Introductions are made and Mund performs
Subject Mund
Mund finishes teaching that snob Harry a lesson, and was wondering if this might be the group that Quarion had hired him to look after, when some dandy of a city boy in the back gets an odd expression on his face.
"Hello, Mund. It's, um... it's been a long time"
Mund stands there with a stupefied expression on his face. Who is this feller? How does he know my name? There's something about him that seems familiar, but..."
Then it hits him. Mund lets out a yell, charges, and grabs hold of his little brother Alley. Harp and Salix think that he is attacking Allistair, and are about to intervene when the apparent grapple turns into a giant bear hug and it is apparent that it was a cry of joy and not of war.
With a big grin on his face, Mud says "Alley! What'cha doin' out here? From what Ma said, I figgered you'd *never* leave the city! Look at you! Goodness, you look more than half elf with that get-up."
Mund feels Alley's bicep. "Boy, you've gone soft in that big-city school." Mund takes a second look and says "You do look healthy, though. I hope you've had the good sense to not spend all your time indoors."
Mund starts to wonder why he Alley hasn't answered any of his questions and realizes that he hasn't given him a chance. "So, what brings you here, and who are these... fellers?"
From: Derek
Subject Mund
Allistair lets out his breath, relieved that he wasn't having to relive another ass whooping from his older brother. He brushes off his robes, briefly stooping down to pick up some spell components that fell during Mund's tackle/hug. He scratches his head for a moment in response to Mund's question. He's not sure how much Mund knows about thier current quest, so he'll just briefly introduce everyone and leave any more explaining up to Harp.
"We are the group that Quarion has asked you to guide us through the Wildlands. The large one here is Harp, our leader and a captain of Heironious's order. The Dwarf is Ragnar, a priest of the same diety. Ran and Kal are warriors of considerable skill. I advise you not to think lightly of them due to thier elven nature, from what I have heard of thier past exploits, they are more than capable of holding thier own in any kind of engagement. This here is Salix, a Wealdward of the Druidic order. The halfling is Surin, who is both stealthy and cunning, but in general is a very relaxed fellow. And as you guessed, I am a trained wizard, in fact recently come from the Elven Academy in the Great Wood."
OOC: I hope I got Harp's rank right, I'm too lazy to sift through archives to find it. Same goes for the actual name of the order.
Allistair then turns to face the group. "This is somewhat of a surprise for me, but this is my older brother, Alemunda. I haven't seen him for over 10 years, so I'm afraid I can't tell you much more about him unless you want stories from our childhood. He'll just have to introduce himself, I suppose.
From: Karl
Subject Mund
Salix nods when introduced. Brother, huh, he thinks to himself. Wouldn't have thought they were as closely related as a bear and an owl. Still it was good to know this Mund would have a personal interest in their safety. He certainly didn't look like someone Salix would trust cold. He knew Quarion saw things in people that other men overlooked. He'd have to watch this Mund carefully to find out what it could be in his case.
(ooc-Salix, feeling a bit out of his element will fall into the role of observer unless someone asks him something directly.)
From: Kevin
Subject Mund
Harp looks at the big man, wondering "who is stronger?". When he hears his introduction, he will say gently
"It is only Sargent Harp, Mund. I work for a living. Welcome to our group. Come, lets head inside the inn, where we can eat and listen to some of your playing and see if your treatment of Harry was justified."
OOC: Mark, I will let you treat Harp as you wish for the next few days. While I have access and can add a few comments here and there, it is not easy for me read the write up, think about what I want to say and then send it back out. The site is a few miles down the road and I can only make that bike ride once a day without killing myself.
From: Mark
Subject Bike rides and pansies
Pansy. A few mile bike ride and you are worn out? Must be all that beer lubircation.
From: Porter
Subject Mund
OOC: Are Kal and Ran introduced as just Kal and Ran, or with their full names?
IC:
Mund looks at this bizarre group. A bunch of fey elves (including his wannabe brother -- that boy even *sounds* like an elf now! How sad..) and hole-diggers. All led by by an orc.
Either these are the smartest elves that Mund has ever encountered, choosing a mighty warrior as their leader, or this is one sumabitch orc to be able to bend the will of so many elves. Although if he's so powerful, what's he doing working *with* a bunch of elves in the first place?
Huh.
Mund goes up to this oddly dressed orc and introduces himself. "Greetings, Warrior*" Mund says to Harp in a tradititional Orc greeting. Continuing in common, "As Alley said, I's your guide."
*Of course, this is said in Orcish. This phrase also has the connotation of being a warrior who has defeated elves in battle, for anyone who knows the language well. Which Mund dues
From: Mark
Subject Greetings
Harp looks at the smaller man, "Excuse me, I did not catch what you first said."
From: Porter
Subject Greetings
Mund looks confused. "Um, I just said hello."
Huh. This orc doesn't know Orcish. This might be a bastard Orc that knows nuthin his proud heritage.
So this group is not just following an Orc, but a miscegenated orc. Weirder and weirder.
Earlier, he noticed this Orc sizing him up, so he does the same. I can take him.
From: Mark
Subject Greetings
"Oh well yes, hello. Do you mind if we get in off the street. We have had a long journey, and from what Quarion has said we still have much travelling to do." Harp replies. He gestures towards the Inn, motioning for the others to go ahead.
From: Porter
Subject Greetings
"Sure, Sure." Mund bellows. "I've already got rooms for you. But you'd probably rather eat first. Let's go inside."
Mund leads them into the dining area of the inn. There are a a couple of people sitting at the largest table. "Scram!" Mund says to them, and they quickly move to a table in the opposite corner of the room. They've obviously met Mund before. Mund orders ale and food for everyone.
"It's a good thing that Quarion has an understanding with the the innkeeper here. I am flat broke and couldn't spend a night here in the city if it weren't for that." Mund says with a grin.
From: Porter
Subject Horses
OOC: Let's assume that Mund got stable boys to take everyone's mounts before we went inside. :)
From: Mark
Subject Horses
Actually you were supposed to provide mounts for everyone. They did not bring their horses along, bucause of space reasons on the ship.
Quarion will be very "Displeased" if the party has to walk. First you would have stolen the money he sent to you for the horses and second the party will miss the portal and fail in their mission and evil will rule the world.
Happy now? :)
From: Karl
Subject Harp and Mund
(ooc-just wanted to say I found that little exchange pretty funny. :-)
From: Porter
Subject Evil taking over the world
Actually, Mund might be happier with evil ruling the world.
But let's do it your way this time. :)
From: Josh
Subject Kal's atonement
OOC: Guys this is a little late, sorry about that. This happened early in the morning before the wedding.
Kal wakes up from his trance before daylight and spends the two hours before sunrise training. He gets together his armor and rapier and brings it down to the training yard. He buckles his sword-belt around his waist and begins a mile jog to wake up his body. Returning to the training yard Kal dons his armor and begins his combat workout.
Kal's training looks like free-form dancing. His attacks and parries are intertwined with spins and flips that navigate him through an imaginary battle. Each move flows from the one previous, his body in constant motion.
During this training, Kal's allows his mind to empty. Putting all thoughts of Harp and his atonement out of his head, he concentrates on his training. He uses his concious mind to create his enemies, while he allows his subconcious mind to handle fighting them. This continues for an hour.
The sun begins to rise. Kal finishes his dance and goes for another jog to cool off. He runs for 2 miles then returns to his quarters. There he spends time cleaning his armor and caring for his blade. When he's complete, he puts on his clothes, dons his sword, and looks for someone who can point him to an elven temple. After a few minutes, Kal manages to procure directions from a young squire of the order. Thanking him for his trouble, Kal heads immediately there.
He arrives shortly before the first morning bell. He speaks to a young acolyte for a few minutes, who leads Kal to speak with a high-priest.
Kal is brought into an open-roof garden which comprises most of the inside of the temple. All of the flora there is from elven lands, Ivys and roses and trslinas allowed to grow freely and undisturbed by their caretakers. Elven children flit about the garden laughing and dancing, singing and playing. Elven priests are about, some in trance, some praying to their God, and others just relaxing in the garden. There are a number of non-priest elves about as well, this temple seems to be an elven safe-haven in the land of the humans.
The garden fills Kal with a deep hapiness he hasn't felt in some time, a divine calmness. As he's following the acolyte a child walks up to Kal and with a smile begins to speak in elven:
"Hello!"
Kal motions for his guide to stop. He kneels in front of the elfling and smiles "Hello! I'm Kal, who are you?"
"I'm Vin, Would you like to see my do a back flip, Kal? I've been practicing for a year, I'm the best tumbler in the city!"
"Absolutely."
The elfing does two cart-wheels, and round-off followed by four back handsprings in a row.
"Ta-da!"
"Excellent!" Exclaims Kal, laughing. Can you do a backflip? With no hands?"
"Not yet, I'm trying to learn how."
"It's easy." Kal replies, "Your handsprings are good enough. Want to try?"
"Sure!"
"Ok, First watch me. Pay attention to how I tuck my legs into my chest. That allows you to spin fast enough to get all the way around."
Kal takes 3 running steps, does a round-off and then follows it with a series of three backflips.
"Now you try. I'll spot you."
Kal spends the next 10 minutes or so helping Vin and then has him try one on his own. Vin stands with his arms forward, swings them down to his sides, scrunching his body up like a spring. He flings his arms up over his head, and tucks his knees into his chest. He spins around a little too fast and lands on his feet, but tumbles down onto his back. Laughing he stands up and tries again, this time landing on his feet.
"You're a natural!" Kal laughs. "I have to go now Vin, but keep practicing, you'll have it down in no time."
"Bye Kal! Thanks!" Vin responds between flips.
Kal is brought to the center of the garden, which features a small clearing under an ancient oak tree, magically marked with the symbol of Corellon Larethian. Under the tree sits an an older elf wearing a white robe. The acolyte speaks a few words into the preists ear and then leaves. Kal is beckoned forward.
"Hello Kal. I am Lle, of the Ell clan. I am the the high-priest here. Alr says that you needed to speak with me. What's troubling you?"
Kal tells the high preist his story. Starting with his quest to kill the Bug-Bear, up to his conversation with Surin.
"An atonement isn't necessary, Kal. " The priest responds. "You treated this half-orc unfairly, but it is an understandable mistake. Orcs have always been the enemies of us elves, and you've spent your entire life training to fight the enemies of our people. You owe this Harp an apology, but our God knows your heart and understands."
"Let me give you some advice for living outside our forests. It is rare for you to be able to judge people by how they look among human lands. I've encountered all sorts of people out here, and they never cease to surprise me. I've seen dwarves that act like elves and humans that act like dwarves. I've seen orcs with hearts of pure good, and elves with hearts of pure evil. You must be wary of passing judgment on anyone before you learn who they truly are. To do otherwise will cost you companionship, and possibly your life."
"Stay a while and pray with me, Kal. It will clear your mind."
After an hour of praying, Kal thanks the high-priest and leaves for the temple. On the way out, he sees Vin practicing flips balanced on the limbs of trees. Laughing, Kal calls out words of encouragement to him, and continues back to the temple.
From: Mark
Subject Kal's atonement
Good job.
From: Josh
Subject Music
Kal spends his time at the sea in solitude praying and training on deck when he can. He keeps his distance from everyone, but particularly Surin and Harp. He was courteous to anyone who spoke to him, but he clearly prefered to be left alone.
During the introductions with Mund, Kal stands near the back, trying to understand his distaste for Mund.
"He's crude. He's needlessly violent. He's obnoxious." Kal thinks to himself. "The order trusts him for some reason, they trust him enough to have him help us on this quest that means a great deal to him. I won't make the same mistake I made with Harp. I'm looking at a good man, I just need to find where the good is."
Kal seats himself next to Mund and speaks to him when he gets the chance:
"Alemunda, you're a musician? Elves have always been great appreciators of music, I would love to hear you perform."
From: Mark
Subject Music
Oh no. :)
From: Derek
Subject Music
Allistair visibly winces when he notices Kal addressing his brother. Except for that unfortunate first impression at the meeting back at the chapterhouse, Kal has been polite, if very withdrawn. His brother Mund though, rarely ever had anything kind to say to or about elves, and it looks like at least that aspect of him hadn't changed much. Allistair wants to interrupt and hopefully defuse the potentially hostile exchange.
Allistair jumps in hopefully before Mund can say anything to Kal. "Yes, Mund, please play us something! I uh.. I haven't heard you play in a long time!"
Also, Allistair really hopes his musical skills have improved in the intevening years...
From: Jason
Subject A dwarf adrift
Ragnar begins the first day of their journey early, as is his custom. After his devotionals, he does not have much to do to prepare, as he had finished packing earlier. He tries reading for awhile but "The Life and Times of Valorshield" is unable to hold his interest. Finally he returns it to the small cabinet in his cell, grabs what few belongings he has, and heads outdoors. Although it is later now, few people are in the streets, and he heads quickly to the docks.
Sitting on a short stone wall a few hundred feet from the water, Ragnar watches the eternal progression of the waves and the endless expanse of the sea. In the back of his mind, he knows that many would find this relaxing. Ragnar's mind, however, is in turmoil. So disturbed is he by thoughts of the near future that he doesn't even notice as the first of his companions comes up behind him. He nearly falls off the wall when Salix greets him, but catches himself in time.
He exchanges a few words with Salix, who notices that he seems more cheerful and talkative than normal. When Salix continues walking, however, Ragnar remains behind. Even to his own ears, his cheerfulness had sounded forced, and he can only imagine that Salix was too polite to ask him about it.
As the sun climbs higher and higher, the rest of their companions also arrive at the docks. Ragnar greets each of them, but remains seated, entirely forgetting that he had wanted to get to know Surin and Kal better. Only when a crew member informs him that they are ready to cast off does Ragnar get up, take his things and board their ship. Once on the boat, he walks slowly and carefully to his room, puts down his things, sits down on the bed as there is no chair, and doesn't emerge for the rest of the voyage. The next few days are among the most miserable of his life. Although he never gets physically sick, he spends the entire voyage wishing he was. He doesn't even notice the storm until someone comes down to see how he is holding up; it all feels the same to him.
When they finally arrive in Arlest after what seems like years, he deliberately remains in his room until he is informed that they are tied up along the dock and can get off the boat. At that point, he grabs his things and immediately heads for solid ground, praising Heironeous with every thought.
ooc - My response to our encounter with Mund will be heading out shortly
From: Porter
Subject Music
Mund beams at the request for a song. He clomps up to the tiny raised stage at one end and pulls out his lute which was strapped to his back.
The lute is not a normal lute. Instead of a wooden body, it is made from a gourd with a skin stretched across it, much like a drum. This is a backwoods instrument which is common out here in the wildlands but which you would never find in a royal court.
The other patrons see him about to play and are not thrilled. They are all wise enough to keep their opinions to themselves.
He starts playing and singing a song with an enthusiastic gusto. But despite his confidence, the playing is not great. It's not good. It's not amature. It's not even bad. It is /horrible/.
What's worse is that he doesn't appear to realize that he's no good. Those who don't want to leave to escape the sound want to leave out of sheer embarrassment for Mund.
In the story of the song, the singer loses his ale, his dog, his horse, his armour, and his sword by the time the song is through. Mund then takes a bow and sits back down, still beaming from the chance to play for a new audience.
From: Mark
Subject Dwarfs and water
Dwarves and water do not mix. If I was not in such a hurry to get you guys moving along I might have done more with that myself.
Nice job.
From: Kal
Subject Music
After the performance, Kal diplomatically says to Mund: "That's a very interesting instrument you have. I don't think I've seen one before. What is it called?"
From: Porter
Subject Music
"It's called a lute".
From: Jason
Subject Music
ooc- Accidentally sent this to just Derek the first time- my bad!
Ragnar follows the exchange outside the building with some interest, but says nothing. Once inside, he sits down with his ale in his hand and debates in his mind whether he should drink it. On the one hand, even the smell was threatening to make him as nauseous as he had been on the ship. On the other hand, it was all in his head, right? Its not like the water had actually lept up and attacked him. Ragnar had never in his life gotten completely wasted, but right then he felt he wanted to. Just forget about the entire journey. Without another thought, he downed his drink.
Seated directly across from Ragnar, Surin notices an odd look on Ragnar's face as he puts down his mug. Holding the edge of the table with both hands, Ragnar looks down toward the other end of the table and says "I think I'm not really that hungry after all..." Looking in Mund's direction, he says, "Where did you say our rooms were again?"
From: Porter
Subject Music
"Our rooms are just upstairs. Do you need go lie down?"
From: Jason
Subject Music
Suddenly Ragnar realizes that some of his group members are looking at him in shock. He slowly tries to think back on what may have caused this. What had been happening? He had mostly been concentrating on the feelings in his stomach, but he remembers that Mund had taken out some sort of instrument and played. Ragnar doesn't remember a thing about the performance, and he probably wouldn't have known if it were good or bad anyway, but from the looks on a few of the faces he hopes that Mund doesn't take his remark the wrong way.
From: Jason
Subject Music
Hearing Mund's concerned response, Ragnar relaxes. He replies "I... haven't slept well recently. I think I'll just head up there now and try to catch up a bit..." He's glad that nobody seems to have noticed the condition of his stomach; he doesn't want the group to feel him a hindrance.
From: Jason
Subject Turns
ooc: Ha! I managed to get a reply out without someone else sending an email in between me and what I was replying to!
From: Josh
Subject Music
"Ah. It has a very.. interesting sound. How did you become associated with the Order?
From: Porter
Subject Music
The Order? I ain't associated with no order. What're you talking 'bout?"
From: Josh
Subject The Order
Kal, a bit surprised at Mund's confusion, responds: "I'm sorry, how are you associated with Quarion?"
From: Porter
Subject Quarioin
Quarion. There's a good feller. Heart as big as the whole outdoors. You know, he's a guy who would actually /help/ somebody that had just attempted to rob him..."
Mund stammers and stops, realizing that he almost caught himself in revealing too much. But it doesn't appear that anybody else noticed.
"Anyways, Quarion's no stranger to these parts. Him and I have an understanding. This is not the first job he's had for me. I've always found his word and his coin good. Tough as a bugbear, too."