Chapter 2

[Windstar]

You still struggle to understand the nature of the Draconic
Prophecy. Moons, planes, dragonmarks—for those with eyes to
see, the Prophecy has the power to shape the future.

Your journey through the Shadow Marches has left your cloaks and armor covered in mud, your clothes soaked with sweat. The short break ye had out along the kings way did little to help improve your moods. Hungry insects buzz about you, and the air is warm and wet. Your destination is Blackroot, a village tied to the Dorrm and Veledaar clans. The sun is beginning to set when the settlement finally comes into view. Like most villages in the Marches, this small community offers few amenities and no dragonmarked house services. There is no central authority in the Shadow Marches, and the village reeve is responsible for administering justice in the local region.

Blackroot draws its name from the darkwood trees that thrive in this region, their tangled roots rising up from the soil to all sides. The ground here is relatively solid for the Marches, and the village sits atop a rocky rise. Its huts sit directly upon the ground instead of being raised on stilts above marshland, as is common elsewhere in the region. Orcs, humans, and half-orcs work together in the nearby orchards or pass along the main street. None of them seem particularly pleased to see you.

Within moments, you are approached by a lean and muscular orc. His skin is weathered, streaks of gray seen in his long black hair. He bears no weapons and wears loose peasant clothing, but he carries himself with confidence.
"Greetings," he says. "I am Toraash’Dorrm, the reeve of Blackroot. I don’t know what brings you here, but we’ve no inn, no tavern, and no time for strangers. I suggest you move on."

Tora turns toward ye, "Well Lordling here ye be, now if ye please, my 20 gold for bringing ye this far? Thank ye, well folks I am tired, wet, dirty and hungrey, I am going to find meself a nice little camping area back towards the city, mayhap I will once again see ye."

[HowwwwL]

Morganna thinks to herself...

*Well, Mayor Happypants... I hope there is a place to relax around here, I am tired of trudging around... Otherwise I will be back and will use YOU as a log to sit on...*

Morganna displays a playful smirk.

[mnemenoi]

The small kobold appears very comfortable, even awash with mud and filth. He had looked similar in the inn and the idea of bathing seemed foreign to his culture. He pulled his hood from his head and removed the bandages covering his scaled and taloned hands. He held what appeared to be a crude spear that he used to trudge along after his mistress throughout the trek.

"Toraassh’Dorrm of Blackroot knowss nothing my mistresss. Many ssecretss lie within thiss place. A housse of sslander and bigotry," as he begins to search through his decaying sack. Finding a few scraps of clean cloth he immediately begins to furiously clean his Mistress' dress and shoes of the filth she had accumulated upon the road.

"You sshall be radiant again my lady," as he kneels in the mud cleaning her soiled clothing.

[HowwwwL]

Morganna looks down to the kobold.
"Sys, you really know how to treat a lady. How chivalrous of you!"

Morganna points...
"Oh wait, Sys you missed a spot on my shoe over there..."

[kitsune1842]

*CLANG*

Targ's hand hits his face a little harder than he ment it to as he just shakes his head while watching the antics of the Kobold and the female that he has taken to calling his Mistress. As pathetic and lowly as the kobold acts the Warforged is wondering if it is an act. After his little speach at the inn about free will he has not said much to Sys, or to anyone else really given that he is not the most talkative of people. If the little one really wants to sublimate his will to another that is his choice right? Part of free will is the ability to choose to give it up after all.

The person obviously in charge of the area just gets watched. Targ does not honestly think he would start a fight with a well armed group of strangers, but one never knows. Because he is not great with people Targ does not pay a lot of attention to the Half-Orc in charge but does look at the town he can see to see if he can see anythign that is off.

* Targ rolls Perception. *

[TheBlackDragon]

After tearing the bottom few inches of her robes off to stop them dragging in the mud, Khaela watches the Orc closely. She listens carefully to his words and actions.

* Insight - Sense motive/attitude *

--- Merged from Double Post ---
Although still seeming entirely at ease with the group of strangers, Khaela is often seen looking to the Kobold and it's master with a blank stare.

[outrider]

Dabril thinks to himself, what the hell did I get myself into. Im tired,dirty and have about had it with the kobold fawning all over the place. Dabril smiles and says in a sarcastic tone "Thank you for the information. I will be sure to recommend your fine town to my friends."

[HowwwwL]

** Being disregarded due to more than one action at the same time, I know we did not do an inititive but we all know how it works, give each player a turn while in play, if it is a known noncombat situation like in the INN thats one thing, but when there is a possiblity of combat we all have to decide and do their turns in the right sequence. I will be the only one to skip players, as noted in the OOC messages. **

Now that Morganna is all clean and shiny, the thought of camping out with Tora just doesn't seem to exciting.

"Hey Toraash! Yeah, you. Listen, you are the reeve of Blackroot. You have power here. I demand you find me and my friend Sys'lex, a place to stay in town that doesn't involve sleeping on a ground..." Eldritch magic flickers in her eyes, and on her hand.

* 1D20+7 *

OOC - EDIT: oops let's try that again...

* Intimidation Roll *

--- Merged from Double Post ---
Okay I am gonna get this dice roller thing eventually....

One more time!

* Intimidation Roll *

OOC - LOL! It rolled two dice on my last post! WTF? Okay DM pick whichever roll you like, it looks like it rolled two for one and the results are polar opposites...

[Windstar]

Toraash warily looks at the Kobold and the tiefling. Turning to Dabril, "Well youngling I did not invite you here and to my knowledge neither did any of my people. Although I know it is getting late, you may stay with in the town proper if you need to."


Khaela senses that he is concerned with their arrival
--- Merged from Double Post ---
Tora hears the words spoken and slowly turns toward the Orc,

* Diplomacy Check *

"Grandsire, these travelers have come from afar to find an old friend, Doria Veledaar, perhaps you could direct them to her so they could complete their business"


The elder orc grimaces and point to the right :Thier house is over there, tho they have left for Sharn at the request of Doria, you may stay there if ye like"

[kitsune1842]

Targ nods at the others, and remains weary of any danger that may come thier wway from the house. "Be careful, animals are at their most dangerous when afraid."

The Warforged knows nothing of the arcane arts, but he does understand nature.

[kitsune1842]

* Perception *

* Inititive *

As Tora points at what ever it is in the house and Deacon suddenly starts to growl the Warforged pulls his axe out. "Tora, what do you see?"

[Windstar]

Tora calls out softly "Body behind the door" in answer to Targs query.

* Toras Initiative Roll *

Another low groan emanates from the doorway.

* Paro's Perception Roll *

[outrider]

Dabril steps back and tells the warforge, After you big guy. he is holding his spell

* Dabril steps back gracefully *

initative

[HowwwwL]

* Perception *

* Initiative *

Morganna clutches her quarterstaff in anticipation...

[kingbee]

Darren strings his bow and pulls an arrow high in his quiver, while stepping back into the shadows.