The party enjoyed the rest in the inn. Da Ghiri smiled and sat on the floor in a lotus position, "I am a folloower of the Tao, the Way in yoour tongue. The Path of Enlightenment and the Eight Million Gods are oother sects in my land. I suppose I do not serve a diety or god in the sense you ask aboout. The Tao is the first-cause of the universe, the force that surroounds us all and flows throough all life. It is the Tao that I seeek to become one with. As to the Eight Million Gods, who is to say what woonders the universe holds or that oours is the oonly world ? Or even that the gods do not outnumber we mortals ? Or perhaps even it is we mortals who are the gods. While folloowing our own paths, we do not tend to draw such strong divisions betweeen faiths as you do in theese lands and are not so quick to dismiss others paths as nonsense. In addition to achieving unity with the Tao, my duty is the development of virtue, we seeek to cultivate the Three Jewels of compassion, moderation and humility. I do not wish to give offense, but since you ask why I am not moore valuable aboout my faith, we have a saying:
The tao that can be toold is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.
The unnameable is the eternally real. Naming is the origin of all particular things."
Da Ghiri placed his left hand over his right fist, elbows sticking out to the sides, and bowed deeply to Jardel without breaking eye contact then calmly awaited the others response. Taking a seat next to Da Ghiri, Humus ordered an ale from the bartender. Looking towards the drunk, "Da Ghiri, you must show me how you did that sometime. It was quite amazing." After the drow told his story, Humus asked, "What can you tell us about the surrounding area ? Also, are there any other visions that you might could share with us ? Any warnings or tips that you give now might mean the difference in success or failure in the future." Draping his head over the chess board, Caladan moved a pawn. The dark elf with long white hair starkly contrasted his ebony skin and crimson robes. He looked at the board a moment then placed another pawn ahead, "The surrounding area ? There isn’t much to say about it, this is a trade city that receives trade from quite a few denizens of the realms, not all are humanoid. You will find everything here, from good to evil. If you head north, you will be getting closer to my homeland, and more drow. But you shouldn’t be molested as this is a trade route for them as well, and they don’t want to scare off business. Some miles along the road, the forest is a dying forest. Nothing grows there and all that lives there are buzzards and other carrion eaters. It is said to be haunted, though I've never been there to tell for myself. As far as other visions, that is the only one I forsee for you, but I am sure if I received these visions, then Asmodeus will know of your coming as well..." Mug in hand, Jardel casually walked over to the table where the party and the drow were seated. Raising an eyebrow after hearing most of the story he stood behind Humus and gazed at the drow. "Well, well, an elf from the Mountaindark. Something rare indeed. I greet you in the name of the 'Company of the Seven'. One's first impression is VERY important - and - I have a feeling that you mean no harm. Talthan, please leave your afore mentioned devout hostility to dark elves at rest. He may be a valuable ally after all." Looking at the unknown board game the knight frowned. He took another swig of his trollscorcher and wiped his beard with his arm. "Good stuff eh Humus ?" clapping him hard on the shoulder "or should I say Ogre-Slayer of Valmour !" With that he laughed loudly into the round trying to loosen the stiff atmosphere. "Drow, my name is Jardel Jar'axel Follower to Heimdall but please call me Jardel. What name were you given at birth ?" "Greetings Jardel of Heimdall, my name is Drazzen Quasor, I was of an order of mages in the Mountaindark, all drow, until I saw what they planned to do. It is with our magic and some other priests that we created, or rather, changed these new soldiers into monsters. They are called Knights of Blood, an order of elite soldiers for Asmodeus upcoming army. We have magically enhanced their strength and size permanantly." He then looked off towards a window into the starry night, "I now seek solitude from my race..."
Later into the evening Jardel conversed with DaGhiri. "Priest. This perhaps is the most fortunate time to talk. Whilst riding all day I had many questions pertaining to religion - your religion. The first time we met, you introduced yourself as follower to a path called the Tao, or the Way of Enlightenment. What I do not understand, is that you have never mentioned a diety - or godly power. What being or spirit grants you the strength and wisdom to cast spells ? and what is this nonsense about eight million gods ? That is impossible. There are not even that many people in the realms !" Da Ghiri smiled and sat on the floor in a lotus position, "I am a folloower of the Tao, the Way in yoour tongue. The Path of Enlightenment and the Eight Million Gods are oother sects in my land. I suppose I do not serve a deity or god in the sense you ask aboout. The Tao is the first-cause of the universe, the force that surroounds us all and flows throough all life. It is the Tao that I seeek to become one with. As to the Eight Million Gods, who is to say what wonders the universe holds or that oours is the oonly world ? Or eeven that the gods do not outnumber we mortals ? Or perhaps eeven it is we mortals who are the gods. While following oour own paths, we do not tend to draw such strong divisions betweeen faiths as yoou do in these lands and are not so quick to dismiss others paths as nonsense." Cocking his head Jardel countered "Let me explain my personal view of religious doctrine. In my previous life I had a different 'profession'. That is a part of my life I will not talk about, but let me just say I would bet a good wager against Culdat in comparing his thieving, er .. scouting skills against mine ! After a somewhat sudden and unnatural death I found my soul walking unknown fields ..... misty, cold and dark .... Wandering around I met many unfortunate souls searching, asking, weeping. I had no knowledge where I was and why. Under one dead barren tree stood a man, bold and charismatic. He was different than all of the souls floating around. He was alive and his name was Heimdall ! Awesome power emanated from his being and filtered through my etheral state, filling my spirit with hope and wisdom. His insight changed me and he spoke of me as a future medium. He had great deeds in store for me. You could say I was given a second chance and was resurrected - with the special purpose to serve him. Over time I was granted insight through prayer and my premiere goal was to further the name of Heimdall - simply bringing it to the people. I was told through speaking his name, my diety gains power, which in turn he relinquishes to his priests in form of spells. That is why I am surprised never to have heard any promotion of your divinity. Perhaps you belong to a cult where membership is numbered, but I pertain to administer my faith and wisdom to the people of the realms. So don't be surprised to hear the name Heimdall 'Guardian of the Bifrost Bridge' in overabundance. Only through its manifestation I too gain strength and courage to face the daily evil - and especially Rackart Flagg and his devious minions. Well Da Ghiri, now your baffled. Please speak your thoughts freely." As Talthan listened to the dark elves story he struggled visibly to maintain a grip on his mounting anger towards all drow kind and seemed on the point of a violent outburst of some type but quickly calmed down a bit after Jardel calmed him. "Of course your right Jardel. Much of his story rings true, especially the bit about foolishly trying to follow as many evil masters as posible for power, but there is much that I am uneasy with." Turning to the dark elf at this point "If this doesn't play out as you said or you even think about a betrayal you had better hope that I am half way across the continent or I'll ..." He quickly turned away muttering something almost certainly offensive about drow in general. Da Ghiri silently turned his attention to Caladan and the drow mage playing chess, studying the game. Smiling with clenched teeth, Drazzen looked at Talthan, "Yes, we have had dealings with your kind Ranger, you have killed a few cousins of mine I imagine. But that is behind me, I do not wish to delve on old rivalries, I will be retiring shortly, I may not even finish this round of chess I'm affraid. I have had a long trip and I am not used to travel." he said, getting up and gathering his things, "Good night to you all, and good luck," He turned on the party to go upstairs to his room. Culdat sat patiently listening for a while to the meandering conversation. His belly, however, got the better of him and he eventually wandered off towards the kitchen, hoping to find something or someone that interested him. The halfling attempted to attract the eye of one of the bar matrons in an attempt to learn anything of current affairs in the region. Barmaids seem to hear a lot of different things, and aren't usually difficult to look at either. A barmaid soon came up and began small talk with Culdat as she wiped some tables clean, "There have been a lot of ogres and their kind around here lately. Hobgoblins, goblins, orcs, all kindsa nasties," she said, "The Lord of the town doesn’t even say anything to them when they cause trouble, he just tells them to leave, like they pay him er somthin' " She picked up a mug and set it aside, "They all just come and go, usually east, don’t know where though, they don’t say."
Jardel listened attentivly to Da Ghiri explaining his religious heritage. "Priest, your story is interesting, yet beyond my grasp. I have been raised with traditional beliefs and find it difficult to understand a completely new structure of religious enlightenment. You have travelled far and long - so I deem you wise. Since we will be dealing especially with demons, devils and undead, it would interest me what methods of combat you as a holy man suggest. It will be men like us, with strong beliefs, who will decide the tide of battle - victory or defeat. So, how do we go after such foul creatures ? Are there any special defensive or offensive actions we should use to our advantage ? I have no experience with battling creatures so utterly evil. So far I have defeated zombies and skeletons, maybe even a ghoul or wight, but never such powerful entities. In my society evil giants are the ultimate foes." Further into the discussion he talked to the mages Caladan and Kethas. "Mages ! Caladan, Kethas. We will be relying on you two for sufficient spell power to defeat our foes. I have not seen your great abilities yet other than some spells used during the last battle. Now Humus and myself will surely be engaged in close melee combat. Talthan will embody our missile combat and the pair Culdat and Da Ghiri, who has adventured together successfully, will act unseen. I would definately like to know what horrors our enemies will be in for - or what nasty spells Humus and I should watch out for in close combat. If you have any suggestions or ideas how to deal adequately with any foes please speak up." Humus smiled at Jardels mention of close combat, "Yes, I indeed will be with you Jardel on the front lines, with Talthan and Caladan at our heels I am sure." Having enough trollscorcher for one night, because too much really gives him a large headache the next morning, Jardel got ready to retire for the night. "Here are my thoughts for tomorrow. My desire is to continue down the somewhat safe trading route north, moving on as fast and direct as possible. Perhaps with a little luck we can make good time again. Drazzen might be a useful 'scout' in these lands and we should ask him tomorrow morning if he would be willing to scout for us. Talthan, it is not my lack in confidence in your abilities. What I almost fear more than almost any enemy are the pure dark elves ... you are definately right to hate these elves, and I hope your special knowledge regarding this race may help us. Legends have them written down for their cunning intelligence, nasty spell power and deadly poisons - and - their women are said to be more powerful than the males - no wonder, being a matriarch society worshipping Lloth. More I know not. Talthan, what have you learned in your ambitious quest for eternal damnation to all drow ?" To Jardel's question concerning how to fight demons and the undead, Da Ghiri smiled faintly and responded, "With faith, determination and coourage. I woould suggest that oour spell casters, especially those who obtain their power through faith, select their spells with the fact that wee will almost certainly be fighting such foes in mind. Those who can turn back the undead should certainly try and do so when confronted with such foes. I have some small power oover such beings, but nothing as great as the holy men of your lands possess." When Jardel finished his pep rally, Da Ghiri nodded, "I believe it woould be well to ask the Drow if he woould serve as our guide. When we retire, I suggest we get rooms close together. I will watch, meditating, outside the rooms through the night." Culdat finished his lengthy meal, but before settling in for the night he left the inn and decided to do a little scouting around the town to see what was out there. Kethas looked to a nearby plant and stared at it a moment. The plant turned white and wilted before everyones eyes. He then stared at Caladans sword in the same manner, this time running his hands over the blade and appearing to be deep in concentration. Kethas stopped his concentration and smiled, "Congratulations, Caladan. You have been awarded a great weapon, indeed ! The identify spell brought me the knowledge that it is great. The best that I have ever seen. Other than that, I cannot tell." Caladan was completely focused on the chess game and he barely noticed that Kethas was talking to him. "By the way you shouldn't count on me casting to many spells in combat, even though combat spells were once my speciality, I've forgotten much of my spells and I can't cast spells while wearing armor, so I'm counting on my sword arm and this sword to do my part in combat." Culdat returned from his short scouting trip and said nothing as he headed up to the innkeeper where Jardel was bargaining with him. Jardel returned with the news that all of the rooms were free and were side by side. Caladan and the drow were finished with their game, an apparant stalemate as Drazzen had already left the game and retired for the evening.
The night went by uneventfully and the group slept well. Humus dreamt of broken jawed ogres running around scaring people and woke with his feet on the floor, ready for action. Drazzen ready for leaving before dawn, turned to Talthan, who was up first, and answered questions about the possible scouting, "Nay, I am heading south this morning, away from my people. I would not be welcome if you were stopped by a patrol, actually, I may put you in danger as they have a bounty on my head," he spoke as he gracefully left the inn and mounted a beautful black horse. "Good luck brave ones, you will need it." he ushered his horse along, heading south out of Vain. The smell of bacon filtered up to the rooms, waking even the last person. Kothas and his men came downstairs, unarmored, but carrying their swords. They headed into the main room and found seats at the tables used last night. They quietly ordered their breakfast and sat back, not talking much. It must have been the weather. The dark clouds and drizzling rain was enough to dampen anyones mood, as there was no sun to greet them this morning. Meeting with the others in the main room, Humus ordered breakfast too. "I sure had weird dreams last night. I felt ready for battle when I woke up. I hope that the dream was of what was to come - it was too odd. Anyway, I feel like we should take the road north. It will be more heavily watched, but with a dead forest, it won't make much difference. No matter what route we take, we need to be getting on the road soon. Evil waits for no one." Jardel came down from his room already dressed in his white hued plate mail armor, draped with his from the constant downpour slightly soiled white ceremonial toga. Seating himself to his already present companions, he quickly began devouring a good breakfast - perhaps the last in some time. "Culdat, rumors speak of nightly expeditions ? You explored Vain by night and saw many evil creatures ? Please tell me more. What type of creatures did you specifically see ?" Happy to be asked the halfling brabbled on "What a night ! I could not have slept heavier if I had taken those snubberries that my mother had always given me. What's for eats ? I haven't eaten since ... late last night when I borrowed that juicy haunch from that ogre beast. You know, there are all kinds of evil beasts in this city. You just have to look for them, although, it was not difficult last night now was it... hmmm... every single place I went to there were several of the creatures. It's almost as if they were here on purpose, you know, a gathering of some sort. I thought there for a few minutes that perhaps there was an army being raised and that they were all in this city with us. Right under our noses ! But then ..." The little halfling wiped his shirt when he notices the ripe raspberry syrup and the golden buttered flapjacks. Filling his wineskin with some ale and packing some tasty food for the road into his shoulder sack, Jardel retrieved an old leather tome, a vial of ink and a feather. Carefully he opened the book and began scratching and scribbling various words and phrases into it, every once and a while renewing the ink on his feather. Looking up to the others he just simply stated "I have been writing down the most vital happenings so far and sketching some simple maps. There is no way to recall our events without writing them down and we might need to remember some minor details to prevail ! Perhaps our adventures will one day be the lyrics to many a bards songs." After finishing, he replaced his caligraphy set and tome back into his shoulder sack and shoved it under the table. Looking out of the window he frowned. "I HATE this dreary, wet weather. There is nothing worse than trudging through the countrysite in heavy, cold, soggy armor. We should definately take the main road and continue on north to the Caves of Wind. With our mounts there is no time and space for riding through dense forrests. That is where the dark elves will be hiding anyway. Too bad that the sun, our ally, is hiding behind all these clouds. As travel becomes more and more hazardous, we should stick fairly close together - so I suggest the following riding order in close single file. We would not want to all be caught by some range magic. Talthan up front, then Humus, myself, Kethas, DaGhiri, Culdat, Caladan, and finally Kothas with the rear guard. That way we should be sufficiently guarded for any initial attack. Good luck for all of us - may Heimdall bless our souls." The priest considered. "I imagine all paths we tread are likely to be eevil, and I suspect the Drow may be hiding in the wooods but they will be watching the road. I would vote for stealth, but realize that it will be sloow going; I will abide the decision of the majority. I believe that Jardels marching oorder is a good one." Kothas shook his head, "Nay my friend, we were ordered to protect this group until you reached the caves. The best way to do that would be for us to surround the main group, except Talthan, he makes an excellent scout, as we did before. I will ride up front, with my men surrounding your single line. That way we are protected from all directions." Da Ghiri sighed, "I suppoose every town, especially this cloose to the enemy, has its share of eevil denizens and I don't think we can directly concern oourselves with theese creatures, but the town shoould probably be warned if there is a build-up. What did you see Culdat ?" "Well that's the difficult thing you see Da Ghiri, it looks like regular humanoid creatures all throughout town, but if I know anything of rank and hierarchy these ones seem to be leaders not followers. I did not think to ask any of them for a long in depth conversation." Culdat shrugged, "I just don't know what is usual or normal anymore, but there is definitely some purpose as to why they are here. Perhaps we should try to find out a little more, before we jump out of the frying pan - so to speak." Caladan finished his breakfeast and commented on the groups plans. "I got the impression that time was important here, I say we leave town now and we put as much distance between ourself and these creatures as quickly as possible." "I'm all for travelling again. We only have only to remember that evillies both in front and behind us now." The little halfling smiled and dug back into his meal. Kethas looked around, "I don't really care what we do, so long as it gets done. Until then, I'll be in the Magic Shoppe. Anyone who wants to come with me may." Humus sat and thought about all the problems of the city and about the current quest from the prince. "I think that we should let the city guards know about all that we found out in the city and then press on. The prince wanted us to hasten to the Cave of Winds to get the scepter. This other stuff that we find is most likely a result of the growing evil that we must defeat soon. To be victorious, we must strike at the head of the beast and not at its limbs." Kethas turned around as he was leaving the inn, "I believe that Culdat was right when he said that we should remain in town for a while. I would, however, like to make a trip to the Magic Shoppe. Would anyone care to come with me ? I would appreciate the help. If somethng should happen, blocking out my magical abilities, I may not survive. I will require about 1000 gp to purchase supplies and potions." Humus turned to Kethas, knowing that the party had found a total of 3.610 gp so far, "I'm not sure that we really want to delay our quest to root out this town's problems, but I don't think that a little shopping would take too long. I'll join you. In fact, we might find something that could help us on the quest. You never know what you'll find until you look." "Well, if there's a magic shop, perhaps I could find a trinket or two..." Culdat jumped in. Upon general concensus, the entire group except Jardel, who wanted to remain in the inn, wished to go to the Magic Shoppe in town. Kothas jumped in and nodded, "Good idea, I will speak to the guards for you and find out about the humanoids and the other riffraff that has ventured in. I'll meet you guys back here in two hours" he spoke and stompped out the door, calling to his men to go with him.
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