"Surely you may well be right. There's not telling what the fates may require of us or where they might send us.", Felicia chimes in. She's disappointed Solomon wandered off. Men did not walk away from her very often.

Glad to see Temnir following at least part of his advice, Raznik turns to Soloman.

"You are of Jahtzee's tribe? My tribe traded with yours when I was a boy. Perhaps we have met? I am Raznik Tayn of the Taj'li herders."

In the distance, Raznik notices the djinni he had spoken to returning from talking to the Vizier who is moving towards a strange group of travellers. To Temnir, Raznik says, "The djinni returns. Perhaps he has access to an Endure Elements spell for you."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:47, Mon 09 Apr 2012.

Solomon nods.  "He's right, without magic you will die like that."

Solomon turns back to Raznik "I know of the Taj'li; but sorry you do not look familiar to me.  I have been away from Jatzee and the others for quite a long time.  I have only recently returned.  It is because of this man, that the tribe still exists as it does.  So, while he may lack the manners of our people, until I hear the story straight from his lips our destinies seem to be entertwined.  Although, I heard he was not alone when they defeated the Efreeti..." he looks at Temnir.  "If you could point me in the direction of one of your companions my presence may be drawn to them instead.  There are other strangers over there," he said with a point in their direction.  "I don't suppose you know of them?"

Solomon sensed Temnir was growing impatient with his presence.  He also sense the attempted diversion.  There was a simply way to be rid of him, but the man was reluctant to tell his tales. Solomon grinned. A sandflea would stay attached to its host until it received the blood it craved.

Sense Motive = 19

At the mention of his other comrades, Temnir stops his eating and glares sidelong at Solomon for a moment before going back to his leg of meat. "My companions are not here. I don't know who you're talking about but I assure you, I have no relations to them." After a few minutes of awkwardness, Temnir finishes eating and sits back with a wineskin, "Fine then, you man have your damnable stories. Ask your questions." He doesn't seem to be mad as he says this, just a bit indifferent. He seems to be a bit rough around the edges in the social department.

Meanwhile in the camp of the three companions, the Vizier comes to greet the group for the first time since they arrived. The Vizier is a mountain of a man, easily 15 feet tall and build of what looks like pure muscle. His skin is a greyish green color and he wears a gold and red vest hanging open under two large pauldrons. His great white beard and long thin mustache hang down to his waist and his hair is gathered together in a topknot that flows down his back. At his side hangs an enormous ornamental scimitar. "Welcome to our caravan my friends! As I can see you've already noticed," he looks at the already empty wineskins laying around the sitting area, "we are celebrating the return of an esteemed friend to the Djinn and Jann and as you may of heard, we hare having a feast later tonight which you are invited to participate in. But tell me, what brings you to our desert and is there anything that my caravan or I can do for you?"

OOC: The three being Felicia, Maeria, and Argyle if you didn't get that.

Felicia bows to the Vizier and tells him, "Your hospitality is most generous Vizier. We are simply traveling together for safeties sake. "

Solomon let out a sigh.  Was it one of frustration or relief?  "It is really quite simple.  Give me a beginning, middle, and end.  Who are you and where did you come from?  How did you come to find yourself in the desert and how is it you found the Efreeti when I was not?  What happened?  What other dangers did you encounter?"  He paused, wanting to ask about his former companions, but getting the definate sense that doing so would only cause him to clam up again.  "And why is it you are here now?" he finally settled with.  Solomon started to eat some of the candied dates that he carried, a bit reluctant to try some of the stranger unidentified fruits.  His turned slightly so his cloak would catch some of the wind and keep him cool.

Looking up at the massive mountain of a man, she toyed idly witha few idea's before discarding them, with a shrug.  "Ah jus be here to challange myself, to test myself against that of the desert's strngth.  I found these two on the way in, and tagged along out of curiosity"

"Well I just be headin in 'ere t' trade some good with ye fine folk before headin back t' Hammerfast Outpost. Thought the company was pleasant on the way n' decided to stay fer the feast." The dwarven cleric gives the Vizier a big toothy grin through his facial hair and takes another swig of his wineskin.

"Well I admit, it is quite nice to be able to relax and partake in the finer aspects of life once in a while," the Vizier says with a bellowing chuckle. He seems to consider challenging the desert one of these finer aspects it seems. "Well feel free to come to me if you have any questions or needs and I will see you at the feast tonight." With that, he floats away towards the next group of guests, clapping one of them on the shoulder and repeating his welcome.

Sighing but giving in to the man's whims, Temnir begins to retell the tale, "Who I am is Temnir and where I am from has no impact on the encounter with the Effreti and therefore is irrelevant for you to understand at this point in time. All you need to know is that I am a sorcerer and that I saved your tribe's oasis." Looking to the man and seeing that he obviously is not content with his half-assed response he continues, "When we," he pauses for a moment before continuing, "came to this desert in search of the undead menace the holy men I was with had been charged to hunt down, we encountered this very caravan of genies. The Vizier told us of trouble to the south and through more coincidence than not, we ended up running into Jatzee, though at that time, he tried to ambush us and steal our food, water, and a portion of gold. It mattered not to me since he attempted to end the confrontation diplomatically but another in my group, a fellow with more brawn than brains, decided he'd have none of it."

"After defeating a number of their raiding party, he surrendered and after an odd conversation, we learned that he did this out of necessity to provide for the rest of the tribe. Apparently, the Efreeti you had been searching for had attacked your home and driven off the tribe. Since that was our current goal anyway, we had him lead us to your oasis home and we found an old buried temple in which the fiend was hiding out. There were your average desert hazards in the ruins of the temple as well as a number of undead creatures," at this, a thoughtful look comes over his face as if remembering a certain piece of information he had forgotten as he watches a Jann glide by carrying more refreshments for the other guests.

"He apparently had been in league with the man, if you can call him that, we had been hunting down; a man with cold blue eyes and a stare that personified madness. He disappeared as we approached though we engaged the Efreeti and were the only ones left standing after the fiery confrontation had concluded." Taking a moment to catch his breath and wet his throat from the waterskin, he wipes his brow of sweat, apparently beginning to feel the prolonged effect of the desert, "As for why I am here, it is a long story suffice it to say certain conditions were met and I found myself set back from where I had been. Now does this satisfy your thirst for knowledge or will you be in need of a second serving?"

At the mention of the ruined temple, Raznik looks up from his absent gaze at the sand in front of him to Temnir, suddenly intent on the story. When Temnir has finished his tale, he asks "In this temple, was there perhaps a small room containing a large magical tome?"

Looking over to the man in the shade with an exasperated look in his eyes he groans, "Oh not you too... I swear your curiosity must be contagious Solomon. No there was no such tome that I saw. If there was, odds are it would be in my pack by now."

A look of disappointment comes over Raznik's face. "That is a shame. Thank you." Raznik glances over to the djinni who had been sent to speak with the vizier, but he seemed occupied with preparations for the feast. "It would seem that you may not be recieving the aid I had hoped for."

She nods at the visier and chuckles. She chuckles and rolls her shoulders. Turning from her place she moves away from the dwarf and felinic, instead stiding into the main camp, looking around exploring.

As Maeria walks away from the group, a Janni makes his way over to Argyle, "Excuse me master dwarf, I believe we have someone that may be in need of your assistance. Would you mind?" Nodding in agreement, Argyle waves to Felicia as he leaves her alone to explore the camp as she sees fit.

---

When unloaded, the caravan seems to be quite a large place with at least six pavilion tents and a myriad of other overhanging tarps where goods are layer out and crafters work with their trades. There is also, of course, many places of shade where people have taken up refuge from the suns scorching rays. From here she can see a group of gnomes seemingly counting their wares and engaging in trade with a Djinni merchant, a pair of Dwarves sitting on their cart eating a meal, the bronze skinned man from earlier talking with a man wrapped in black bandages and average looking desert dweller sporting a turban, and a trio of human travelers that look almost like refugees from Derevaan who are taking a quick nap in the shade of one of the caravan's enormous wagons.

Felicia heads over to the bronze skinned fellow she flirted with earlier. She invites herself and sits in the shade with the others, but says nothing, just flashing a smile to Solomon if he looks at her.

Taking a larger waterskin from his pack than the one he had loaned Temnir, Raznik took a small sip, before noticing the lithe feline approach. What a strange creature to be walking the desert, and what a beautiful one at that. Realizing that he is staring, Raznik averts his eyes, looking instead at his waterskin, sipping once again.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:45, Wed 11 Apr 2012.

"The first course was a little light and bland, but satisfying enough for now.  I'll be back for a second course when the chef has had time to refresh his mind and refine his pallet," he replied, playing with Temnir's metaphor.  He gave a a respectful bow.  He then turned to Raznik, "Maybe we'll have a chance to share stories tonight my brother.  Our host seems to be preparing quite the celebration."

Temnir chuckles at the paladin's comeback but does not divulge any more information for the time being. Over the next few hours, pleasantries are exchanged between the remaining members over wine, saving the for for the feast though Temnir remains quiet, his arms crossed front of him, obviously lost in deep thought. As the sun dips below the horizon, a loud ringing sound that resembles a trumpet sounds from the middle of the camp. Seeing the Jann and Djinn collectively begin to head in that direction, most of the travelers follow suit, if not assuming it to be the feast, curiosity gets the best of them.

As everyone comes around the back of a wagon, two rows of low tables with cushions extend side by side, piled high with luscious looking fruits, plates of fresh vegetables, and a wide assortment of meats ranging from ribs, to steak, to full roasted pheasant. And the drinks aren't excluded either. Every five feet or so, there is a large pitcher sitting in a bowl of ice that you can see a bright red glowing out of. Also intermittently spread around the table are what look to be bottles of brandy. It seems the Vizier has wasted no expense on this feast. Floating round objects that emit a cool blue-white light float around the area, illuminating the area.

The group easily find seats where they can continue conversing and enjoy a particularly tasty meal and eat and drink until their bellies are full and their wits would normally be slowed though it seems that this wine is absent of that side effect while still maintaining the excellent taste. The brandy, however, is a different story.

As everyone seems to be finishing up their meals and engaging in conversations all around, a loud clinking sounds over the dining area and everyone falls silent as the Vizier "stands" up from his seat and clears his throat as he addresses those gathered, "Kin, cousins, visitors, and friends," at the last he looks to Temnir with a wide smile at which Temnir averts his gaze momentarily, "I am glad to have you all here tonight as we honor the return of a hero among the Djinn and Jann, a man who was one of the five to help rid us of the evil Efreeti and their intrusion on the comforts we aim to bestow on those visiting this blessed land. I would like to ask for a round of applause for one of the five companions here with us tonight, Temnir Liyaan!"

At this, many of the genies, the dwarves who are obviously quite drunk off brandy, and a few of the gnomes begin to clap for the him. After a few moments of this, a loud slam his heard and the breaking of glass as Temnir slams his fists onto the table angrily and shoots to his feet, ire in his eyes, "Yes, clap all you want. Eat and drink your fill, you are lucky to be here. Where I have come from, none are so lucky. They are, at this very moment, fighting for their lives against hordes of the undead menace we "purged" from this desert, holed up like cornered rats in their walled town. So while you enjoy the safety of your wagons and the luxury of wine and a full belly, remember those that are fighting, those that are dying, right now to keep those very nightmares off of your doorstep. The other four companions I arrived here with, Vargus, Blaith, Uther, and Petrus are likely dead or captives of a cult of necromancers devoted to watching this world and all in it burn."

His wrapped fists clenched and shaking he takes a deep breath and in a more calm voice looks around those gathered, "I am leaving here to try and find my lost companions. I will not beg for help. I will only say that if you want continue to see this world as it is now, pristine and unsoiled, and you can look death in the face and spit at him, I need companions for this venture. Whether I can gather your help here or if I will have to seek help elsewhere, I am afraid that even I cannot do this alone. I leave in an hour. I cannot promise your safety but if you feel a calling, I will be at the peak of the east dune preparing." He points to the tall dune that Raznik climbed over to reach the camp earlier in the day before grabbing his belongings off the floor and walking off. As he passes the Vizer who has been standing there in stunned silence listening, he puts a hand on his arm and whispers something unheard though the genie nods solemnly and watched his walk away.

Not bothering to touch any of the food, she watches the scene. Somewhere in her exploration of the camp, she had picked up 3 shiney new daggers, strapped to her sword belt across her chest.  She coughed softly in the quiet of the emptyness after the outburst.  Laughing softly, the tall woman stood up and stepped foreward.  She looks around at the gathered people, letting her face to drop to a sober thing.  "I think he be distraught.  He hae fought alot, an lost alot. Now he be off to fight again.  Brave man.  He be right to be upset, an well, Fightin zombies, fighting the desert..." she shrugs again. "Loots better with the undead." she laughs, brazenly.  "Ah don know about you guys, but, no matter what culture ya live in, it be best to leave the spirits of the dead alone.  I mean, you wouldn't want someone slaving you to dance the jig to amuse them would you?  I may not be as learned as most of you, but I know I wouldn't like that." she shrugs again.  "Even if none of you think yer worth it... think twice.  Those creepy necromancers wouldn't think twice about making you peel your skin off and dance around in your bones"

With her, 'inspiring' speech,she turns, and follows Temnir, humming a cheerfull tune.  "Fighting undead" she laughs "Yet another notch on my belt now, next I should hunt..." is heard as she wanders out of hearing range.

Like Maeria, Raznik has little interest in the food and drink. He is sitting beside Soloman at the table when the vizier begins his speech. As Temnir walks away, he speaks quietly to Soloman beside him. "This is not why I returned to the desert, but I know loss." Rising, Raznik gathers his things, turning to follow Temnir.

Solomon sat at the table eating and drinking his fill.  The others seemed to hardly touch the food at all.  Food and drink were hard to come by in the desert so it was considered rude not to partake when offerred such.  Solomon sat with Raznik on one side of him and Felicia on the other.  He had hoped to dine, dance, flirt, and perhaps more with the cat woman; but destiny had bigger plans.

Solomon clapped with many of the others, and then he listened intently to Temnir's tyrade.  He stood tall thrusting out his bronze chest and called out to Temnir even as the sorcerer stormed away from the tent., "I, Solomon of the Golden Sands, rider of the great Dragonbird, will bring the cleaning rays of Pelor to purge the darkness, not just from these lands, but to those in distant corners.  I will join you Temnir, sorcerer of the black cloth, culler of the damned."  Unlike the others, who seemed to have a somber look, Solomon smiled and looked positively thrilled.  He turned to the Vizier, "I thank you Vizier for your great hospitality.  As I'm sure they all do.  Glory and adventure await.  I promise to return one day, after we purge the evil from this world, and gift you in return with our stories.  As-Salāmu `Alaykum."

Solomon kissed Felicia's hand, took another large mouth full of juicy roasted meat into his mouth, then ran off to collect his already packed backpack.  He let out a loud whistle as he went.  In the distance a large powerfully muscled Axe Beak looked up and began to run towards its master.  Its feathers were the color of the sands and it had a menacing looking black beak that was powerful enough to crush a human skull.

Felicia sat nest to Solomon at the feast. She enjoyed his company and their flirting and banter during the meal. As he did, she actually ate little, sampling the foods offered and sipping lightly from the wines.

Felicia clapped as well with the others at the Viziers words then, when the black clad man made his rather impassioned speech she got to her feet as well.

She smiles when Solomon kisses her hand, and a matching grin appears on her own face. "I don't usually play with dead things, but this sounds like fun. I'll be coming along a well."

As each person arrives behind him he gives an approving nod. As Solomon approaches with his axe beak, he shakes his head a little, obviously not surprised at the paladin's enthusiasm to accompany him but welcomes him nonetheless. After the allotted hour passes and everyone collects their gear to make ready, "Well then it will be the five of us then. I can't say I am disappointed by those who have chosen to come though.  I presume there is nothing else you need to do before we leave?"