OOC: If you aren't NV and want to join in, can you let me know by icq/pm.

Taff stared down the track in the grey light that preceded dawn and waited. His chestnut gelding, Sparks, snuffled impatiently and turned to chew some of the foliage on the side of the track. This simple act produced a glorious effect, Taff and Sparks were silhouetted against the sun as it crested the horizon. The elf's golden hair seemed to glow as the first rays of sunlight hit them, the crystal in his staff caught the light and refracted it into a rainbow in the early morning mist. The only things that would have marred the picture would have been his scowl, and his hand resting on his sword, but these facts were hidden in shadow against the new dawn. All this was wasted, as the only watcher was a small sparrow, who'd never had an eye for a good picture.

He dismounted so he could pace properly, he'd never enjoyed waiting, but he had to admit that some things even he needed help with. Maybe they continued drinking after I left, he pondered the thought, and recalled the scene last night.

The Grape Slaves Inn had been full of the usual Vurumai hubbub, but he had had no time for that, he was there to get help.
My fellow Vurumai He called out and the Inn quietened.
I must beg assistance to remedy an error on my part. As many of you know, I make fireworks and small explosives; I have also been enhancing these with magic to be used as weapons to slaughter the heathen scum. He paused for the cheering to subside
However, a mistake was made, and some of these weapons were made too powerful. In short, they could make a very large hole in Tonan. These explosives were secretly sent to be safely destroyed at sea, but they never made it to their destination. They must be found before they fall into the wrong hands. I ask you now, as friends and guildmates, to help me resolve this before it destroys us all. He noted a number of heads nodding in agreement.
I shall start tomorrow at dawn at it's last recorded sighting, a small cottage on the road five miles east of here. Any of you who can help me, I would owe a great debt to. I must go and make preparations. Please help me, or we all may suffer for this.
He had turned and returned to his laboratory to retrieve some provisions before he could be questioned on his folly.

He stopped pacing as the sunlight glinted off something in the distance, but as he squinted he could make out nothing. He shrugged and started pacing again.

Cat had been in the Grapeslaves Inn the evening prior. She had, infact, been one of the few nodding with agreement as Taff spoke. This problem had intrigued Cat because ever since she came back to the Isle of Maxim, not much had happened. She needed some adventure. She was not one prone to drinking much -- unlike the other Vurumai -- so as soon as Taff had left the Inn, she excused herself and followed suit.

She was currently residing in the Grapeslaves Inn while her new home was being refurbished. She went to her room and packed a few belongings to take with her. Mainly, it was just some cheap leather armor and a book of spells. Her speciality was magic, and weilding weapons was not something she was fond of, nor was she any good. She grabbed her dagger, the only weapon she owned, and put it in it's sheath. The dagger had an ivory handle with a steel serraded blade. Cat did not know at all how to be proficient with such a weapon, but she felt she needed to take it just in case. "Isonia help me if I ever have to use this thing," she thought to herself.

When Cat had finished preparing as best she knew how, she decided to get some sleep; Taff would be expecting people early in the morning. Her sleep was rather restless, she was growing far too excited about these coming days to really get any sleep. So, an hour before dawn was supposed to arrive, she got herself out of bed and set off towards the cottage five miles east of the Inn. She had arrived to see Taff pacing back and forth, back and forth, with nobody else in sight.

"Ahem," she cleared her throat, trying to get Taff's attention. "So, I heard you needed some help with some magic fireworks?" Cat gave a little grin because it sounded almost comical.

Zomb awoke with a snatch and immediatly he stood up on the floor beside the bed. But he lost his conscioussness and fell back on the bed. When he awoke a minute later he took it a bit slower and the blood could had the time to actually go up into his head, but the headache was left. Oh no, I was supposed to meet Taff and the others half an hour ago! Damn I'm always late to those occasions he thought and put on his clothes and came running out of the door at the same time. Last year, the adventure up in the mountains. Haha and those goats we brought with us aswell. What memories. Then he came to think of that he stood outside his friends house and just looked dressed in only a cottonshirt, with his clothes, weapons and everything in his hands. He put on his trousers and mounted his horse and rode away down the road. He reached for a little bottle with fluid that he had gotten from Taff in one of his pockets, temporary hungerdamping. He drank the whole bottle and smiled. Well, sometimes I actually don't almost get burned to death using Taff's gifts. But instead of feeling less hungry, Zomb's tounge started to get it's own will. It went here and there in his mouth and he couldn't control it. After a while his feeling in it dissapeared aswell.

After a while he came to the little cottage by the way and stopped. There stood also Taff and Catarntina. He dismounted his horse and said
"Eo am yy eee, eeh ayiooo eehe?

Griff was fed up. This same feeling had been with him for the past five days now, and all because he felt like he was going to return home empty handed. This wouldn’t have been too bad except for the fact that he had made a bet with the rest of the Lady’s personal guard that he could find her a birthday present that would make her smile. So far, he wasn’t having any luck. He had been in trinket stores, exotic stores, and the Inns… for himself of course. In all the places he had looked, Griff could not find anything that he thought Lady Ginger would like.

“Darden help me…” He muttered quietly to himself as he, and the group of four guards travelling with him, rode along the roadway wearily. He had another five days left before he had to return with his Lady’s gift… he wasn’t looking forward to it. He grumbled to himself again before slightly stroking his mare’s chestnut mane. Firestar seemed to pick up a bit of life about her at the touch, and Griff smiled before sighing, realising that Fire had been a gift from Lady Ginger for his services to her. Sometimes, when Fire was in a bad mood and totally uncooperative, Griff wondered whether his Lady had just been looking for an excuse to get rid of the horse. He certainly wouldn’t go near her when she was in one of her moods.

Feeling down in despair, Griff was looking for the closest Inn to make him feel better when he heard the cry from one of the Guards who was scouting ahead.

“What is it?” His brow furrowed in a frown, and his hand went to the sword at his side instantly. He never found it any easier to accept that some of his friends would joke that it was scary how fast he could change in his moods and his stance when their was danger involved… especially if it involved his lady. This thought however, normally led him to frowning more at the fact that maybe they weren’t joking about it being scary…

The scout came running back, his face a stone mask. “Bodies Sir. No markings on them at all… They could be anyone.”

“Death?” Griff asked, only half caring. Bodies weren’t unusual. Neither were unmarked ones showing no sign of faith, but if they were close he knew he need to be vigilant.

“Throats slit Sir, and an arrow in each.”

“What else?” The bodies were cold, he knew or else the scout would have reported it, so he shoved the worry about the killers being still around.

“Marks on the road, Sir. A carriage trail, leading off. Some empty bottles of ale and this…” He handed over something that automatically Griff recognised as looking like a Firework.

Griff looked at the Firework and frowned. It didn’t take him too long to figure something was wrong. He sighed slightly, twirling the Firework around in his hands before tossing it slightly behind to one of the other guards, who deftly put it in his saddlebag.

“Well…” Griff looked up ahead to where the scout had come from. “I guess what we have here is a bunch of drunks celebrating their kills…” He shrugged slightly, letting Fire slowly trot herself ahead. “But… well….” His thoughts went back to the firework, and how he knew his Lady loved fireworks. It wasn’t that he didn’t care about the killings… they’d been done now… and he knew he didn’t need to worry about a bunch of drunks. Especially since none of his men were drunk… so Fireworks would be easy pickings, and no one would care. Griff grinned broadly. “Let’s go hunting men… I believe we have our Lady’s birthday present in sight…” He laughed to himself and headed off to where the scout had seen the carriage trails.

It is the time to build up our lands, we are at peace people walk the streets happy, town builders are scurrying and cannot build fast enough. There seems a smell in the air of fresh foods the trees blossoming. Our crops are flourishing the farmers are working harder these days. The crops are ready for harvesting; it is time to have a feast. Spread the word to all nobleman and peasants that we shall have a feast in center square. All are invited that wish to enter our lands, that includes the odd heathen to come in to see our new lands. Do not come here with the mind-set for vengeance as our guards are here and are well trained and loyal to our faith!

After catching another set of thieves, is it me our am I getting extra attention these days. I am special as it seems that my lands are getting invaded by thieves, well visited. It is not normal that thieves come around looking like they have been the last couple of days. If I did not know better I’d say there was 2 reasons for there intrusions. I am guessing of course, but you want my lands or my cash. I have now built up a few more thieves to catch your pathetic excuse for thieves. When I catch you I am coming to see who you are…Maybe I should stop by the bar to visit and have a drink calm me down some.

I was awakened by the suns rays that shined through the Inns windows and shouting that could be heard all through the streets.I got myself up and put on new armor I had purchased and my newly shined boots then made my way to the front door.I walked out and had to squint for the sun was already high in the days sky,people could be seen down the raod but I could not make out who they were through watery eyes.I pondered for a few moments if I should make my way towards all the commotion or make my way back to my realm that I had been absent from these past few days.I thought it to be in my best interest to see what the commotion was about.It seemed a few thieves had been cornered in an alley that morning and a few of the Vurumai's finiest warriors were seeing what kind of information could be taken from them before they died.I heard one of the thieves plead to the god of Darden and new his life would not be spared.Seeing that all was being handled accordingly I thought I would make way to my realm and see if all was well or if mischief was afoot.

Klo awake in his be with a bad headache. He looked around the room but couldn't find anything to drink so he went down to the kitchen and had some breakfast. It wasn't much most some water but then when Klo was going for his ordinary walk around the house he remembered that he sould meet Taff and help him with something, but he couldn't remember what. But he went to meet Taff and se what it was. But Klo was sure he was late as always.

TuT was on the Slaves veranda - fondly farewelling the shiney cumcumber salesman, when Taff arrived, somewhat breathless, to tell his tale. NV's magician was always trying new stuff, most of the time it worked to our advagntage, but on occaison a bit of a mistake was made.

Such was the current event...

Like Zomb, TuT fondly remembered their last quest, and the goats that plagued them in the latter stages of the journey. Without hesitation, he mounted his stead and made a bee line for the rendevous point.

Unfortuneately though, there were a couple of sorties that had to be made first - of course. What was supposed to be a short tryst with his favourite wench, delayed the start of his departure by almost two days. The next hurdle was over provisioning for the journey, there was no point taking on a possibly, long journey without enough resorces. This he would have to oversee personally, would be a shame to leave without the best of victuals for the road.

It was a full three days later by the time he finally nudged his stead and headed east, hoping that Taff had not moved on too quickly ....

Having been at the Inn when Tut made his announcement; planned to join him. I came home straight away and prepared for the trip. Not being sure how well prepared the rest would be or what we would find I decided to bring a pack horse with extra provisions. I included a tent, rather large with two rooms, and enough road supplies for five people to last a week. My personal gear was fairly normal, full armor, shield and sword. A large dagger,actually more a long knife, in a belt sheath, and a small dagger in each boot. A great war sword for mounted combat was sheathed on my saddle and I carried a short spear as well. I also had small clay vials sealed with wax, the fire liquid Taff had given me. Many burns had taught me to keep the stuff from the open air. A small mace was slung at my side behind my knife, and a quiver of arrows was on my back with an unstrung bow. I had extra arrows and bow strings on my pack horse.


I do not know what we will find, however if a fight is inevitable I will be ready. Leaving early I set out to the small cottage where Taff had set the meeting point.

Taff was deep in thought and did not hear the footsteps approaching. There were a great many dangers ahead, for his carriage to disappear from roads he knew must mean a new force had imposed itself. Whatever this force was, it had risked fighting six strong guards for an undisclosed bounty. Such a determined character would not be put off easily. His brow creased as he thought such things, until he was startled by someone clearing their throat. He looked up and paused a moment for to recognise the woman before him.
So, I heard you needed some help with some magic fireworks
He returned her grin as she summed up the trouble into a small easy to solve puzzle.
Aye, that I do. And if we find whoever took em still in once piece, then I intend to see that they don't stay that way.
He gesticulated as if ripping someone limb from limb, then took a deep breath and was about to say somethign else when Zomb arrived.
Eo am yy eee, eeh ayiooo eehe?
It was all he could do not to burst out laughing. After he took a moment to compose himself, he suspected Zomb hadn't listened to one of his many warnings.
I'm sure I told you to take my potions with water, or they might have side effects. It should wear off after an hour or so.

Zomb's current predicament served as a reminder for something he had in his saddlebags. He walked over and pulled a leather bag from the closest saddlebag.
When my servents are testing fireworks, I have developed amulets to protect them from catching fire. I think that such protection would be useful in this task ahead of us. They will not stop you getting hot, nor will they protect from magical fire, but they will stop you going up in flames.
He rooted through the bag and pulled out two silvery discs on chains. The first, with a pale saphire inset in the centre of a spiral design, he offered to Cat. I think the colour will excentuate your eyes.
For Zomb, he had one of the earliest designs, it was a flame shaped ruby, with a band of metal striking through it. No fire, this will keep your eyebrows on. As long as you dont fiddle with it!

A fine, misty drizzle fell as TuT made his way to the assembly point. He let his mind wander as the walked down the muddy track, leading his horse. It had been quite some time that he had joined Taff on one of his quests, and a degree of excitement was rising in his veins, such was the result of an adventure into the unknown. There would be many dangers to be faced but, but nothing that a company of staunch comrades from NV could not overcome.

But still he wondered - their is evil afoot here ....

Klo hurried to get to Taff and the others before they had left. But when he finally got to the Inn no one was there. Klo searched everywhere but he couldn't find and one. Klo walk in and asked the owner of the Inn.
Do you know where Taff and everyone is?
They are at the cottage and searching for something.
Ahh.. it was there we were meating.
Klo hurried away to get there in time. When he got the cottage he saw that evreyone already was there.
I'm late I know I'm sorry.

As I arrive at the meeting point I hear a strange jibberish, possibly a language, but very gutteral. Drawing closer I hear Taff saying something about taking **** with water. I realize that I have entered in the middle of a conversation and decide not to pursue the issue yet. Taff is digging in his saddle bags, but as yet is too far away to hear much of what is said. I ride a bit faster and close the distance ablitterating any snatches of conversation I was able to hear with the thunder of my war horses hooves.

Arriving I announce my presence "Well met, have any clues been found yet?"

Zomb issues a series of gutteral rantings, as his tounge does an acrobatic dance in his head. The scene is so comical I cannot help but laugh.

On a hill overlooking the cottage, Marine slows his horse and surveys a group next to the cottage and wonders what the hell is going on. Stroking his pet brown snake eagle, Marine turns his head and looks out into the wilderness opposite the cottage and sees a very week pillar of black smoke rising in the distance and within seconds a very slight tremor shakes the ground causing a pond of water to have small ripples going across it. Wondering what could have caused the rising smoke and the slight tremor, Marine releases his eagle and attaching a small smooth pebble to the eagles upper leg which has a charm placed on it to copy and leave a small image of the terrain at a 45 degree angle. Uncorking his water bottle, Marine takes a sip, chews on a stick of dried salted seasoned beef and continues to watch the scene below with the curiosity of a child.

Daval crunched on a mouthful of gravel, and missed the sulphur that was so readily available at home. The heavy set droben turned as someone entered his cavern. He saw one of his puny fleshling 'associates' running towards him. These soft fleshbags did everything too hastily, but with a mere tens of years to live, what did one expect.
What cause have you to intrude upon me?
Mr Daval, sir, we thought you should know immediately. A small group of fighters is gathering near the cottage on the edge of our territory. We suspect that they want to reclaim our road. What do you bid us do?
Send a dozen, no make that two dozen of your men and dispose of them. We shall not be deprived of the riches our toll brings in.
The fleshling retreated from the cave, nodding subserviantly. Daval growled in amusement, the fleshlings were disposable, what they lacked in longevity, they made up for in numbers. These fighters would probably die like the rest who travelled his roads, but if they did not, there were always more willing to kill for him. He laughed with the sound of the earth quaking, and wondered how long it would take for these latest invaders to die.

"I'm sure I told you to take my potions with water, or they might have side effects. It should wear off after an hour or so."

No? No!? He hasn't?! Or? Zomb couldn't remind himself of anytime he had heard those words from Taff. But, it was probably his own fault. The first time he had gotten a potion from Taff he had gone almost childish and wanted to test the potion as quickly as possible, so he hadn't payed much attention to Taff's warnings. Even tho this feeling had faded a bit with everytime he had hurt himself or destroyed his things.

"Ou oo han! O ons?"

He watched as Taff turned to his saddlebags and said
"When my servents are testing fireworks, I have developed amulets to protect them from catching fire. I think that such protection would be useful in this task ahead of us. They will not stop you getting hot, nor will they protect from magical fire, but they will stop you going up in flames."

Taff lookde through his bag and picked up two amulets. The first one he gave to Cat, and Zomb recieved the other.

"Ouh, an ou! Wha i i?" he managed to get out.

No fire, this will keep your eyebrows on. As long as you dont fiddle with it! Taff explained...

"Aaaah... an ou ain!" he said and sighed. When was this potions effects going to fade away?.

He had barely finished speaking when two more of his comrades arrive, Klom and James.
Greetings my friends! I'm afraid we have no clues yet, but I've never had any skill as a tracker. I was just giving Cat and Zomb charms to prevent them from catching fire.
He pulled out another four amulets before returning two of them to bag. He handed an amethyst inset in a small bronze dagger on a chain to James. Then he selected a smooth yellow ring of crystal on a leather band for Klo.
They may all look different, but they will stop you burning just the same. And now I believe we should be ready to set off. I suggest we follow the planned route of the carriage until we find a clue.
He pointed down the path to the west, and mounted Sparks.

OOC- I'm sure many will agree with the first paragraph of my post lol

IC-
At first Lestrat thought it quite odd for Tut to be so concerned over mere trinkets as fireworks, yet his long experience in the alchemy and crafting of magical artifacts and crafts taught him to be wary of any magical item, no matter the guise. He had promptly excused himself and headed off to his domain after listening to the speech to prepare for the journey. A million little things must be done in order to prep his lands to function as normally as possible during his absence. He sighed. Beuracracy was something he always despised and hated. What sort of idiot liked doing endless and hated paperwork? Filling scroll after scroll of numbers and calculations, income and the expenses of the kingdom, the list goes on and on. He grumbled to himself. Being a leader of a nation sure had its benefits, yet sometimes he wished he was just a traveller again, one who wandered the realms in search of new studies and to hone his skills in combat and magic, instead of a ruler with the burdens of a kingdom.

Never one to travel in loud groups and parties, Lestrat made his way alone to the meeting site so stated in TuT's speech. He was a solitary sort, severely disliking crowds and very antisocial. Not that he didn't want to associate with others, he merely just didn't feel all that comfortable with many people around. Small hunting bands were alright, just the large comotion that people caused made him uncomfortable.

It was twilight and night was slowly falling when he suddenly froze. A caravan of some sort was up ahead, appearantly setting camp. Not recognizing any of the symbols on the men and women's dress nor on the caravans, he slowly dropped to earth, noting the position of another in the near distance, perhaps a member of Vurunai.

I accept the amulet from taff, and look more closely at it. I am not one all that familiar with magic. I prefer the more direct approach of steel on steel.Taff feels these amulets are important and I will defer to his wisdom where magic is concerned. I pin the amulet to my jerkin and stand ready to move.

Following the original route of the carriage is as good a starting plan as there seems to be. I am no real tracker; however I am not completely unpracticed. I am not sure what my role in this band will become, perhaps I am unneccisary bagage. If a battle ensues I will of course be of value.

While weighing these thoughts I fall into position and folow the crowd for now.

[OOC: The rabble is many and individuals will not be missed. Feel free to kill some. /OOC]

Jared looked around the barracks, a number of eager faces stared back. He suspected he knew who would volunteer, but the routine was what held many of them together. The poor unfortunates who joined the rabble were provided with safety in numbers, but they had to find food and drink on their own. The quickest and easiest way, was to defend their borders and keep what loot you could. He read out the instructions he had been given by the great protector Daval.
Three patrols are to be sent to dispose of some intruders on the west border. That means I need twenty three more volunteers.
Hal and Sal, a pair of elves, who had been starving for the past week were at the head of the queue. He selected them and another twenty one from the volunteers, being sure to include the two half giants Tharg and Brok, and four of the human archers.
After a short time kitting up, the Jared led the group out towards the border, a little way ahead of where the enemy had last been seen. As they approached the road that marked the border, they spotted a small group of riders.
Sparing no time, he set the archers to vantage points and ordered the rest of them forward.
As the moved through the woodland to the side of the track, the archers loosed their first arrows.
Let none of them escape, Those horses will fetch a good price!

Taff had settled into a smooth riding rhythm. Since he had found Sparks, he had started to enjoy riding, rather than the grudging acceptance of need that he had previously had. He was pondering this new found joy, when it struck him, he was leading the group. His usual dislike for riding had always meant he rode slowly and towards the rear of and troop he was with. He was about to concern himself with returning to the position he was accustomed when the first arrow struck.
Gravel struck him as the arrow imbedded itself in the path just ahead of him. Sparks reared up in surprise, and almost threw Taff to the ground. Fortunately a this caused him to move out of the path of a second arrow, which only nicked his wrist.
The pain from his injury ignited a flame of retribution in him, he focussed this energy into a ball of flame in his hand. Safe in the knowledge that his allies were all wearing amulets to protect them from his fire, he called more heat into the ball of flame and hurled it in the direction the arrows had come from. The fiery globe shot towards the hidden archer with unnatural accuracy. Taff rage was rewarded by the screams of a man as he caught fire and became clear through the forest.
He dove from Sparks, and pulled Icanthus, the flaming blade from its sheath, and looked towards the forest, where men were clearly approaching.
I don't think thats the only clue we're going to get today.
With his right hand bearing Icanthus, He settled for calling a smaller firebolt into his left. The small dribble of blood gave the flame an unusual green hue.