In reply to Kell (msg # 12):

"I thought the dwarves did that Kell. I could stand to learn a few languages too, but I find it difficult to pick up."

Zell chuckled, "I'd have to agree with Quinn, Kell. But don't mention that to the Elves. While we're here, the Elves did it first. While with Dwarves, they did it first.

My mother taught me how to speak elvish, but I always thought it was a foofy language. That's why I really prefer the Common tongue of man. It's a mix of everything. But Yes, Kell, I can teach it to you. It might take awhile, but it can be done."

  "But what do you do when you are with dwarves and elves? Hmmmm....... Generally Kell the Armors were dwarves as were axes and hammers. Most of the good Swords were elfwork. And before any Tel-Quessir get big heads credit where credit is due is why I said it." he catches himself before saying some sort of off putting remark about superior spirits.

"So your the bloke with the stone. And it's good to finally meet you Zarmantan Anthel speaks highly of your skills in her journal." he looks at them both. "And if you want the story of the staff Old Man it's tit for tat. I give you new knowledge for new knowledge for me. We are both long lived mages we know how the game is played." he says with a chuckle.

Kell adds "if we are seeking knowledge, I add my own inquiry. Zamartan, do you know anything about the Earth Stone and its abilities?"

Nym replies in kind still in Elven.

[Language unknown: Ousstrdin atiin Saningoneand.  Ineithres si neweit ckli es nd ecrom.  Ncsiil thaareour ei ureek esosevus iclo terforichratrat t k ie a hou men ce onutho itrat sheionnot evwele urwifo.]

Nym continues in common and smiles at Rivka.

Zell, Elven in not a foofy language as you call it in common.  It is a very musical and very poetic language.  Most humans, and some other races have a hard time with it because they do not understand music and poetry and how they work together to describe beauty.  I would suggest you learn some more so as to impress your own queen.

Nino continued to gobble food, but he did watch the elven lady walk away and figured that the party was to follow, so Nino followed the princess.

"I'm not going to argue with you, Nym. I'm a half breed. The elvish side of me learned it and the human side of me tolerated it. Is it foofy? Yes. Is it musical and poetic? Yes. Will I learn more of it to impress Rivka? I doubt it. I use the language to communicate, not impress."

  "Someone want to get Nino? I'd call him back but well...."he gestures to himself.

 he says.

"All of that aside fact is you don't have to learn anything you don't want to."

Neliwen smiled in return, when Master Winterglade looked upon her with gentle eyes, she admired the man truly for his skill but also his devotion to the healing arts. The pale elf smirked while listening to the various demands and requests for information and different points of view regarding languages and their values. It seemed fitting that a dwarf was looking at it from a practical point of view, while an elf would admire a language's beauty and role in creating poetry. She'd be most happy to join this group if only to get the opportunity to study the dynamics of their diverse cultures interacting.

[Language unknown: "Eiekto Laressshecomear, mewech pr ncfor ereen ch ss kor pr estenctedeau?"] she asked the older elf, holding out the magical bag.

Nym smiles at Zell.

My friend in this case it is a matter of both communicating and impressing, not to make an impression, but to impress the importance of what is being communicated.

Nym looks over at Kell.

Kell, I'd be happy to help you learn Elvish.  In return you can teach me what you know about making armor and weapons.  It might be that I will need such skills in the future.

Nym turns to Zarmatan but doesn't say anything as he awaits his reply to the questions already voiced by others.

Zell chuckled and gave Rivka a hug and pointed to Nym, Kell and Yacob,

"See my queen? It's not important that we learn everything. It's important that we surround ourselves with the ones who do. That's why they're called subjects."

Zell tried holding back a smile, but was having some difficulty...

Zarmatan looks at the group, snorting at Yacob as he sopke in the different languages. "No one likes a show off boy. Your skills in language aren't bad, but your trying too hard with the grunts in the orcish, and your draconic is a bit rusty."  Kalthranath Winterglade smiled at the behavour of the human as he spoke, shaking his head.

Zarmatan looked at them with a sigh. "...but i can't deny your words. You've earnt some explination." The wizard turned and started walking on a bough to the right, leqading to an arch. He shopped part way, and looked back with a furrowed brow. "Well, what ya waiting for....a written invitatiojn?" He started walking, mumbling to himself.

Kalthranath chuckled as he started walking, looking at the group, his gaze finishing on Yacob. "He's been that way for close to four centuries now.....sounds more dwarf than human at times. I suspect you will get on well if you don't kill each other."

As the group follows, you walk through the arch to an open  roofed room, holding a table, on it drinks of wine, water and ale and platters of cheese, fruit and bread. Zarmatan is already sitting at the head of the table.  Kalthranath walks and sits beside him.

Zarmatan looks atr them all as they sit, looking at Nino, then back at Yacob. "Tell the big guy if he wants some meat, it can be arranged. Now....what do you want toi know?"

Kell rumbles " 'what is the purpose of the Stones, and how are they utilized' might be a good start."
He waits for Yacob and the others to chime in.

In reply to Kell (msg # 25):

Quinn takes a seat with deference to Yacob and Nym and Zell so they could sit closer to their hosts.

Nym takes a seat beside Neliwen, but lets her sit closer to the Princess and Kalthranath.

No, we would rather spend the energy and effort helping those who need it for the betterment of the world than killing each other.  Even as we tease each other about various things.

  "Nothing wrong with being dwarvish. We are pragmatic and far to calculating at times. So yeah if we don't kill.each other I tend to think you are right. That being said you do hold one of Zarmantan's stones." he says with a chuckle. "And before you ask the staff did this." he motions towards himself.

   "I would bet my life that he has ideas on how the stones are used but no concrete facts on that. Single stones sure not the set. But first let's give him some stuff to mull over." he proceeds to tell the story of their journey so far.  When he finishes he says "And that is when you told me I speak rusty draconic and crappy orc. Kell has a good question. And we can talk about the staff later just you and me."

With a roll of her eyes and a soft sigh at the antics of the wizards, Nerissa followed them to the next room, where she took a seat close to Kaltranath. Politely she kept quiet and did her best to keep a straight face at the exchanges at the table. The pale sun elf was glad the elves in the village had accepted her this far and she'd do her best to keep it that way.

With the topic being stones of relic status and magical items that the sage knew little to nothing about, she listened intently on what was being said.

Rivka chuckled as she hugged her handsome man.
"These fellows make for a more than adequate privy council, my love"

Zarmatan looks at the group, listening to the tale of the dwarf-turned-dragonling. Even the elf, Kalthranath listened in silence. When  Yacob was finished with the tale, Zarmatan looked at Kell, then Kalthranath with raised eyebrows. The elf sighed and was the first to speak.

"What council you had from the lady of waterdeep was wise...I have known Zarmatan a very long time, despite him being human and myself an elf - but he will go over that. The stone of life is indeed here..." He indicated the stone on the top of his staff.

"I found the stone a long time ago, when i was a little younger than you Nym. I was but a humble cleric then. I didn't fully know what i had, but knew it was special. When i spent time with it, i realised it's power was close to my heart - one that wanted to heal the sick and injured."

"It was a few months later when The mistress in red and Zarmatan found me....within hours of each other. The mistress and her minions had cornered me, and i had used all my skills to hide from her. It was then that Zarmatan came and saved me."

Zarmatan chimed in. "No need for your life story Kalthranath!" He shook his head, but even then Kalthranath  smiled at him. "To answer your question Yacob, yes I know some things of teh stnes, and who follows you, but if you want to know what it is, you need to understand."

He placed his hand s on the table, leaning forward. "You want the full story, and your all in....the whole hog! The bitch queen and her cronies will hunt you down and kill you on the spot. Your life will be dedicated to these items. Now is the time to turnback, because if you don't, you will face peril, danger, death and destruction at every turn....But you survive, and you will have save existance itself, and be privy to a power that even Elminster can't fathom. You will have power, and a tale of the ages, but it will cost you all."

Nym speaks softly and in common for his friends to understand.  His tone is one of fear and dread and hope.

I don't know that we have that choice.  If we turn back there is no guarantee that she won't find the stones first.  Even if we continue forward there is no guarantee that she won't find them first.  The only thing I see that is guaranteed is that if she does find them first all of Faerun and possibly all of Toril could fall under her control.

Nym continues in elven.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:31, Fri 01 Jan 2021.

"I was chosen by these fine folks to lead. Not because I'm the smartest, strongest, or most powerful. I was chosen because I will always put the needs of the many above my own. I did this so we didn't lose knowledge or so I hope. Regardless this form is an improvement on my original form so it should keep me alive longer. Which means I can help more. I am way past the whole hog here. And I don't think the botch queen is going to let us walk away anyway or at least not myself."

"Hmm, because we thwarted her and opposed her, she will make an example of us. Or try."

That's exactly right Quinn.

Neliwen kept quiet during the conversation, while she was thankful for the group's support in bringing the much needed supplies to the village, she didn't consider herself attached to them. She was sure Yacob would agree to that assessment. So, rather than comment, the pale sun elf contemplated the consequences of this new information for herself. Neliwen knew little about the dragon queen and she knew only slightly more about Zarmatan, but she knew what was important about Kalthranath. Based on the serious but warm-hearted elf, she was concerned with the repercussions a victory of the dragon queen could mean.

Of course, being of the Nenuial family meant they would welcome her at the eternal isle and she could probably live out her life in peace and harmony. Until the forces of evil would eventually show up at their doorstep, and wouldn't that mean they would become a threat to the sons and daughters of the elves? She sighed, how could she shrug off this kind of responsibility?

Kell rumbles "saving reality is no mean feat. I have always done my utmost to preserve those I treasure. As for costs, I was built for shouldering burdens, be they physical or of the soul. So say on, I am prepared to commit to this."