(D&D 3.5 FR) Between Stars and Under Hills B.1, Ch. 1, The Star Smith

[Tenshi]

Pathfinder Forgotten Realms: Between Stars and Under Hills
Book One: Go and Catch a Falling Star
Chapter One: The Star Smith
World of Aber-Toril
Continent of Faerun
A grassy meadout outsdie of New Phlan.
Fifth of Kythorn.

A big, tawny dog rested on a smooth, peaceful strip of beach against the Moonsea east of New Phlan. Selune was bright and clear in the dark. The stars twinkled, practically dancing in the sky. Not far away, a human girl's passionate cries rose up from beyond the treeline. As they grew in volume and pitch, they raced out over the water.

The big, tawny dog stretched, blue lightly softly arching over her. She glanced in the direction of her demihuman brother and his playmates. His roars now rolled out across the sea like peels of thunder.

The dog gave a wistful smile, then rested her muzzle in her paws. Far too long since she'd encountered a man or maid of her own kind—or even someone vaguely compatible. Maybe she should take a vacation and seek one out...

But what would the big lummox do without her?

Close enough to the beach that he could hear the water rushing up onto the shore now that the hammering of his heart grew quieter, Amalric Giantborne cuddled a pair of elfkin sisters against his barrel chest. The young giant's arms were as big around as his two companions waists. They all rested on a blue silk blanket over a bear fur. Amalric rested his head on a cushion, and the girl's rested their heads on his chest. Big hands tangled in blue and raven black hair. Amethyst eyes gazed up into his from the brunette’s heart shaped face.

“You should come with me when I leave,” he whispered softly, voice passionate and eyes dreamy.

NSFW

The girl with the purple eyes giggled and ran her hand over his big chest. “and do what, Amalirc? Become the first in your harem?”

The blue haired girl giggled and slipped out of his arms, kissing down his body and taking his massiveness between her lips.

A soft groan later, Amalric grinned and replied, “Why not? You're bards. You should see the world, dance and play for more than just one city. Would I be such a hard master?”

The purple haired girl stretched up his chest and kissed him gently, “I love you Amalric, but that's not the life for me. Now...”

She kissed him again, hot little hand caressing his chiseled abs. “Lie back and enjoy...

The young giant groaned. His eyes fluttered shut as he savored the two girl's attentions. They were insatiable, like himself. He really wished he could find a way to persuade them...

Amarlic's mind went blank and he just savored the moment as seconds stretched into minutes...

With a sudden gasp, the young giant's eyes shot open! The purple haired girl was bobbing up and down on his manhood now while the blue haired kissed and licked up and down his shaft. Kari and Kristi Songspray always made him see stars, but the fiery comet ascribing a red streak across the heavens was something new!

Amalric's muscles clenched, his tanned skin burned, and his eyes widened as the burning meteor grew larger and closer...

As his member exploded down the two girls' eager throats, the meteor jerked and seemed to explode itself. Where there had been one trail of flame, now seven red hot meteor's streaked apart in a star burst pastern! For once, Amalric couldn't bring himself to roar in passion. The moment was too sublime and perfect. Later he'd wonder what it had been and where the stars had fallen, but in this moment it was only the natural world perfectly mirroring his hammering heart!

 

[Tenshi]

Amalric and Tessa
A Marketplace in New Phlan
Seventh of Kythorn

The half giant strode through the markets of new Phlan, munching on a fresh green apple and licking the juices from his lips. The tawny dog frisked along beside him, a blue shimmer occasionally flashing along her pelt.

A big sleek, beautiful raven flapped down from the sky calling, “Amalric! Amalric. Message from the dwarves!”

The big man paused and turned to the pitch black bird with the shimmering wings. “Do I know you, sir?”

The bird's beak cocked open as people who'd managed not to startle at the almost eight foot tall warrior gave the talking bird a wide birth.

“No, but Rini Cherry Red sends her love.”

Amalric's grinned broadly. “Rini! How is the little scamp? And Trina? How is her twin.”

The bird laughed aloud this time. “You'll see. But take the blue message tube, I have places to be.” The raven held out his leg and Amalric saw several tiny scroll tubes there. He reached out and took it. “King Roderick has an opportunity for you,” the raven cackled, “We'll meet again.”

 

[lilithsboy]

Of all the rotten luck finding myself in this dreadfully cheery place couldn't they have a nice dark temple to study at? Torunn muttered darkly she was not happy with where she currently found herself the peasants were weary of strangers and that damn Eliminster was keeping an eye on her she could feel it. Frankly she cared not for what anyone thought of her particular brand of magic she walked a fine line in her life but did it with grace and aplomb so screw the codger of an arch-mage and his morals. He had his uses though this book on how to track the movements of the infinite layers was fascinating, one could never predict exactly how Chaos moved yet apparently by using the position of the lawful planes one could find the chaotic ones because while Chaos did as it chose Law certainly would not abide collision... Maybe this place was not so terrible she thinks right before the sound of children laughing makes her loose her place... She begins muttering to herself about the annoying people again.

 

[Tenshi]

Fanchi
An Inn in New Phlan
Seventh of Kythorn

Elsewhere in New Flan, Fanchi Cole was enjoying a well earned day of rest after escorting a caravan into town from Raven's Bluff. He'd crossed blades with Zhentarim sponsored bandits and driven goblins away with a fireball. The caravan master had—along with a bonus to his check, put him Fanchi up in a fine inn for three days at his expense.

This was the second day, around lunch time, and as the random whimsy's of inspiration would have it, memories of Fanchi's mercenary work with Drakengaurd Keep's Day Gaurd—dwarves from a largely subterranean nation that dared the mountainsides and passes to ward against incursions b humanoids, giants, and Zhentarim raiders—happened to be drifting through his mind.

A large bird with coal black feathers and several tiny scroll cases bound to one foot glided over the city, looking for Fanchi.

 

[Tenshi]

Jelven Thrace

Golden eyes fluttered open in the strong-jawed face of the muscular man who'd been sleeping quietly in the bed next to wear Torrun studied. He watched the beautiful redhead in affectionate amusement for a few minutes, then rose. The sheets slid off his nudge body, revealing the powerfully built man's member to be lightly swollen with arousal.

Strong fingers worked soothing, seductive magic on the redhead's tight shoulders. "Merriment costs you your concentration, sweet Torrun? Maybe if I made you scream a few times, you'd be better able to focus after?"

 

[kckolbe]

The fireball was a spell that brought conflicted feelings to Fanchi. It was, tactically, a nightmare, useless once a battle was properly underway, and also fairly ineffective to a prepared force. However, if executed against poorly trained opponents gathered together, like goblins, it could end a battle before it started, and was one of those spells that carried the additional psychological impact of conveying you were a capable mage. The Zhentarim were different. They had discipline and knowledge of tactics. Against them you targeted individual attackers, breaking their formations. If they had just two more riders, the guards would have been overrun. Fortunately, they had anticipated a less capable caravan escort.

Reflecting on his recent encounter against a properly trained force reminded him of his time with the dwarves, who were the finest formation fighters he'd worked with. When the large bird was sighted, Fanchi found himself drawn to it. He knew little of animals, and was unsure if such a creature was native to the area.

 

[Tenshi]

Half way between Phlan and Zhentil Keep, raven haired Naruna Evensong and her copper haired half sister Enen were camped on a secluded beach. Distance from the road and ripples in the land kept their little paradise grotto—with it’s white sand and tide pool of brisk, clean water—well hidden. Even in such hostile country, the girls felt that they could relax so long as they didn’t give their position away with a camp fire.


Enen and Naruna had been wandering this countryside for a few years together now, keeping their eyes on the nastier folk on behalf of the Elven Court, befriending and aiding those more deserving of their friendship.

 

[Tenshi]

Fanchi
An Inn in New Phlan
Seventh of Kythorn

The raven perched on the rail of the proch and regarded the war mage carefully trough one eye. Then it spoke! "Fanchi Cole, how do you do? Rini Cherry Red speaks quite well of you, and the young Princes' better. It's good to put a face to a name."

 

[The Harbinger]

Enen basked in the mossy shade of their little grotto, a tantalizing hand gently stoking her sister's naked form in the afterglow of their distractions. "Enough distractions," she could be heard saying, obviously continuing a conversation from before their bout of fun. "Zhentil Keep is just over there, watching and reporting is all to the good I give you." She hesitated and wondered how long this human trend last. She shuddered to think on how much damage they could do in their allotted span. "And Hillsfar all but closing their borders to anything not human needs someone to keep an eye on them, but I need something get my blood running again. The Zhents are always up to something, but Hillsfar is not gearing up for war, they aren't recruiting elf-haters, and amassing weapons. We, you and I, are young, we have a thousand years before us, and the options, the lasting mark we could make. We could build a pyramid, single-handed and without magic in that time. Yet we sit here, cooling our heels." She grazed her hand along the swell of her best friend's breast, ok, this was going to devolve and she would never get anywhere with the conversation.

She stood, stepping to gather her clothing, they hadn't covered that much ground had they? She found her left boot, leggings, blouse and bandoleer. Looking under her sister's mail bikini, she had to admit it always looked better on the ground next to her than on her, she found the other boot. "We really haven't stretched ourselves since that debacle with the dwarves. Four missing kids there, and who knew that a hag had come that high up the river." she shivered at the thought of something that ugly. She thought of some of the others involved there, "Now that Rini, she was a minx wasn't she, keeping those roughs in line. You have to admit, they respect skill before testicles."

 

[Sadonna]

Naruna closed her eyes liking the stroking of her sister's hand. Rini is a real minx." she said. She reflected on what her sister was saying about the four kids and frowned sadly. "their parents must be taking it hard." she said. She smiled at Enen as she began to put on her clothes, though she always thought she look better with them off. You are right as usual, dear sister. even though I love our distractions." she said.

 

[The Harbinger]

She caught her sister's melancholy for a second. "Dwarves are different than we sister, they felt for their children yes, but remember that little hearth priestess with the ruby trinkets in her braids? I got a letter a month or so back. I told her I wanted to keep in touch, anyways, she said that the families had set the memorials and are working together to take care of the nursery. More hands for their outdoors activities and such. It's kinda heartwarming end to a horrible story. At least that hag won't do it again."

She tossed her clothes down, "I need a swim." With that she took the three brisk steps it took to take her to the water's edge and with a dive, slipped into the water without a third thought. Surfacing several yards out she turned back to her sister, "Care to join me?"

 

[Sadonna]

Naruna looked at her sister and smiled. "I'd love a swim." she said. With that she ran to the water an with a running leap, she dove into the water with a splash. She looked at her sister teasingly. "It sure is good to be wearing only a bikini." she said laughing.

 

[Jovialtraveler]

Lia was practicing forms by herself when she heard voices, trying to dismiss them, but unable to do so over what, to her, was like the irritating buzz of the gnat, always at the edge of hearing, but never quite loud enough to properly hear. She sighed in frustration, then put her staff back into the bag she wore around her neck, tied to a string. She took in a deep breath, deciding to continue her journey instead, letting the will of her god guide her.

 

[Tenshi]

Naruna and Sadona
A Hidden Cover Between Phlan and Zhentil Keep
Eight of Kythorn

A sudden quacking laughter interrupted the elf girl's frolic and a big raven winged overhead. "Did I just hear you girl's calling my wizard a real minx?" The bird cackled as he dove to the beach, snatched up a piece of colorful cloth, then fluttered back up to a branch where he studded it. "Pretty," he commented, "But not as pretty as you girls' hair."

 

[lilithsboy]

That or one of those nosy busy bodies that inhabit this place would say that we were acting unsuitably and we would need to leave again. I need to get through this before we have to go because I cannot take it with us, what do you plan on doing today?

She continues her studies not allowing herself to become so easily distracted.

 

[The Harbinger]

Enen twirled her fingers through her red-hair in an intricate pattern as she sought the disembodied voice, quickly locating the raven. Camp thief, or raven, we can handle that, though connecting itself with Rini? "Thank you for your compliment. I was not aware that our gnomekin friend had gained a familiar as of late. How is she?" The elven girl continued to play with her hair as she addressed the magnificent bird. The slight was two-fold, it would confirm that the raven was at least informed if not truly connected to Rini, it would also add the distraction for Mirth to fly out and collect the pretty sash. Enen splashed her sister with a coy smile and as she did so, bounced in the water showing her small but rounded flesh.

rolls for Mirth

Hide
1d20+14
9+14 = 23

Move Silent
1d20+6
13+6 = 19

Sleight of Hand
1d20+2
19+2 = 21

Success on the nab, not sure if she got away without notice or not.

Having been just hanging around in the local foliage, the arrival of the raven had not gone unnoticed by the familiar as it accosted the camp. Enen's gestures with her fingers had communicated quite well that she wanted the sash back, and when to strike. Flitting from the branch she had been resting below, she curled then dove below the raven, her own tiny claws outstretched. She winked to him as she nabbed the bit of cloth, though she wasn't sure he would even see her as she curled her trail back to some low bushes below.

 

[Sadonna]

Naruna looked up with laughing eyes at the raven. She wondered how her sister would get her sash back. Then she saw Mirth fly up and snatch the sash. Her sister really knew how to take care of business. she smiled in amusement to herself.

 

[Tenshi]

Lia
The Road From Phlan to Zhentil Keep
Eight of Kythorn

"Ho there Lia," a great bird with blue black wings called as he glided up the road towards the young monk. "Greetings from the dwarves of Drakengard. I bear a message from King Roderick."

 

[Tenshi]

Jelven Thrace

Jelven laughed, strong hands and clever fingers shifting from an enticing massage to a soothing one. "I guess I should restrain my roving eye, then, and find a book of my own. If I wound up being the one to get us run out of town this time, you'd probably turn me into a newt for a month."

A mirthful cackle drifted out over the wind as a bird drifted gently down to perch on the window sill. He was a tall and stately raven, a little winded from a long trip, but his voice showed more mirth than fatigue. "Hail and Well Met, Torun of Rashaman. A certain young friend of mine with a blue bindings on her spellbook bids me tell you, "It worked."

Jelven blinked, then chuckled when he remembered the rater distinctive cobalt bindings of the Blessed Book Rini Cherry Red, a young dwarf mage from Drakengard, used. He understood Torun had been there a few times even before they met. Rini had a voracious appetite for arcane lore and traded Torrun all manner of riches and reagents for spells.

 

[lilithsboy]

You think I would be capable of only a month huh?

Well I take it she chose a raven, talky little things... How is she and what is it you want?

Torrunn was not in the best of moods she wanted silence and all anyone seemed willing to give her was constant chatter.

 

[Jovialtraveler]

Lia
The Road From Phlan to Zhentil Keep
Eight of Kythorn

"Ho there Lia," a great bird with blue black wings called as he glided up the road towards the young monk. "Greetings from the dwarves of Drakengard. I bear a message from King Roderick."

“The King? What need has he for a wandering monk?” She asked, still walking, although she did adjust her direction slightly, towards Drakengard Keep.

 

[Tenshi]

Lia

"Oh, I don't know specifically, I'm just a messenger." He flitted down and revealed a band of tiny scrolls around his leg. "Take the white banded case. He doesn't want to meet with you in the tower of the Star Smith. Maybe he wants you to go and catch a falling star."

Torun

The raven cackled softly and held out a foot. "The golden scroll tube is yours. Read fast, Lady Torun, you're needed in the Tower of the Starsmith fairly soon."

 

[lilithsboy]

Bah! of course I am, I knew I would never get to finish this. Jelven start packing I need to take this back.

She gets up, heading for the door, book in hand while opening and reading the scroll.

 

[Jovialtraveler]

She nodded, taking the case and opening it up, deft fingers slowly unfurling the scroll.

 

[Tenshi]

Naruna and Enen
A Hidden Cover Between Phlan and Zhentil Keep
Eight of Kythorn

The raven gave a startled croak. He hopped around, turning head leading, as he tried to get a look at the indistinct creature who had reclaimed the shiny. "What was that?"

Laughing a bit at himself, the large bird fluttered down closer to the water's edge. "To care who youc all a gnome, Enen, you might find yourself spending the night as a newt!"

He gave a quiet chuckle, then held up a foot. "The green scroll tube is to you both, from King Roderick. He wishes your attendance at a meeting in the Spire of the Star Smith."