[color=00a651][center]Malkai[/center][/color]

Malkai didn't really pay attention to Vivian's story, as he didn't care for it. He was a half-orc; he understood quite well the prejudice she faced. Oh sure, he doesn't exactly have a tribe after his blood either, but mortal men have always fallen for the wiles of elves, but they from the woods or the dark. But the same couldn't be said about orcs. While drow may have a reputation for being deadly seductresses, orcs are best known as brutal rapists and treated as such, even for their half-blood kin. So Malkai knew what it was like to be constantly hunted down for who he was and what he did. It's why he intended to move along with his life after this job.

Meanwhile he had more important things to take care of, such as identifying this poison. Catarina was infected with a native venom, he knew that much. Some sort of snake poison. Malkai had a few balms to help ease the suffering, but until he could narrow down the source his general curatives may not do the trick. Fortunately Elleonora was here and hopefully she is a capable healer. Once he finished his observations Malkai moved out of the way to let her use her magic. [color=00a651]"It's a venom from a native beast. Paralysis, likely meant for Vivian but just as dangerous on anyone else. The venom alone won't kill her, but if it isn't treated soon or correctly Catarina will be severely weakened."[/color]

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[color=7ea7d8][center]Veridis Quo[/center][/color]

Listening to Vivian's story Veridis made a note to record it. She might take offense to him keeping tabs, but the bard was never going to miss out on a potential story. Tales like these weren't too uncommon among the drow if Veridis knew anything about it. Plenty of Dark Elves simply want to go their own way in life, only to be forced back or killed by their own kin. What many would forget about the Dark Elves is how strongly they hold to tradition and family, to the point that it's often better to kill your own child than to let them get away. [color=7ea7d8]"This certainly sounds like an adventure all of it's own. I have no doubts that while we work on this quest, we'll be dragged into Vivian's problems. Not that I'm saying we should abandon her or anything, but I doubt this is the last we heard of them."[/color]

Veridis didn't want to seem negative, but it was the honest truth. He hoped that Vivian understood this and would be more cooperative in the future if she wants to minimize the trouble it brings. But that aside, there was still some daylight left. Keeping an eye on the horizon, Veridis watched as the sun set into night, and as the caravan pulled closer to the village.

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[i][b][center]Tamnuh[/center][/b][/i]

Soon the party would arrive to the village that Catarina had spoken of. It was late at night, and most of the towns people were asleep. There were a few militiamen keeping watch that night, young men wearing simple leather armor armed with spears, keeping an eye for bandits and thieves. When the party approached they were questioned about their business, but once they were told about the quest for the mage guild they allowed them entry. The Mage Guild had contacted them some time before that adventurers may come by to investigate a ruin at odd hours. There was an inn that the party could use, however they would need to pay for the rooms, stables, and meals on their own.

As for Tamnuh itself, because it was so late the streets were empty and very few people roamed the streets. The only people around were patrolling militiamen, stray dogs, and the occasional beggar who was looking for a new place to lay his head. Despite the harsh desert climate, outside of the village groves of trees were being grown and cultivated for their date fruits. Not only that but the village of Tamnuh had the great fortune of being built around a large oasis, which alone had the largest concentration of militia protecting it. These guards were better armed, wearing light chain shirts and armed with longbows and scimitars.

The inn that the party was directed towards was called the Desert Diamond. Despite it's name it was fairly shabby compared to the inns at Sapphire, and the party alone would have occupied two of the four tables presented in the room. Still the innkeeper did have enough beds for everyone, as well as a stable for the horse and wagon. It would be 2 gold pieces for each person, and the price to use the stable would be 10 gold piece. But with that pay, the horses shall be fed and taken care of, as those who pay for their room would also get a complimentary meal. A bit of goat cheese, flat bread, and assorted fruits and juices. For an extra five silvers the innkeeper's daughter would also make shawarma.

From the village to the ruins would only be an hour by foot, and ten minutes by horse. However since it's only recently been discovered there has been no camps set up yet, and the inn keeper says that he has seen brigands poke around the ruins recently. None have entered, but he does know that at least one clan of gnolls have shown some interest in the ruins. He worries that they may raid the village for supplies if they intend to excavate it for treasure. The militia are always willing to fend them off, but the village of Tamnuh would still suffer loses due to their numbers.