Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Extreme =&gt; Extreme Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: yesiroleplay on 15-03-2011, 03:50:01</h2>
		<dl id="posts">
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>yesiroleplay</strong> on <strong>15-03-2011, 03:50:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 24pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>Heroes of Sandpoint</strong></span><br>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Sandpoint_TheOldLight.png)</div><ul class="bbc_list"><li>External Links</li><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Pathfinder SRD (http://www.d20pfsrd.com)</li><li>E6 Wiki (http://esix.pbworks.com/w/page/9900109/FrontPage)</li><li>E6: The Game Inside D&amp;D (http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=352719)</li><li>Players Roll All The Dice/Raising The Stakes (http://esix.pbwiki.com/f/RaisingtheStakes.pdf)</li><li>Reputation System (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/campaigns/reputation.htm)</li></ul><li>Out of character Threads</li><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Elluiki: Heroes of Sandpoint (http://elliquiy.com/wiki/Heroes_of_Sandpoint)</li><li>Elluiki: People and places of Sandpoint (http://elliquiy.com/wiki/Heroes_of_Sandpoint/Sandpoint)</li><li>Interest and recruitment Thread. (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=100137.0;all)</li><li>OOC Thread (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=100623.o;all)</li><li>Character Thread (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=100614.0;all)</li></ul><li>Game Threads</li><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings] (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=100755.0;all) (you are here)</li></ul></ul><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>Introduction</strong></span><br>A simple, relatively peaceful town with all the color and common oddities one expects from a tightly-knit community, Sandpoint sits at a point on the Lost Coast halfway between Magnimar and Windsong Abbey. Wood buildings and cluttered docks line the town’s natural harbor, while farms and the manors of wealthy citizens dot the surrounding countryside. During the day, fishing, farming, lumbering, glassmaking, and shipbuilding occupy most of the townsfolk, who commonly retire to their homes by way of Sandpoint’s many taverns. A playhouse and would-be museum make unusual attractions in such a small community, but Sandpoint’s true landmark is the Old Light, a lighthouse of ancient origins that lies in ruins.<br><br>A relatively peaceful town, devoid of many of the dangers of a true frontier town and intrigues of a sprawling city, Sandpoint has nonetheless had its share of troubles. The fading scars of a recent terror still linger, a time most folk refer to as the Late Unpleasantness. Just over five years ago, a madman stalked the streets of Sandpoint, killing dozens. Known as Chopper, the killer’s month-long terror ended bloodily when an eccentric local artisan was revealed as the murderer and killed during his attempted capture. Adding to the pain, less than a month later the local chapel burned to the ground in a conflagration that nearly consumed the town’s northern half and left the local priest dead.<br><br>Emerging from the shadow of these events, though, Sandpoint has healed and rebuilt, with many townsfolk viewing the coming dedication of a new church as a symbolic end to the healing and return to normality. For five years, the faithful of Sandpoint have attended church in smaller wooden structures rebuilt after fire destroyed the previous temple, and while their new pastor Abstalar was helpful, kind, and wise, church wasn’t the same. Now, the new cathedral is finally done. All that remains is for the Swallowtail Festival to renew the site’s blessings from the gods and it will be as if the Sandpoint Fire had never occurred.<br><br>For whatever reason, each of you find yourself in the public square outside the new cathedral on the morning of the first day of autumn.&nbsp; You're anticipating Sandpoint's annual Swallowtail Festival. There is free food and the tents of various traveling entertainment troupes and a midway of game booths, and more excitement than a month of Sundays normally brings to the thriving if normally boring little town.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>yesiroleplay</strong> on <strong>15-03-2011, 03:53:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Our intrepid adventurers find much to do on this festival day.&nbsp; Whether sleeping until noon or lingering in the inn to avoid the early morning chill of late fall, or taking last-minute instruction from a worried Pastor Abstalar, they all miss the pre-dawn bustle of carnies setting up around the clear area at the base of the Old Light, disrupting the morning routine of old Gorvi the junker and his boys. For today the town was a bustle with strangers and town folk, merchants both local and from afar. Today is the Sunday nearest to the first day of autumn, the Sunday celebrated with the Swallowtail Festival. And this year the Festival is even more significant.<br><br>For the last five years Sandpoint has been without a church building. For the last five years, services have been held in homes, outdoors, even in sheds. Pastor Abstalar has been helpful, kind, and wise, but church just hasn’t been the same since the chapel burnt to the ground and old Pastor Ezakien died in the fire. But now the new church was done. The old chapel replaced by a cathedral. Sandpoint had out-grown the old chapel. The new cathedral was a sign of the town’s prosperity, and a proclamation that its people could overcome any adversity. All that remains is renewing the site’s blessings from the gods during this Swallowtail Festival and it will be as if the Sandpoint Fire had never occurred.<br><br>People have been up for hours, several merchants have set up tents to vend their wares of food, clothes, local crafts, souvenirs, and beverages. Others folk have arrived early to gain positions near the podiums and the tables beyond. Tables loaded with a picnic buffet ready for the congregation after the ceremonies. <br><br>It was the first day of autumn, and by noon the day was warm and bright. Pastor Abstalar requested the apprentices all dress in their finest, which for most of them was cheap peasant clothing slightly newer and brighter than their normal attire, but for the newest arrivals was their full armor, polished to best reflect the sunlight of the beautiful day. An idle comment from the sheriff cause undue concern with the Pastor, and he asked Ara, and particularly Ausk, to keep an eye out for trouble, though he had no real reason to expect any.<br><br>The food is good and there was great plenty and families were together enjoying the perfect weather and the carnival atmosphere. A young boy standing with his father near the head table tugged at his elder's coattails, his young voice over-loud in the murmuring crowd as he complained to his father that he couldn’t find his dog.<br><br>A tall young man with dirty blond hair badly in need of a trim wandered through the crowd. Everyone here was open and happy and carefree - all quite different from the sober gloom prevalent back in Chelaxia - his worn travel attire stood out from the Sunday best most were wearing, and the itch along his unshaven jaw reminded him further that he didn't fit in. <br><br>A fair girl with glistening amber eyes and wild black hair caught his gaze and followed it. She scowled and approached the daring, if scruffy, young man. "Hey there, new in town?" She tried to catch his eye to provoke a smile.&nbsp; Blackwell, the gruff young thug that she was, scowled at the display.&nbsp; She'd had her eye on the woman, and the newcomer looked to have stolen her chances.<br><br>There was plenty of meat, more than a plenty of tubers and fruits and breads and puddings and nearly every corner of uptown seemed to have some sort of contest or panel for judging produce or a specialized cook-craft, and all the entries were available to eat, once the contests were judged. <br><br>The Old Light loomed over the whole area, and tight under it's bulking shadow was where the midway was set up. Booths were set up for contests of luck and skill. And portable stages held acts both bizarre and banal. A group of gypsy-like Varisian were set up beside a small caravan of gaily-decorated wagons . They had a somewhat less advantageous spot, near the plummet called Junker's Edge. The smell labeled the area as the town garbage dump.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Creeper</strong> on <strong>15-03-2011, 09:24:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Pill sat on the ground in a corner of the square, back pressed against a building. Her soot stained knobby legs were splayed out in front of her,&nbsp; hands slumped at her side. Though she watched the merchants and the citizens buzz around the square with tired eyes, she smiled in pride. <br><br>If they only knew how much work the gnome had put into this festival. When the carpenter's guild had run out of white paint, Pill sold them her stash of 6 tins that the general store had thrown out a year ago. When several merchant wagon wheel axles had rotted away, she went around to local farmers and traded for spares. When it was discovered that several non-magical but historical relics had been thrown away after the old chapel fire site was cleaned up, it was Pill who hunted the trash dump and the Sea and returned Sandpoint's history to its rightful place. Those were just a few of dozens of similar exchanges She was paid a pittance for each one but it was more than enough copper for one little gnome.<br><br>It wasn't enough for her mother, bedbound in their wooden shack by injury and illness. Who grew fat and sick off of the low quality food, which was all they could afford. Who glared daggers into her daughter's back every single time she thought Pill wasn't looking...<br><br>... Food wouldn't be served until the judges had finished their contests, but Pill had decided leave home early, just in case some business needed to be done. She spent a lot of time making this event happen after all, might as well enjoy it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>meikle</strong> on <strong>15-03-2011, 09:53:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Blackwell had some kind of meat on a stick.&nbsp; Something akin to beef, but she didn't think that was right -- she wasn't certain exactly what it was, and hadn't bothered to ask.&nbsp; She pulled a bit from the skewer with her teeth as she watched the girl she'd laid eyes on close in on some wanderer, some stranger with a distinct lack of hygiene.<br><br>She chewed quietly, leant back on a barrel that stood nearly as tall as she did.&nbsp; There were other sights and sounds, food and people here that she could turn her attention to, not let a moment's hesitation and bad timing bother her at all.&nbsp; It was, after all, a festival.&nbsp; Why not just relax and have a good time?<br><br>She finished chewing the stringy beef-stuff and swallowed it down.&nbsp; She considered the rest of the meat on the stick, and for the moment, decided not to take another bite.&nbsp; 'Just relax' wasn't really an appealing option for Blackwell (and she was never truly 'just relaxed'); skewer in hand, she stepped away from the barrel, and made her way toward the black-haired lass that caught her eye, making her way neatly past any moving bodies between them.&nbsp; It wasn't hard; unarmed and unarmored for the festival, Blackwell still cut an imposing figure.<br><br>When she reached the pair, the pretty girl and the scrubbish fellow she'd taken to, she came up quietly and quickly, setting her hand on the scruffy fellow's shoulder and pointing the meat-on-a-stick skewer casually at woman that had approached him.&nbsp; "Who's this you're talkin' to?" she asked him, inviting herself right into the conversation, and glancing comfortably between the two, a half-cocked smile on her face.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Laughing Hyena</strong> on <strong>15-03-2011, 14:10:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ausk stood there quietly donned in his scale armor immaculately polished and cleaned whilst dressed in gold, red and white silken vestments each bearing the symbol of his goddess upon them. The man was large in both height and width as his shoulders were broad and his body quite lean even through the robes one could notice this. He had an ivory mask that clasped around his entire head hiding his features. His skin however was revealed to be a kind of mud brown coloring and his eyes were deep blue as he scoured the crowds looking for signs of trouble as requested. <br><br>The pilgrimage had gone smoothly at this point and the hospitality was at least decent so he could not complain and the Pastor had granted permission to take up residence temporarily at the cathedral itself. Though he was not here to give the blessing himself he attended all the same. He found his eyes upon the gypsies with a slight touch of sympathy towards them but also knew that if there was trouble it would more then likely be there then anywhere else so he kept a vigil upon that in particular. He spied the gnome rummaging about and it sparked remorse knowing such lives existed and were so crudely tossed aside, though he did not begin to know of such experiences first hand.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blue Leah</strong> on <strong>15-03-2011, 16:05:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				At first, Ara had wanted to stay behind and observe Father Zantus and his Acolytes as they prepared for today's celebration. Unfortunately, though, he had come to realize that he would have been more under-foot and irritating than anything else in that situation, and that seemed a poor way to repay the patience and hospitality they had shown him (and his studies) up to this point.<br><br>So, he had come out to walk the grounds. Which was just as well, because he was able to fill up a page and a half of notes just on the atmosphere alone. He noted, for instance, the difference between his own vestments and those of his fellow pilgrim- where the follower of Sarenrae was bedecked in shining armor and holy symbols, Ara's clothing was a silken blend of blacks, whites, and greys that might belong a dancer or bard. His own armor was carefully crafted to not be visible through the garb. And as to holy symbols... he had been taught early that Sivanah was not one to broadcast her presence. A simple bracelet, woven together from seven different colored veils, was enough of a symbol of his worship.<br><br>As the young elf blows a lock of hair out of his eyes, he wonders what he should do first. He's spent so much time buried in books lately, that the carnival atmosphere is almost sensory overload. Then, out of his peripheral vision, he sees a small form sitting with her back to a wall. Curious, he approaches her, squatting down so his voice can be heard over the sounds of the festivities.<br><br>“Good day! Pardon my intrusion, but how come you're all the way over here, when the party is all the way over there?” Even as he smiles, he prepares himself to move just in case she does not want the company.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>yesiroleplay</strong> on <strong>15-03-2011, 16:50:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A rapid sideways glance from amber eyes gave clear indication that dark-haired beauty was well aware of Blackwell, and of the notorious woman's interest.&nbsp; &nbsp;After the brief shot, the girl turned her attention back to the newcomer and smiled. <strong>"I'm Sora."</strong> She stood primly with her shoulders straight and her hands clasped behind. <strong>"What's your name?"</strong> She looked out toward the sea to the south where the rigging of two ships was visible beyond the buildings of Uptown. <strong>"Did you sail in from Magnimar?"</strong> A tone of wistful longing was obvious in her voice. <strong>"I want to go there, or go anywhere really. My Uncle Jasper says it's no place special, but I'd like to see for myself."</strong><br><br><strong>"Guh."</strong> was Aldus' first reply to the raven-haired lass. Surely whatever had killed all those men at the party hadn't followed him across the sea? But here he was dwelling on the past when he was being spoken to. That wasn't very polite... Aldus cleared his throat. <strong>"Aldus."</strong>&nbsp; He answered the first of the battery of questions, and then dryly replied the to the others.&nbsp; <strong>"Yes. Yes I am, and I did. I got in less than an hour ago."</strong><br><br>Blackwell's arrival interrupted further conversation as the warriors unexpected touch caused the young man to jump like a skittish cat.&nbsp; <strong>"How did you find..."</strong>&nbsp; He reached for the sharp, hooked dagger at his belt but restrained his urge to attack when he saw that his 'attacker' was simply a local woman.&nbsp; The dark-haired girl giggled and shot Blackwell another glance as the man struggled to regain his composure.&nbsp; <br><br>The giggles dissolved as quickly as the man's bluster though, when Blackwell spoke, and not to her but to the ruggedly cute stranger.&nbsp; She wasn't good enough to talk to directly?!&nbsp; She glared a frown at the warrior even while almost unconsciously leaning in toward the bully.&nbsp; She wondered if the thug even remembered her?<br>----------------------------------------------<br><strong>"Jaltan!"</strong>&nbsp; The young boy called.&nbsp; <strong>"Here boy, come Jaltan!"</strong>&nbsp; All to no avail.&nbsp; There were a couple dogs in sight, but none responded to the youngsters call. His father had the sandy brown hair and pale complexion typical of the Chelaxian invaders, but the dusky olive complexion of they boy hinted that his mother was Varisian. The father smiled down at his son. <strong>"Dog's probably just chasing a donkey rat or a squirrel."</strong><br><br>The boy had other ideas. <strong>"Jaltan wasn't chas'n no donkey rat, he was chas'n a goblen. He hates goblins!"</strong><br><br>The man smiled again at the boy's remark, and he mussed the lad's dark hair though his eyes were focused more on the exchange halfway across the square - both of the girls were striking in their own way, and if he were just a bit younger...&nbsp; He shook off the thought.&nbsp; He was a married man!&nbsp; <strong>"Fool dog is probably stealing scraps from under a table." </strong><br><br><strong>"Jaltan's ah good dog!"</strong> The boy declared with total conviction. He looked up to his dad. <strong>"Can I go look for him? I don't wanna lissen to no speeches anyway."</strong> He was obviously worried about his dog. Taking his father's moment of distraction as assent, he moved away, passing close by the a fancy-dressed man and Pill. <strong> "Hi Pill!"</strong>&nbsp; The boy's family lived near the sawmill, and the boy was one of the few people that treated her with respect. <strong>"Have you seen Jaltan?"</strong> Goblins occasionally came around in the dark of night to pick through the discards of the sawmill, and Jaltan always went wild when he sensed them.&nbsp; She knew the dog well.&nbsp; His sharp fang and fierce bravery had aided her several times in her constant war with the tiny raiders.<br>----------------------------------------------<br>The width of Ausk's shoulders, the breadth of Ausk's chest, and the bulge of Ausk's biceps were not unnoticed by the local girls.&nbsp; Even girls escorted by their husbands or beaus threw him glances in passing, and a trio of young Varisian women that were dressed like they might be with the gypsy caravan kept passing his post, throwing black-eyed glances his way before turning to each other in fits of girly giggles.&nbsp; More to the point perhaps, his powerful build and striking appearance had captured the eye of Teluli, an acolyte dedicated to the goddess Shelyn.&nbsp; She was a pretty girl dressed in the formal acolyte attire of the Goddess of Love and Beauty, which in her case meant not much of anything.&nbsp; She had to feel the autumn chill with that much fair skin exposed. But the cause of her rash of goosebumps was debatable - was it the cold, or was it her feminine reaction to the big ugly tower of muscle?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Anathanasia</strong> on <strong>15-03-2011, 22:47:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ray did what bards do, working the crowd while enjoying the festival for it's own sake as well. She moved through the throngs of people, stopping here and there to perform little magic tricks for children and whoever else happened to be nearby, and spreading the word that later on she'd be showcasing the Art of fencing with the large and ornate sword she wore on her back. She'd been talking it up for weeks now, but had refrained from public performance, wanting to save it for the festival day, but she had the good grace to make sure it would be after the main event of unveiling the new cathedral. That it wasn't a style of performance suited to crowded taverns had also served to make that choice easy, but a large outdoor festival was perfect.<br><br>With this performance in mind, Ray had also decided to finally wear her traditional costume for the performance. It really wasn't all that different from many dancers outfits, tight in the right places, flowing in others, made to accentuate her movements. It was a shiny dark royal purple that complimented her eyes and looked striking against her moonsilver pale skin, which was mostly covered, most of the time, but strategic cuts in the costume would reveal flashes of the bare skin underneath when she moved a certain way. Factoring these tantalizing glimpses in with the dance and the swordwork was just another part of the whole that made her families fencing style into art.<br><br>Growing thirsty from talking with people, Ray decided to find herself a glass of wine, or maybe mead, and perhaps something to eat. The day, after all, was just beginning.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ershin</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 00:15:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With her morning duties behind her and permission granted from miss Kaijitsu, Jaillen had hours before hung up her work clothes in her sparse wardrobe in the Rusty Dragon, having changed into an admittedly similar brown dress, less frilly, a higher cut skirt, no sleeves to the point where her shoulders were bare, a higher neck-line that hid her cleavage while accenting it, lifting and pressing on it and most importantly, no apron. It had an almost velveteen appearance, lined with a golden floral pattern, accompanied by knee socks and a pair of admittedly rather pretty shoes. Of course, she'd also obtained a nice new collar to go with it, the clasp connecting the leather strap styled like a rose.<br><br>Having wandered around the attractions for some time, sampling bits of food as she went and making a mental note to ask some of the locals for recipes for this and that to pass on to the inn's cook at the end of the day, the maid decided it was time for a quick breather. It was best to pace yourself at these events, absolutely no point in tiring yourself out before something interesting happened unexpectedly. Though while it might be nice to do so, it wouldn't change the fact she might put on a pound or two from the foodstuffs if she didn't keep moving around and burning them off. <br><br>Now might be a good time then, to move away from the food stalls and head toward those selling souvenirs that she might bring back to miss Kaijitsu or the hard working staff who volunteered to keep on going&nbsp; today, and of course to see if there were any new books, fact or fiction, that might be available and strike her fancy.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Creeper</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 00:36:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Pill was startled out of her reverie by the arrival of a priest. Odd, considering that she tended to fade into the background. Not that she was particularly sneaky, but she lacked the raw beauty and room-filling presence that most gnomes had. She peered out at the well dressed man from under her flat cap.<br><br>"I'm just restin'. I-I've been running around all week getting ready for this shindig. Real hither and thither. Besides, the real party will happen after the ceremony. Once all the priests have gone home the taverns will..." Her eyes fell on the man's holy symbol. "... Sorry. I c'n be obtuse sometimes. My name's Pill Cobbwicket. I don't think I've seen you at the chapel before. Here for the ceremony?"<br><br>The gnome's keen ears picked up the argument between a boy and his father. Pill liked children, they tended to be nice and weren't always bigger than her. Emil and his dog had helped the picker out more times than she could count. Pill rose to her feet and futility tried to brush the dirt off of her shorts. <br><br>"Hi Emil. Haven't seen 'em. Did 'ja say he was off chasin' goblins again? Where was the last place you saw him?" She said cheerfully. Pill could find all kinds of lost items. A missing dog should be a snap.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blue Leah</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 01:32:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ara laughs good naturedly at the gnome's response. He starts to tell her not to worry, and to ask her to continue her thought, when a young man calls out to her. Ara looks over his shoulder at the boy, and then turns his attention back to his companion as she rises.<br><br>"Ah... Pill? It seems you have something on your plate. If you would like, I could help you both look? Or, if you prefer, I can excuse myself for the time being. Though I will be curious to see what happens when all the priests go home this evening." He smiles again and rises, moving back a step to allow both the gnome and the child their space.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Laughing Hyena</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 04:00:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ara the priest seemed to be talking with a gnome woman so Ausk found himself wondering what he was asking about this time. He had been drilled with questions initially when he had first met him so he wondered if the same was happening here as well. Seeing as how the gypsies were not causing or having problems yet the child seemed to be running about searching for something, Ausk figured to head on over and investigate. After all he was asked to keep the peace and he saw no reason why he should not help the child find what he was looking for. Carefully moving around the crowds of people the giant man spoke with a deep voice <strong>"Excuse me Ara, is there some kind of problem?"</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>meikle</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 04:02:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That's rude," Blackwell commented, watching the stranger go right for his knife.&nbsp; If he'd gone any further than that, she felt confident she could've laid him out on the festival grounds without much trouble, but she was happy it hadn't come to that.&nbsp; She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth.&nbsp; "Keep in its sheathe, alright?&nbsp; Nobody wants to see that."<br><br>"So, do you have a name?"&nbsp; She turned her attention back to the girl, though she kept her hand firmly on the man's shoulder, pressing maybe enough to be a little bit uncomfortable.&nbsp; She didn't want to push him away outright, anyway -- she'd let him make the call to wander off on his own time.&nbsp; He'd get the picture eventually.<br><br>If she had ever met the girl before, Blackwell didn't recognize her -- or didn't remember the occasion, anyway.&nbsp; Seems like an unlikely face to forget, though -- she was cute!&nbsp; Her gaze may have traveled a bit, enjoying the view of the black-haired girl from up close, and she didn't make much effort to hide it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Creeper</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 05:13:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Pill was about to respond when Ausk came over. She swallowed reflexively, staring up at the huge half-orc. When you were one of the smaller races growing up on human lands you became very aware of how many large things out there that could crush you. Pill was mostly used to it, but on occasion she got a reminder (like Ausk) that she was an outsider to a much larger world. Which was strictly unfair to the man. She had had conversations with Ausk at the soup kitchen and he was a perfectly nice man. But some reactions couldn't be completely hidden...<br><br>"Hiya Ausk. No problem here. This little boy jus' lost his dog. I'm gonna go find it. You guys can come along if ya want." Pill offered, folding her arms behind her back rocking her weight from her heels to her toes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>yesiroleplay</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 08:13:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ray found many a familiar face in the crowds, and quite a number of them seemed interested in her promised performance.&nbsp; Interest was most keen among the males, it seemed, and the tempting flashes of pale skin through her exotic attire surely added to their interest.&nbsp; Sadly, the early morning feasts were over, and vendor after vendor began to refuse service as the sun rose.&nbsp; There was to be no eating or drinking during the speeches, and the rising sun was pushing ever closer to the noontime hour and the start of the ceremonies.<br><br>After the matron at the third table she approached draped their wares under fly-proof clothe, the elven bard thought she might have to try the White Deer Inn if she wanted herself a drink.<br><br>Jaillen found herself in much the same straights.&nbsp; While she'd arrived early enough to get a morning sip and a toasted snack, shops were closing all long the temporary avenues formed between tents and wagons.&nbsp; The order to close seemed to travel by sight - one merchant would close up, and then those nearby would follow suit. Soon, the bustling isles west of the cathedral square began to empty as people wandered toward the main event. <br>--------------------------------------<br>The girl snickered at Blackwell's double entendre, flashing the boy an appraising glance to see how he'd react.&nbsp; Sora really did want to leave Sandpoint and see the city, and she was practically bursting with curiosity about what he could tell her of strange lands and foreign places.<br><br>She giggled again, shyly looking almost but not quite directly at the warrior as she answered. <strong>"It's Sora, silly."</strong>&nbsp; Of course, they'd never really spoken.&nbsp; She'd only seen the tough warrior scare the boys away from her father's produce stand, and then take an apple for herself while boldly staring down Sora with a look that haunted her dreams for weeks.&nbsp; Her hair had been pinned up under the horrid cap her father made her wear around customers, and she'd been wearing his apron with the huge pockets that covered her like a tent, but still, it would have been nice to think that she'd made an impression.&nbsp; Blackwell had certainly made one on her.&nbsp; <br><br>She blushed slightly at the once-over the street-tough gave her, but lifted her chin and finally returned direct eye contact.&nbsp; The press of people moving toward the square jostled the trio, and the young man took the opportunity to slip free of Blackwell's grip and escape, muttering a hurried<strong>"Excuse me."</strong> <br><br>Alone, and with the crowd forcing them more closely together, she tried to break the stare, failed, and finally spoke. <strong>"So..."</strong> <br>--------------------------------------<br><strong>"He was with us'n afore."</strong>&nbsp; Emil answered the gnome girl unhelpfully. <strong>"Up till we got inta uptown anyway."</strong>&nbsp; That did narrow the search considerably, as only the chapel, the boneyard,&nbsp; and a few select dwellings and businesses adorned the area atop the cliff face splitting the town.&nbsp; Of course, at present most of the population of downtown and many a visitor besides was presently crowded into uptown, filling the normally quiet area with temporary structures of canvas and a shifting mass of humanity. <strong>"I think he went toward Northgate."</strong>&nbsp; Emil added, though his manner was much less certain than previously.<br><br><strong>"Heya mister."</strong>&nbsp; The lad greeted Ara, obviously grateful for his offer of help. <strong>"Thanks.&nbsp; for helping. Jaltan's&nbsp; brown n' white spotted&nbsp; and about so high."</strong>&nbsp; He put a hand up to indicate a level just higher than his own waistline, making the dog somewhere near a foot and a half tall. <strong>"An' he likes treats n' hates goblins."</strong>&nbsp; Which described just about any dog ever, but the boy seemed to think the traits were important.<br><br>The lad's precocious self-assurance evaporated when Ausk arrived.&nbsp; Huge, chocolate brown eyes stared up along the half-orc's lofty height and the massive bulk sheathed in gleaming armor.&nbsp; It took him several moments to recover his wits enough to speak, and then he finally said<strong>"Wow Mister.&nbsp; You're big."</strong>&nbsp; After another moment, he added. <strong>"'Bout the biggest guy I ever did see."</strong>&nbsp; He seemed to have forgotten about his dog, so stunned was he by the appearance of a real shining knight. <strong>"Why you wearin' that mask?"</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Creeper</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 09:32:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Alright, alright. I'll see if I c'n find 'em. Go on with your father now." Pill instructed. The boy's insistence that the dog was chasing a goblin was probably nonsense, but paranoia gnawed at the gnome. She had been besieged more than once by the horrible little creatures. She heard their threats, knew what they would do to her if they caught her. They largely stopped bothering her after a few of their clan exploded, but the threats remained. If goblins were up to something, Pill would have to stop it.<br><br>The girl ran the area through her head. Of all the places that were available, the Boneyard seemed to have the things dogs tended to like (bones and small animals). It would also be a good hiding place for goblins while all attention was on the chapel. Best check there first.<br><br>"I'll be back in a jjiffy." She said, striding off either alone or accompanied by the cleric to the boneyard.<br><br>((OOC: 13 on survival to track the dog down, if needed ))
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>meikle</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 10:05:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"So," Blackwell echoed, and took a closer position as the man made his exit and the crowd forced them nearer.&nbsp; "Sora, silly, what're you doing with a scraggly thing like him anyway?"&nbsp; She cast a glance momentarily in the direction he'd gone, but not really enough to look away from Sora for long.<br><br>"No, wait, don't answer," she interjected.&nbsp; "I don't want to know.&nbsp; Call me Blackwell; it's nice to meet you."&nbsp; Her stare continued almost unabated; Sora, perhaps uncomfortably, had her full attention.&nbsp; She was grinning a bit; it had grown from its half-cocked birth into a full-on smile.&nbsp; She enjoyed that little blush, the girl's shy demeanor.&nbsp; A little bit of discomfort could be good.<br><br>The movement of the crowd had brought Blackwell and Sora closer yet -- closer than strangers ought to get, maybe.&nbsp; "It's getting a bit crowded, isn't it?&nbsp; I guess they're going to break in the new church."&nbsp; For just a moment, Blackwell <em>did</em> break her attention away, just long enough to glance out toward the new church, to watch the people moving that way, noticed the vendors closing up shop.&nbsp; "I want to see that," she said when she returned her attention to Sora.&nbsp; "Come with me?"&nbsp; She spoke it as a question, but her hand found its way to Sora's hip -- proof enough that she had no intention of being turned down.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blue Leah</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 11:38:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				What had started out as a chance for a conversation seemed to be becoming a party in it's own right. Between the child, the gnome, and the arrival of his fellow pilgrim, Ara was unsure who to respond to first. After a split second, though, he simply smiles and gives the boy a slight bow before turning to follow the gnome. <br><br>"I will keep my eyes open for any dogs fitting your description. Enjoy the ceremony." <br><br>As he leaves, he can't help but let out a small spurt of laughter when he hears the boy address Ausk. Those seemed to be the two responses that the poor cleric was most prone to in this town. It always amused Ara that a follower of the goddess of the sun would be wearing a mask, while a follower of the goddess of illusions and trickery would be walking around with his face in the open. Still, Ausk is obviously devout, and Ara is not about to tease him for his choices. <em>Still, I really must ask him where he got those delightful masks.</em><br><br>As he follows behind Pill, he loosens the scarf wrapped around his waist, careful as always to not damage the silks of his vestments. The gnome doesn't seem overly worried about the lad's statements, but she did give them weight... which is reason enough for Ara to want the ability to protect himself, and his guide, at hand. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Laughing Hyena</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 14:05:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ausk would give a light chuckle of warmth to the boy that was talking to him giving a slight bit of wit along with an honest explanation <strong>"It is part of my penance. A self induced punishment. But I should mention that everyone wears a mask young one. Some are just more upfront about it. Now we'll go and have a look around for your dog. Stay out of trouble."</strong> Ausk tried to be as brief as he could with this so he could keep up with Ara and Pill. However he had a feeling the boy would wanna come along to find his dog anyway. Children tended to be that way and have little fear of the world around them. In the meantime Ausk would keep himself at the rear just to make sure nothing dangerous tried to jump them from behind a hand upon his scimitar.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Anathanasia</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 21:27:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ray cast a glance towards the cathedral, and though people were beginning to gather, she was reasonably sure she had time before the speeches would begin. She wouldn't be bothered if she were a little late to that part, anyways; she was far more interested in seeing the completed cathedral than hearing the boring speeches about the trials involved in getting the stone all the way here.<br><br>Slipping inside the tavern, Ray made her way towards the bar. She wasn't looking for much anyways, just a glass of wine and a piece of bread would be enough to tide her over till lunch time.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ershin</strong> on <strong>16-03-2011, 21:43:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Disappointed that she'd spent too much time at the concession stands and not enough at the shops or any game stalls, should there be any at the festival, Jaillen could only hope that they would be open once more when the speeches had concluded. After all, it simply wouldn't do to go home with nothing but herself.<br><br>While a little downtrodden, the girl made her way towards the cathedral never-the-less, hopefully she would be on time for this activity and the speech wouldn't start until after she'd arrived. Of course, if she still had time after she arrived Jaillen would have a wander around the general area of the cathedral, so see if there was anything of interest still operating there.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>yesiroleplay</strong> on <strong>18-03-2011, 03:36:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>"Oh."</strong>&nbsp; The boy responded to the big armored warrior. He didn't really understand everything the half orc said, and certainly didn't get the subtleties hinted by the words. <strong>"Is it hot in there?"</strong>&nbsp; He asked, but before he got his answer events pulled his interest away.<br><br><strong>"Thanks Pill."</strong>&nbsp; The boy replied, but immediately followed up with a yelp of protest. <strong>"What?&nbsp; No!&nbsp; I wanna look too!"</strong>&nbsp; A shot at his father showed the man occupied in conversation with one of the priestesses.&nbsp; The one that didn't hardly wear nuth'n.&nbsp; She kept looking past Da toward them, like she wanted to be somewhere else.&nbsp; But Da was too busy staring at her almost naked titties to notice.<br><br><strong>"Da don't care, and Jaltan knows me best."</strong>&nbsp; He declared firmly, following along with the others through the gathering crowd.&nbsp; Making any headway north against the press of people was proving nearly impossible.<br><hr><strong>"Ah.."</strong> The raven-haired young beauty began her reply, only to have a confident and powerful arm hooked around her trim waist with the hand at the end pressed firmly into her hip.&nbsp; Her slender body stiffened slightly at first, reacting to the overly familiar action with instinctive protest.<br><br>The protest went unspoken though, as she found herself moving along, snugly nestled inside that possessive and powerfully protective arm.&nbsp; Blackwell certainly knew how to hold a girl!&nbsp; Even if it was only a casual grasp on the hip.&nbsp; Her nubile body fit nicely inside the thug's circling arm, and she responded perfectly to every nuance of control: sliding in closer when pulled, relaxing when loosened, speeding her pace or skipping a step in immediate response to every unspoken command relayed by pressure of every miniscule push or pull.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>The crowd thickened, and jostled them, but the powerful warrior absorbed the brunt of the contact, keeping the pretty Sora safe inside that protective band of powerful muscle. <strong>"I've never seen anything like this."</strong> She confessed to her escort. <strong>"I mean, there's a festival every year, but it's never been anything like this before."</strong> <br><hr><div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/44/Barkeep_by_Jatep.jpg)</div>The White Deer was empty enough that Ray's footsteps echoed against the tavern walls as she approached the lonely bar.&nbsp; Instead of the full staff usual at this time of day, only a single gruff individual stood behind the bar, polishing mugs with a moderately clean towel. <strong>"Hey there."</strong>&nbsp; The overweight man greeted when the elven woman approached. <strong>"What can I get ya?"</strong>&nbsp; The Massive bartender had the build of someone that had once been massively strong.&nbsp; Strength that life and age had apparently turned mostly to fat.&nbsp; <br><br>Without waiting for an order, he moved over to the taps, readying the mug he'd so recently polished toward a the spigot near a barrel of cheap house wine as if he'd already decided on her order. <strong>"Not going to listen to the speeches and watch the show?"</strong> He asked.&nbsp; The release of the swallowtails was something spectacular, and something he was obviously surprised an elf girl had decided to miss.<br><br>There was only one other person in the bar, an old man sleeping near the banked fireplace emitting an occasional soft snore.<br><hr>Jaillen stepped into the crowded plaza, along with dozens of other folk all eager to hear the speeches, or more aptly, listen through the speeches and participate in the following ceremonies, particularly the feast.&nbsp; Her short stature worked against her now, as she couldn't see much more than a few feet ahead.&nbsp; Mostly she saw broad peasant back and broader peasant backsides, though off to her left there seemed a small void in the crowd where there might be more breathing room.&nbsp; A brown and white dog, apparently some sort of terrier breed, ran through the open area, apparently intent on heading north against the current of bodies pressing east.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Laughing Hyena</strong> on <strong>18-03-2011, 06:31:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ausk noticed the woman from before the one whom has rather not so secretly been eyeing him up. The other ladies whom had been looking at him but the one whom approached him whom he had to excuse himself from since there was a child of all things whom needed help from the boys father. The child had drawn his attention to it and noticed she was looking in his direction. His initial shyness had been part of the reason why he ran away initially but... He couldn't ignore that either and since Pill and Ara were looking for the dog with the child's help Ausk made his choice <strong>"Pill, Ara, please look after the child when you search for Jaltan. I have to take care of things here."</strong> <br><br>Ausk shouldered gently through the crowd approaching the scene as he then says to the Priestess of Love, Teluli and the father figure that was lewdly enraptured by her <strong>"Excuse me miss. Might I have a moment of your time?"</strong> He was quiet with his head bowed to her and his eyes downcast to the ground in a symbol of apology and respect towards her. He knew he was going to have to answer for what he did a few minutes ago but he would have to deal with that when it comes. For now he was more concerned about giving her the help she needed. He took a vow to keep the peace and he was going to keep it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blue Leah</strong> on <strong>18-03-2011, 17:57:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ara looks over his shoulder briefly to see why the half-orc was separating himself so quickly, and to give a quick acknowledgment of the cleric's request. However, with the crowds of people seeming to thicken by the moment, a split-second is all he has before he has to turn his attention back to Pill. Seeing as she knows the area much better than him, it would do him no good to lose her in the sea of people.<br><br>However, he also now has a small child to contend with. The gnome struck him as capable enough to protect herself... but the child is very much a weak link should they actually see goblins. With that in mind, Ara falls back a step so as to keep pace with the young man.<br><br>"So...Ms. Pill..." he finds himself pausing fairly often as he tries to weed his way through the crowd. "Where exactly... are we heading?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Creeper</strong> on <strong>19-03-2011, 00:25:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ausk seemed to change his mind about following. That was fine with Pill. She really wanted to go off by herself, but the boy and the priest insisted on coming along. "A'right Ausk. See you at the ceremony." She called back.<br><br>"Just call me Pill. It'd be 'Ms. Cobbwicket' if you're being formal." Remarked the gnome as she wove through the tightly knitted crowd. "We're heading to the Boneyard. That's where I'd go if I were a dog." She tried to squeeze through a wall of legs and failed. Pill huffed in frustration.<br><br>"At least that is where we're trying to go. 'Been living here twenty five years and never seen so many people." She sighed. "We'll try to circle around. There must be a way up. So, uh, Ara? What are you in town for?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Anathanasia</strong> on <strong>19-03-2011, 04:51:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh, no, just don't feel the need to rush to it." Ray smiled as she slipped gracefully onto one of the barstools. She nodded at him to continue pouring from the barrel he was at - all human wine tasted fairly awful so it didn't much matter - as she continued, "I'll be off again before you know it, but if you could part with a thick slice of bread and some cheese as quickly as that wine, I would appreciate it!"<br><br>"With the stalls only just closing and everyone just beginng to make their way, I still have time. I could walk slowly with everyone else in town, or let them get a head start and walk quickly to catch up!" she grinned then, and shrugged a little, "And besides, there will be one just next year even if I do miss it!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>meikle</strong> on <strong>19-03-2011, 06:52:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>"It certainly has not,</strong>" Blackwell agreed, and she pulled Sora close for a moment and offered a wide grin.&nbsp; <strong>"So it's a big deal, right?"</strong>&nbsp; She kept them moving, though -- it was easier, at least, when they moved with the flow of the crowd (not that Blackwell would have been deterred otherwise.)&nbsp; She kept them directed toward the new church -- the cathedral, even -- but she didn't move too quickly.&nbsp; She wanted to enjoy her friend's company, after all, and it wouldn't do to move too quickly to speak to her!<br><br><strong>"Are you looking forward to the new cathedral?&nbsp; I never went much, even before it was burnt down,"</strong> she confided.&nbsp; <strong>"Even less after that.&nbsp; But everyone else seems excited!"</strong>&nbsp; The closer they got, the more Blackwell slowed, the more she seemed to want to talk about the festival and the cathedral and a little bit of nothing at all.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blue Leah</strong> on <strong>22-03-2011, 23:51:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ara makes a mental note of the gnome's comment as he moves back to open a path for her, absently motioning for the child to follow. He hadn't realized just how crowded this event was going to be when he left the chapel's library... Still, it was a break from the seemingly endless stream of information he was sifting through, so he can't really complain. And the festival is truly interesting, especially given his own faith's disinclination towards major ceremonies.<br><br>As he waits for her to resume leading, Ara goes about answering her question. It's the same rhetoric he's been reciting since his arrival, so at this point it simply rolls off the tongue. <br><br>"Well, much like our mutual acquaintance, Mr. Ausk, I am a pilgrim. Only where his pilgrimage is one of worship, mine is of scholarship." Every word true, if only superficial. "I am collecting and recording tales of the many gods of Golarion, so that they may be kept for posterity. And every now and again, I get to experience something like this festival, which makes the book-work so much more enjoyable."<br><br>After a moment, he speaks up again. "I must compliment you, by the way. You're one of the first people outside of the chapel to recognize my holy symbol as something other than simply a braided bracelet."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Creeper</strong> on <strong>23-03-2011, 05:48:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Pill dodged a sudden surge in the crowd and many trampling feet. Getting stepped on was a fear that Pill happened to share with goblins and was very mindful of her position at all times. Well, at most times.<br><br>She stretched folded her arms behind her head. "Well, you'll won't find too much in Sandpoint. We've got a few fables and old wives tales, but nuthin' that'll catch anyone's interest for long. I betcha it'll take less than a week to write all of Sandpoint's religious jabbering down."<br><br>The compliment eared Ara a pained smile. "Thank ya, but it's not from any particular study. My parents used to be strict devotees of Sivanah for a long time. Used to stop in at every shrine when we were traveling. Not so much anymore, though I still go to the chapel now an' then. Say Ara, been on the pilgrimage long? Where'v ya been to? Anyplace interestin'?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>yesiroleplay</strong> on <strong>24-03-2011, 07:15:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/a/a3/Teluli.jpg)</div><div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/6/65/Emils_Dad.jpg)</div>The blonde priestess was nodding politely to the peasant as he spoke at length about his wife and her health problems.&nbsp; <strong>"She don't get around much since she took the cholera last fall, many a day, she can't even get up out of bed."</strong>&nbsp; He related. <strong> "Makes things hard, with the boy and all.&nbsp; She'd really pick up if she had more visitors."</strong>&nbsp; He hinted, though from his attention to the stunning young beauty it wasn't his wife that wanted her company.<br><br><strong>"Where is your son?"</strong>&nbsp; She asked just as Ausk stepped close.&nbsp; Her voice as as lovely as she, contralto with a musical lilt.&nbsp; She politely made eye contact with the man as he spoke, but her gaze slipped away from him quite often, as if she wanted to be elsewhere but was too polite to say so.&nbsp; &nbsp;The man failed to notice, as his eyes were focused on other aspects of her person.&nbsp; Quite gelid and ample aspects of her person, aspects that almost every other male in the vicinity made note of as well.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>"He's around here, somewhere, looking for that dog of his..."</strong>&nbsp; The man answered, his voice trailing away to nothing as he fell under a huge looming shadow and simultaneously lost what little of the girl's attention he'd been able to command.<br><br>Looking down from his lofty stature, Ausk had quite a magnificent view past her beautiful face down into the deep valley between those healthy mounds. <strong> "Well, hello Ausk."</strong>&nbsp; Teluli smiled radiantly up at his masked face.&nbsp; <strong>"How are you enjoying the festival?"</strong>&nbsp; She asked as the peasant stared around awkwardly, having lost his captive audience to the massive brute in scale mail.<br><br><br><br><hr><br><div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/48/Sora.jpg)</div>When pulled , Sora leaned into Blackwell and grabbed at her waist while fighting for balance on the foot closest to the stronger woman.&nbsp; After a moment of teetering, she fell back to both feet, but kept the arm where it remained loosely draped about the other girl.&nbsp; <strong>"Don't do that!"</strong>&nbsp; She giggled, giving another lurch to hip-and shoulder shove into the street tough.&nbsp; <strong>"I almost fell!"</strong>&nbsp; She complained, though it was obvious she'd been in no danger and that she didn't mind Blackwell's possessive manner in the least.<br><br>They were moving slower than the general flow, but the eddies of humanity broke around them without complaint and for the most part without note, leaving a small open area before them.&nbsp; The few people that did brush them in passing hit Blackwell, or the arm she kept firmly about Sora, protecting the girl from any buffeting.&nbsp; For her part, Sora seemed more than content with the situation, and obeyed every nuance of control relayed by Blackwell's capable arm.&nbsp; The pressures of the crowd pushing past them, and perhaps Blackwell's not-overly-subtle guidance, was shifting them north out of the main press of traffic, close up along the wall of a small building flanking the square.<br><br><strong>"We live outside of town, on a farm about a mile southeast.</strong>"&nbsp; She answered the query about the cathedral.&nbsp; <strong>"We don't often get into town for service.&nbsp; Or for any reason except market day."</strong>&nbsp; She wondered if Blackwell remembered that market day last fall, when she'd rescued Pa's stand from those roughnecks?&nbsp; She shot a sideways glance though dark lashes, hazel eyes flashing unspoken curiosity.&nbsp; <strong>"But maybe now I'll come in more often."</strong>&nbsp; She decided.&nbsp; After a brief but meaningful pause, she added.&nbsp; <strong>"Now that the cathedral is up."</strong>&nbsp; Like that was the only reason she'd have for visiting town.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><hr>All this jabber about braids and religion was boring the lad, as he was focused on his quest. <strong>"Jaltan run off ta chase goblins. I know it. He knew there was gonna be speechifyin' an' chas'n goblins is more fun."</strong> He snickered, and then with a sideways look to his distracted father, he added. <strong>"Goblins don't go inta the graveyard. He's prolly down by the ribber."</strong><br><br>He looked about the crowded square. <strong>"I see goblins down by the ribber all the time. They go through the junkpile there and take the boards that got throwed away, but ain't too bad."</strong> He told the tough gnome girl and the pretty elf boy. Of course, Pill knews this already, but the lad seemed to like the attention the pair gave when he spoke.&nbsp; He wrinkled his nose as he continued. <strong>"I kin see um out da window from my room, but they don't dare come close to the house, cuz they're 'fraid'a Jaltan."</strong><br><hr><br><div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/44/Barkeep_by_Jatep.jpg)</div>The gruff bartender nodded a silent reply to the elven maid, and again set about polishing his glassware.&nbsp; Most of the tankards in the tavern were fashioned of wax-sealed leather or carved from hardwood, but the White Deer boasted a full half-dozen shining glass mugs, courtesy of the local Kaijitsu glassworks.&nbsp; As he worked, he kept glancing toward the door, perhaps wishing he were out with the crowds, though his interest seemed rather more expectant than wistful.<br><br><strong>"Ever see the swallowtails?"</strong>&nbsp; He asked.&nbsp; The butterflies were a sight to behold, each unique and beautiful, and of course sacred to Desna the Lady of Luck.&nbsp; <strong>"I remember when I was a lad, fetching them for the release.&nbsp; Old Father Murdkey gave a copper bit for every 10 you brought in.&nbsp; Lot of money for a young lad, back then."</strong><br><br>With another glance toward the door, he turned to the shelf and placed the last of the now-gleaming glass tankards.&nbsp; One task done, he set about polishing the bartop, giving the elf girl a glance from time to time.&nbsp; <strong>"Lemme know if you need a refill."</strong>&nbsp; He instructed as he moved out into the tavern area, cleaning and bussing the few tables that needed it.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><hr> Jaillen finally made it into the plaza, close enough to the makeshift dais that she could see the various city and religious officials as they made their last-minute preparations for the coming ceremony.&nbsp; Standing next to her was a trio of local adults, all familiar to her from her work at the Rusty Dragon.&nbsp; <br><br>Croix Eckhard was a dashing young man that frequented the tavern whenever he was in town long enough and had the money to carouse.&nbsp; Mostly, he spent his time on the hunt though, as a devote follower of Erastil and one of the best bowmen in the district, he made good coin hunting vermin and game.&nbsp; His sister Amy and her husband Hubert were the parents of the pair of toddlers and the babe in the woman's arms.&nbsp; The oldest boy was bothering his uncle Croix for a shoulder ride, so he could "See what's going on."<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revelation</strong> on <strong>24-03-2011, 07:24:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Croix had taken a break from his work for the chruch as he decided to enjoy the festival and the entertainment to be found within. Slightly to his Chagrin, his sister and her husband had decided to join him, along with their children. He had humored them of course, and when his nephew all but begged for the archer to give him a piggyback ride, he gave a small chuckle and finally gave in. "Come on, little one." Without another word, Croix took the child in his arms, setting the child on his shoulders so the child could see. "Come then! If you see anything interesting, Uncle Croix will make sure you see it up close, assuming your sister has no qualms with it." He briefly looked to Jocelyn, making sure he had the OK to do it. Kids weren't his thing, and his hopes of catching the eyes of a pretty young lass did feel briefly dashed, though perhaps some young maiden would be more then thrilled with a man who took care of children? that was his hope, anyway.<br><br>Speaking of, his eyes caught someone familiar to him, wasn't that Jaillen, from the inn? It was, and she looked rather nice today. waving to her, he took his Nephew with him, moving closer to the girl. "Jaillen, right? Its Croix, if you know who that is..." He gave a small smile. "Its rare to see you out of the inn, are you enjoying yourself?" It wouldn't hurt to make some pleasant small talk, and perhaps he could get to know the pretty little lady some more?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Laughing Hyena</strong> on <strong>24-03-2011, 09:02:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He was initially quite calm at first but the second she smiled at him and the sight of her in full radiance, Ausk's eyes visibly widened from within the mask since that valley was quite... tempting but he turned away a touch quickly and spoke with a humbled voice. <strong>"L-Lady Teluli, a pleasure to see you once again."</strong> She always did effect him more deeply then many other ladies and he tried to regain his composure. <strong>"The festival treats me decently enough. Food, drink and lively spirits are in abundance."</strong> Ausk quietly pulled himself together for the moment as he would walk alongside Teluli so that she could get a reason to leave the peasant father to the festival. <br><br>He would then speak up once a bit further away from where they started. <strong>"I take it the festival has been less exciting for you?"</strong> Ausk's eyes occasionally swept across the area just in case. He would keep close to the edge of the festivals main crowd as he had hoped to at least remain in earshot should something go amiss. <strong>"The cathedral seems quite the welcome sight after so much hardship to this city. And its good to have spent that time there in such company."</strong> He said though the last comment was a slip of the tongue possibly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blue Leah</strong> on <strong>24-03-2011, 15:04:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ara starts to assure Pill that he has, in fact, learned quite a bit in Sandpoint, and to answer her question, but is cut off by a sudden burst of input from the child. He has to admit, the boy seems very confident with his information... Ara looks from the child to Pill and back again, waiting to see how seriously the gnome takes the suggestions.<br><br>As the boy falls silent again, Ara gives him a supportive nod.<br><br>"That's a sign of a good dog, then, isn't it?" The young man's pride in his pet is evident, and Ara sees no wrong in letting the boy have his moment. The fact that goblins come close enough to the town that the boy is able to watch them is strange, though. "I have to ask you, though. Does Jaltan run off to chase goblins often? How often do Goblins come into town for him to chase?"<br><br>His second question is less directed at the boy than at Pill, but he is curious to hear responses from both. The boy could simply be a case of an active imagination at work, but if Pill can at least confirm the plausibility of his statements... Ara's curiosity is definitely piqued.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Anathanasia</strong> on <strong>24-03-2011, 20:24:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ray shook her head, refraining from taking another bite of bread long enough to reply to the bartender, "No, thank you, I will be off shortly. Just tell me how much, and I'll leave the coins on the bar." She smiled at him again, taking a long pull off the wine tankard. She was eating and drinking quickly, though that wasn't to say frantically, just enough to make it plain that she was not dawdling. Ray did want to see the ceremony, or at least the climax of it, but she was pretty sure the shops would be closing in plenty of time for the owners to make it as well, so she should have a few minutes.<br><br>As soon as she was done her wine, Ray would toss down some coins, with an extra copper for the bartender, and be on her way again, towards the cathedral.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ershin</strong> on <strong>26-03-2011, 01:31:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=100755.msg4415100#msg4415100">Quote from: Changingsaint on 24-03-2011, 07:24:38</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Speaking of, his eyes caught someone familiar to him, wasn't that Jaillen, from the inn? It was, and she looked rather nice today. waving to her, he took his Nephew with him, moving closer to the girl. "Jaillen, right? Its Croix, if you know who that is..." He gave a small smile. "Its rare to see you out of the inn, are you enjoying yourself?" It wouldn't hurt to make some pleasant small talk, and perhaps he could get to know the pretty little lady some more?<br></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br>"Ah yes, Croix, of course I know who you are, Amy and Hubert as well. Honestly, it's nice to see you outside the Dragon. And yes, I was enjoying myself before the stalls closed, how about yourself? Though I hope it's not your intent to break too many hearts during the festival, hmm?" the off-duty maid returned the smile Croix had afforded her, her attention turning towards the toddler riding upon his uncle's shoulders as though he were his steed, "I can see, however, that this young man should be able to keep an eye on you. And what's your name, little one?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Creeper</strong> on <strong>26-03-2011, 02:16:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Pill frowned. There didn't seem to be much of a chance that the dog was by the river. If the small gnome was having trouble navigating these crowds, the dog wouldn't be doing much better. Plus Pill didn't want to have to haul her ass down to the river and back. "We'll check up here first, then we'll think about goin' down to the water."<br><br>"Goblin's don't really go into town, but they're in the outskirts where Emil and I live. They like anywhere with trash or garbage, like the woodpile where I'm holed up with my mama. Every so often they start messing around in there and I've had to scare them off. Jaltan sometimes hears us and lends a hand. Scares the dickin's outta them. My traps keep them a good distance nowadays. Most of the time." Explained Pill, still hunting for a way north.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>yesiroleplay</strong> on <strong>26-03-2011, 04:27:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>"I'm Randy."</strong>&nbsp; The boy replied from his lofty height.&nbsp; <strong>"What's your name?"</strong>&nbsp; He asked while he looked down at where Jaillen smiled at him and looked with her great green eyes.&nbsp; <strong>"You're pretty." </strong> He told her.&nbsp; <strong>"Are you my uncle Croix's girlfriend?"</strong>&nbsp; He asked.&nbsp; <strong>"Mom says he needs a girlfriend, and he likes you.&nbsp; You should be his girlfriend."</strong><br><br>But he was already focusing his hyper-active-four-year-old-attention to the new vistas opened by his vantage atop his uncle's shoulders.&nbsp; <strong>"I can see everything from up here."</strong>&nbsp; He called out with childish enthusiasm.&nbsp; <br><br>But the view was mostly of the tops of people's heads and of the platform set up near the cathedral, where some people were standing around talking.&nbsp; <strong>"Ponies!"</strong>&nbsp; Called out when he turned his attention to the rear.&nbsp; <strong>"There are ponies!"</strong>&nbsp; He pointed back toward the Old Light, where the midway games and gypsy stalls where set up.&nbsp; It was doubtful that he could actually see the ponies from his vantage, though it was certainly possible, as the ground did slant up toward the base of the ruined tower.<br><hr><strong>"Why yes."</strong>&nbsp; The pretty blonde acolyte agreed as she walked close beside the big martial cleric.&nbsp; <strong>"Yes, the company is very good indeed."</strong>&nbsp; She repeated.&nbsp; The walked around the fringes of the crowd for a while, watching people and events, until their steps took them near the south wall of the cathedral where it overlooked the steep cliff overlooking downtown.&nbsp; The view was lovely from there, and she moved closer to him, both hands on his upper arm, her one slender arms entangled around his thick limb.&nbsp; Her pale, soft, billowy breasts pressed firmly against his scaled form, but she didn't seem to mind the chill of the metal. <strong>"It's lovely, isn't it?"</strong>&nbsp; She asked as the gazed over the tiled and thatched roofs of the lower city, the blues and greens and grays of the bay, and the towering headlands rising across the estuary from town.<br><hr>The determined trio slowly make their way north through the now mostly standing crowd.&nbsp; Most people seemed to accept a position within the square and left crowding up closer to the platforms to those that actually wanted to hear the speeches.&nbsp; Of course, being on the outskirts also meant they had the best position to exit the plaza when things were done.<br><br>Their press north got a substantial jump when a small opening formed in the crowd ahead of them, apparently foot traffic was breaking around a pair of obstructions - one not readily apparent, and the other a young merchant couple standing facing each other and arguing heatedly.&nbsp; &nbsp;There was no telling what the argument was about, but they did catch her sputter out broken phrases.&nbsp; <em>"...can't believe..." </em> and shortly later <em>"... that hussy!"</em>&nbsp; She looked mad, he looked both angry and embarrassed.<br><br>The boy ignored the argument, but did concede Pill's point.&nbsp; <strong>"Well, sometimes when we're uptown, Jaltan likes to sneak around to the back of the Deer."</strong>&nbsp; The White Deer was the second of the town's two inns, up near Northgate, and not all that far from where they were, if they could fight their way free of the crowds.&nbsp; <strong>"He likes to beg scrapes from the cook there."</strong>&nbsp; The boy seemed disgusted at the idea.&nbsp; <strong>"I feed him good!&nbsp; But he'd always looking for more.&nbsp; Does he wanna get fat?"</strong><br><br>Pill knew the dog was well-fed.&nbsp; In fact, she sometimes envied the plate Emil set out for the dog behind their modest house.<br><hr><div class="floatleft">(http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images19/MIXRottweilerItalianMastiffLeon6years150Pounds.JPG)</div>As Ray left the Inn, she passed a striking human man entering the establishment.&nbsp; He was tall, urbane, with a dashing look about him, dressed in the shabby chic affected by the local nobility.&nbsp; He looked her once-over, and then breifly in the eye.&nbsp; <strong>"Pardon me."</strong>&nbsp; He asked with automatic etiquette, and stepped aside for the elven woman to clear the door.&nbsp; Outside, a massive mastiff of the local breed sat on his haunches, slobbering great amounts of thick drool from a thick pink tongue hanging from his open mouth.&nbsp; He'd obviously been in a workout, as the day was almost chill and heat couldn't account for his labored panting.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>meikle</strong> on <strong>26-03-2011, 06:21:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was, yes, Blackwell's guidance that took the pair further from the pressing crowds.&nbsp; So many people made it hard to talk, to communicate at all, really.&nbsp; It was good when they reached the wall, and managed to keep out of the swarm of people altogether.<br><br><strong>"A mile's not too far,"</strong> Blackwell said, and then repeated Sora: <strong>"<em>Now that the cathedral is up</em>, I'll expect to see you around, too."</strong>&nbsp; She smiled a bit, and looked off to the crowd.&nbsp; She was a bit relieved to be out of there; not that she had a problem with a crowds, really, but it wasn't really the place to be <em>now</em>.<br><br>And she moved the couple just a bit more -- following the wall of the building, and she led Sora into the alley space between it and another building -- not far from the square at all, just so that they were completely out of the way of the bustle of the crowd.&nbsp; Blackwell leaned against the wall of the building in the alley, and kept Sora close.&nbsp; <strong>"You could just stay,"</strong> she suggested.&nbsp; <strong>"There's space in Sandpoint, and it's where I am,"</strong> she said, perfectly content to sell herself as the single most important quality of the growing town.&nbsp; Not mentioned: the likelihood that Blackwell might catch sight of another pretty girl a week down the line and forget all about 'the girl she met at the fair'.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revelation</strong> on <strong>26-03-2011, 06:25:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br><br>"You heard the boy." Croix smirked, "Randy, meet Jaillen. Jaillen, Randy... Though don't pay attention to the lads speak about me needing a girl, unless you yourself are single." He grnned and showed a bit of teeth, trying not to laugh too hard. "I assure you I wouldn't try to break your heart, as I may just feel too guilty over that." When the boy mentioned ponies, he briefly looked up, then to the maid. "Seems like he found something that interests him, why don't you come along? I don't think he or I would object to the presence of a pretty woman such as yourself, and perhaps we could go for a ride, or the likes?" Given his calm demeanor, he probably just meant a horse ride, rather then anything cheekier.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blue Leah</strong> on <strong>26-03-2011, 16:45:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ara falls silent for a moment, taking in everything that Pill and the boy have told him- both directly and indirectly. It seems that there is still a lot to be learned here in Sandpoint, and not just about the ancient tower and abandoned island. Ara smiles inwardly at this... he has really been enjoying his interviews lately, and is glad that he will be able to stay and continue adding to his records.<br><br>As he follows, he lets his mind wonder for just a moment to give the others respite from his questioning. He makes a mental note that he still owes Pill an answer to her questions of his travels... which in turn leads him to thinking of further questions about her... which is interrupted by a curious look over to see what wares a merchant is carrying on his temporarily out-of-service cart. Every now and again, it's nice to just let his mind rest from its incessant rummaging for information in the world around him, and just move at its own pace.<br><br>However, his curiosity is piqued again by the shifts in the movements of people around his small group. The argument is fairly obvious, but he finds himself actively trying to discern what <em>else</em> is making people skirt wide... ((Perception Check: 22))
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Anathanasia</strong> on <strong>26-03-2011, 23:53:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ray returned the mans smile, but her's was professional in motivation, not so personal. Sure, he was attractive enough as human men went, but there were all, even the refined ones, so...coarse. And hairy. Not really to Ray's tastes, when it came down to it, though human women, if they were well and thoroughly groomed, were interesting...<br><br>It was after that last thought that Ray really noticed the dog. The huge dog. "My, you're a big one, aren't you?" Ray murmured to the animal as she stepped wide around it. It wasn't fear, just a little healthy caution, and that mainly because of the panting and slobbering. She really didn't want to ruin her costume by getting dog drool all over it. Besides, she still wanted to make the cathedral in time for the ceremony.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Laughing Hyena</strong> on <strong>27-03-2011, 03:40:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The young priest kept his eye open for trouble but found none. All seemed well and whilst he walked along with the lovely priestess she would lean on urging him towards a spot she seemed to prefer. Alone with the half-orc priest of Sarenrae, Teluli now had this bashful half orc right where she wished. To make sure he couldn't run she seemed to hug his strong scaled limb closely. It worked for he would not shake her off him and offend one of the few ladies that cared not for his origins. It might have been due to lack of information but she may have done her homework on her desired target. Asuk did not know either way what lengths she might have gone to arrange this or figure him out. <br><br>Behind that mask Ausk had a bright blush underneath the mask as they arrived at the cliffs overlooking the lower city. His armor hampered the sense of touch but there was no way for the man to not notice how she held onto him, the swell of her ample bosom pressing into his muscle and steel. His eyes looked down at her trying to be polite in their conversation but it seemed like an masterful trap expertly calculated that Ausk would not be able to escape from, willingly or not. <strong>"Tis a very lovely day and an even more beautiful view."</strong> His voice was quiet in his tone as if trying to work things out in his mind. Mentally he was trying to figure things out as Teluli presented many things to him. Both obstacles and luxuries.<br><br>Ausk did have a question for the priestess but he could find himself not able to speak of it immediately as his voice was silenced. For he could feel his blood rush downwards and cause himself to physically strain. His eyes shut quietly trying to push such thoughts down even if he had sworn no vows he wanted to control his own urges. He found that side of him of savage nature and one he didn't wish to walk down for it meant failure in his mind of all he had wished to avoid. Giving in to his basic of needs for the wrong reasons would yield to his father's blood and he had yet to grasp things that she as a priestess knew much more about then Ausk. He was now feeling the physical strain more potently with each passing second. It was hard to explain what he had on his mind but he did have quite the interest in her. He just wasn't used to expressing it. Either way she found herself being drawn closer to Ausk subconsciously. <strong>"Do you enjoy it here?"</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Creeper</strong> on <strong>27-03-2011, 06:18:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				All this food talk sent sharp pain through Pill's stomach. Though she tried to forget that she hadn't had anything to eat since she got&nbsp; a handful of grits yesterday morning, her stomach remembered perfectly. The food contests couldn't be over soon enough. At least this task would occupy her until her task was done. "Dog's is always hungry Emil. It's just the way things are. But knowin' that, lets check the back of the White Deer first."<br><br>Their journey was helped by a merchant couple arguing loudly. Their harsh shouting forced everyone else back. Pill did not stick around. Rumors had their price, but they were having it out in public meant that any rumor that sprung from this fight would be all over town by mid-afternoon. Not worth her time, sadly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ershin</strong> on <strong>29-03-2011, 01:39:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=100755.msg4422845#msg4422845">Quote from: Changingsaint on 26-03-2011, 06:25:57</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Seems like he found something that interests him, why don't you come along? I don't think he or I would object to the presence of a pretty woman such as yourself, and perhaps we could go for a ride, or the likes?" Given his calm demeanor, he probably just meant a horse ride, rather then anything cheekier.<br></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"I would be delighted to join you," the girl replied at Croix's offer, a slight blush from Randy's comment remaining upon her face even as the toddler appeared to struggle towards his goal from above his uncle's shoulders, having forgotten it completely himself "though to be honest, I've never ridden before and wouldn't have a clue of how to even mount a horse. If we were allowed to take a ride, would you be willing to help me without laughing at my eventual failures? That is, if your family doesn't mind."<br>Jaillen moved a few strands of her long, brown hair which had fallen into her face back up into place.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Heroes of Sandpoint [Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revelation</strong> on <strong>30-03-2011, 17:50:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Its not too hard, i'll show you how. It can be rather pleasant you know, and I don't think i'll be laughing at you." Smiling, he continued with the somewhat impatient youth on his head, walking alongside the off duty maid. "So, what does bring you out of the inn? For a while there I thought you couldn't leave the inn, so its nice to see you outside of it. Even i've been busy as of late, hunting has been fairly plentiful..." Shaking his head, he figured some small talk couldn't hurt. "Ah, if I can get the boy a good trainer, perhaps I can offer you a more hands on lesson for how to ride a horse? Its a very good way to be instructed if you're riding with your teacher."
			</dd>
		</dl>
		<div id="footer" class="smalltext">
			
			<span class="smalltext" style="display: inline; visibility: visible; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?action=credits" title="Simple Machines Forum" target="_blank" class="new_win">SMF 2.0.19</a> |
 <a href="https://www.simplemachines.org/about/smf/license.php" title="License" target="_blank" class="new_win">SMF © 2021</a>, <a href="https://www.simplemachines.org" title="Simple Machines" target="_blank" class="new_win">Simple Machines</a>
			</span>
		</div>