Tales of the Moon and Sword Inn

[Brynn]

Me wetting your wha...?! - she looked down and saw what the halfling meant - a suspicious dark spot on the upper part of his pants... She could only hope that it was caused by the spalsh from the bucket the bard had been throwing around.
Ah - she forced a smile, backing away to a safe distance from the halfling - you're awake at last. You.. you fainted here because... well, never mind, your friend sorted out everything. Shall we leave you alone so that you can change, perhaps?

Suddenly a man appeared in the middle of the inn. How the hell did he stumble upon this desolate place?

Dammit, these folks are just an obstacle on my way. Can I count on any of them? The bard looks more or less capable, but he wants to stay - the halfling looks arrogant and lazy, and this crazy-looking scarecrow isn't much hope either... Maybe I should leave on my own...
Quickly scanning over her few possessions in mind and counting the chances of survival, she cast off this idea immediately. I must accompany some of them, I won't manage in the wild on my own. And I don't even have a destination... - she laughed sarcastically inside. Thinking this all over very quickly, she overcame the urge to send the stupidly smiling newcomer to hell, and turned to greet him.

Er... hello. Well, this gentleman was accidentally hit by a bucket of water, but he's all right now, as you can see. Who might you be? - she asked curiously while holding out a hand to help the halfling up from the floor.

[Rob-hin]

“Ok, this time it has to work. If it doesn’t, I may have a problem…” Quellt look down at his feet and at the edge of the cliff he was standing at. “Don’t look down, it will work this time.” He tried talking some faith into himself.

“If my calculations are correct, which they are, this baby will fly me through the air like a bird floating on the wind.” Testing the construction on his back, Quellt raised and lowered the wings on his arms in a flapping manner like he had seen Flaight done so many times before.

He envied the hawk for it’s natural capability of flight. Many times he sat on cliffs just watching his familiar fly through the air, free as a … well free as a bird. Unfortunately, his Gnome physique had no such natural capacity. He sighted, once he will fly too and he won’t give up until he can fly like Flaight can.

Where was that bird anyway? Quellt searched the sky for his friend and found the bird floating above the cliff, Flaight screeched as if he encouraged Quellt to take flight. “Take it easy my friend.” He grinned. “I have no guarantee that this will work, plus, I have no safety net or anything.” Unwillingly, he gazed down the cliff in front of him. It’s dept swallowed him whole. Several hundred of feet below, oak trees rose up like sharp spike, ready to spike him had he fall.

“Ugh, fascination with flight doesn’t go well with fear of heights… Why am I doing this again?”

Can’t crawl back now. He thought to himself, but there’s nothing wrong with a small brake and eat something before I do my dastardly deed, is there?” He turned around and looked at the picnic basket he brought. “A nice sandwich will hit the spot, won’t it Flaight?”

At that time, a sudden gust of wind caught hold of one of the wings on Quellt’s arms and caused him to loose his balance. “WHHOO hoo…whoo…” He spun around his axes and faced the dept before him, flapping his wings not to fall in.

“Carefull now..carefull. Taking flight takes proper plann…” Unable to keep his balance, Quellt fell head first into the dept in front of him. His bird let out a screech of anxiety, it felt something was wrong.

For a moment, Quellt was alone in a zone of nothingness. There was nothing around, above or below him. He was free. Then he realised he was falling to his doom if he didn’t do anything.

He positioned himself in flying position and spreaded his wings. They flapped in the wind and suddenly they cut through the air without a sound. Quellt knew this was the time and he tried steering himself into a horizontal position as the ground crept nearer and nearer.

His wings started levelling him and he started pulling up. “Come on! Do it!” Beside him he heard Flaight encouraging him to fly, like a mother bird teaching a young bird how to do it. He flapped his wings and Quellt followed the example, his level of decent quickly dropped.

This could be it. This should be it, there was no way back now.

[Luis Antonio]

Iridur got so disturbed with his violent reaction to something he could have made simple moves to avoid, or he could just asked a priest to ward the door, or he could have tied the undead with a rope... well, he was so disturbed with that fact that he barely noticed the stranger who was on the other room. He almost hit the man with the bucket.

Violence, mixed with his neverending fears of getting his party killed once again - yes, once again - made him stop by this inn. But why the hell would stopping somewhere help him to avoid what he considered a curse? His bad luck was notorious - his adventures in the past are enough to fill thousands of books if told in detail, but who would believe him? All his team mates were dead - except perhaps Fas the Hafner, who was with him on his first adventure. But who would believe Fas the Hafner?

He tied the bucket on the rope by the well, and throwed it (the bucket) in. He looked at the sky, where some clouds and winds seemed to struggle for dominance. Oh, Lady of Joy, could you help me out here? I'm tired of all this ammount of death - I only wanted to serve you as a bard instead of a paladin, but all I get is death and destruction... Then he is suddenly awaken from his oblivion by a increasing intensity noise. Ignoring the noise, he started retrieving the bucket from the well, and he decided to face his right side, and it was just in time. When he heard the shout of the pilot, he started shouting himself, and jumped to the opposite side on such a short time span that someone seeing it from the road could have figured he teleported himself. The well, unfortunately, had been destroyed. Smoke, lots of smoke surrounded the area, and he saw, inside the thing, the bird, the man flying machine, he saw something small, that kept babbling something he couldnt understand.

After a few seconds, the flying thing started burning, and the first thing Iridur could do is to pull the gnome -yes, it was a gnome, not a dwarf; a dwarf would rather have died instead of flying that thing; and he was not really hurt. The small one started yelling something and pointing to the strange machine. He must be some Gond follower, and wants to make his machinery survive the fire. Once again, Icelance saves the day, and the fire ends.
The Gnome seems pretty happy now, and starts talking to Iridur again.

I'm sorry, dear Gnome, but your meaning scapes me. Can you speak common?

The noise must have atracted the other guys, because right now all of them are in the outter side, looking what is left of the machine with puzzled faces, while the Gnome starts speaking.

[Aegis]

Ambrose floated loftily over towards the woman, at least, that is to say, his body seemed not bob up and down with the motion of his feet, as with most people. Years would pass, and Brynn would still finds herself wondering if he had, in fact, taken any steps at all. Before she knew it, Ambrose had her gently by the wrist, and raising the back her hand to his lips, a lock of his long brown hair sliding down the corner of his face, dangling playfull over her skin.

"Why, for a moment, I thought you'd never ask." Ambrose kissed the back of her hand chivelrously, before gently letting it go, leaving a somewhat awestruck, and confused woman before him, unsure of how to react. Good, he thought to himself, obviously neither of the hafling or the mongrel that hit me with the door seem to know manners. A large smile tugged on his lips as he worked through his inner monologue.

After a minute, Brynn's jaw began to drop slightly askew, watching Ambrose in silence. She could see him silently mouthing words to himself, as though talking to himself, but at such an inaudible level that only he could hear his musings.

"Uh. Y-your name?" she stuttered slightly, enough to break Ambrose out of his trance.

"Uh? Oh! Yes, yes. Name." Ambrose snapped his fingers with one hand, scratching his head with the other. "Yes... Uh... Pelanor. No wait, Ambrose! Ambrose!" He grinned foolishly to himself, flashing his toothy grin.

The man is a fool..., she thought to herself. A complete, and utter fool... Just my luck... She sighed under her breath.

"Yes, Ambrose is my name, and you must be the avatar of Sune, herself." He flashed his smile again. For a brief second, Brynn could've sworn she saw a glint come from his teeth. "Prestidigitation encantantion... Check." thought Ambrose. "And what would be the lovely ladies name?"

[Brynn]

At least this one talks, for a change... she tought and decided to drop her usual, slightly arrogant attitude for the rest of the day.

Branwyn Taliesin - she said curtly, nodding her head. Then she dropped herself on a nearby chair, put her face into her hands and started to think.

What do I do now? Shall I just grab my bag, say goodbye and leave on my own? Or shall I wait for a while and try to find out what they're after? No, I have no time for that, they can find me here in a few days... - she was trying to find a solution desperately. She still didn't want to leave alone - not that she wasn't confident enough about her powers, but she just hated being alone for days... And she wasn't very good at healing either. She was quite capable of causing wounds, but to heal them...
She suddenly raised her had and started to confess.

Getlemen, it all might sounds very chatoic, but I'm short of time and I must act as soon as possible. I've just left a place where I'm supposed to spend my next two years - without permission, as you might have guessed. I mustn't linger, they can find me here any moment and whatever happens I have no intention to go back there. I'm on the run, in short. Don't know about your plans, but if someone would like to join me I'd be happy to have company. I have no idea where I'm going, probably to the next city from where I can travel further.

She looked very determined, as if nothing could change her mind about this plan. She looked at the strange company waiting for response.

[Aegis]

Brynn had hardly finished her sentence before Ambrose had sidled up next to her (Did he even move?), and had a hand on her shoulder (No really, did he move?). "Miss Taliesin, if it is an escort you are seeking, then you need seek no further!" Ambrose flashed another toothy grin, "A damsel in distress... Perhaps this day won't be so bad...".

"Er..." Brynn's eyes rolled to the corners, looking at Ambrose standing behind her "How did you get... Behind me?" her mouth curled into something between panic and confusion at the movements of this newcomer.

"Not now, my dear! All in due time!" Ambrose seemed to exclaim those last words, and he was off like a shot, roaming the corners of the inn common room, running his hands over all sorts of cracks and openings, checking everything.

The hafling rubbed the back of his head, watching the odd display put on by Ambrose, still not sure what to make of him. "Uh... What ex-" Ambrose cut him off.

"Can never be too careful, not with a woman such as yourself is concerned!"

"He... Hasn't even noticed me..." The halfling's eye twitched.

"And with a holy man, such as myself, on the job, you're in safe hands!" Ambrose, after investing every possible entry (even those not big enough for an ant to crawl through), flung his travelled sack from over his shoulder on to the floor in front of him. Facing the wall, he began to rummage through the contents, apparently humming quietly to himself in the process.

[werebeargoddess]

Raya frowned at the road that lay before her. Her hand moved unconciously, until it rested on Grathan, the bear who stood daydreaming next to her. The bear leaned into her as she scratched a patch of skin that was irritating him. Since she was a werebear, it was not hard for her to guess what he needed, and when.

With a snap, Grathan came out of his daydreaming and turned to her.

<bad idea> the bear told her. <bad feeling about country. Don't like it. Back to forest, please.>

Raya sighed. Bears tended to be a little simple minded, and Grathan was no exception. <too late. Can't turn back now, Grathan.>

The bear sighed. <why? We turn back before, to hunt and sleep. We turn back plenty of times before.>

Raya was a very patient woman. Yet even Grathan managed to try it, sometimes. <I know, love. But we can't turn back this time. I've just got a feeling that we've got to be here.>

<okay> Grathan shifted, and took interest in a bug.

Taking a deep breath, she walked down the road. There was not much to see, really. Maybe this was a bad idea.... Well, too late for that. Grathan seemed to be interested in everything, however, despite his earlier worries. He was running from one place to another; inspecting every plant and bush that he could get to, without actually getting to far from her. Raya couldn't help but smile a little at his enthusiasm.

Before she realized it, she was in front of an inn. She looked up at the sign, which read, The Moon and Sword Inn. SHe stopped, and looked around. I've got a very bad feeling about this.... Calling Grathan to her, she opened the door and stepped inside.

Once there, she very nearly turned around and left again. As it was, Grathan was blocking her path. Noting the near - chaos, Raya's eyebrow went up. A man was facing a wall as he rummaged through a rucksack. A halfling was sitting on the floor, rubbing his head. A young woman stood in one corner. Whoops. I think I made a mistake in coming here. I think Grathan was right. But to her discredit, Grathan moved over to inspect the halfing. Raya quickly came forward, and with a little effort, got the bear to move away from the halfing.

"I'm so sorry about that. He's dead curious." She told the halfling, who was glaring at her.

[Rob-hin]

Quetlt brushed the dirt of his robes. He noticed he tore up his favourite flying jacket, a long leather coat tightly strapped around his waist and then loosely covering his legs like a normal wizards robe. “Damnit” he muttered to himself. Then he noticed the man standing next to him who had saved his flying craft from total destruction.
I'm sorry, dear Gnome, but your meaning escapes me. Can you speak common?

“Oh yes, yes. Good of you to save my craft, Good, good. My thanks” He scuffled about in his pockets absent minded. “I really thought I had it figured out this time, bah. I must have miscalculated the wind resistance here or there… still, it was an improvement compared to last trial.”

The man lifted an eyebrow. “An improvement?”

Strartled from his mumbling, Quellt look up at him. “What? Oh yes, yes, most definitely. Trial and error is the way my boy.” At that moment, he pulled out a small peace of meat and a large leather glove.

He turned around and looked up through the sky. With his ring and index finger, he whistled loudly. Suddenly an hawk landed on his arm. “There you are.” And Quellt tossed up a small peace of meat which the hawk caught and gobbled down.

He turned back at the unknown man. “The glove it to protect me from his claws you see.”

“I… I see” The man look as if he was trying to form an opinion about this strange little fellow.

“I got pretty far this time, didn’t I Flaight? Problem is that were out in the middle of nowhere now.” The bird let out a mocking series of shrieks. “Now, now, no need to be rude!”

It was a pretty strange sight, the small gnome lifting a hawk almost half his size.

“Well, seems like I’ll be stuck here for a while.” He muttered, “now what do I do?”

[CM]

Taking a look at the bear coming over to him, Fas grabbed the nearest thing to him, a large part of the undead creacture and waited for the bear to come near him. As soon as the bear was near him Fas pounced and started attacking the bear as quickly as he could.

"Take that you rabid haffer eating mutt you", shrieked Fas as he - in his opinion - savagely attacked the bear. The bear just yawned and continued to prod Fas. Feeling that he had won a major victory and showed the bear who was incharge, Fas quickly gathered his belongings into his small bag. They were an assortment of goods. Many given to him when he was staying at Yshania's inn. Well given would be too strong a word. He had found them interesting and just picked them up to cause trouble. Of course the loathsome Darkflames or DFs as he refered to them, saw as it him being cute and let him keep them.

Over the years hanging at the Inn Fas had learnt the true nature of these items. One was a red and golden colored stone which when used made magical items near by glow. Another was a sling shot and sword. Both magical in nature but he had no clue what the magic was. And lastly were a pair of glasses which made things well make sense. The Darkflames has realised early one that Fas was a "special" haffer, in the sense that he lived in his own world and sometimes visited theirs.

So they decided to get him these glasses. Once on they would translate languages and show the haffer clarity in items and situations so that he could process the information to Fas-land.

Gathering up his posessions and cursing the Dark Flames under his breath for leaving him all alone and annoyed that was thinking about them, Fas grabbed Mr. Tiddles and stalked out of the room and decided to find himself a secluded spot.

Let those tree trunks talk among themselves. I am not going anywhere. She can't find me here. No way. There is no chance in hell that she could. Even then, Fas said a small prayer to Tymora the Goddess of Luck and Tyr the God of justice his chosen diety.

But it seems Tyr wasn't very happy in Fas's choice as he didn't help Fas one bit. Heck he has gotten me into more trouble, thought Fas. No there is no way she can find me here. Damn atleast i hope there is no way.

[Brynn]

When the animal entered the room she immediately knew what was going on. This person must have been sent by Erana... Is she crazy sending bears after me?!

Now this is enough - she said to the girl in a sinister voice - I don't care how hard she tries, I'm not going back there. She put her hands together and slowly a glowing ball of energy appeared between her palms, irradiating a thin bloodred ring on her right hand, made of pure ruby.
Now, my dear, if you know what's good for you, leave this place immediately and never come back. You can tell that witch she'll never catch me. Still keeping her eyes on the girl, she said to the priest:
Amborse, get ready, if you want to come with me.

[Aegis]

Ambrose stopped shuffling through his bag at the sound of Brynn's voice. "Did she just call me Amborse?" His brow curled in contemplation for a moment, his fingers running a beaded thread through one hand, the other scratching a thin growth of stubble along his chin. "What a moment. What was the other thing she said..."

Ambrose continued to think quietly to himself, the hand that was previous scratching his chin now snapping idlely, causing everyone in the room to stop and wonder about the man.

"He... The Idiot doesn't know..." Fas groaned quietly. Mr. Tiddles mewed, and the bear snorted slightly, and ****ed it's head passively.

Ambrose finally gave one last snap of his fingers, and sprang to his feet. "She invited me along!" He exclaimed jubulently. If it weren't for the aura of tension within the common room, the rest would have surely collapsed to the ground because of Ambrose's absurdity. Then, as if he were magically enchanted (for all they knew, he was), his bag was packed, slung over his shoulder, and he was charging towards Brynn. As he neared the woman, something in the corner of his eye caught his attention. It was big, brown, and quite hairy. Ambrose came to a skidding halt, his feet landing on something lumpy, and warm, his eyes locked on Brynn.

"I just ran over a bear's foot... Didn't I?" Ambrose gulped.

[CM]

"He... The Idiot doesn't know..." Fas groaned quietly. Mr. Tiddles mewed, and the bear snorted slightly, and ****ed it's head passively. Then Fas walked out of the room and started exploring the place. It was a very old inn. A very large one. Right in the middle of no where really. They had happened to stumble upon looking for shelter.

Fas felt that there would be something cool near by for him to claim all for himself. For nobody. Nobody but him. Once he had staked claim to that something he would get rid of these people and that damn bear that had tried to eat Mr. Tiddles. He was not gonna let him get away with that.

Mr. Tiddles was perched on Fas's head like always looking at the surroundings. He is a crazy one, this haffer thought Mr. Tiddles. Why do i even bother with him? He never has food. Always getting into trouble. I bet he is doing that right now.

Fas had climbed a third set of stairs getting to the attic. The door was closed. Well Fas as any haffer doesn't like closed doors. It means there is something there that he should have. So grabbing his trusty lockpick, Fas walked towards the door only to feel a cold. So very cold. He couldn't move forward. He wasn't forzen but he could take no step forward. He could walk backwards that was no problem.

Mr. Tiddles however was having a hissing fit. His hair and tail were spiked and he seemed ready to attack something. But what was it. Grabbing his red stone, Fas checked if the door was warded with magic. Yes it was.

Sensing the stone it seemed something or someone or maybe a protection spell rang out and attacked the stone and Fas. Shocking Fas who screamed like a girl and wet his pants again, he fainted while still clutching the stone.

[CM]

Fas was knocked out as he bounced down the flight of steps crashing through the floor and landing on the big bear on the ground floor where he promptly wet himself again out of instinct.

[Brynn]

The girl just looked at her, saying nothing, apparently not frightened at all by her threats. She lowered her hands and looked back at the girl, not offensively this time, but with curiousity.

The bear seemed to be bland, meekly sniffing around the corner, obviously interested in the cat and nothing else. And the girl, too... didn't look like a bloodthirsty henchman either.

Suddenly thuds and bangs could be heard from above, and an "Ouch" - clearly a body was falling down from somewhere.

What is he doing again?! - she said, juping quickly towards the source of the sound. She was surprised to a see a set of stairs leading up to a closed door, and the halfling whimpering in pain now at its feet.

[Brynn]

She bent over the man and saw his hand clutching what looked like a stone. Right when she sensed its magical nature she snitched it out of his grip, stepped over him (clearly not thinking of helping him up this time) and walked up the stairs towards the door he was obviously attempting to open. For a moment she stood there in silence, observing the stone which turned warm and radiated a faint flickering light. "That's handy" she thought to herself and slipped it into her bag.

Clearly, the door was warded and he set off the trap...

She murmured something and turned her palms to feel the door, hands only an inch from the surface. She had been doing that for a couple of minutes before she lowered her hands and opened the door which creaked loudly as she peered into the room.

She saw what seemed to be an abandoned old attic, homing some furniture covered by linen and a thick layer of dust.