Chapter Eleven: The Troubled Temple of Tapio - Preparation

[Purr]

EarthHome...

"Perhaps I do need to do some shopping.", he said aloud, "The last time I bought clothing for myself, I'd not been blessed by a trio of mischevious imps."
He smiled and flexed his shoulders, demonstrating the tightness of his shirt.
"Anyone know of a good tailor?"

Bria moved right in front of Otiorin's field of vision the way women do when they want a man's full attention. She stood up on her tip-toes, raised her hand, and gave him that excited smile of hers. "I'm a tailor! Remember this?" Bria brushed her hands three times against her Ko fighting robes and immediately rainbow colors surrounded them.

Suddenly, she was wearing a gorgeous red and white embroidered dress, one worthy of any noble. She spun once. Her soft brown hair and dress turned with her in a lovely cascade of rich colors. It was enough to make one wonder if the peaceful healer practiced this in front of a mirror when no one was looking.

Spoiler: Glamour

(Image credit: Pinterest and Nafdress.com)

This magical display caused several of Mielikki's faithful to pause, some in wonder, others in delight, and yet others in envy. Bria seemed not to notice any of them, for she was talking with her Oti with a glow as if he were the only man in all of Sharseya.

Bria beamed. "Remember my glamoured armor, Oti? I can weave clothes like that! Maybe I can weave up something for you too. Would you like that?" The look in Bria's eyes told the half-elf that she would like nothing better.

 

[Sherwood]

Luna's eyes sparkle at that nugget of information. "Bria, I didn't know that you made your glamoured armor! What would I have to do to get a set of such wondrous clothes for myself? I will gladly be your humble servant in this if it would help in any way. Please?" She puts on her best pleading face as she looks to the Ko Monk, hoping to convince the other woman.

 

[Purr]

"Perhaps he is as ugly as an orc at a beauty contest, but I can be very convincing when I need to be. I thank you for the warning, though."

Baltor appeared doubtful. "No, no, I didn't say he was as ugly as an orc... though now that I think about it... No." He shook his horned head. "I said gettin' him to help you was like takin' an orc to a beauty... Oh, to Hell with it..."

I am Oreleth Soumral, from the Elven homelands in the Forest Eternal. I am here at the great city of Highwind to try and recover information for a quest of mine. As I said before, I intend no mischief in your city, I just plan on enjoying a hot bath and a good meal as I try to find a way to get the next location of the item that I seek. Is this adequate to you for my entry, good sir?"

Baltor chuckled and spoke with pride. "'Ha haaa! Adequate?' Oh, it is obviously your first time in my city! First after me, you gotta talk to my boy, Polarth the Grim of Saint Cuthbert!" There, at the foot of the grand gate, Oreleth could see a stern-looking, older human dressed in a red and white hauberk over a gleaming suit of chainmail. He squarely noted Oreleth with a dour expression.

"After him, you gotta talk to my girl, Bereese Shining-guard the Master Blacksmith and Master Carpenter!" A cheery-looking gnome with flaring red hair like a sunburst waved. She wore a midnight-black apron of some once-grand leathery creature complete with matching onyx studded gloves and boots. She seemed both kind and formidable. "Bereese gotta see what'choo tryin' ta bring inta this here city of ours! And I'm talkin' everything on your person!" The master gazed at Oreleth's gear with a patient twinkle in her eye. Oreleth gained the impression this gnome took her sweet time with her duty.

"Then," Baltor continued, "you gotta have a conversation with the bad-ass Iron Kitty himself, Gromash the Terrible! Your Highwind Captain of the Guard!" Oreleth looked over to see a fierce-looking plate mail-clad wemic with incredible muscles, hawk-like eyes, and a face that held such a stern no-nonsense countenance it could have been carved out of solid stone. Then again, a presence and face like that seemed as if it could blast stone to pieces with but a harsh glance. Gromash gave Oreleth a single haunting look that promised swift retribution if Oreleth did not do one simple thing - behave!

Spoiler: Wemic

This kind fellow, but more muscular and clad in immaculate, custom-made plate mail and decked out with steel arms and shield with the white and green hippogryph of Highwind easily seen on the shield's face.

(Image credit: Forgotten Realms Wiki - Fandom)

"Only then..." Baltor waved with his hand, "...is any motherfucker allowed to roam inside mighty Highwind's walls. You see what I-- Hey!"

Just then, a tiny little winged creature - a simple bluebird - came flapping by in the chilly morning wind. It flew over cart and crate, wemic and wagon, mount and minotaur, until it came to Oreleth. It flapped as if in joy directly before her. It looked like this.

Spoiler: Bluebird

(Image credit: Biodiversity Research Institute )

This little fellow decided to perch on Oreleth's bow and look down on her in the quizzical manner of tiny birds. It peeked about in silence.

"Hey!" Baltor warned. "Fool bird! Get outta here! Can't'choo see I'm tryin' ta be a guard today?"

But the bird did not move.

What does Oreleth do?

 

[Psychie]

More bureaucracy. I shouldn't be surprised. Every city has to have one. She lets out a quiet sigh. "As you will it, so it shall be. Lets us begin this process so I can enter this fine city and continue on my search." She is ready to move over to the next step in the entrance process when the small bird comes flying in and perches on her bow. When the city guard tries to shoo the bird away, Oreleth gives him a shushing motion. "Oh, pooh. This little one is a real beauty! Don't scare him!" She reaches her hand out slowly, and if the bird does not fly off, she gently rubs its head with her finger. "So cute! Tell me, little one, are you here to deliver a message to me? Are you someone's familiar, or simply a resident of Highwind?" As she talks to the bird, she reaches into her pouch for a wafer of bread and breaks off a piece to offer to the bird, making soothing sounds as she does so.

Spoiler: Current Spells

0 - Ray of Frost, Flare, Light, Mage Hand
1 - Shield x2, Shocking Grasp, Burning Hands

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

.:| Nivirea - The Sorceress |:.

Bria's trick left Nivirea stunned and speechless in quite an unladylike gawk. Maybe she would have come up with something to say had Luna not beaten her to it, but either way she didn't seem keen on following her example and declaring herself a humble servant just yet. Instead, she simply watched with great interest, remembering to pick up her jaw off the floor somewhere along.

 

[Purr]

Highwind's South Gate...

The little bluebird answered by taking Oreleth's offered wafer into his teeny beak and leaping off of the elven fighter's longbow. With alacrity and grace, the bird flew about 30 yards away to the corner of Highwind's southern gate.

At first, it seemed as if he were going to disappear around the corner of the outer wall and be gone. However, at the last moment, the little bluebird turned back, wafer still in beak, and landed on the cornerstone.

Oreleth did not know what was around that corner, but the bird watched her intently. He paid no mind to the hulking minotaur beside her, but instead seemed to gaze into Oreleth's eyes from afar.

What does Oreleth do?

 

[Psychie]

With a growing level of curiosity, Oreleth stares at the bird. As a side thought, she murmurs to the minotaur, "Hold on a moment. He wants me to follow him. I'll be right back." She then heads over to the corner where the cute little bird is now waiting for her. "Wait for me, little one. I'm coming." I may have to wait through the line to get into the city, but sometimes a sacrifice needs to be made to indulge in curiosity.

Spoiler: Current Spells

0 - Ray of Frost, Flare, Light, Mage Hand
1 - Shield x2, Shocking Grasp, Burning Hands

 

[Purr]

EarthHome...

Bria beamed. "Remember my glamoured armor, Oti? I can weave clothes like that! Maybe I can weave up something for you too. Would you like that?" The look in Bria's eyes told the half-elf that she would like nothing better.

Spoiler: Because the Dungeon Master Said So

Captain Hesperus

=) *Dann the Dungeon Master grabs Otiorin's head with both hands. And then...* =)

Slowly, as if operated by invisible fingers, Otiorin Tale Treader nodded. As if little fingertips gently pulled at his cheeks, the handsome rogue/sorcerer smiled at Bria.

Bria replied, "Oh, you do? That's just wonderful, Oti! I'll make you something nice - just you wait and see!" Bria gazed in admiration at her half-elf Oti and gave him the softest, warmest kiss on his cheek.

*Game on.* =)

Luna's eyes sparkle at that nugget of information. "Bria, I didn't know that you made your glamoured armor! What would I have to do to get a set of such wondrous clothes for myself? I will gladly be your humble servant in this if it would help in any way. Please?" She puts on her best pleading face as she looks to the Ko Monk, hoping to convince the other woman.

Bria turned to Luna in surprise. "Oh no, Luna! I'm no armorsmith - I found this set." Her eyes began to meander - anywhere but on Luna and Sparkle. "But finding it did inspire me to do a little... weaving... in my room in the wagon... after hours... when no one was looking..."

Then suddenly, she burst into giggling, her long brown hair bouncing.

"Ohhh, I just can't stand it anymore!"

The peaceful healer reached back inside her Bag of Holding and with what appeared to be reverence, withdrew a robe that looked like a match of the robe Luna she was wearing now.

Spoiler: Dungeon Master note for Sherwood

Please add a "Glamered Robe" to Luna's character sheet! As a standard action, the wearer may transform this robe into any normal clothing. =)

Also do add "Glamered Scarf (tiny)" which works the same as Luna's new robe.

A little backstory here - about three years ago, when the Wayward Wanderers were first getting to know each other, Bria displayed her Glamered Leather Armor by transforming it into whatever normal clothing she wished. Luna gushed. Bria had taken note of this since the first time Luna had expressed a desire for such things.

Bria has since periodically reminded me that she wanted to make use of her Craft Wondrous Item feat behind closed doors for Luna to give her a similar robe one day. That's three years of an NPC saying, "Remember!" in my mind's ear.

Finally, that day is today! Surprise, Sherwood! =)

"This is for you, Luna! For being a fine friend and teammate too! Oh! And Miss Sparkle? This is for you!" She bestowed a small rosy-pink scarf made of silken material to the pseudo-dragon.

But... Sparkle stammered mentally for all to hear. No one thinks of the familiar! Only the wizard!

"Not today!" Then Bria whispered just loud enough for all to hear. "I made one for both of them!" Having presented these gifts, the well-traveled adventurer stood back with a gleam so bright it may as well have come from heaven itself.

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Otiorin nodded cheerfully, the mop of brown hair on his head flopping almost into his eyes.
"Of course I remember, apple of my eye. But what with all the excitement of the last few days, such things slipped my mind.", he replied, "I'd be honored if you'd create something appropriate to replace these clothes."

 

[Sherwood]

Luna lets out a very undignified squeal of excitement, jumping up and down with the robe in her hands before turning to Bria and giving her a ginormous squeeze and a friendly peck on the cheek. "Oh, Bria! Thank you thank you thank you! This is wonderful! I can't believe you remembered how much I liked your armor and you went and made us both," she includes Sparkle in her comment, "these wondrous gifts! I owe you a huge favor for this. Just name it, and its yours."

Spoiler: Current Spell List

0 - Light, Mage Hand, Message, Read Magic
1 - Shield x2, Burning Hands, Floating Disk, Unseen Servant, Magic Missile x2
2 - Protection From Arrows x2, Blur x2, Web x2, Scorching Ray
3 - Haste, Fireball, Displacement, Fly, Lightning Bolt
4 - Ball Lightning x2, Empowered Scorching Ray x2, Remove Curse
5 - Cone of Cold, Empowered Fireball, Empowered Lightning Bolt

Force Missile x9, Extended Mage Armor II in effect, duration of 20 hours

 

[Purr]

Highwind's South Gate...

With a growing level of curiosity, Oreleth stares at the bird. As a side thought, she murmurs to the minotaur, "Hold on a moment. He wants me to follow him. I'll be right back." She then heads over to the corner where the cute little bird is now waiting for her. "Wait for me, little one. I'm coming,"

As Oreleth followed the troubled bluebird, she heard the minotaur call after her. "You be careful, Elfie-girl! Should danger come your way, just shout out my name - BALTOR! - and I'll come runnin'!"

Then he turned to the merchant and his guards. Unconsciously, they slowly shrank back from him. "Menacingly, Baltor shoved his face directly into the merchant's. "And who are you, mister man?"

The human merchant in his expensive brown fur coat and jeweled earrings, cringed and smiled weakly. "Vuh, vuh, vuh--" he stammered.

Baltor mimicked him impatienly. "'Vuh, vuh, vuh?!"

The merchant blurted, "Varelys Trading Group, good sir!"

Baltor straightened and scratched his head. "Varelys Trading Group? Who in the hell is that?"

That was the last Oreleth heard of their conversation. The wood elf's boots crunched in the hard earth and as she followed the bluebird and rounded the corner, she came upon a distressing sight. Here, tucked away from easy view, Oreleth was a tremendously large bite spider web.

Oreleth could tell it had been here for some time, days perhaps weeks. Dozens of small shrunken cocoons, each about the size of a common rat, dotted the web. Oreleth noticed one of these was full and moving as if something inside was trying desperately to get out.

The bluebird, now perched on the wall, hopped excitedly but did not chirp. All of his attention was on that one cocoon. It did not take an elf to see one blue wing and talon inside. This second bluebird was hopelessly trapped while the first gazed on.

Then Oreleth heard a soft rustling sound. her attention had been on the blue bird and the cocoon, but now she looked up. Above her, not five yards away, the rest of the silky spiderweb stretched out, and hanging up on it was its maker.

Spoiler: The Maker

Heya folks! if my memory is correct, Psychie does not like spiders in Real Life. Therefore insert spider image here. =)

For those interested, the spider is large-eyed, colorful, and furry. Kind of pretty as spiders go.

The Maker had been aware of Oreleth's presence since the wood elf had come around the corner. The arachnid seemed calm, and perhaps curious, but she was keeping her distance for the moment.

Spoiler: For Psychie

Since this is the first time you played in this game, you might benefit from the wood elven perspective here.

The Forest Eternal has its share of giant spiders too, though those are more adapted to more temperate climates. Unlike humans, wood elves see giant spiders as neighbors. The spiders keep the forest clean and clear of nasty creatures that attempt to enter carrying disease or other things that might threaten the wood.

And so, the wood elves largely leave them be, unless the spiders need help.

The Druids among Oreleth's people teach that a spider's web knows not what it takes. If you find yourself in one, of course, free yourself, but then replace the spider's meal before moving on.

For reasons like these, the wood-elves and giant spiders have lived alongside each other for a very long time.

What does Oreleth do?

 

[Purr]

"Oh, Bria! Thank you thank you thank you! This is wonderful! I can't believe you remembered how much I liked your armor and you went and made us both," she includes Sparkle in her comment, "these wondrous gifts! I owe you a huge favor for this. Just name it, and its yours."

Sparkle, her new magical scarf tied proudly about her neck, nodded in vigorous agreement with Luna's words.

Bria hugged Luna back with all that she had, for she loved hugs. Her face beamed with happiness and took into every word. Luna's expression and words of appreciation had made Bria's day!

"Oh, Luna! 'Between friends, there is no owing.'"

Spoiler: Quote

Bria has made this statement before. It comes from Ellis Peters' excellent detective series, Cadfael.

"Just seeing the two of you so happy makes me happy too!" The look on Bria's face was as sincere as always for Luna's joy was Bria's joy.

As for Nivirea's reaction to Bria's use of magic, the peaceful healer seemed to have missed it.

 

[Kaerri]

Bren Sarabina

Spoiler

Standard AC: 23
Fort save: +13
Ref save: +8
Will save: +11
Current action points: 10
Current HP: 112
Status effects: none
Powerpaw's tower shield +1 (-2 to attack rolls)
Spells: 1st - Bless, Bless Weapon, Divine Favor, Lesser Restoration; 2nd - Bull's Strength, Delay Poison, Resist Energy; 3rd - Daylight, Prayer.
Speech color, for reference: #3399ff

.:| Nivirea - The Sorceress |:.

"Of course I'm going." Nivirea said to Luna, finally turning away from Bren. "Aren't we all?"

Bren nodded. "I'd prefer us all to stick together, not least because Bria and I seem to be the only ones who have been here before. I can show you all around well enough." He smiled, watching the interaction between Bria and Luna, and waited for them to finish before continuing. "Bria had another errand as well, to the orphanage, right?" He looked at the healer girl. "So you can go there, with any who wish to accompany you, while I take the rest on a general tour and shopping trip. We can meet back up here for lunch, and if there's anything undone then, we'll take care of it in the afternoon. Sound good?"

 

[Psychie]

Oreleth looks at the situation and ponders what to do. On one hand, the spider is not doing anything wrong; its just trying to survive just like it should, and animals that wander into its web are the ones that haven't learned to keep away from them. On the other hand, she has a feeling that there is more to this bird than normal, and she would like to free the struggling prisoner from its impending doom. What to do?

She looks at the spider, and mustering up a smile, she says in elf, "Good master spider, could I prevail upon you to allow me to switch out one snack for another? I could catch a tasty squirrel for you. Would that be ok?"

Spoiler: Current Spells

0 - Ray of Frost, Flare, Light, Mage Hand
1 - Shield x2, Shocking Grasp, Burning Hands

 

[Purr]

Speaking to the large, furry arachnid seemed to elect even less of a response had Oreleth attempted to start up a chat with a warm-blooded animal. The spider simply stayed where it was and watched her, unblinking and patient as spiders do.

At least for what felt like a short while...

Then the spider moved. Slowly and gracefully, she crossed her web perpendicular to where Oreleth and the bluebirds were. She pushed feebly against a stone some two feet high and wide and perhaps as thick. It did not budge. The stone seemed to cover a hole in the ground, but the spider could not get to it.

Prodding the rock one last time, the horse-sized arachnid crept backwards up her web, quietly keeping her large, luminous eyes on Oreleth. Oreleth could sense no threat from her.

What does Oreleth do?

 

[Psychie]

Oreleth looks at the rock, then back up to the spider. "If I move this for you, I get to take the bird. That seems fair enough." Assuming that I can move the rock by myself. Lets see what I can do. She walks over to the rock and crouches down to get a good grip on it. Once she feels set with her feet planted well, Oreleth gives a mighty heave to shift the rock out of the way.

 

[Purr]

Oreleth found moving heavy stone to be difficult, for it was also jammed into the hole. This required Oreleth to deadlift the rock. After some repositioning, Oreleth made the most out of her average elven strength and after much straining and yanking, she pulled the stone free...

... and nearly dropped the thing on her foot! For the moment she freed the stone from its hole, the sounds of dozens of scurrying little feet racing across the earth caught her ears! Oreleth looked down and saw rats! At least a dozen of them! They were scrawny, filthy, and scarred with yellowed, bruised skin and unhealthy fur. Oreleth knew signs of disease when she saw them. They ran squealing all over the place, out of the hole...

...and into the spider's web. There they became entrapped as the spider watched on, her reaction an enigma.

The furry arachnid then turned to face the trapped bluebird. She backed away from the avian and seemed to wait. The bluebird was inside a very thick cocoon, one at least twice the size needed to hold a bluebird. On the wall, the bluebird who guided Oreleth hopped and chirped impatiently and incessantly. The spider gazed on.

What does Oreleth do?

 

[Psychie]

Oreleth goes up to the struggling bird and pulls out a dagger to free it from the web. Carefully cutting at the bindings, she pulls the bird out of harms way. She talks to the bird in quiet Elven. "Hush, little one. I am here, and you will be free in a moment." Turning to regard the spider, she bows lightly to it. "Thank you, Mr. Spider. It was a pleasure meeting you."

Backing away a few steps, Oreleth leaves the spider to its new meal of rat.

 

[Purr]

Cutting into the cocoon and slicing dexterously between those ivory strands, Oreleth freed one very chatty, hopping bluebird and makes a discovery. The wood elf spied something else inside, underneath where the bluebird was trapped - a faded-green, bone scroll case firmly kept with a brown wax seal at one end.

At first glance, the case appears to be nearly as old as Oreleth.

What does Oreleth do?

 

[Psychie]

First things first. Lets make sure my little one is ok. "Here now. Lets get the rest of that webbing off of you. There. How is that? Just a few ruffled feathers it looks like. Other than one close call, you seem to be ok. Can you fly?" She holds up her hand to let the little bird fly away if it so chooses.

Feeling good about her kind deed, Oreleth then turns her attention to the scroll case. "Hmmm. Lets see what we have here." With that, she pulls the stopper and carefully examines the interior to see if there is a scroll inside.

Spoiler: Current Spells

0 - Ray of Frost, Flare, Light, Mage Hand
1 - Shield x2, Shocking Grasp, Burning Hands

 

[Purr]

The bluebird had more than just a few ruffled feathers - her eyes were as wide as they could be and she was shivering. The bluebird on Highwind's wall chirped repeatedly at his fellow and before Oreleth knew it, she had a sticky bird on her fingers and a chatty bird on her shoulder.

Oreleth saw that the wax stopper had been on for long enough that she would require a sharp object like a dagger to pry it loose. Thankfully, Oreleth was a fighter and those in her profession were hardly caught dead without such implements on their person.

With some finesse despite the distraction of two chirpy birds, Oreleth popped the stopper off. Inside the bone scroll case was a yellowed vellum page wrapped and turned into a long spiraling scroll. It was dry and cracked in some places. There was no way to tell from her current position if the ink had also survived its journey through time.

 

[Psychie]

With a smile at the reunited birds, Oreleth once more glances down at the rolled up scroll. Well, this has been sitting out here for a long time, long enough that a bit of caution in reading it shouldn't hurt. I must be careful with it when I open it up or I'll end up destroying the scroll and whatever secrets it contains. Look at it in your room later on tonight when you can pamper it the way it needs. Now, lets see how much harassment I'll have to go through to get into the city.

She slips the scroll carefully back into its case, then tucks it into her bag of holding for safe keeping. With a wave to the happy birds, she says in Elven, "Goodbye, friends! Be more careful of spiderwebs in the future! May Solonor Thelandira help lift your wings. Farewell."

Now Oreleth turns to head back to the gate with a bounce in her step and a song in her heart, humming happily in the bright sunlight.

 

[Purr]

(Dungeon Master note to all - this post includes all of you. Enjoy! =) Kaerri Sherwood Wolf Rawrrr Captain Hesperus Psychie )

Spoiler: Scene Music

"Two Trees" by Loreena McKennitt. This song has such feeling to it. =)

She slips the scroll carefully back into its case, then tucks it into her bag of holding for safe keeping. With a wave to the happy birds, she says in Elven, "Goodbye, friends! Be more careful of spiderwebs in the future! May Solonor Thelandira help lift your wings. Farewell."

Except the bluebirds were not having it...

Spoiler: For Psychie

Hold on to your hat, lady! =)

As Oreleth began to place the scroll back into its longtime home, both of the little bluebirds took action, spreading their wings, and flitting all about the scroll all the while singing their own sunny songs. Each of them pulled at the scroll on opposite ends, and suddenly, the ancient parchment unraveled with a crisp smoothness as if the vellum was made this very day.

Oreleth saw the spider, too, act as if she were in on this. The furry female raised one leg slowly and began to wave it at Oreleth as if in farewell.

The scroll flashed open with bright shine like a small sun coming to life. It faded quickly and there on the scroll's face, Oreleth saw a great and grand drawing - a grizzly bear and a baby bear - as freshly drawn as if it had been done this very dawn.

Spoiler: Bears

(Image credit: Etsy)

The scroll lay there in her hands but her senses told her that something terrific had changed. Gone was the Highwind outer wall and the crisp breeze. Gone too was the spider, her webs, and her new morsels. As Oreleth looked up, there was beauty everywhere! She saw great and towering green trees and leaves all about her, all healthy and strong. Trees, shrubs, even the long waves of green grass joined together to form a single beautiful living thing. This, Oreleth's elven senses told her truly. The wood elf could feel the bright, warm feeling of life all around her.

Spoiler: Where She Was

(Image credit: ArcaniA Gothic 4 Coda-craven.org)

Oreleth had never felt such natural beauty anywhere except in the Forest Eternal, and she knew she was blessed to have known that. This place, this unearthly realm, was something altogether different than the ancient wood of her ancestors.

As Oreleth looked about, she saw dozens of people, short and tall, round and thin, all going about their business as if Oreleth's appearance there was nothing of alarm. Some of these people wore robes or armor of evergreen, some of these with jewelry or cloaks with the livery of the bear upon them. She noticed several altars arranged colorfully and neatly, all a short stroll away.

"Tweet, tweet!" The bluebirds shot away from Oreleth and up, up into the canopy above her, a leafy ceiling so tall and wide as to make her feel like a little bluebird herself in size. The bluebirds sang happily for the birds were no longer apart.

So it was for the energy that dwelled inside Oreleth's own soul. For elves were special creatures too. Like bluebirds, they needed true and natural realms like this to dwell, perhaps to rest and remember, and to keep in their hearts on their adventures.

Not far from Oreleth was a gathering of people more unusual than the wood elf's method of transportation here - wherever here was... They had noticed Oreleth's flashy arrival like a woman stepping out of a shining sun which had faded as quickly as it had been born. Unbeknownst to Oreleth, the Wayward Wanderers had assembled here in EarthHome and were on their way out when Oreleth had arrived just now.

Oreleth saw two large, bipedal cats the size of minotaurs. These hearty felines, one kind of scary, one kind of woodsy, were like nothing Oreleth had ever seen or heard of. Their eyes were blood-red and their whiskers and tails turned and rose as they spoke with the others. There too were several humans, ladies mostly. One had the bearing of confidence and striking beauty like that of a dryad. Another woman seemed to be the type that enjoyed book-learning and mystical secrets like the little dragon that sat upon her shoulder. Yet another had fair features combined with a look of compassion and kindness that ran incessantly like a brook.

There were men, too. One had a tousled bush of hair and rugged appearance with hints of elven heritage about him. Oreleth immediately recognized this fellow for a half-elf. That race, once prosperous and filled with prowess, had fallen to the brink of extinction. Some said their numbers were less than a dozen Sharseya-wide. And yet, there was something else about him too - something that nagged at her elven senses but would not make itself clear.

Then she spied a small, fuzzy bear-like creature Oreleth could not place, with red, white, and brown fur and black eyes that spoke of a great, reaching intelligence. He gazed at Oreleth, his thoughts an enigma.

But there was one being among them all that Oreleth did recognize! Tall and broad of shoulders, armored and handsome, standing in the stance of a Summerset man was Lord Brendoran Sarabina. Time had in no way dimmed the goodness in his eyes; if anything, Oreleth could now sense more of that good nature in his very being.

The blonde-haired elf, her bow on her shoulder, seemed as if she had come alone.

What do each of you do?

 

[Psychie]

When the flash of light fades away and Oreleth is once more able to see clearly, her growing sense of alarm quickly fades. Wherever she was right now was one of goodness and light, that much was clear to her, so she lowers her hands away from her bow and looks around.

As her alarm fades away, it is quickly replaced with amazement. Where am I? What is this place? She looks down at the scroll and the picture of the bears, and quickly realizes that she had just been tested by a divine power, and that this is her reward for helping the bird without killing the spider. Judged, and found worthy? Hopefully. Oreleth looks down at the scroll once more. Bears. There are others here wearing livery with bears on them. What God uses the bear as a symbol? I am no cleric to know these things! Why am I here?

She is about to step forward to ask someone about where she is when she suddenly sees Brendoran. Finally! A familiar sight! What is he doing here, and in the company of such an assorted group of travelers? Lets go ask him about this wondrous place.

With a smile on her face and a bounce in her step (the good feeling of this place is contagious) she walks over with a wave. "Do my eyes deceive me, or is that Brendoran Sarabina?"

Spoiler: Current Spells

0 - Ray of Frost, Flare, Light, Mage Hand
1 - Shield x2, Shocking Grasp, Burning Hands

 

[Sherwood]

Luna has been having fun playing - I mean, practicing with the Glamored Robe, making different outfits, and seeing what limits the robe has to it. At the moment, she is wearing a comfortable and functional red dress, one that gives her a pleasant look while being flexible and durable enough to survive the rigors of being outdoors. She is quite happy with the gift from Bria, and is certain that some day she will repay the favor to the Ko monk, somehow. What made her even happier was that Bria included Sparkle with the scarf. Luna's opinion of the sweet woman went up many levels with that.

Now, the Wayward Wanderers are preparing to set out on their quest to restore the temple from the evil forces that have defiled it. At the moment, Luna is feeling quite confident that while they may face many challenges in the temple, they will succeed in their quest to restore the temple. But before they can set out, her attention is drawn by the flash of light and the sudden arrival of the Elven warrior. Hmmm. That's not a sight you see every day. She is not worried that the single woman will cause trouble, so she does not even bother to pull out her wand. She looks confused, as if she doesn't know where she is. I wonder what is going on?

Then as the elf woman looks around, she notices the Wayward Wanderers. Kinda hard to miss them, with the assorted members of the team. When the woman calls out to Bren, Luna looks at the newly promoted paladin with curiosity, wondering what response he will have for her. "It looks like we have a visitor for you, Bren."

Spoiler: Current Spell List

0 - Light, Mage Hand, Message, Read Magic
1 - Shield x2, Burning Hands, Floating Disk, Unseen Servant, Magic Missile x2
2 - Protection From Arrows x2, Blur x2, Web x2, Scorching Ray
3 - Haste, Fireball, Displacement, Fly, Lightning Bolt
4 - Ball Lightning x2, Empowered Scorching Ray x2, Remove Curse
5 - Cone of Cold, Empowered Fireball, Empowered Lightning Bolt

Force Missile x9, Extended Mage Armor II in effect, duration of 20 hours