OOC>>> I'll be waiting for the others to take their turns, so don't wait for my response ;)

<font color=indianred>Brendon Grey

Brendon shrugs..."I suppose even if she does have ill intent...we will not see any of it until we reach the tower's ruins. When the treasures are before us...then we shall know who is friend and who is foe. Each of us needs the other to get past the Hunger and even before we get there...we have this hole to enter first. It would be quite unwise for anyone to kill off another when there is so much danger that lies between us and the riches of the Mad One. Therefore,,,I guess we are all safe at least from the backstabbing of one another. I vote she stays. Besides, we may need monster bait later.</font>

<font color=silver>ooc: <font color=turquoise>A Quick Note</font> - Everyone has been doing a fine job so far, but this does seem to be a good opportunity to raise a couple reminders. First, it is very important that we respect the abilities of each other's characters -- while we all want to be successful we also need to recognize that in certain situations other characters might simply have superior abilities. Second, it is important to have a sense of limitations. No character can be aware of every movement or be involved in every action.</font>

Dantes cast the figure an appraising glace, he could sense much greed in this one, and much arrogance, but there was also quite a bit of power. Power which could be helpful in their quest, but power that could also be turned against them in a time of need. Dantes had lived a long time, and in that time he learned the truth to an old addage. 'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.' Dantes mulled over these thoughts in his head for time and then waited even longer before answering, hoping that the stranger would betray something. All he got for his patience was a stony glare.
"We could use one of your skills in our party, as always your intentions toward us will be proven in due time. Should there be no objections, let us not delay any longer in our journey. We needed the night to rest, but the dawn brings with it new dangers. Let us gathe. . . "
Dantes is interrupted by and very loud snore coming from the opposite direction of the campfire."
Dantes clears his throat and then continues, "Let us gather our things and be off at once." Dantes continues speaking softly only to the stranger. "I know of you and of the Brightblades, and I would have a word of you in private at a later time if you would grant me that."

OOC: Lord Starshadow you were probably close enough to make out what Dantes said to our new companion, I'll leave exactly what he made out up to you. I will leave this very open to reaction from the group. I am not hurrily ending this encounter, I am just reminding the group of pressing issues and our need to get travelling in the RP world. [img]tongue.gif[/img] In RL take you time posting whatever you will to lengthen or shorten this encounter.

EDIT: drats you overposted me while i was writing GRRRR! j/k It all works the same

[ 11-11-2002, 08:24 PM: Message edited by: AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe ]

<font color="skyblue">Zachary could feel the tension rising among the group over the new arrival. He had seen parties torn apart by internal conflict before, so he decided to bring everyone's focus back to the task at hand.

Grasping the amulet around his neck, he chanted softly as he held the amulet towards this new party member. A pale blue shot forth from the amulet, bathing Rhianneth in it's light from head to toe. The light caught everyone's attention, and produced a menacing glare upon the young lady's face. The ray of light faded as suddenly as it appeared, and everyone turned to look at Zachary.

"She has withstood the Gaze from Odin's Eye. There is no malicious intent in her, else she would not have been able to withstand it's withering glare. We need not fear her, so perhaps we should try to make her feel a bit more welcome."

"Also, I have some minor magic to share with each of you that may aid us in our underground journey. Please do not approach to closely until I tell you it is safe."

Zachary then reached down and opened a large, bulging pouch at his side. As he tugged on the drawstrings, a bright shaft of light shot up through the opening. As he worked the strings loose, the shaft of light grew larger and brighter. It seemed to mock the pale pallor of light provided by the sun on this thread as it sliced straight through it. Those closest to the cleric actually had to squint and cover their eyes against the brightness.

What powerful form of magic did this cleric possess?, they wondered.

Zachary made a dramatic show of removing the guantlet from his hand before cautiously reaching into the pouch. He grimaced slightly as his had entered the burning light, but he continued to reach deep within the pouch. Wincing visibly, he grasped an object in the pouch and withdrew his hand. The end of his arm seemed to end in a bright ball of light.

"Ok, everyone back up and give me a little room here". The others readily complied. Zachary then tossed his hand forward, scattering the ball of light in front of him. The others stared for at several objects lying on the ground, each shining with their own iridescent light. Then, those with knowledge of spellcasting realized what the objects were.

"Those are just ordinary coins", they said "With a <font color="white">Continual Light</font> spell cast upon them. There's no Great Magic here".

"Indeed there isn't", Zachary replied. He then turned his attention squarely on Rhianneth again, "but now all of you have seen just how deceptive appearances can be. Some of you joined our group after the original party had already gathered. You were welcomed warmly, but cautiously. Yet none of you were escorted into camp at the point of a sword. If we do not trust this new arrival, then I dare say there are a few more of you who should stand before the Gaze of Odin's Eye and see how you fare."

Zachary waited a few moments so that everyone could consider his words.

"We are facing a danger that none of us can fully comprehend. Now is not the time to be looking for enemies within our own ranks. I have seen parties torn asunder and utterly destroyed by inner strife. We ALL have to stick together and trust everyone of our companions if we hope to survive this adventure."

"Oh, and I was serious about sharing these <font color="white">Continual Light</font>. They provide ample light without adversely affecting the infravision some of you have. As you can see, I have plenty of them available. Each of you are welcome to carry a fair share of them."</font>

[ 11-11-2002, 10:35 PM: Message edited by: Cerek the Barbaric ]

<font color=silver>ooc: <font color=turquoise>DMs Note</font> - In this game, infravision will NOT function in the vicinity of a Continual Light spell. And to keep things reasonable, no more than a handful [say 8] of such coins can exist in the party's possession at any given time -- so a bag filled with enchanted coins is not an option.</font>

[ 11-12-2002, 01:31 AM: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]

<font color="plum">OOC>> Ahh maaaaaaaaan. {pout, pout} [img]graemlins/verysad.gif[/img]

OK, sorry about that Cyril. I didn't think it would be a problem. {and Zachary is human....so he doesn't know that <font color="white">Continual Light</font> would mess up Infravision}. ;) </font>

OOC>>> If I'm not mistaken, we're left with RevRuby who hasn't yet posted. This one won't make much of a difference, but I thought I'd add it in so you don't spend the next 12 hours waiting for me to respond :eek:

<font color=lime>Rhianneth

She stood, waiting for the remainder of the group to take their share of the coins ~ Lest those hypocrites think I'm after their pathetic treasure... ~ Already, her mind had formed its own share of prejudices as she looked over the travellers, her expression stony. Surely, it must be sheer endurance that halted her from giving those scum a piece of her mind.

All in good time, Rhianneth... ~ And she blinked at the recollection of those words. How different had they sounded from him! She did not know whether to love or hate him, the murderer of her mother. But now was the worst time possible to be lingering on the wretched past. Her nails dug deep into her palms till they turned moist with blood.

It was time to go... or rather, to be led. And watched. Not a particularly pleasant feeling, but it would have to do for now.

Idly, she wondered how many of them would emerge the survivors of their quest ahead.

Well... as a number had said - but for different reasons -... time would tell...</font>

<font color="99FF00">"If You seek the treasures of the mod mage then I suggest you keep our priest handy to remove any curses that may be lurking, such things only grow stronger in the light of things like the Hunger, I've read tales from a planes-travelor who escaped a realm of nigh-infinite evil, and the words said that many of the items found were tainted irreprably by the darkness staining the land and all things in it, I imagine the this Hunger would do much the same."

Looking at the group he said, "you may decide to trust her, but I will keep my blade ready to silence her should she show the least inclination to betray us."

he walked back, and picked up a glowing coin, and thanked Zachary for sharing a part of his magics, no matter how small, wondering what Dantes meant about talking with her in private...
</font>

OOC: according to my previous post I was standing a mere 3 feet away, I would have heard part of the whispered statement

[ 11-12-2002, 01:21 PM: Message edited by: Morgeruat ]

ruby allows her music to fade, and the magic within. she nods her head to the group, affirming that she has no objections to the newcomer. she turns and begins to gather her things.

wyrd stays put a moment. glareing at the woman. again his eyes speak for him, "i don't trust you, watch your back." he walks away now, happy that his point was made.

*come, darling, she is not carly. no one will ever hurt me that way again.*

with her things packed she looks at the coins on the ground. she picks one up and says, "unless anyone else feels they need one?"

OOC: just to let everyone know, i am sick. really not feeling well. it may take me a whole day to post or more, please be patient.

[ 11-12-2002, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: RevRuby ]