Dust and blood

[Iron Dragoon]

Oh bleh. Well poop. In that case, probably this:

Greater Mage Armor
Superior Resistance
Contengency: Xorn Movement
Contengency trigger being "When attacked or in critical danger of dying trigger the following spell"

[Anastasia]

Okay, that sounds good.  You ready then?

[Iron Dragoon]

Sure.

[Anastasia]

Do you want to be directly involved with this or more hands off and let Bastian handle it?

[Iron Dragoon]

I'll let Bastian do it. I've done most of this type of stuff for the group, so it's time some of the others get experience in it.

[Anastasia]

He's a warrior - 30something, maybe, scarred but intact. A big, broad man who shakes Bastian's hand. "Never thought I'd have the honor," he admits, as you watch them from afar, as Bastian meets him on the roads.

"Truth is, you could be important," Bastian goes on, "Very important."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa quietly continues to watch, splitting a bit of her attention to watching her family as well.

[Anastasia]

Your family is safe and guarded. They're keeping together for now.

The two chat a little bit and as they walk, "But what I want to know is - why? Why do things not last with your tribes and your world?" Bastian asks.

The man - his name is Kring Stonemason - grunts once. "It's not right. Things change. People change."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa continues to listen.

[Anastasia]

Bastian nods for him to go on, "Civilization is death," he responds at last. "We have to change! We have to grow more. That's where strength is, and without strength is nothing. With nothing we die in the fields."

Bastian listens, "There's always a path to walk, even if it takes you away from your old path."

"Yes," he says right away, as if he understands it all. "The only ones who stand still are the dead."

'Alyssa,' Bastian says, 'There a deep rooted need to change and do things. It's not normal.'

[Iron Dragoon]

'Yes, but remember there's still strong law there too. Maybe that explains the strength of conviction? No one said they have to adhere to civilization.'

[Anastasia]

"Then let's not stand still," Bastian agrees, "Let me teach you."

Kring looks to him, "I would be honored."

From here Bastian teaches. With his powers and with his mind, a study. As you watch, you notice something. He rarely repeats things the same way. There's always some adjustment, some change to it. It's not the same way twice, even if he says it multiple times. Subtle variations in meaning and intent, like a truth being adjusted each time it is said.

Int check you can't fail omitted. Being smart helped here.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa passes it on to Bastian.

'It's a manifestation of Chaos, I think. Have you explained to him about the nature of the plane and what's being done?'

[Anastasia]

'No, I don't plan to, it would be a waste and change his opinion.' Bastian sends back.

[Iron Dragoon]

'Mmm... Perhaps. Keep it in mind though: despite what he says, he's not a being of pure chaos.'