"Of course I do.  I always paid my taxes...."  Her words slowed as the im[plication of Urle's words sunk in, "But these aren't my lands?"  Or were they?  She really wasn't sure.   This whole business was so often beyond her!

Teana chuckled at Urle. "A knight doesn't usually kick up half his treasure, you know."

She looked at Helena and shrugged. "Yes, I'm pretty sure this is part of the Empire's traditional land. That makes it your land."

Urle looks back at Teana.
That is very true.  A normal knight my give a fifth.  If he or she is very loyal or you keep good eye on his or her income.
Urle places his head against Demetria saddle.
But if your a member of a holy order.  Then a tithe of half your income is not uncommon.  Which unlike taxes is given willingly.
Urle turns to Helena and smiles.
It is not the money.  That I give gladly.  In fact I gain from it.  As when I am old and gray.  I cannot lift a sword or ride a horse.  If I served my lady well then I get a room to myself and food every day.  Even better as I was your personal body guard I think I get a small house and personal maid.
A rare, amused smile crosses his face at having his own maid.  Then his face loses it smiles.
It is the fact I got tricked into joining the holy order instead of staying a simple Knight.  I cannot believe I was so gullible.  However when the knight finds out what I am doing right now he is going be be so mad with himself.  His nasty trick would have backfired.
Urle looks into middle distance.
It seems I may have the last laugh on him in the end.

The concepts were coming thick and fast but the one she was most interest in was Urle's comment about being tricked into knighthood.  "How could you have been tricked?"  His story about his retirement made sense and she hoped that they'd have succeeded at their endeavour by that point!

Urle realized he needed to explain a lot.
My order.  The Order of the Lion has four core principles.
First you give your life to protect your ward and your wards home.
Second no knight will attack another knight or that knight's ward.
Third we do not get involved with politics are job is to protect and serve.
Lastly we shun the use of magic spells especially arcane, although enchanted items are tolerated.

Myself I hate magic, when I was small I watched a witch torture a friend that she captured.  I could do nothing to help and could not run away.

The four principles is why my order survived the downfall.  When the last ruling bloodline was gone each chapter took on a role, a kingdom ruler or a place as it ward.  As the different groups tried to take their own slice of the fallen empire we did not.  We did not get involved with politics.  Soon we became the only group the others could trust.  If you needed to meet an enemy to make peace and both where wards in some way.  They would all be surrounded by members of The Order of The Lion.  Both sides where safe.
When it came to spell casters the Powerful spell caster's found us hard to overcome but also could see we where no threat.

Urle looked into Helena's face with a sad look.
Their is one exception.  We have a holy order within our ranks.  They are sort of outcasts but tolerated.  Each order has a priest and two curates.  Their job is to heal and tend to the healing needs of the order.  They serve no god.  They just serve the needs of the order in a holy way.  It is a mess but it works, somehow.
My order has it set of priest and curates.  A knight who dislike me goaded me over magic and to prove my disdain.  He said if I was to fight this abomination then I must understand it.  To recognize it and even detect it when ever I saw it.  I told him it was a ridiculous idea.  But he kept on.
So to prove him wrong I studied magic so I could protect my order from it.
The knight looked down at his feet.
Thing is I studied so hard I learned how to detect magic.  With the purest intent to protect my order from it.  When I cast my first spell I realize what I had done.  I turned myself over to the leader of my chapter to be drummed out of my order.  Banished for ever as I deserved.  As the knight had hoped.  Only I wasn't.  I was deemed to be blessed and cursed.  I was added to the number of the Holy Order of the Lions.  It seem they are able to move between chapters as they wish.  New members of the Holy order are so rare they never let them leave.  So I was moved to another chapter.  So I became a member of The Holy Order of the Lion.  Tricked into it.  Tricked into being a spellcaster.  The thing I hate.
And in becoming a member so half of what I gain goes to my order or the rightful ruler as she has returned.

So I am not the purest of your knights protectors as I am also a healer.  I also must be honest.  If you say the area of my ward is to be extend to your close traveling companions then I am bound to use my skills to aid them to the fullest.  Anybody that is not my ward or a member of The Order of the Lion I am only meant to use my healing to stop them from dieing.   I am not meant to use my power to it fullest to heal them.

OOC:
I think Gm forgot the change in character when I took over when the GM npc me.  But anyway Urle very very reluctant to cast spells.

Davor gazes over the apparitions with spirit sight, calling upon his ancestors for guidance.    As he draws closer to the translucent beings, he can see they seem to be humans, tall and handsome (at least as humans generally reckon these things) with intricate robes and headdresses that seems to be made of fine materials.  They are curiously colorless, and orbs of light slowly orbit them, supplementing the light that emanates from their very forms.  There are a round dozen of them, and as Davor approaches, they arrange themselves in a semi-circle, as if receiving him at a council meeting.  Their expressions are somber, and some are frowning.

Who approaches Council of Goldenhame?  A priest-representative of Thulkath? they whisper as one, their voice reaching not your ears, but your mind, even those in hiding.  However, the spectral beings do not seem to react to anyone other than Davor.

Used to hearing voice in his head, Davor is unfazed when the being speak. "That'll do I reckon. Well, I'm a shaman and Thulkath is just nearby, but I don't think we need to be gettin' into quibbles about terminology and tribal boundaries." He looks around pointedly. "Seems like a strange place to be holdin' council."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:09, Thu 27 Aug 2020.

The apparitions do not seem to find Davor's speech very impressive, and the leaders answers with a haughty air, Goldenhame's Grand Promenade is the perfect place to receive a foreign representative.  State your purpose for coming to Goldenhame, Shaman, and what you bring for the privilege.

Helena listened to Urle explain what had happened to him so many years ago.  A child forced to watch his friend be tortured and killed.   Her hand involuntarily raised to touch his arm.  "I'm so sorry, Urle.  You should not have had to endure that."

She pursed her lips, "But... perhaps it is time to see the evil for what it was.   The witch's actions were wrong.   The tools she used to perpetrate the evil.. can't be blamed.  The same way a knife can kill, it can be used, as I have done many a time, to create beautiful things.  Magic is exactly the same.  Perhaps... perhaps in this you have your blessing - the opportunity to examine your own bias and become more what you strive to be?"  She's obviously referring to him being the political neutral party as obviously a bias would make Urle utterly unsuited to such a task.

She then smiles, "But... I can see heart presented, Urle.  I don't think anyone can claim to be pure or indeed honest.  But in both, I am see you constantly strive towards them - something I see as admirable."

"As for everyone here... I rather see you all as an odd sort of family.  Each different and unique.  But still family.  I'd hope you'd be a part of that and that you'd see them as family too."

---

As they then follow Davor across to the spirit figures and hear their speech, which surprises her though does nothing as the others don't seem overly pattered, and she patiently waits while considering the 'council' and who they might have represented.  Perhaps she'd heard a story of them in the past?

21:32, Today: Helena rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  Knowledge: History.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:43, Tue 01 Sept 2020.

Davor keeps his expression neutral with a little effort as he replies. "I'm just askin' for the opportunity to drink from the flowing waters of the city and to walk around while I take in its magnificence. Tribal people like us don't have much to offer great civilizations like you, but we're all part of the same great empire aren't we? What makes one of us stronger will help the rest. I think my people could learn a lot from a great people like you." He hears other approaching from behind and motions for them to wait with a subtle hand motion behind his back.

Helena ponders what stories and tales she's heard in the marketplace around Pearl Fort about someplace called "Goldenhame". 



The stiff-necked councilors of Goldenhame seem to be mollified by Davor's speech, and the leader unbends enough to give a nod of his head.  "That is true, shaman, and you will see wonders.  Very well, you are welcome to walk the streets of Goldenhame and talk of its citizenry, though mind that we are a busy people.  The Symposium has many who are here to discuss ideas however, and you may learn much there.  There will be a guide nearby if you have need of other information.  Come, Councilors, we have much to do..."

The apparitions slowly fade as the Council of Goldenhame turns as if to go back the way they came.  As they do, they vanish from sight completely, leaving behind the echoes of their voices in the caves, the distant squeak of bats and other wildlife, and the drip and gurgle of flowing water.

Once the spirits have disappeared, Davor turns around to face the others with a broad smile. "There ya' go, what did I say? Now I do suspect that those won't be the last spirits we have to deal with 'round here so everyone stay on your toes. Seems they're trapped in their past one way or another and don't realize anything's happened. Those kinds of spirits can get nasty. I don't think these were good people either. I got the sense of mild evil that ya' get with corrupt officials and the like."

"Decadent rather than directly corrupt maybe?   I once heard a ballad about a couple who fell in love in Goldenhame.   A jewel of the Empire supposedly.  Famed for its magic, it's learning and its trade in magical goods and knowledge.  Anyway, they fell in love this wizard performed a truly magical courtship to woo his intended."  She then blushes remembering the ballad and feeling a little silly for having firstly recalled it and secondly explaining it is such a 'soppy' way!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:25, Mon 07 Sept 2020.

"It's pretty much the same everywhere. Most of the rich like to keep what they have. We should just leave 'em be. We're here on business after all."

Davor nods at Helena. "Likely yeah, self-interested folks. Sounds like a good song. Useful anyhow."

He eyes the direction where the spirits disappeared and then nods. "Right, down to business. Just be careful and say somethin' if you see any more."

Urle notes.

If the guard dog raises it's head looks at you and sniffs then goes back to sleep.  If this happens there is no point in poking it with a stick and waking it up.

He looks over to Davor.
Davor as far as I can see you still talk a load of hot air.  However sometimes hot air is just what is needed to help us sail along.  It seems this is one of them times.

The Cavalier shrugs his shoulders.

Davor's broad grin is a little scary with his large teeth. "A pleasure to be of service."

Zenna and Vash step out of hiding to join the others. "Indeed, nicely done, Davor," she said to the shaman, "Now let's see what we can find in Goldenhame." Moving forward, Zenna kept her eyes and ears open for danger as she proceeded deeper into the cavern.

OOC:
23:31, Today: Zenna Kern rolled 14 using 1d20+12.  Perception.
Meh, almost minimum. Yuck.

OOC:
Urle no better:- 09:07, Today: Urle rolled 13 using 1d20+8.  Perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:07, Thu 10 Sept 2020.

Helena follows the group as they move out, her thoughts clearly on the meeting-past rather than her surroundings.

23:33, Today: Helena rolled 2 using 1d20+1 ((1)).

Davor follows, keeping a keen eye out for more spirits.

Davor Spiritwalker rolled 26 using 1d20+8.  Perception.

Teana walked behind the group, keeping a close eye on her surroundings. Or maybe just watching Helena walk; that was more important than keeping a lookout for danger.

18:06, Today: Teana Florin rolled 8 using 1d20+5. Perception.

The passageways along the Low Road seem to be clear of hazard for the moment.  The group spies some bats and insects, some large enough to swallow the latter, some of the former large enough to provide shade for the whole group plus their mounts and companions, though none seem to be more than curious for the moment.

It takes another couple of hours of walking until you reach the edge of the city on the ceiling, the beautiful buildings with their fountains and occasional lights clinging to the top of the cavern in merry defiance of nature, a good fifty to sixty feet off the floor.  Eyeing the city with great care, Davor thinks there are the faint glows of other spirits moving about the city, particularly in the areas where the everglowing lights aren't.

This section of the city seems to be houses and perhaps small shops, along with courtyards and a few statues with fountains, mostly depicting some heroic-looking figure in robes, inlaid with shining metals and studded with colorful stones.

The stretch of cavern here has some stalactites and stalagmites off of the road and the boundaries of the city, a few of them almost kissing to form a column of slippery, pointed, wet stone.  The walls of the cavern look slightly roughened, so climbing them would neither be terribly difficult nor insanely easy.  None of this maters of Teana, for whom the ground is always a suggestion, but those lacking the powers of air may need a more mundane way to ascend to their goal...

"I really should start carrying a rope," said Teana after looking over the cavern walls. "Is anyone else carrying one?"

Davor pulls out a surprisingly well made looking rope. "Never leave home without it."

He cranes his neck to look up at the city above. "Alright, assumin' Teana that you can get up there on your own, I've got a way to get five more up. My way's liable to be a little slow though and you're only goin' straight up." He eyes the party and his gaze passes over Demetria. "That's five countin' the horse by the way. So we still got one too many."

He scratches his chin. "The spirits, the ones I normally talk to not those hoity toity Goldenhame folks, told me we got to drink the waters. I see plenty of fountains up there. Might be worth someone goin' up and takin' a drink to see what happens."