Spirits of the Earth

Enthis was panicking. He had been hunting for people suicidal, glory-bound or greedy enough to follow him. He didn't know if any were going to show up. He stood in one of the many settlements that dotted the desert, waiting. He had informed them, everyone he had spoke to, to meet him here. He had scoured taverns, libraries, castles, towers, even speaking with passers-by in the  city streets, anywhere he thought he could find people willing to aid him, he would.

Of course, Enthis offered people compensation for their services. The faithful had magic and power and that could easily be given away to those who assisted him. All he needed were people smart enough to realise the gravity of the situation he had proposed, people who were greedy enough to want treasure that could be found in the faithful's hands, or were adventurous enough to jump at the chance to find ancient ruins.

He had made sure to tell them this.

When he was gathering them, he had told them 'Have you heard of the vessel?' and of course, nobody had. It was forgotten. It was unimportant. He told them, the prophecy wasn't likely important enough to be the true end of the world, but in the mud of lies there is always small bits of golden truth. He told them, that if the faithful got their way, that they would likely cause massive amounts of destruction. People would die! But, they could be stopped, and their names would live on as saviours.

Enthis was left to stand, alone, waiting. He had spoken with hundreds, if not thousands of people. He knew that the Godly Stars were getting closer and closer to their apex. He was running out of time. He didn't expect many to come, but he knew he must've convinced at least one person. He sighed, leaning on his spear, staring blankly ahead.

Perhaps, he shouldn't have done this. It was too late now, though. He had to see this through.

But Kranath hadn't been told. He'd heard, instead - the secret whispers of the sand had reached his ears, giving up their dark secrets and tales of treasure. But he wasn't interested.

She was.

He's near, my pawn. The one who started the whispers, the one seeking the artifact. Find it for me, and awaken it however you can. Feed me those souls, Kranath, and you will know true power once again.

Red eyes, unblinking even in the harsh desert sun, stared down from the high dunes, looking into the village below. The hot, dry wind blew pitch black hair into ribbons, revealing a thin, pale face that seemed as though it had never seen the sun before. Despite the heat, the man was clad in a long, black coat, buttoned all the way up to cover the lower portion of his face.

On his back, he carried three weapons. The largest, a black daikatana, forged of pure Dragonstone, absurdly long at six feet, was sheathed over his right shoulder. At the small of his back were two smaller blades, also forged of Dragonstone. A wakizashi, for close combat, sharp enough to split the wind. A kodachi, for more....personal reasons. Sharp enough to split bone as if it were sand.

For a moment, two small marks upon his face appeared to writhe and shift, finally coming to rest under his eyes, forming two triangles pointing downward.

Slowly, he began to step down the dune, walking purposely into the small village.


(Hope you don't mind! I saw 'open' and got excited.)

It's a strange and beguiling thing, but you have to just wonder...why would someone like him show up at a tiny little speck of the desert like this?  We speak, of course, of the cloaked figure with the torso armor, the gauntlets, and additionally the wide-brimmed hat for the sun answering to the name of Garlock The Insert-Name-To-Run-Away-From-Very-Fast-Here.  Those who knew anything about him would find that money was not of any particular interest to him.  So, to be on his way out here on the tale of some maddening quest, it wasn't likely that he was out here for fortune and glory.

Actually, it was the wild implications that got him interested.

He'd heard the doom-and-gloom tale third-hand, embellished or altered by a drunkard who claimed that something big was coming to life, something terrible was to befall mankind.  Big things like that tended to gain his curiosity, and thus after getting some straight directions...well...it was funny, actually.  The red-eyed stranger there was heading down the hill and the glowy-eyed mage appeared pretty much where he'd been standing a moment ago, looking down in his direction.  He had Blinked there, a sudden teleportation from the last dune to this one.  Garlock had been dune-hopping, essentially.

The stranger gave off a certain familiar feeling to Garlock's senses.  Death and suffering followed in his wake.  This could be worth the journey, even if the story was a flop.  Money had no value to him.  Garlock was attracted by other things.  Now...to get down there and get some firsthand information.  And hopefully, this guy knew his way around this desert.  He'd been transporting all over the place, looking for this tiny village!

Alder had been Jumping around the dunes for about a hour now. He was given a map by the Old guy who asked him about the end of the world. He didnt care much for things like this but it might turn out to be a fun adventure where he could make lifelong companions!....... Or he could meet 4 Stuck up assholes again. Oh well In the distance he could see a large man Wandering around, by wander he just kind of teleport around, with nothing better to do Alder Followed him

Kranath stopped in his tracks, feeling a subtle shift in the air behind him, and noticing a particular scent flooding his nose. Like that of a feline. At the same time, however, he could sense a wrongness about the figure that had appeared behind him. However, he sensed no immediate danger.

To the onlookers, it would appear as though he had simply stopped walking, eyes never leaving the path before him, and started forward again after perhaps a single second. He continued down the hill, into the village.

There. Kranath could see him now, a man standing alone, looking almost as if his spear was holding him rather than the other way around. He reeked of worry, apprehension. Perhaps a bit of fear? How.....amusing.

And so, the dragon assassin stepped right up to the man, a flinty eyed stare coming from lightly glowing red eyes.

When he spoke, his voice was quiet, yet sonorous, speaking not of the darkness within. "....it is my understanding that you wait for someone, for a great purpose. I have come to answer the call, one that came to me on the wind."

Enthis looked up to Kranath, blinking. He pushed himself up, holding the spear instead of leaning upon it. "Ah...yes. Of course. I am Enthis, of the Warding Heresy. And I have a conundrum. But, first, I am going to wait. For, I believe, a few others will wish to join us. If not, then we may be in for a slight of trouble."

Enthis peered over the top of Kranath, glancing about. He thought there were others who wished to join him, and he hoped there were others who wished to join him, but he couldn't tell. In time, though, they'd approach him.

Kranath gave a slow, deliberate nod, his face devoid of expression. "I believe at least one other was behind me, perhaps two. They should be here shortly."

He stepped to one side, and moved to stand beside Enthis, looking behind him into the sands.

"Enthis. I am Kranath. My blades are yours....for the moment."

"OH, just putting that in there for the moment you backstab me for treasure or artefacts? I have no intent to take any of that. I only wish to secure the Vessel for the Heresy. You, and the others, can fight over it." Enthis said. He was trying to be sarcastic, humorous, and a slight informative, but sounded vaguely nervous.

"Backstab?  Don't be ridiculous.  I only frontstab people.  It's better if they know it's coming."

First there wasn't somebody standing right there, then there was.  That darkly-dressed figure that somehow didn't roast in the hot-hot sun appeared right in front of Enthis to make that quip.  Garlock raised his gauntlet'd hand, by way of greeting.

"Garlock The Destroyer.  I'm going to need a better understanding of what goes on, as I'm afraid my answers came to me by a drunken rumormonger who slurred while he spoke."

To wit, he now pulled out a small piece of paper with writing on it that entaled a small list.

"Now, was it that there was a soulless body looking for a host, a godly body looking for a soul, or a god looking to enter a body?  And wasn't there mention of the end of the world in that somewhere?  I find that very interesting.  Oh, I know what you're thinking...  You're thinking 'He's out to destroy the world'.  Well, you're wrong."

The magus' eyes narrowed on the spearman, just then.

"I just hate people in general."

"You all don't understand the gravity of the Vessel, or its machinations, or how it works." He stated, bluntly, looking to Garlock. "I trust nobody here wants to destroy the world, because destroying the world leaves you without a place to exist. Anyway, as the Great Poem of the Faithful goes 'They keep it sealed away in death, lest it begin to sing. "It must not wake or with it comes the death of everything!"'. Everything. You know. All life. Including you."

Tabatha remembered that fateful day only two nights ago that a strange fellow had approached her with a strange question. She remembered nothing of the conversation, except the location. Moraki Desert. The desolate wasteland she grew up in. Of course, she knew the exact village the man had mentioned, as she had family there. The day was at hand, and Tab was ready for action.

"WOOOOOO, ADVENTURE!" Tab screamed in excitement, to herself. It had been a good few months since she'd had a taste of sweet adrenaline, and her blood was pumping. Last night, she had packed a rucksack full of rations and spare underwear. She donned her finest suit of leather armor, along with the hood her mother had sewn for her last autumn. Tab bolted out the door, ready for a challenge. She knew not what she was getting herself into but hey, ADVENTURE! Halfway down the street, she remembered. "ARROWS!! BOW!!" Rolling her eyes, Tab sprinted back to her home. She retrieved her bow and arrows, and made her way to the stables.

Last time I went on an adventure I ended up marrying a dog and losing my memory for a week and a half. I hope something like that happens again, that was fun! I hope there's a nice man there, the dog left me for another woman. Maybe there will be CROCODILES! YES!
Tabatha rode majestically upon a brown mare, her fair blonde hair whipping about her face in a painful way. But for Tab that was all a part of life, if it was meant to be, it was meant to be. She had made good progress, caught up in a daydream as she imagined the possibilities of adventure. Suddenly, a man appeared in front of her, and the shock threw her off her horse.

"My gosh man, have you no manners? You can't simply go around teleporting! What if you get eaten by a CROCODILE!? Don't talk to me I have to go, bye! Be careful!" And with that Tabatha sped off, and made her way to the strange man.

"Hi, hello, good afternoon, greetings!" Tabatha stumbled upon two men in conversation, One she recognized.
"It's you! Hi!"
She got off her horse and sat on the ground.
Her head turned. She rolled her eyes.
"Well what are YOU doing here Mr-Teleport-In-Front-Of-Horses?"

Kranath blinked, one time, for the first time in hours. It was truly a momentous occasion.

My lady...

Yes, I know. I need a world to rule. Help him if you must, but know that you are devoid of my power. Do this on your own.

....Yes, my Lady.

Suddenly, the black marks upon his face vanished with a wisp of black smoke, and his eyes flickered between complete blackness and blood-red, finally releasing a brilliant glow that illuminated his face even in the sun.

"....in that case, you have my blades for much longer. But know this - anything I kill or claim is mine."

He turned and looked then to the one that stunk of cat, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I am Kranath Trin. I am a Dragon. If you try to stab me, front or back, I will eat your soul and burn your body to cinders."

He looked back to Enthis. "....if the world is truly in such danger, have no worry of my intent. Worry about his."

He lifted one hand, and a single pale, thin finger extended to point at Garlok.

Alder Was running behind but he did in fact find the place he was looking for. He Made a few left turns in the small village and found some folks Grouped up talking. He heard the last bit of what the man with the large sword was saying and chirped in Who's soul is getting eaten? He then recognized the man who gave him the map and yelled about the world ending Safe to say the world hasnt ended yet old man? He said to Enthis

"Rude, I'm sitting here, hello to you too, creepy dragon man."
Tabatha sighed. "ANOTHER ONE!?"

(OOC - Might wanna close it now, before it gets too confusing)

"Old man?! OLD MAN?! I am twenty-seven god or gods damn it!  Still in my prime! Is it the hair? I bet it's the hair..."

Enthis was bald. That was probably the case. "Right. As I have said, my name is Enthis. I represent the Warding Heresy in this endeavour. We're going against a group known as 'The Faithful'. They don't have a proper name. Now, for a very, very long while, we have held a thing known as 'The Empty Vessel'. I cannot disclose what it is, but I can disclose that if they get their way, it will awaken and either end the world or cause untold damage. We are here to prevent that. Now, I will be blunt and say that this is extremely dangerous. The Faithful are cunning, ruthless, and above-all hateful. They will do whatever they can to stop us.

If you want to leave, go now. I wont stop you. But, I will say, that if we make it out alive, not only will we live on in song and story, but those of you with greed on their minds will be payed through their treasures and artefacts."

Enthis looked over the rag-tag group. It was clear, he didn't hold trust for either Kranath or Garlock. The others, though, were a toss-up. He might, but he might not.

Kranath turned to the newcomer that had called him rude, and offered an expressionless look.

"....my apologies," was all he said, offering only the barest of nods.

He then looked to Enthis.

".....I will not lie to you. I seek power. But power will be useless if the whole world is dead. My offer stands, my blades, my skill, and what magic I offer are yours. These... Faithful. Are they human, or otherwise? What is it that we can expect?"

Tabatha blinked at the leader of the group.
"Will... will there be crocodiles?" She asked, tilting her head to one side,

Alder was now staring at the man with the large sword inorging what Enthis was saying. Say have we met before? He could remember a Man like himself when Alder visited the thunder backs and saw his first dragon there was also a man with a over sized sword who claimed to be a dragon.

Enthis answered questions rather rapidly.

"They are human. They can be killed like humans. They use magic and blades equally."

"You know...I've got a feeling there will be crocodiles." He answered, half-tired half-sincere.

"Do we have any more questions...? Anyone?"

Tabatha jumped up and threw a fist in the air.
"WOO! CROCODILES!"
Then she sat back down.

Kranath remained silent, merely giving his head a small shake.

This was going to be easy...and rather beneficial for him if their numbers were great enough...

All good over here Alder replied

The magus stared at the sprearman speak of the legend, and somehow you could tell that the glowing eyes in the darkness going deadpan.

"Singing?!"

What in the name of Insert-Your-Deity-Here was that suppose to mean?!  Everything else Enthis said was put on hold as he fixated on this one part.  Far be it for Garlock to be one who really 'gets' prophecy.  If those guys don't say what they mean, what good are their predictions?  Sounded like they were just afraid of being wrong.  At any rate, he was largely oblivious to the situation of the woman that was nearly thrown from her horse.  Far more intriguing was the dragon, who outed himself AS a dragon and answered the immediate question of 'What's that smell?'.  Dragons have a smell too, but Garlock hadn't exactly encountered them much.  You can't see it, but Garlock is grinning at him.  He didn't expect people to trust him, but he DID find it funny when those who are dirty themselves tried to point fingers.

Now, the conversation was getting away from him for a moment, but he caught up as soon as Enthis was explaining something about crazy cultists trying to destroy the world.  By gods, this would be easy.  They were mortal and fleshy, which was already two strikes against, as is!  It was about the time that the spearman asked if there were any questions that Garlock noticed Tabitha...

"Yes, actually.  I have a question.  Why is there a strange woman going on about crocodiles behind me?"

"Because she is assisting us. And yes, signing. The poem of the faithful is vague, but my...group. Order. Whatever. We assume singing is a metaphor. The...thing...that the Faithful want to...fill...probably wont literally sing."

"NOW. We have a long walk through the desert to the abandoned ruins of an ancient city to stop a mad cult of worshippers of an archaic prophecy. Sounds just like a story you'd read in the library, eh?"

Kranath blinked. Again. Hopefully this wouldn't be a reoccurring thing.

".....I state again: I am a dragon. I can get us there quickly, if you desire."

He glanced at Tabatha, then, and frowned slightly. "But not your horse. Too heavy."

Okay...good.  We really didn't need the end of the world to be choreographed that badly.  That said, the magus now had to chuckle in regards to the dragon and the horse.

"Also, he might get hungry, so it's better you didn't bring it with you."

He was definitely going to have to find out what that dark feeling was he was getting off of Kranath.  It seemed like it might be...important.

"...a dragon? Are you serious?" Enthis didn't seem to believe him, and rightfully so. It was a particularly odd claim, and one that the bald man had never really heard before. Though, were it true, it'd likely be one of the greatest strokes of luck he'd ever had.

"Uhh, it's okay. Fluff can fly too! Fly Fluffy, fly!" Silence. "Oh wait, that was a dream. It's okay, she knows her way home." The girl sent her horse on its way and continued,
"A Dragon eh? Can you turn into a crocodile? I love crocodiles. Anyway, I wanna kill some bad guys, let's go!"

(OOC - will be on a date pretty soon, won't be able to reply until after, pretend I'm here, I'll read up after)

"....no, I cannot turn into a crocodile. Or anything else, for that matter. I am a dragon - the transformation between man and dragon is intrinsic to my very nature."

He leveled a flat stare at Tabatha while this was said, glowing red eyes unblinking. He then looked to Enthis, and nodded. "And, yes, I'm serious. I am a black dragon of the Aerie Clan, from long before any history of yours was written." With that perplexing statement, he turned and walked back towards the dunes, in order to be a safe distance away to transform without harming his.... companions.

When he was sufficiently distanced from the others, he stopped, and closed his eyes. Reaching inside himself, he looked for that other side of himself, that place just beyond the thin veil of humanity. Pushing into it, he could feel himself expand, quickly.

His long-coat seemed to simply disappear as if it were never there, though the complex network of leather straps securing his blades remained. Underneath the coat, there was nothing but a mass of pitch-black scales, roiling over one another in an indescribable manner. A multitude of spikes shot out of this mass, spreading apart as his new body began to form.

A tail, more than forty feet long.

A pair of wings, massive in their span.

Four legs, pushing the mass of scales and spikes skyward, ending in deadly sharp black talons.

A huge spiked head, with a mouth filled with razor sharp, dagger like teeth, issuing forth a pale, blue otherworldly light. Two massive red eyes turned to look at the group. His mouth didn't move, but his voice boomed in their heads nonetheless.

Give me a direction...and let's be underway...

Tabatha was glancing in the other direction as the Dragon formed. Slowly, she turned her head and looked at the monstrous draconian.
"YOU ARE A DRAGON!" She yelled. "It's.. It's even better than a crocodile! Can you breathe fire? Or water? Or PUPPIES? I heard dragons are magic you should do magic, yes yes yes!" Tabatha stopped suddenly, realising she was out of breath.

Kranath lowered his great head, his long neck extending a small way to allow him to look Tabatha directly in the eye.

No, human. I breathe death.

He could already tell this one was going to annoy him to no ends. Perhaps more blinks were in order, after all.

I cannot exhale water. Or puppies. Or crocodiles, or wigs, or cows, or any other such outlandish thing.

That mass of spikes and scales that was his head would suddenly swing skyward, and with an ear-splitting roar, he exhaled what appeared to be no more than smoke - this was, in truth, a miasma that would cause copious amounts of bleeding to soft internal tissues, as well as progressive necrosis to anything external.

Luckily, his head was high enough up that it dissipated into the air above. Otherwise, he'd have a whole village jumping down his throat.

Sadly, any other day, that'd be a good thing....

Enthis stared up at Kranath, blinking. A look of utter shock and befuddlement and joy, of all things, crossed his face.

"Oh, my...hahahaha! This cuts...days off our journey, good dragon!" He yelled out, grinning, as he rubbed at his beard. "I can't...oh, wow." Enthis glanced about at the group. He seemed to be watching for them to voice any disapproval, or someone to say something like 'I have a violent allergy to dragons so we need to find another way'.

This was too good to be true.

Heh heh heh heh heh...  In another time, in another place, one might have said 'Never deal with a dragon'.  Truly, one might've said it in this era too, but it was more famous in a setting and era where one would 'run the shadows', as it were.  Here and now, however, well...  It seemed that their desperate host was completely enamored by the black dragon, whose transformation was both huge and dangerous.  Oh, it was getting all the more obvious why Garlock had that feeling about him, wasn't it?  Black dragons were known for violence and destruction about as much as he was.  And Kranath was no pup, either.  Garlock could feel the darkness rolling off of him.  He'd been around.  Why, the only one that that death breath would not kill, if turned on everyone here, was Garlock himself!  He found himself applauding, at this point.

"Yes, yes.  Most impressive, indeed.  Well, let us mount this engine of destruction and kill some cultists, hmmm?"

This would, hopefully, spur the group into action as he Blinked onto a spot on the dragon's back to make himself comfortable.  Let it be known that Garlock didn't really trust Kranath either, but there was also an old saying somewhere out there about certain situations making curious bedfellows.  The magus certainly liked existing, so hey, why not?  Besides, it would be fun...

(OOC - I really hope we can do some scenes on the dragon's back. I have some ideas, heh.)

Tabatha froze as the dragon looked into her very soul. She's never been so stunned in her life. She'd never been this frozen in her hyperactive existence. Then the dragon breathed smoke, and for some reason, it sent chills down Tabatha's spine. In all her adventures in the past, she'd never seen a dragon as big and ominous as this one. This had truly changed her.

After much pondering, she launched herself on the beast's back and waved to her horse in the distance, who turned around and waved back. At least to her it did.

Enthis didn't care. Enthis knew that if he died, well, then, these people wouldn't have their guide and they'd be stranded in the middle of the desert with nothing to show for it. He felt confident he was, for now, functionally immortal.

He didn't expect that to last forever though. That was something that fed to his nervousness.

He carefully went to pull himself up onto Kranath, mumbling to him. "You breathe death? You'd make a damn fine Warding Heretic..." He went to position himself closer to Kranath's head, so he may guide him with far more ease than someone further back. "Come on!" Enthis said, to the last of his companions.

Kranath actually laughed at Enthis' comment. To the untrained ears, it sounded like a cross between a cough and a roar, but it was a laugh.

Human, I pledge my blade only for this. When this is done, I have much grander plans.

The weight upon his back so far as negligible. He found he was actually looking forward to this, now that his mind was clear of Tiamats influence. This could actually be fun.

....what was fun, again?

"I do not expect you to, dragon. If anything, I am immensely grateful for your assistance in this endeavour, and would not expect anything more." He replied. He continued waiting, though, glancing about at the others.

All right I hear yeah old man, no need to strain your voice Alder said as he Climbed on the dragon's back.  He was trying to keep to himself. He had a bad feeling about this entire Exposition a premonition of bad things to come. But he hopped on nonetheless

"When you are ready, dragon...I believe we can...head towards our destination." Enthis said, looking to the others for a brief moment before looking back. "Aye. We are as ready as we can be." He affirmed, nodding.

Very well. Don't fall off - we will be travelling high and fast. A fall will likely kill you.

Hopefully, that was warning enough for everyone, for as soon as those words were said, Kranath broke into a run, faster than one would think a creature of his size ought be able to. With a great leap, and the sharp crack of huge, leathery wings snapping open, they were aloft. The thermals rising from the hot sand were to him as wind in sails, filling his wings and sending them all skyward.

I will need a direction to fly in. And mind the spikes and scales - I am no horse to guide and steer.

"I understand." Enthis replied, going to unsheathe his spear. He pointed it forwards, using it to guide the way. Mainly because it was the only thing that Kranath would be able to see from his position. "Go...in that direction, for now..." He said, peering over the side of the dragon, looking for the landmarks to guide his way.

Kranath noticed the spear, and turned to travel in that direction, body tilting slightly to compensate. With a great flap of his wings, he picked up speed.

How far do we need to fly? And is there anything im looking for? I don't want to fly aimlessly in the desert for days, searching for something you can't find.


(Woo, SotE is alive again!!!)

"Well, I would have expected to walk for days. I expect to fly for hours. Expect being a key word. I am looking for a few...landmarks...to guide our way. An oasis with three trees, a large rock that vaguely resembles a mace, if you look at it in a specific way, and an abandoned village." Enthis explained. "It should be simple enough, aye?"

As the journey got underway, there appeared to be some question of their host's ability to find the place they were looking for.  Specifically, he was dependent on some vague understanding of landmarks...in a desert, a gigantic pile of shifting sand.  It was to laugh, and so he did.  Garlock would be heard to chuckle at Enthis and his 'directions'.

"Come now, spear man...  Don't you ever use one of those things for measuring distances?  They're...shit, I forgot the name...but it's used for mapping out places in relation to the sun and points in the sky.  They use 'em on ships!"

You mean a...sextant?

"I am literally broke. I have nothing but this spear, this armour, and some scrolls of the faithful and the heretics. I cannot afford a map, sextant, or other navigational tool." Enthis explained, with a ragged sigh. "Besides, my life's work revolves around this vessel and damned if navigation is going to screw me up."

"...additionally, I've walked the path to those we are hunting multiple times. You'd find it surprising what sticks out after a few dozen trips."

Kranath would have quirked a brow if he currently had one, but as he was now he'd have to settle with an incredulous statement.

Wait...you've been this way time and time again, but this still isn't done? You've been to this place several times before - why do you need us now?

Below, the dunes flowed past and begin them in their flight, their aerial travel cutting down copius amounts of time.

In the distance, the sharp eyes of Kranath were able to pick out the glinting of sunlight upon a mirrored surface. He could barely pick out the outline of three tall, thin palm trees placed around it.

...your oasis is coming up soon. Do I continue in this direction?

"I cannot kill ten, twenty people, on my own." Enthis replied, bluntly. "Some of us are not dragons, or a demiurge, or a master of magic. All I am is good with a spear." He explained. In his opinion, it was a rather reasonable explanation. The others may not see it that way.

"Turn...ninety degrees to the left." He mumbled.

"And, time runs short." He continued. "I would much rather have more time to plan, but the stars are aligning. The conjunction grows nearer, and it frightens me. So, I need you."

So awfully nice of you to invite us to save the world and potentially get rich at the same time old man. Alder said. He wasnt quite sure what he was getting out of this, He did not seem the chivalrous type that would save the world because he was the only one who could. Alder started to hold some suspicions

The spearman essentially explained that he had nothing and no power to accomplish his task, only some bare understandings and an idea on how to proceed.  Garlock idly wondered if Enthis knew how he was going to pay everyone here.  He assumed there would be loot waiting, either accrued from intruders and from the Faithful's personal belongings or...some kind of ancient stash.  He could have been wrong, though.  Not that this was an issue with Garlock, himself.  The magus tended to think that this would be fun and that he would gain or learn something of use that money could not buy.  At the very least, the world would be safe for him to go around, killing things, again.  Then, a funny thought occurred...

"One thing, Pointy Stick.  These men are called the Faithful, and it seems like we may paint the walls with their blood.  Tell me something...  Is an angry god likely to descend for descecrating his holy site with our Death Parade?"

"Aha! A common misconception. The faithful are faithful about their vessel. Faith is not inherent to gods. The vessel in and of itself is nothing but a husk. It's effectively worthless. They want it to fill with...

...something. I don't know."

Enthis nodded, thinking this an apt description of Garlock's concerns. He then paused, adding something.

"Oh, and, as I said...all treasures are promised to you all. I want none of it."

Kranath banked the turn as instructed. So then, I assume your group is meant only to oppose them. If this is accomplished, what will it mean for you, if this had been all you've worked towards?

"Guard the damn thing so that nobody gets it in their head to-to fill it." He mumbled, in response. "I like this world. I don't want it to end. I assume that a vast, staggering majority would agree with me."

Could you not simply destroy it? Surely that would be easier than standing guard over it until the end of time. Though I suppose you'd have reasons against that, as well....

The landscape below continued to speed by, and Kranath was able to see in the distance a large black stone, standing alone amongst the dunes.

Is that your 'mace'?

Well, it was good to know that some vengeful deity wasn't going to bring plagues upon the world for causing death and mayhem within the walls of his holy place.  Or demonic place.  Or whatever.  You never could tell with gods.  They weren't all good.  Even the most devout paladin knows that.  Of course, there was another issue or two here...

"Well, I have little use for actual money.  Should there be something with a little power in it, I would find that interesting, of course.  However...I'm inclined to agree with our dragon friend here.  Why not blow it up?  It should be possible for us.  Look."

He pointed his hand towards the ground and fired out a beam of ice towards the passing sand dunes, creating frigid ice upon them in a long line as they went along.

"It has never snowed here, but I could cover the landscape in ice.  Our ride personally can breathe death.  We have power on our side.  Why not end this quest of yours permanently?  I'm sure you can find something else to do with your life."

"Well...we have not really had a proper chance. If you are able to annihilate the vessel, I'd be eternally grateful. No more...no more worries." Enthis mumbled, nodding. He peered out over the side, watching the ice blast strike the sand, turning it into ice. "I...right." He replied, awed. Enthis truly hadn't comprehended the power his allies wielded.

This demonstration had forced him to.

He thenlaced at the dragon, as he spoke. "Ah, yes...please turn about...fourth degrees to the right."

Kranath again turned as instructed. Left, and then right? He wondered why he wasn't simply instructed to move left at a smaller angle at first...it would have again cut down on time, but he didn't voice his concern.

He had more pressing matters to attend to - namely, the mage casting beams of magical ice from a Dragons back.

Watch it, mage, he said, and audibly he hissed with irritation. This dragon was not to be taken lightly, and he meant to show it.

A stunt like that could send us all to the ground, especially if you clip my wing. I would survive, but would you? And if you survived that crash, you wouldn't survive me.

Well, it was good to know that Enthis saw the point when he witnessed the magic that Garlock so casually tossed about.  Of course, the dragon did not appreciate it, even though the magus had been aiming with careful precision to avoid hitting any dragon-y bits.  Suffice to say, he laughed off Kranath's threat.

"I have complete confidence in my abilities, certainly my aim.  But let's not be making any promises you can't keep, for I am not so easily removed from this earth."

The spearman likely didn't have to worry so much about the Faithful, but these two were not so keen on each other, and were getting a little hot under the collar about it.  Garlock had no fear of falling, and he knew some things the dragon did not about himself, things that might surprise it, despite its power.  The question was...would these two lose their temper before reaching the site?

Alder chuckled in the back as every one was snapping at eachother, but he was enjoying the ride none the less. So what time are we prompted to arrive? he asked  Enthis

"At this rate? Soon. Now, please, can I implore both of you to stop your fighting. I do not want any of us to die and you two seem very...capable...of making that happen." He said, nervousness creeping into his voice. "And I doubt we want a fight, especially not up here."