OOC> Group B comprises atm Titanania, Kheskeim, Werewolf, Theta, Morgoth and Ixnos.

Drawn by proclamations of the need for adventurers to help save Bashkher you assemble as requested in the audience chamber of Bharat Desani. It is a large room capable of seeting fifty or sixty and he seems disappointed to see you are so few in number.

Bharat is tall for a Bashkheri. He wears a beige robe with the hem embroidered with colourful geometrical designs. He also has an unusual conical hat with coloured ribbons hanging from it. All in all he looks slightly comical but the expression on his face and in his eyes make it quite clear that he is a man used to wielding power.

He looks you over carefully registering every detail.

"Well, you are to save us, if saving is needed?" He smiles. "I have already sent off one party but we have a second problem that needs investigation and that is where you come in."

He rises and goes to look out of the window into the street below.

"Bashkher has many temples. Some would say too many. In Antinapura for instance you could be forgiven for thinking they outnumbered the houses. Since the incursion of the alien magic from Kellimond an evil seems to have awoken in our temples. People talk of hearing strange voices, maniacal laughter, feeling sudden unexplained drops in temperature and hearing things moving inside locked vaults."

He turns to look at you. "Superstition? Hysteria? Overwrought imagination? Certainly in some cases but not, I think, in all. Disturbances have been reported in Ippikander, Dohoti and Golconar among other places. Those three are best documented. But before you go rushing off there I have noticed one particular thing about all these reports."

He sits at the desk and stares at you again. "The Bashkheri of today were not the first civilisation here. If our oral history is to be believed, the original settlers discovered evidence of an early civilisation. Little remained above ground but there were several buildings below ground level. For reasons only our ancestors could have told you they were presumed to be temples and they were developed as temples again. It is in these eight temples - though not all of them - that the disturances are most apparent. That is where I think you must start."

He pushes a parchment across. "Here are the names."

Bharat sighs: "There is little to go on. I have searched our city archives without success. However there is another library of very old and precious books at the Sun Temple here in Papred. I think you must try there before you set off anywhere."

Suddenly he is businesslike. "Now I believe you know too little about each other to have yet decided what you are capable of, what equipmet you have and what might be lacking. I have made reservations for you in the Garden of Paradise for two nights. When you have put your belongings into your room meet in the tavern area to discuss what you need. Let me know tomorrow and while you are at the Sun Temple I will fund the acquisition of all you need. Now take the list of temples."

There is a copy of the parchment for each of you. The names are arranged alphabetically in the order of the cities they are in.

Antinapura - the Temple of the Sun
Dohoti - the Jade Temple
Golconar - the Temple of Dancing Waters
Ippikander - the Skull Temple
Kolokon - the Temple of Freedon
Lopor - the Star Temple
Papred - the Sea Temple
Veejani - the Snake Temple

With a sweep of his arm Bharat ushers you from the room, across the street a little way north towards a very big building. Soon you are leaving your belongings in your rooms and making your way to the tavern.

OOC> Please produce the two documents I requested, elect your decision notifier and get that individual to notify me when you are ready to move on.

Kyrika sips the hot, sweet tea she has learnt is the best way to still her thirst in this hot climate.

She casts furtive glances at the others she first met in the audience chamber. As the youngest among them - she assumes - it isn't proper for her to address the others. But she can observe.

How, she wonders, did they all come to be here? Perhaps she'll find out. For now, though, it feels good to have a purpose. The task they have been given - it intrigues her. And it doesn't sound too difficult.

'If only this place wasn't so hot!' she sighs inwardly, not letting her discomfort show. And that thought is quickly followed by another. 'Would you rather go back to Nyobi? You know what they'd do to you there, don't you?'

Her thoughts drift back to those terrible first few days and nights after escaping from her sister's house. Hunted, always glancing over her shoulder to watch out for pursuit. Shifting shape into that of an owl, and spending nights up in the safety of tall trees rather than risking being captured in her sleep. Buying passage on boats sailing downriver, always fearful of being recognised. Crossing the border into the neighbouring province - easy enough with the papers she forged, but so nerve-wracking nevertheless. And even there she couldn't stop running, couldn't feel safe. Sabayi's husband had too much influence, and there had been enough in the secret documents in his office to make her deeply uneasy.

'I'm safe here,' she reminds herself. 'They cannot have followed me. How would they - if I don't even know how I left Nyobi!'

She takes another sip of the fragrant sweet tea, and waits for one of the older members of the group to speak first, as is only proper.

'I hope they don't think that I will be a useless addition to the group. Even though I am sure I am the least well-prepared of them - they all look like proper adventurers to me, and to them I probably look just like a child who should be at home playing with her dolls...'

OOC: man I miss Fst reply already



Kane leant more than stood against one of the walls as Bharat was informing them of their task, due to him leaning and his arms crossed, no one could tell he was 6ft 2" tall. He seemed calm and casual yet it was only till one of the scribes passed him the parchment that he noticed Kane had dozed off, he nudges him and annoyingly passes him the parchment, Kane smirks reading the parchment before tilting his head to the left hearing a crack and then tilting it to the right hearing several cracks. He stands tall and unfolds his arms revealing himself to the rest of the group...He wouldn't be the first one to hand in the documents, he'd rather allow someone else do that before placing his in.


He glances around the tavern, noticing a Nyobian female, he nods to her but says nothing, Kane was a mercenary and his boss had sent him to Bashkher to find out about the disturbances, his boss only wanted information but had allowed Kane to stick around so he could claim a reward if one is presented, he walks up to the bar keep and orders a mug of ale, placing several coins on the counter, he then blurts out without thinking.

"Some assignment for an atheist...temples, psh...believing in myself is more powerful than believing in something that don't exist"

Kane finds a table within a dark corner, sitting within the chair and placing his feet upon the table while drinking his ale...while he was here he was going to relax since the only time he didn't need to relax would be in battle, he was a fighter so didn't know about magic, only that with the right moves he could take down a magic user in minutes, more or less the same method for taking down archers. For Kane he depised magic users but this is due to only having bad experiences with them, he just hoped the rest of the group would give him a positive side of magic users, if any magic users consisted within their group.

Although he has spent three days already in this city, Chacahau's feeling of uneasiness shows no sign of growing less. The dry heat as opposed to the humid atmosphere of his home country continues to afflict him, giving him the constant feeling of dehydrating in the unfamiliar climate. Yet suspicious of everything surrounding him, which is all so unknown and different from the environment he is used to, he has not left his gear in one of the rooms, but is carrying everything with him. The staff of his spear - which he cannot hold in his hand all the time nor put anywhere on his body - is leaning at a nearby wall.

He takes sips from his waterskin all the time, suspiciously eyeing all parts of the tavern they are in. The past days have already brought him quite a number of unpleasant experiences reaching from unwanted quarrels due to his misunderstanding of local customs to being taunted for his manner of speaking.

As he is currently completely ignorant of who the other people at the table are and how they behave, he decides to wait a bit until the others start a conversation and leave the first hints as to their characters. One of them, an extraordinarily tall man whose look reminds him of the fierce beasts that had been spotted in the jungle during the last months before his departure, has already gained his distrust by speaking blasphemously about the great gods protecting the world from being shattered to pieces - however, he has decided that embarking on that topic would be unwise at the moment.

Besides, Chacahau cannot decipher clearly the names of the places listed on the piece of parchment he has been handed out by Bharat, so he has no idea where they will have to head to execute their orders. Ere he makes an exhibition of his own honourable person by revealing his ignorance, he rather intends to wait until he has gathered sufficient facts to participate in the conversation as though he has no informational deficit.

Almost dozing off, Khyros sits in a corner of the bar, playing his guitar in an attempt to make some spare change. Used to the cool waters of Shallara, the heat is almost unbearable to him. Trying to recover from his heat-induced stupor, he lifts his eyes and observes some of the others around the bar. His gaze pauses upon an agile-looking Jourtresian. He had once read a book about the region, but didn't expect to encounter someone from there. He thought about going to talk to him, but then realized that he didn't know much anything about Jourtresian culture. Fearing that he might make the wrong first impression, he returned to looking around the room.

He then saw another Jourtresian, this one sitting in a corner with a mug of ale. Judging by his imposing appearance, Khyros reasoned that this man was a fighter. Making a mental note to look up Jourtresian culture so he could talk to these people, he continued to look around the room.

He next saw a Nyobian. He remembers a little about Nyobians, but unlike with Jourtresians, he doesn't feel that he can make too big a mistake in conversation. Deciding he would go over and speak with her as soon as he finishes this song, his gaze returns to his guitar. "I just hope I don't fall asleep from this heat first..." he thinks.

ooc: holy crap sorry for the length of this... if needed I will trim it, just too tired to do so now. If you dont want to know what happened to him on the way to Papred, just skip this and jump to the audience chamber part and onwards. Two docs to come.

[Kheskeim]

****** Preface to Papred ******

It had been seven days since he left the Valantius keep and without a doubt it had been the worst and most difficult days of his young life. Many a curse had left his mouth since then, most of them directly at his parents but most he met had been treated as if they had something to do with his misery and misfortune too.

Little had he known about the ways of the world outside the court; or maybe he had known or heard about most of it, but either he hadn't cared or couldn't believe it before he actually saw it. It was dirty everywhere! People were dirty, had absolutely no courtesy and spoke a crude version of the language; and even then, they had treated him as if he had been a mirror showing their ugly reflection! He couldn't believe it and he already hated the outside world. Although he did cherish his freedom, being able to do what he pleased, when he pleased it.

Had he known more of their way of life out in the country, he would probably have worn something to hide his shining armour, shield and weapon. In his spite he had thought to intimidate everyone by showing the black gauntlet of their family crest and of course to entice any normal people to seek his company. His initial plan had been to find equals of nobility or maybe slightly less than that and either find a way to get out of his so-called quest of valour or at least get some foothold here in the "wild". Maybe they could even be hired or simply aid him. Needless to say, he didn't meet any nobles on the way; not any that either looked or behaved it anyway. Soon he'd know exactly why.

At a crossroad Inn he had halted his directionless journey to rest and refresh. His muscles had been sore from the unusual amount of riding, especially since the countryside had been rough at times. His horse probably needed the rest too - not that he cared much.
The inn was far from his hopes of a clean hospitable safe haven with good food, wine and a comfy bed. He found neither, instead it was just as dirty as other places he'd seen, filled with drunken riffraff and below poor entertainers. The food was mediocre and the wine undrinkable. "Could they do nothing right out here?" he'd thought. To worse his experience the crowd was giving him a bit too much attention to his liking, so he hurried with the food and left without giving any tip and without giving the comfort of the beds a chance to be any better than the rest.

Kheskeim was waylaid at the first coming bend. He recognised one or two from the Inn along with some murkier fellows. It was nothing dramatic - they forced him off Harmsway and just took everything they had a use for. He didn't stand a chance, having packed his armour and weapon into one of his packs because they were much too cumbersome to wear in the heat. His knife had stayed nicely in its sheath and even though he had wanted to shout a lot of degrading curses at his way layers, he had seen the wisdom in staying as quiet as possible and not even chided them. It seemed to keep them from harming him; in fact they didn't even take his fine clothes. Armour and weapons had no value to them, fortunately none of them was or knew a smith that could melt the metals he had thought - or maybe they were just satisfied with the, to them, incredible amounts of gold.
All family jewellery, all his gold and some shiny items in his bags together with his food and wineskin were the loot of the day. Unfamiliarity with horses in the lesser people of the wild meant he kept Harmsway too.
This has been part of my parents plan all along... why didn't they tell me to go incognito? Ah, may the blackness of their hearts consume them! was his thoughts on the matter.

He had sped up after the incident. Threatening or intimidating people to inform him, he found a pawnshop, in which the owner luckily had no cripes in exchanging his highly ornamented and extravagant shield for some common clothes, a black cloak, some dirty boots and a bit of gold. He wasn't really sad about leaving his shield behind; he hated that too and was not very good at using it - furthermore he saw this exchange as a life and death situation now that he was stripped of wealth.
Poor mans only wealth is his life he remembered from a poem, he didn't much like but had been forced to read.

Upon entering Papred he was terrified. He'd seen the grand city from afar and had gotten a very good feeling about it. It looked wealthy, clean and some structures had many resemblances to his home. Alas, it was as dirty as the riffraff’s underwear, at least in the outskirts. He had to kick people away from touching his horse or trying to grab his things from behind him. He even rode a beggar down, just because he was in the way and maybe to prove a bit of a point to the others. He didn't care about them and just wanted to find men of merit, men of power; there simply had to be some of those here.

He found the better part of town and used his remaining gold to lodge in for a couple of nights and stable his horse. Finally a meal above average was served to him and the clean cutlery almost made him smile. He left his items in his room and began to explore the district in search for ways towards the light. Being quite surprised with the amount of people there looking at least clean and somewhat civilised, he felt better than ever before since his departure from home. Soon he heard people chatting about a Bharat Desani, apparently a man of some power, who was inviting skilled people to his court for some tasks, he didn't exactly hear the details about. A little step into a circle of power and I am practically halfway out of this misery he thought.


****** Papred, audience chamber of Bharat Desani, now ******

Kheskeim entered the audience chamber after being escorted there by some little man with lesser status. He had convinced the man that his family crested chest proved his importance and that he needed him to show him to the place of Bharat Desani without delay. Having been quite friendly at first the man had showed some discontent at being addressed as a mere guide, but he had done the favour. Little more contempt had shown to those that looked at him, Kheskeim obviously didn't, when Kheskeim with no thanks at all had just waved him of and entered the hall without as much as a thank you.

Having of course removed his common clothes and the ugly but necessary black cloak, Kheskeim looked a splendour of a nobleman in the little crowd of people assembled in the large chamber. Not that he had noticed anyone but one man, who obviously was Bharat Desani; the conical hat and the robe easily giving him away to Kheskeim, who remembered pictures from a book about political traditions - if his memory served him correctly.

Before he could address the man, he had been asked to move a bit away by a guard, because the "Minister for Internal Security" was to speak. How rude... was Kheskeim's initial thought as he tried to down stare the guard while contemplating what to offer as a proof of his right to do what he wanted. He decided to wait and listen to what the minister had to say, maybe he could get a better feeling for what this man's needs were, ultimately giving him a much better negotiation position.

The speech soon turned pretty boring though. It started promising but them turned into crude matters of superstition and something with an early civilization. He sounded like his father, when he had one of his speeches of crusading and doing "big" things for the good of the country and so on and so forth. He instantly disliked the minister. How could he babble of things this unimportant and of no concern to anyone but the lesser people, whom no one cared about anyway?

Kheskeim looked around while the speech was going towards its hopefully timely end. He couldn't believe the people, or whatever they were, that were there. Two huge men with rough characteristics and Kheskeim thought a brute and very unintelligent looking appearance. Shuddering he moved his view to a much finer specimen; a very young woman with long, straggly black hair and big beautiful eyes that albeit showing no real emotion sucked him right in. The rest, which he didn't spend much time looking at, were some strange white haired dark skinned man and a... yikes! It was some kind of golden green eyed monster with coppered hair. What is this place??! - And what in Zorlon is that creature??

The minister finished and Kheskeim saw his second chance slip away just as fast as the first, when the minister hushed them out, just showed them to a big building and went on his way. hmpff

Kheskeim tried to address him politely but was ignored completely. Maybe they would meet him again, if he just did what they had been asked to do. How hard could that be. He had no intent on going on a silly crusade against some made up ghosts back in the wild. No he would get to meet the minister in private and hand him a proposal he couldn't refuse. He smiled at his own cunning. You'll be running things in this city in a week if you keep up that level of skill your highness he admired himself with.

He didn't really want to go to a tavern. What could ever be there of interest to one of his kind? Well, since the minister has given them instructions to do so, he better show some good faith. With a bit of luck he didn't have to act this role that long, and... maybe he could investigate a certain good looking female while at it.

After having put all his stuff into the other guesthouse, he went into the tavern area expecting the worst.


****** Papred, tavern area of Garden of Paradise ******

"Not too bad, have seen worse, much worse", Kheskeim says to himself while walking past everyone without even looking their way. He orders two glasses of wine at the bar and takes them directly to where Kyrika is standing.

"Mlady, begging my manners and bluntness but seeing you here in this strange crowd caused some trouble to my mind. Thus hoping to provide you with both security and a hand in the dark, I offer you my services. I am Kheskeim Valantius, coming lord of the Valantius house."

He bows and hands her a glass of wine bearing the smile he knew could melt butter on a cold winter night if it had to.

"By the traditions of my people I offer you wine and a toast to accompany that, showing my good intent besides the pleasure of the substance itself."

Kyrika recognises some of the faces in the tavern. The tall fighter - at least she assumes that's what he is - at the bar has given her a brief nod, but she doesn't think it's meant to invite conversation. The tattoed man, at the far side of the table, looks just as ill at ease and bothered by the heat as she is. She notes that, like her, he has ignored Desani's instruction to leave their belongings in their rooms.

Not that she has anything worth taking, Kyrika reminds herself. Of all the people in this group, she surely has to be the least well prepared for this undertaking. But before she can make a list of the equipment she'll require she needs to find out a little more.

Two other people in the crowd she recognises from the audience room. One looks like an important nobleman. The other she cannot place - she has never seen anyone with golden skin before, and has no idea what the proper greeting for a golden person would be. It was likely that he, too, was of great importance.

Seeing the tattoed man take yet another sip from his waterskin, she fills a second glass from the ornate teapot in front of her, and crosses to his side of the table.

"Forgive me for intruding upon your thoughts," she addresses him with a slight bow of her head - the correct greeting for strangers whose status one is not certain about but presumes to be of roughly equal status to one's own - "but I could not help but notice that you, too, seem to be plagued by thirst, just as I am in this terrible heat. I have been advised by those local to the area that this tea is very good for quenching one's thirst, and indeed I have found this to be so. Perhaps you would like to try some?"

She places the glass on the table near him.

To introduce herself rather than being asked her name was not proper, but not to give her name would be an even worse breach of etiquette. Perhaps customs were different here, and her new companions would not think of her as ill-mannered.

"My name is Kyrika, and I am a stranger to this land."

She inclines her head again and withdraws to her own seat - to have remained there, demanding to be spoken to would have been terribly rude.


She sips the last of her own tea, and wonders if Desani's hospitality includes not just the rooms, but food and drink also. Perhaps she ought to make a list of all the things she thinks she might need... but it would be so much easier if she had at least some idea of what their task will involve.

To her surprise the nobleman in their party approaches her, and offers her a glass of wine. Of his smile she is not certain, but his greeting is very polite indeed, and she wonders if he is mocking her to address her with such courtesy - but perhaps he is simply obeying the customs of his country.

"You do me too much honour, Lord Valantius," she replies and accepts the glass. "I must surely be the least important member of our party. I am indeed a stranger, having arrived in this city but a few hours ago. My name is Kyrika, and the land of my birth is Niyobi. How I came to be in this country I do not know, yet finding myself here I count myself very fortunate that the noble Bharat Desani graciously offered me a part in this undertaking."

She takes a cautious sip of the offered wine - wine could do odd things to people, even the reserved Niyobians; she had witnessed it at her sister's house.

"I hope you do not think me forward, but being a stranger to this land, and, I confess, a stranger to adventuring, there are so many things I would wish to learn about. Perhaps, Lord Valantius, you would share some of your wisdom with me, to dispel my ignorance? How, for one, does one travel between cities in this country? Which of the temples do you think we should visit first?"

She interrupts herself - what must this nobleman think of her, chattering away like an excited child?

"But perhaps it would be best if such things were discussed among the whole party," she adds with an apologetic smile. "Would you be so kind, Lord Valantius, as to introduce me to the others?"

Chucahau looks up slightly startled as he hears a female voice addressing him. Unsure about how to react, he watches the young woman place a cup with a steaming, clear, dark brown liquid in front of him. Before he has a chance to think of a suitable response, the woman, Kyrika if he has understood her correctly, withdraws to her own seat.

While he is still wondering whether he should stand up and join her, he watches another man who was also in Bharat Desani's room approach Kyrika and offer her something Chacahau is unable to identify. What attracts is attention rather more is that man's unusual clothing, which consists of several pieces of a smooth, shiny and apparently unflexible material he thinks he can recognize as the same material that had been crafted into some tools he had seen being sold on the streets. When he had asked the merchants what it was, he had always been laughed at for his ignorance, which has only increased his curiosity concerning this material.

Judging that it is probably not a good idea to interrupt the conversation between the man and Kyrika, he decides to focus his attention on the strange brew in front of him while keeping an eye on the pair.

He puts a finger into the liquid, noticing it is still quite hot, and sniffs the tea carefully. "Teee..." he attempts to repeat the word Kyrika has used for the content of the cup in front of him. As she has been drinking that liquid since their group has arrived at the tavern, there can be no danger connected to the consumption of the tea.

He picks up the cup with both hands, and after blowing at the cup's content a bit to cool it down, he takes a small, careful sip, keeping the liquid in his mouth for a little time to explore its taste before swallowing. The aroma of the tea is not comparable to anything Chucahau has tasted so far and, while unusual, he cannot say that he instantly dislikes the brew.

As it seems, despite the seeming lack of emotion on her face the woman really wants to be friendly to him, and Chucahau makes a mental note that she may be willing and able to help him with gathering some information about his new environment and helping him with some of the problems he has already faced while trying to find his way around.

Kane nearly chokes on his ale as he listens to the sickening hospitality but then smirks eyeing up the nobleman that has entered, Kane wasn't eavesdropping but merely listening to his surroundings and already he wanted to vomit from the kindness, he mutters something about why he prefers to work alone but then sighs knowing that won't be an option in this case, he gulps down his ale and grins at the so-called nobleman.

"Leave the poor lass alone, we all just got here and she don't need some snotty noble trying to woo her torso into your chambers"

Kane wasn't a fan of those that used charm as a conversation breaker, infact his race were known for honesty rather than their personality and charm and rather much feared for their skills in combat, however Kane was one to never use it to his advantage in verbal speech, he'd rather use it where it is supposed to be used...he had left his swords and few items within the rooms stated yet his dagger was the only thing never removed from it's actual resting place...this was mainly for those places that don't use weapons or don't believe they can be used for good causes. Which helps Kane even more since if his target or someone starts on him, he can simply stab them and move on while everyone figures out what happened. He finishes the last gulp and places the mug on the bar top with a few coins next to it, the bar keep nods and refills, handing it back to Kane, finally he decides to introduce himself.

"Since we don't know eachother and obviously will be working with eachother, I am Kane Nighy, a Jourtesian Mercenary, my reason for being here...well to find out what the heck is going on and what I can personally gain from this...my skills...well that is obvious...want something injured or killed, you have the right man...want someone to tell you the truth...you have the right man...want someone to sweet talk the enemy and make you virtually sick...ask the nobleman trying to impress the Nyobian"

Kane smirks slyly as he glances to the person with the guitar and then to the golden skinned person, the heat didn't bother him since Jourtres was a hot place to begin with and with the amount of travelling he has done, he has grown accoustomed to most weather conditions, he ponders wondering what he shall need for this journey, due to being a fighter he had to think tatically too, which meant checking his items too...he blinks then looks back to the person with a guitar, noticing he is slowly dozing off, Kane smirks at this and strikes up a conversation.

"So...you're a music man...you a bard or something more?"

Suddenly wide awake at being addressed, Khyros finishes his tune and looks up, seeing the imposing Jourtresian looking at him. Scooping up the small pile of coins at his feet, he stands up and replies, "A music man eh? Yeah, I guess you could call me that." "Wow," he thought, "this guy could rip apart a sea serpent with his bare hands. I knew Jourtresians were strong, but..." The momentary shock having passed, he slung his guitar over his shoulder.

Taking a step backward, he performs a fancy bow and says, "My name is Khyros, I am an actor, and at your service." Walking towards where the rest of the group has gathered, he states "I can tell by your reactions that you haven't met many members of my race. I am a Shallaran, and we are most at home in the sea. Although my appearance may at first be...unsettling, I hope that I may lend my abilities to this cause."

Looking over each of them he thinks to himself, "hmmm, that one's definitely well-off, and the lady is eager to start, that is good. And the two Jourtresians...both very strong, though not very social, fair enough."

Recalling that it would be better to learn more about them before drawing conclusions, he extends his hand and says, "Might I have the pleasure of knowing your names, good sirs and lady?"

Kyrika is taken aback by the manner of the one who calls himself Kane. What uncouth place does he stem from, to speak so rudely? And if truly he is only looking out for his own interests, what harm might he not do to the group?

But of course it is not her place to question him - that, she feels, is the prerogative of the leader of their group. But who is their leader? As she can recall, Desani did not appoint one. Yet she feels it is imperative they appoint one, if their quest is to succeed. There is so much to be discussed - but perhaps she is the only one who does not know anything about this country, and the others have already formed plans. She frowns - she is certain that at least one other person attended the meeting with Desani, yet is nowhere to be seen among the crowd in the tavern.

She is glad when what she perceives as an uneasy silence is broken by the bard. He seems friendly, although his appearance is such that she finds it hard not to stare. She bows her head to Khyros.

"My name is Kyrika, and I hail from Niyobi. I perceive that you, too, are a stranger in this country. How do you endure the heat? I have not yet grown accustomed to this climate - even in summer I have not known it to be this hot in Niyobi."

She smiles apologetically at the others. "I hope you will not think me ignorant and of little use to our task, but I fear there is so much I do not know about this country. I am not even certain what equipment I shall require, and hope that you will be able to advise me. I had just enquired of Lord Valantius how one travels between cities in this place, and I have many more questions yet - I hope I will not try your patience too much."

Khyros laughs before responding, "You think too little of yourself! I assure you that you will be an essential part of this group. All of us are foreigners here, so don't belittle yourself because you don't know much of this place. I'm probably in the same state as you are in terms of foreign cultures!" He laughs again before continuing, "As for this heat, it's unbearable to me. I'm used to spending my entire life underwater, so this really couldn't be much more uncomfortable. Regardless, just so you guys know a bit about me, I'm an actor and musician by trade. But through those professions, I'm excellent at speechcraft and disguise. In terms of magic, I'm useless, unless you consider music to be magic. But in combat, I have a little skill with a trident, but not nearly as much combat skill as these two," motioning towards the two Jourtresians. "Anyway, that's about it for me, I'm sure we are all specialized in certain areas or Bharat would've never trusted us. so who's next to explain themselves?"

Kyrika waits politely, to give Valantius and Kane a chance to speak. But when both of them remain silent she feels it is impolite to keep Khyros waiting for a reply.

"Have you tried the hot, sweet tea they serve here? I have found it an excellent means of quenching my thirst, and indeed, I recommended it to our companion over there." She inclines her head towards the tattoed man. "As for my trade, I fear I have none, and the best I can offer are some skills and... abilities... I have. Spending my youth as an unwanted guest in my sister's house, a house full of politics, intrigue and secrets, I have learnt to move silently. There were many times when my sister would walk past without noticing me as I stood in the shadows. I overheard many things not meant for my ears because no one knew I was present in the room. My curiosity led me to practice picking locks - the best use for hairpins I have found. If you show me a piece of writing, I can copy the author's hand, and even forge a signature - a skill which saved me from captivity."

She pauses. "You see, I have an ability that my countrymen view with suspicion, and that the authorities of Niyobi seek to suppress. Once my sister's husband discovered that the skill was in my family I was no longer safe."

Kyrika lowers her voice, so that only the members of her party should be able to hear it, and not the entire tavern.

"I am a shapeshifter; I can adopt the shape of any animal I wish, as long as it is smaller than my normal form. As a bird I can fly, as a spider I can scale walls - and many more."

Anxiously she looks at the others, to see what their reaction will be.

Completely absorbed in the act of slowly emptying the cup of tea and enjoying the uncommon but pleasant taste of the brew, Chucahau hears little of the talk around him (and misses Khyros' remark about his usual environment, which would have otherwise incited quite a different reaction from him) until he notices a sudden drop in the noise level.

"I am a shapeshifter; I can adopt the shape of any animal I wish, as long as it is smaller than my normal form. As a bird I can fly, as a spider I can scale walls - and many more."

His eyes widen, and he begins to tremble all over his body. "Aeea!" he exclaims, and jumping from his chair, drops onto his knees in front of Kyrika, his forehead pressed firmly onto the ground. "Thank you, oh Great Mother, my journey's destination I have found! Forgive me, oh Great Mother, that I did not recognize you! Forgive me, oh Great Mother, that I did not show you more respect when we met! Forgive me!" He starts weeping.

[b]Kane doesn't speak, he sits back in his relaxing state while listening to the conversation being exchanged until the tattoo man jumps from his chair and what seems to be 'praying' to the young girl. Kane raises an eyebrow and smirks taking a gulp of his ale.



"What did you put in that tea...I think I will have to get me some of that...as for me...what you see is what you get...simple as...I hold no fear and no mercy...I am a fighter till death...I can repair items such as weapons and armour and can move the heavier objects that may pose problems for others such as yourselves"



Kane glances at the bard for a moment, remembering his introduction.



"Also, there is no need for humble introductions or any of that verbal sickness...my race are honest to the very last word, we have no religion and if I didn't have to work with you lot...the nobleman's tongue would have been the first thing I would have cut off...you all may prefer to be kind and courteous but I believe it doesn't get you anywhere but death..now I'm going to fill in the documents needed but we're going to need somesort of 'leader'...I ain't bothered who it is but whoever it is they will have the responsibility of choosing what we do, when we do, where we do and how we do it...so choose carefully"



OOC:



Name:Kane Nighy

age:26

race: Jourtresian

class: Mercenary

abilities: armourer, block, natural strength (has more strength than the average fighter), master swordsman, survival skills (can hunt food, build shelter and so on)



Weapons: Family Crested Longsword and Broadsword, Dagger concealed under armour



Armour:Family crested heavy armour



Items: pouches clipped to his waist full of gold


Items to buy: Food and drink

It takes all the discipline installed in Kyrika from earliest childhood on not to let her shock and surprise show as the tattooed man throws himself on the ground in front of her.

What will the other patrons of the tavern make of this? Kyrika doesn't relish the idea of being lynched by a superstitious mob, and hopes that Khyros or Valantius may be able to diffuse the situation. It seems that no help in that regard will be forthcoming from Kane.

'What kind of life must he have had, to be so completely... disregarding... of anything and anyone other than himself?'


She sinks to her knees beside the man at her feet.

"I am greatly honoured and flattered, that you think me someone so important to you - but I am afraid that you must be mistaken. I don't think I am who you think I am - I am not anyone of importance, I am just me, Kyrika. Perhaps you have been sent a sign, and I think it is important that you tell us all why you think I am the Great Mother - but this tavern is not a good place. Too many people are watching and listening here. Please, will you get up and tell us your name? I am Kyrika, and I come from a land of mountains and forests, the cold land of Niyobi."

You fool! Chucahau chides himself when he listens carefully to Kyrika's words. As though our Great Mother wants to reveal her true identity in public, with all those blasphemous and faithless bystanders! You are making one mistake after the other! Your little intellect will earn you severe punishment some time!

He lifts his head from the floor and looks respectfully at Kyrika. In his current emotional state, his harsh and slightly raspy pronunciation are additionally intensified. "F ... forgive me ... I ... I ... it's ... you are right. Let us go somewhere we can talk ... alone."

He gets up quickly and fetches his wooden staff from the lean, then turns around and looks expectantly at Kyrika as though he is awaiting orders where he should go.

"Yes, I think it would be wise if we left this tavern," Kyrika nods. "I fear we have been attracting altogether too much attention. Lord Valantius, are your countrymen given to superstition? The sailors who rescued me after... that wave... did strike me as superstitious - they seemed to regard it as a good omen to have found me alive. But perhaps seafarers are more prone to superstition than others?"


She looks at the others, somewhat at a loss as to what to do next. Is it really appropriate for her as the youngest to make suggestions? She does not want to be perceived as ordering the others around, but equally she cannot shake off the feeling that other patrons of the taverns are staring at her.

"Would it be possible, do you think, do have food and drink sent to our lodgings?" she asks the others. "I must confess that I am very confused - there are so many things I would ask I hardly know where to begin. I know so little about this country, and am therefore at a loss as to what equipment I should request from Desani. Perhaps we should also ask the landlord for some pieces of parchment, so that we may begin preparing the list Desani asked for?"

She smiles apologetically. "All I know is how little I know. I would greatly appreciate it if we could retreat somewhere quiet where it may be easier to ask and answer questions. And, -" her gaze sweeps the room -"it seems to me that there should be at least one other member of our party. Perhaps we may find the missing member of our party back at our lodgings?"

She looks at the others, waiting for a reply.

Khyros watches, slightly amused at everyone's actions. "Well, now isn't this something," he thinks to himself, "it seems one of our warriors regards Kyrika as some kind of goddess. Not only that, but our other fighter doesn't care about the group at all and someone else hasn't even shown himself yet! This is shaping up to be quite the challenge indeed..."

Thinking it best not to interrupt the tattooed man in his...display, after all he wasn't sure what kind of religious response that would invoke, Khyros simply stated: "I have some parchment with me, Kyrika," as he produces a quill, inkwell, and some parchment, "go ahead and use that. I guess I'll do the same in the meantime."

He then writes:

Name: Khyros
Age: 21
Race: Shallaran
Occupation: Actor

Skills: Persuasion, Seduction, Music, Acrobatics, Disguise, Acting, Minor skill with a trident

Inventory: Blue cloak, Blue shirt, Brown pants, Brown shoes, Trident, Knife, Guitar, Makeup kit (for disguises), Journal, Inkwell, Quill, Flask, decent amount of money (enough to live on for about 2 weeks).

Items to buy: food, drink (all I can think of at the moment).

OOC: sorry for not posting recently, just installed Oblivion so I've been glued to that.

Kheskeim is captivated by being addressed as Lord Valantius by the young woman, who obviously not only has courtesy in abundance, but also knows very well the hidden magics of speech. That she on top of that seems to be able to control her display of emotions while still being expressive only enticed his interest in her even more.

While listening to her voice and studying her he smiles and looks concerned. So she is not from this country? She is definately different than anyone I have met before...
He sips the wine as she had just done. He don’t really like this wine at all, but it was the most prestigious he could muster from the barkeep.

Listening to her questions, he is quite surprised but doesn’t let it show. She seems very determined to proceed with the task given to them by Bharat Desani. He finds it odd that she didn’t ask him about his lineage, his home, or told him more about herself. Very foreign indeed.

He has no intention of introducing her to anyone, not just yet anyway. Maybe take her for a stroll or go someplace else at least, so they could be without the many eyes in this tavern.
Before he can respond a gruff voice disrupts the pleasant atmosphere entirely and murky skies gather above their little group. Will it be rain, storm or does the sun have a chance?

“Leave the poor lass alone, we all just got here and she don't need some snotty noble trying to woo her torso into your chambers”

Dumbstruck he turns to look at the man uttering words that would get him killed faster than he could bottom any ale, had Kheskeim just gotten there a few days before and established some authority around his person, due to his family status. Although Bharat Desani hadn’t invited him to his court at all, heck he hadn’t even wanted to talk with him it seemed... didn’t he respect the authority of the noble families? Didn’t anyone here? Without showing it on his face the fear creeps through his mind and fester his thoughts.
Kheskeim decides not to reply to the insult, but he will remember it, for as long as it takes. The stature of the man presenting himself as Kane Nighy is intimidating and if his clearly experienced hands are as quick as his tongue, Kheskeim would stand no chance at all should it escalate into a brawl. The pouches around his waist from where he pays the barkeep might hold more wealth that Kheskeim could produce at the moment, unless he sold his horse. He wasn’t used to being this severely outstripped of power; he was a cripple right now, but that would change soon, very soon.

He looks coldly at the mercenary, but steps a bit back signalling he does not want to confront him with his foul utterings. He hopes the fear has not shown to anyone but himself and is relieved when the big man turns his attention to the golden monster. Instead of continuing the conversation with the young woman, who he hopes does not see his act as weak, but hopefully instead shuns the mercenary, he listens to the conversations. He quickly learns that all of them are foreign to this land; too bad he is almost as much of a foreigner in this place as they are.
The golden monster turns out to be some kind of water being capable of living on land. Kheskeim is surprised to hear him speak eloquently albeit in a rather humorous accent. Khyros the Shallaran, Kane the Jourtesian and so was the other man sitting a bit away by the looks of it, Kyrika of Niyobi. Most peculiar, I never heard of these countries or indeed of persons or beings from there in my life. How strange that the lore does not tell of neighbouring countries, when apparently it is possible to transport from those to here. No wonder the country isn’t prepared for these happenings of late - whatever they are! But why were they here?

While contemplating what he’s hearing, he thinks of what to respond and just as important in what tone. Clearly he knows a lot more about this country than they do. Maybe he can impress them with his knowledge and put himself forward as a leader in the group. That will surely give him access to Mr. Desani and if everything failed, he would be able to decide where his little army should go next. Not a bad backup plan, he thought.

All of the sudden the other jourtesian jumps in front of them and drops to his knees. Instinctively Kheskeim steps two steps back and looks for the exit out of the corner of his eyes. The intent of the man is not a violent one though, rather is it a pathetic attempt at getting the woman’s attention he thinks. I should have moved faster with her... why did I keep my silence for so long? ...and what had she just said? Shapeshifter???!
Kheskeim feels completely out of the loop with so many things new to him. It is not good for a man of power to be unprepared and loose foothold. He must not let it show and has to regain control over this situation, if he is ever to be entrusted as a man of power and importance in this group.

He is pulled from his own thoughts by another question from the young... shapeshifter. His mind full of dread, he tries to look unsurprised and turns his head to eye to beautiful but too mysterious woman. I need information!

He imitates his father from when he’d given important speeches and finds a little smile to lead it.
“It seems you are all foreign to this country and the customs associated with our ways of life. It is fully understandable and therefore also lightly accepted that you have many questions on your mind; and I shall try to be of best service to you in this regard. I warn everyone here though that being ignorant of our ways should not fuel a mockery approach”, he says while furrowing his brow and turning his head to meet the stare of Kane. Reinserting an uneasy smile he turns his head back to face Kyrika while continuing: “But learning of your hardships in getting here and the understandable frustration of our climate, I shall let any incident of that nature pass” for now “ and let me take care of the need for a more private place. But keep your voices low and do not act like crazy zealots or anything else under the attention making category, while I do this, since people in my country are indeed of superstitious nature, unless they know better or perhaps even find foreign things interesting!”

“Now please excuse me for a minute Mlady”, he ends with a slight bow and a carefully mastered knowing smile.

Kheskeim walks to the bar and gets the barkeeps attention. Passing Kane on the way he ignores him completely. He tells the barkeep to shut the tavern down for anyone but those in the current service of the Minister for Internal Security. Seeing that the barkeep does not look pleased and might not go along with it, Kheskeim states to him that he will of course be reimbursed threefold in gold for the lost sales. To make sure he believes him, he hands him his last handful of gold coins and tell him to be on with it.

[ooc: yea sorry from me too, been occupied most of the weekend. Will try to keep up to speed and post less everytime too - if possible ]

OOC>There is no pressure on the rpg. I ask you post once in 48 hours or advise of absence so that we know you have not dropped out or been claimed by Oblivion. I suspect that may have happened to Titanania.

Inwardly Kyrika breathes a sigh of relief that several potentially awkward, if not worse, situations have been diffused. Outwardly, doesn't allow her relief to show, and only nods to Valantius.

"I would certainly welcome some peace and quiet, so that we may gather our thoughts." She accords him a grateful smile. While Valantius is talking to the landlord, Kyrika accepts Khyros' offer of parchment.


"Thank you, Khyros. Ink and quills I have with me, but the parchment I had unfortunately did not take well to being immersed in seawater. I am lucky in that it had served its purpose by then - my countrymen are very fond of written permits and licences, and had I not been able to create a passable forgery of such a document to allow me to leave my home province I do not know where I would be."

'And I don't even want to think about it,' she tells herself with an inward shudder. 'There was enough on his desk to allow me a good guess as to just what happens to magic users and shapeshifters. No, whatever happens here, I doubt it could be worse.'

She takes a bottle of black ink and a quill from her bag, and starts to write down some details.


Name: Kyrika

Age: 17

Race: Niyobian

Occupation: None

Skills: Stealth, spying, forging documents, picking locks, shapeshifting, *hunting in predator form


Equipment:
Worn: Long faded green skirt, green blouse, leather walking boots, belt, 11 hairpins of varying lengths, ribbon to tie back hair

Carried (in frayed bag): Dark grey trousers, grey tunic with pockets on the back, soft shoes, spare shirt, 10 spare hairpins, 1 bottle of black ink, 1 bottle of red ink, 4 quills, small sewing kit (2 spools of thread, small but sharp pointed scissors, pack of assorted needles), oddly shaped glass lens (a childhood keepsake)

Grubby dark green cloak

1 throwing knife tucked into her boot

Leather pouch containing a small handful of low denomination silver coins attached to her belt

The only things she does not list are her undergarments - it would be most improper to speak of them.

Equipment needed:
- skirt, blouse and cloak more appropriate for the Bashkeri climate
- a new bag to carry her stuff in
- 4 extra throwing knives
- a waterbottle
- some tea and sugar, and a vessel to boil water/make tea in
- food
- some coin for living expenses
- sheets of parchment
- soap


With that she pauses. Other equipment she might need will depend on how they are planning to travel, whether they will be lodging at inns or camping in the wild, and on the terrain they will encounter.

Reading over her list she is amazed that she succeeded in getting this far, having fled her sister's house so ill prepared. The glass lens - she isn't sure why she brought it as it seems to have little practical purpose. But it is the last gift her father gave her before her parents' mysterious death, and in a way it is a keepsake of her childhood that she treasures more than anything else she possesses.

After a brief hesitation, she adds to the list of her skills:

* hunting in predator form

She decides that it is not a good idea to tell her companions about the 2 mice she caught and ate while spending the night as an owl, but hopes they will not object to her catching more palatable game should the need arise.



"This is as far as I can complete my list for now - I expect that there are other essential items it had not occured to me I might need."

She looks at Khyros. "Perhaps it would be advisable to compile a list of everyone's equipment and skills, so that we may see at a glance what our group lacks? Kane, I believe, has already provided a list of his details. That leaves Lord Valantius, the elusive 6th member of our group, and -" she turns to the tattoed man waiting beside her - "I'm sorry, I don't think I know your name."

Before anyone can do anything two men enter the room. One is a representative of Bharat Desani.

He bows to you and introduces a tall very dark skinned young man.

"This gentleman, Shaka, found out about your enterprise rather late. But since you have not yet started out I thought he could join you."

He nods and exits leave you staring at the newcomer.

OOC> please welcome dragonben 'Frog' from the competition Woodland Castle thread.

Shaka

Walking into the room with the representative Shaka takes a moment to take the group in, taking note of the water creature, the mercenary and the tattooed man, the girl and the nobleman, waiting for his escourt to leave before speaking "My name is Shaka, peace to you all." Smiling he waits for a reply.

Shaka is as dark as you get, almost black, the only colour in his face is his teeth and the whites of his eyes. Standing six feet four inches tall dressed in dark brown, allmost as dark as his skin, the green trim on his robe seems almost brilliant green although it to is dark green. Having a athletic build, from training with the blade master his dad had hired when it became obvious that he to had the restless adventure spirit his grandad had, he didn't look like the scollar he was suppose to be.

On his belt Shaka carried two hunting knifes, one on each side, and on two quick release hooks hung his battle axes also one on each side. the Flats of the blades for now pressing against the outsides of his legs. The wide robes almost hiding them in the folds. Hoping to get some tips in the "real world use" of the axes, for he have only practiced with them under the tutelage of the Blade master. (didn't fare to badly though)

Chucahau has grown increasingly impatient while the conversation has been evolving around him, not really sure how he should or could participate in it at the moment. He begins shifting his weight from one foot to another.

When he is suddenly addressed by Kyrika again, he looks puzzled at first.

Why does she ask for my name, when she already called on me? Fool, remember that she wishes her true self to be unknown - if she was a normal human, she would not know your name yet!

Intending to answer Kyrika's question, Chucahau is interrupted by the pair of unknnown men entering the tavern. As soon as he realizes that one of them is only a representative of Bharat Desani and will leave again shortly, he focuses his attention on the other man. His ebony skin looks uncommon, but does not deserve closer examination when seen in contrast to Khyros' golden skin. What strikes him more is the newcomer's sheer height.

Have I lived among a tribe of dwarves?

However, this cannot detract Chucahau's attention from Kyrika for too long, he turns towards her again.

"Mistress, we should not tarry here. Let us go where we are alone ... you advised so yourself."

Kane smirks from within the corner, he already knew most of the group didn't like him but he didn't care either...he had a job to do and all this religious stuff was beginning to grate against his nerves, not to mention he would rather be staring at the nobleman's tongue on his table rather than in the nobleman's mouth...it wasn't the fact he hated the actual person it was rather more like the crafty speech, speaking in riddles and big words that hardly anyone else knew...the Jourtresian's weren't a dumb race, they were rather intelligent...it was just the fact they preferred to keep communication simple and to a minimum since most of the Jourtresian's were out fighting or hunting and if any talked, their dinner would run away.

Kane spots the newcomer who doesn't hesitate in introducing himself yet Kane cracks up laughing at his first words.

"The only peace I will get is when that nobleman's tongue is nailed to the wall...or after a battle when I am the only one left standing surrounded by several hundred motionless bodies"

Again Kane didn't care, he has never underestimated an opponent's skill yet most people that wish to go one on one with him tend to think twice or end up in the local graveyard, Kane was one to not mess around and gets straight to the point at hand, another reason why he hates those that think speech will get them into places...Kane didn't care if people had bags of wealth...if you can buy yourself into places and into power then to Kane that was a cowardly wimp...many say that is smart and avoiding conflict yet conflict decides everything at the end of the day and if you can't defend yourself in combat then you can't defend what you earn and the only time he respects noblemen or wealthy families is when he is hired by them and is paid. Kane looks over at the other Jourtresian, assuming he must be from a cult since most Jourtresians are atheists...Kane can handle others religious beliefs but the ones that preach about it all day long tend to find a sword lodged into their skull...9 times out of 10 the sword being Kane's.

Wow...such a diverse and comical group we have here, hmmm just keep calm, get the job done and leave for Jourtres...also I ain't concealing my weapons, even if that means beating the guards upside their heads...ah well they will understand when presented with the merc talisman, this thing has gotten me out of alot of matters heh...Kane grins to himself due to his thoughts, still wondering whether to reply to anything the 'lord' had said, eh then shrugs

"Hey lord head stuck up his rear..just a quick reality check...one I have no questions on my mind...two I do not care how my 'ignorant ways' seem to effect your people...or you...I have a job to do and if I have to do it with you lot or not, my job shall be done and I don't care how it needs to be done...if I have to painfully listen to your chat up lines, your religious beliefs or your babbling mutterings then I will do so...even if you can't handle yourself in battle I will defend you all but once this job is done that is where we stop being friends...and that goes to the rest of you...now ask questions if you wish but don't expect a pleasant answer back"

He asks for another refill after draining the mug dry, knowing that the mini-speech wouldn't have gone down well but he wasn't bothered to their reactions, he told the truth and it was now up to the others on how they reacted to it...for Kane manners are nice but they never get you anywhere and the only two he uses is "please" and "thankyou"...not even "excuse me" gets on his list since he can simply barge through...he also didn't see the problem with not concealing weapons, if others didn't like it then that is their problem, not his...he is a mercenary and his weapons are his life, he has only got rid of his weapons in the room because he has respect for the serving barkeep and is the only time he would conceal his weapons...unless it was one that is well known for trouble then he lays them on the table...that is how anyone with him knows that someone will spark up a fight with either him or someone else.

For taverns, Kane was like the silent guard, he would sit in a corner, drinking his ale with his longsword on the table and his broadsword leant against the table in open view, he would then be speaking with other mercenaries or some other friends, mainly ladies from nearby houses...usually if he was with a lady then a fight would crack off due to a drunk, other times it would be a guard that is off duty...if it was two other people fighting the barkeep would look at Kane, Kane would look back, glance at the fight while sipping his ale, wait for a few moments and stand...everyone would notice this and grow quiet, watching Kane walk over grab the two fighters around the necks, drag them to the doors and throw them out...this would gain Kane a few ales on the house. If it was an off duty guard that he beaten up he would be arrested but later released due to explaining and having the barkeep as a witness, so even if the barkeep is a stranger he would respect him...The barkeep gives Kane another ale then tilts his head for a moment.

"Hey...you said your name was Kane Nighy right? heh I've heard of you"

"Oh? how so, I have never stepped foot in this place"

"My brother owns a tavern in Jourtres, he moved over there several years ago, he told me one day when visiting that he was nearly killed by a customer who said the ale was 'off' everyone knew he was trying to start something up but never thought we would pull a knife out over the matter...once the man did this, my brother said that several other customers tried to help but were pushed away or cut...the man then stabbed my brother in the hand and grabbed a drunken guard's sword, ready to kill him when suddenly someone of the same height and broadness stood behind the man...the man tried to stab him only to find the hand holding the sword facing the wrong way, the sword on the floor and the huge man's hand grasped around his neck...he later told me more about the man and it was only till now I realised where I heard the name before....My friend you have respect from all tavern owners all over the world"

Kane grins as he is retold the story, then nods while shaking the barkeep's hand, Kane then sips at his ale.

"Aye I remember that time...afterwards the man came back with his 'gang'...they thought they could overpower me since I was outnumbered...they thought about that again when they spent several weeks with the local healer and herbalist...also as long as a tavern serves ale, they have my respect...I have never had a problem with any barkeep and that is why I shall stop any rioting within a tavern, no matter who it is"

The barkeep smiles and nods before going back off to his duties...Kane smirks returning back to his ale then glances at the group.

"Well this is all too much fun, I might have a nap...wake me up when we start moving off for the mission...or if you wish to pester me for information"

He grins a moment folding his arms across his chest and rocking back on the chair a little before closing his eyes even though his ears were still listening to anything happening around him.

Kheskeim is surprised to learn that he just found use for something his mother taught him a long time ago. Being a true leader demands for decisions; decisions usually result in a bad outcome to at least one person in the world. Nevertheless the utterings and actions of said person must never inflict on the decision being made, even if the decision turns out to be wrong. Substitute decision with task, job, or any other thing that needs your focus and you have your mantra. Never let anyone or anything interfere with your ways of leadership, unless you have explicitly asked for their opinion or they were known to be wiser than you in the ways you are going, he thinks the words one by one.

The Jourtresian Kane is obviously one such interference. To address it is to fuel it as he has just done to some extent; to ignore it is to quell it. Kheskeim finds it very hard, but he manages to keep his mouth shut for now. Everything will work in his favour, if he can just manage to convince the rest of the group of his "good intent".

The arrival of the newcomer, even though he looks almost as disgusting as the golden fellow, is a welcoming possibility of exactly that. With the barkeep closing the tavern to let them have the very much needed privacy, the setting is perfect. Kheskeim quickly turns into the diplomat, he has always been taught to be.

"Welcome to Bashkher I take it! Shaka was it? Come sit down and have some refreshment from the barkeeps splendid array of those; and do tell from where you hail good sir. Seems the barkeep and I are indeed the only Bashkheri in his very tavern at the moment."

Smiling a glowing smile he continues, while stepping aside to let the man approach and to introduce the others to the newcomer.

"Let me introduce you to those, whom you see before you and by Bharat Desani's blessing part of this endeavour like yourself. Here is Kyrika, woman of... many trades from Nyobi. Next to her you see Khyros, Shallaran actor. By the bar is Kane, Mercenary and champion fighter of Jourtres maybe that was a bit over the top...; and here once more a Jourtesian, alas I still do not know his name."
Purposely forgetting himself, he waits a little while - then smiles again and adds: "Ah yes, and of course myself, I am Kheskeim Valantius, knight of the house Valantius and at your service. You may call me Kheskeim as titles mean nothing when among friends - or companions."
If this does not make the trick that old harsh fool mr. Magellian was indeed a fool.

Surpassingly satisfied with himself, Kheskeim sits down and begins to write on the documents with a flawlessly dancing pen.

name: Kheskeim Valantius
nationality: Bashkheri
age: 20
class: nobleman (knight in training)
skills: Swords, fencing, battle/war-tactics, diplomacy, organisation, poetry, riding
Special abilities: knowledge of many things in Bashkher - especially higher circles, perception, adaptability, diplomacy and charm

Items visible: Valantius family crested surcoat (black gauntlet on red bg), black exquisite pants and shirt, fine leather boots and belt, empty pouch

Worn: family dagger (of a fine black matte metal, shaft red)


In his room:
Weapons: family longsword (of a fine matte black metal, shaft red)
Armour: family armour - cuirass, casque, gorget, greaves, bracers, gauntlets (of a fine matte black light metal)
Clothes: extra family surcoat, normal black tunic, common clothes, a black cloak, some dirty leather boots
Containers: 4 bags
Items in bags: little food (and horsefood), waterskin, inkwell, quills, notebook with loose pages, perfume, a comb, little knife for shaving and cutting small things, sharpening stone, tinder box, 2 torches, crude map of Bashkher, soap

Extra: Horse in stable (will most likely sell it to acquire more gold)

Needs:
- gold
- food
- drink
- better map

(ooc: welcome dragonben! - ooc2: the black metal used for weapons and armour in the V. family is like mithril just matte black - if allowed)

One of Bharat's men drops in a map of Bashkher (courtesy of Karkarinus in Group A)

OOC> Titanania has been in backwoods Missouri out of human contact and will be posting soon.

Kyrika is relieved as the tavern empties, and the noise level drops. Fewer staring eyes can only be a good thing - though she wonders how many of the tavern's patrons will remember this evening, and how quickly rumours about this odd group of strangers will spread.

She glances briefly at the newcomer - another stranger to this land, to judge by his appearance - before replying to the tattoed man.

"Indeed, I did suggest leaving to find a place according all of us more privacy - but I am a stranger in this land, and not familiar with local customs, nor with the authority and influence members of our party may have. I spoke rashly when suggesting that we leave this place - but it had not even occured to me that it might be possible to reserve this tavern for us."

She pauses briefly.

"Desani is a man of power and influence - for many years I lived in the house of such a man, a man of power and influence, my sister's husband - and I suspect that Desani does nothing without a reason, as my brother-in-law would have done nothing without a purpose. If Desani sent us here, I am certain it was for a purpose - whether word of what we discuss will be carried back to him, or whether this is merely a place where strangers can congregate in safety, that I do not know. But I think that we may safely talk here."

She smiles. "Please, I know I am very insistent, but would you tell us your name, at least? It seems that we will indeed journey together, and I would not wish to cause offence by addressing anyone incorrectly."
After another brief pause she adds quietly: "If there are things you do not wish to discuss here with the rest of the group, then perhaps we can talk about them later. But for now, I think it is important that we all find out who our companions are - it may well be that our lives will depend on each other's skills. Will you tell us about yourself, so that your skills may be added to the list? And perhaps you, too, have questions you wish to ask?"

While waiting for a reply, she hears her name and realises that Kheskeim Valantius has just introduced her to the newcomer, and she greets Shaka with a polite smile and a nod, but her attention is drawn towards the map that has been left for them.

"How fortunate! I was just about to ask for a map, to learn more about this country! I am certain it will greatly aid us in our planning. But -" she looks at the others - "once again I must confess my ignorance. When I fled my sister's house I gave little thought to preparation, nor did I have any plans as to where I should go. Finding myself so unprepared is not a mistake I wish to repeat, and I would very much appreciate any advice you have to give."


Kyrika takes another sip of the wine. 'I wish I had more of that tea... I don't think I like this wine.'

[ooc] I've almost forgotten how to post..... j/k Sorry to have kept the group waiting for so long but I was unaware that I was about to be cut off from the civilized world. Well I'm back and hopefully it will be a while before I get "cut off" again. There wasn't even dial-up at the hotel.....i may just attach myself to my wireless cable router and get a really long cable yea that will work

This info is going to be presented in-game but in case anyone didn't know I have a character set up. Here’s his stat sheet:

Name: Aldhelm
Race: Tagfier
Job: Enchanter/Alchemist
Age: 27
Time Zone: Central US

Skills: Enchant, Alchemy, Fire Magic (Destruction), Light Armor, Security

Description: Tall (6'4"), Rather lanky, Dark tan skin tone with white-blonde hair. Always curious about the world surrounding him, Aldhelm got into a lot of trouble as a child with "experiments" involving his Fire Magic. (Not an allusion to me at all ) As he grew older, began to experiment in the long-forgotten arts of alchemy and enchantment after finding a tome and some materials explaining these arts in a chest that the rolling sands cast out.

Items: Tagfier Journeyman Mortar and Pestle, (1) Scroll of Tagferian Hellblast, (5) Scrolls of Tagferian Gem Feeding, Set of Light Armor (whatever is closest to Chitin in this setting), (Ingredients common to the Tagfier area), (5) Potions of Restore Magicka (Malchik's choice of power), Ancient tome (description above), Silver Longsword, (5) Common Soul Gems, (3) Greater Soul Gems, and (12) Lesser Soul Gems

Malchik, if any of this is to your disliking just let me know and I can edit it.
[/ooc]

Aldhelm was exhausted. He'd been running his horse into the ground recently and was almost as tired as the beast he rode on. He had spent almost two days glued to the saddle with only the minimum of sleep and food. He knew that whatever he was riding towards was both an important event and a powerful magic presence for Thereon to be so urgent about his departure.

Aldhelm owed Thereon his livelihood and well-being. After having gained a weak mastery of Fire magic as the other children of his age, Aldhelm had been "kidnapped". He had gone to sleep on the night of his 10th birthday and awoken in a cave with Thereon standing over him, with food and water in hand. He had explained he had taking a liking to Aldhelm and decided to save him from a terrible fate. When asked what the terrible fate was he walked Aldhelm out of the cave and gestured down towards a group of tents. Aldhelm saw the boys he had played with not one day earlier, standing in a row, facing the rising sun. However, these boys had been transformed. They had blank, vacant gazes and seemed only interested in the old, bent man gesturing to them.

"The mages were in need of new recruits and your village got picked. They've forgotten everything. They will now be trained to help "peacefully expand" Tagfier's borders, with new and powerful magic. I have decided to pass this knowledge on to you and let YOU, not some archmage, decide what to do with it. I had to go through too much for me to stand idly by and watch them send young ones to their death and grow fat off the land."

After that, Thereon had trained Aldhelm in the ways of Fire, showing him things Aldhelm had never known was possible. He had learned much from the man and when he had reached the age of around thirty, he asked him why he hadn't aged since the day of Aldhelm's rescue. It was then that Thereon had shown Aldhelm how to stop the effects of time on oneself.

From then on, Thereon had treated Aldhelm as an equal instead of a child. He told him of scrying and his delving into lost arts. He taught him alchemy and enchantment, sharing memories completely lost to the Tagfierian people.

The years had gone on like this, but three days ago, something had changed. Aldhelm had been awoken by a shaky and sweaty Thereon and informed that he had to journey to Bashkher and find the man who had been investigating disturbances. Thereon hadn’t been able to tell Aldhelm much more, and quickly sent him on his way.

Now, as Aldhelm rode into Bashkher he had wondered what had made Thereon so worried. The man was a rock normally so this "disturbance" must have been really troubling.

Looking around he saw a tall, government-type building and rode towards it. Seeing a stable nearby, he stopped and got off his horse, tossed the stable hand a few coppers and walked in. As he walked, the clerk looked up at Aldhelm and asked, "Can I help you?" “I’m here to help with the disturbances..." "Oh, that'll be Bharat Desani. I believe he's in his office." She gestured off-handedly down a corridor.

Walking into the doorway at the end of the hall, he walked up to Bharat and tapped him on the shoulder. After the man's shock had passed, he calmed down enough for Aldhelm to explain his presence. The man seemed glad to have another man there to help and explained what he had told the other arrivals.

Hurrying now towards the first hotel room Aldhelm had ever stayed in; he quickly dumped his gear and made his way towards the tavern Bharat had said he had sent another late arrival to already. Walking in as the barkeep was moving towards the door, Aldhelm looked around at the rather motley group of individuals in the tavern. Seeing a lizard-looking creature with what appeared to be a lute, Aldhelm walked over and said, "Friend, I'm rather new to the group and I was wondering if you might be able to help. Seeing your instrument, I couldn't help but notice you are probably a bard and knowledgeable to some extent about the current goings on than I am. I know the bare minimum and any information you might be able to provide would be of great assistance."

[ooc] Sorry for the extra long post, but I had a lot to cover [/ooc]

OOC: welcome back to the land of the living Titan

Kane opens an eye to the new stranger and smirks gesturing the nobleman to the door.

"Seems your 'privacy' number didn't work, oh masterful one...I hope your knowledge of this country isn't as bad as your wording"

Kane smirks slyly, he needed some entertainment and unfortunatly mocking and insulting the nobleman was entertaining enough for him, he opens the other eye and nods to the newcomer...Kane was very capable of leading yet he would only lead if he had too, if someone was willing to volunteer then he would step back and allow them too, it was only when the leader messes up or dies that he would take control, not to mention he has only been to these lands a few times and when he has been, he has taken the minimal time to get in, do his job and get out meaning he only knows several places and not the whole place like the nobleman would.

Kane studies the newcomer, already taking into account he is some kind of wizard or alchemist, these people weren't rare nor common to Kane since these were the people he would go to if he needed herbs or healing and the best sources for information about a city or person due to their profession, he also noticed the newcomer to be two inches taller but rather lanky, he grins to see him rush to the bard and ask what's going on, Kane gulps at his ale.

"You know, I'm surprised the nobleman hasn't perked up about how rude it is to just barge in and not introduce yourself before asking questions...I'm surprised he hasn't perked up and told you to report to him since he seems to be our 'leader'...for the moment"

Kane smirks glancing towards the nobleman, knowing all to well that a Jourtresian speaking about manners is hard to come by, Kane knew about manners...he just decided not to use them but what he was waiting for was the reaction and the reply the nobleman had to offer, be it ignorance, insult or challenge, Kane just wanted to test the boiling point since if he can rile somebody up in a matter of hours of meeting them, then on the journey they are more likely to snap and either harm the group or themselves and for the time being this mission needed all the group working together.

[ooc] Well I'm glad to be back [/ooc]

After having greeted the bard, he assumed, so quickly Aldhelm quickly realized that there was a much larger group in the tavern than he had realized before. He was turning and looking at the group when what could only be a Jourtresian, a little shorter than himself but much bulkier, addressed a well-dressed man across the room about security then turned to Aldhelm and said,

"You know, I'm surprised the nobleman hasn't perked up about how rude it is to just barge in and not introduce yourself before asking questions...I'm surprised he hasn't perked up and told you to report to him since he seems to be our 'leader'...for the moment"

Aldhelm looked towards the well-dressed nobleman and said quickly, "I'm sorry. I did not realize the group had a leader. As I said to the bard, I know only the bare minimum about our quest and would like some more in-depth knowledge. I assumed the bard would know more since bards are often the best observers of the situation. I am, however, willing to listen to anyone who might help explain the current situation and how we are preparing for departure."

Raising his hand in greeting to Aldhelm, Khyros replies, " Ah, our missing friend has arrived. I'd be happy to give you a summary of hte situation. As far as I know, some weird things have been happening in the religious temples throughout the city...weirder than usual that is. It's our job to investigate what's happening then do something about it."

"Let me introduce you to everyone," Khyros continues, "this is Kheskeim Valantius, nobleman, and the only person really knowledgeable about Bashkher here. Kyrika, a lady who gives herself too little credit for her abilities, which are quite...unique." Gesturing to the tattooed man, "I don't know this person's name yet, suffice to say he's very religious and agile. This is Kane, he doesn't seem to like anyone except the barkeep, just so you know. And this is Shaka, whom I don't know very much about but looks like quite a warrior. And myself...well, I'm an actor and a Shallaran, and your not doing a double-take upon seeing me says a lot about you already."

OOC: will add a little more once I get some more time.

After this announcement, Aldhelm turned towards the bard again, who now addressed him, “Ah, our missing friend has arrived. I'd be happy to give you a summary of the situation. As far as I know, some weird things have been happening in the religious temples throughout the city...weirder than usual that is. It's our job to investigate what's happening then do something about it."

So that is what Thereon detected in his scrying! These "disturbances" must be more than they appear to be for him to have been so worried.... Aldhelm thought to himself.

"Let me introduce you to everyone," the bard, "this is Kheskeim Valantius, nobleman, and the only person really knowledgeable about Bashkher here. Kyrika, a lady who gives herself too little credit for her abilities, which are quite...unique." Gesturing to the tattooed man, "I don't know this person's name yet, suffice to say he's very religious and agile. This is Kane; he doesn't seem to like anyone except the barkeep, just so you know. And this is Shaka, whom I don't know very much about but looks like quite a warrior. And myself...well, I'm an actor and a Shallaran, and your not doing a double-take upon seeing me says a lot about you already."

In response, Aldhelm said, "Well in Tagfier, where I come from, appearances matter little due to the clothing worn by most of our citizens, which has to protect them from the desert sun. It matters little what is on the outside instead what truly matters is on the inside. My name is Aldhelm Thereon and I believe I missed yours in your introduction, friend."

"Ah, I had forgotten my manners. My name is Khyros. I'm not the best fighter or mage, but I'm great for getting into tightly guarded areas through my disguise skills. I also know how to work my way around a conversation. There's really not much more to say about me, and I hate to say it, but I really don't know much about our quest. I understand you're from Tagfier, and I you don't look like a wanderer so I'm going to assume you're a mage. Tell us a little about yourself. Oh, and here's some paper to write it out for Bharat." He slides a piece of parchment and his quill across the table to Aldhelm and then waits for a response.

Shaka

Walking up towards Kheskeim "Nice to meet you all, I do believe we will learn much with and from each other as we seem to be quite a diverse group." Having said this Shaka looks for a empty place to sit and relax. Setting his bag at his feet Shaka motions to the barkeep to order some wine.

Feeling that the others would want to know something about him Shaka gives them the short version of how he came to be here. Telling them about his parents' fasination with knowledge and the different schools and universities he's been to. The restlessness he endured while studying and his parents insight to hire a trainer for him to best prepare him for the world. Sipping on his wine, once the barkeep gave it to him.

Seeing every body filling in forms, Shaka decides to get it over with. Taking some parchment Shaka jots the following down.

Name: Shaka

Race: Uritali

Class: Savant/figter(?)

Age: 25

Abilities: Ambidextrous, Most melee weapons but prefers two axes, Good knowlege/grasp of ancient languages, quick learner.

Equipment on person:
Two one-handed battle axes
Two hunting knifes, carried on belt
Stout boots (Dark brown)
Dark brown robe with Dark green trimming
Water proofed Hooded cape (Dark brown again)
Leather gloves (You guest it)

Backpack:
Bedroll
Some provisions
Bandages and some ointments (Minor Healing)
Waterskin
Tome and writing implements

Needs
Compass

After finishing Shaka walks up to Kane.

"You look like a man with experience in melee fighting, would you give me some training and tips for fighting, I have only sparred against the blade-master my parents hired and I do believe you fight a bit differently in the real world. The basics I know, I need the gritty stuff, the tricks your opponents might try, the stuff to watch out for when fighting briggands, trolls and what ever you can think off."

Perposely leaving out the word please, seeing no use in waisting his breath on words Kane would propably not appreciate. Shaka stands a respectfull/cautious distance away from the mercenary while waiting for a reply, not knowing how the mercenary would react, he have positioned his feet the one just a little behind the other, knowing the mercenary won't be able to see his feet under his robe.

It slowly dawns on Chucahau that he has been ignoring the others too much, and that he should introduce himself first in order to lessen his companions' suspiciousness which will certainly arise if he does no reveal his identity to everybody.

"I did not wish to be impolite." He hopes that the woman calling herself Kyrika, but whose real identity he believes to have recognized, notices the double meaning of his words which are also meant to relate to the demand on her. "My name is Chucahau, I am a priest - but also a fighter. That is everyone from my homeland. Who wants to survive in the jungles of Jourtres, must be able to fight."

He does not know how much of his past he should reveal to his new companions, and he does not want to risk Kyrika's wrath even more if he tells the others anything that is meant to remain secret.

"I see the need to learn more of each other. So please allow me to complete that ... form as well. Then we can continue to talk. I must admit that your letters are not all known to me. I shall require help. Please ... Kyrika ... would you be so friendly and help me write down what I must make public?"

The revelation that he is apparently not really well-educated by the standards the others have set (although in his tribe he is regarded the wisest man) does not seem to weigh so much if it allows him to speak with Kyrika in private as soon as possible.

"Yes, of course," Kyrika nods to Chucahau. "It would appear that Shaka and Kane may require some room - if indeed they intend to commence training right now - so perhaps we should sit over in that corner?" She points towards a table.

"You say you are a fighter as well as a priest, Chucahau?" Kyrika asks. "I had hoped that perhaps one of the fighters in our group might advise me what weapons I should carry, and might perhaps even be kind enough to help me learn their use. I purchased a knife in Niyobi, only to learn later that it is a throwing knife, and it seems to me that a single throwing knife will not do me much good in a fight."


She takes her bag and a spare sheet of parchment over to the table in the corner, but leaves the unpalatable wine behind.


"What do you wish me to write on the parchment?"

Sitting down at the table and taking the offered quill and parchment, Aldhelm sits down and glances at what the others have begun to write before beginning to fill out his own parchment. As he writes he begins to talk, " Well Khyros, I will tell you a little about myself. I am a Tagfierian Fire Mage trained by a master. I have also studied in the now lost arts of alchemy and enchantment. I was sent here due to the fact that these disturbances, whathever they are, are going to be very important to this country and maybe the world's future."

Finished with his little speech he finishes filling out the parchment:

Name: Aldhelm

Race: Tagfier

Class: Enchanter/Alchemist

Age: 33

Abilities: Knowledge of ancients scripts and magics, In-depth knowledge and control of Fire, Enchantment, Alchemy, Riding (Horse), Power Focus (see below) and Raised Endurance (due to the desert heat)

Equipment on person:
A small amount of money (The equivalent of around 45 septims)
Light, white traveling clothes
Riding boots
Handcrafted Sandcrab Claw dagger
Staff with Fire Focus Gem ( At the end of each day, Aldhelm stores all his unused Fire energy into the gem which can be called upon when needed later. He learned this from Thereon due to the attacks they suffered frequently from desert creatures. The staff has a maximum holding power of around the equivalent of 250 Magicka. )

Backpack:
Traveling Roll
Small amount of provisions
Ingredients for Potions
Tagfierian Mortar and Pestle
Waterskin
Ancient tome of Enchanting and Alchemy
(1) Scroll of Tagferian Hellblast
(5) Scrolls of Tagferian Gem Feeding
Set of Sandcrab Armor
(5) Potions of Restore Magicka (Malchik's choice of power)
Silver Longsword
(5) Common Soul Gems
(3) Greater Soul Gems
and (12) Lesser Soul Gems

Stable:
Horse

Needs:
More provisions
As many soul gems as possible
More local ingredients
A good night's sleep

As he finishes the form and rolls up the parchment, he turns towards the group and says, " I know most of you do not know me very well if at all due to my rather late arrival. My name is Aldhelm and like you, I have been sent to get to the bottom of these "disturbances". I am not trying to rush any of you, but I believe that time is of the absolute essence when addressing this situation. I think that we should get a move on with these parchments as soon as possible and elect a leader to tell Bharat Desani to get our supplies and then rest. I hope I am not the only one in the group who is exhausted. For the delegate to Bharat, I nominate Khyros."

"I thank you for your kind help," Chucahau replies as he follows Kyrika to the corner of the room. "I understand that you wish to learn something about the more ... natural ways of fighting. But I do not know how much help I can provide. I can fight unarmed and with my spear - yes, that is the actual purpose of the staff I am carrying with me. I have learned that weapons are despised in this land. That is why I hide the head in my bag, and use the shaft as a walking staff instead. Bute maybe the melee is not the right place for you to be. I offer you my blowgun and darts, and can show you how to use it."

He rummages in his carrying bag and, throwing a quick glance around the room with the result that no one seems to be watching, produces a blowtube and three small leather packages, one as large as his hand, another half as large and a very small one. Showing the contents of the packages to Kyrika one after the other (the thrid one he handles with extreme care), he continues:

"Please, take this as a gift. I have not many darts left - these dozen are normal darts, carved from wood. These six have been treated with poison - but you have to aim well, or they will have no effect. Be careful with these two - the poison applied to them is deadly. It can seal a man's fate within the blink of an eye."

Wrapping everything up, he puts the small bundle on the table in front of Kyrika.

"I will show you later on how to use it ... if you wish. But now, there seems to be no one listening. So allow me to make myself clear. Why do you hide your true identity? Why don't you show your abilities, and why do you pretend not to know me? Are these others not to be trusted? I am sure they would not be here if you did not wish them to present. So what is the purpose of your current guise?"

Kheskeim greets the newcomers and continue to ignore Kane; instead he sighs. "There is no leader and noone have applied for leadership either. There is on the other hand a comedian in our midst, which apparently needs entertainment on other’s behalf. My best guess is he hasn't fought for a while and is getting restless, besides having a general dislike for those of noble kin. Well, people don't choose their place of birth, and some do not condone the path they by birthright are being forced to thread." He looks at Kane and continues.

"I do not care who’s going to be the leader of this group. Neither do I care for childish games. So I say we just get down to business and stop acting like fools - what do you say Kane?"

Kheskeim rotates the map so they all have a good view on it. "Travelling in Bashkher is mainly done on a shipmasters vessel, both because most of the bigger cities are adjacent to rivers or coastlines, but also because of the heat and sheer distance between settlements." He drags a finger along the rivers on the map and then points to 3 cities.
"Mister Desani told us of reported disturbances in Ippikander, Dohoti and Golconar. The last two are close, whereas the former is on the other side of the country. Dohoti can be reached either by land or sea; since we might be going to Golconar thereafter, the seaways would probably be the wiser choice. Not to mention the heat as another reason again." He smiles.
"As you see on the parchment there, Dohoti has the Jade Temple, Golconar the Temple of Dancing Waters, and Ippikander the Skull Temple. I have given it some thought, but I can't seem to connect these three to anything, so my guess is at the moment that this is just the beginning of something that will happen on more or all temples in Bashkher - possible the world, if we do not find a way to stop it, if that is indeed what is needed."
"Desani mentioned the old library in the Sun Temple here in Papred. Maybe there are clues there or in the temple itself. Having been forced to read more books than I will ever be able to count, I would happily volunteer to go there. Maybe I will be able to find something in my memory from those books, by looking through the ones there. There has never been much written about the early civilisation though, in fact I can not recollect a single book about them; only mere references with no substance, usually in connection with the temples." Kheskeim sighs.

"As for equipping ourselves, I will be brutally honest and say, I have absolutely no information about the underground temples. If any of you travellers from afar have any experience with underground structures, it might be a good idea to use those as reference until we have more to go on. I believe the best way I can be of service in this regard will be to help acquire equipment, even special equipment if needed. So I propose you don't hold back on suggestions no matter how rare or ... non-traditional it is."

"I intend on go selling my horse, as I really don't have any use for it anymore. It's better to have gold to bribe the bureaucrats and noblemen, if we get into trouble or need assistance etc. With so many here unfamiliar to especially the customs regarding weapon wielding and armour, and I must say, it even comes as somewhat a surprise to me how this custom have become, we might have some of that." He laughs heartily (for the first time).
"I thought of asking Desani for some kind of document, which explained how we are in the service of his ministry and thus are unaffected by the common rules and traditions. I am however quite sure it will has lesser effect the longer we get from Papred, so it might just be a waste of time. Light cloaks might be the best solution for now. Also remember not to show wealth... I admit to have done that one time too many myself."

One should think Desani know of me ... maybe from my father, since he doesn't want to speak to me. I guess, I am forced to play along and ask him if I even get the chance.

OOC: Malchik, you wrote: Antinapura - the Temple of the Sun - and later said it was in Papred. Which is right?

"My... true... identity?" Kyrika repeats slowly and incredulously. This time she cannot conceal her confusion at what she is hearing. "What makes you think that I am anyone other than... me? My abilities? Which abilities? The shapeshifting? Why would I want to show that off to the others in our party - to boast and brag? And as for the locals - I don't want to get torn to pieces by those fearing magic!"

She looks at Chucahau, looking for an explanation as to what he means.

"I do not understand what you mean. I have never met you before we all assembled in Desani's audience chamber. I had not even heard of Jourtres before - I never knew there were countries other than Niyobi. I am not pretending - I truly do not know you. And neither am I pretending to be anyone other than who I have always been - Kyrika, orphaned daughter of Niyobian merchants."

Slowly, she succeeds in calming herself, and adds: "My grandmother is said to have had the shapeshifting talent. I never knew her - she died before I was born. There are others in Niyobi who can assume the form of animals - but they are loathed, and feared, and our government... they hunt them, and rather than kill them, send them to special... places. I can only guess what happens to them there. I don't want to think about it."


Kyrika tries to suppress and involuntary shiver.

"I do not understand what you are saying. You must have a reason, to think that I am someone I am not - but you are mistaken. I am just Kyrika."

Kyrika wishes she had not left the wine behind, unpalatable as it is. She is at a loss, and sipping wine, or toying with the glass, would at least have provided her with some very minor distraction behind which to hide her confusion.

"And I thank you for the offer of the darts - but I am wary of poison. I seek only a means of defending myself - I think I would find it hard to seek another's life unless I found my own threatened."

She waits for an explanation.

Out of the corner of her eye she notices that the others have gathered around the map, but she cannot hear what is being said.
'I hope they will tell me what has been decided about our route and our means of travel before we all retire for the night, so that I may finish my list. But first, I must try to get to the bottom of this mystery here - it may even be the key to our task.

One of Bharat's men looks in impatient for the list you should be giving him. Hearing Kyrika saying she does not know anything he grunts.

"You are looking at the Old Temples, yes? Well that means you go to Kolokon, a freezing cold place even in the summer, Golconar - city of epidemic diseases, Dohoti - choking on sand, Veejani isn't so bad and Ippikander is a kind of rich man's playground, Antinapura is crowded and smelly and hot and humid, Lopor is a city of commerce where bribery may be needed. Here, the Sea Temple is in the middle of a mangrove swamp accessible by a rough boat ride and surrounded by mosquitos. I hope that will help."

OOC> It is actually the Sun Temple in Antinapurs. Papred's should have been The Temple of the Chariot of the Sun. My shorthand got the better of me.

Kyrika looks up as someone she recognises as belonging to Desani's entourage enters, and fortunately his voice is audible even in her corner.

'Finally some useful information! I will really have to expand my list to take all that into account. I hope Desani's people will give us time to decide who should carry what, so we don't end up with 6 coils of rope and no lamps!'

While waiting for Chucahau's explanation Kyrika makes a mental note of the information the Bashkeri provided.

'Kolokon - frezing cold. I doubt it can be any colder than Niyobi. My clothes should suffice, and if need be I can wear more than one set, but I will need gloves. The others may need warmer clothes, and we should have the means to make a fire.
Golconar - diseases. That means we will need healing herbs and potions - though would it be better to purchase them there, or should we start taking them before we even get there?
Dohoti - sand. Perhaps we will need shovels, in cases entrances are buried. I'm sure those we ought to be able to buy them there, though. I think I'll ask for a large silk scarf though, to cover my face and hair and stop sand from getting in my eyes.
Veejani and Ippikander sound as though we don't need anything special there - except our wits. A rich man's playground could be full of intrigue and politics - dangerous in their own way.
Antinapura sounds not unlike this place, and for Lopor it sounds as though we need gold, and lots of it. And the temple here - if there are mosquitos I wonder if there is some perfume or ointment that will repel them?
He didn't mention if any of the temples are underground, but just in case we should probably carry rope and lamps, and maybe even a pickaxe in case an entrance is blocked.

As soon as Chucahau and I have cleared up this mystery here I'll mention my suggestions to the others, so that we can compile a list of everything the group will need.'

OOC: *bashes real life away from me and bleh's* heh not even set off for the task at hand and already bein sent off on the wrong way

Kane smirks at the nobleman's words...due to his line of work and his journey to Papred Kane hadn't seen anyone else other than the boat people, after that there was no one else so he needed to vent some entertainment around the room. He grunts a little adding a little comment.

"My only dislike to noblekin is that they pay people off not to hurt them, rather than stand and fight...other than that and the moronic speech they make, noblemen are fine by me...after all they are the ones that pay me to get rid of the pests...shame they haven't decided to use me to get rid of other noblemen...also lad...no Jourtresian becomes restless...if they do then they need to have their throat slit."

He looks to the new comer, Shaka who seems to have an interest within him and asking if Kane can train him, Kane smirks looking the person up and down then shrugs.

"tips?....hmm stay out of my way...that's all you need to know...as for training and the 'gritty' stuff...it is all a matter of studying your opponent...if your opponent is a good fighter then they are going to use any trick under the sun...stick to the simple things such as a simple thrust to the chest, a slash to the legs or just a combo of both...a magic user...well they are like your archers but use magic...if they use explosive magic then you are in trouble but from the looks of you...agility is your main point which means you can run out the way and under their defence before they get a chance to react...as for someone like me I can take the brunt of the force and still come charging at them

As for actually me training you...maybe on the way to wherever we are going but for now just get a chance at studying people from afar...you will be surprised at what you can pick up by watching what people say and do...such as with me the nobleman thinks I'm your typical rude laid back fighter...when infact this is just the decoy of what I really am"

He grins gulping down the last lot of ale but this time not asking for a refill...he motions for Shaka to sit with him and just gaze upon the group while they listen to the nobleman speak about the map, kane then shrugs.

"I'll place it in a nut shell for you...you are the scout since you know more about these lands than any of us...I can lead legions and men to battle but without knowing the terrain then I can do nothing...as for underground...I'll have to see it before I make decisions about it"

He rubs his chin feeling a slight stubble of hairs around the area while he ponders

"also on the note of your people and the wielding weapons in public issue...I am a fully certified mercenary which means I hold the emblem and talisman of my mercernary camp...if any wish to really argue against that then I don't mind them arguing on the end of my blades"

He smirks moving his hand down to his side and suddenly slamming something on the table, once he removes his hand a round object holding two swords crossing over each other with the face of a wolf just behind them is visible...attached to it is a chain which can be placed around the neck or hung on his belt or holder strap...he always wore this in clear view whenever walking through towns unless his target was around that area.

Glancing over the map, Khyros says: "Well, Ippikander might not be so bad, a rich man's playground is definitely full of secrets waiting to be discovered, and my art disguise will come in handy there. Kolokon...it may be cold, but I'm more used to that than this heat. Antinapura, someone of the lower classes like myself would probably fit right in, and at least it will be humid. I could probably get around Lopor as well, but it all depends on my speaking ability there. And the sea temple, I'd be happy to go there, get back to someplace watery, would have to do something about the mosquitos though. But that's all just my opinion on where I'd best fit in. Now, unless there are any objections, I'll go and take these lists to Bharat." He stands up and waits to see if there are any objections.

Kyrika spots Khyros picking up the lists, and hears him mention taking them to Desani.

"Please wait a little while!" she calls out. "My list of required equipment is not yet complete, and Chucahau has not yet given us his details. I am sorry to take so long, but until I heard about the different towns I had no idea what I would require. Also, there is some equipment which should probably be shared among the company - how many coils of rope, shovels and pickaxes, for instance, could we possibly need? Please give us a few minutes, and we shall rejoin you."

Chucahau stares at Kyrika as if he is petrified, then his face suddenly takes on a grim expression.

"Oh, what a fool I am! To think that our Great Mother would grant me or anyone else the honour of meeting her on these our mortal lands!"

He breathes deeply to calm down and concentrate.

"Forgive me my unwise and unexpected behaviour earlier on. Let me explain myself." He throws a quick glance at the rest of their group and adds "I will try to make it as short as possible - our companions seem to be in a hurry. As I have said, I come from the dense jungles of Jourtres. I am the priest of my tribe, and the only one who stands in direct contact with our Great Mother Aeea. Our land has been being plagued by demonic creatures - vicious beasts that slay men, women and children alike. They come out of nowhere and vanish as quickly again. We cannot tell where they come from or what their purpose is. But we know that they mean certain death. Once we were able to waylay one of those creatures. But our weapons were useless against them - they have a skin hard as stone.
Seeing the numbers of my people decline, I prayed to our Great Mother for guidan