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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2013 16:30:01 GMT
((OOC: Moving this to a new thread to not muck up the city thread))
Mahir and Seren walked up the path where they saw the banner of the unit they were supposed to meet with Mahir dragging the deer they had just killed earlier behind him. It was an odd sight seeing as he was clearly the smaller of the two casters walking over the hill.
He walked up to the camp and let the rope he had tied to the deer drop as he walked up to Ahmed. He had seen him around the city before but never had much of a reason to interact with any of the elite guards which some might see as a good thing.
"Well met" *The elf said as he stood before the man. "I am Mahir, and this is my brother Seren" *He said pointing over to the horned human standing behind him*
"Word in the city is there is trouble in these parts and more bodies were needed to help with the exploration and expansion. I felt the need to get a better feel for the land beyond the city so we are here to help with that endeavor for a little while."
*He looks back toward the deer whose flesh is slightly seared in a few areas from the magic that hit it hard enough to kill it*
"I'm not sure what kind of rations you have but we found this deer along the way and I figured the venison would be tastier than they dried and salted ration meat. Your party is welcome to partake as well"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2013 17:10:50 GMT
Ahmed watches them approach and eyes them both when they arrive. While it appears that he is somewhat unsettled it is covered easily by a quick smile and surprisingly pleasant demeanor. After hearing their names he politely puts away his bow and dismounts so as to not be lording over the brothers, he then pulls a scroll and seems to mark something upon it in two quick flicks. At the mention of brothers Ahmed eyes them lightly noting the differences but visually deciding not to comment.
"Well met, I am Ahmed Al'Asad cavalier in service to Sultan Asad Ibn al-Hadi. I have set up camp in shade of the dune" he motions to where the fire and area is cleared. "and welcome you both to it."
Ahmed listens intently at the second statement and notes the difference in coming to help, rather than following orders and files it away for later reference.
"The word is correct it would seem." Ahmed comments lightly as he grabs the rope and begins dragging the dear having noted the distance they had walked themselves and moving to assist since he is freshly rested "I have been placed in charge of leading the expedition and hope you will find my command to your liking." this was a simple statement no threat or implication. As he leads them toward the camp he smiles lightly.
"Venison will be quite welcome and will allow us to save rations should this expedition become over long." he clucks at Ravi lightly and the horse starts following them without being led.
"Come, sit rest and speak so that I may know whom I lead and you may take measure of who you would follow"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2013 17:26:12 GMT
Mahir gladly allows Ahmed to take over pulling the deer because while he was able to do it, it was with some struggle over the last stretch of distance. He nods politely to Ahmed after receiving the invitation and goes to sit next to the fire as the sun would be setting soon and the coolness would set in.
"Thank you, I apologize for our tardiness. Seren and I have been distracted recently as we are working on getting the Magic institution set up back in town and we seem to have lost track of time and neither of us are particuarly skilled at quickly traversing the wilds so even though we only left a day after you it took us some time to actually catch up to you."
*He sits down and pulls out a leatherbound book and flips it open. The inside covered in random arcane symbols and an old language and he begins to skim through it a bit. After finding a blank page he pulls out an inkpen and a vial of ink and begins to jot down a few things into the book.*
"We have a lot to do in the coming months, and while we wish to be here to assist in the expansion of the city, It will also be important to get the magic institution open soon. We seem to have a larger number of casters lately and they have no real place to go to learn and study their craft."
*He glaces over to Seren* "Because even those who have natural gifts still need to learn how to use them appropriately" *He says in an almost lecturing voice and somewhat pointedly at his brother.*
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2013 17:38:41 GMT
Ahmed walks with him and situates the venison and covers it for later dressing, listening to Mahir as he speaks.
"No need to apologize Mahir, aside from myself, you and your brother are the first to arrive. Apart from that the only reason I reached here so readily is because Ravi is kind enough to be my mount" he holds out a bit of oats that he pulled from somewhere on his person and Ravi eats it readily nudging Ahmed for more as Ahmed continues to speak pretending to ignore Ravi, a playful smile dancing about his lips. "As for the magic institution I agree such things as magic should be tightly taught and controlled.." he seems ready to begin rambling off on the subject as the book is pulled out and opened in Mahir's Hands.
For the slightest moment (mahir might/might not catch it) his left hand forms into the warding symbold from Ahmed's youth once again before he shakes it off and fishes out more oats to feed Ravi and cover for the momentary slip in decorum.
"Then I hope our endeavors here may be swift and fruitful so as to not keep you from being on about such important business as the establishing of the institution." Ahmed thinking to himself how much the word institution seems to perfectly describe a bunch of casters gathered under one roof.
at Mahir's comment Ahmed too peruses Seren, natural talent? That is something perhaps more disturbing than one who chooses to research the arcane. However his lips are slightly smirking at the show of bantering between two brothers that might begin. Ahmed found himself liking this Mahir despite his chosen profession.
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Post by Garrett the Clanless on Sept 3, 2013 19:20:34 GMT
Seren was quiet at first, letting Mahir do the talking, moving alongside of them, humming a pleasant tune for a few moments. Seren was short, not quite as short as his brother, but at around 5'5 or so. He was a remarkably attractive individual, though for some, the crest-horns that slanted backwards off his head and the long four and half foot thin, for a dragon, tail that swung behind him might unnerve some. His eyes were slit like those of a reptiles.
Finally, as they began to talk, he spoke up. "Magic may have come to me naturally, but hey, some people need help. Besides, a place to gather sorcerers, wizards, magus and what have you together? That sounds like a recipe for something amazing." He says, smirking a bit, his charm hitting people like a brick when he used it. He caught Ahmed's odd look. "I'm descended from the Gold Dragons. I possess some of their natural magical ability." He explained, figuring the look for ignorance.
"But where are my manners? I am Seren Tahir-Ghanem, a sorcerer of rather modest power. I hope to aid the explorers here as best as I am able with my skills and knowledge, though my knowledge be less than my brother." He said, giving Ahmed a friendly smile and a polite bow.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2013 19:51:21 GMT
If Mahir noticed Ahmed's hand gesture he chose to ignore it as he quickly finished scribbling in the book. The book seemed to absorb the ink into it and dry quickly saving the words onto the page before Mahir snapped it shut and put it back into his backpack.
"Yes... I suppose we should count ourself lucky that his... ancestery as it were was that of the gold dragons. At least they are on the spectrum of creatures that don't destroy just for the fun of it like their counterparts do"
*He shuffled around in his backpack a moment longer and brought out some of the dried ration meat and started to chew on it slightly as he watched the fire dance in the coming night*
"But Seren is right of course. Even those Sorceors whose magic is innate need help to learn how to control the power inside them and that is often best taught by a wizard who has had to learn that control from the beginning to even produce the simplest of spells. The dragon's blood in Seren gives him great power but because it's a natural ability he wasn't always able to control it. I've been working with him since he first displayed signs of magic to teach him better control and now I think he is ready to pass some of that along to students of his own."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2013 20:18:53 GMT
Ahmed nods quietly listening as they spoke, both could tell that Ahmed was closely paying attention and filing away things he didn't understand and taking what he could. They could get the feeling as Seren the Mahir spoke that Ahmed was evaluating their confidence and ability by simply hearing them talk and coming up with tactical strengths and weakness they offer or pose for a larger group.
Ahmed chimes in after Seren mentions his heritage the statement of dragons surprisingly seeming to comfort him more than put him on edge "That is a rather daunting heritage to uphold is it not?" Ahmed asks out of shear curiosity. Returning the smile and bow from Seren as he officially introduces himself, Ahmed never having pushed him to do so.
Ahmed cocks his head a bit as Mahir speaks "To me that is not a matter of luck, rather than coincidence, I imagine were he descended of the chromatics he wouldn't be about the sultanate to potentially threaten it." he then listens to Mahir's statement and in an almost distant voice
"It is good you have brotherhood to keep you company and at times in check with the powers you wield, I will freely admit magic is something I am not overtly fond of. Could be because I don't understand it, however I have always known enough about it to keep it in mind when forming maneuvers or tactical assaults. Perhaps it left over from my childhood, none the less I find myself uneasy in it's presence." the brothers get the sense that there is something Ahmed left unsaid or dodged around
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2013 20:43:40 GMT
Mahir's demeanor changes slightly as Ahmed tells them about his distrust for magic and he sits there silently chewing on the dried meat and almost subconciously brings his other hand up and rubs his neck like there is a pain in it. As Mahir rubs his neck and his robes adjust there is a bit of scarring across the back of his neck that was previously hidden by the robes and from what can be seen seems to continue down his back but since the robes are there it's hard to tell for sure.
He is silent for a couple of minutes and seems to lose himself in watching the fire, almost hypotized bit it as it jumps and crackles before realizing he had finished eating the meat he had been holding which seemed to snap him out of his thoughts. He shook his head like he was coming out of a haze and his more pleasant demeanor was back at the surface as he gives a smile to Ahmed.
"Yes... I know what you mean" *He said as he pulled another piece of meat out of the ration bag, seeming to be all he was going to offer on the subject but even without using words it was clear that he and the Cavalier might have at least something in common and Mahir wasn't going to pry.
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Post by Fleda of the Fang on Sept 3, 2013 22:55:00 GMT
"Magic certainly is nothing to trifle with." A voice came out of the looming darkness, one of obviously femininity but with an undertone of gruffness that is apparent to those who spend much of their time out in the elements of Nature. From outside the circle of firelight Shievik appears, followed closely by a small but bulky Hyena. In one hand she uses her short spear somewhat like a staff, its wicked looking tip glinting the same way the Hyena's eyes did. She looks from one face to the next, passing over the two brothers before pausing on the Cavalier's. The Druid makes eye contact, staring at him in such a way that often made other humanoids feel awkward because of her stoic expression. It does not change when she speaks, and though it might not be very noticeable to most her pointed ears turn down slightly like an unhappy wolf. The Hyena at her side almost perfectly mimics her stance.
"I came under the Sultan's command to act as a guide, and already I find myself assigned to a group of people who look neither fit nor knowing enough to endure the land's hardships. Even you don't impress me." She growls to herself, showing her canines. Her uppers come down just a few extra millimeters to a very cruel looking point; her lowers, however, reach upward almost an inch, jutting out ghoulishly and resting over her top lip when she stops herself. It is obvious she has few social graces, and if the ears and tusks weren't enough when the fire flares in her direction her ashen grey skin certainly betrays her halfblooded lineage.
Her eyebrows soften and she clears her throat. "Apologies, I forget myself. It has been a long day. My name is Shievik. I am the Druid that has been assigned to this group for the time being." She attempts a smile, though with the protruding teeth it turns into a half smirk that makes her look more silly than friendly. Fondly she motions down to the animal that dutifully sits by her side. "This is Ieksha, my Companion." Quickly the fist clutching her spear comes to meet the palm of her opposite hand, and before the gesture she bows her head. Amusingly, Ieksha bows her head as well. "May we prove useful in the coming trials."
"Surely this is not all that is being sent out, is it?" Shievik once again looks around the campfire, mentally counting only the three others.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2013 0:00:01 GMT
Mahir looks up towards the gruff voice as the half orc approaches. He takes a moment to assess her and gets an annoyed look on his face at her implications of the group not being good enough to be here. The put off look fades slightly when she takes a moment apologize and explains it's been a long day.
He stands up and nods to Shievik and offers her a seat by the fire. "Well then now that you're here, feel free to rest up before the travelling that will take place. Although do not be so quick to judge those that accompany you. This is not a task that you, or any of us could do alone and we are all perfectly capable of handling ourselves*
Mahir looks over to the deer laying close to the fire.
"I have already caught us dinner and it should last at least tonight and tomorrow to help conserve the rations we use and keep our strength up. While the wild is not where I feel the most comfortable, I am not so incompetent as to not be able to survive here if need be. Besides, I am simply here to assist the city because the city needs assistance. Not because of any orders. It seems if my brother and I had not come along you would have even less people to guide"
*He stands there for another moment in awkward silence as if trying to figure out if that was all he wanted to say on the matter. It's clear any frustration he was feeling has already subsided after saying his peace and he moves over to sit next to Seren leaving room for the half-orc to join the fire
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2013 0:11:32 GMT
Ahmed looks in the direction the voice came out of leisurely. As Shievik appears Ahmed takes her and the hyena in and checks on Ravi with a quick side glance. The horse as if knowing that Ahmed is checking at him chuffs a bit and looks non-plussed about the hyena entering it's vicinity.
Ahmed holds the eye contact with Shievik, not breaking nor trying to stare down, the look in his eyes cold and calculating. As Shievik speaks Ahmed simply listens responding after she speaks without any heat in his tone.
"My job is not to impress you, it is to lead you in battle as you guide us on our travels." Ahmed marks her ear movement and facial expressions after he responds and then her change to a softer demeanor. He nods at her statement pulling the same scroll he marked with the brothers arrived and making another mark upon it.
"No need for apologies Shievik, the terrain and whether are more than enough to grate on social graces. Additionally I hope you will take no offense if I wasn't expecting the epitome of friendship, from a druid, let alone a half-orc. Your people have not received the most kind treatment." as he says this he stands and motions to the fire.
"Shievik I am Ahmed Al'Asad and I invite you to our camp and party. I am quite sure your skills will be more that useful in our coming trials." he bows lightly and sources a the same scroll he made a mark on "According to my orders we are to expect a half-orc barbarian from one of the local tribes, and someone who is referred to as a Magus. Until they arrive join us and let our group learn of each other to better our capabilities when and if battle is joined."
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Post by Fleda of the Fang on Sept 4, 2013 0:33:52 GMT
The woman watches as Ahmed pulls out the scroll and marks the paper. An organized person. The comment from Mahir that he can "survive if need be" falls upon unbelieving ears, and inwardly she scoffs at his assuming. The words of the caster only strengthen her convictions that the people within the city are too comfortable living alongside Nature. She does not sit, and instead of pushing the matter she again attempts the smile, flashing the same silly smirk as before. "The venison will prove helpful, though I suggest dressing it now and not here. Spilling such fragrant blood near where the group is expected to bed down for the night is not a wise idea. If my Ieksha here could smell it so easily in the falling night, worse creatures than a tame Hyena will be able to dredge out the scent of spilled life in darkness." Shievka reaches down and pats the top of her Companion's head, who chortles the characteristic laugh that echoes along the hills for just a moment.
"I can dress it, if you like. Ieksha will happily eat the entrails to keep the howlers and wildcats unbaited. Or we can all go together, and I can show you just how much of an animal you can use without wasting." She chuckles darkly at her own joke, uncaring if anyone else finds it funny. "Ever eat coagulated blood off a stick? It's quite good. Tastes like nuts." She licks her lips, passing over her tusks as if they weren't even there.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2013 1:05:52 GMT
Ahmed raises his eyebrow lightly at the half-orc and chuckles a bit. "Can't say that I have, or that I would find it overtly appetizing." Ahmed stands and dusts himself off a bit and goes over to the deer carcass which is currently covered, and picks up the rope.
"I will gladly learn how to dress a kill and assist in whatever way I can." he looks to Mahir and Seren gauging their interest. Ravi shuffles a bit as the movement of the tarp lets a fresh wafting of the blood into the air. Ahmed looks to him and clucks lightly and Ravi calms down almost instantly. Ahmed then looks to Shievik "Lead on druid."
Ahmed smiles warmly at her silly grin
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2013 1:57:22 GMT
He sees Ahmed glance over to them when the topic of dressing the deer comes up and he offers a genuine smile to the man but waves his hand casually to show his disinterest in the activity.
"Oh no... as entertaining as I am sure that will be I will gladly leave that task to the two of you. I imagine that is a job that having more people would be a hindrance than a help anyway. I have a bit of work to get done anyways before turning in for the night. I'm attempting to get a working map of the surrounding areas and the resources surrounding us to possibly help us in discovering potentially useful resources for both the city and the institution."
*He looks over at Seren as he pulls his leather bound book out again and flips through the pages. Dipping a pen back into the bottle of ink beside the two of them*
"You are welcome to go with them if you wish though. It may help you to pass the time?"
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Post by Garrett the Clanless on Sept 4, 2013 2:47:50 GMT
Seren smiled, laughing a bit. "Holding up the lineage is a great, but very privileged burden. I hope to one day meet my ancestor, as I'm sure they're out there somewhere, being as long lived as they are." He said. He adjusted his jacket, a sleeveless leather thing, with some light, soft pants and a large heavy sash around his waist to add to his outfit. He had a journal tucked into his sash, as well as a sickle. Attached to either side of his hips were kilt-extensions, laid with some leather for protection.
At the half-orcs arrival, he just watched with an amused expression, running a hand over his horns and his long tail swishing back and forth to show his amusement at the whole display. When they said they were off to tend to the deer, he decided to shake his head. "You know how I get around raw meat. I rather not chance it." He said, stretching. "I'll start the fire!" He said, reaching into his bag and pulling out three firewood logs he'd gotten as part of their supplies, setting them up in a pyramid. "Got any kindling and other stuff to keep this fire going?"
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