In reply to Fithelos (msg # 244):

It continues to stand its ground.  It appears it is not going to move unless it is distracted, you leave, or you make it move.

In reply to Twiz (msg # 245):

Fithelos will back away out of the cave and continue on toward Destard.

In reply to Fithelos (msg # 246):

You leave the cave. From your last view of the lizard, he still staring at you.
As you walk northwest, you notice a small house in a clearing between the mountains. You hear a young bit playing and see a human man frying several fish over a pit.

Picture is for location. I didn't have time to add the house.
https://drive.google.com/file/...dp/view?usp=drivesdk

In reply to Twiz (msg # 247):

Fithelos will approach the man cautiously, making himself known before he gets to close as to not frighten the man. "Greetings stranger. Have room for one more at your fire?"
If the man seems anxious/paranoid/hostile Fithelos will continue on his way and not bother him.

In reply to Fithelos (msg # 248):

When you get close, you see the boy using a wooden sword to hit a bundle of sticks fashioned to look like a person.
They both setup and look when you speak to them. When you step close enough, you feel like you start to walk through a viscous liquid.
I would have you roll, but afterglow...
As soon as you get through, the boy goes back to whacking the sticks. The father smiled, "There's not much, but I'll share what we can. What brings you to these woods?"

In reply to Twiz (msg # 249):

"I'm uh...journeying toward Destard. Never been there before, I'm traveling the lands to look upon them before I'm too old to get out of bed," Fithelos goes to sit next to the fire. "I am known as Fithelos. What do you call yourself?"

In reply to Fithelos (msg # 250):

"Going to slay a dragon? That's mighty bold of you. I'm Lomon. My boy defeating the orcs over there is Tomm." he flips over the fish. "What makes you think you'll succeed when so many others have failed?"

In reply to Twiz (msg # 251):

Fithelos blinks. And continues to blink for almost a full minute after Lomon asks him the question. "I, uh," he clears his throat. "I'm not sure slaying a dragon was on my to-do list. Observe, yes. Conversate, why not? Slay?" Fithelos' eyes narrow a bit as he looks into the fire. "Though I suppose if this creature is causing a form of... imbalance in the area, I suppose it must be dealt with in one way or another, no?"

"As for whether or not I succeed or fail..." Fithelos chews at the inside of his cheek. "Obviously, I am no dragonslayer. I just, uh, was traveling through the area." Shaking his head he asks, "About how old...er...big is this dragon?"

When he was asked to retrieve the Eye of a Dragon, Fithelos did not think it was literally an eye of a dragon. He was thinking it would be some kind of jewel or amulet that was kept in some dungeon. He knew there were dragons in Destard.
But he didn't think he was actually going to have to get an actual dragon eye.


Because I mean, what kind of god would send one dude on against a dragon?
He knows devils and demons who would get a kick out of such a task...
This message was last edited by the player at 14:10, Tue 25 June 2019.

In reply to Fithelos (msg # 252):



"Sorry.  I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.  It's just that there's not really much else in Destard these days, and everyone else that has come through, has tried to take her out. She's been a 'nuisance' to say the least since her children hatched."

"She's several centuries old and large enough to crush my house if she sat on it.  The young are about 20.  I guess they cleaned out Destard a few years back and now the mother ravages some of the nearby camps and boats."

"What are you actually wanting to observe?"



Fithelos can interpret the request anyway he wants.  I did not think of it at the time, but technically, he probably would've assumed 'eye', but it wasn't spelled out. He could've heard 'I' or 'aye', etc. I mean, I don't know how you would retrieve one of those, but if that's how Fithelos wants to go about it, more power to him.

Actually, I kind of find this discovery for Fithelos rather hilarious.
He and I both literally though it was a gemstone or magical item. I kid you not. Like...I think at the time I was thinking like 'The Eye of Ra' or 'The Cat's Eye' or something.

It's all good. Fithelos is just now piecing stuff together. At most, he thought he'd have to sneak past a dragon, or that the area was known to have dragons in it at some point in time. Because he was by himself, it seriously never entered his mind it would be asked of him to get the literal eye of a dragon.

Now he's wondering why Balance would possibly want it.



"No apologies are necessary, Lomon, preparer of fish. You see at the time I was speaking with the...individual about Destard, when he mentioned dragons I thought he was speaking figuratively, symbolically or metaphorically. And I thought this because all to often his...type...usually tend to communicate in riddles, providing vague answers at best." Fithelos scratches the stubble forming around his jaw. "Truth is Lomon, I'm not very qualified to do much of anything these days. Lost my adventuring comrades years ago. Recently I was given unique powers; but not only did I use them at the wrong time--I made things worse for those I was traveling with..."

He shrugs. "I know not whether I'll succeed."

Fithelos looks over at Tomm, fighting the imaginary orcs. "Is it safe for you and the boy to be out here on your own? I only ask because almost everything I've run across since I've arrived here has been less than hospitable." The former monk leans forward to smell the cooking fish. "To be honest, there's part of me expecting you and your son will transform into monsters any second. Or I'll be poisoned if I eat this fish," he swallows. "That is to say, if you are open to share. I can pay." Fithelos pauses. "Only if there's enough, is what I mean to say. I won't rob you and your boy of your meal."

In reply to Fithelos (msg # 254):

"You're definitely different than the previous men that have come through here."

"We're safe here in the dome. My family has been here for generations. If you know how to deal with the wilderness, there's not many dangerous things to worry about. Too bad you're not much of the adventuring type, though.  Trinsic, instead of dealing with problems as usual, has pushed orcs toward us. We haven't been able to get to our campsite on the beach in a few weeks now.  Every time we try, there's a new scouting group looking for a new place to setup."

"We'll still share our meal though."
He plates the fish, pulls a chain mail bag out of the base of the fire with a small hook, pulls out a few potatoes to put on the plates, then hands you one.
"Food's ready Tomm!"

"A camp on the beach you say?" Fithelos says contemplatively, remembering the cozy cot after several hours of swimming. "I may have come across it shortly after arriving here. I'd offer to help you take it back...unfortunately I can't commit to fight off orcs for several months." After taking a few bites of fish and potatoes he says,

"Is there anything in particular you need from the camp? I could help you retrieve your belongings..." reaching into his tattered robes he'll pull out the gemstones he recently acquired from the 'Encyclopedia of Gems by Glorviel Fireaxe the Shadowed':
(Chrysoberyl, coral, red garnet, jade, pink pearl, deep green spinel, tourmaline, alexandrite,    aquamarine, violet garnet, black pearl, deep blue spinel, golden yellow topaz, emerald, fire opal, sapphire, rich purple corundum, black star sapphire, star ruby and jacinth.)
And hand them to Loman. "Will this cover the fish? I can't very well eat stones and I doubt I'll run into anyone on the way to Destard who will trade."

He looks to Tomm and pulls out the guinea pig figurine. "What do you think of this little guy? If you like him, he's yours." he tosses the boy the figurine and continues eating the food.

In reply to Fithelos (msg # 256):


There nothing special there besides our fishing hole."


Normally I'd be to decline such an offer, but if you're going to Destard, you'll either come back much richer, or not at all." after examining the jewels a bit closer, "Good lord man! I'll be able to pay for a squad of men to take out the orcs with this. If you make it back, you're welcome to all the fish you can handle."


The boy thanks you, finishes his food, then pretends like the put is helping him attack the orcs.

"Well, I normally wouldn't help someone heading to Destard to face Fraiti, but if all your going to do is observe, I have to do something to repay your kind gift. The thing that trips everyone up is that she is a Concordant Dragon. Everyone prepares protections against different elements. The key are a strong mind and stubborn soul."

In reply to Twiz (msg # 257):

"Fraiti," Fithelos says to himself. "Concordant Dragon you say? Never heard of such a thing. A strong mind and a stubborn soul..." the former monk smiles. "I once had a debate with myself how far I could move in water and how fast that went on for several days. I think I may have the stubborn part down."

Fithelos pauses for a moment and gives Loman a confused glance. "If you don't mind my asking, how did you learn so much about this dragon? Were you once an adventurer yourself?"

In reply to Fithelos (msg # 258):


She didn't really kill trespassers, she drives them crazy. Something in the way she talks."


"No... None in my family ever were, as far as I know. We prefer nature over city life. Generations ago, my family made a pact with the Fraiti: she protects us, we keep her secrets. How one of my ancestors figured out her secret is lost now, but the dome, the lack of orcs here, the lack of civilization... We can thank Fraiti for."
"Alas, our time is coming to an end. Unless Tomm can find someone wanting to settle down out here, we're the end of the line."

In reply to Twiz (msg # 259):

"I thank you for the information you've shared...I will see to it the secrets of your ancestors is maintained. I..." Fithelos pauses as he shapes the words of what he wants to say in his mind. "Pacts between dragon and men are a rare thing, a gift I would call it."

The warlock looks at his hands, which seem to have caused nothing but mischief and chaos since he arrived. Balance wanted him to retrieve the Eye of a Dragon; he was fairly certain this Fraiti is who he referred too. If he was required to kill the creature--he'd be killing what remained of this family, for their protection would cease to be.

And for what? Wealth? Power? Glory?
Did those things even matter anymore? It wouldn't bring Rook, Mitolen or Jhorl back. It wouldn't release him from his pact with that demon bastard Fraz-Urb'luu.
And now that he thought about it, the dragon had never wronged him in any way.

Then again, maybe he was looking at this wrong.
Surely the dragon preserved Loman's ancestors for a reason. Perhaps if he delivered a message to Fraiti informing her of Loman's line was about to die out--it could keep him alive long enough to explain his predicament.
Of course that may cause Balance or one of his brothers to come after him...

So many choices.

"Loman, would it be alright if I spent the night here? There are some affects from something I ate yesterday I'd like to have dissipate before venturing into dragon territory."

In reply to Fithelos (msg # 260):

The afterglow effect is 1 week and you aren't really certain it's an effect of the drugs or not.

"I don't mind, but you'll have to camp outside. Stay inside the dome and you should be safe from anything wandering by."

One week.

Bags.

Fithelos stands up and stretches his back. Once he's all limbered up he'll bid Loman and Tomm farewell. "You know, on second thought I think I'll try to make good time with the daylight I have left. I thank you for your hospitality Loman, it will not be forgotten. I would say you can call on me if every you need anything--but it is doubtful we'll ever meet again. Once my task is complete, I very much would like to return to my home."

Once out of hearing range, Fithelos will take the hourglass Balance gave him and whisper into it,

In reply to Fithelos (msg # 262):

I'm assuming here Fithelos remembers he has to break it. Try as he might, the thing won't crack.
Since you can just scroll back anyway... Remember, you have to ask for help on something specific.

In reply to Twiz (msg # 263):

Fithelos will put his lips on the hourglass and ask,
"Why do you want the Eye of a Dragon?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Wed 26 June 2019.

In reply to Fithelos (msg # 264):

The hour glass does nothing.

In reply to Twiz (msg # 265):

So, in order to remain 100% neutral--to me it means to never get involved with anything. From talking to fighting, whenever one takes any action to do anything is frustrating the 'Balance'. Actions have consequences that ripple across the realms.

Thus, the less Fithelos interacts with people, the less he fights, the less he does anything at all--it is far more likely he wouldn't be directly responsible for anything that tipped the scales.


Fithelos will check the hourglass again to see if it is fully white. Speaking to the hourglass one more time, he'll say:
"I assume retrieving an Eye of a Dragon will help maintain the Balance of the Universe--as I'm sure you can see how everything is affected far better than I. And maybe part of keeping that Balance is me not knowing. Perhaps part of it is me walking to my death."
He pauses.
"Titan of Balance, would you bestow upon me the ability to understand and speak the language of Fraiti?"

Fithelos attempts to break the hourglass open.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:18, Thu 27 June 2019.

In reply to Fithelos (msg # 266):

Fithelos:

So, in order to remain 100% neutral--to me it means to never get involved with anything.

To Rocky or to Fithelos or both?

When the hourglass breaks, the sands swirl around your head and begin to penetrate your skull.  Each time a grain passes through, you are bombarded with, what at first seems to be non-sensical, sounds, grunts, and moans.  As it continues, each sound starts to have meaning to you, they start forming words and eventually phrases and full sentences.  It is a painful experience, but it stops as quickly as it started.  The sands are sucked back into the hourglass which then returns to your hand.  The hourglass, however, does not reset itself.

You are now not only fluent in draconic, but understand all nuances of the different dialects.

It's now early evening.  If you continue to travel toward Destard, you will arrive at a small river without incident around nightfall.
https://drive.google.com/file/...OJC/view?usp=sharing

In reply to Twiz (msg # 267):

Fithelos will go to a nearby tree, climb it, locate a spot where he can lean up against the trunk without toppling over side and rest until morning.
If the trees aren't big enough to support him, he will simply lay flat on the ground and rest until morning.

'Neutral' literally means not taking sides. Honestly I don't even know why it's an option for an adventurer. By attempting to adhere to Balance's rules...I'm taking his side which is making my actions evil or good. If I were to see Loman and Tomm getting butchered by a pack of orcs and stood idly by when I know I have the ability to stop it, Fithelos would be aiding evil. If he did stop the orcs he'd be aiding good.
But if Loman and Tom were evil shapeshifters without Fithelos knowing and the orcs were getting revenge for part of their tribe being massacred; if Fithelos did nothing, Tomm and Loman's deaths might mean no one else would experience cruel deaths at their hands--killing the orcs he would be aiding evil.
Maybe one of the titans know that the only way for them to succeed with their plans is for Fithelos to do nothing--his lack of interference guarantees an automatic win--and so by doing nothing he's actually aiding one side or the other.

So no, I don't really know how one really takes a neutral stance. To me, neutrality is basically a character saying, "I don't want to take responsibility for anything."
As long as there's two opposing factions, you will always be taking one side or the other, even if you don't officially 'take sides'. Only when everyone has the same goals/views can you actually have a neutral stance.
In my opinion.

In reply to Fithelos (msg # 268):

Wait, what are Balance's rules?

This may have come out wrong. I'm interested to know what your interpretation of his rules are.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:52, Sun 14 July 2019.