. Do you have another of your party out there?"

the wind howled thru the trees and the moon saw more visible as it made its course across the night sky.
Pyoro awoke from his reverie and headed twords the temple. the town was till quiet in the early hours of the morning. No one was about. as he entered he stopped at the altar. he pulled the cloth off the scrying bowl, whispered the words to the spell and focused on one of the drow, Adian, who was acting leader. the water rippled as the image appeared. He was shocked by the scene.

((im assuming u aint got magical protection against scrying.))

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt nodded, "They can be brought in too, I think there is some hay in there." He sent Argo a quick sense of urgency in being here, and soon he trotted up to Zazzt, who taking him by the bridle walked inside, and handed him off to one of the servants, "Come along, bring your bags and such."

[Adian Novar]

(No such protection beyond a Saving Throw.)

Adian looked around.

"They might not be a companion, but they are on our side, I believe. And you're welcome to join us," he called. "The crisis is past."