“That looks like the right direction. We did have a new magical portal placed at the edge of the swamp a few days ago, so that tracks as well.” Valgrin explained.
“This portal is what drew our attention to the region. Given the problems we’ve had in the past with the durthema, we decided to investigate.”
“I’m glad you did.”
Challaretha had a few other general observations, then fell quiet. After an hour of silence Valgrin decided he was tired of look at all the green around him.
Character Sheet.
<
>>
Need to look into that Pathway thing—not sure I want to lose Assimilate. Trancing on the other hand, don’t mind replacing it, doubt I’d ever use it. Now how to spend points? I wonder if…
“We have arrived.” Challaretha declared.
Guess I’ll work on spending points later. Valgrin dismissed the stat sheet.
###
“I am called Dravokka,” the kroullat said as she helped Malcolm steady himself on her brukaz. “Challaretha, the one your friend talked to, has asked me to try to help you.” She patted her mount on the head and it began to lumber forward.
“I could use all the help I can get.” Malcolm tried to make it sound funny, and failed.
“Hmm, such an attitude is a good sign one hasn’t given up. As a su-ahla, I can touch minds with you. I will help you with what I find. There is no need to worry about what I find, I am bound by honor and oath to not share with anyone—upon penalty of death. There are two exceptions, one is you give me permission to share, the second is if your what I find is a desire to terminate yourself. With that understanding will you allow me to touch your mind? This first time will be surface, a discovering the basic you.”
“Seems a bit scary, but less so than not getting help. Feel free to touch my mind.”
“Thank you for your trust. Relax and I will begin after making sure Thoring, my mount, will be okay without me guiding it. I will have him follow Challaretha.”
Malcolm began working on relaxing. Hope this works. Wonder if there are any negative side effects? When does it start?
~~It already has~~
Malcolm scrambled to grab hold of Thoring so he he wouldn’t fall off. That startled me, sorry wasn’t ready for you to talk to me in my head.
~~I am going to be observing. From time to time I will ask you questions about favorites and least favorites. And example would be—what is your favorite and least favorite food. You just picture the answers. I will be watching the memories that drive those answers. This will assist me in understanding who you are.~~
Malcolm took a deep breath. Let’s get started.
~~First, if you will allow. Please bring up your character sheet. I need you to read through it all so I can track an memories as well as thoughts.~~
Character Sheet.
<
>>
Forty points to spend. Should go with some streng…
~~Please refrain from adjusting your sheet now. You will have an opportunity to allocate points at a later time. For now, I would like to know about your musical preferences—what sounds bring you joy, and which do you find unpleasant?~~
Malcolm fell into a trance-like state as he responded to Dravokka's mental prompts, losing track of time and surroundings. Challaretha's voice startled him back to awareness.
"We have arrived."