After the woman left, the battle continued and Toryn was able to make it to the Chief of the gnolls. After going down a number of times, the chief was able to lay Toryn down for good...while it was looking like the group would lose, they finally were able to kill all of the gnoll warriors and their apparently human chief

Currently the group is getting out of dodge

Evil GM: ok...this is where you guys come in...

Rand motions everyone to keep moving towards the exit, all the while looking over his shoulder

Evil GM: Toryn is dead, gnolls are dead, can hear howling far away...

Kenny (Ro): i did get something like we were ohnly taking Toryns head?

Vincent (Rand): no, Ro is dragging him entirely

Kenny (Ro): kk

erus (Aikira): aren't we first looting the bodies!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ro keeps dragging Toryn struggling to pull him along

Kenny (Ro): lootwhore!

Vincent (Rand): Ro has the blades, i checked the corpses and didn't find anything

Aikira is still behind, searching the bodies for anything usefull

Evil GM: give me a search roll then

Evil GM: actually...give me a spot roll first

erus (Aikira): wisdom roll? spot check?

Evil GM: Ok, then a search check. Wis if you don't have search.

-> aikira: the gnolls all have hide armor and short swords. Other than that, you dont' find anything really interesting. They don't seem to have coin either.

Aikira: hide armor, is that usefull? what about the sjamaan or the chief's armor

-> aikira: when you check, he doesn't have any armor on. And no, hide isn't really useful.

Evil GM: Everyone give me listen rolls as you approach the cave enterance again...Ro gets a +10 on the check.

Aikira doesn't see anything of use, and is follows the rest, taking along toryn's head

Kenny (Ro): dude... i am dragging Toryn

erus (Aikira): also is head

Kenny (Ro): he is in 1 piece ...

erus (Aikira): I thought he was decapitated

Everyone except Rand hears funeral music coming from outside of the cave.

Aikira holds his spear in front of him

Aikira: more gnolls ahead! I'll take the lead

Ro looks over her shoulder (dragging backwards)

Rand quickly stuff the dead gnoll chiefs head in his bag

Toryn (Toryn): sob on the wood of it for bonus xp for good role playing, it was the last thing toryn gave you :P

Aikira: everyone get behind me! we don't know yet what awaits us out there

Evil GM: Spot rolls

Rand loosens his mac and stays behind Aikira

-> ro: Outside, near the treeline (about 50ft ahead), is a figure dressed in a black flowing dress, a black veil over her face, and a harp in her hands in which the funeral music is coming from

Caelianna peers around Aikira and points outside, towards the tree line

Ro mumbles to herself,'bloodlusted idiots, its no gnolls, its only a woman playing a harp"

Ro starts dragging Toryn again

Aikira motions to ro to stay behind him, he continues walking outside, still at guard

-> toryn: will be bringing toryn back after the confrontation with Ayonae Ro

A woman dressed in the black of mourning with a veil over her face, slowly walks towards the group as they exit the cave, playing her harp

Rand makes a soft bow to the woman approaching

Ro drops Toryn on the ground and turns towards the woman obviously clueless of what to do

Aikira stands still, looking at the woman, and stick his spear firmly into the ground

Aikira: aikira turns to rand " will you adress her, or will I brother priest"

Rand: "My lady, may i ask for whome you mourn ?" Rand asks

-> ro: oh oh.....rand is a brother now too. 3 some?

A woman stops playing the harp and throws it up into the air, where it dissapears

Ro: i bet

Rand looks somehwat startled at that

Kenny (Ro): lol i been doing that with all my instruments :P

A woman reaches up and removes her veil, revealing the woman from inside of the gnoll cave who seems a bit more substancial this time

Ro turns her face away as she sighs

Aikira still holds his spear, ready to put it in her heart if she turns out to be a threat

Rand bows deeper this time mumbling "Godess" with a great deal of respect

A woman: I mourn for the paladin, things could have turned out very differently if choices were made other than the ones that were

Aikira looks at rand and the woman, but stands still

Caelianna also bows, showing her respect to the goddess

Rand: "No doubt, but life is as it is and as such choices were made" Rand says, looking with pain and regret at Toryn's corpse

A woman: Indeed

A woman turns and looks at Ro

Ro 's chin starts to tremble and she closes her eyes as she is trying to hold back tears

-> ro: what does ro look like right now...what emotions is she showing?

-> ro: nevermind

A woman: Ah, Ro the Wayward...why are you about to cry child?

Ro waves her arms in the air in a helpless moment without words

Ro sighs

Ro mournfully says to the woman,'i did all i could, you know'

A woman: Why do you mourn his death?

Ro: "I love him' Ro says softly

Rand: "For a good friend died. And it's always sad to see someone as honest, friendly and chivalrous as Toryn fall in combat." Rand states solemnly

Rand: "But i grief most for my friend" Rand whispers after

A woman: Ah, but Ro the Wayward...you told me yourself that this is not your family to save NOR is it your family to mourn

Aikira: he was a...friend to us all

Ro sighs

Aikira says firmly, probably the first time to express an emotion like that

A woman: Isn't it quite amazing now that he is gone, you mourn him. Hard words the little girl speaks until what she speaks comes true.

Ro: "i did all i could"

A woman: No Ro, no you didn't. You could have changed the tide of the battle had you been in there from the start. Resources wouldn't have been wasted as badly as they were had you been there to lend your divine gifts.

A woman: Instead, you run through the woods pouting like a spoiled brat letting your friends and family do as they said they would do...so no, you did not do all you could Wayward child

Ro lets herself fall into a sitting position and looks away

A woman: Luckly things won't turn out as bad as you currently see them, but they could. Things could be very different. I hope in the future you think about your actions for I may not be so forgiving.

Ro mumbles softly to herself

A woman dissapears from view

Caelianna looks up from the ground and speaks softly to Ro

Caelianna: It never pays to anger the gods...even though you can't feel your feelings towards them in your heart. Pay your respects and then go on with your life.

Caelianna: Spot rolls

Evil GM: After the woman dissapears, everyone notices Sunfall pacing back and forth, muttering to himself.

Sunfall: No, no..that isn't right.

Sunfall looks at Toryn's body and mutters something else to himself

Sunfall: Mmmm...that could, no no, that won't do either

Ro gets up and walks of a bit to go sit on a rock

Sunfall: Ah, yes, that might work!

Sunfall goes and stands over Toryn's body

Sunfall: I wish that Toryn would come back to life, in the same state that he was in before we went into the gnoll caves.

When Sunfall says this, there is a poof of smoke surrounding Toryn's body

-> toryn: free to act ;-)

Toryn (Toryn): evil GM am I weakened, nauseated, at less than full hp, et cet ?

Evil GM: Nope, you are exactly as you were before entering gnoll caves including mana and hps

Evil GM: which was full I believe

Aikira let's go off his spear, and looks completly amazed

Aikira: toryn...

Toryn: Toryn looks around at everyone

Toryn: Then grins broadly

Toryn: " Surprised to see me friends ? "

Toryn: " Hello brother " Toryn walks over and gives Aikira a big warrior's hug type embrace then pounds him on the back

Aikira runs up to toryn and lifts him in the air. a miracle has happend my brother!

Ro looks Toryn then turns her head away again

Ro: freaking gay i tell ya

Toryn: " I'm assuming either you or Ro struck the death blow - you did kill that damn gnoll cheif didn't you ? Whoof ! "

Toryn: toryn interrupts himself as Aikira lifts him

Aikira: I sure did

Toryn: " That's one strong dark elf " Toryn chuckles

Aikira puts toryn down

Toryn: Toryn wanders over to Ro and cups her chin gently " And you , little sister, were the most beautiful thing I ever saw - glorious in the heat of battle "

Rand stands back a bit, just smiling at the return of the clanky paladin he calls his friend

Toryn: Toryn claps Rand on the back " Hello warrior - priest ! ... Mage, good to see you " Toryn nods his thanks at Sunfall... " So - who brought me back? Or was it solely the work of the Marr Twins ? "

Sunfall nods to Toryn

Ro sighs deeply and softly says sorry to Toryn

Toryn: " Then I have your thanks " says Toryn gravely " Although - and no offense intended towards your abilities as a wizard friend - I think Erollisi Marr played a large role in your magic working successfully ... the gods are indeed mighty " says Toryn directing this last comment at Ro gravely

Rand just nods at Sunfall, thanking him softly

Sunfall: Yea, yea...lets hope the consequences of my works won't harm us.

Toryn: " What you think I've come back as the undead ? " chuckles Toryn

Sunfall: Hardly...oh well. Welcome back.

Sunfall: Oh, reminds me..

Sunfall drops a bunch of junk on the ground

Toryn: Toryn looks at it.. " spoils ? "

Sunfall: Laying on the ground is a chain tunic, staff, and necklace

Aikira: spoils of war

Rand: "Heh, no wonder i found nothing on the corpse... You got it all" Rand chuckles patting Sunfall on the back in a friendly manner

Toryn: " Our friend is multi-talented, much like our bard " smiles Toryn - then he turns serious and addresses her again... " Ro "

Ro: rallos zek the only god orcs pray to?

Sunfall: Didn't want it left behind since everyone was fairly hellbent on getting out

-> ro: normally

-> ro: your tribe's "shaman" held him as the creator of the Orcs

Ro says with a broken voice"i need to be alone for a while" and runs off.

Toryn: " I talked with one of my patrons - Erollisi Marr, goddess of love - given what she represents I'm not concerned she's so surprised about you "

Toryn: " Now wait just a minute ! " snaps Toryn

Toryn (Toryn): and promptly falls over his sword trying to grab Ro, taking a critical hit in self inflicted damage :P

Toryn (Toryn): " Dead AGAIN after all that work !?!? " shouts sunfall

Evil GM: hehehe

Toryn (Toryn): oh yeah, Toryn totally trips while Ro runs off

Toryn: " Get back here , we need to talk ! " Toryn hollers after her

Caelianna: It seems you all need some time alone. I assume you can make it back to Surefall yourselves?

Ro pretends not to have heared Toryn and keeps running

Toryn: " You're not coming with us ? " says Toryn surprised ?

Rand thanks Caelianna for the help in the cave and gives her the bag with the chiefs head in it to her asking her to give it to the people in Surefall Glade and mentioning we will turn up there shortly

Caelianna smiles at Toryn

Ro: after a while i stop running and shout out my frustration and you know the drill... fall down on my knees snottering and crying blablabla...

Caelianna: I prefer to have some time alone to atone for the blood I have shed. If you can make it back alone, I will meet you before you go to Te'Anara.

-> ro: k

Ro: i pray to Rallos Zek that why oh why me and blablabla

Toryn: " Communion with your gods - I understand... I appreciate your attempts to save this foolish knight druid, and all you've done to help us as well " says Toryn firmly

-> ro: oddly, you feel absolutely nothing when you pray to RZ

Caelianna nods again

Ro: and i scream out to RZ to give me 1 reason not to hate that 'woman' for all she did

Caelianna: And Rand, you may want to take the head as it was your group that made the deal with the druids of Surefall

Rand nods and takes the bag back

-> Ro: after a sufficiant amount of time passed with Ro's screaming, the woman appears again. This time dressed in multi colored plate armor, with a sword at her side and a lute in her arms.

Toryn: Toryn takes a moment to peek inside and nod with grim satisfaction " It would appear your gods were not with you today gnoll cheiftain - thus do the forces of light triumph over those of darkness ! "

Ro: /em stares at the woman threateningly but takes a few steps back

Toryn: Toryn pauses, realizing he's giving a paladin monologue to a dead head

-> Ro: When will you understand, Ro the Wayward, that no other god within the heavens will answer your call until you have acknowledged my divinity within your heart?

Ro: why?

-> ro: Because I am Ayonae Ro, the Maestra as many bards opt to call me. Because I sit upon the Plane of Time, before the Clock of Births, and hand pick those I chose to give the gift of bardic magic.

Rand pats Toryn on the back, understanding his pause and snickering at it

Ro: i am no bard! i am nearly an orc!

Toryn: " Old habits die hard " mutters Toryn " No pun intended "

-> ro: You are a bard. Any idiot can sing a song or strumm a few notes on a lute. Only those I choose can learn to make music into magic.

Rand: "That they do my friend, but for all that is holy, i will knock that paladin monologuing out of you" Rand jokes

Toryn: " I'm surprised it didn't get knocked out already " mutters Toryn rubbing the back of his neck and staring at the bag " By the gods that was one strong cheiftain ! He chopped me down what - three, four times ? - before I went down for good ! "

Ro: i hate u for all u did, for all u blame me and for nothing u have done! for letting Toryn die! for rubbing it in my face!

Toryn: " No wonder the druids wanted him so badly ! "

Aikira: don't worry brother, I wacked him once! you were avenged

Toryn: " I had a feeling if anyone landed the death blow it would have been you " Toryn grins at Aikira

-> ro: Child, I have done nothing but try to show you that your ice cold heart and your new found morals were about to lead you down a very dark path. If you choose to hate me for that, so be it.

Aikira nods, and looks proud about toryn's compliment

Toryn: " In any case - there are probably more gnolls getting ready to pursue us and we're minus Ro again ... let's leave, quickly , we've accomplished our goal - though it would give me great pleasure to come back here and slay the rest one day ! Just as they slew my fellow knights - we need to retrieve their bodies, but not now... "

-> ro: Mark my words, Ro the Wayward, you can pray to every god and goddess known to the mortal kind but none but those among the foulest would dare to answer until I have said they can.

Ro: but Rallos Zek... The Shaman said ... (Ro shuts up)

-> ro: A tree that does not sway with the wind will eventually break. I am your wind, and you will learn to sway or you will break. That will not be pleasant for either you or me.

-> Ro: and until you learn to soften your heart, you are now known as Ro the Wayward and the greatest of bards will reconize you as such.

Ro: /em sighs and starts crying,'why r u pestering me like this?"

Rand: "I agree, let's pack our things and move to Surefall, i bet you we will meet Ro there" Rand says

Toryn: " Unless anyone has any objections let's move " declares Toryn " Let's grab the items Sunfall has been kind enough to share with us and go "

Toryn: Toryn pauses to get directions from Caelinna back to the glade then encourages everyone to move along quickly

Toryn (Toryn): Aikira you're coming along right ? ;)

Rand grabs all the items Sunfall dropped and fills his bag, intending to make the walk a good strength workout

-> ro: As I have said, I am your wind Ro. Either learn to sway, or break. And until you learn to sway with the wind like a mighty tree, life will be miserable for you.

-> ro: Now, go to your friends before they leave you behind. I suggest that you do not forsake them a second time.

erus (Aikira): off course :)

Ro: but they also did forsake me... /em says while crying still.

Toryn: " We need to speak about a few other things too " comments Toryn as everyone begins to walk .. " I had a very interesting conversation with one of my patron gods as I mentioned - Erosili, goddess of love "

Toryn: " My other patron god - Mithaniel Marr - has tasked me with helping one of the other gods - goddesses actually - Xegony, goddess of air"

-> ro: dissapears in a soft wind that swirls around Ro

Toryn: " Apparently one of her winged horses is in danger - possibly needs rescuing from dark elves - no offense brother " adds Toryn looking at Aikira

Toryn: " I don't take requests from my gods lightly - I have no right to ask any of you to accompany me and if I must go alone I will of course understand - but I must do as Mithaniel Marr bids me ... we paladins devote ourselves body and soul to our gods "

Ro: /em starts walking back to the cave slowly

Toryn: " Before we even deal with that however - there's another issue "

Aikira: none taken brother

Toryn: Toryn smiles a thank you at Aikira and continues looking grave " There's no shortage of gods and goddesses taking an interest in us ... Rand I'm expecting Druzzil Ro to put in an appearance one of these days at this rate ! "

Toryn: " The ghost woman Ro was arguing with is a goddess - Ayonae, goddess of music and bards"

Ro walks back out of between the trees

Toryn: " my goddess, Erollisi, says that Ro's refusual to cooperate with Ayonae amuses Ayonae - but it won't last ... Erollisi also says " continues Toryn slowly " that if Ro continues to balk Ayoane will kill Ro - and though I'd give my life for my little sister let's be honest friends, none of us can stand against a goddess "

Ro: did i hear Toryns last words?

Toryn: Toryn pauses, noticing Ro's return, and waits for his words to sink in on Rand and Aikira (and Sunfall )

Toryn: " Did you hear that sister ? "

Kenny (Ro): no idea :P waiting for the gm to give confirmation :P

Evil GM: Sure ;-0

Ro visualy seems to shrink under Toryns last words

Toryn: " So you will apologize to Ayoane ? " presses Toryn urgently

Ro just gives Toryn a hug

Toryn: Toryn hugs her back " I am overjoyed to see you sister but you are not answering my question "

Toryn: Toryn doesn't let go

Ro shrugs

Toryn (Toryn): grapple attack - if Ro's armed she can get in a lethal attack if she chooses to take it ;)

Toryn (Toryn): as an attack of opportunity that is

Evil GM: Is ro going to try to get away from toryn?

Kenny (Ro): Ro is not struggling

Evil GM: No need for init then until she tries to get away

Ro puts her face against Toryns shoudler

Toryn: Toryn goes for a headlock and says in a firm, somewhat angry voice " And you're not running away this time either - your LIFE is at stake little sister ! One of us died already I'll not have another one of us die out of stubborn pride - apologize to the goddess NOW before she kills you ! I want to hear you say it , for your own good ! "

Ro: "i can't lie and say what my heart does not feel" Ro replies Toryn"i don't know what to say nor what to do"

Toryn: " IT'S EASY ! " bellows Toryn his face darkening , " ADMIT YOU'RE WRONG AND CHANGE YOUR MIND - APOLOGIZE RIGHT NOW ! "

Ro: Sadly Ro remarks,' So you tihnk i am wrong too?"

Toryn: " We do not question the will of the gods sister ! They gave us life, created the world around us - and what they created they can take away at a moment's whim - my return shows their control over life and death itself - now apologize damn it ! That's not a request ! "

Ro: "if they control everything, isn't our life useless or nothing more than just a game to them anyway?"

Toryn: " The rest of you aren't going to like this but even a forced apology might still save her life at this point " Toryn grimly announces to Aikira, Rand and Sunfall... " I ALREADY SAID, IT'S NOT A REQUEST - APOLOGIZE NOW FOR YOUR LIFE ! "

Rand feels that the discussion in theology is something he should bud in on, but decides against it

Toryn (Toryn): actually that's a grapple attack - Toryn is pulling her hair at this point

Ro: "aaaaaaaaaa aaawwwww" Ro mutters and bends her head towards Toryns hand so it doesn't hurt as much

Ayonae Ro: appears infront of Ro and Toryn.

Toryn (Toryn): 3 points subdual damage unless she beats the attack roll - oh wait never mind

Ayonae Ro appears infront of Ro and Toryn

Kenny (Ro): is that damage? lol he's gonna pull my hair till i go knock out?

Rand sits down and rests his head on his bag... this whole thing is going to take a while

Toryn: " Oh no " says Toryn his face going pale as he looks at the goddess " I'm too late "

Toryn: " Mistress of song, divine being " pleads Toryn dropping to his knees " Take me instead - she's young, she doesn't know what she's doing ! "

Ayonae Ro is dressed in full plate armor and a short sword hangs at her side.

Ayonae Ro appears to be somewhat amused.

Toryn: Toryn goes even paler seeing the armor and sword and shoots a glance backwards at Ro to see where she is

Aikira holds up his spear

Kenny (Ro): u dragged me down to the ground by my hair while u fell on ur knees?

Toryn (Toryn): lol - no Toryn let go

Aikira is ready to defend the members from his party

Ayonae Ro looks at Aikira

Ro motions to Aikira to put his weapon away

Toryn: " Brother , NO ! " Toryn shouts looking at Aikira " This is a goddess , she'll strike you down too before you can even take a breath ! "

Ayonae Ro: Stand down warrior, no need to go waving your spear around. It impresses nobody.

Aikira looks back at ayonae ro with an angered face, and slowly lowers his spear

Rand looks up and tells Aikira to come sit with him

Ayonae Ro looks back to Toryn.

Ro walks sideways away from Toryn so she stands completely on her own

Rand: "Nothing much we can do here my friend. This is something between Ro and her god as much as Toryn and Ro" Rand says as Aikira comes sit next to him

Ayonae Ro: I'm confused. Did I not tell you back in the gnoll cave that this was not your place?

Toryn: With a grim look of determination on his face Toryn positions himself between Ro and Ayonae

Ro: "Toryn... "

Aikira walks up to rand and stands beside him, but refuses to sit down

Rand sticks up his hand, gently grabbing Aikiras wrist and softly tugging it down

Ayonae Ro stares at Toryn, a look of anger quickly washing across her face.

Rand: "Really my friend, somtimes all we can do is watch" Rand says softly

Aikira gets down on one knee, and nods at rand, ashamed about what is happening

Ayonae Ro: As I have already told Ro, in a little private chat not but a few moments ago, a tree must sway with the wind or else it will break.

Ro: "Toryn, if this is my time to go, i must go alone." Ro says softly" It would only prove that life is just a mere game to the gods... for i cannot believe in a god i know nothing about."

Rand: "And there is never shame in standing up for what you believe in, you should know that" Rand says seeing Aikira's look

Ayonae Ro: You, paladin, can not teach her to sway any more than I can. A forced apology means nothing. It must come from her icy heart.

Toryn: " APOLOGIZE DAMN YOU SISTER ! " bellows Toryn desperately, white faced and sweating

Ayonae Ro sighs and looks at Ro.

Ro drops her axe to the ground and throws away her crossbow

Ayonae Ro looks back to Toryn and pulls a harp out of the air and starts playing it.

Aikira wishpers to rand

Aikira: what are they doing to her, are they taking her

Staring at Toryn, Ayonae begins to sing softly.

Ro: "a moment ago you told me you were the godess of music and magic... i did not know, how could i? now u ask me to believe in you while i know nothing about you, i was raised with Rallos Zek as creator of all orcs and war. If this is my time to come, i ask you why u show your face only at the end?

Rand: "Not yet, apparently Ro did something to upset her goddess and Toryn is doing a paladins job and tries to interfere with what he shouldn't interfere in" Rand whispers

Evil GM: Give me a will save Toryn

Evil GM: As Ayonae starts to sing, Toryn has the urge to lay down and sleep.

Toryn (Toryn): dead twice in two game sessions back to back :P

Aikira: brother priest, I will not let that woman hurt toryn nor the little one, stuburn as she might be, she has grown on me

Toryn (Toryn): oh, never mind

Kenny (Ro): aslong as u don't 'grow' on me its ok

Ayonae Ro turns and looks at Aikira

Toryn: Toryn announces loudly " I'm going to take a nap , don't anyone kill anyone while I'm resting" , lies down and starts to snore

Aikira looks back at the godess

Ayonae Ro: I am not here to harm anyone. Stand easy warrior.

Ayonae Ro gestures at Toryn

Ayonae Ro: He's ok as well, he'll wake when I leave. He simply was annoying me.

Ayonae Ro turns back to Ro

Rand: "If you value either of them you will let them work this out themselfs. Toryn needs to learn not to interfere, Ro needs to learn respect" Rand whispers "Both will receive a teaching i guess"

Ayonae Ro: What you say Ro is fair. I am surprised the man whom comes to you in your dreams to teach you your bardic music never mentioned me in his lessons.

Ro: "how...? do you know? where is?

Aikira nods at rand, deep inside he knows it's best to believe the priest, but he can't deny his warrior past, that and the fact he is a servant of rallos zek. a warlord and probably an enemy of ayonae ro

Ayonae Ro smiles

Ayonae Ro: And this is not the end. In the coming days, weeks, and months, until you learn to yield your heart, you may wish this was the end. However, I have no wish to take you from this world.

Ayonae Ro: You need not apologize, and I will not be so kind to the paladin if he forces Ro. (says this to all)

Rand: "Were you ever taught anything about the gods, or only to worship yours" Rand asks Aikira silently

Rand: "Thank you Goddess" Rand says to Ayonae

Ro: "if u wish to win my heart, then let me know you. As i do not" Ro says to ayonae Ro

Ayonae Ro nods to Ro

Aikira: I never was a believer brother, I only know recently that there are gods, so It's not a question about believing, it's more one of knowing

Ayonae Ro: Speak with the other bards, Ro the Wayward. They will be able to teach you.

Ayonae Ro: And to the rest...do not make me return to the realm of man once again this day.

Ayonae Ro dissapears in a swirl of colored smoke

Evil GM: Once she dissapears, Toryn starts to wake

Ro sighs and buckles up her weapons again without a word

Toryn: " What happened ? " says Toryn sitting up, alarmed... " What happened ??? " ... seeing Ro he runs over and starts checking her over

Ro pushes Toryn away giving him an icy glare

Aikira walks up to toryn and claps him on the back

Rand: "I think Ayonae was a bit annoyed with you and put you to sleep" Rand says to Toryn

Toryn: Then with a grim look on his face starts stripping her armor off " Did she hurt you, mark you in any way ???? I need to see ! "

Ro pushes Toryn away with more force

Toryn: " I'm grateful that's all she did " declares Toryn " I thought my life was forfeit "

Toryn: " Oh no you don't ! " Toryn bellows " This childish stubborness will end - I am your older brother ! "

Toryn (Toryn): ayonae ro is making her influence known :P

Aikira: silence the both of you. and you foolish girl aikira points at ro "you need to learn your place"

Rand: To Aikira Rand says "We should meet up with the scholars in Qeynos some day and teach you some basics about the gods"

Toryn: Ro sees Toryn getting ready to grab her again

Aikira: maybe we should! and teach the little one some respect

Aikira walks up to toryn and holds him back

Aikira: stop brother

Ro takes a step back

Aikira: she's unharmed

Rand walks to Toryn, grabbing his arm and pulling him alnog softly, a little away from the group

Aikira: let her be for a while and let her contemplate over her actions

Toryn: " She's going to kill her ! " shouts Toryn wild eyed struggling in Aikira's grasp " We have to make her apologize ! "

Kenny (Ro): ROFL

Aikira slaps toryn in the face, not willingly

Rand: "I thought you knew better then to get in between a God and her subject" Rand says softly

Aikira: get a grib man!!!

Toryn: The slap appears to knock some sense into Toryn ... he stops, the wild look vanishing from his eyes and nods his thanks at Aikira ... " What did the goddess say when I was asleep brother ? Her exact words ! "

Rand: "Ayonae has more in the future for Ro or she would have gotten rid of Ro already" Rand says, "Don't you think it is strange that she visitted us 5 times now just because of 1 person?"

Aikira: listen to rand brother

Toryn: " Yes but what did she say ?!? "

Ro: "life is just a mere game..." Ro says while cleaning her axe

Rand: "Main thing she said about you is that if you even TRY to force a sorry from Ro she will make you sorry" Rand says

Toryn: " Then it's hopeless " says Toryn hanging his head " My sister is going to die "

Ro looks at Toryn and rolls her eyes

Toryn: " Don't give me that ! " bellows Toryn " I was in the Halls of Honor, the realm of the afterlife ! The gods themselves have told me what your fate will be ! "

Rand: "This is something Ro will need to learn during her time here, and Ayonae told her to consult other bards to learn what Aynoae Ro is all about" Rand continues, "Maybe a visit to Qeynos may be in order"

Ro: "when your time came... i stood there next to you... if my time comes... while u stand next to me or oppose me?" Ro asks toryn out of the blue

Rand: "Ro said she cannot believe and trust a god she doesn't know and as a result her task now is to learn all she can about Ayonae" Rand finishes

Toryn: " I would have pointlessly thrown my life away just now - made Ayonae kill me first " snarls Toryn " But there 'd be no need for that if you'd just show some common sense and listen to the will of the gods ! "

Ro: "and lie to them? pretty naieve are we?"

Rand: "Knowing this paladin, he will be between you and whatever you are fighting, however stupid that is" Rand says, "Then again, we will all help you on your quest in life as a friend should"

It starts to rain softly.

Rand: "Now you two, shut up" Rand says forcefully, "Let eachother be for a while and learn your OWN lessons"

Toryn: Toryn's face starts to turn beet red " I may not be able to force an apology out of you but perhaps I can knock some sense into you - historically the eldest brother has been the one doing the spanking when the father isn't available "

Rand stops Toryn by putting a hand on his shoulder and shaking his head

Rand: "Safe your anger for battle Toryn, it's much better suited there then on your sister" Rand says

Toryn: " All right all right ! " snaps Toryn ill-naturedly " If nothing else we need to keep moving away from the gnolls and out of the rain "

Starts raining a bit harder

Toryn: " Stubborn little ... trying to save her life.. won't listen " snarls Toryn stomping down the path ..

Aikira pulls his spear out of the ground

Rand walks up and next to Toryn

Ro walks back to a bit behind toryn not even looking at him for a splitsecond

Rand: "You have the same temper as your sister does, better be carefull with that" Rand says

Aikira closes the line, putting his hood over his head

Toryn: " We get it from our father " snaps Toryn

Toryn: Then stops thinking about what he just said

Toryn: " The same father who serves the forces of darkness" mutters Toryn softly

Rand: "Don't you think you are far above him" Rand asks

After a few hours, the group manages to make it to the enterance of Surefall. The guards have not been replaced yet.

Toryn: " I should be, I should be - or try my best to be anyways ... thank you friend, your counsel is as wise as always " says Toryn

Ro: while Toryn stopped to walks past him and mentions,' didn't show that back there" without looking at Toryn while she walks on

Kenny (Ro): Ro walks past him ...

Toryn: Toryn starts to turn beet red again

Rand: "Try to give Ro the room she needs to explore herself, her god and her freedom that you gave her by your rescue" Rand says, "It will do you and her much more good"

Toryn: " She's going to get herself KILLED ! " bellows Toryn loudly enough for everyone in Surefall to hear

Aikira: maybe it's for the best then, I'm fed up with that childish behaviour of hers

Rand: "If that is what the gods want, neither you, nor Aikira can prevent that" Rand says, "But i think that if they wanted her dead they would have done it already"

Toryn: " No - never say that brother " says Toryn desperately looking at Aikira .. " She's my sister and our comerade in arms "

Toryn: " I suppose " says Toryn reluctantly " She's already angered Ayoane many times - but my own goddess, Erosilli Marr warned me ! Ro will die if she doesn't apologize ! "

Rand: "Besides, Ro is the youngest, if only compared by her age, if we compare schooling and years lived in freedom she is a newborn" Rand says

Toryn: " I know I know that's why I tried to spank her earlier, figuratively speaking " mutters Toryn.. " We'd better get inside surefall and show them that gnoll cheiftain's head

Aikira: she has dissapointed all of us! backing out in battle, and now this behaviour!

Aikira: shamefull

Toryn: " It was a matter of morality " Toryn says looking at Aikira " I have to admit I myself wasn't happy about slaying prisoners - though I see the point you, Aikira and Rand made as well... they would have gone on to slay more helpless villagers or other noncombatants "

Rand: "She has only disappointed herself, she left Toryn to die and will need to leanr her lessons from that" Rand says, "Each of us does as he do and i respect you all for that"

Toryn: " Well I wouldn't say she left me to die - she was just conflicted " says Toryn defensively

Toryn: " We need to talk about this quest I've been tasked with, helping xegony ... my friends I have no right to ask you to accompany me and if you don't I will completely understand .. but it is the will of my gods that I must go about it "

The sky opens and the rain pours down, soaking everything

Rand: "She will feel it as if she left you to die and i believe that the gods think the same" Rand says, "MAybe that is why Erollisi wanted her dead, because she let a Paladin of Marr die due to her own selfishness"

Toryn: Toryn hurries inside the opening to surefall at the downpour and urgently gestures for the rest to follow

Rand follows Toryn

Aikira follows aswell

On the other side of the tunnel, Caelianna leans against the wall, looking bored.

Toryn: " No no ! " protests Toryn " Erollisi is the goddess of love she wants no one dead save those who serve the forces of darkness ! It is Ayonae we must beware of - she is the goddess of bards and feels Ro is not showing her enough respect ! "

Toryn: " Good to see you made it back safely " says Toryn cheerfully " We must meet with your head druid-ess, show her the head .. "

Toryn (Toryn): sorry, that comment was directed at Caelianna

Caelianna: Of course, I just saw her a bit ago myself. She awaits your return. Follow.

Rand: "Besides, ever thought that you forgiving Ro may soften your gods" Rand says

Toryn: " She's not selfish, just young " protests Toryn to Rand as they walk " And stubborn - but please friends, don't blame her for my death ... it was only a short while ago she wanted to... er, bed me " Toryn looks red faced in embarassment this time

Toryn: " There is that " says Toryn softly considering Rand's words

Ro just walks past everyone to the inn

Ro: i ask the innkeeper if there is a bard in surefall glade

Toryn: " She's at the inn - your leader ? " Toryn asks Caelianna

Caelianna turns and leads the group into the glade. Instead of going towards the Inn and Weapons shop, Caelianna chooses a different path that leads deeper into the glade, where it is not raining. After a few minutes walking, she leads you to a gigantic oak tree that has a door shaped into it.

Toryn: " Ro ! Follow us ! " Toryn calls to Ro

Toryn: Toryn follows Caelianna if Ro doesn't go along with the rest

-> ro: she shakes her head. No, only rangers and druids here. There are bards in Qeynos, however.

Caelianna steps inside the great oak.

Ro: any books or library? or wise men or wise women i can talk to or ask something about the gods?

Inside the tree seems bigger than it is on the outside. To one side there are stairs that lead up the trunk of the tree. Near the back there is an alter with vines and flowers carved into it, candles glow ontop. To the other side, opposite the staircase, Te'Anna stands talking to a small group of robed druidesses.

Rand hand Toryn the bag with the head

-> ro: you might talk to Te'Anara. She is a priestess after all.

Ro: ok thank you, is my room still upstairs?

Toryn: " No, no " says Toryn smiling " You were the ones who killed the cheiftain I merely assisted - Aikira struck the death blow, if anything we'll give him the honor " Toryn hands the bag to Aikira

Toryn: " Aikira " Toryn whispers urgently " Give them the bag ! "

Ro: i walk back into my room and undress since i am soaked and notice i still have the 2 swords with me

Ro: i giggle and start to swing em around ( now this is ur chance for bad shit to happen lol)

Aikira throws the sack in front of the druidesses

-> ro: yes

Toryn: Toryn winces

Rand walks up to Te'Anna and hands her the bag with the chieftains head in it

Toryn: " I see your point now " Toryn whispers to Rand

Te'Anara takes the bag and peers into it.

Te'Anara: Well, this certaintly is not what I was expecting. The gnoll chief is, well was, human?

Rand: "Yes he was" Rand says

Ro: do the swords look pretty?

-> ro: nothing extremely remarkable about them

-> ro: one of them kind of glows redish

Toryn: " A ten foot tal human ?!? " says Toryn in astonishment

Ro: my arms don't burn orso? lol

Toryn (Toryn): tall

Aikira thinks to himself... humans...pffffff

Rand: "The howls and cries of mourning told me he was their leader" Rand says

Te'Anara: From the markings on his face, I would say he was from a barbarian clan. This does not bode well. It means that the gnolls were organized.

Ro: /em shrugs as she gets bored and puts the swords away in her backpack and puts on her dress and cloak over it (not wearing weapons) and walks/ asks her way to Te-Anara

Toryn: " He was sitting on a throne, arrogant, very sure of himself " adds Toryn, " dressed in armor and finery "

Toryn: " The barbarians have made an alliance with the gnolls then eh ? " says Toryn darkly

-> ro: you're pointed to a huge oak tree. when you get close, you can see Te'Anara talking to your group

Te'Anara shakes her head

Ro: i walk up but keep distance just as close to be out of the rain :P

Te'Anara: I don't think it is all of the barbarians. Typically they are a very lawful bunch, but like any race there are rogues within. It just shows how impressionable the gnolls are and that anyone can influence them.

Te'Anara turns and puts the head near the alter

Te'Anara turns back to the group.

Toryn: " You might remember that when dealing with dark elves in the future then " adds Toryn looking irritated " Our friend here was denied entry - a brother in arms who has stood back to back with me fighting evil cultists and the undead at that - and was kidnapped as a result by the gnolls "

Toryn: " As you said ... " like any race there are rogues within " "

Rand slaps Toryn for being unfriendly to their host

Toryn: Toryn rubs his head and glares at Rand

Te'Anara: Yes, but the barbarians are lawful and serve the Tribunal. I will not speak what dark elves are known for, typically, for you already know. And it is best not to preach, for you are the heros of the hour.

Te'Anara: However, the droning may become weary on some ears.

Toryn: " They are , I died for my troubles " says Toryn shamefacedly, " long story - they're all heroes but this one struck the death blow against the cheiftain " adds Toryn proudly giving Aikira a friendly blow to the arm

Rand gestures to say "See, that is why you should never insult your host"

Aikira keeps a firm look on the druid woman, oo how he would like to cut some manners into her

Te'Anara: Dying is part of life, it is not shameful.

Te'Anara: It happens.

Aikira nods at toryn, still keeping his eyes on the druid

Toryn: " Defeat in battle is, fortunately the gods took pity on me ... "

Te'Anara: Now, I believe I have promised you a boon for completing this deed.

Rand nods

Toryn: " Honorable Druidess Te'Anara - Erollisi Marr spoke to me during my death, graced my humble person with her presence - Mithaniel Marr has tasked me with assisting the other goddess, Xegony ... I need to know where the winged horses are around here ... and if there have been any sightings of.. well, dark elves " Toryn adds the last part reluctantly with an apologetic look at Aikira

Te'Anara: There are no winged horses within this general area. Though there are griffons up in the Jagged Pine Forest...

Aikira looks back at toryn and nods that it his allright. he doens't care about other dark elves, he only cares when other races think they are superior to his race. pure nonsense offcourse

Te'Anara: The nearest sightings of winged horses would be within the Plains of Karana, which you will need to travel through to get back to Freeport.

Te'Anara: The Karanas are a big place, it would be best to hire a tracker if you're after those winged horses. I've heard they are an illusive lot.

Caelianna looks thoughtful.

Toryn: " I've interrupted you " apologizes Toryn " You were talking about a boon - one for my friends please, I wouldn't be selfish enough to ask that the boon be centered around my quest "

Te'Anara: Yes, yes..the boon for completing this mission.

Te'Anara: I have managed to gather five horses. I tried for a sixth, but our resources are pretty limited in the equine sector.

Rand: "Five horses is splendid my lady, we can easily manage to share rides with eachother" Rand thanks Te'Anna

Toryn: " Yes " adds Toryn " They

Te'Anara: We have also pooled our resources and came up with a collection of travelling clothes, enough provisions to get you to the first checkpoint, and about 500 gold pieces.

Toryn: " They're expensive and hard to come by, truly we appreciate it ! "

Toryn: " You are most generous milady ! " declares Toryn

Rand bows in respect and thanks for the reward

Aikira simply nods at them

Toryn: " Milady - I don't suppose you have any expertise with magical armor or weapons? As much as I hate to show you the belongings of a foe who has plagued you so - he was so potent in battle " Toryn grimaces at the memory " That I can't help but wonder if he had some sort of magical aid - we have the gnoll chieftain's armor and weapons with us "

Toryn: " His swords were on fire when he struck me with them ! "

Te'Anara: No, I'm sorry but that's a service we can not provide. I believe the arcane casters of Qeynos can provide that service, however.

Te'Anara: And one last item I have...

Toryn: " Of course, foolish of me to ask - this is the home of druids, not wizards, I apologize for the insult "

Rand: "As i said, we should pay a visit there" Rand chuckles

Te'Anara hands Toryn a 1 foot by 3 foot bag

Te'Anara: I think this might be of some usefulness

Toryn: Toryn looks inside

There appears to be a vastness inside of the bag

Toryn: " It looks bigger on the inside than on the outside ! " says Toryn in awe

Te'Anara: It doesn't appear to be magical.

Rand: "Let me see, i heared of bags like that, but i never saw one" Rand says almost shoving Toryn aside

Rand: "It's not magical and i have no idea how it works, but it's marvelous

Te'Anara smiles

Rand starts loading the gains from the chieftain into the bog new bag, kind of relieved to be rid of the weight

Te'Anara: It is called a "Bag of the Tinkerers." The gnomes have found some sort of way to contain time and space...it truely is amazing. It will hold quite a bit of stuff (25 cubic feet) and will never grow heavier than it already is.

Rand looks with big eyes of wonder at the bag

Toryn: " We'll be able to carry far more of the spoils of war " says Toryn gladly " This is a wonderful boon indeed milady - thank you greatly ! "

Toryn: sorry tell me again where she said the winged horses were evil GM ?

Vincent (Rand): Karanas

Evil GM: In the Plains of Karana

Vincent (Rand): or the plains of karana, there are multiple, so karanas in short

After awhile, the party heads to the Inn leaving Te'Anara by herself.

Ro clears her throat and shuffles up a bit

Te'Anara turns around

Te'Anara: Come in and be welcome in the great oak.

Ro walks in hesitantly and looks around

Ro: "may i please ask something?"

Te'Anara: Certaintly, I will do my best to answer.

Ro: "Might i ask you about the gods?"

Te'Anara: Ask and I may know the answer.

Ro: "recently i met a strange woman that said she was Ayonae Ro, she claimed to be the godess of music. Do you know anymore than that, as i must shamefully say i do not"

Te'Anara: The pantheon of gods is quite great and there is no shame in not knowing in all of them.

Ro: "but i was told i would be killed if i cannot accept Ayonae Ro as my god. But i fear i do not know anything about that godess."

Te'Anara: I'll have to admit that my divine knowlege is in the nature gods and goddesses. Though I do believe I heard somewhere that Druzzil Ro created Ayonae. I do not know more than that.

Te'Anara: Ah, now that is something I can guide you on! The gods are jelous creatures and they guard their creations closely.

Te'Anara: We mortals have a notion that we have the free will to follow whichever path of religion that we want, and to some extent this is true.

Ro: "but i was raised believing in Rallos Zek as creator of all of my ... eerr... kind" Ro says realizing she just mentioned her roots

Te'Anara nods

Te'Anara: I believe in the scheme of things the great Warlord created the orcs among other creations, such as the giants.

Ro: "but i am puzzled that as until now i did not hear about Ayonae Ro."

Te'Anara: My only council is this. If the one who created your race has not created a bond with you by now, then it is best to heed the one that gave you your powers.

Te'Anara: Maybe it simply was not time?

Ro: "i do not know, but i cannot accept a fait i do not know and i hope you can understand that."

Te'Anara: Well, I do wish you luck on your journey. If your group decides to go to Qeynos, the bards within may have more information for you.

Ro: "thank you for your blessing, mi'lady. May your gods light shine down on you" Ro says before she bows