Shortly after Valdar teleports out with the party bound for Greyport and Sincity, there is a rush of displaced air, and suddenly Al drops out of the sky, to land in the camp. You remember Al: the paladin guy with the mouthy talking sword. Now, he looks exhausted and hungry, and quite banged around.
The camp is all packed up, and you are ready to leave.
Present are: Al, Woody, Herman, Orlon, Vardui, Luann, Tracey, Brenda, Cuddles, Phil Donahue, Oh Well, Who Knows, Harvey, Hardboard, Stiff, Rodenstock, Arrrgh!, Joan, Peter, Calvin, Angst and a bunch of other followers and hangers ons. A potent group by any standards...perhaps as potent as the party who just went to Greyport.
It is a cool but sunny morning in the forest by the sea. You are currently situated close by the pirate lair that was recently trashed.
"Dropped in for a visit, Al?" asks Tracey, as he stands up and rubs his head.
"Yes, Tracey, I have been down a long path and have come to terms with my life on this world. Actually I have decided to be called by my birth name, Niko." He says.
Tracey shakes her head.
"Two Nikos in the party? Oh well. I don't think anyone will get the two of you confused," she says.
He displays his holy symbol of Thor.
"I am now a cavalier in the service of Thor, to where are we off to and is there a steed I am use, I am now quite comfortable in the saddle and prefer it to walking." He asks and then comments.
There seem to be lots of horses around.
"How long are you here for?" Orlon asks Al.
Niko approaches the cleric and gives him a giant bear hug.
"It is because of you that I am the man I am now. I came to this world lost and without guidance, you have helped me find my way and for that I am indebted to you forever. So, brother, I am here for as long as I am wanted." Niko replies to Orlon.
Vardui, who tends to be silent for weeks and weeks at a time, decides to take on the mantle of the informational NPC, now that Valdar has left.
"The rest of them have teleported after the pirates," he says to Niko/Al, after bringing him up to date on all of the goings ons of the party since he left for Sandas. "Valdar wanted us to head south with all the horses, camp, treasure and equipment...but no one said where to go in the south. To Valdar's castle? To Sandas? Or all the way to this pirate lair?"
Vardui shrugs.
"I think we should go somewhere else...just to spite them. We're all chaotics, here. Let's go north, instead. I heard over the summer that the giants are getting restive again up there. I also know that Leslie would love some help up where she is, too."
"Well, if it is easier I can still go by Al, and I was not informed about where we are going. I was sent here by the high priest of Thor to be trained by Orlon, so where we go matters not to me." Al says.
"A patron of Thor," Orlon looks on in delight. "I hope you can stay with us for awhile. A steed you shall have," as he motions to one of the followers to bring a steed forward.
"We are chaotics, I agree," Orlon nods, "We have enough manpower to take on the giants. What do the rest of you think?"
Who Knows and Oh Well nod in agreement while Phil thinks that the group should continue south.
Once a horse is gotten for Al, he gets on the horse and says, "let's go kick some giant ass !" he says with a grin.
"Let's go teach some giants a lesson," Orlon replies.
"Let's go, sir !" Al says as he grins in response to Orlon's comment.
So, of those who spoke up, the majority favoured heading north instead of south.
So, you thumb your chaotic noses at Valdar, Occa and the rest, mount your horses and set off down the coast road...going north. It is a pleasantly sunny autumn morning.
The road leads you a bit east of north, paralleling the coast. The day's journey is uneventful. For much of the day you ride high atop great cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, but as afternoon progressed the cliffs became smaller, and finally, as night falls, you set up camp off of the road and on the rocky coastline.
"Orlon, what role does Thor play in this world ?? On my world, Thor's reach does not extend, so there is little I know about him other than the vision I had that I should seek out his temple and learn." Al asks of the priest.
"Thor plays an important part. He takes a great interest in his priests, to the point that he will help them out, if it is in his interest. He is a very important ally to have when you are battling foes and evil. As you gain wisdom and knowledge in your ongoings, you will have a greater appreciation for him.," Orlon tells Al.
"Tuoni is better," says Vardui.
The night passes uneventfully.