Emerald looks concerned when Kennedy falls, so she hurries over to check on him. Seeing him stand up and act like he's fine (sort of), she pauses. When Kennedy goes and gives a speech, Emerald is confused. She looks further confused when people listen to him, but it IS the right day for anyone to just walk up and talk about their god of choice.

When Kennedy collapses again, Emerald walks calmly to him. Seeing Joey administer first aid and Joey's assessment, Emerald ohs and says, "Let's get him some shade and water."

Emerald walks with Joey and once Kennedy is in some shade, she helps situate him. "I wonder if a demon possessed him... a god-hater is certainly a candidate and as you pointed out, there were some very subtle lies mixed in. I've never heard of heat exhaustion, drunkenness, even a combination of the two causing someone to do a 180 on their beliefs. Unless... maybe he was a devout believer of the Platinum Dragon and his stupor relieved him briefly of what memories he has that causes him to hate the gods?"

(Emerald religion roll on Bahamut: 17 + 3 = 20. Her religion isn't trained (yet), but she rolled high, and has a nice int score. So she juuust got the DC 20. There's a DC 25, though. Maybe some day later she'll get that. ;) For now, though, knowing up to the DC 20 is actually a LOT. So I'll say she studied a little on Bahamut from time to time, but never got extra serious about it until she trains in religion, when she multiclasses into a divine class)

Some say the shade cools the soul, in this case it helps revive Kennedy -- with the aid of Joey of course. It takes several minutes of aid to finally bring Kennedy to a conscious, yet hazy, state. His clothes are soaked in sweat and his wavy blonde hair is plastered to his head.
Trying to clear the cobwebs out of his head, Kennedy tries to recall what happened. "Wha .. what," he gulps, "happened?" he asks Joey and Emerald. His mouth is dry and each word is harsh on his throat.
After they explain what they experienced Kennedy is shocked. "I," he hesitates, he's tried so hard to leave his past behind, but it seems to keep following him, "I said that?"
After a couple gulps of water or wine he tries to explain. "I was once a follower of Bahamut. My views on the Dragon God were skewed; too extreme for some. When my brother died I cursed Bahamut and set out to sail the seas, in hopes of finding," he shakes his head not knowing really what he was looking for, "something, anything, nothing. Perhaps death." Kennedy continues, "that was three years ago when he died and I left. Then I returned home to find that my family had left, but no one knew where to. So I set out to find them. Which is why I'm here today."
Hopefully with the aid of Emerald and Joey, Kennedy gets to his feet. He wipes a single tear from his eye. The memory of his brother's death still stung. "Where to?"

To Emerald's speculation Joey shrugged.

"I'm sorry for your loss.  Where to next should probably be someplace to pick up a healthy bite to eat and a refreshing cool drink.  Are you feeling well enough to walk on your own?  I don't want you passing out again.  We could always let you rest here and bring you something."

Putting his hand to his head in an attempt to ease the throbbing pain he was experiencing he sakes his head no. "I'm fine. Really. Don't let me hold things up." He follows, and remains quiet for sometime. Even during the meal.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:02, Tue 19 June 2012.

The waitress is relatively plain, but has a pleasant smile and seems generally upbeat and helpful.

Concerning Kennedy, Emerald doesn't press the issue. The man is probably already beating up on himself as it is. However, Kennedy's lack of conversation doesn't stop Emerald from conversing with Joey. "So, Joey, what got you to your path? How was it you came to follow Avandra specifically as opposed to one of the other gods? And what do you believe in? What's your creed?"

Some gruff man comes in with a little boy. The man is practically dragging the boy by his wrist and orders some water for himself and the boy.

"Glad you're doing better, Mr. Kennedy," Joey says, unsure if it's true.

He exhales as if Emerald asked him a difficult question.

"My story?  Simply put, I was a lost soul who was shown undeserved compassion by my mentor.  He was a cleric of the Church of Pelor and taught me that my life didn't have to be so dark.  Unfortunately, my uhm...  background...  caused...  complications.  I was forced to take on a new identity and disappear.  Not that there's a bounty on my head or anything.  No one considers me worth any gold, fortunately.  But since then I found that the Church of Avandra is very understanding and they helped me out a great deal in my new life.

"What do I believe in?  My creed is simply to show others the compassion and understanding I was shown.  To reflect the light that was shined upon my own life.  To be the shield that was raised in my defense."

His voice cracks a little as his eyes mist up and he smiles warmly.  "How about yourself?  What's your story?  Your creed?"

Kennedy nods to Joey in thanks. He treds softly, following his companions to wherever they may lead.

Hearing Joey's story though brings about questions. What sort of background did Joey come from that was so 'complicated', that it caused him to require a change in identity? It was a question that deserved an answer, but hopefully, in due time, Joey would open up and explain his past. As Kennedy knew one day he would need to come clean about his own.

It was the question that Joey ended with, that lead Kennedy to keep his ears open and his mouth closed, for once. What was Emerald's story? The tiny creature had intrigued Kennedy, perhaps her story would bring some hope to the two men that accompanied her.

Emerald says, "When I was at my lowest, I was taken in. Adopted by a loving couple and their son. They taught me what love is. I don't know what part the gods played in that, if any. But I know that some of them symbolize what I really believe in. And for that, I pay respect. For if those gods are simply just a symbol of what I believe in, I would be a hypocrite to curse them. I believe in love: The power to change people. The same power that moves the world. Good or evil, all people need love and most experience it at some point. So it is my goal to lift up the hearts of those around me. Since singing is a talent of mine, I choose to use song to lift people up. But I also choose companionship, for those who will have it, to not only lift them up, but also to hopefully bring love into lives, whether they already have it or not. Let me sing you a song..."

She clears her throat and begins to sing:

"I used to be, a Pharisee,
Cynical and wise, telling rich ungodly lies,
Of humanity...
But in the market place was seated,
a cripple with a lyre, I looked at him and said,
"I've been rich but so unhappy,
What set's your soul on fire?"

He said "Look upon me sister, I am a man with piece of mind,
I know I never was much good at nothing
But the words I wrought and rhyme,
But I've a good woman to feed me, and friends to share it too,
Evenings we sit around and sing together,
It can be the same for you"...

Just hold on, To young friends you made of old,
And cleave too, the one who keeps us whole,
Keep a warm fire for all your friends,
who come in from the cold,
Love them all as brothers,
you don't have to know their names,
For you it might be different,
but for us it always stays the same..."

She pauses the song to assess the reactions of Joey and Kennedy.

Joey is smiling, looking like the song moved him near to tears.  "You have sucn a lovely voice, Emerald.  Your loving heart is beautifully reflected in your music.  Thank you.  I daresay if Avandra were here she'd show you some respect in return.  But since she can't, I'll applaud you for us both."

He claps enthusiastically for Emerald.

Kennedy sniffs and quickly wipes his eyes. Emerald's song and stuck a cord deep within, but one of the things Kennedy had learned in his short life, was to show compassion, but not too much, where you become vulnerable. He gives a fake cough, clears his throat gruffly, and says, "Must have been something in the air."

Scanning the room he looks for the tavern's entertainment. Spying a young girl dressed in silks of oranges and reds he beacons her over. Her long, wavy black hair caresses her cheek and shoulder as she slowly crosses the room. She may have been but ten and six, but her sparkling green eyes and the way she held herself, made Kennedy believe she had years hidden beneath her young features.

She smiled at him and traced a long line on Kennedy from shoulder to shoulder, lingering to twirl his golden hair in her sweet fingers. "Hello," she said softly. The room had melted away. To Kennedy, there was nothing more in the world than this girl and him. "I'm Laniya," her words were like honeyed ale. He wanted to drink in everything she said.

She positioned herself between him and the table, putting her back to both Joey and Emerald. He hadn't said a word since her arrival. She was intoxicating. Her smile. Her eyes. Her body. Her words -- what few she'd spoken. Had all called to him. He was lost within her presence. He didn't even notice when she slipped his coin purse from his hip.
____________________________________________________________________________________
EDIT: ^{Laniya's Theivery roll to get purse: 1d20+14 = 32
Kennedy's Perception roll to notice: 1d20+8 = 24</}
_{OOC: I thought it was time for a little bit of action. Wasn't sure when our "narrator" was going to guide us on our quest.
After creating Laniya, I realized her Theivery skill was at a +14! Not a 10 like I thought.}
This message was last edited by the player at 06:34, Tue 31 July 2012.

Emerald gives a helpless look as the sudden distraction of a seductress comes along. "Boy, she's laying it on thick. Wish I had the courage to be that forward..." When the lady faces her back to Emerald and Joey, however, Emerald seems to be very annoyed. One might even say furious. But it only lasts about a second before she takes a deep breath and smiles again. With a voice sweeter than honey, somewhat musical, and in a rather friendly tone, Emerald says, "Umm... excuse me, honey. We're friends of his and were in the middle of a conversation. Mind sitting on a chair so we can resume talking?"

Emerald saw right through the lady. She has also stolen both Kennedy's coin purse AND Layana's coin purse (if she had one) while the lady was distracted with Emerald's sweet tone and disposition. Emerald is giving an adorable smile up at Layana, using her cute to push Layana's woman buttons (the same buttons pushed when a gal sees a baby or a puppy).

---

Emerald's Insight: d20+7 = 26
Emerald's Thievery: d20+9 = 29
Emerald's Bluff: d20+11 = 30

...what can I say? I rolled high. O.o So Emerald rolled outlandishly high to see through Layana's intent. And for reasons I won't reveal yet, Emerald has very good reason to see that anyway, so the roll matched her perfectly. The thievery check, of course, to pick-pocket. And the bluff check was so Layana has no idea Emerald is annoyed with her. Emerald is faking being pleasant and kind.

Since Kennedy was distracted with Layana, AND Layana literally blocked any view of Emerald, I'mma say Kennedy didn't notice Emmy being annoyed. But I'll go ahead and say DC 15 perception for Joey to have noticed Emmy's quick change from nice to angry to SUPER nice.

Joey purses his lips and the corners of his eyes wrinkle a bit like he can't decide if he wants to frown or laugh.  He simply clears his throat, nods to what Emerald said, and waits patiently to see what will come of this latest development, but instinctively pats his belt to make sure his decoy coin bag is still there.  He's learned long ago to keep the majority of his gold hidden in a less accessible place.

---

Since Laniya is Kennedy's NPC, Tim and I will likely be taking on the role of players and let Kennedy GM this scene.

This boy is mine. She thought to herself. Having first noticed him, long before he had seen her, she knew he would be her next target. Laniya had worked this inn hundreds of times over the past few years. Always giving the innkeep a portion of what she took in payment for his "hospitality".

She slipped the stolen purse into her hip pouch as she gave Kennedy a lustful look. The banter from his two companions was going unnoticed. Which was a mistake she had made over and over in the past, as the purse slipped right into Emerald's waiting paw.

Laniya gracefully slid her hand over Kennedy's cheek, teasing his hair and lips with her light touch. She could see his eyes gloss over and at that moment she knew she could continue with this con. She giggled as Kennedy returned her touch, and nibbled on his ear, whispering sensual secrets in his ear.

As usual, Laniya found herself being whisked away from the table. She let a soft chuckle escape her lips. Catching the innkeep's gaze she gave the man a slight nod. That was his clue for what was going to be transpiring over the next few hours. The innkeep gave no sign of recognition, instead only heading upstairs on the heels of Laniya and Kennedy to allow them access to one of the few vacant rooms.
____________________________________________________________________________________
^{Laniya's Perception roll to notice Emerald stealing back the purse: d20(6)+11=17 FAIL!}
_{1) Perception checks for spotting the silent exchange between Laniya and the innkeep.}

Emerald watches Laniya in a bit of bewilderment. Without looking at Joey, her eyes still locked on Laniya as she leaves, Emerald says, "...did you see that, Joey? She just acted like I wasn't here and like I didn't say anything. And Kennedy acted the same. They didn't even bother saying "mind your own business" or something equally stupid. She must have cast a spell on him. I don't like it..." that last part said darkly. "He might not be alive next time we see him if she's casting spells on him. Let's hope she's just a serious flirt and nothing more."

She decides it best to not mention anything about the thievery yet.

---

Emerald's Perception: d20+1 = 9. Low perception score for the time being. ;)

Heh. Emerald doesn't have perception trained. Yet. And I even went beyond how many skills I would normally start with since I multiclassed. Since you already know Emerald's a bard, I'll give a small peak under the hood. Here's the skills Emmy actually trained in:

Arcana (comes automatically with bard), Acrobatics, Bluff, Insight, Streetwise, Thievery (from Multiclass Rogue)

As you've probably guessed both from the fact I'm trained in the above and the fact Emmy palmed the coin purses, Emerald has a thief-like background. ;) Looking forward to exchanging more about each others' characters as we RP together! ^.^

"'With persuasive words she led him astray;'" Joey quotes to Emerald,
    "she seduced him with her smooth talk.
All at once he followed her
    like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer stepping into a noose
    little knowing it will cost him his life."

He follows along with Emerald, keeping up with the innkeeper.  "Since this young lady is apparently deaf to the voice of the friends of her mind-controlled thrall," he says to the innkeeper in a stern voice, "I will appeal to your sense of responsibility.  Ordinarily I am a laid-back and permissive sort of paladin, but I can be quite uncompromising when it comes to the well-being of my friends.  More importantly, Emerald here is a bard - notorious for being able to persuade even the most reluctant magistrate to act on her behalf.  To put it gently, it would be very unwise for someone to be involved in anything that takes advantage of our friend."

He watches the two very carefully with the eyes of an old west gunslinger, ready to defend against whatever attack they may attempt.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:42, Thu 02 Aug 2012.

"Mind your own business," Kennedy hears the innkeeper reply to someone. It didn't matter who it was. All Kennedy wanted was to be with this enchanting woman.

She'd whispered some words in his ear and from that moment on he was hers. He flashed the young woman a smile and pulled her closer to him. He wanted to be one with her. Not two separate people sharing the same space, rather he wanted to be inside her. To know her in every sense. This was a feeling he'd never felt before, and he was enamored with it.

In a rush of emotion, he drew her close and kissed her. She must have been expecting it as she immediately returned the kiss. Something was off about it though. But he didn't care. He pulled her into a vacant room and quickly slammed the door shut. But a coldness had slipped under his skin.

He was scarred. He touched his side, it was wet. Tears filled his eyes. "Why?" he asked before passing out.

"Never kiss me again!" she spat. She loved to play the game, but the end result was always the same. They kissed her. "Say a few words to a man, and he thinks he can do whatever he wants!" She said outraged. Her words were soft, but they were cold and piercing.

She slid the dagger out from between Kennedy's ribs. It wasn't a killing blow by any means, but she knew where to stick the pointy end when it counted. She wiped the blade on Kennedy's tunic before kissing him on the forehead. "You had potential."

Laniya considered the scene. First she locked the door, and then she tossed the bed covers back and ruffled the small pillow. Looking around she knew this wasn't enough. Her gaze came across a mirror. Beauty is only skin deep. Raking her nails deep into her skin she drew blood and then slapped her face, hard.

She screamed. "Stooooooooooooop!" And ran to the door. Her fists slammed down onto the thick wooden barrier. "No! Noooooooooooooo!" She ran to the small window in the room, threw open the hatched and screamed again. "Help me!" Yanking her head back in she drew her dagger and stood across from Kennedy again. She fell back onto the floor, being careful to not knock her head on the bed. Laniya closed her eyes and waited.
____________________________________________________________________________________
^{OoC: This is not intended to drive the story forward. Only to give an NPC to use for later on.}

Emerald pretty much ignored the innkeeper and was heading for the door where the two went, then she hears the blatant screams and such. With a burst of speed, she rushes to the door to find it locked. She unsheathes her Scimitar, pointing it towards the door, then looks back towards the innkeeper. "Keys! Now!" She keeps her shield-hand free of a shield for now so she'll be able to use the keys if the innkeeper gives them to her.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:23, Thu 02 Aug 2012.

Joey doesn't give the innkeep a chance to answer and body-checks the man into the wall with a savage snarl.  He grabs the key and tosses it to Emerald then raises his fist to finish off the innkeep, but plate armor on top of his own considerable weight had already knocked the man out cold.  The paladin then draws his sword, crouched like a football lineman ready to charge.

"Avandra have mercy," he prays, his blazing eyes looking anything but merciful, "Open the door, please, Emerald."

---

OOC: That was a lot to happen in Laniya's post.  Were this a table-top, I'd have called for initiative rolls the moment the innkeep opened his mouth.  Let's assume Kennedy and NPCs all crit their initiatives and Emerald and Joey crit failed theirs.  Innkeep goes first, approaches the door (move action), uses a standard to unlock the door, then a minor to open it.  Kenedy walks through, uses a minor set Laniya on her feet, another minor to close the door, then spends an action point to  kiss the girl.  Laniya then sneak attacks Kennedy, spends an action point to lock the door, minor to clean her blade, move to bed, a third standard to toss it, a fourth and possibly a fifth standard to mess herself up, a second move to return to the door, another minor to pound on the door, a third move action to the window, etc., etc.  Only certain gods with multiple turns per round could pull all that off before Emerald and Joey would be able to bust in the room and catch her in the act.  I'm not sure I want to say "sure, whatever" and roll with it given that:

quote:

OoC: This is not intended to drive the story forward. Only to give an NPC to use for later on.

  If it were, that'd be the GM's prerogative and I'd just have to bite my tongue and somehow overlook how my character somehow just stood there in a daze while his friend was in trouble.  Actually no I'd likely give the GM a hard time about it. :p
This message was last edited by the player at 05:01, Sat 04 Aug 2012.

Pain. Terrible pain.
It felt as if he was flying.
Pain.
A bright light.
Pain.
Sounds of life, somewhere distant.
Pain.
A flicker of light in a dark room
______________________________________________________________________________________
_{Sorry about Laniya's long post. I thought becausr this was "free-form" that a character could act beyond a "turn-based" system. I'll keep that in mind for future posts.}

Wait. Were there two others sitting with this man? Three versus one? Even with the innkeepers help the odds are not in my favor.
The sounds of yelling and a scuffle can be heard through the wooden door.
Better not to wait around. Damnit. I should know better.
Laniya rises, and looks to the small window she had opened only seconds ago.
That's enough space surely.
______________________________________________________________________________________
_{Move action to rise and a standard action to assess the window.}

Emerald unlocks the door and opens it. As soon as she sees Kennedy on the floor, she sings a haunting melody, causing the man's wounds to begin magically closing on their own.

---

Standard: Unlock Door
Minor: Open door
Minor: Majestic Word to heal Kennedy

"Thank you, Emerald," Joey grunts through his teeth as he barrels into the room with his sword at the ready.  He's not familiar enough with Emerald's healing magic to bet Kennedy's life on whether her song will be enough to save him, so he mutters a prayer, "Avandra please lend your healing touch."  His hand glows with holy light and reaches down to gently touch Kennedy's wound to heal it.

"What happened, Kennedy?" he asks, standing protectively over the man, ready for anything.  At this point he wouldn't be surprised if Laniya sprouted devil wings and started attacking while cursing in Abyssal.

As the door opens, Laniya scrambled to her feet and made for the open window. The man's two companions quickly entered the room, giving her little notice. The welbeing of the man was more important than apprehending his attacker -- or so it seemed. It wasn't supposed to happen likle this. As a matter of fact, it had never happened like this. Sure she had slapped some men here and there. But stabbing someone was new. Where did that come from, she wondered.

"I'm sorry," shen whispered. Knowing full well that her heartfelt apology would mean nothing. With a final glance at the injured man, she eased herself through the window. Where she was headed she didn't know, only time would tell.

A voice beckoned him.
Kennedy.
He wanted to look, but felt tired. "Who's their?" he muttered.
Kennedy. the voice came again.
He did not recognize the voice, the voice a of a female.
Arise. My servant has asked for aid and I have granted you health.
Kennedy did not move. "Who are you," he asked.
I am Avandra, the patron of travelers. She replied softly.
"How can I be so sure? The last voice that helped me out resulted in," he was very skeptical. You can't go trusting a voice alone. The consequence were to grave to recall. "I'd rather die at the hands of a beautiful woman, than to be tricked again."
I am well aware of your past Kennedy. But if you are in need of proof, an image appeared before him, a maiden of unbound beauty. The linen that adorned her body flowed like water over a sandy shore and her hair rustled softly in a breathless wind. Around her neck was a silver chain, and from that chain hung a symbol, a symbol of three waves. She smiled at Kennedy. Her eyes sparkled like the dawning sun. Arise, and go forth. I have blessed you this day. But you will not see me again.
"But," he tried to protest. It was too late. She was gone.
His surroundings slowly brightened, as an image, not just an hallucination, but real life image came into view. It was Joey.
____________________________________________________________________________________
_{I had originally intended for this to be a conversation between Kennedy and Bahamut, but thought better of it after reading some background stats on the god. What I found intriguing was that those who answer the call of Bahamut must complete a right of rebirth They go off an meditate for a day and then go sit in some sort of egg. On the following day they arise from the egg a dragonborn, and a devout follower of the dragon god. Plus there was some info about how pissed he gets when someone goes against his teachings.
So I thought better of it and decided to have Avandra talk to him instead. But if you'll note she says she'll only help him once. What I would like for that to mean, is that Kennedy's past is SO tainted that he really angered some of the good gods. And now none of them really want to lend him any sort of aid. Should one of their followers ask for help, then they will grant it, but only once. Which means that any further healing prayers from Joey will have no affect on Kennedy. Kennedy would have to drink a potion or heal naturally from any future wounds.
This is intended to take Kennedy on a spiritual journey, and to somehow have the gods forgive him. Whether their mercy will end in his death or his rebirth remains to be determined, but the plot hook is nice. Plus it makes for good storytelling.
I was also thinking that Laniya might actually become a PC. I've actually grown fond of the character and I believe that there's more of her story to tell. But not now.}