"There's a steam room in the Sun Dome Temple...Or I hear that the Bartered Beast tavern has a copper bath. Best I can offer is jugs of water to wash with in our wash room out back. Take a little while to heat up, but can be ready when you want."

A healer...Well there's one visiting at the moment. He's moving from house to house offering the services of the Merciful Lady, but can be found at the Temple each evening. So you have a dead companion...Won't they be happier with the gods? Oft when they come back they ain't the same...Missing something....."

Whilst the Proprietor speaks, the Zebra riders troop in, dropping on to benches, ordering food and downing grog as fast as it can come. On seeing Hoskar they call over to him to come and sit at their table.

Amara, Temush, Kobal and Henal find Melock surrounded by children outside the blue walled Lightbringer Temple, it's sides painted with scenes of the Gods and their myths. Stylistic clouds billow across the walls, with Orlanth directing his companions on their many glorious deeds.

On the rooftop, large foreign cats stare down at the procedures, whilst several initiates of the Storm Cults watch from an opening that leads in to a courtyard behind.

They turn to watch the new arrivals with interest, especially as they carry their dead companion Ohanzee between them on a litter.

Amara greeted the children with a warm smile, the good humour showing in her eyes, indulging them, though she didn't really follow much of what they were saying. On arriving at the temple, Amara walked over to one of the initiates "Hello, I am Amara Brightsky. We've heard there's a whiterobe in the vicinity. As you can see we have extreme need of their services. Would it be possible for one of you to direct us to them?"

The men and women take a moment to take in the group, casting detection spells before nodding in agreement to her request. They're hurried on by the sudden appearance of Delanda who strides up to join the Rangers.

"This way. The Priest is partaking of his evening meal. You may wait in the cloisters..."

Escorted in, the braves set Ohanzee down in the shade of a corridor, one side of which is partially open to the temple's courtyard.

Haaro endures the hands of the human young with some feline squirms and a testy growl now and then.  Better that than cause a ruckus with the other cats.  The things I have to do...

Amara was happy to follow whoever could lead her to the healer and that Delendra had found a good place for Avalarn to remain in relative safety.

Still smiling, Hoskar winks. he might be happier dead at that, but if he doesn't come back this time our leader will bloody murder him.

Think my comrades might be finding the healer too, and I know I'll do better once I don't stink. Jugs of hot water will be fine: it's doing a favour for ungrateful Sun Domers that caused my friend to die, so I'll forego their hospitality.

In the meantime, I'll be over with these guys when it's heated. I assume there's enough change for drinks for them too.

In his element, or so it seems, Hoskar joins the Zebra riders.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:40, Tue 21 Mar 2017.

Melock smiles at how quickly the screams become laughter, though a brief look of worry darts across his face when the adults appear, but when they don't start trying to run him out of town the smile returns. "Is it ok for me to entertain the little ones, or would you all like to hear a tale or two from our travels? " Maybe I can entertain their chief and keep an eye on Angelika as well. "I wonder if your chief would like to hear our tales?" Melock nods to the other Rangers as they arrive, "though my friend's need is of greater urgency than my tales." He glances at the strange cats hissing at Haaro, "You might want to stay close to me Haaro and not wonder off."

Quicker than expected a man approaches garbed in the attire of a Priest of Chalana Arroy. His already golden skin shines with a magical hue and all present can feel the goodness of the man. Despite this his appearance is at odds with this as he has the build and face of a warrior.

"Greeting gentle persons. This is your fallen friend that you wish to return to that of the living?" He kneels to place a hand on Ohanzee's brow.

"This is something I can do, but first tell me why he of all people should have another chance?"

As he speaks a feeling of calm spreads out...
This message was last edited by the player at 14:38, Tue 21 Mar 2017.

The adults don't reply as they're distracted by the others appearing and Melock finds himself alone once more with the kids and a bunch of large and aggressive looking cats.

Hoskar sits down at he Zebra riders' table, just as his food and more arrives. There's drink a plenty, stories and a few songs, before his water is ready and the food is finished.

He's learned that Goodfeather is trying to negotiate a deal with supplying Garhound with it's needs but there's already someone who has recently put a successful tender in.

"A woman called Bexc or something like that" announces an already tipsy Zebra rider. The duck is staying at Geo's with Hommi.

Then sometime later, washed and and well fed Hoskar finds himself free to do what he wants. His room is larger than expected, a whole first floor of a small building at the rear of the inn. Below are the Zebra riders, a ladder going up to where there is ample room for the Condor brave and his fellow Rangers.

Amara stepped forward, unsure on how she should respond to the healer.  "This is Ohanzee Shappa. He has accomplished many great things, yet few anywhere would mark his name. You do not know us, white robe, yet we seek to restore the Garden. Something which would benefit many and may see an end to the strife between tribes. Ohanzee is part of this and we have already done many great things to benefit all. He has walked the walk and talked the talk. He died in trying to free me and one of my brother braves from captivity. I could sing songs as to why Ohanzee should be saved. He is the River Serpent as I am the Earth Queen and he is my year-husband. While I find him frustrating and annoying and having the self preservation instinct of one of the followers of the Desert Wind, his soul is a kind, warm and generous one. Without him, our spirit is weakened, with him, we can accomplish anything. We might yet not accomplish everything we seek to, we might fall in battle against chaos, but with Ohanzee our chances of succeeding and healing the Wastes improve." Amara bowed her head to the healer, her voice soft, reflecting her guilt over Ohanzee's death. "I ask that you restore him to us. You may ask for any price and I will see that you are paid. It is my fault that he lies here instead of sharing jokes and songs and warmth with us."

Amara tried not to let her anxiety show as she kneeled next to Ohanzee "I know he might be gone into the wind, laughing at us and what we're doing here. I know he might resent me and everything I am for trying to restore him, but we need him....I need him."

Temush's eyes threaten to pop out after Amara's unexpected declaration. Peevt bobs her head approvingly.

Amara's reply brings a genuine smile to the priest's scarred face.

"Well, it seems that he should be given the chance, for that was a most impassioned request.

Now two things before I start... I am under geas not to stay in the same building where I have healed, so we must go somewhere else, or I can not stay here in the temple. The next, is that I will accept no monetary compensation, but you must all swear to me that you will help the first follower of my goddess that asks, how ever small or great the task may be..."

Amara nodded "We can do this wherever you like. I agree to your terms and I'm sure the others will too." she said looking at the others pointedly. "Those who follow Chalana Arroy have always had a place of high regard in our tribes, we'd assist any who follow the Goddess in any case."

Henal smiles at Dukakis "the followers of the healing goddess are always respected in our tribes, so we can swear to that with no falsehood. Where can we go here for you to work your magic if not at this temple?"

Kobal bows to the priest.  "Our thanks for your help, Wise One.  As to second condition, I am willing to swear it, for Ohanzee Shappa is worth the oath.  However, I am concerned - what if the request of the first follower of Chalana Arroy is contrary to other oaths that we have sworn?  To help a Chaos beast?  For we Rangers are sworn against Chaos.  I would swear to help the first follower of the White Lady who asks, provided that it does not contravene my other oaths.  If it does, I will help that person in any other way I can.  Would that satisfy you?"  He looks both to the priest, and to Temush, the Sun Hawk in the group.

"Your previous oaths will always come first, warrior" answers the priest to Kobal.

"Where are you staying? We will see if we can bring your friend back there. I will send my initiates to prepare the room. Have you eaten? You all look famished."

"We could swear to swear to do all we can, that does not seem sure death or in breach of our oaths, to help the first that asks, and should that not meet their need, to do the same for the next, and so on until we have done all that was asked by one of you." Temush suggests.

"Your truth seer speaks with great wisdom."
This message was last updated by the player at 08:10, Wed 22 Mar 2017.

"I am happy with that," says Kobal, with a nod to Temush.  "I so swear by Waha, the Khan of Khans, and by Thunder Bird."

"As to your question about where we're staying, uh, we haven't arranged that yet.  Nor have we eaten yet.  Our first concern was our fallen comrade."  He looks at Dukakis, hoping that the priest will offer some hospitality.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:33, Wed 22 Mar 2017.

Several attendants hover nearby and scurry off at a look from their priest.

"Come eat with me...I suspect you will be staying at the Silent Partner being nomads. I shall send my people there to make preparations. Expect a crowd. They will assist, but they will want feeding...The cost of that will be yours.

And of course despite my not having a fee, donations to the temple are always welcome..."

The priest ushers the Rangers through to an ante room where once sat upon the floor, food is brought. Ohanzee is brought too.

In the background preparations can be heard to be taking place, as folk scurry this way and that and several times initiates of the other Storm pantheon gods approach, give salutations to the priest and observe the sitting braves.

"Quite the occasion" remarks Dukakis

"You travel with an ancient spirit. Tell me about him whilst you eat. He has much compassion for such a warlike soul..."

"Thank you again, Wise One."  Another bow.  "We will look after your people with the same generosity you have shown us."

Kobal smiles.  "And yes, we always intended to make offerings to the temple."



"Yes," says Kobal.  "We are the Wandering Rangers.  We follow Emesh-Ga, Copper Man, an Earth Captain of Tada, from the Green Age."  As he says this, he takes off his helmet and rests it in front of himself, before Dukakis Pelithor.  "It is to our Lord Captain that we have already sworn oaths, to destroy Chaos, but also to nurture the Earth and make it whole again.  So in a sense we strive to be healers too."  He smiles.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:10, Wed 22 Mar 2017.

Once their food is finished the Rangers are informed that their room has been sorted and that it is ready to receive the Priest, the deceased and the braves. Just over an hour has passed, and after a further fifteen minutes the Priest too is ready.

Outside it is dark and a small crowd has gathered, covered lamps and lit bullrush torches ready to light the way. Ohanzee's litter is lifted up on to Rangers' shoulders and off they go, with the Priest in the lead, followed by chanting initiates, who wave incense in the air and bang cymbals in time with the holy words.

The town is silent, an expectant hush falling as the procession makes it way up the street. Inhabitants of all the houses stand in the doorways, on flat roofs or along the side of the buildings. Each joining in the simple refrain, sending sacrifices of power to the goddess, willing success, and wondering who this special person was.

Curious looks pass over the Rangers, which after half the journey has been made, turn into gasps as Emesh-Ga begins to coalesce next to the litter. Towering over them all, his head level with those standing on single story rooftops, he adds his own deep bass to the song....
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:40, Thu 23 Mar 2017.

Not long after Hoskar finds several initiates of the Healing goddess inquiring about his room and once they know it is the place they begin preparing it for the arrival of Ohanzee's body. Blessings are made and clean linen placed on the floor. Then oil lamps lit so the room is bathed in light.

Downstairs the Zebra Riders stop their revelry and help with the arrival of scores of locals drawn by the coming ritual.