Malkai said nothing as he set off ahead of the others. He felt the dwarf was a reckless fool and he could tell the elf was thinking only of herself. The fighter, like many magically incapable warriors, was paranoid about the danger's she'd be facing. Only Alyssa has yet to do anything to annoy Malkai in particular, but he didn't feel like testing the waters around her. He had Falchion scout ahead, occasionally coming back to report anything of value. No bandits or the like, mostly just weather conditions and landmarks. It was slowly getting hotter, and not wanting to have to worry about the weather, Malkai quietly casted a spell to himself. It only required a small somatic geasture, and he spoke the spell incantation in Druidic.

「Endure Elements」

Aside from his words and hand motions, there wasn't much of a show as he cast his magic. Just as he liked it. Now immune to the harsh effects of the desert, Malkai had nothing to worry about from the desert's sun, or later tonight, chill. And so long as the winds weren't trying to flay him alive or throw rocks at his head, he should be able to weather a sandstorm too. He had Falchion continue scouting ahead while Malkai kept his eyes on the horizon, listening and watching for any sign of danger that his animal companion may miss, occasionally eavesdropping on the conversation of his party members.

Following the instructions of his father, Xavio had finally arrived in the desert city if Saphire where the Mage's Guild was located and he was sure that if anyone knew about his mother's whereabouts or what happened many years ago, they would have the answers. Upon entering the city he noticed the streets full of people going about their ways and merchants trying to direct the people's paths toward their way. Not many merchants tried to grab Xavio's attention, after all, they mostly went after the rich looking folk. Seeing a merchant laying his gold coins on the table, and after counting about 37 of them, he stuffed them back in his pouch on to his belt. So happy-looking he was, murmuring that happy song of his, coins jingling along with his fat stomach and tits while he was slightly dancing with the murmur's rhythm, the sweat coming from the heat didn't make it any better either. "That man really needs to lose some pounds, maybe I shall help him"- were Xavio's thoughts as he went to the man from the back and snatched his gold pouch from his belt while dropping a pouch filled with bronze coins of his own. "I'll have your pouch and in return you can have mine you fat piece of...meat", and just as the merchant was about to retaliate Xavio got some magic dust from one of his pouches and threw it at the merchant's face while quickly leaving. That should make him forget, also has the benefit of making him look like he sniffed some sugar.
Heading to the nearest tavern, being tired and thirsty, after all, those jellybeans didn't provide his body with water, he went to the bartender and the first thing he could mutter was "water" with a ragged voice and dry throat. Throwing in some silver coins and waiting for the glass of water.
When he finally arrived carrying a glass with a light yellow liquid Xavio's face went pale. The bartender brought the glass up to him while saying:"Here's your water" laying it on the table. Xavio looked at the glass then looked at the bartender, eyes sparkling with an intention to, how do you say it, beat the shit out of this imbecile. The bartender noticed Xavio looking intently at him, than he looked at the cup of water, smiling he replied:"I swear it was transparent when I poured it in...". This place was so filthy that even the air could turn the water yellow, let alone unwashed glasses. Using a spark of electricity to charge up the drink, than pouring it in the bartender's face, sent him in a spasm like condition, making his face look even dumber than it was before which was surprising that it could even look dumber. A few laughs exploded in the tavern while the bartender was mumbling incomprehensible words while still in his shocked state. Quickly getting up and leaving, more thirsty than when he entered, Xavio noticed a leaflet laying on the ground. Upon picking it up he read the quest and that it was issued by the Mage's Guild. When someone next to him in a table nearby noticed him reading it, he notified Xavio that the quest was already taken although:"The more the merrier"- the guy said also adding that any participants in the quest would be rewarded handsomely, being taken before the Guild Master to deliver the required item. When Xavio asked him of the location of the temple the other one simply responded with:"Time is gold, would you like to save YOUR time in exchange for some golden coins?"- and sure thing Xavio handed him 5 gold coins for that guy just to tell everything the old wizard conversed with the others. As soon as he was finished, Xavio quickly reached his hand behind the informer's neck, sending electric impulses paralyzing the guy while quickly leaning him backwards on his chair. He deprived the fella of all his money, 7 gold coins and 30 silver pieces to be exact including the money he got from him, and quickly left hoping to catch up with the others, hopefully they would let him join in.
The best chance he had of finding his mother was talking to the guild master himself. This was an opportunity he could not miss, an opportunity who came with added reward in the end. Just as he got outside, he noticed a man screaming at a guard about his lost camels, more like crying anyway. Luckily for Xavio there was only one other camel left. As both he and the guard had their backs turned, he took the chance and sneaked behind them, a thing which was made easier by the screaming and whining of the "victim".
Walking the camel as he was, all Xavio could think about was water. After he made sure he was far enough from the merchant,(when his cries couldn't be heard anymore), Xavio proceeded to stab any barrel he came across. While mostly resulted to be fruits, ale and wine, just as he was about to lose all hope and settle for something alcoholic, one crate spilled water from its contents. Nearly breaking the crate in a death-hug, he drank and drank until..., well until he was told off and had to pay for the whole barrel. This happening in open environment filled with people and guards, some of them approaching the "soon-to-be problem", Xavio couldn't pull of his take&run strategy so he had to pay up this time. Good thing he cracked it open near the top, now he could just load it in the camel and carry it for his journey.
As he reached the outskirts of the city, following the path that supposedly lead to the resurfaced temple, never can truly trust info brokers, he was met with the sight of:"One,two three,four five people, one of them looks to be riding a giant boar, well we won't get hungry during the journey at least and I don't mind the eye candy either..."-he murmured to himself as he viewed the three girls, especially as he studied the half-naked one(as called by the info broker). "HEEEEY, WAAAAAIT"- Xavio yelled as he tried to catch up with the others riding his camel like you would a horse. He was also told of a guy with a mask and an eagle nesting his head, as ridiculous as it sounded back at the tavern he still couldn't believe it. Making a mental note to check that guy's head for any eggs that happen to be lying there, he started raiding faster(or so he hoped) towards the group while constantly yelling for their attention while gesturing with hands.

Little to Xavio's knowledge the merchant he played a trick on sent one of his henchmen after him. Of course she wasn't exactly a man. Wearing half plate iron armor including one sinister looking helmet. She followed after him as he ran. When she saw him run off with a camel she grumbled. "Stupid pink skinned punk... I show him a thing or two." The woman said. Her tusks poking out from under her lip as she spoke. She then whistled and a painted horse came running up to her. She climbed on the horse and with a flick of the reigns it was off. She then pulled out a large great sword. It was jagged and sharp. She began her chase of the damn mage who thought it would be funny to rob her client. Her horse gaining the distance between them rather quickly. As she got closer and closer she could see a group of adventurers. Friends of his?... no not by his choice of words.

Jarvis turned his body around making a grunt as he did so. He saw the man hollering at them to wait and then he saw the biggest woman he ever saw. Big with half plate armor and she was a dark shade of green and long black hair done up in a pony tail poked out the back of said helmet. The sword she held out was also huge. His eyes widened as he knew what it was. A female orc warrior charging towards them. They were still close to the city for it to be from the local tribes. Even they aren't that stupid. He raised a brow,.... "Yeah yeah we hear you,... what about your friend?" He asked as he halted his boar. As the guy got closer so did the orc female.

The orc warrior soon over took Xavio and his camel and then came in cutting him of at a good distance and putting her steed in between him and the company. Jarvis decided to close in with his boar to save the human. He knew this orc had business with him and it wasn't going to end well. "Hey, before you kill him, let me as you one thing. How much does your employer pay you?" He asked.
In response the orc turned her head around. "5 gold a day and free ale." She answered. The dwarf looked her up and down and at the steed. "Bullshit,... you look worth more then that. Well if you would like a better paycheck. Join us, we are on a mission for the mages guild and we know how well they pay." He offered.
The female orc raised a brow and lowered her great sword. "You a dwarf wouldn't mind me joining your group?" She asked.
"That's what I am asking,... we could use a tough warrior like yourself. This one also wants to join us as well. We got enough room of course. I honestly don't mind. I threw out my pride a long time ago." He said. Well he still had some pride but this much he could stomach.

She nodded and sheathed her blade. She looked to the mage and narrowed her eyes. "You can thank the dwarf that you get to keep your head today." She said. She then walked her horse over to the dwarf. "Pleasure to be working with you then,... my name is Graug, whats yours?" She asked.
"Jarvis,.... and the boar. Her name is Betsy." He answered. She bowed her head to the both of them and then nodded to the rest of his crew of misfits.

With that Jarvis turned his boar back around and off they went. Vivian saw this and she actually gained some confidence. She looked back at the city and towards Jarvis. "Seeing as I saw you accept Graug into our ranks. Perhaps I can be a little forthcoming with what I am."
"Yeah an elf right?" Jarvis said.
"I am an elf just not the type you see now." She said. This caused him to turn his head at her and his eyes narrowed. Trying to get her meaning. She sighed and then rose her scythe in the air. The jewel glowed and suddenly her disguise spell turned off. Revealing to the group what she truly was.

Her white silk clothing turning into that of red and her skin going from a pale white to a dark violet color. Her hair going from a blonde to a silver white. Then came her eyes. Her eyes were a vivid color. With in her robes poked out a large black beak. The bird that emerged the rest of the way was a good sized Raven. She was not surface elf. She was a drow elf of the underdark. What surprised her was his reaction. He simply just shrugged it off.
"Aw your a drow elf,... huh I suppose if you can stomach being inside the shell of a surface elf your good enough for me. Besides,... rogue drow are not too rare. Don't know why you went rogue, and don't care. Well not right now anyway. Perhaps later you can exchange as to the why when we make camp."
For some reason he was not bothered too much by it and she could tell. She was a little surprised by that.

As the dwarf halted and turned towards him Xavio sighed with relief. As he saw the dwarf's eyes look past him, behind his back he got wondering. Muttering:"What the heck is he lo..."- without finishing his sentence he heard galloping behind him. Quickly turning behind he saw an orc rider dressed with menacing armor that screamed WAR a mile away closing in behind him at rapid speed. Even the horse looked like it could kill. Quickly turning forward he motioned the camel to quicken its pace by yelling:"HIYA, HIYA"-like you would a horse. What were his options? Leave the camel and try to make a run for it? Although he was faster than the camel he couldn't race a horse. Maybe if he just reached the others in time, they might cover for him. What did this orc want anyway? Was her business with him or the group ahead? Maybe if he just played it cool, she would pass him and go for the group instead. Who knows what business she had. Or maybe hit her with a powerful lightning spell throwing her of her horse. She wouldn't suspect that...

His question was answered when she passed him, for a second he thought she would pass him but instead she made a sharp turn and halted right in front of him. Electricity sparkling in his hands, ready to strike when the dwarf talked:"Hey, before you kill him, let me ask you one thing. How much does your employer pay you?".
"5 gold a day and free ale."- she replied. And as the rest of the conversation unfolded, Xavio could only wait and hear, although he couldn't help but smirk(still has cloth over face and the hood up) when he heard the orc's comment about keeping his head. She took the words right out of his mouth. By how the dwarf responded, they were already accepted in the group. He must be the leader Xavio guessed.
"You can call me Xavio"- he said after Jarvis introduced his name and the boar's.

His attention was later drawn by the voice of the elf who revealed herself to be a Drow Elf. Can't even imagine on what mission she was sent in the surface to complete. Retrieve the artifact maybe? He could tell that the orc and the dwarf were only in it for the money granted from the reward, but he didn't know about the others motives. Although, anyone could have a change of heart depending on the artifact's properties. Xavio had to look behind his back constantly, especially when getting the artifact. Preferably he would like to be behind's everyone's back...*ahem* in the meaning that if he was behind everyone's backs, no one was going to be behind his back. With these thoughts, he approached the group hoping to start off with a good foot, or handshake more specifically. Although the thought that one of this hands could be holding the knife implanted in his back in the near future haunted his mind...

Malkai looked over at the strange scene unfolding. At first he thought the man running after them were the owners of the camels, to which Malkai responded . "Must be the owners of the camels. Let's go!" But before he got too far, an orcish woman came running after the mage. All the more reason to leave. Things only got strangers when the dwarf of all people decided to recruit the orcish woman and the mage into their ranks. Malkai just sighed. He supposed that at least new there were plenty of bodies to trigger any traps at the temple. Then Vivian revealed herself to be a drow. Very odd, but at this time Malkai had stopped being surprised at these sudden and strange appearances. Not that he was going to drop his illusions; he wasn't sure how the orcish warrior managed, but he wasn't about to let everyone know he was a half-orc. He still wasn't going to let them know he was a druid. The less they knew the better, he figured.

"If we're done gawking, let's move. Also... I'm not paying her." Letting the dwarf take up his own advice and speak for himself, Malkai had no interest in paying for the services of the orcish woman Graug. He simply continued on his way towards the desert temple, hoping that no more weirdos show up and want to join their band. If so, Malkai may as well consider themselves a mercenary force. They certainly lacked the discipline to be a proper military unit, but where just rag-tag enough to be a band of misfits.

Catarina rode off to catch up with Malkai, not really paying attention to the events happening far in the back. It seemed very strange what was going on, but things got really ridiculous when Jarvis let the orc, of all things, join their party. She didn't say anything, but after fighting them for so long Catarina had a hard time trusting orcs. Even the ones she worked with in the past tend to care only about themselves, and would even flee from battle if they thought they were going to die. Orcs could be fearsome, sure, but more often than not they only watched out for themselves. Catarina wasn't going to trust the orc to watch her back unless she intended to stab it.

"What a bunch of weirdos...."

"Thank you Cat. And may we make many profitable memories!"

Alyssa looked over he shoulder, somewhat amused by the offer Jarvis had made to the orc. She'd been on the bribing end of things quite often in her line of work and it was interesting to see someone else doing it for once. Also one to be on the 'guard being a bit miffed at you' end of things seeing someone else in that situation was immensly amusing, get better at the craft kiddo and that kind of stuff quits happening.

"Oh cool, looks like we'll be elfy, dwarfy, orcy, and the humans." Casting a glance at Catarina she smirked at her comment. "The first task in getting competent folk is finding them, the second is dealing with their eccentricities."

The dwarf Jarvis ignored some of the words being spoken. Mostly the ones calling them a bunch of weirdos or misfits. We reached that point at the table let alone out here. I mean how many groups out there have a guy with a mask with a bird as big as a halfling sitting on his head. Okay the falcon wasn't that big, he was about the size of a gnome though. The dwarf just simply kept his eyes on the horizon. Now that they were a decent sized group he had a little more confidence in their success. Would they get to the temple without any interaction with the locals?... now that he was most certainly not going to bet money on. He knew they would run into a few bands of orcs here and there. He was sure of it. He would try to sniff them out if it wasn't for the fact they already had a orc with them. He sighed and shrugged it off.

Every step the group took, every head way they made they got farther and farther from civilization. It was at moments like this when the crazy shit began to happen. He kept his eyes open and fixed on anything. Listening to the grunts of his companion. The bad thing about the desert was it was often quiet. Not like the forests where birds can be heard. Just the sound of the wind and the movement of sand. Then suddenly he saw something in the distance. A lone figure,....

As they got closer the figure began to get bigger. Sure enough it was an orc. Where there was one there were more. Problem was there wasn't. He leaned over and spat at the sand and patted the head of his boar. He then drew forth his hammer and readied himself. When the group got close enough the ambush was sprung. Not from above, but from beneath. Orcs began to rise up from the sand wearing cloaks. One by one the orcs would toss the cloth off to reveal the bits and pieces of armor they had and the axes they wielded. Jarvis smiled at the whole scene. "Finally,.... some action."

The orcs numbered in about ten. It wasn't big but it was enough that they outnumbered the group by three. Jarvis didn't care either. He wasn't going to talk them out of it. He had no intentions of doing so. He tapped his feet to the sides of his battle boar like you would a horse to start the charge. His hammer raised up in the air ready to swing.

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Vivian rolled her eyes at the words being spoken around her. Yeah they were a odd bunch. They were not exactly your common bands of heroes but who wants normal. With their current build it would make the mission more exciting. She didn't know what the problem was with the masked man or the holier then though fighter ,but she knew one thing. She was going to have fun with this.

Just as things were growing dull and the noise of the desert beginning to overtake that of the group. She was about to say something ,but she noticed the dwarf leaning forward. She leaned to the side slightly to see beyond Alyssa and saw the figure. It did not take long before she made out it's shape and size. It was a brutish orc with make shift armor much the same as their own orc. As they got closer and closer she felt her hand moving to hold on to Alyssa. Was it out of comfort or worry? She couldn't tell. Then when the ambush revealed itself with them being surrounded, she made a head count of ten orcs in total. There could be more elsewhere but for now only ten. She leaned in slightly and whispered. "Alyssa,... ever see a orc explode?" She said smiling.

As she finished that sentence she raised up her palm and chose a target. As she focused and concentrated a ball of light appeared above it. "I say nothing does the job then a magic missile." She added.

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Graug's warrior instincts kicked in the moment the first Orc showed itself. She drew her sword quick and a grin formed on her face. "Forget the gold,... I will do just about anything to get a chance to spill some blood." She voiced as she tried to make a choice as to who her target was. Drawing her great sword as she did so.

Alyssa was just starting to enjoy Vivian's closeness when she spotted the ambush, standard tactics it seemed. Use superior numbers to surround travelers and ensure no one escaped. One problem though, they weren't surrounded, they were in a 'target rich enviroment'. Spreading out like this ensured that there was an orc for every blade swung or spell conjured.

"Nothing like a little excitement to clear the tension eh?" She grinned in admiration as the swarm of missles coalesced into being in Vivian's palm.

"I'll stick to fire myself." With a flourish and some words of power several motes of flame appeared circling her wrist. She quickly sent a few of them into the nearest orc, trying to gauge their resilience.

Malkai knew it was an ambush the moment he saw the lone orc. Looking around, Malkai was keenly aware of how sand looked like, and while the orc's disguise were were well made, he could see that they were merely colored blankets and not truly gains of sand. Thus Malkai had his axe out by the time the orcs emerged, and he had sent Falchion into the skies to pick put archers or spellcasters. The camels were not battle-bred and would flee, but Malkai used his magic to convince his camel not to run too far. Afterwards he quickly dismounted and engaged in combat with one of the orcs, blocking his axe so he could counter with his own.

Malkai didn't fight alone, that is to say that he was soon attacked by two orcs. This one had a scimitar and shield, and he tried to cut Malkai from behind. But keenly aware of his presence, Malkai dodged and moved out of flank. His axe was larger than the other orcs, giving him a range advantage, but right now it was two-against one and these orcs were much bigger than he was. "Hmph. Foolish barbarians. I'll cut you down!" The axe orc charged in and swung towards Malkai's head. Malkai intercepted his blow, knocking it off course just in time to stop the scimitar wielding orc from getting close enough to attack Malkai. His balde stopped just in time from cutting his ally, but now he couldn't bring his shield up as Malkai brought his axe down on his head, splitting his skull in half. One down, nine more to go.

Smirking at Alyssa's words, Catarina felt a bit better at their strange party. "Yeah, you're right. Still, I just hope they aren't all talk." After that the group traveled relatively quietly into the desert. It wasn't long before they lost sight of the city. If it weren't for the dusty roads and the occasional sign, it would be very easy to get lost in the desert. Catarina had to keep her breathing steady so she doesn't overheat herself in her heavy armor, occasionally opening her helmet to drink form her water skin. Eventually a figure was approaching them in the distance. Catarina was familiar with this tactic and had her weapons drawn. When she saw that it was an orc, Catarina knew what was going to happen and got off her camel right as the orcs got out.

As soon as one of the orcs brandished his axe, Catarina was already attacking him. "Fall!" Catarina shouted as she impaled her bastard sword through the chest of one of the orcs. In his dying breath he tried to bring his axe down on Catarina, but her shield deflected the blow. Kicking the dead orc off Catarina ran over to Alyssa and Vivian, making sure no orc got too close to them.

A lone orc in the horizon, what possible thing might have killed all his group of orc raiders who are known to prey upon travelers on the des..NOPE he was the bait after all. Was it so much to ask for them to have died of dehydration? Quickly descending from the camel he turned back just in time to see 2 orcs right behind him reaching the peak of charging their attacks:"How the hell did you even get.."-a quick duck allowed Xavio to "barely" dodge a powerful horizontal swipe from the left orc's axe aimed for his head and another roll to the left allowed him to evade yet another vertical attack made by a hammer-wielding crazy-eyed orc standing to the right. Quickly charging up his fists with lightning he lunged forward, fists crackling with electric energy performing a shocking grasp, hitting both orcs in their groin area. Needless to say they both died from the immense pain caused by this attack, overloading the brain and making it shutdown. 70 feet away stood a huge orc carrying a big 2-headed axe. A stupid grin adored his face while jewelry adored his fingers and neck, pierced ears and pierced nose and..so many damn trinkets, what the hell is wrong with people like that? Xavio straightened up, looking the orc straight in the eye, Xavio's cold gaze meeting the orc's bloodlustful one. Cracking his fingers and neck, Xavio took a running position, the orc replying with taking a bull's one. He started off with an above average speed, the orc doing the same, giant axe sideways making a charging attack, a legendary clash of warriors to be seen... Halfway in the charge Xavio stopped abruptly, the orc a little surprised but nonetheless charging with killing intention. Raising a finger pointed toward the orc, Xavio released a Zap straight for the orc. So many trinkets he had, the electricity spread through his body like wildfire making him drop his axe in a roar of pain.(They tend to pierce very strange places indeed). Another one flew from Xavio's finger and another one and another one until the orc was barely conscious. Getting closer to the orc who was now laying down on his knees barely supporting his body weight, he put a hand touching the orc's head, electricity could be felt on the air surrounding them, lightning gathering in the palm of his hand. After a moment of gathering, a torrent of lightning was released from the sorcerer's hand(lightning hands), it's blinding-like light engulfing them. Only a keeled body was what remained, his head nowhere to be seen. Now all that was left was to wait for the others to finish. On a second thought, why wait? Always better to be the first one to get dibs on loot. As so, Xavio searched the orc's bodies for valuables as the others fought...

The magic missile fired at its intended target. The orc rose it's weapon to block but suddenly the spell split into two and swung around him to hit him in the back exploding on impact. The force launched him forward into the sand. She could tell he was done. She smirked at the large holes at his sides. "Darn, he didn't fully explode. Oh well." Was all she said. She looked to see how the others where doing. They were all handling themselves well against their opponents.

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Betsy the battle boar was like a raging bull as she lowered her armored head. Preparing for impact. The orc braced itself for the impact thinking he could match it. But as the boar closed that gap between them it dodged to right. Thinking it was clear, yet the orc forgot about its rider. Before it could register what had happened the dwarf's hammer connected with the side of its head with enough force it crushed its skull and brained the already brainless orc.

When it hit the ground all it did was twitch here and there as its nerves were still reacting to the hit. Betsy stopped in her place and the dwarf looked behind him. He smirked and looked at the dead that surrounded them and a grumpy orc on her horse. "Hey ye got to be faster then that to get a kill when ye traveling with our blood thirsty band." He said smiling. He was quite happy with what occurred. He looked at the dead trying to spot any valuables. He couldn't really see anything that peaked his interest. These Orcs were not obviously the main force of their barbaric tribe.

. "We should get moving,... Before their friends come looking for them. We may be able to handle a small group but I doubt we can handle a large one." He said. His boar began moving once more.

Seeing that the fight was well in hand Alyssa fell back on her crossbow. Old reliable barked out bolts at a steady rate, each one finding their mark, more or less.

Once the battle was finished Alyssa took a quick look over her companions to ensure they were alright. Once she that everyone was still healthy she swept a quick 'detect magic' over the orcs, it wasn't likely they were carrying anything of real value, but she wasn't about to miss it if they were. Normally she'd stop to collect whatever coinage they might have, but Jarvis was right, she didn't exactly like their odds against a whole tribe. She did, however pause to admire her ally's handiwork, having seen them in action she was feeling better about this whole endeavor.

She kicked over the orc with the missle hole in him while she was dismounted, cajoling George the camel into chilling out seemed better than having her and Vivian eating sand. "Vivian, if I ever start pissing you off, do remind me before I end up like poor orcy here eh?" She favored Vivian with a grin and a wink before she climbed back on George and urged him off to follow the boar.

After searching the 2 orcs(from those he slayed with groin punch), Xavio concluded that their pockets were as dry as the desert surrounding them. Upon searching the third orc, the one who had many trinkets, he finally came to the deduction...that someone had robbed this orcs beforehand. All the trinkets that the third orc had were made of rusted iron(how the fuck did they get rusted in the desert) and in his pockets all he could find was 13 silver coins. The barrel of water costed way more than that. Feeling disappointing, Xavio didn't even bother doing a Detect Magic spell(#logic). He turned back to get up on his camel and there he saw it...no camel to be seen. Trying to look around him he saw a distant 4-legged creature, bound to be his camel running some miles away from him. How in the hell could it run so fast?
Then it suddenly hit him. All this orcs stationed here, they had to have a base somewhere near(if they were on foot) or at lest a few horses laying close by unless they die of thirst waiting for naught. Damn that camel, it had the barrel of water and food in it. Now frantically looking around, hopefully spotting those horses before the others got ready to leave again...
"We should get moving,..."-the dwarf said, breaking the train of thoughts in Xavio's mind. Just then, the sorcerer spottet what seemed to be an encampment. He could make out multiple small tents and 2 big ones in the middle, one bound to be the chiefs and the other one the stash. 10 were killed so that just left the leader and some others. If they just got there, maybe they could get horses, resupplies and some damn above-shitgrade loot. Now, to only convince the others to get out of their way in order for him to get a ride...

"Hey guys, nice job. Now I'm certain that this quest will be easy seeing all of you in action and what you can manage. But as much as you can manage, we can't travel at this pace, add the ambushes along the way, more than half the quest would be the traveling part. How about we.."upgrade" our rides? I'm seeing some opportunity on the horizon just a few miles away. A small camp which was made smaller by our most recent fight, bound to have some loot and lots of supplies. It will be a breeze. What could go wrong?"-and with that, Xavio rested his case. The camp deviating west from their route and only a few miles away couldn't even be called a deviation, it would benefit them in the long run. What reason was there to say no?

Malkai dueled against the scimitar wielding orc, dodging his blows and swinging at him. His opponent did the same, dodging and weaving instead of taking it to the face like a fool. But thanks to the timely intervention of Falchion, who swooped down and clawed at the orc's eyes, Malkai was able to hack off the orc's knee and chop off his head when he fell. Aside from the scimitar and a coin purse containing a single gold piece, the orc didn't have anything of value. None of these orcs did really. He was getting ready to leave when the new member of the party wanted them to take on the rest of the tribe.

"That's not our job. And we don't have time to be sidetracked. Go get your camel or catch up." These orcs were weak, no doubt. After all if a single sorcerer can take on three of them in a melee, they must be a joke. But all the more reason that Malkai had no interest in fighting or looting that tribe of orcs. Someone or something else would take care of them eventually, and Malkai wasn't going to risk health, resources, or time for side plots that would only yield meager coin and maybe a old camel or two. Without another word he put his axe away, got on his camel, and left, heading towards the desert temple they were suppose to fine before it gets covered up with sand again.

After killing one, most of the other orcs got wiped out by the rest of the party. Magic spells took them out before they could even get within Catarina's reach. "Well then. I guess that's over." Catarina put her sword back and went to get her camel. It had strayed away during the fight but fortunately wasn't hurt. With some difficulty, she managed to get on. It looked like the rest of the party was ready to move when the sorcerer mentioned another orcish camp nearby. Nearby being a mile or so off in the distance. Even on a camel Catarina was uncertain; there was no cover for them to take and it'd certainly take them some time to get there. Assuming that the tribe had no archers to weaken them as they got closer, attacking their camp head on wasn't a smart move. Even with all these mages on their side. "Let's not test our luck. I mean, I'm all for cleaning out bandits from the desert. But we have to get to the temple first. Maybe when we come back?" Catarina tugged her camel forward and followed the others back towards the desert temple.

"Malkai and Catarina speak wisely my friend" said the dwarf as he road his battle pig. "These desert sands tend to suck up anything at a given second. The Guild wants what's inside it and we best get there before it gets sucked up again. Being a cleric and having Vivian with us we can always move the sand out of our way after we are inside. However, not when we are outside. It's hard to tell one sand hill from the other." Jarvis was wondering how new to the world ,or at least this part of the world. He grumbled and shook his head. He saw what his group could do and well,.. he felt very proud of himself for getting into a good one. He swung his hammer around by its sling a couple times his boar moved. "Wouldn't hurt to pick up the pace though. If you lot don't mind that is." He offered. His hog may not look much but many don't understand the training it goes through to become a battle hardened boar. It can keep up with the camels or the horses with ease.

Vivian smiled at the tulip that was Alyssa. Now that they were on good terms it was going to make partnership with her much more enjoyable. She took one final glance at the orc she exploded and smiled. "That's not the only thing I can make explode,.... if you know what I mean." She said. She wasn't sure if the others were bright enough to get that meaning but she at least hoped Alyssa was. To the others it might seem strange but in the world of the drow it was not the oddest thing to see. Two members of the same sex being together as partners. Especially female drow. She lowered her hood and pushed her cloak away revealing more of her skin. It both burned and cooled her at the same time. It was weird. The sun was not kind at all but the sweat and the wind made it feel a lot better.
She ignored the other sorcerers desire to go orc hunting and she rolled her eyes at it. After hearing the other two males, Malkai and Jarvis voice their opinions she smirked.
"Nice to hear that not all of the males in this party are slow minded." She looked to the young sorcerer and he was indeed young. Even for a human. She may have him by hundred fifty or so years but still. "As much as I like to fry and play with the wild orcs of the world, I much like to get paid to do it. Right now we are all going to get paid by the mages guild once we grab this chalice. Once we do that,.. sure lets fry us a orc village. Of course again. Never do anything for free." That was her two cents on the subject of that.

She then looked back to her companion. "Alyssa,... was wondering, say after this job, how about we two girls partner up. I don't have much for friends on the surface world. For obvious reasons of course." She added.

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The orc female was indeed upset that she did not get to kill anything ,but like the others. Running full long into a fight that was not there job, and blindly at that, was not the greatest thing. She felt no need to voice it either. The others did that pretty well. Stupid pink skinned human. Maybe sun fried brain and he no work anymore. She felt her lips getting dry and reached down for her waterskin and lifted up and took a drink from it. "How long until we reach this temple anyways?" She barked.

Alyssa nearly coughed up the water she'd been drinking as Vivian's...what do you call that? Advance? Flirtation? Cleverly couched offer? In the end Alyssa decided that A: it didn't really matter all that much what you call it. and B: It was probably somewhere between an offer and a flirtation.

"You'll have to show me your fireball soon. I'm sure that would be even more impressive." She had thought her flirtations with Vivian would be met with amusement at best derision at worst, instead it seemed her bedroll might be quite warm tonight in spite of the desert night.

Partnering up with Vivian sounded fantastic. As outgoing as she was Alyssa tended toward maintaining a good amount of distance from others, born a slave she was slow to really trust, Vivian and the rest of their little rag-tag group had just done one of the very few things that generally relaxed her. It wasn't hard to judge the character of a person when they fight, Catarina was quick to protect the physically weaker amongst them, Jarvis was straightforward and decisive, Malkai was accustomed to fighting alone, The new orc was bloodthirsty, Xavio was a greedy idiot, and Vivian was quick to dispatch the immediate threat and look for who needs help. They were hardly a coordinated unit, but that came with time.

Not to mention the faint stirring of...admiration was the safer word, infatuation might be dangerous, she had for Vivian. Quick to joke when it was time for that, serious when the situation demanded, a general interest in adventuring for adventure's sake. She could sign on to that.

"That sounds perfect, I could do with someone watching my back who actually seems to care if it gets filled with metal. I don't have many friends either, I tend to move around alot. Not sure why you wouldn't have any friends, you seem friendly and capable."

Riding on ahead Alyssa scanned the horizon with more scrutiny than she had been previously. The trick was to make sure you allowed your eyes rest between peeks and to actually keep them closed as much as you can. Specks could be recognized with a brief glance, it was more important that the lookout prevent their eyes from getting fatigued by the glare coming off the sand.

Disappointed at the mutual disapproval of his genius plan Xavio turned around ,not wasting any time, with intention to get the camel back. Just as he turned he saw the camel barely 100 feet away, slowly walking towards him. Gah, that bastard. Quickly approaching it, almost sprinting, Xavio checked it's body seeing if it had any wounds. Didn't want it to die halfway through. Straightening the saddle he got up on it's back and quickly rushed for the rest of the group-"Stuck with you again..."- he murmured to himself as he hurried to catch up with the others.
Turning to the dark elf he asks:"So, drow, what brings one of your kind to the surface? Don't you guys have some sort of sun allergy?"-still suspicious about her ulterior motives.