Griznuq Gaming

D&D Campaigns => Threshold => In Character Discussions => Topic started by: Griznuq on July 23, 2006, 01:05:25 PM

Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on July 23, 2006, 01:05:25 PM
The walk back to threshold was uneventful save for the occasional bandaging, breath catching and the deep blue glow that could be seen emanating from the pouch that held the Eye. It had never glowed that bright and he felt more than a bit anxious and twitchy. Laren's mind wouldn't stop. He knew that he had to destroy the Eye of Portence, but he had no idea how to do it.

The sounds of the Thornhedge seemed distant as he walked through the door, looking at the ground. He absently ordered a beer and sat at a table alone. There had to be some way to destroy that thing...

For the first time in what seemed to be hours, he looked up from the floor. It was like he'd suddenly woken up in the middle of a party. The place was rather busy.

He scanned the crowd. The mood was light. People we happy and laughing and eating. They had no idea that each day their quaint little lives were in danger.

One fellow stood out from the crowd like a plucked chicken in a grass skirt.

... he always thought that was a strange saying...

Laren caught Sayer's attention and waved him over to join him at the table.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on September 12, 2006, 02:54:50 PM
Laren's eyes scanned the floor of the room in his immediate area. He saw the pouch on the floor a few feet away. It sat there lifeless, and more importantly light-less. Breath returned to Laren's chest.

The thought crossed Laren's mind that although Sayer was perfectly aware that Laren had just tumbled out of his chair, was considerabley unconcerned. Laren wasn't offended or anything, just found it odd.

Laren cleared his throat and let go of his chest.

"Ah," he said as he straightened his shirt, trying to remove the wrinkles he'd just created. "Oh, yes. That was my father. He's the one you're talking about? The one who has taken ill?"

Laren couldn't help cracking a bit of a grin as he bent down and picked up the pouch. He took the thing, silently cursed it for the umpteenth time ahd dropped it into his pants pocket.

"I suppose you could say he's taken ill." Laren sat back down at the small table.

"He suffered quite a bit because of this thing," he said, patting his pocket. "A woman named Crimson wants the Eye. She killed my father, and I believe she now stalks me as well. I would like to be rid of it before she finds us. If I survive destroying the Eye, I should be able to survive her visit as well."

There was really little point in sugar coating anything anymore. Laren now believed enough in Sayer's abilities with the runes that he also believed anything Sayer was not told, he would eventually figure out anyway. At least being up front about everythying would save time.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on September 12, 2006, 02:31:18 PM
Sayer had returned his attention to the table after Laren mentioned Kit's injury.  The earth rune and moon rune were near to each other, indicating an emotional closeness.  Sayer was formulating a tactful inquiry about Laren's relationship with Kit when Laren abruptly and noisily tumbled out from his chair to the ground.

Sayer stared stupidly at Laren.  Sayer was surprised by this sudden action and was alarmed by the force that Laren's head had his the wooden floor.  Before Sayer could speak, he became even more surprised by the halfling's sudden recovery to his feet.  As Laren clutched his chest and struggled for air, Sayer reached a hand out to him but immediately withdrew it in startled surprise as Laren growled.

It was then that the answer clicked in Sayer's mind.  The Eye.  The runestones.  The reading.  "Laren, you knew the person who possessed the Eye of Portence.  You knew this person.  The Eye was given to you by this person.  Someone close to you."
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on September 11, 2006, 09:27:13 AM
Laren gasped and clutched his chest. The sudden jolt of reality shocked him so greatly it sent him toppling over backwards in his chair. His head introduced itself to the hard wooden floor with the kind of thump only a skull hitting wood could make.

He tried to quickly scramble to his feet, and after another stumble he succeeded. He grasped as his chest with both hands and breathed heavily. As the reality of what was going on set it, anger swell within him. With a gutteral grwol he considered smashing the eye against the floor like he had his head.

Anger flew away and was replaced with dread as he realized he was no longer holding the pouch containing the Eye of Portence.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Wildfire on September 10, 2006, 05:20:32 PM
As the pouch swung a dark blue light began to pulse from within through the fabric of the pouch. It was a rythmic pulse echoing the timing of a heartbeat.

In a familiar flash, Laren could suddenly see himself lying in a forest. A shot of infinite pain thundered through his body and he could see the Eye being pulled from the left side of his chest by bloodied hands.

Before he knew it, he was sitting at the table with Sayer...awake from the brief nightmare.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on September 06, 2006, 08:58:20 PM
Laren furrowed his brow a bit as he looked at Sayer. "Well yes, Kit has. Quite so, actually." Had to be Kit, as everyone else who Laren knew was dead.

"From what Ashe tells me, she's creating another one of these things." Laren lifted the pouch again and let it swing.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on September 05, 2006, 10:33:03 PM
Sayer turned slowly to face Laren.  "This is what I see," he said, pointing to the three stones closest to where the halfling stood:




"These three stones are your origin.  It is from where you have come; it is where you are now.  When we connect the stones," Sayer said, tracing an imaginary line over the stones with his finger, "we have a triangle."




"Moon, earth, earth," Sayer continued.  "All diminutive runes.  Among its many meanings, the moon is the rune of emotion.  There is an anchoring  (right) angle between the moon and the two earths, so this emotion is strong.  Because the moon rune is diminutive, then I would think that the emotion itself is not necessarily welcomed.  I interpret this as the acquisition of a troubling emotion within your recent past.

"The earth rune is symbolic of the physical world, governing health and wealth.  We have two such runes, and they are both diminutive.  A diminutive earth rune typically means a reduction or a loss --" Sayer suddenly fell silent.  He slowly cocked his head as he studied the stones.  "Someone you know recently took ill," he whispered.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 30, 2006, 09:35:06 PM
"The past???" The words spilled out of his mouth in incredulity before Laren could stop them. He also realized that he was making a face as if someone had just asked him to ingest fetid animal remains.

"Sayer," Laren said, shaking his head. "Everything I'm trying to do here, is for the future. I fail to see how what I'm doing can be considered dwelling in the past." He realized he might have sounded like he didn't believe Sayer knew what he was doing.

"Of course, I don't doubt that that's what the stones say to you, but they must be wrong. Perhaps they were effected by this thing?" he lifted the pouch again and let is swing slowly. Heavily.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 30, 2006, 09:14:28 PM
Sayer studied Laren for a moment before responding.  He named the gem so casually that Sayer had wondered if Laren truly understood what was in his possession.  Sayer had sensed its power within this room.  It had focused on the reading; it was cognizant of the casting.

It was cognizant.  A chill of fear spread through Sayer as he came to this realization.  The legendary Eye of Portence was here in this room, and it was aware of us.  Did it listen to our words?  Did it watch our actions?  Sayer recalled Laren's exhibited uneasiness and nervous chatter throughout the evening; perhaps Laren did understand what was in his possession.

Sayer realized that he had been staring at Laren, who in return had been staring expectantly at him.  Sayer blinked, then rolled his head to look at the table surface.  After confirming that all six stones were on the table, Sayer  noted the rune types and their placement in relation to each other.  He then began tracing imaginary paths between the stones with his eyes.  As he appraised stones, Sayer was reminded of the comments that Laren had made throughout the evening: his desire to destroy the Eye; his acknowledgment that there were those who wished to obtain the Eye for themselves at any cost; Laren's commitment to completing this task; and his willingness to sacrifice his own well-being to complete this task.

Sayer turned casually away from the table so that his back was towards Laren.  He took a moment to compose himself and tried to conceal his alarm.

"You dwell upon the past," Sayer began.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 25, 2006, 06:48:58 PM
Quote from: Phineas"The Eye of Portence," he said hollowly.  "You are in possession of the Eye of Portence."

It was even more difficult to read the man now... Was that fear? Anger? Disbelief? Gas? Laren had a very hard time not cracking a smile in spite of the situation with that last thought. He hoped that he would always be able to find humor.

"Yes, I am. That's what's in the bag." Laren lifted the pouch up a bit. "And I'd really like to be not! Ashe said that the best idea is to destroy it, which would be very difficult... " He caught himself before he started to get flustered and babble.

After a deep breath Laren looked at the stones again and said "So what do they say?"
Title: You don't say
Post by: Johan on August 25, 2006, 08:39:29 AM
[color=green:c78cacf800]OOOooohhhh....

Now you've truly piqued my curiosity...[/color]
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 24, 2006, 08:54:46 PM
Sayer stood motionless.  His short breathing became halted as his eyes locked on Laren.  Many moments passed before Sayer finally repeated the words.

"The Eye of Portence," he said hollowly.  "You are in possession of the Eye of Portence."
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 22, 2006, 11:06:28 PM
Sayer's mood was difficult to read. Laren couldn't tell if the man was angry or otherwise.

The halfling simply nodded his head and said, "It is. It is known as the Eye of Portence." The mere name of the thing tasted foul on Laren's lips.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 22, 2006, 11:03:06 PM
Sayer stepped around the side of the table.  He had regained his composure, but his breath was still rapid.  "Laren," he breathed, his voice low and slightly strained, "earlier while we were downstairs, you had mentioned that you were in possession of an item: a magical or psionic item -- I believe those were your words -- that becomes linked to the individual who touches it."  Sayer motioned to the pouch at Laren's side.  "Was this the item that you held out to me?  The item is in that pouch?"
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 22, 2006, 07:34:14 PM
Laren stood with his mouth agape and his eyes wide. Sayer's voice seemed to boom in the now sudden silence. It was another few moments before he realized that he wasn't breathing.

One body part at a time, Laren checked to make sure everything still worked. After he checked the lasts of his fingers, he said "Yes. Yes I think so."

Laren's mind, now satisfied that he was still in one peice made an observation. "Judging by your tone, this is... uncommon?"

He sincerly hoped that Sayer had seen this sort of thing before, though he knew in his heart the answer.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 22, 2006, 06:06:14 PM
Sayer was tense and stood motionless, breathing in short gasps through his open mouth.  He was frightened.  He briefly looked at the stones before looking up at the halfling.  "Laren, are you all right," Sayer asked with concern.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 22, 2006, 01:37:01 PM


Not to scale. Stones enlarged for legibility.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Wildfire on August 22, 2006, 12:57:09 PM
That moment of casting the stones triggered something within the Eye. A deep vibrational humming began to sound and a blue light came from within the pouch in which it was held.

Both Laren and Sayer could feel a bizarre energy in the room. The energy moved about from this place to that in seemingly random patterns. Sayer could sense that there was nothing at all random about it. There was intent in it's movements.

It came to rest directly over the board with the stones and the candles. It intensified. The table began to jitter and shake slightly not upsetting either the candles or the stones upon it.

Laren could feel that the Eye was looking for something. He was not so sure what it could be but he could feel the greed dripping from it.

Without warning, the vibration, glowing, and humming stopped. Laren's sight returned to him. His hands were shaking as though from a rush of adreneline, the residue from the energy still coursing through his body. Before him were the candles, the stones, and a choice.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 22, 2006, 11:21:17 AM
Seeing no reason for waiting, Laren opened his hand and let the stones drop. He watched as they hit the table, bounced around a moment and finally came to rest.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 20, 2006, 08:02:55 PM
Using the hand resting on the table, Sayer reached over and removed the pouch.  "Please hold your fist so that your palm faces down over the center of the table.  Hold your arm straight out so that your fist is about six hand-lengths above the table.  As you hold the stones, focus on your question.  Focus on the question that brings you to this table."

After transferring the pouch to his other hand, Sayer once again rested his fingertips lightly on the reading table.  He looked briefly at the ceiling, watching the numerous shifting shadows cast from the small candles.  He paused a moment, drawing a slow cleansing breath.  When he spoke, he did not look at Laren.

"At the moment of your choosing, release the stones."
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 20, 2006, 09:30:16 AM
Laren's hand went into the pouch. The stones were cold and smooth. He hoped that his hand was big enough to hold six of these stones at once.

As Laren's nimble fingers sifted through the stones he was reminded of a game he'd played as a youth. You out your hand in a bag and pulled out stones like this. Smaller stones with one smooth side, the other had a character on it, from whatever language his grandfather was teaching him. The idea was that you were supposed to spell words with them.

Before he realized it, there were six stones in his hand that almost seemed to cling to his fingers as if magically attracted to the flesh of his hand. He removed his hand from the pouch.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 19, 2006, 11:45:05 AM
"Clear your mind," Sayer said in a hushed voice.  "On the center of the reading table is a pouch containing 24 rune stones.  You shall choose six of these stones for your casting.  You shall not use your eyes within this selection process: as you touch the stones, listen to your spirit, for it will sense the stone to choose.  Listen to your mind, for it will know the stone to choose.  Listen to your body, for it will feel the stone to choose.  Once you have chosen six stones, we will then perform the reading."

The only light in the room was from the small candles.  Sayer turned, resting the fingertips of one hand lightly on the reading table.  He now stood profile to Laren.  "At the moment of your choosing, please place your raised hand into the pouch and chose your stones.  Please keep your hand in the pouch until all six stones have been chosen.  Once you are satisfied with your choice, conceal the chosen stones within your fist and then remove your hand from the pouch."
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 19, 2006, 09:59:40 AM
This was certainly not like anything of which Laren had ever been a part. One time he watched an old lady in his home town read someone's palm, but by all accounts she was mad. Laren wondered then, just how mad she really was. He would have more than likely made fun of Sayer back then too.

The thought made Laren a little ashamed. He hoped that unusually observant fellow wouldn't notice.

Laren's right hand was moving almost before he realized. It was the hand with which he did almost everything. It was the hand he was most comfortable with.

I wonder if choosing it in comfort means anything? Maybe I should have gone with the left, as it's the hand I am more uncomfortable with. This task is certainly not something with which I am comfortable... Laren decided not to worry about it. All it was doing was making him nervous.

He held his right hand up, and tried to think about his duty. He hoped that he could get through his task and live to see the end, but he knew that survival needed to be a lesser priority.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 18, 2006, 08:57:14 PM
Sayer bowed slightly in acknowledgment as Laren finished speaking.  He did not comment on Laren's words, but instead placed the worn leather pouch containing the rune stones in the center circle of the reading table.  "Let us continue.  Clear your mind."

Sayer held his hands up, leading Laren to copy Sayer's exaggerated motions.  Sayer spoke in a strong, clear voice.  "We shall clap three times: once to awaken the attention of the mind," -- clap! -- "once to awaken the attention of the spirit," -- clap! -- "and once to awaken the attention of the body."  Clap!

Sayer turned to Laren, instructing him that they face each other.  "You are my Querent, and I am your Counsellor.  Our relationship is symbiotic.  We bow, showing our respect."  With fluid and practiced movement, Sayer bowed deeply from the waist.  He waited for Laren to hold his bow before motioning to stand up straight again.

Sayer then turned to face the reading table.  "These are the tools that will assist us in our reading.  We bow, showing our respect."  Again, Sayer bowed low, waiting for Laren to follow his lead.

As he lead Laren through the opening ritual, Laren's words were repeated in the back of Sayer's mind.  My future, at least until my task is done, does not have room for my own self preservation. It cannot be allowed to influence my decisions.  This troubled Sayer.  There were two schools of philosophy among diviners: the Fatalists, who were the traditional majority, believing that all events were predestined and that divination merely gave us glimpses of the inevitable; and the Volitionists, a young, radical minority who believed that all events were consequences of choice and divination gave us a glimpse of the possible.  Sayer was a strong proponent of Volitionism, and Laren's comment only reminded him how deeply rooted -- and accepted -- Fatalistic thought was in this society.  Could not Laren achieve the goal of his task AND achieve self preservation?  Could not Laren's future hold both possibilities?  Sayer believed that it could, but only if Laren chose the proper choices.  Laren would have to be convinced of this possibility. It must influence his decisions.

Sayer stood straight and remained facing the table, gesturing to raise hands.  "We clap one last time," -- clap! -- "awakening the attention of the stones."  Sayer paused, his voice returning to a softer, conversational level.  "And that," he smiled as he turned to Laren, "concludes the opening ritual.  You will now make another choice: please face the center of the table and raise forth a hand to draw the stones."

[color=green:1eabc17826]Please raise your left or right hand.[/color]
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 18, 2006, 01:59:07 PM
Laren thought for only a moment about the words Sayer said. It was as though a weight was lifted from laren's small frame. He knew what Sayer's words meant, and even though they substantiated the fact that this danger was quite real, they also eliminated some doubt. It made Laren feel that he had made the right descision. This was in some small way, a relief.

"No, I am quite comfortable with their placement. As a matter of fact, even moreso now. Your explination makes perfect sense, you see. My instincts are telling me there's danger. Quite a bit if it, this much I already knew.

"Unfortunately, I do not have the luxury of being able to consider the danger. My first thought would be for self preservation. This is not, in this case a viable option. Were I to opt to go with my heart on this one, the danger would no longer be mine. I cannot allow the actions of my family to fall on shoulders not my own.

"SO yes, your observation is accurate... But as you say, the future is what we make it. My future, at least until my task is done, does not have room for my own self preservation. It cannot be allowed to influence my descisions. This duty I hold above all else. The lives of thousands may be at steak."

Laren had never really considered that before he actually said it out loud. Up until that point, he'd only really considered the damaged that the eye had already caused; the death of his family, the ordeal through which Kit was going at that very moment, the countless lives Crimson was destroying looking for Laren and the eye... But now he realized, if she were to get this eye, who knew what could happen. Ashe perhaps would know. I should have asked him... Then again, last thing I need is more pressure.

Laren drew a deep breath but said no more. He merely stood, watching the dancing flames of the candles.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Johan on August 17, 2006, 09:48:13 AM
[color=green:2aad7df5dd]I really like Sayer...he must be loads of fun at parties![/color]
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 16, 2006, 09:05:08 PM
Sayer did not look at the candles nor did he acknowledge their placement.  His full attention was on Laren.  "You have put things the way that you think they should be, but this was not your first thought," Sayer said after a moment's silence.  "This arrangement was not your first choice.

"I noticed that you hesitated," Sayer said, moving slowly towards the table.  "A hesitation is a disagreement with a part of oneself.  You see, there are three parts to a person: the mind, which controls our thought and understanding; the spirit -- sometimes known as the soul or as the heart -- that governs our feelings and instincts; and the body, our physical self.  When we hesitate, that means that one part of us disagrees with another part.  We have experienced a time when our heart told us that danger lurked behind us, but our mind disagreed and ordered our body to ignore that feeling.  We have experienced a time when our mind told us that we have chores to do, but our body disagreed and dictated that a nap is more important.

"What I am trying to convey," Sayer continued, his voice lowering, "is simply to listen to yourself.  Agree with yourself, and agree with your choices.  My advice will have little value to a person who doubts his own advice."

Sayer held Laren's gaze a moment when Sayer suddenly looked to the table as if he forgot something.  "Ah, the candles," he said, glancing at their placement.  "Yes, yes...very nice.  Are you comfortable with their placement," Sayer said smiling, looking again at Laren, "or would you like to adjust their order to your satisfaction before we continue?"
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 12, 2006, 07:25:50 PM
It wasn't that Laren didn't understand the instructions, quite the contrary: they were quite clear. Before the descrition of the candles and what they represented, he'd have simply put them down one at a time, in any random order, starting with the closest edge, and working his way around counter clockwise.

But now, these candles were not just candles! They were symbolic candles! Now his choices meant something!!

Laren's hands began to sweat. Whatever he chose now could impact the outcome of destroying the Eye? Was that what he meant? What order could he do that would make things better? ... and why?? How could any of this have anything to do with the future??? He begand to think he'd made a mistake in asking.

He reached out to place the earth candle in the middle. He figured, it was the closest to him, and he was closer to the earth than to either the moon or the sun. Then he stopped... That would mean that the moon and the sun were the same distance from the earth as each other... that didn't seem right.

He took a deep breath [color=green:52510cb5bf](and rolled a knowledge - nature check... 17... not bad)[/color] He put the earth on the left, the moon in the middle, and the sun on the right.

He then lit the sun, as it was the source of light and heat, then the moon, and then the earth.

"What I have done, is put things the way that I think they should be; as nature intended. The sun gives the light and heat to the others, in order of distance." Laren thought about his words as he heard them outloud, and found that he was pleased with this answer. He nodded to himself, and looked at Sayer expectantly.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 12, 2006, 04:31:40 AM
"Then let us begin."

Sayer stepped away from the table, allowing access to its edges.  "Our futures," he began, "are shaped based on the choices that we make.  You've heard the phrase 'being at the right place at the right time'.  You've also heard the phrase 'being at the wrong place at the wrong time'.  We do not arrive at these places by chance, but instead we arrive by choice.

"We shall begin with having you make some simple choices.  If you look closely at the candles -- do you still have them? --  you will notice that each candle has a slight tint in the wax: the red candle represents the Earth, the blue candle represents the Moon and the yellow candle represents the Sun.

"Please choose and occupy one of the four edges of the table.  Once you have done so, please choose and light one of the three candles and place it at an unoccupied edge.  Repeat this process for the other two candles."  Sayer paused.  "There is no right or wrong order.  There is only choice."

[color=green:a94432a287]Please describe the order that the candles are lit and where it rests on the table: the left edge, center edge or right edge.[/color]
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 11, 2006, 09:43:08 PM
Laren went over the steps in his mind again. Seemed pretty cut and dry, he thought.

"I don't think so. Any questions that he might still have would probably take far too long to answer.

"I'll follow your instructions as closely as I can." He really didn't enjoy being so out of his element, but he took comfort in Sayer's confidence.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 11, 2006, 08:58:20 PM
Sayer studied Laren a moment before responding with a slow nod and a smile.  Although he had taken several deep breaths, Laren still seemed tense.  It was clear to Sayer that the halfling was under a lot of pressure.

Sayer gestured to the reading table.  "Allow me to explain what to expect from this reading," he said in his soft, silky voice.  "As previously mentioned, there is a short ritual that precedes and succeeds the reading.  The rituals are very short and very simple and I will talk you through the actions.

"After the opening ritual, we will then do the reading."  Sayer held up a small, worn leather sack.  There was an earthy clattering sound as Sayer reached into the sack and withdrew a pebble from it.  He turned the stone over showing carvings on both sides of the pebble.  "I use rune stones as a medium to offer advice.  Some oracles read palms; others read cards.  I read thrown stones.  You shall be the one to cast the stones, and I shall be the one to interpret the casting.  Again, I shall talk you through the actions to take.

"After we discuss the casting, we will end with the closing ritual.  And then," Sayer smiled, "you shall walk forth into the future bearing the Shield of Wisdom."  Sayer's smile faded as he paused to read Laren's face.  "Do you have any questions about the process of the reading?"
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 08, 2006, 09:57:35 PM
Laren had calmed a bit after he sat and forced himself to simply breathe.

"Oh, I'm alright. I just get a little carried away when I don't stop to rationalize." He stood back up and accepted the glass of water.

"Thanks" he said. "I'm ready when you are."
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 08, 2006, 09:01:24 PM
"Yes, yes of course."  Sayer gestured welcomingly to the only chair in the room.

Sayer stepped to a clay pitcher and removed the thick cloth draped over the mouth.  "Perhaps some water may refresh you."  He poured the water into a small mug and held it out to Laren.

"There is a small, symbolic ritual that commences and closes the reading, and it is preferable that you stand during these ceremonies.  We may begin when you feel ready."  Sayer paused, his hairless brow frowning with concern.  "How do you feel, Laren?"
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 07, 2006, 08:57:02 PM
[color=green:0854b1b66f]Heh woops... sorry.[/color]

The words seemed to sink slowly into Laren's mind through his thick halfling skull. He nodded slightly and let his arm fall back to his side.

"Alright," he said, tying the pouch back to his side. "Probably better off anyway. Seems that it brings only pain anyway."

Laren stood silent for a moment, considering the lack of wisdom behind those last few words. He probably shouldn't have said that.

"I'm sorry, I suppose I'm not exactly be best company right now. I've been... distracted to say the least, these last few days. And it's not that I doubt your abilities, I just have no idea how they work and I want to be as helpful as possible. Sometimes I get a little excited." He realized that he was on the verge of babbleing.

The little fellow took a deep breath, filling is tiny lungs with the dry air. He exhaled and asked "Would you mind if I sat down?"[color=green:0854b1b66f][/color]
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 07, 2006, 08:49:02 PM
Sayer's eyes lingered a moment on the pouch that Laren held forth.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 03, 2006, 07:48:52 AM
Sayer looked up from the table.  His attention drifted from the pouch to Laren's trembling hand.  He was silent for a moment as he chose his words.  "Laren," he began in a soft, reassuring tone.  "It is not a requirement for you to show me anything, or tell me anything.  You may do so if you choose to do so, but it will not impact the reading.

"With respect to the reading," Sayer continued, "our goal is to discuss some options that you have at present, including those options which are available to you that you may not be aware.  As you choose which option to follow, you take one step closer to your goal.  How you reach this goal is ultimately under your control, but it will be based on a number of smaller choices that you make.

"Do you understand?" Sayer asked, smiling warmly and his tone lightening.  "You choose your own decisions, and you choose your own destiny through those decisions.  You and I shall discuss the best choices to make."

It was clear that Laren was fearful.  Sayer hoped that his words would put Laren at ease.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 02, 2006, 03:15:21 PM
Laren gathered the requested items and brought them over to the table. Laren silently wondered again what he was there for. He felt sure that whatever was possible, the most likely outcome would be the least favorable. Nothing in the past several months had gone well, why should it start now?

He felt that he already knew what would happen. Maybe he was there in the hopes of hearing what his soul doubted: that things would be alright.

The realization struck that he could very well hear that his worst fears were correct, and that destroying this thing was exactly what needed to happen, though it would destroy him as well. Suddenly he wasn't so sure that he wanted to be there.

His palms began to sweat. He felt as though his heart would burst beneath his little chest.

He took a deep breath and reminded himself that even if he were to die, it wouldn't matter. In fact, there were a handful of people who would be safer if he did cease to exist. He had to know. He decided that he would give Sayer anything that would help his reading to be more accurate.  Even if that meant taking out the Eye.

"Would it help your reading if you could see this object?" Laren held the pouch up by it's strings. It dangled from his tiny hand and spun slightly as the twisted strings unraveled.

Beads of sweat trickled down Laren's forehead, though it was quite comfortable in the room. His hands were shaking.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on August 01, 2006, 07:38:34 PM
Sayer smiled and bowed humbly.  "You are kind to say so, and I thank you for indulging my disquisition on furniture."  He was a bit embarrassed for rambling, and while he received Laren's compliments with graciousness, he found himself remaining guarded around the halfling.  He remembered his training from the royal court: Focus not on prose and praise, but on the motive it conveys. What was Laren trying to gain from him?

"Let us begin.  Those three candles there: please bring them to the reading table and light them."
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on August 01, 2006, 07:18:28 AM
Laren nodded and said, "Oh. Where I come from, a table that big could feed most of the neighborhood. From the sounds of it, it would take most of them to move it too."

He was starting to get a little bit uncomfortable. He remembered his father saying something about being careful when making jokes about something others cared greatly for.

"Your passion for what you do is unfortunately uncommon, I think. Most of the time, people seem to do what they do just to get by. To enjoy one's work is truely a blessing."
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on July 31, 2006, 09:49:55 PM
Sayer looked up from the table with an expression of bafflement.  "But this is a portable reading table," he said.  "It is half the size of a formal reading table.  Ah, such a table is a thing of beauty.  It is a piece of furniture the length of a man on all sides, made of the finest of woods by the finest of craftsmen."  As Sayer passionately described the details of a reading table, his eyes drifted to an imaginary table that stood before him.

Any humor that Laren had intended was lost upon Sayer.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on July 30, 2006, 12:46:55 PM
Wow! Laren thought. There sure seemed to be more to this man's craft than Laren had known.

"Tools of the trade, eh?" Laren smiled thinly. "They should at least make it travel-sized."
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on July 26, 2006, 05:03:31 PM
Sayer smiled as Laren expressed his appreciation.  "Laren, you honor me by requesting counsel", Sayer spoke softly.  "There are many individuals who have questions and never seek to understand them.  I find it troubling," Sayer said, scraping the table's legs across the rough wooden floor, "that many of these individuals would take action without understanding their questions.  You demonstrate wisdom by wishing to better understand your situation..."

Sayer turned from the table and looked solemnly at Laren.  "...and understanding the best questions to ask."

Sayer paused a moment, allowing the halfling to absorb his words.  He then stepped to the bedside and knelt.  From underneath the bed he retrieved a wide, worn wooden case.  Using both hands, Sayer awkwardly hauled the case up and stood its edge on the table.  He unwrapped the leather straps that held the case shut, and opened it with care.

Inside each half of the case lay a fine piece of wood.  These inner pieces were hinged to the outer case, and Sayer lifted each piece out in turn.  The result was a wide table surface divided into quartered sections.  A design of lighter wood was inlaid within the darker wood, creating a circle quartered by a cross:




The wood was pockmarked from usage, as though small river stones had been dropped upon it over the span of decades.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on July 26, 2006, 09:19:44 AM
Laren was indeed quite out of his element. He could read of course, but he never really enjoyed it; it always put him to sleep.

The smell of old paper was thick in the room. Laren was not sure why, but it seemed to him that whenever there were a lot of books around, the air was dry. He made a mental note to ask someone about that some day.

Now however, there were greater things on his mind.

"Hey, I really appreciate this by the way. I know we just got back and you're probably tired... I know I sure am. Last thing you probably want to do at the moment is work."

He never got the impression that the mysterious fellow actually considered this work. In fact it seemed like it was something Sayer enjoyed very much, but suggesting as much made his thanks seem even greater.

Laren made himself comfortable, as he did wherever he went. He reasoned Why would anyone want a guest tonot feel comfortable?[/i] He was careful not to sit on anything that could easily be damaged. Being three feet tall and a mere forty pounds made that easy.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on July 25, 2006, 08:15:12 PM
Sayer entered the small room which was both his sleeping quarters and office.  The room was crowded by a couple of wardrobe trunks covered with a thick stack of papers.  Several books weighted upon the pages, preventing the papers from drifting to the floor.

The only table in this room was a small washing table which been transformed into a writing desk, on which was piled parchment, bottles of ink, quills and writing nibs, and sealing wax.  Several books and journals teetered on the one edge of the table.  Sayer quietly moved these items aside and brought the table away from the wall.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on July 24, 2006, 07:36:02 PM
One thing he could say for Sayer, the man enjoyed his work. There was a time when Laren too enjoyed what he did. He hoped that he would feel that way again someday.

He hopped down from his stool and scurried after the much taller seer... Sayer...

Laren wondered how the irony of that statement remained buried from him for so long.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on July 24, 2006, 07:25:15 PM
Sayer studied Laren as the halfling spoke.  Sayer had not known him for very long, but had noticed how alert Laren seemed.  He was always watchful, scanning the faces of those on the street or in a tavern.

Sayer rose, adjusting his sleeves so that they once again rested against his wrists.  "Instead of eating, I believe my time would be better spent in preparation," he said softly.  "You know my room."

Sayer turned to leave.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on July 24, 2006, 07:05:17 PM
"Well..." Laren looked around the room. "I'm not exactly busy," he said with a shrug.

"Why don't you have something to eat and unwind a bit. You let me know when you are ready."

Laren hated to feel like an imposition.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on July 24, 2006, 06:46:24 PM
Sayer was silent as he analyzed the question.  Laren had phrased the question in such a way that he did not want to hear options for an optimal solution to the problem -- he wanted to hear the consequences for the solution that he had already chosen.

"I am willing to do so," Sayer responded at length.  "I have a reading table in my room.  Upon your wish, we may go there for counsel."
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on July 24, 2006, 12:03:36 PM
Laren's face revealed little, though he did let a little bit of a look of defeat shine through. He'd had just about enough of all the secrecy. He did keep his voice down though.

"Here's the thing," he started. "I've got an ... item... of magical origin. Well no, that's not right. Not magical... Psionic, I guess. From what I understand, when it is touched, it becomes ... linked somehow to that person."

Laren watched Sayer's face to try to read his thoughts, but the man only looked interested.

"This item is sought after by folks who would do harm to whomever stands in their way. Now, in order to keep it from them, I was thinking that things might be better if said item were ... destroyed."

Again Laren watched for a visible reaction. Still nothing readable.

"... So I guess I was just wondering if you could tell how something like that might work out for me."
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on July 24, 2006, 01:10:22 AM
Sayer made a small effort to conceal his smile.  He leaned forward and lowered his voice.  "A person who knowingly undertakes a venture filled with risk already knows if it is a good idea."

Sayer sat upright and regarded Laren silently for a moment.  His years in court had taught Sayer to analyze the motive of such questions: a person asking about "someone else" typically meant themself.  His years of diplomacy also taught him tact.  Sayer leaned forward again and smiled reassuringly.  "If such an individual requested advice on how to minimize the risk of a task," Sayer continued, "then advice may be provided without knowing details on the venture."  Sayer nodded.

Years of court also taught Sayer how to manipulate and draw information from people.  "How may I be of service?"
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on July 23, 2006, 10:48:18 PM
Laren bobbed his head a couple of times, as the conversation was going as he'd expected.

"I mean, say for instance, someone were planning on doing something risky... but that's all you knew... Would you be able to tell them knowing only that, whether or not it's a good idea? Or would you have to understand everything about it... What this person was planning on doing, when, how... etc..."

He still felt like the explination was just too vague, but he didn't want to spill too much. Last thing Laren needed was another person affected by this damned Eye...
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on July 23, 2006, 10:28:56 PM
Sayer cocked his head in interest.  It was a slow, subtle motion.  "Situation?" he repeated, frowning slightly in confusion.  "Please forgive me, but I am afraid that I do not understand."
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on July 23, 2006, 07:00:33 PM
Laren took tipped his mug back and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "That's an interesting talent you have there. I don't think I've ever heard of it before."

Laren hailed the barmaid.

"I was wondering... How much do you need to know about... a certain... situation... to tell the outcome?"
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on July 23, 2006, 06:12:25 PM
Sayer moved slowly through the crowd.  The finery of his clothing and his noble composure were contrasted by the boisterous commoners that filled the tavern.

As he approached the table, Sayer smiled warmly at Laren.  "I see you have already secured the finest table in the tavern, a talent of yours which I have grown to admire."  Sayer spoke as he sat, keeping his eyes on Laren instead of looking for the serving maid; Sayer found no urgency in placing an order for a mug of watery ale.

After taking a moment to adjust his sleeves, Sayer rested his arms on the table, being careful to avoid any spills on the rough table top.  He leaned forward, giving Laren his full attention.
Title: You don't say
Post by: Phineas on April 29, 2008, 07:40:43 AM
[Placeholder reminder.]
Title: You don't say
Post by: Griznuq on June 23, 2009, 11:00:24 PM
/Poke