ROA: Part 2. Among the Ashes of a New World.

[DollFaceKilla]

Spoiler:

I blink at the priest. "I am sorry to hear that Oldimarra has no answers to offer you and I am sorry you feel his absence. I am sure there is some answer for your feeling. Thank you for your help, Your Grace. I take my leave of you now, if something comes to you, if you receive any answers please call on me. I am staying at (insert inn name here). I am Livia of Ehlonna. They will know me."

I walk quickly back to the inn, many thoughts rushing through my head. Once I get there, I get some bread and go to my room. I am so frustrated and so confused. 'I wish my friends were here.... I am only more confused with this knowledge from the old bard and the priest.' I eat my bread quickly and crawl into my bed for the night, sleep coming slowly.

[Sstavix]

Spoiler:

Winthrop builds a small fire in the brazier to ward away the darkness, then makes himself as comfortable as he can. He hopes that there won't be anything creepy to come out and attack him while he sleeps.

[fathom123]

Winthrop

Spoiler:

You light the fire and some of the chill is taken from the air. The evening is peaceful and the weather is clear though the moon is dim since it is but a sliver in the sky. You warm yourself and recant the events of the day. After several minutes you have the churning feeling that you are not alone. You begin to look around you. You see, not too far off a pillar and upon the pillar you notice in the dim light what appears to be a carving of a man standing upright. Perhaps it is the mere presence of something humanoid in appearance that is giving you the feeling. You do find it strange, however, that three other similar pillars exist except upon them is nothing. Peculiar. They would carve four pillars and place a statue upon one. You look closer at the statue and notice that the marble is clothed in real leather armor. You stand to your feet for a better look at the craftsmanship. The skin, like pale white marble. As you approach, you notice the intricate details in the face. The man is bald but has very human features.

Suddenly, eyes. Blood red eyes without a pupil. It's neck now turns and you notice a suppleness in the flesh that was absent moments earlier.

You jump back startled and flee opposite of the fire. The creature does not move, instead it remains still save for it's neck which moves as it follows you with it's eyes.

[fathom123]

Kratimos

Spoiler:

The wind is against you and you are unable to discern the various smells though you feel it is a creature of sorts. You notice up ahead off a small distance away a campfire set and flickering shadows as though someone were passing in front of it. At your current pace, you will arrive in roughly 30 minutes. You continue and after about 15 minutes you hear the sound of a startled shout and the shadows around the fire blink quickly.

[ccgr]

Spoiler:

cool image!

Crimson smiles at her new weapon and hopes for a long life together. She silently examines both doors looking for traps. If the coast is clear she'll go through the door on the right.

Move silently
[dice]0[/dice]

Search
[dice]1[/dice]

[ArchAngel]

Spoiler:

"Alright, Anna. Let's get you down for a second," Kratimos picked her off his shoulders and onto the ground behind him, while subtly making sure the improvised club was in an easy drawing position. "Don't be scared, but be sure to do exactly as a I say. Stay close behind me. We're hoping they will be friends."
((Is there any place Kratimos can see that will be a good place for Anna to hide, or run through for cover?))

Kratimos and Anna continued to the camp fire, walking straight down the path in the most non-threatening way Kratimos knew, barring skipping, but kept his senses on alert.

Spot:
[dice]0[/dice]

((Also, what is the moon phase tonight?))

[fathom123]

Kratimos

Spoiler:

The moon is only a sliver tonight. The full moon is still a few weeks away.

You approach the fire, still a little way off you notice one man standing behind a fire and a second strange looking humanoid standing on a pillar staring at the man.

Kratimos and Winthrop

Spoiler:

Winthrop stands behind the fire, trying to keep it between himself and the creature. To his left, a stranger with a child approaching slowly, cautiously as though he's not trying to provoke anyone.

Kratimos: You approach to see a man to your right looking between you and what appears to be a humanoid standing on a pillar. ((Arch you may read my last post only to Sstavix (winthrop) for a description of the creature)).

The creature seems to notice Kratimos and as before does nothing but look between Winthrop, Kratimos, and Anna Loretta.

((Gentlemen, you two are now in the same area so you both can speak to one another. Remember to keep all conversations covered with spoiler tags and please make a notation at the top as to who you are speaking to (just like I do with you guys). If you want to just say something to me, write GM at the top and your message in spoiler tags. Otherwise, each of you write each other's names at the top so the rest know not to read your tags. Thanks!))

[DollFaceKilla]

Spoiler:

((I want to seek out another temple friendly to Ehlonna to try to clear up some of my confusion))

[Sstavix]

Kratimos and Fathom

Spoiler:

Trip pulls at the holy symbol hung from around his neck, making sure the symbol of Olidammara is easily visible. He eyes the travelers warily - looks could be deceiving, but at least they looked more normal than whatever the statue-thing is. Although he feels inclined to flee, he doesn't want to risk abandoning the newcomers to... whatever that thing is.

Unless the newcomers also are freakish monsters in disguise. In which case, he's probably dead anyway.

Winthrop steps forward, moving between the other two and the brazier, his eyes fixed on the pale-skinned creature. "Beware, travelers," he says. "There seem to be foul creatures afoot this night."

[ArchAngel]

Winthrop and GM

Spoiler:

Kratimos smirks at the irony.
"Indeed there is," He speaks to the man but keeps his eyes locked on the living statue. It worries him. "But you don't have to worry about me. I was simply hoping for a place to rest safely. *sigh* My luck abounds."
Kratimos speaks in a hushed voice to the girl beside him, telling her to stay behind him and if something happens to him, run.

Kratimos squares his body toward the pale creature, flexes his shoulders and keeps his hand resting on the femur-club.
"So, what's going on with this guy? Not a terrible gregarious fellow, is he?"

[Sstavix]

Kratimos and GM

Spoiler:

Trip casts a cautious glance over his shoulder at the other two. "I'm sure you've heard the stories. If not, I could probably share some. There's never anything good happening in a cemetery in the middle of the night. And although looks can be deceiving, I don't think this other guy is wanting to be a friend."

Trip raises the holy symbol and begins to chant quietly - a nursery rhyme in Elven. He isn't casting a spell, but instead watching to see how the others react to his actions.

[ArcticFox]

Spoiler:

(Spot check: [dice]0[/dice]

[ArcticFox]

Spoiler:

(WOO! Nat 20!)

Guy slows his breathing, remains calm, and searches his memory...

[ArchAngel]

Winthrop and GM

Spoiler:

"Well, I've been a little... occupied as of late." Kratimos lets the man, wait, that's elven. A nursery rhyme? He glances sideways at the man. Ahh, a half-elf. Cleric or Paladin, it seems by the holy symbol. Probably a cleric; he's a little more tactful than a Paladin, as well. Besides, that's a mighty nice mace he has. The rapier is interesting, through. There's a bit more to this character.

Kratimos loosens his demeanor but never relaxes from a state of alert.
"So, how about it?" Kratimos calls out to the strange creature standing on the pillar. He keeps just enough bite to it so it can be interpreted as a taunt"Friends?"

[fathom123]

Kratimos/Winthrop

Spoiler:

In what seems to be flawless common, even a high common tone the creature answers, "I see the appearance of the Hestic can still put some on edge, even in so modern of times. It's clear that you don't mind our space we provide for those passing through. We hope our hospitality is a comfort in such a dreary land." He smiles and steps off of the pillar.

You notice from the shadows that he is not alone, several pale faces dot the landscape surrounding you all on every side.

"I am Volstaid, first ranger of the Hestic. We are the lost tribe living here in the Grand Necropolis." He walks toward the fire and stretches out his hands to warm them. "Elvish nursery rhymes won't do much against the undead, half elf." His smile grows and he chuckles to himself.