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Post by homeskillet on Jul 14, 2008 9:37:48 GMT -5
" You think they seen us, Sunny?" Barbarius asks as he climbs down. Barbarius now is back to only seeing the tall grass all around. He grips his ax and takes a few steps out, awaiting to face the welcoming party.
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Post by Game Master on Jul 14, 2008 12:21:13 GMT -5
Sunny readied his lance. "I doubt they saw anyone but, me at this point.
The wizard finished his incantation and the clearing now had four look alikes standing side by side. The squire swung his sword in practice and Meylon sat high in her saddle bow at the ready.
Soon a distant thunder of hoofs could be heard and a faint cloud of dust and grass could be seen to the North.
"Remember. Let them make the first move. It couldn't hurt to make some friends out here." Sunny reminded everyone.
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Post by sfliegel on Jul 15, 2008 15:36:35 GMT -5
Bane reconsidered his earlier choice of using his bow and instead readied his polearm. He took a step back to both give himself more room and to keep from being too close to that dwarf and his axe. "I'll follow your lead Sunny."
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Post by Game Master on Jul 18, 2008 20:06:59 GMT -5
The Centaurs charged into the clearing and then raigned themselves in at the far side. Fanning out the 4 bowman covered the group while 5 spearmen stood firm ready to attack. The only two females in the group as well as a huge, muscular male clip-cloped forward slowly. While the rest were armed with crude weapons and leather barding, these three were better equipped. All three had a mix of studded leather barding and chest armor as well as steel plates protecting spine, arms and legs. All 3 carried odd looking, six foot long handled Hammers made of blocky, stone heads atop reinforced iron shafts.
The male leader scanned the party and lifted his chin. In a loud, authorative voice he anounced a question In broken southern.
"We seek Xan! Bring him forth now!"
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Post by homeskillet on Jul 18, 2008 21:15:51 GMT -5
"What do ya want with 'im!" Barbarius yells, not really seeing much through the grass.
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Post by sfliegel on Jul 19, 2008 23:47:23 GMT -5
"There is no Xan here, only we travelers. Why do you seek such a creature as this Xan?" Bane tried his best to be diplomatic as well as to play dumb. From the looks of them they were here to do harm to Xan. Bane felt it best to attempt to draw out more info about Xan. Afterall, if he were in the employ of, or worse, friends with the alchemist that could only mean two things. First, he was probably sneaky and manipulative, and second, he was likely equiped with powerful magic.
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Post by Game Master on Jul 20, 2008 2:41:36 GMT -5
Before Sunny could add to the conversation the Centaur spat on the ground.
"So, Xan has prepared for our return by hiring protectors has he?" He sneered. "Tell your Master that our tribe has come to a decision. The tower must fall. Our ancestors will not tolerate it's blight on our lands any longer. For too many seasons has this cursed structure made by man and magic sullied our plains. No where can we go without looking upon it in revulsion. It sickens our hearts and crushes our spirits no longer! You have till dawn."
With that the entire group turned and galloped off the way they came.
"Well that didn't go as bad as I feared." Sunny chuckled. "Barbarius. Bane. See what's keeping the others. Help them find this Xan fellow. The rest of you stand guard with me till we're sure they've gone."
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Post by homeskillet on Jul 20, 2008 10:23:40 GMT -5
Barbarius grumbles. No fight, no ass kicking. This has been one dull adventure so far. Barbarius sheathes his ax in disdain and starts stomping toward the door Miguel and Marrissa went into," Come on Pup, let's go and find this turkey!"
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Post by sfliegel on Jul 20, 2008 16:04:41 GMT -5
"It would seem that there are others who dislike that alchemist more then you do," Bane jested as he moved off following Barbarius. Looming over the grass Bane keep his eyes open looking for any moment around them. In a sea of grass like this, just about anything might be able to lay in wait. With that thought now in his mind, Bane tightened his grip on his polearm.
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Post by Game Master on Jul 22, 2008 2:15:00 GMT -5
Bane and Barbarius entered the door Miguel had found to find the halfling and the Bard talking to a human man that must have been Xan.
"Well hello!" Xan piped up in a pleasantly if loud voice. "I was just gathering some things for the journey when your comrades here came in." The monk looked to be in his middle years as far as the dwarf and Wolfen could tell. He was lean looking in the face with light blond hair almost shorn to the scalp. His skin was very tan and weathered looking. He wore simple monk robes tied with a rope belt. He had an over flowing back back on as well as a shoulder satchel, a half dozen pouches and he was filling a large sack with various oddities. "Are the rest out side then? I can't wait to meet them. It's been so long since I've had proper company out side of Gardrax. Not that I mind the old alchemist but, he can be a little aloof for my liking. My mother always told me I was down to earth. I always took that to mean that I'm likable and approachable." He finished filling his sack and cinched the draw string. "Well that seems to be in order. What's keeping the others? I hope they don't feel unwelcome. I'm a very welcoming sort don't you know. You there (pointing at Miguel) go get the others and tell them I won't bite. I have food on if anyone is hungry. My aren't you a big hairy one. (this to Bane) I bet you cause havoc wherever you go, and look at you. What a fine orange hairdo you have. What do you use to keep it spiky like that? Lard? Has to be lard. Have you ever thought of a shade of blue? I once made a batch of dye for my robes and they turned a wonderful shade of blue. Now whats keeping that halfling fellow? Guess we'll have to go get everyone ourselves eh?" Xan made for the door. "Come along. I want to meet everyone......" Xan left while still talking.
Marrissa looked at the two men. "My God. He never stopped. I couldn't get a word in. He said I needed to lose weight and that I looked mannish." She seemed utterly shocked.
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Post by homeskillet on Jul 22, 2008 9:05:16 GMT -5
Barbarius pats her butt," Yer fine baby." He smiles and looks toward Bane. The smile on his face quickly goes back to his normal scowl." Guess we better follow 'im. Seems ta me he's led such a solitary life, now that he's got company, he's got a whole lot to say." Barbarius grabs Marrissa's hand and starts to follow the monk. " YO MON-KEE! THE LOCALS ARE NOT TOO HAPPY WITH YER TOWER OF POWER HERE! THEY'RE GONNA TEAR IT DOWN!" Barbarius booms hoping this will get the Monk's attention.
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Post by sfliegel on Jul 22, 2008 19:53:11 GMT -5
Xan speaking was nearly as annoying as when Barbarius spoke. The only difference that appeared to Bane was that Xan smelled better.
"Do not mistake Xan's lack of tact as an excuse for you to be disrespectful Barbarius. We do need to warn him about the Centaurs. I just wonder if their desire to harm Xan was merely an effort to get a word in."
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Post by Game Master on Jul 25, 2008 19:22:22 GMT -5
They walked outside to find Xan blabbering away about anything and everything. Sunny was finally able to get him to hold his tongue for a bit when he mentioned the centaurs. It didn't last.
"Those fools? Ahh, pay them no mind. We'll leave here after supper. It will be dark then. We'll be long gone before they come back at dawn. Meanwhile come inside. I have plenty of room and food for all of you. You can tell me about Timiro or where ever it is your from. I've been so out of touch these past ten years. Very few sociable types out here I must say. The Centaurs used to be good friends and traders before Whinnay took over the tribe. Power Monger that one. Violence is all he understands. A shame really. Most of the tribe are pretty decent folk."
"But they mean to destroy your home." Meylon squeezed in.
"What? Bahh! With what? A few hammers and spears? They know nothing of architecture. They'll hack at the tower for a while and give up. Anyone hungry? I have stew on. Fresh bread? Great wheat fields make for some wonderful bread in these parts."
Xan continued to talk as he walked back inside the tower. With a wave of Sunny's hand, most of his henchmen followed. Only Sunny, Meylon, Bane and Barbarius remained outside.
"I don't think he grasps the severity of the situation." Sunny commented.
"It's his home. If he doesn't want to defend it then why should we? Besides we have more pressing matters do we not?" Maylon added.
"True...I don't feel right abandoning his tower to Brigands though. Even if they can't destroy it like he thinks, they sure can kick down his doors and burn it out."
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Post by homeskillet on Jul 26, 2008 9:14:46 GMT -5
"Isn't This "home" or easy ticket back?" Barbarius asks as the others discuss the whys of defending this tower." Otherwise we're looking at how many days to get back?"
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Post by sfliegel on Jul 26, 2008 19:24:03 GMT -5
"Well sure the tower is a shortcut back, but it was more important to get here quickly. If we can find these knights then I would be happy to walk home. Somehow, I can't help but think there is more to the centaurs then either Xan is admitting to or is aware of. We really need to keep moving if we are to keep our headstart."
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