CH. 3: Guardian Mountains

[JadedDM]

"And what happens if you meet someone as intelligent--or even more intelligent--than you?" Nuvain inquires solemnly.

[HorizonsDream]

"I've never met someone more intelligent than me," Echo states thoughtfully. "But, it would most likely become a competition. I...I don't like it when people are better than me at something. It makes me feel inferior."

[JadedDM]

Nuvain goes quiet as he ponders this. Several moments pass, and it almost seems like he's forgotten Echo is even sitting there. Just as she's about to say something, he speaks. "Intelligence is important, but there are many other virtues, too. Like wisdom, courage, and a good heart. Perhaps if you didn't just use a single metric to judge everyone by, you could see more value in others."

[HorizonsDream]

"Well, I did start to see more value in others, which is why I got mad I guess," Echo says. "I start thinking better about people, and they somehow always disappoint me."

[JadedDM]

"If your standards are high enough, people will always disappoint you. But not everyone is perfect, not even yourself," Nuvain points out.

[HorizonsDream]

"I realize that," Echo says with a sigh. "Basically, you are saying I shouldn't be mad. It was just that the whole line of questioning didn't make a whole lot of sense to me."

[JadedDM]

"I wouldn't tell you how you should feel," Nuvain says. "I guess what I'm saying is, you are isolating yourself from other people intentionally, but it seems to make you unhappy. And life is too short for unnecessary unhappiness, and that's coming from an elf."

[HorizonsDream]

"So, then, what do I do about it?" Echo asks.

[JadedDM]

"The only two options you have are to either accept that you will always be unhappy and alone," Nuvain says, then as an aside adds, "I don't really recommend that one." He winks. "The other option is to decide to change. Change yourself, change your life."

[HorizonsDream]

"Change takes time," Echo says. "But I all ready started the process with coming with this group."

[JadedDM]

Nuvain nods. "More than time, change takes desire. A person can only change if they want to."

[HorizonsDream]

"Hmm," Echo says, pondering what he has said. "Well, thanks for the advice, I guess," she says.

OOC: Well, we can move on if you want.

[JadedDM]

"No problem. That's what priests are for, right?" Nuvain says.

"Alright, the paladins have returned!" calls the Pharise. "Everyone prepare to move out again."

[HorizonsDream]

Echo joins Keet with her horse. "You did a good job," she says as she prepares to move out with the rest of the group.

[JadedDM]

The rest of the day passes uneventfully as the pilgrims make their way slowly up the mountains.

When night falls, they are forced to make camp. A vigilant watch is set up, but luckily nothing bothers them at all.

The following morning, camp is broken and the pilgrims move onward. After a few hours of travel, though, they come across a large cave. The group is halted while the Pharise discusses this with his clerics and paladins.

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It is now Turquise 6, 10:00 AM.