Act 3 - Carnival on Ice

The Age of Magic is ended, Bhall, the Goddess of Fire, has succumbed to the whispers of Agares and fallen into Hell. Her worshipers and creations driven mad, and fire, which has been a powerful ally to man, has turned against him. Each good god was charged with the opposition of an evil god. Bhall was responsible for balancing Mulcarn, the God of Winter. Finding himself unopposed Mulcarn has broken The Compact and moved into Creation.

Creation was on the verge of another open war between the gods, that which they had outlawed with The Compact. To keep that from happening a deal was struck and the gods agreed that one god would enter Creation to challenge Mulcarn. That was Sucellus, the God of Nature. The two gods battled across the face of Creation, entire civilizations still recovering from the Burning Skies that marked the fall of Bhall were destroyed by their power. In the end Sucellus was killed and Mulcarn remained.

The Eternal Winter has begun...
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A Serious Case of Barkskin

Post by Vardaen » Mon Mar 11, 2013 7:37 pm

Nessa nods to Celevan and Dreams. "I can, he was heading toward the carnival. This way." She puts her mittens back on and heads out of the house and leads the group to the carnival grounds.

Pulling on your coats and warm gear you head out into the winter weather and follow Nessa to the carnival, not that you need directions, but its a nice gesture to the girl. With wolf and dragonfly among your group you are a rather large size party. You soon reach the carnival and head to the area where the Strong Ale Tent was. The tent has been taken down, exposing all the trees both inside and out in some copse. As you are arriving, you see a lone figure walking toward the same area from the north.
Welcome Gabrian as Beltarion our lone figure!

I think since this is a first meeting everyone needs to post a full description of yourselves. Images would be fine too. Welcome to the game Gabrian!!!!!
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Re: A Serious Case of Barkskin

Post by Muskrat » Mon Mar 11, 2013 8:03 pm

Among the figures Beltarion sees is a fellow member of the Elohim. She calls out to him in their language, "Greetings, stranger," and, when they are closer, she makes a precise, formal bow to him. She continues in Elohim, "I am Reluctant Follower of Dreams of the Dancers in the Glade Clan [Allareia-Nosaki-na'Tirris Arrasul-Elassyrin-el'Tirion] and a member of the Holy Order of the Watchful Sword." Beltarion most likely knows that this is an order of holy warriors serving the gods Junil and Lugus. She continues, "I am known as Dreams for short."

She is a striking figure. Though young (for an elf), her hair is completely white, like an aged human or dwarf. Like all Elohim, she is tattooed, with blue tattoos visible on her face and the back of her hands. She is dressed all in black, evidently in mourning. The clothes look habitually worn, not brought out simply for the recent tragedy that has befallen this town. Across her chest, she wears a sash, indicating her membership in the holy order, its sign a sword with an eye at the hilt. She wears an elven curve blade strapped to her back.
When adventuring or otherwise expecting combat, she also wears a suit of mithril plate armor.
"We have been told you might be able to help turn these trees back into the humans that they once were. We will be most glad if you could do so, for we lost far too many people in this town in recent days." Her voice sounds sad and weary.

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Re: A Serious Case of Barkskin

Post by Trogdor » Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:16 pm

Near Dreams is another Elohim, this one dressed in studded leather armor and what looks like hunting clothes suited to far warmer weather than currently exists. He's ruggedly handsome, tall and lean with black hair and tanned skin. He has no tattoos, but bears a single rune on his forehead that glows in a very faint blue light. But it's his eyes that are without a doubt his most distinguishing feature. They appear to be made entirely of blue crystal or blue gemstones. It's not entirely clear how he can see with them. But he seems to move about as if he has no trouble with it at all. Flying about ten feet to the side of him and about six feet in the air is a giant five-foot-long blue dragonfly with a rune on its head that matches the one on the Elohim's.

"Welcome to Falcon's Hollow," he says to the newcomer in the common tongue, offering his hand. "We were told to expect you, and we're most appreciative you came. My name is Hinya Amartho Luinë Celevan Hendu ["Child of fate with eyes of blue crystal"], though you can call me Celevan, or just plain Evan. I even answer to Blue Eyes or even Blue." He flashes Beltarion a welcoming smile. "That's Suletor [Spirit Brother] up there." He gestures at the dragonfly that's now hovering about eight feet above the gathering crowd. "Though he generally goes by Suli."

Celevan then nods over to the small copse of trees where the Strong Ale Tent used to be. "If there's anything we can do to help transform the people back, you have but to ask."
Hinya Amartho Luinë Celevan Hendu translates as: "Child of fate with eyes of blue crystal"

Suletor translates as "Spirit brother"
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Re: A Serious Case of Barkskin

Post by Gabrian » Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:10 pm

The lone Elohim approaches swiftly from the North. He stands tall and proud, well over 6 feet, with a slight frame and covered in a thin, but warm looking coat. On him can be seen an assortment of things, from his backpack to the shield and crossbow on his back and the sickle on his hip. As he walks and the jacket sways open he can be seen wearing no armor, but suitable traveling clothes and winter garb. His complexion is startling pale, and along with his white hair, gives him an ethereal presence. This is not helped when coupled with the array of blue lines tattooed across his face. His looks have been called unnerving, until he comes closer. As one looks at his face they see deep, almost chocolate eyes that give a warmth unfitting the rest of his appearance. When he hears the voices call out to him in his native tongue a visible smile comes to his face. He changes direction from the trees and approaches the party first, walking straight to the one with his hand out who announced himself.

Grabbing the extended hand he shakes it heartily and speaks in the same language, "What a pleasure! it has been some time since I've been back in civilization, and the greeting I get!" The excitement is clear upon his face, showing how he obviously doesn't spend much time with his own people, let alone any type of large population. Continuing in the same tongue, "I am Whisperer of the Haven of the Graceful Oaks [Beltarion-na'Quorris-na'Ellellen-Locrier]. Though I am mostly known as Beltarion the Reclusive. As to what you wish to call me, that is up to you" He finishes and releases the mans hand.

After introductions are finished, he turns back towards the trees. A sad look comes across his face as he steps towards them. "These are the people?" He says in the common tongue, making sure anyone can answer his query.

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Re: A Serious Case of Barkskin

Post by Trogdor » Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:21 pm

"These were the people," Celevan replies solemnly. "We hope through your efforts they will be again."

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Re: A Serious Case of Barkskin

Post by Vardaen » Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:45 pm

The new arrival approaches.

Among the party is a young human girl, barely in her teens, maybe. She wears long leather mittens and thick winter gear and still appears cold. She sort of slinks into the background now.
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Nessa
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J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Re: A Serious Case of Barkskin

Post by Muskrat » Tue Mar 12, 2013 2:05 am

Seeing Nessa shrink back, Dreams switches to the common tongue and says, "This is Nessa, a brave young girl, who will be a fine adventurer some day." Dreams ruffles her hair affectionately. "Her brother is among those who have been turned into a tree." Switching back to Elohim, she continues sadly, "She and her siblings are orphans, from the Pit of Bhall. They were in the care of their older sister, a member of our party, but she was lost to a warg. Now they live in the care of a former wandering bard in town."

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Re: A Serious Case of Barkskin

Post by mackaber » Tue Mar 12, 2013 2:27 am

Wilfried stands at the back of the group. The Half-Orc is similarly tall as the Elohim himself but broader of shoulder and from what you can tell of his exposed forearms more muscular as well. He greets with a solemn nod of his head and otherwise does not seem overly talkative. His equipment and clothing indicate that he is a man of the woods and it appears that the large Wolf lingering in the background is keeping a close watch over him.
Big Pimpin...

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Re: A Serious Case of Barkskin

Post by Grimbold » Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:28 am

A strange looking dwarf is also there. He is (as all dwarfs) short and stocky but he has no beard and no hair at all. His scalp is covered in black and dark-green tattoos of dwarf runes and other arcane symbols. A circle of text in black ink goes around his eyes (one is blue and the other grey).
He wears steel-brimmed glasses (especially when he is reading).

He is wearing dark red robes, and scalemail armor and a shield, Each scale has a dwarven rune imprinted on it, giving the appearance as if he was clad in money. The shield has been painted white and also on this one, you can see tiny black runes covering every inch of it.

On his belt, he has a glowing dwarven waraxe. His secondary weapon is a smaller battle axe that he keeps in his belt as well as a crossbow. He has a backpack with other equipment on him as well as his books.

He smiles at the newcomer. "Ah, it is good to see you. My name is Torias Runefist, scholar and follower of Kilmorpoh, the Crafter. Can you help these people?"

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Re: A Serious Case of Barkskin

Post by Gabrian » Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:08 pm

Despite the others talking to him, Beltarion moves slowly towards the trees without showing any recognition of people. As he approaches the closest, a serious look comes across his face. From what the others can see the tall Elohim goes from touching the tree, to listening to it with 1 ear pressed against it, to talking softly. Whether he's talking to himself, the tree, or another cannot be seen from a distance. As he continues talking he reaches into a pocket within his jacket, pulling out a jar. Reaching into the jar the Elohim takes what appears to be some sort of paste and smears some onto the tree. Once finished, he steps back and waits silently.

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