CH 1: This Place Sucks

[JadedDM]

"Soulstaff?" Gimog says, blinking. "Well, surely that's a boon to us, aye, Pharise?"

The Pharise appears skeptical, although Echo notices his brows raised at hearing the name, as well. "Go on now, Acolyte. Let's get moving."

"Yes, Pharise," Gimog says. Nodding again to Echo, he heads to the front of the crowd to relay his master's orders.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo quickly looks to the departing dwarf. It was on the tip of her tongue to stop him, but he walked away too quickly before she could say anything. ~I'll catch him later,~ she thought to herself before she turned to the Pharise. "You know Daos Soulstaff?" she asked curiously.

[JadedDM]

"Who?" The Pharise shakes his head. "Never heard of him. I suggest you prepare, we're about to leave. Ride wherever you like, just stay with the group."

[HorizonsDream]

Echo frowns at the Pharise. It was clear that he knew of the last name Soulstaff, but he didn't want to talk about it! She was going to have to talk to that dwarf cleric then.

After making sure she had everything secure, she mounted Renegade so that she could take off with the rest of the group. Through the hoard of people, she looked for Gimog once everyone was traveling along. "Excuse me," she says to him to get his attention.

[JadedDM]

As the rather large party headed to the town's gates, Echo spotted the dwarf and called for his attention. He was riding a pony and nodded to her again when he heard her. "Something wrong, Miss Soulstaff?" he asks.

[HorizonsDream]

"No, nothing is wrong," Echo says. "Though, I did have a question or two. How do you know the name, Soulstaff?" she asks curiously.

[JadedDM]

"Oh, well I have studied quite a bit on ancient artifacts, namely to find out more about the shield we're seeking," Gimog states, tapping himself on the chest. "There's another artifact of great power known as the Soulstaff. I assume you are named from it? Anyway, there's a very controversial theory in some academic circles that the Shield of Baerin is actually part of a series, along with the Soulstaff. That there are six artifacts in all, each one corresponding with one of the basic elements of creation. The Lava Axe, the Torrent Bow, the Zephyr Mace, the Rockshield, the Shadow Sword, and the Soulstaff, or so the legend goes."

[HorizonsDream]

"Interesting," Echo says thoughtfully. "But my name comes from my father, Daos Soulstaff," she explains. "I was actually kind of hoping you knew who the man was. Though, even this much of information might explain a little bit about him," she adds thoughtfully.

[JadedDM]

"Ah, I see," Gimog says. "I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that name then. But then, I'm not really from around these parts."

[HorizonsDream]

Echo looks slightly disappointed at the fact that while she might have learned a little, she didn't learn what she wished to learn. Though, she knew she would find out sooner or later. "And where are you from?"

[JadedDM]

"Crizza, actually," Gimog states. "Far to the north. In my travels, I made my way south, where it was warmer. The Pharise chose me to join his pilgrimage because of my knowledge of ancient artifacts of power."

[HorizonsDream]

"And so you decided to join the church of Gonto as well?" Echo asks curiously.

[JadedDM]

"It seemed like a good fit," he says, nodding. "My clan was not of the scholarly type. They were iron mongers and smiths. When I chose a life of academics, they felt betrayed and I was shunned. Gonto teaches, among other things, the importance of family and community. So this group became my new family, and I was happy to join them."

[HorizonsDream]

"Following academics is a noble thing to follow," Echo says with a nod of approval. Though, she could understand the being shun part of his story, all too well. Though, she was shunned for different reasons. "And I suppose Gonto is a good fit if you are looking for that missing piece in your life when it comes to family."

[JadedDM]

"Not only that," Gomig continues. "But Gonto is the goddess of knowledge, as well. Whether one is seeking lost knowledge or researching new ways, Gonto always blesses those who seek to improve their minds. She is also the goddess of fate, and helps those who don't know their own destinies to find them and fulfill them. All three of these things applied to me."