CH. 3: Guardian Mountains

[JadedDM]

"My mother was a paladin," Argis explains. "She was an orphan who slowly climbed the ranks and gained great prestige among the royal court. I suppose I just followed in her footsteps, to make a long story short. As for joining the brotherhood, I've actually been with them since they started. The Pharise and I served at the same temple, and he recruited me the day he decided to begin this quest. I guess he saw some potential in me, as I was the only paladin of that temple he asked to accompany him."

[HorizonsDream]

"Are you close to the Pharise, then?" Echo asks. "He does seem to trust your judgement."

[JadedDM]

"I don't know about 'close,'" Argis says. "Not very many would consider themselves close to the Pharise. He's a very private man. I suppose I'm about as close as one can get."

[HorizonsDream]

"So how did he come across Hollidan and Cad...I always forget her name?" Echo asks. "Or did you pick them for this quest?"

[JadedDM]

"Cadegund," Argis supplies. "And it's not much of a story, really. Let's see, we picked up Hollidan in Praven as we passed through it. He was some baron's son, I think, but gave it all up because he wanted to become a paladin. There weren't any in the city taking apprentices, but the Pharise agreed to accept him if I agreed to train him. He took his vows and has been training on the go ever since."

He grins to himself. "Cadegund, though--this might amuse you. She was originally a 'witch hunter.' There was some obscure cult to the north that believed sorcery was evil and mages were a threat. She eventually saw the error of her ways and turned against her own people to save a mage's life. After that, she had nowhere to go and so wandered south, and eventually ran into us. She never outright said so, but I always kind of suspected she joined as some kind of penance."

[HorizonsDream]

"Hmm, that actually explains a lot about her," Echo says thoughtfully. "Of course, that leaves a little more questions about Holldian," she adds. "And I am surprised you are telling me all this. I was pretty sure you didn't much like me. "

[JadedDM]

"And what gave you that idea?" Argis asks. "Or do you just automatically assume everyone dislikes you as a default?"

[HorizonsDream]

"The latter,"Echo says. "I know how I can be. Most of the time, I don't care. I really don't know any of you though, so I guess that makes a small difference."

[JadedDM]

"These are good people," Argis says. "And they don't know you or your past, either. So any judgment they make on you will be on what you say and do now, not on anything else. In fact, many of the pilgrims here see you as some kind of hero for what you did against the trolls."

[HorizonsDream]

"Yes, I have heard my new nickname," Echo says. "It is a change of pace compared to what I am use to."

[JadedDM]

"But not an unpleasant one, I would think?" asks Argis.

The Pharise and the gnome leader return, and a small crowd starts to form around them. "Ah, I think we better go and see what they have to say," the paladin adds.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo nods and follows the paladin over towards the small group to hear what the Pharise has to say.

[JadedDM]

The Pharise speaks up, as the crowd gathers around him. "The gnomes have agreed to allow us to stay in their city tonight, and to pass through it to reach the temple. So please, everyone gather up your gear and prepare to set out. Break out the torches, it will be fairly dark inside until we reach the city proper."

The pilgrims talk amongst each other, a ripple of excitement moving through them at the thought of how close they are to the temple.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo goes to gather her things together. "Keet, just keep close to me okay?"

[JadedDM]

"Nooo, not gnome city," Keet says. "Keet needs disguise!"