Thamol forget what doing and turns to the Pegasus.  He is totally overwhelmed by the creature.
He walks to wards it slowly and careful.
"You are a beautiful creature.  I am please to know you." He says in elvish softly.

The pegasus blinks once.  The eye color of the magnificent beast changes from deep dark brown into shining blue at the moment.  It neighs softly in approval to Thamol.  Then it looks around the group and field.  After circling around, it's attitude appears to shift from one of alertness, to something a little more relaxed.

-K

Ivan finally got to his feet, at the approach of the pegasus and his strange rider.  He sheathed his greatsword, taking care to wipe it off first on his surcoat, and leaned against it in his soreness.
"Who asks?" He called out.

Stepping towards the creature showing no hostile intent, though being a mage thats not saying much since one can slay another without a sound or a movement. Stroking the pegasus's coat she examines the creature carefully. Noting every part of it, knowing the knowledge may be important later.

Noting the wounded, yet all conscious group and their apparent readiness to camp for the evening, the halfling's concern appears to be eased a little.  "I am Tobin, lieutenant in the Damaran Army, Bloodstone Gate defense.  Some people call me Pegasus-Friend.", the halfling stands straight, and you see a crest on his chainshirt, and barding on the Pegasus.



Lexis nods, noticing the crest.  Apparently she thinks he is legit.

"I have been pursuing a necromancer named Neconlius.  He has recently become very active after a few months of inactivity, and is causing great concern amongst those Damarans who monitor the Vaasan activities.  I see you have seen a very recent battle here.  Have you seen the necromancer?"

The Pegasus, in the meanwhile, roams around and apparently examining the massive amount of neatly stacked pile of bones (OOC: For those who are new, on top of the 4 skeletons that were with the Bloodbulk, there were about 28 skeletons guarding the front of the mine before the group entered the mine.  The NPCs waiting outside was disposing the remnant of crushed skeletons when Neconlius showed up...) and also the remain of the Bloodhulk.  The halfling turns his head to see the Pegasus as it examines the pile of rotten flesh, as if the halfling is picking up on Pegasus' progress.



-K
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:28, Sat 18 Aug 2007.

Zar'Da slid his sword once again into it's sheath, wincing a little from the dull ache in his shoulder.
"It would seem you have missed him. We had been traking the foul mage ourselves but did not fair too well in keeping our hands on the slippery eel."

Vile man, if he may still be called a man. Abomination is a better word I believe. He destroyed my village recently so I only now started the hunt, but I swear he will die at my hands. Hmmmm I noticed that the pegasus is different from other pegasus I've seen. Can you tell me how is it special? looking at the pegasus.

Tarmes stares at the halfling as he lands and rubs her hands on her clothes to clean off some of the bone dust or whatever else might have been clinging to the skeleton remains. Seeing that the halfling meant them no harm put the pretty girl at ease again. She stood close by listening to the conversation but did not have anything useful to add but she was curious, ”How far have you chased the light forsaken Neconlius? Are we near the Bloodstone Gate?”

"Slippery indeed.  We have been alarted of his increased activity since he was spotted at the Castle Perlious a while ago.  We keep eyes on the traffic in and out of Castle.  He appeared to have recovered something out of the Castle and headed this way.  I have been trying to catch up to him since.  I did pass over the burned down villege not too far away from here.  I was hoping there's some surviver somewhere."

"You are indeed lucky you are alive.  His mastery of dark arts is quite potent.  But I suspect his visit here was meant for something else, and you happened to be in his way.  Did you see him?  Was there any indication why he was here?  How long ago did he leave here and which way did he go?", his questions are plain and paced, but you can see he is anxious and hurried, perhaps over-excited that he is close to catching up the necromancer.

"Excuse my overzealousness.  As for my Pegasus, Swiftwind, he is not a special Pegasus, as ordinary as you can be for a Pegasus, perhaps, but he is special to me.  I met him 3 years ago, when I was tracking down a hoard of rampaging skeleton.  I was about to be overrun, when he swept down onto the mass of bones, and I managed to grab onto him, and he brought me to safety.  We have been hunting down necromancers and undead ever since.  He is my divine mount, companion, and guide."

"As for where we are, we are not too far away from the Bloodstone Path.  It is about 2 days of travelling to the Gate on foot from here.", Lexis, who has some knowledge of the geography here also seems to agree.

-K

The halfling and his excited nature remind Tarmes of Penville minus the preoccupation with death. ”See him? Aye, I saw him. Bloody ugly and too smug for his own good that one. He flew off like a coward not long ago. Straight up in the air he went. I think he was here to turn a whole village into zombies or worse like that big ole ugly whatever it was that made such a mess of us.” She quickly recounted how they found the people in the mine but couldn’t get them out before Neconlius collapsed the mine on top of the people. She explained how there was probably much more to the mine based on the ladders and shafts they saw but there had not been enough time to search either of those directions. Tarmes also briefly described the blood hulk. ”All in all the flaming wizard was ten steps ahead of us or more. Him and his light forsaken death magic. I am looking forward to watching him burn in a great ball of flames!”

"I see.  I have been chasing him for a good month or so, and I don't think he had time to complete what he intended to do here.  He knew I was close.  Perhaps there was some reason other than to kill all the villegers.  Bloodhulk you say?  That's interesting indeed.", the halfling trots over to the pile of flesh that used to be the monstrousity and examine it closely.

"This is indeed Bloodhulk!  I have only heard stories about it.  I know of two groups who mainly practice using this monstorousity.  A Thayan necromancer Szazz Tam, or Velsharoon cult.  Neconlius must have travelled elsewhere before coming back here in Vaasa."

-K

Zar'Da listened intently to the small halfling. When he mentioned possible accomplises the half drow said,"Maybe we should track down these helpers of his and squeeze them for information."

Halfling adds his two cents, "As far as I know, Venshaloon cult has never been anywhere near this part of the realm.  And Szazz Tam, well, if he was here, we'd know, and that'd be a far more important issue to deal with, than our Neconlius.  It would probably be the Witch-King all over again.  I suspect Neconlius probably has a connection down south.  My guess is he has visited Thay himself."

-K

Thamol listen to the other talking.  The true is he really could not care to much about the necromancer.  Yes he like him dead but Thamol sure that happen sometime soon.  He has a few question for the halfing but seeing him he realizes that there is no point.
He returns to his friends.  His horse, his wolf and his owl.
He sits down and waits.

At Tarmes' report of the cave-in, Talvaroff's face paled.
"Totally?  No, it can't be!  It must just be the entrance!" Talvaroff said in a loud, shocked voice, and he ran to the rocks piled at the entrance.  He took up a large, heavy rock, and threw it wildly aside, and moved on to the next one, evidently intent on clearing the entrance to get through.

Seeing the large man in distress Zar'Da rushed to his side and knocked the rock from his hands. He grabbed the man and turned Talvaroff to face him.
"It is done, there is nothing we can do for them. If Tarmes says the place came down then they have their resting place. I am sorry but you must turn whatever anger or sadness towards the man responsible." Zar'Da said, his voice sturn but with a hint of sadness. It may have sounded cold but growing up in the place he did, one learns to bury emotion until the time is right.

Coming up beside Zar’da, she explains, ”When I went chasing after Neconlius into the mine I heard a big explosion from far deeper. The whole bloody place must’ve collapsed on itself.” Tarmes’ voice takes on a softer tone. ”You knew a lot of the people in there did you? I suppose the flaming necromancer did not want a whole village chasing him across the countryside for revenge.”

"Or, perhaps, there might be something he left behind and didn't want either me or you to have, or find out.  In general, necromancy is very expensive business.  He might have his resources inside here, and came by and took what he can carry, and left everything else buried to be dug up by himself later.", the halfling turns into contemplative mood and then looks up.  "Will you perhaps run an errand for me?  I am close to Neconlius and can almost catch up, and do not have time to properly investigate here.  I'd like a team sent from the Bloodstone Gate to investigate this site.  I need you to send a message to my superior."

-K

Hmmmm, what exactly is this message that you wish for us to send? waiting to know the full extent of the mission before offering herself to accept it.

"That they need to send someone to investigate this collapsed mine.  Here, let me write a quick letter for you.", the halfling scuttles over to the Pegasus, and takes a parchment and pen.  He squibbles short note very quickly and urgently onto the parchment, then takes a piece of wax from the saddle bag and burning twig from the bonfire, melt some wax onto the parchment and seal it with a ring.  The seal makes similar insignia to the crest shown to be the guard of Bloodstone Gate.  The note reads:

Captain Kaief,

During the pursuit of Neconlius, I have encountered what appears to be his temporary hideout in the Galena Mountains.  It was an old abandoned mine, and it was collapsed by Neconlius upon his encounter with a band of adventurers.  My suspicion is that he hid something in the mines, and I believe this needs to be investigated.

My pursuit continues, and I am close.  I must move on, but I urge you to look into this matter.  The messengers are the samaritans who found the hideout first, and interfered with Neconlius plan.  They know the exact location and some knowledge of the mine there, and they can perhaps help you further.  They have been quite helpful, and please compensate them thusly.

Lieutenant Tobin, the Pegasus-friend

The halfling hands you the parchment.  "Show the letter to the guard at the Bloodstone Gate.  They will see the seal and know this is an official letter, and will escort you to my superior officer.  I suspect you have made quite a dent in Neconlius' plan here, and people of Damara owe you a debt, risking for your life.  You will be rewarded for your assistance.

-K

It was not lost on Tarmes that Mundin and a few of the others among them had been silent and reserved since the battle. She had decided not to bring attention to it before now. However, as far as Tarmes was concerned Mundin had been in charge of their expedition up to now. This offer by Lieutenant Tobin required a leadership decision. On the other hand, the offer of compensation sounded like it would make a worthwhile trip to the Bloodstone Gate. ”I suppose we can make this little errand for you lieutenant. Anybody got any objections?”

Thamol has been keping quite.  He not really leader unless it come to animals.  He also want to ask the halfing something but decides now is not the time.
"I think we can help the lieutenant and maybe help reduce the damage the necromancer has done here."
He walks up to halfing and opens his hand to take the letter.

Zar'Da once again gives Talvaroff a reassuring slap on the shoulder then makes his way back to his wounded companions.
"I would be willing to continue with you all if you would have me." the young hal drow said, although the thought of being in a city so full of humans that might potetially not accept him was a bit unnerving.

Talvaroff sat on a stone he had thrown aside, and held his bronze dragon helm in his hands, staring at it.  He looked very thoughtful, and grief was etched deeply in his face.  He had not truly known those people for long, but that hadn't stopped them from being.  Being men and women, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, with jobs and hopes and dreams and little quirks that made their little village life go 'round.
At last, after Tarmes' question, he stood up, picked up his dropped greatsword, and slung it around his shoulder.  Ivan stood tall, and his face was grim as he said, in Damaran,
"By my oath, may Tyr the Maimed see that it is stronger than all the world, I swear upon the bones of my father, the earth of my motherland, and my very soul, that I will do whatever I may to bring down Neclonius, and all of his thrice-cursed ilk!"

The halfling bows to Thamol's knees.  "Thank you.  I must be off now.  I am this close to Neconlius.  I must keep the pressure and keep pace with the man at least, and hopefully catch up.  I have a feeling he is heading towards Thay."

"Here, have this also.", he draws and tosses a wand to the Cleric of Ilmater.

"That's a wand charged with the Lesser Vigor spell.  Looks like you need it."

Then he jumps up in spectacular display of athleticism, into 20 feet in the air.  As he is airbourne, the Pegasus trots and starts its flight, sliding underneath the rider with his military issued saddle, and flies off together.

"Farewell and safe journey!, the duo flies off to the dark sky off to south western direction, and quickly you lose the sight of the magnificent beast and its small rider.

OOC: This is the end of this thread.  Please continue to the new thread named: "The Cold Lands: To the Bloodstone Gate"

-K