The other thug's fear could be smelled in the still noon air. He frantically looked for a way out but his way to life was blocked by a huge kreen and a vicious halfling killer. The man desperately grabbed an injured beggar girl and put a knife to her throat. The man was about to crack and he yelled like a lunatic pointing at both kreen and halfling, "Keep them away, keep them away! All I wanna do is get out!" Chit-Zik clacked his mandibles and his claws drew frantic figures in the air while Tak grimly stepped forward. The thief kept close to the wall and started for the exit; he looked towards the "civilized" warriors and half-yelled half pleaded, "Keep them away or I kill her…"

Elric slowly releases the hilts of his swords, letting them rest on the alley floor. Methodically he rises to his feet, groaning silently from his many wounds. With a deft shrug of his shoulder his long bow falls into his blood stained hands. Having strung the bow, Elric concentrates the full of his will to steady his shaking battered body. Silently, without a word, he draws an arrow into place. The point pointed directly at the thug's neck. In a quivering voice, filled with fury, "You’ll be dead before you can more than scratch the girl. The choice is yours"

Aryus quickly retrieves his bow and arrows from the ground muttering a prayer of thanks to the wind lords for saving his life. Unfortunately, victory was not quite at hand yet. There was a hostage.

Aryus quickly loads up one of his bone arrows, and points it at the thief. He follows Elric's lead, aiming at the thief from two directions.

As calmly as possible, Aryus says to the thief "Drop your weapon now. You will not be able to avoid death if you harm the child. You are outnumbered, our swords and arrows sharply pointed at you."

Koreth sighs deeply, the tension of battle beginning to drain from him. He lowers his sword so that it's tip stirs the dirt of the alley. "Don't be a fool, let the girl go! If she lives, so will you, because if I see anything more than a tear running down her cheek...you'll not see another sunrise." His eyes lock with the scared thief, darkening as he observes the girl's fear. He waits, watching the thief intently.

The battle was over. And yet not. A strange, threatening twist. Not only did the tribe of Tyr not feed its own, but it also sought to slay and endanger its young.

Spitting in disgust, and stepping forward, his bloody spear held point-first towards the hostage-taker. The surge of negative emotion Tak' was feeling towards Tyr and it's foreign ways clouded the dull pain of his two wounds.

Cursing a moment, Tak' felt for his Will, and felt only a vacant, drained hole. While a fearsome warrior in the flesh, his ability to break and cut through minds was also considerable, and would certainly be more useful at present.

Seeing his companions assume battle-stance once more, arrows notched and blades held ready, Tak' considered the situation putting into practice hunting lessons. Hunting slow prey allows the hunter to strike at the best possible moment.

This was not the best possible moment. Seeing the stark fear in the thief's eyes which foreshadowed outright panic, Tak' turned his spear so the point faced earthwards, drove it into the ground, and stepped back spreading his arms wide. Unarmed and non-threatening, Tak' stood silently willing the girl to be set free, and the thief to run.

The large kreen merely flailed his antenna about and slowly backed off keeping his body ready to jump on the thief.

The desperate man was outright crying now and held onto the girl tightly as if she was his lifeblood. The small girl was shocked at being dragged around and extended her small arms to the feral halfling who held his hands aloft. Cries were heard as a man held back an old woman who wanted to charge the thug, "Let her go, she's my only child, let her go…"

The thug yelled once again, "I want to get out, all I wanna do is get out…"

Gaigin steps in front of the halfling hunter cautiously pushing him aside. Ignoring the pain from his wounds, adrenaline still pumping through his system, Gaigin eyes the thief dangerously, ready to react instantly to any sudden moves. Suddenly, he feels a stirring in his abdomen, accompanied by a rush of feeling. He knows this feeling and has used it before. Drawing a deep breath, he tries to channel the feeling, aware that his clumsy attempts fail more often than not. Still, if it did work, the effects could be considerable. Exhaling slowly, attempting to release the power, Gaigin begins to speak in the most commanding, intimidating voice possible.

"Drop your weapon, thief. Release the girl, now, and you may yet live. "

The thief's eyes widen; the knife drops from his hand and his grip on the frightened girl loosens enough for her to scramble for safety, tears streaking down her cheeks. A feeling of power, awe, resonates from the former Caravan Guardsman, his presence overwhelming the already frightened thief.

Gaigin continues speaking: "If ever you raise your hand in violence again, we will find you. If ever you rejoin your friends and join in their own cruelties, my friends will hunt you down and flay you alive. Flee now, and find yourself some better career then thievery...or die."

Gaigin steps aside, allowing the thief to scramble for safety. Once the thief is gone, Gaigin shakes his head, breathing heavily as if exhausted.

"I hate when I have to do that. Gith's Blood but it isn't fun."

"A wise choice." Elric speaks in a weakened voice. A shudder of pain racking through his body, Elric releases the tension on his bow. Sinking back down to the ground drenched in sweat, Elric looks up at those around him "Well that hurt. Let me bandage my wounds and change clothes, then I’ll be ready to go. Gaigin has the right of it, the money has changed hands and we must be there on time and not give them a chance to renege on our arrangement."

Koreth moves quickly to the frightened girl, keeping his eyes open for the thief. "There, there. It's okay." Koreth kneels in the dust, dropping his sword and taking the girl into his arms. He strokes her hair gently "it's over now, you're safe." He holds onto her until she is no longer shaking. Wiping away her tears, he smiles at her and brushes a stray lock from her face. "and what is your name little one?"

Aryus sighs again in relief and rushes towards the little girl. Making sure that she's all right. "Do not be afraid, the terror has ended."

Calmly, once the girl was safely away from her captors blade, Tak' shook his bow off his shoulder, and drew a bone-tipped arrow as fast as he was able. Sighting up the fleeing thief he squinted, let out a short, feral cry, but never released the arrow. The thief had turned the corner and was long gone. Tak would remember that face in the days to come and should their paths cross again, another would be the outcome. None who attacked the tribe would live.

AFTER THE BATTLE

Tak’ walked silently among the dead and wounded, retrieving his two daggers, thrusting his spear into any of the thugs who still breathed. Once the grisly process has taken place, Tak’ called ‘little Kirre’ down from the rooftop, and addressed the folk of the poor quarter who, minutes before, had been in the process of being robbed and beaten;

"Those who hunted you have been driven away. Let the bounty of what they carry feed and clothe you for time to come. While death of any being is often an evil act, letting what comes of it go to waste is without question evil. Let the ill-gotten fruits of those who preyed on you benefit you. Let this be a harvest for the dispossessed of Tyr." Tak’ gestures grandly at the fallen thieves, indicating that their possession should be taken and put to use.

The most bold of the ragged crowd had already started to check the thieves for any money not without thanking the heroes first. The frightened little girl soon reunited with her mother burying her head in her lap. 'Little Kirre' grabbed Tak and would not let go of him. The halfling gently put him aside as he tended to his wounds.

Turning to more individual matters, Tak' winced slightly, examining his two wounds. A shallow but jagged cut down one arm, and a deep but non-threatening spear-puncture to his shoulder. He would live, and the wounds would only add scars to his flesh, adding to the tapestry of tattoo and scar tissue that told the tale of Tak's life so far.

Gaigin breathes heavily, the effects of his wounds finally taking their effect now that the natural adrenaline of battle seeps away. Ignoring the bruises from repeated club hits, he retrieves his packed spear, and waterbag. Dribbling some water over the scratch on his forearm, Gaigin rips of a strip from the sleeve of his new gray robe, tying it over the scratch, satisfied that it will have to do for the moment.

"Damn me for a Blind Mekillot if that was not a good bit of exercise.

Though I woulda given me earring for a suit of armor and my pretty cutter." Gaigin checks the wrapped canvas object, patting it warmly, like it was alive.

Gaigin turns to the thri-kreen.

"Do what you can for Elric and Koreth. They're the worst off. I'm by no means bad off, and Tak looks to be in no worse shape than me. We'll see to our wounds more thoroughly later, but we cannot wait much longer, or we may lose the job."

Koreth cleans the last traces of blood from his sword, refusing to notice his wounds. He glances to Chit, "Elric needs your aid before I do, my wounds are not so bad. They are just scratches." He grimaces slightly as he examines his knife wound. He pads around his waist, looking for something. "I must clean this before we go before the council, it would not help us in our bid to have fresh wounds and bloody clothing." You notice he has no water skin on him.

Gaigin nods, tossing his large waterskin to Koreth. "Clean up as best you can, though I don't know if we'll have time to change clothes.

Koreth smiles and nods as he catches the skin. He pulls off his shirt and gingerly washes his knife wound. He winces a little as the water washes over the cut, but he says nothings. Satisfied that it's as clean as he can get it, Koreth turns his attention to his shirt. He rinses the bloody spot with a little water, removing the stain as best as he can. He tosses the skin back to Gaigin, "My thanks." He pulls his shirt back on, the spot still somewhat visible, but he soon hides it under his cloak. "Shall we go to the council before they give the job to another group?" he asks, looking around to see if the rest of his companions are ready.

Elric strips his cut and bloodied clothing from his body. Carefully wrapping them so the cleanest parts are facing out, he then sticks them in his backpack. Glancing at Chit-Zik as he approaches "Your offer of aid is most humbly accepted. I generally am more calm in battle and fare better, though the sight of those thugs harming those which could not defend themselves was more than I could stand."

Chit-Zik will take to his task of healing, first Elric, then Koreth. He performs this task not with great joy or disdain, as though it is or once was a regular part of his lifestyle.

The thri-kreen calmly walks over to the half-elf and produces a soothing sound with his mandibles that is accompanied by slow hand gestures. The half-elf winces in surprise at first when his skin starts to come together but then gives into the feeling. The kreen's healing leaves a tingling sensation on the half-elf's body and most of his bruises have turned from blue-black to yellow.

The mantis healer moves over to tend to Koreth as Ayrus approaches the fighting warlock. Koreth receives the same blessing from the kreen and his wounded body relaxes as it takes in the curing energy. The warrior stretches his mid section in a mock swing with no sword and nods in thanks to the kreen.

The air cleric turns to the rest of his party, especially eyeing Elric. "I have spells that will tend your wounds." Elric looks around to see if anyone else needs more help than him and starts to protest. The air cleric cuts him short as he raises his hands up to the noon breeze and whispers escape his mouth. He leans in close to the half-elf bringing both of his hands over his injured body. The air cleric silently blows a prayer over the wound; dried blood is literally swept away by his breath leaving behind clean healthy tissue.

Elric bows in gratitude to both healers and slowly removes his spare clothes from his backpack and puts them on. Still lightheaded from the loss of blood and the healing process, he scans the alley. "Alright then I am ready, Honor to all for your quick wits and strong actions in our battle."

The heroes finish their actions, leaving the poor people in the alley with a few weapons to sell since the thieves only carried 11 cp with them. "The weapons should fetch a nice sum that should feed you for a while," Koreth explained as he left. Tak was the last to catch up to the party as he playfully pulled off 'Little kirre' from his neck. The new group did not start off in the right foot but this test served to realize that none of them cracked under pressure and deserted the others; it was a bit soon but perhaps they could even trust each other…

COUNCIL HALL, WHERE IS THE DWARVEN TEMPLAR?

The noon sun had already dumped its worst heat on the city and the companions were looking forward to a cool afternoon. They continued on walking through the city. They soon left the dirty slums and went around the majestic ziggurat; it's immensity drawing the attention of Elric and Ayrus, both were asking Gaigin and Koreth anything and everything about Tyr. Tak and Zik brought up the rear each minding his own thoughts; the halfling hunter eyes darted left and right as new sights came into view. His savage mind tried to compare the city to his forest village but some things just baffled him. Everyone seemed to place great importance on some dirty ceramic chips and this still confused him.

They sighted the Golden Tower two hours later. Koreth quickly pointed it out to everyone and told them that they would have to circle the garden's perimeter and enter it from the South side. The tower looked empty and two human guards stopped them at the gate. Their templar master stepped forward, "What business have you with the Council of Advisors?" It was Koreth who answered the man, "We come in to take the job to go to the Hinterlands." He motions to the rest of the party, "My name is Koreth Harek and these are my friends. We have an audience with the High Templar. We come recommended by the dwarven templar…" Koreth stops to think a bit and realizes that he does not know the dwarven templar's name. He looks to his companions who merely shrug their shoulder with a blank look on his face.

The human templar motioned to his guards to let them pass and added, "Well, no matter. You don't need to waste my time. The High Templar is not in but there is someone in the Council Hall who has taken this assignment; she will tell you what to do." He points to the Golden Tower itself and adds, "Present yourselves at the main door." The companions start to walk through the luscious gardens; Chit's claws making distinct sound on the tiled walkway. Here birds could be heard singing; the abundant vegetation reminded Tak of his homeland and he unconsciously took in a deep breath. Gaigin, Koreth and Elric discussed amongst themselves about the latest turn of events; something was not right.

The main doors were closed but a female half-elven patiently explained to them what was going on. "I am the person in charge of signing up the possible recruits for the job. There is another group of adventurers who wants the job as well. Three of the five council members will be present to select the party. They are the heroes Rikus and Sadira and Gar Bonehammer, the dwarf representing the Guildsmen. The two other Council members are out of town on a diplomatic mission and will not be in until next week." Koreth interrupts, "Where is the High Templar or his representative?" The half-elf frowns and adds, "I have just told you that he is out of town and there is no one to replace him for this task."

Gaigin starts to loose his temper, "Who were the templars in charge of issuing the call for the job and where are they now?" The female half-elf is visibly shaken by the threat of violence in the warrior's voice and states, "I don't know; I am not a templar, now if you will let me tell you about the job…" Koreth interrupts Gaigin who was about to speak again and then addresses the female, "Yes, excuse us. Please continue."

"This matter is of extreme importance to the city of Tyr and we want to send a party that has the best chance of success. We have devised three tests and will choose the team who wins two out of three. There is a test of Strength, a test of Psionics and a test of Skill. You can start thinking about choosing from amongst yourselves who will participate in each test. Teams will be formed by 1 to 3 persons and no one can participate in more than one test."

The companions start murmuring at the statement when she interrupts again, "You probably don't know but the Council of Advisors holds audience only in the morning so there is nothing you can do now. The tests will start shortly after sunrise tomorrow and they will be held here in the Golden Tower. More will be explained tomorrow and only the winning team will hear about the scope of work to be performed as well as the rewards. I expect all of you here tomorrow if you are still interested…"

Your actions…

OUT OF CHARACTER

Here is the situation as it stands right now (see below for new scale).

Gaigin (SiW)

Koreth (W)

Elric (SiW)

Tak (W)

Chit (H)

Ayrus (SiW)

Great turns, all of you. I am almost tempted to play different situations so I can use all of your IF THEN statements which I really enjoy.

Everyone who voted said they either did not want the hit points known or did not mind either way. I am going to try not to show them to you and keep the current "verbose" system. We can always change in the future. I do feel kind of funny saying you are "healthy" when you could have lost 25% of your hit points. I think that my choice of words for the split was poor. Here is the new one we will use from now on.

Healthy (H) 100% hitpoints remaining

Slightly Wounded (SiW) 75% to 100% hitpoints remaining

Wounded (W) 50% to 75% hitpoints remaining

Seriously Wounded (SeW) 25% to 50% hitpoints remaining

Very Seriously Wounded (VSeW) 0% to 25% hitpoints remaining

Perhaps the fight did go by too fast (opinions?), if so then I will keep it to 2 rounds at a time but bear in mind that a fight of 10 combat rounds may take 2 weeks of real time.

If you don't mind, I will like to know which parts you are enjoying more (less) of the game so I can try and produce more (less) of the same.

Spellcasters and psionic users: I would like a description of your powers being used and their potential effects in the future, please.

In the following turn, I will describe how the trials went (unless something interesting goes on later on…) so when you answer this turn, I need to know the following:

a) Where you will spend the night (we have about 3 more hours of sunlight)

b) How the teams will be formed (I suggest you discuss this in character later on tonight wherever that is)

c) Any and all actions you will do from now until tomorrow morning when you will show up at the Council Hall

d) Spell casters, I need to know which spell you will memorize

e) Anything that I forgot and you want to tell me

L8r,

Fabian