[IC] The Sands of Blood (Dead)

[Afina]

Sana drew a long sigh, she knew Ellyn meant well but she worried if that kind heart would lead to her own undoing one day. The world was harsh and could be cruel, sad as it was to say sometimes one could not afford compassion. Especially when it over rode common sense. Taking a step back her fingers flexed for a brief second before they tightened on her bow. If this creature did survive, if the healing worked and if it did try to harm a hair on Ellyns head, the head of her arrow would find it's spot right in Orcs eye socket without a moment's hesitation.

Sana perked a brow slightly as she heared Hugh mention not having paladin powers. So that's what he was up to before he fell in with the tribe. She had to wonder what he could have done to lose such a status. Granted, she figured she would have lost hers if she had ever been a paladin just off her temper and cursing alone. Shaking off the thought she waited and watch as Artos healed the creature. Guessing he was done she took a quick glance around, very much wanting to get put of there now.

"Let's go," she muttered, her bow still ready as she looked back at the Orc. Her ears perking up at Hughs words, had he really just scolded Ellyn? Defending her? "It's okay," Sana said as she brushed his side with her elbow gently. "I think she's just worried," she said softly. "But thank you," she followed up, not realizing she had blushed ever so faintly.

[Salrynn]

Ellyn didn't understand what was going on, she didn't even understand why they were talking about her sudden change of tone... But whatever it was, it was sure that Ellyn doesn't know what she did. Looking down after being told off by Hugh she sighed in a glum manner and looked away from him.

'Sorry...' she said as she bit her lip 'but this orc might be different! I swear!' Ellyn sure wasn't going to let him go anytime soon, which could be quite worrying for the party, she stayed looking at the sand, trying to hide her tears which Ellyn found to be 'quite childish' for someone her age.

[EWillden]

Gurlekk felt some sort of warmth coming from his sude where he had been wounded. His single eye openned and he looked about. He was a bit nervous at the group who approached him. He took note of the collapsed man and figured he was the one who healed him. He checked hus wound finding that it was closed. It would turn into a scar ,but it was better then dying. Hearing talk about orbs caused him to look over at Sans.

"You encountered that thing too?... Looks like your lot faired better then I,..." He said spitting on the ground, trying clear his throat of any mucus. "I was about to fight a bunch of Gnolls, six if you want a exact count, right as the fight was about to begin one of the mutts spotted something coming towards us. That thing quickly became many things. They had no flesh on them, just bone." He said pausing. "Skeletons, armed with swords and shields. I stood my ground for as long as I could. The Gnolls didn't, they died rather quickly, but one of the sheletons wounded me." He added. He used his greatsword to support him as he stood up. He placed it in its sheith. He offered to help Artos up .

"Thank you, because of you I can once more seak my revenge against a certain orc chief. I am in your debt." He said.

This caused Elis to smirk. "Well Artos looks like you made a friend. Names Elis by the way and you are?" He asked. Gurlekk looked up at the halfling. "Gurlekk, is my name. I once belonged to a tribe of orc known as the Black Skullz. Until they where whipped out and I was banished by a rival tribe." He said.

"Well, sleepy head right here is our leader, her name is Vivian. She will let you join us id you want a bit of revenge against those skeletons."

Gurlekk nodded, he would not mind it but he couldnt figure out how to best skeletons. Hard to kill what is already dead. "I wont mind joining ye. Seeing as I wont last long in that place."

[Salrynn]

's-see! hes a good orc!!' Ellyn shown a big smile and looked to the orc, seeing how much he was exactly healed. 'My name is Ellyn, Gurlekk' looking up Ellyn noticed all the stars and the full moon shining down upon the group as the sun arose which overtook the moon and stars, she loved the moon... the moon is what completes the night, the idea came from this glimmering, glowing moon and this gave her a idea for a new poem... and a poem which she could try to incorporate healing properties with, might not work but she could give it a shot.

Ellyn's smile widened as she looked down to her friends, she didn't see them as allies anymore, she saw them as her friends and family... She might get told off by Hugh like she did earlier but that was the way of life.

[Inertia]

Tagged; Everyone in the party,

Still on the sandy floor trying to regain his mana and catch his fatigues breaths. Artos was clearly irked, glaring at the proud paladin, "I thought paladins were meant to look through with impartial eyes, and are supposed to be the epitome of justice, order and righteousness." Artos spat, "Well, I guess my supposition was of no regard." he continued, his glare growing ever contemptuous. Glancing at Ellyn and nodding at her thanks.

"There is no real reason to apologize, Ellyn." he said strongly, "Keep your petty biases out of your reasoning, it blurs the glasses of your infallible judgments." Artos ridiculed, still sporting the same glare "Why don't we just murder that dangerous orc, the one laying there, clearly posing danger." he gestured his head to the fainted orc, "...and how about we leave the unconscious ones, who exhibit NO danger, alone?" Artos' opinions of them had dropped, drastically, except a name few.

The injured orc had suddenly sprung to life, and with a hand, Artos accepted his offer and was pulled up by a strong arm, "Be careful of these individuals, they might just murder you out of prejudice." he mocked, "And don't mention it, you should really be thanking that Elf over there." before walking back to a wagon, with a vexed aura surrounding Artos.

[Afina]

Sana lowered her bow and returned her arrow to its quiver as the Orc spoke, seeing that he had some information and wasn't lashing out at them. "Oh this just keeps getting better and better," she grumbled as she looked around. "Now can we get the hell out of here? Now that our newest member of this misfit group is awake," she snapped as she turned to head back to the wagon.

As Atros spoke her eyes narrowed. "And if you care to keep your heart off the tip of my arrow, you'll watch yourself new comer," she spat in an icey tone as she walked passed him to the wagon.

[Salrynn]

Ellyn smiled as she walked to go beside the wagon, minding her own business as she did so. She suddenly had a new spring of life ever since she got Artos to heal Gurlekk. Looking down she blushed lightly... Blushing with pure happiness knowing she has helped save someone's life, and that is something she will never forget. She was so happy to the point that you can see it while she stretched as she yawned at the same time.

'happy happy happy...' Ellyn kept saying this in her head as she thought of nothing else but her friends and the journey they were all going. But scared about the battles to come.

[Warrior in the Shadows]

Hugh nodded at Sana, and smiled. "Sorry to put you on the spot like that." He said, standing next to her. He didn't want to make Ellyn feel stupid, he just felt paternal instincts kick in. "I know she's worried." He said quietly to Sana. "But an orc? I've seen what they do. I've seen their culture." He sighed. If this orc was somehow different from the ones Hugh had met, he would have some atonement to perform, even though he still had many things to atone for.

Hugh glared at Artos, "Paladins don't exist in the wastelands, past civilization, and there are no paladin mercenaries." He said. "There is no survival for those who wish to do good for everyone they come across. There is no civilization out here and there is no justice and order." He had dropped his paladin ways to survive away from the purge. They had looked for paladins and the only way to lose their tail was to not be a paladin.

Just then, the orc woke to Hugh's great surprise and even greater was his surprise at how polite the orc was. He had never seen such a polite orc. The orc spoke with great honesty, telling of how he had encountered skeletons and was out seeking revenge. Hugh knew revenge all too well and would warn this orc against it, but he just stayed silent, figuring it best to head back to the wagon and ready himself to roll out again.

He was feeling a little pissed off with Artos and he disliked the hushed words he spoke into the orc's ears. It appeared to be distrust. Hugh figured at the moment that he had no reason to fight this orc as it appeared to be strangely polite. "I've never seen anything like this." He muttered as he walked along next to Sana. It was quite apparent that she was feeling very similar to Hugh, at the time being.

[Inertia]

Tagged; Everyone in the party,

With Hugh staring back at Artos, "It was pretty clear that with your 'righteous' eyes and omni-science, all orcs would be murderers. Like this one, he clearly stabbed me as he barely managed to utter a 'thank you'." he scowled, "I'm sure that gives us the right to dictate who or what lives, huh." he continued before continuing his strut towards the wooden wagon.

His anger was basically radiating like an aura, and his glare still present. As he walked past the woman, Sana, she spat a weak threat. "So were you going to relinquish the same fate the orc would have had to me?" he replied glaring sideways towards her as he was walking, his scarlet eyes darkening further. Reaching the wagon, he assumed his earlier position and pulling out the tome again, he began reading slowly, eyeing if any arrows would pierce him.

[Salrynn]

Ellyn saw Artos's anger and walked to him calmly with the intention to calm him down. Smiling she walked into the wagon and picked up her harp, walking back out from the wagon as she almost tripped over once more. 'stupid dress...' she thought to herself as she started playing the harp as she walked towards him. As she played with such precision she finally walked to be beside him. Hoping that the song will calm him down.

'‘S tric a chunnaic mi iad a' tighinn ri chèile,
dithis seann eòlach, dithis chroitearan,
is às dèidh dhaibh an latha a bheannachadh
seasaidh iad còmhla gun fhacal tuilleadh,
taobh ri taobh, chan ann aghaidh ri aghaidh,
is iad a' coimhead a-mach air an talamh
a chumas na fhilltean an uile chuimhne,
a' tarraing anail is cùbhraidheachd
tombaca, fuaradh is spùt nan uan,
‘s an t-eòlas ac'gun cuireadh cainnt
bacadh air a' chomanachadh òrbhuidh ud,
gum briseadh i a-staigh air am mothachadh
air na th'ann de dhualchas eatarra'

[EWillden]

Gurlekk rose a brow at the whole situation. It was surprising that these people survived this long without ripping each others throats out. He looked towards their destination and he could feel the pain at his side returning. He sighed, he then felt his ears twitch at how the gaint man saying he never saw this before. Must have commented on his manners. He didnt blame the man. Orc and Manners were never used in the same sentence. Gurlekk believed he was smarter then most orcs. Something he developed from his father. Besides learning rather quick that good manners made a difference out here. He moved to join the group behind the wagon. He did not know if Sana's threat was aimed at him or the man who healed him. First impressions where at its low. Ellis began moving the wagon forward once more.

Vivian was still asleep, even with the sun rising up higher and higher as the wagon moved along. She had not slept in a long while. It was only recent of yesterday that she had left the cave that lead to the underdark. She dreamed of one of her days with the drow she loved. It was a good dream, well it was a good dream. It quickly bwgan to turn into a nightmare ,as her kinsmen poured in around her grabbing the man ans pulling him away from her. It wasn't after that she watched them sacrifice him to the spider queen.

Her features shifting to that of distress as the dream end and she awoke. To her surprise the group was a man larger. A orc had joined them and she looked to Ellis clearing dust from her eyes. "When did this happen?"

Ellis smiled, "Well nice to have you join us,.. Well the orc joined us shortly after Artos healed him. Ellyn was having one of her, 'got to save him' moments... Everyone else seemed to one to kill him and put him out of his misery. Thus why the only who is happy right now is Ellyn. Don't be surprised if we end up a man short later in this journey." Ellis sighed. What a mess I have gotten into. "Oh undead might be waiting for us when we enter, the orc was attacked by them."

Vivian rolled her eyes at the whole thing. "Sounds like it was very eventful. Surprised that the others wanted to kill him too. The dwarf would be understandable, but thw others seemed to have more control then that. Perhaps Varis is beginning to grow on them."

[Fatal Error 1337]

Bjoric eyed the orc warrily, he behaved differently than he'd expected but he'd known more than a few orcs could be clever. Deciding to make sure he muttered a few words under his breath. Looking to the orc once more he was surprised that his detection spell found no evil within him.

"By my beard." He gave a chuckle as he spike to seemingly no one. "Are ye doing this on purpose?"

Shaking his head he turned to the drow who'd finally awoke. "Well allow me to surprise ye further. I don't want him dead."

[Warrior in the Shadows]

Hugh glared at Artos, "You haven't seen what I've seen then, young one. If this orc is as good as you say he is and I think he is, he will know of what I speak when I say his kind are a selfish, brutal, and cruel race. The gods they pray to are the gods of fire, war, and blood. Concepts such as honor and loyalty are foreign to them. The only orcs I know of who stray from the flock are the ones that are raised by another race or the ones that are killed because of their weakness." He paused, the anger starting to build up a little, "So forgive me if I'm not too keen on being around them."

His frustration was starting to show on his face. "But, you," He said looking to the orc, "You're somehow different. I've never heard orcs speak of vengeance on the behalf of someone else who didn't hold power over them. Your father is dead, and you show loyalty to him. This is a new sight to me, and perhaps your kind are changing." He stood for a moment reflecting on all the things he'd seen. Paladins were like a force of heroes for the weak, who never asked for anything in return. He had seen his share of decimated villages and he had killed his share of orc kind. The cruelties he had seen were numerous. He had seen cruelty from all races, however. Humans were the ones, as far as he knew, who purged his order. Humans were the ones who decimated his adoptive tribe. Orcs, demons, goblins, any kind of people that would pick on the weak, Hugh had fought, but humans were the ones who brought the downfall of the order.

With Bjoric the Dwarf's admittance of liking the orc, Hugh relented. "I welcome you to the group, then."

[EWillden]

"Greed, is why most orcs are evil. They want power, status, and brain dead orcs to follow them" Gurlekk responded. "Orcs are indeed mindless monsters as you speak of, but every so often one or two sprout up who are not stupid and are a lot smarter then the rest. My father was one of them, a orc chief no doubt. He knew when to fight his battles and when. He then tought me what he knew and how to fight in a way your guts don't decorate the floor." He looked amongst the party, still questioning which ones are trust worty and which ones are not. "My orc blood still boils though, the desire to kill the one who took my life away from me. I do not follow the great one eyed orc though. Gruumsh abandoned me and my father, so I abandoned him." He moved a finger to one of his tusks making sure it was stable as well as the other.

"I do believe in honor though,.. I believe some day I will be given a good death. I just hope it comes after I rip my foes jugular out." He said. "I wasnt just let to live out of mercy ,but out of Humiliation. Which is why my desire for revenge is at its high. Therefore, i do stupid crap like this and follow stupid rumors to challenge myself. Wasn't expecting those damn bones to attack me outside like they did." He said as if he knew what was inside the city. " The reason to its downfall was of some hooded man they call a necromancer. He wanted the powerful artifact the city had or something. However, they think it was someone else who has plagued the tomb. The city of Fahran fell 200 or so years ago. Perhaps they are cultists or something who worship him or something." He said shrugging.

[Afina]

Sana took a deep breath. "Listen, I never once said kill him. Perhaps you need to pay attention better. I was wary of an unknown and free my arrow only in defence of Ellyn. If you had bothered to take note, I never once raised it. It was out of caution and after what we have been through this evening, a bloodied body in the middle of a desert, be it orc or paladin, I would have still drawn. Had Ellyn been wrong, yes, I would have slaughtered him where he lay. Without hesitation, but no I didn't. I waited to see, not judging, just preparing, so get your head out of that pompous ass of yours and think before you speak," Sana snapped, growing tired of his attitude.

"And yes, I have no problem laying you out flat on your back if it comes to that. You want respect, then speak with it you twat," Sana said coldly. "For now you sure love to deal out the judgement you believe others are dishing out." Shaking her head Sana continued to walk. He was so quick to call out judgement but he himself was judging those around them, sure of what was going on in their minds even though he was very wrong. "And if you didn't notice, as soon as he awoke and didn't attack, my arrow was put away. Or where you too busy judging? As far as I am concerned he is more than welcome to be here, far better company than you."

Sana never once wanted to kill the orc, she wanted to protect Ellyn, just as she had done from the first moment she joined the group and lashed out at those that called Ellyn weak, she made sure Ellyn wasn't left behind when they moved camp. If watching Ellyns back gave her a bad reputation so be it. It wasn't the first time she had been misjudged because people refused to look beyond the surface.

Looking over at Gurlekk and sighed at his words. "Greed is what makes most evil. Human, Dwarf, Elf, Orc. It doesn't matter. We all have our assholes and our saints. I'm just glad Ellyn found one where the scales were tipped in our favor," she said as she walked, taking a few long deep breaths.

[Warrior in the Shadows]

After Hugh had finished with his little rant on Artos, it appeared Sana had a similar rant that she proceeded to throw at Artos. A very proud smile appeared on his face. He felt respect for her. He let the smile subside quickly so as Sana would not see it and get the wrong idea that he was somehow amused.

"Are all gypsies so outspoken? I'm not sure if I remember that many experiences with them to recall." He said, smiling warmly to her. He didn't wish to alienate Artos. He was certainly very learned and was good company. The man knew so much about his past, he had to find out if he had met other fugitive paladins from his order. Maybe the old order could be brought back, though that was something Hugh was not intent on. He was not so intent on reclaiming his paladin powers for the moment, either. He just wanted to be a fighter and he was plenty good at it.

"I know you don't dislike Ellyn. In fact, I should probably apologize for speaking so coldly to her earlier." He said, pondering aloud. He remembered that at the time, he was feeling like a father figure resolving a squabble between children, but he couldn't really look at either of them as children.

As a random spur of the moment by Hugh, he lifted his hand to her face and brushed a little of her hair behind her ear. The hair hadn't really been that far in her face, in fact it was just on the side of her face, but he had just suddenly placed it behind her ear. "Sorry, I just did that out of impulse."

[Ryu]

I wonder... Varis began as he stared at his dagger, raising it up to his face to catch a better glimpse of the engraving on the dagger. He then took a glimpse over at the orc and then back at his dagger, intrusive thoughts entering his head as he stared at the dagger. If I kill myself now, would I wake up from this stupid dream? Varis stared at the dagger, contemplating his own offer to stick his dagger into his heart.

Now, not only did they have a drow with a morally stupid compass, they now had an orc with a morally retarded compass. As his allies were off making friends with the orc, he had stayed near the wagon, staring at them all as he cursed under his breath. If he had come across the orc alone, he probably would have just offed him to put him out of his damned, forsaken misery, but no. They had to do something better than put him out of his misery, they had to heal him.

He took a few steps away from the front of the wagon, taking a glimpse with the stupid human with the tome, glaring at him for a few seconds before returning to his original spot. If there was ever a kill list made by Varis, he would now be on it.

[Afina]

Sana looked over towards Hugh and perked a brow. "Wow, you really haven't run into many of my kind have you?" she said, slightly shocked. Her kind tended to be known, especially among travelers, crossing paths going from city to city. "I'm the reserved one in the family, the most soft spoken," Sana said in the most serious and heartfelt voice.

Tensing up slightly as Hugh brushed the side of her face, she went silent for a moment. Looking away nervously her hand reached up and rubbed her neck slightly. "No, it's okay," she said in a slightly shaken voice before she looked back over to him. This time she felt her face flush. "I'm going to go scout ahead," she said a bit louder than she had intended before she took off ahead of them, her bow back in one hand and an arrow in the other, knocking it into place.

Sana didn't move far ahead of the group, keeping them within one hundred yards. She needed to cool down before she slapped Artos, she was surprised she hadn't already. She wasn't sticking around for his counter to what she had said earlier and made sure she was way from him before he could retort. The fact Hugh had managed to make her blush was an entirely different story but it made her flight of feet a bit easier. Dealing with butterflies wasn't something she was used to.

[EWillden]

Gurlekk gave a wide smirk. "Oh i dont know about that. For all you know I could murder you all in your sleep." He said rather jokingly. "I'm joking by the way." He said. He listened to the elf woman play her tune. He felt oddly drawn to her, as if the song would pull him in. As he studied her, he found that Ellyn was not armed at all except with a harp. She be one of those kind of elves. The dwarf was some what surprising. Most would have caved his head in at the slightest chance. Then she rose up, a drow elf. She was indeed beautiful just as much as the one playing her harp. Elves were always gifted with beauty,.. Even the men. Orcs were not that beautiful though. He was ugly, not the most ugly, but indeed ugly. His hand suddenly moved to rub his left eye. The eye that was nothing more then a ball of iron. He would never get used to it, not the way the wind hit it constantly causing it to itch. "Never catch a axe blade with your face..." He said to particulary no one.

Elis still holding onto the reins. GLanced over at Hugh brushing hair from Sana's face. "Soo, whens the wedding?" He said full of mirth teasing the both of them. "It's funny how you two act like such a couple." He commented. He looked forward a smile on his face. "I hope i get a invitation. Weddings are quite something." He felt a nudge from Vivian and he looked up at her. He saw her smirking and rolling her eyes. "What? Dont tell me you never acted the..." He then recalled her story rhat he heard and instantly shut up. "Sorry,.. I will stop now."

"Dont worry, you didn't offend me. Yes I know what love is like and my memories of it are things I charish deeply. Besides, they aint even that far yet. We are down a few bedrolls so first step is for them to share one. Well at least try first." She added. Vivian pulled forth her canteen drinking from it and then offered it to Ellis. Ellis took it and did the same. He looked over at Varis and snorted. He looked as if he was literally thinking. [i] I dont want to be caught dead with this group[\i]. Then again maybe he did want to die because of how embarrassing the group was. He handed the canteen back to Vivian. "I wonder how much treasure lays down there."

"I don't know but this chalice better be worth the trouble. Risking our lives for a thousand gold isnt too bad. It's just this chalice better have the ability to cure deseases of some sort" she answered Ellis. Ellis just rolled his eyes.
"You kidding?... This is the mages guild. They aint know holy body. They wull lock the chalice in some display case."

[Salrynn]

Ellyn smiled as she kept playing, slowing it to a halt then walking over to the other side. Hoping she didn't disturb him, well to be honest she didn't want to disturb anybody, she just wanted everyone to enjoy her music and for her to use her music in order to be a highly dangerous bard. With this delighted look on her face Ellyn yawned... she wanted to sleep again, although she had that new lease of life not too long ago, all that singing and harp playing took all her focus out of her.

She looked down at the sand that she had twice tripped over in and giggled. Now looking back at them moment she found them funny, funny because it's a sign that she really needs to change her dress to something... shorter... not that she minded but it could hinder her progression for her and her friends.