Session 20: Preparations before journey

[istainion]

       

CHARACTER: Streth Evira  
CLASS: Paladin  LVL: 03
LVL PROGRESS: 50%+

  

LOOT: +1 light crossbow, +40 bolts (Streth), +2 bags of ball bearings (Jasper) +100 gold (Donation Temple of Savras), -25, -2  gold (Light crossbow, 40 bolts), -2 gold (Ball bearings), -1 gold and 3 silver (Food)

After having arranged plans with Azaka, she parted ways with us, and we returned to the innkeeper of the Thundering Lizard inn to ask him about miss Undril Silvertusk. The innkeeper was suffering from a severe headache and didn't quite seem to enjoy my enthusiastic greeting.

He told us that this lady went to Kaya's House of Rest instead due to the excessive noise, for which he didn't blame her. And also complained that she how didn't change her notice board message in response. 

He was in such pain, I was concerned and asked him if he is alright. If I can help the poor man. He said that if I can conjure some holy water specifically for a hangover, he'd be grateful. I shook my head, I am in no position to conjure something like that, but I reached out my hand to him when I offered an alternative cure that might help.

I shut my eyes, and let a golden light travel his arm when I used my ability to lay my hand on his. Divine powers connected with his body and helped him recover from the pain. (5 HP) He was surprised, and felt fantastic afterwards. He was enthusiastic and asked me if I will be around tomorrow at the same hour. I was confused at first, but when I said I had plans, he seemed disappointed. Perhaps, he said, he'll find another paladin. It took a while for myself to understand the intention, but eventually I did. I watched the man as he took a swift turn toward his liquor. Interesting individual ...

I gave my goodbye, and we left to find Undril Silvertusk at Kaya's house of resting. Once we were there, Gat spotted an individual like Smuck in the distance and told me about it. Before I could react, Taban yelled throughout the entire building how much he missed him when he made the run toward him. Smuck was quickly wrapped in both his arms for a hug. It was a nice sight, to see the two this close. I simply need to partially ignore the terms in which they speak. I suppose we indeed need to fear less with such a fearless leader we hadn't with us for this long.

We all greeted him, once Taban was done squeezing the goblin in disguise. And shared him the plans we had for the journey. He said he'd join us for 20 gold, but when I refused to pay, he seemed much more eager to join our group regardless. What an honor. I suppose, that is~

. . .
 

I approached miss Kaya, but before I could address what my intention was, she seemed most displeased with Taban's loud enthusiasm that was likely head from even outside the inn. This being the house of rest, that wasn't much appreciated. I apologized in his place, and admitted our journeys hadn't been easy, and that the enthusiasm of reuniting was not as easy to contain.

She seemed to calm down and accepted the apology. Then I asked her about miss Undril Silvertusk. Yes, indeed, that person is staying with them. She had sent someone to go find her room and inform her of our interests to meet her.

It didn't take long before we met her. An enthusiastic half orcish woman that is enthusiastic about the journey toward Camp Vengeance, where she will receive new orders. She is a priestess of Torm, and a member of the Order of Gauntlet. An order that unites many warriors of faith of Helm, Torm and Tyr. I could barely contain my enthusiasm when I had heard these words. It is such an honor to have such a member accompanying our journey. She considers a priest, paladin and magician a perfect combination for travel, but while an magician is absent, she thinks Arden is fine too.

She thinks our group is balanced by ability, and ...! What an honor! Wow! ... <Insert drooling>

We told her about the plans for the coming days, that we will meet here, at Kaya's house of rest Inn in the early morning, from there, we will head to the Thundering Lizard Inn to come and pick up Azaka, and depending on miss Inete her opinion, we will afterwards head to Temple of Savras, or where she wishes to meet us.

. . .

With these plans set, we bid farewell for the duration, and headed toward the Temple of Savras to find Inete. During our walk there, a man that struggled to walk approached us. He could barely keep his balance, his head hooded by his blue and white robe.

I was worried about his wellbeing, and took several steps toward him. I asked him if he is feeling alright, until he made an attempt to take my hand. I let him take it and held him steadily. The cloaked man appears to have invisible pupils when he brought himself closer. It was like we had a deep connection in that moment. The surrounding sound deafened for a moment, drowned by the heavy rain. He spoke to me, and said:
 

"Speak to the wise guardian of Orolunga, east of Mbala. She can direct you to that which you seek."

Once he had spoken these words, the grip on my hand weakened, and I knew that he would faint. With quick steps I caught him in my arm, and made sure he wouldn't make the fall. He was unresponsive. Upon closer inspection, he appears to be an acolyte of the Temple of Savras. I took him in my arms, and hurried toward the temple to ensure he wouldn't get sick in the weather.

Taban seemed concerned about my wellbeing after what happened, but I could barely focus, with the man's wellbeing relying on my quick handling, I told him that I am well. That reflects the truth, regardless of Smuck's playful attempts to make him believe otherwise, Taban remained next to me, and assured that if I'd feel weak, he would catch me. A very kind gesture that I appreciate.

Together, we made haste to the temple, where a group of acolytes seemed curious about our arrival. They kept their respectful distance while we carried Eshek, as they called him, inside. During this, a elvish man approached us. "You took Eshek with you. Did you receive a vision or a message?"

I returned him a surprised expression, and gave him a nod. Indeed, we did receive one. "Yes", I said to him. "And we are grateful." The acolytes seem impressed, it was like an omen to them, they appear to appreciate us much more.

With Eshek handed to their safe and assuring care, we headed farther inside the building to meet Head priest Zitembe, who gave us his greeting. Not only that, he knew exactly why we were there, and who we are looking for. I hadn't expected this welcome in the slightest, but I was happy that he learns of our plans so easily.

He lifted his hand and pointed in the direction of his people, which group parted, when a lady stepped forward. It was Inete, she knew of everything as well, and is fine with traveling with our numbers. She told us that we'll meet her at Kaya's House of Rest, which is our inn. Not only that, she rose a coin pouch that carries 100 gold pieces as a donation to us. This mission, she said, it is for all brothers and sisters of the temple. I was hesitant about accepting it, but I wish not to dishonor their kind generosity. I thanked them kindly as I took a hold of it.

With a bow, we made our leave.

. . .

The group reminded me of Xandala, an elf woman who is eagerly looking for a group of adventurers that will assist her to find her father. It would be in the same direction as we are going. So we started to look for her. We spoke to a few people, who said that they last saw her at the western gate(?). But when we found nothing, we asked more people, who said that they last saw her heading at the bazaar.

We divided the group to go look for her. And I was lucky to find her near a potion shop. I carefully approached her, and waited for her to buy two potions of healing, until she turned and locked eyes with me. It was a friendly meeting again, she seemed happy to hear that we looked for her to help her out. But when she heard of our traveling companions' number, she was unsure.

She had a thought, and decided not to accept. She fears that the number of people might frighten her father. I must admit, we'll travel with eleven people in total. While the travel is likely safe, it also comes with some complications, that is true. She said to me that once we have a smaller group, we can find her. When I asked her where we are likely to find her, she told us that we can find her at Kaya's House of Rest, if she didn't find a different group by that time.

We parted ways in an equally friendly manner, and I regrouped with the others to inform them of what happened. Smuck was eager to tell me that he found small red dragons at the shops that look almost identical to Summerwise, her companion dragon. It's an interesting find, that is for certain ...

Our plans for tomorrow are set, we have an additional 100 gold, so I made sure we have everything we need. After the experiences I had at the field, I decided to buy myself a light crossbow with 40 bolts, and Jasper bought a bag of ball bearings (1,000). We enjoyed some food at the Bazaar, and then we returned to the inn to rest up for the morning to come. We also had our clothing washed! What a service!