Malachi seems a bit confused and taken about by the whole ordeal. Torrin and Sureiya make their way back to the rest of the group, which now consists of Myn and Samel.

"Erm..." Malachi manages.

Once Sureiya is back with Myn and the others, he will approach Malachi and question him.
"Uhm, you know, something unexpected happened and we might welcome Yalko very well now. Do you know where he is?"

"He... uhm, just walked off by this way."Samel points the direction where he went. The priest seems hesitant."Sureiya, is everything okay? About welcoming him,... you will need to be fast before he finds another way in the earth motes."

Nodding to Samel, Sureiya continues.
"Is everything okay? I don't know, it seems Sariel decided she don't wanna tag along with such a diverse group as us. Anyway, I gotta find this guy. Come on, help me to find him."
Walking in the direction Samel pointed out, Sureiya goes to look for the Kenku.
Perception (31) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4005495/

Not far in the direction Samel pointed out, Yalko is seated alone off to the side, his various forms of dress still hanging over the beak that protrudes from his face. There is a bag before him, and he is busy fishing through the various pockets of his robe.

Sureiya elaborates on their actual situation to Yalko.
"It wasn't your fault at all, but we would appreciate if you would accompany us. The payment offer is still up, of course."

>>11907
Yalko's head rises to look at Sureiya as he approaches, and he pulls his hands from his robes to drop a ring into the bag before him, before putting it away. He listens to Sureiya's proposition without saying much. "Good news, if you'll forgive me saying so. I had just resigned myself to being stuck here for the meantime. I will join you. I just hope that Myn picked the rest of his companions with more care. You aren't all taken to flights of fancy, are you?"

"Tool maintenance is one thing, but I'm hardly a babysitter."

Seeing the eladrin off with little concern, Myn moves to join the half-orc and bird thing.

"Worry not, we've scarcely lost half our group since the start of our collaboration."

Telepathy->Yalko:They aren't optimal, I admit, but they're certainly strong enough to be worth forming ties to.

Doing his best to keep his friend's name cool, the ranger answers.
"Ya know, I'm not sure if she had flights of fancy or anything, maybe she was just a little tired of this damn mess. The rest seem to be cool with it."

"Maybe so. According to her ranting, you put up with each other's company for no small amount of time." With that, Yalko stands from the table. "Should I take it as a good sign that you live long enough to lose a member under a frivolous circumstance? Or perhaps it indicates the reward is not worth the effort? After all..." Yalko looks in the direction in which Sariel left the temple, "...she was under the impression that you were out to save a human settlement. Baldur's Gate?"

Telepathy->Myn:If you really are forming ties. The elf's has come loose.

>>11915
Torinn returns to the others and answer's Yalko's question, sort of. "The scope's a bit bigger than that, really. We could fill you in on the details later."

After nodding twice, Yalko responds with a lighter tone. "Very well, mister Tormine. If it takes some explaining, you can do so along the way." Yalko steps closer to Torinn. "Now, what were your group's plans? I had just finished getting my belongings in order, so I can depart at any time, but I assume you'll all want to stay and rest a while, if you have just arrived."

>>11915

Telepathy->Yalko:Ties have little to do with proximity of body, my friend. It's not as if I were the one who angered her, and as such there is little problem.

Telepathy->Myn:Really? True enough, our own tie is mutually beneficial again after all this time, but it did to me seem the elf's feathers were ruffled by your introducing of me as an old friend. Though I cannot think of what events prior contributed before the final straw.

"Personally I would rather if we would depart now, unless someone needs to do something before."
Saying this, Sureiya faces Torinn. "Would you lend me that thing Sid gave us for a second?"

>>11935
Torinn takes out the new and improved leyline tracker and hands it to Sureiya. "The sooner we leave, the better I think. Better chance to catch any enemies unawares with how quickly we arrive." Thought we still need a spyglass of some kind...

Sureiya takes it, then he will look into the direction the leyline finder points, and look into the sky (if it's possible) seeing if any particularly big earthmote is in sight in that direction.

Though Sureiya doesn't see anything other than large, rolling hills and cloudy skies on the horizon, the leyline-finding device Sid invented indicates there is a leyline to the southeast.

"Need a spyglass?"

Sureiya nods and tell the rest that he's going to look for one.
"Get ready in the meanwhile."
Look and buy a spyglass.

"Um..." Malachi pipes up. When he has the attention of one or more of the adventurers, he bows and says, "If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. I wish you a safe journey." With that, the half-elf will return to his duties.

If you want to obtain a spyglass, you'll need to leave the temple and find a market.

Yalko's head flits from Torinn to face Sureiya as the latter operates "that", and the kenku is still, aside from the movements of his beady eyes, perhaps visible on close inspection under the round cuts of his hood.

Answering Malachi first with a caw, he follows with a bow while adding, "...thank you, Malachi, I think that will be all. It looks as if we are prepared, aside from our bearings. Tell Lady Kava that I am grateful for her direction."

Sureiya nods and thanks Malachi as well, asking something before leaving.
"Oh actually, could ya show me where the market is?"

"Of course," Malachi replies to Yalko, bowing. In response to Sureiya's query, he points down a street to the south, which looks quite crowded from Sureiya's vantage point--it is lined with buildings that look like they were put together rather hastily despite being brick and mortar, and in the distance Sureiya can see flaps that indicate stall-type structures on the roadsides. Once Sureiya enters the market district, he has no trouble tracking down a spyglass for 4 gp.

"When he returns, we should prepare to leave as well."

After an uneventful travel, Sureiya returns with the rest, handling the spyglass to Torinn.
"So, are you guys ready to leave? We should pick up the griffons already."

After glancing at the other party members, Yalko responds. "Griffons...?"

Yalko has the following spells prepared:
Level 1 At-Will: Winged Horde
Level 1 Daily: Horrid Whispers
Level 1 Encounter: Illusory Obstacles
Level 2 Utility: Shield
Level 3 Encounter: Maze of Mirrors
Level 5 Daily: Visions of Avarice
Level 6 Utility: Familiar's Call
Level 7 Encounter: Charm of the Defender

Sureiya chuckles.
"Yeah, how did you expect us to reach the earthmotes? You know, they are unpopular for a reason."

"Nobody informed me of the mode by which we would be traveling." Yalko peers around briefly, before gesturing his open hand forward in the direction of the half-orc. "To make things clear, despite appearances, I cannot fly," he adds, his speech becoming slower, and slightly raised. "Nor do I have a griffon handy."

"Oh come on, I'm not as stupid to think that."
"... those beasts are quite strong, and they should be able to carry two guys, but coincidentally we got one extra griffon now. Should we leave already? A long trip awaits us."

>>11966
"Your short-tempered friend left without her ride?" Yalko looks to Myn before addressing the rest of the group. "I have been prepared for a while, so if everyone is ready, we can depart. Where are these griffons, Sureiya? I hope they don't mind switching riders."

Sureiya meditates about what he just said and replies. "I didn't see walk her to the stables, but it would be crazy to return walking. Anyway, I don't think Myn would mind traveling close to you" says the orc with a smirk, while he motions the rest to walk to the stable.

Yalko nods. "In that case, we can save our discussion until after we confirm their number. Otherwise, Myn, I'm likely lighter to bear than any of your other companions." With that, he begins walking in the direction the half-orc indicated. "Nor did I have any experience of riding griffons in the first place."

With that, the group leaves the temple and heads for the stables.

Once in the stable, Sureiya will count the griffons and looks for the one he took before.

As Sureiya begins looking over the griffons, he'll find that Sariel didn't take hers out: It's still there.

From behind the group, however, emerges a figure dressed in a half-way clerical, half-way military outfit, with a cloth headdress covering most of the figure's head. Long ears protruding from the holes on either side of the dress, alongside iris-less eyes reveal the man to be an eladrin. His dark-brown hair is lined with strands of silver-coloured hair, creating an effect of half-brown, half-silver hair.

The figure approaches the group at a slow pace, halting a respectable distance from them all.

"Greetings, travellers," he speaks, eyeing each of them in turn. "You are about to travel to the earthmote, yes? Forgive me, as I, ah..." he gestures at his long ears and smiles apologetically, "happened to overhear your conversation earlier. I must beg you to please consider allowing me to travel alongside you! I have, ah, a desire strong to be on that mote. These archons, you understand, they, ah... pique the interest."

The eladrin nods, and as he gets closer he adds, "I promise you I shan't be in your way. I know my way around magic... well, enough to ensure you I shall not be a burden to take along. Honest!" He looks at the group pleadingly.

Torinn was following behind Sureiya when the figure appeared. He's not sure what to make of them. It seemed awfully contrived for somebody to appear as soon as one of their party members left. This might be one of those unscrupulous untrustworthy types, so Torinn does his best to verify whether or not they can be trusted.

"Okay... Who are you and why are you here?"

The eladrin smiles. "Ah, of course. My manners, I, ah, forgot. You understand, the response to my request overpowered all else for a moment!"

He clears his throat and, with a sweeping bow, introduces himself, "Call me Aghanim, historian. I come from the Grey Vale, intent on surveying the history of places high and low." With a nod towards the griffons, he adds, "More low than high, I regret, as I do not have, ah, 'wings' as you do."

Then, with some excitement, Aghanim continues, "Of course, I hope to see that changed, should you be willing to earnestly hear my plea! I simply must see to the earthmotes that float above the lands, especially that one with archons." He frowns for a moment. "Though I blabber on and on. Most terrible of me, Sir...?"

>>11987
"Tormine."

Well that most certainly wasn't suspicious. Though holding a speech impediment against this person probably wouldn't do them any good. 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,' as they say. If he's a friend, no harm done, and if not, he'll be within slashing distance.

"A historian, huh? I suppose you can tag along," he relents, "Though you must understand we have our own reasons for going. If you will aid us, you can study the earthmote to your heart's content. But do not impede us."

"...another Eladrin? So this place is actually filled with adventurers, huh?"
"You sure are quite brave for a historian. But I won't complain, as our new teammate (if you allow it) is also in the trip for curiosity or something. Could you prove us somehow that your skills and intentions are as good as you claim they are?"

After observing the griffons along with Sureiya, Yalko turns to the face the eladrin, but at first remains silent. Once Torinn offers a place in the party, the kenku briefly glances up at him and opens his beak, before closing it again and lowering his gaze as Sureiya continues on. Finally, he interjects.

"I am hardly in a position to voice complaints about the circumstances here, but we have the practical matter of our flight to consider." Shifting forward, he removes his hood, and the crosses his arms. "Having overheard us, you should know there are only so many of these." Yalko nods to the same griffin as the eldarin had earlier. If then you want are to join us, so as not to convenience the rest, I say you will be sharing your wings with me, mister Aghanim. Are we agreed?"

Aghanim smiles wryly. "My skills, ah, they are difficult to show, understand? The magic I work is... subtle." He taps the side of his head with the long staff he's carrying--gently. "I could use them, but then one of you would have to subject themselves to it; I warrant, not a situation you should be keen to be in, no matter how powerful I might be."

To Yalko, Aghanim nods, saying, "That would be reasonable, fine sir! I assume Sir Tormine is the leader of this expedition, though?"

>>11991
"To paraphrase another, mister Tormine simply finds himself often filling that role. I wager in no small part due to his being amicable with strangers. Either way, I think he will find this trade acceptable."

"I see no issue with the arrangement."

"Wonderful!" Aghanim smiles warmly. "Then, Master Tormine, I shall be in the care of you and yours."

Still not very sure, Sureiya decide to give the Eladrin a chance. Sariel showed him some people will use their arcana powers for the good as well.
"Very well, it seems we could use some help here, but if you accept to come, you have to understand anything could happen once we arrive there."

Perhaps to their surprise, it seems that Sariel has not taken one of the griffons. Therefore, each adventurer has their own griffon, except for Yalko and Aghanim, who share one. One of the two will command the griffon, while one will need to be a passenger.

It seems that the temple and lady Kava have arranged for the stablekeeper's payment, as he does not request any from the adventurers and lets them know that it was on behalf of the Order of Blue Fire. With that, the now-party-of-six takes to the skies on their new mounts.

The griffons seems quite well-adapted to flight, and follow commands faithfully and intuitively. Even those not well-trained in riding are able to keep their griffons on course with ease. They are a little smelly up close, but that can't really be helped. In any case, your best information places the largest earthmote to the southeast, so that is perhaps a good place to start looking.

Torinn finds riding comes naturally to him, and secures himself in the seat. Before they move out too far, however, he exchanges the spyglass with Sureiya for the leyline tracker, saying, "You keep a lookout for our destination, alright? I'll watch the tracker." Finally he spurs his mount in the direction indicated and has it take flight. He hovers for a moment, then zips off towards their destination, hopefully with the others following closely behind!

Last edited at 13/04/13(Sat)17:34

Doing his best not to look down, Sureiya instead attempts to focus in grabbing tightly his griffon and giving a glance to the leyline locator from time to time.

>>12006
New thread!