JonnyBWiki - User contributions [en]

Leap

2006-04-26T01:51:55Z

Leap:

[[image:Leap.jpg|thumb|right|Leap]]
== Class and Abilities ==

Leap is a Level 6 Cleric of Kol Korran and a Level 2 Dragonmark Heir (Orien - Passage)

== Personal Background ==

Even great families have lines that have fallen into near obscurity. The Orien family is no different.

Leap's mother, Tandy, is from a subclan of the group that became the Orien family. They once traveled with some of the greatest human explorers when humans first entered the continent. They emerged through a narrow pass into a land now known as the Mror Holds. The humans formed a treaty with the dwarves and built a fort. The other explorers moved on but Leap's ancestors stayed on to farm a large land grant near the dwarven holds. Over the years, the family sold off more and more of the land in times of need until today a mere 25 acres remain. Leap's mother went to Sharn for education as befitted a member of a leading family. There she met Leap's father and they married.

Leap's father, Melton, comes from a long line of bureaucrats, accountants, scholars and historians, with the occasional judge or military leader. Melton was toiling as a scribe in Sharn while pursuing an education. He was taken into the family and given a position performing assignments that Leap learned from an early age never to ask about or discuss.

Leap grew up in Sharn in a family that, while not poor, was far from wealthy. The family valued education and he was well schooled. He learned a smattering of knowledge about many fields but felt no great calling to any. He did have a facility with logic and philosophy that, while of no great practical value, was enjoyable.

And then came the war. Leap was neither strong nor swift. He could not master the sword, but was adequate with a mace. He could have been put onto the frontlines as swordfodder, but because of his broad schooling and his distant family connections, he was put into service as a quartermaster, where it was discovered that he had an unusual gift for dealing with people: He was very good at determining when they were speaking truth and when they were lying. He was transferred to military counter-intelligence. He worked with refugees and others, developing an extensive network of connections. He continued his study of philosophy, which extended into a study of religion.

When the war ended, he wasn't sure what to do next. It was at this time that his experiences came together and he recognized his calling as a priest of Kol Korran. Many feel that Kol Korran is the sponsor of merchants, but Leap knows that he represents much more than that. The market is simply a symbol for a way of viewing life, an allegory. Every experience has the potential for profit or loss. You can learn from experience, or be crushed by it. Fair dealing is not simply a philosophically appropriate way of dealing with the world, but a pragmatic way: If Leap deals fairly with someone and gives him a break when he needs it, he may do the same for Leap. If Leap keeps his word and fulfills his contracts, others will be willing to work with him. On the other hand, if he deals unfairly, word will get around, and he will end up paying higher prices and trying to deal with people who have no incentive to aid him. Fair dealing is simply the best way to live, and it is Leap's mission to spread this word.

Leap sought out and acquired further training as a priest. Of course, in Sharn, "priest" is not a profession, it is not a way of earning a living. Leap sought out his family connections and was accepted as a courier. He was provided with training. His profession allows him to travel, which he loves, and to spread the word of Kol Korran.

One day Leap discovered a strange mark on his shoulder that extended up his neck. At first he thought he'd gotten tattooed when he was drunk and had forgtten about it. His mother recognized it as the Least Dragonmark of Passage. There was great excitement and Leap suddenly discovered a huge number of relatives who were eager to meet him. Interestingly, the Mark of Passage integrated well with the skills in Travel that were granted to him as a priest of Kol Korran. Soon thereafter, the Mark grew into the Lesser Mark of Passage, and, following a huge party and naming ceremony in which his name was changed to Leap d'Orien, Leap began receiving more important missions for the House. He was presented with a +1 Heavy Mace and a +1 Chain Shirt to help protect himself, since he was now much more important to House Orien, and he was given a Heward's Handy Haversack to hold his gear without slowing him down.

In between missions, Leap serves as a guide in the area around the Mror Holds. Recently Leap accepted a contract to help guide a group of human scholars into recently discovered ancient tombs in Mror Hold. His connections to the dwarves and his ability to speak the dwarven language were highly valued. Unfortunately, a trap caught and killed all of his companions except one. Leap encountered another group of explorers in the tomb, who appear to be mostly motivated by greed. He secured their assistance in retrieving the bodies of the fallen scholars and, in return, agreed to assist them in their mission. It has become clear that they have secrets and may be on a highly perilous mission. Their motives are suspect. Leap is not sure yet whether they are companions to be valued, but he will travel with them for awhile to see if they can be brought to a better understanding of the purpose of life and the inadvisability of selfishness.

He is not even sure if his companions are completely sane, but Leap has seen that before in his dealings with the refugees. For now, he'll travel with them.

Part 4:Demons and Devils

2005-12-16T07:10:34Z

Leap: Devil May Care

... The huge, massive door slid aside and revealed a wide but shallow room as that opened onto a pastoral vista. We quickly learned that the back wall was a very large, very well made, but old, tapestry. It was difficult to move aside, but we eeled through.

On the other side we found an immense, black pyramid that radiated intense cold. It extended into the depths below. What IS this place? This doesn't look like the dwarven holds I've known all my life.

We rappelled down about 100 feet to the floor below. We found a doorway which led to a ladder. We climbed down and found ourselveds in a maze (and in amaze!) As we began exploring, we found a doorway. In a nearby corner was a Mimic, which my companions easily dispatched. We continued and found a room with a tilting floor that triggered another trap. Whoever set this up was either hiding something VERY valuable or was seriously inhospitable. We made it through the room and found a small room with a very large, heavy table placed diagonally in the room. The table could not have been brought in in one piece. Strange. We found another room that might have belonged to an herbalist or possibly to a worshipper of a nature god. There we found a dead tree with another seal embedded in it. The design didn't look familiar, though it bore a resemblance to the designs of two gods we know as separate powers now: Boldri and Onatar [somebody please correct me if I've got this wrong] Maybe the aspects of a god separated over the millenia? Something to check in the library when I get home. We triggered yet another trap. Sigh.

That seemed to be the end of the line.

We went back to the maze room and searched. We found another well-concealed depression that accepted the seal. A secret door opened and light shown through.

We approached and were repulsed by a fetid stench of decay. I lost my last meal, and the seven or eight before that! While I was recovering, the group reported that there was a huge room, with another large dead tree, decaying bushes, and an orange glow coming from the far side. The air was hot, humid, and dank. How could anything be alive here, after all these thousands of years?

We entered and someone noticed that there was a couatl wrapped around the tree trunk. Dead. We could barely discern a face in the tree, grimacing in horror and pain. What happened in this place? Good seems to have been routed.

We entered and slowly, cautiously began exploring, alert for who knows what monstrosity that could leap upon us from the undergrowth at any moment. I feared great evil was near. I prepared my holy symbol, thinking it would stand me in better stead even than my trusty mace.

Then, everything seemed to happen at once. Some mishapen demon thing popped into existence far down the room; the couatl reared up, shed its corpse and advanced threateningly; the tree screamed and its roots began burrowing up to the surface. The party attacked like a well-oiled machine of death. The archer Movena and I stayed near the door, she to make best use of her bow, and me to summon the power of Kol Korran to blast these undead. Codee, Brannek, and Qaxquiel attacked the couatl with steel and magic. Their swords did little damage. Ruby threw a fireball at the tree. I attempted to repel the undead but failed; they must be of high power! I threw a Searing Light at the couatl and caused it great damage, then moved into a flanking position to aid the fighters. Movena continued to shower the beast with arrows and, I think, she did the most damage of all of us. Ruby had attracted the ire of the undead treant and was cornered by it. Things were looking bad, really bad. In the back of the room, the demon just laughed. And made some senseless comment about Xaxxraxx's apprentices.

We surrounded the couatl and were able to take it down, finally. Codee shattered it with a final smash with her greatsword. The treant remained, but was sorely damaged and soon fell. Meanwhile, Brannek charged the demon and attacked it with a mighty blow. It stopped laughing, for which I was thankful.

Once the undead fell, I moved to aid the party members while the fighters chased the demon. It teleported across a bed of lava, was struck by an arrow, and died, but first triggered some device which caused a treacherous walkway to appear. Two of our party, Brannek and Movena, crossed and made sure the demon was dead.

While the rest of us caught our breath and I healed the wounded, they searched the area around the demon. They found another device and activated it.

From out of the scorching depths rose a strange sight: A platform with a large statue of a woman. Around her neck a medallion. Across her chest a silver bow, embedded in the rock wall. And at her feet, a skeleton in full plate armor. What did this mean? What happened here?

With reckless abandon, Brannek removed the medallion. Immediately my companions all stiffened and began to look odd. I feared some trap had been sprung. The statue's eyes opened. Brannek swung at the statue and cut her, but the wounds immediately healed. He then tugged at the silver bow. Truly, great profit can come from taking great chances, but so can great loss!

The bow came loose, and the statue came to life. It ws an Erinye, a powerful winged devil. Oh, Kol Korran forgive us; what have we loosed? It summoned a fiery sword and flew up out of reach, but did not attack. Instead, we all heard a voice in our heads saying that we had freed her and that she owed us a boon, all except Brannek, who had struck her. She asked how long she had been imprisoned; I told her I didn't know, but it had been at least thousands of years. That seemed to enrage her. Meanwhile, we each thought about what boon to request. Codee asked for the head of a rakshasa! Of all the strange things!! The demon refused. Just as I was about to demand that she agree not to harm the inhabitants of this world, she said "Granted!" At first I thought she was talking to me, but quickly realized she was not. I asked my companions what request had been granted, but no one acknowledged making a request. Someone is lying. I WILL find out who. The devil summarily slashed a hole in the rock roof and disappeared through some portal, hopefully to another plane.

We discovered that the skeleton had archaic armor with the symbol of the Living Flame. Probably a paladin who died while on quest.

We didn't know what to do and we were exhausted. We agreed to sleep. But first, we discovered a secret hoard of silver plates with strange writing. Truly a remarkable place. I long to know its story. Who knows what wonders tomorrow will reveal?

Part 3:The Mror Deeps

2005-12-16T06:06:46Z

Leap: Dust and Death in the Deeps

Things were going so well. We had found an apparently untouched ancient Dwarven hold. The scholars were very excited. We had cleared a couple of rooms. We were in a wide, main hall and were moving to the next room. Without warning, the floor dropped out from under all of us. I instinctively Leaped to a ledge 30 or forty feet away. They were all dead. And for no reason. There's absolutely no reason why the dwarves would have trapped the main hall. They would have had to use it daily. IT MAKES NO SENSE!! Dwarves just don't DO that. Sure, in treasure rooms, halls to important rooms, secret escape routes, hallways near an invasion. THERE I'd expect a trap. But not in a main hallway. Something is going on. I don't think it was the dwarves who trapped that hall.

Anyway, there I was, covered in dust, shaky, trying to catch my breath. A group of adventurers came in. They looked like treasureseekers. I don't much care, but I'm not sure how the dwarves would react. We had their permission to go in; I wonder if the other group did? Have to remember to ask.

More to the point, they came in while the echoes were still dying out. Did they have something to do with the trap?

I quickly checked for evil, most were not, but one was. But there's something odd; she shows an area of intense evil around her head, but the rest of her body is not evil. Some form of possession?

I decided to see what I could learn. I asked if they would help me retrieve the bodies. They weren't eager, but I offered to assist them if they helped me do the honorable thing and carry the bodies out and back to the dwarves, and they agreed. So, there may be some honor there. Time will tell. I was delighted to discover that one of my party members, Movena, also survived, although she was hurt. I healed her.

Movena and I continued with the group and learned their names. Codee d'Deneith is the leader of the group, the one with the puzzling trace of evil. The others seem like a pretty standard group of adventurers, but they're hiding something. I don't think they caused the floor to fall, though. We continued searching and triggered some golem traps. The group fought well and did help me with my opponents. We found some treasure and they were quick to grab the magic, although they shared the money. Of course, they all know each other and they don't know me. Greed seems strong in them. Don't they know that excessive greed leads to loss? Kol Korran may be preparing a lesson for them. Maybe they're savable. Maybe not.

We continued and found a room with a Brown Mold and some sort of trap that struck with lightning. We were able to get past that and found a concealed seal. It is a flat disk, blank on one side and on the other there is a circle with a pentagon in it. They were excited and took that up to a large, impressive door that had a receptacle that took the seal. We placed the seal against it and the door opened...

More about that later.

Something's going on here. It may have nothing to do with me and the deaths of my party. Leap d'Orien is no fool. I need to remember the drill from when I was in the military. I found a lot of spies then and I learned I was very good at ferreting out secrets. These may just be innocent adventurers seeking treasure. We'll see. For now, I'm watching...

Leap

2005-12-11T05:45:58Z

Leap: /* Personal Background */

== Class and Abilities ==

Leap is a Level 5 Cleric of Kol Korran and a Level 1 Dragonmark Heir (Orien - Passage)

== Personal Background ==

Even great families have lines that have fallen into near obscurity. The Orien family is no different.

Leap's mother, Tandy, is from a subclan of the group that became the Orien family. They once traveled with some of the greatest human explorers when humans first entered the continent. They emerged through a narrow pass into a land now known as the Mror Holds. The humans formed a treaty with the dwarves and built a fort. The other explorers moved on but Leap's ancestors stayed on to farm a large land grant near the dwarven holds. Over the years, the family sold off more and more of the land in times of need until today a mere 25 acres remain. Leap's mother went to Sharn for education as befitted a member of a leading family. There she met Leap's father and they married.

Leap's father, Melton, comes from a long line of bureaucrats, accountants, scholars and historians, with the occasional judge or military leader. Melton was toiling as a scribe in Sharn while pursuing an education. He was taken into the family and given a position performing assignments that Leap learned from an early age never to ask about or discuss.

Leap grew up in Sharn in a family that, while not poor, was far from wealthy. The family valued education and he was well schooled. He learned a smattering of knowledge about many fields but felt no great calling to any. He did have a facility with logic and philosophy that, while of no great practical value, was enjoyable.

And then came the war. Leap was neither strong nor swift. He could not master the sword, but was adequate with a mace. He could have been put onto the frontlines as swordfodder, but because of his broad schooling and his distant family connections, he was put into service as a quartermaster, where it was discovered that he had an unusual gift for dealing with people: He was very good at determining when they were speaking truth and when they were lying. He was transferred to military counter-intelligence. He worked with refugees and others, developing an extensive network of connections. He continued his study of philosophy, which extended into a study of religion.

When the war ended, he wasn't sure what to do next. It was at this time that his experiences came together and he recognized his calling as a priest of Kol Korran. Many feel that Kol Korran is the sponsor of merchants, but Leap knows that he represents much more than that. The market is simply a symbol for a way of viewing life, an allegory. Every experience has the potential for profit or loss. You can learn from experience, or be crushed by it. Fair dealing is not simply a philosophically appropriate way of dealing with the world, but a pragmatic way: If Leap deals fairly with someone and gives him a break when he needs it, he may do the same for Leap. If Leap keeps his word and fulfills his contracts, others will be willing to work with him. On the other hand, if he deals unfairly, word will get around, and he will end up paying higher prices and trying to deal with people who have no incentive to aid him. Fair dealing is simply the best way to live, and it is Leap's mission to spread this word.

Leap sought out and acquired further training as a priest. Of course, in Sharn, "priest" is not a profession, it is not a way of earning a living. Leap sought out his family connections and was accepted as a courier. He was provided with training. His profession allows him to travel, which he loves, and to spread the word of Kol Korran.

One day Leap discovered a strange mark on his shoulder that extended up his neck. At first he thought he'd gotten tattooed when he was drunk and had forgtten about it. His mother recognized it as the Least Dragonmark of Passage. There was great excitement and Leap suddenly discovered a huge number of relatives who were eager to meet him. Interestingly, the Mark of Passage integrated well with the skills in Travel that were granted to him as a priest of Kol Korran. Soon thereafter, the Mark grew into the Lesser Mark of Passage, and, following a huge party and naming ceremony in which his name was changed to Leap d'Orien, Leap began receiving more important missions for the House. He was presented with a +1 Heavy Mace and a +1 Chain Shirt to help protect himself, since he was now much more important to House Orien, and he was given a Heward's Handy Haversack to hold his gear without slowing him down.

In between missions, Leap serves as a guide in the area around the Mror Holds. Recently Leap accepted a contract to help guide a group of human scholars into recently discovered ancient tombs in Mror Hold. His connections to the dwarves and his ability to speak the dwarven language were highly valued. Unfortunately, a trap caught and killed all of his companions except one. Leap encountered another group of explorers in the tomb, who appear to be mostly motivated by greed. He secured their assistance in retrieving the bodies of the fallen scholars and, in return, agreed to assist them in their mission. It has become clear that they have secrets and may be on a highly perilous mission. Their motives are suspect. Leap is not sure yet whether they are companions to be valued, but he will travel with them for awhile to see if they can be brought to a better understanding of the purpose of life and the inadvisability of selfishness.

He is not even sure if his companions are completely sane, but Leap has seen that before in his dealings with the refugees. For now, he'll travel with them.

Leap

2005-12-11T05:38:56Z

Leap: /* Class and Abilities */

== Class and Abilities ==

Leap is a Level 5 Cleric of Kol Korran and a Level 1 Dragonmark Heir (Orien - Passage)

== Personal Background ==

Even great families have lines that have fallen into near obscurity. The Orien family is no different.

Leap's mother, Tandy, is from a subclan of the group that became the Orien family. They once traveled with some of the greatest human explorers when humans first entered the continent. They emerged through a narrow pass into a land now known as the Mror Holds. The humans formed a treaty with the dwarves and built a fort. The other explorers moved on but Leap's ancestors stayed on to farm a large land grant near the dwarven holds. Over the years, the family sold off more and more of the land in times of need until today a mere 25 acres remain. Leap's mother went to Sharn for education as befitted a member of a leading family. There she met Leap's father and they married.

Leap's father, Melton, comes from a long line of bureaucrats, accountants, scholars and historians, with the occasional judge or military leader. Melton was toiling as a scribe in Sharn while pursuing an education. He was taken into the family and given a position performing assignments that Leap learned from an early age never to ask about or discuss.

Leap grew up in Sharn in a family that, while not poor, was far from wealthy. The family valued education and he was well schooled. He learned a smattering of knowledge about many fields but felt no great calling to any. He did have a facility with logic and philosophy that, while of no great practical value, was enjoyable.

And then came the war. Leap was neither strong nor swift. He could not master the sword, but was adequate with a mace. He could have been put onto the frontlines as swordfodder, but because of his broad schooling and his distant family connections, he was put into service as a quartermaster, where it was discovered that he had an unusual gift for dealing with people. He was very good at determining when they were speaking truth and when they were lying. He was transferred to military counter-intelligence. He worked with refugees and others, developing an extensive network of connections. He continued his study of philosophy, which extended into a study of religion.

When the war ended, he wasn't sure what to do next. It was at this time that his experiences came together and he recognized his calling as a priest of Kol Korran. Many feel that Kol Korran is the sponsor of merchants, but Leap knows that he represents much more than that. The market is simply a symbol for a way of viewing life, an allegory. Every experience has the potential for profit or loss. You can learn from experience, or be crushed by it. Fair dealing is not simply a philosophically appropriate way of dealing with the world, but a pragmatic way: If Leap deals fairly with someone and gives him a break when he needs it, he may do the same for Leap. If Leap keeps his word and fulfills his contracts, others will be willing to work with him. On the other hand, if he deals unfairly, word will get around, and he will end up paying higher prices and trying to deal with people who have no incentive to aid me. Fair dealing is simply the best way to live, and it is Leap's mission to spread this word.

Leap sought out and acquired further training as a priest. Of course, in Sharn, "priest" is not a profession. It is not a way of earning a living. Leap sought out his family connections and was accepted as a courier. He was provided with training. His profession allows him to travel and spread the word of Kol Korran.

Recently Leap discovered a strange mark on his shoulder that extended up his neck. His mother recognized it as the Least Dragonmark of Passage. There was great excitement and Leap suddenly discovered a huge number of relatives who were eager to meet him. Interestingly, the Mark of Passage integrated well with the skills in Travel that were granted to him as a priest of Kol Korran. Soon thereafter, the Mark grew into the Lesser Mark of Passage, and, following a huge party and naming ceremony in which his name was changed to Leap d'Orien, Leap began receiving more important missions for the House. He was presented with a +1 Heavy Mace and a +1 Chain Shirt to help protect himself, since he was now much more important to House Orien, and he was given a Heward's Handy Haversack to hold his gear without slowing him down.

In between missions, Leap serves as a guide in the area around the Mror Holds. Recently Leap accepted a contract to help guide a group of human scholars into recently discovered ancient tombs in Mror Hold. His connections to the dwarves and his ability to speak the dwarven language were highly valued. Unfortunately, a trap caught and killed all of his companions except one. Leap encountered another group of explorers in the tomb, who appear to be mostly motivated by greed. He secured their assistance in retrieving the bodies of the fallen scholars and, in return, agreed to assist them in their mission. It has become clear that they have secrets and may be on a highly perilous mission. Leap is not sure yet whether they are companions to be valued, but he will travel with them for awhile to see if they can be brought to a better understanding of the purpose of life and the inadvisability of selfishness.

He is not even sure if his companions are completely sane, but Leap has seen that before in his dealings with the refugees. For now, he'll travel with them.

Leap

2005-12-11T05:27:30Z

Leap: Leap d'Orien Background

== Personal Background ==

Even great families have lines that have fallen into near obscurity. The Orien family is no different.

Leap's mother, Tandy, is from a subclan of the group that became the Orien family. They once traveled with some of the greatest human explorers when humans first entered the continent. They emerged through a narrow pass into a land now known as the Mror Holds. The humans formed a treaty with the dwarves and built a fort. The other explorers moved on but Leap's ancestors stayed on to farm a large land grant near the dwarven holds. Over the years, the family sold off more and more of the land in times of need until today a mere 25 acres remain. Leap's mother went to Sharn for education as befitted a member of a leading family. There she met Leap's father and they married.

Leap's father, Melton, comes from a long line of bureaucrats, accountants, scholars and historians, with the occasional judge or military leader. Melton was toiling as a scribe in Sharn while pursuing an education. He was taken into the family and given a position performing assignments that Leap learned from an early age never to ask about or discuss.

Leap grew up in Sharn in a family that, while not poor, was far from wealthy. The family valued education and he was well schooled. He learned a smattering of knowledge about many fields but felt no great calling to any. He did have a facility with logic and philosophy that, while of no great practical value, was enjoyable.

And then came the war. Leap was neither strong nor swift. He could not master the sword, but was adequate with a mace. He could have been put onto the frontlines as swordfodder, but because of his broad schooling and his distant family connections, he was put into service as a quartermaster, where it was discovered that he had an unusual gift for dealing with people. He was very good at determining when they were speaking truth and when they were lying. He was transferred to military counter-intelligence. He worked with refugees and others, developing an extensive network of connections. He continued his study of philosophy, which extended into a study of religion.

When the war ended, he wasn't sure what to do next. It was at this time that his experiences came together and he recognized his calling as a priest of Kol Korran. Many feel that Kol Korran is the sponsor of merchants, but Leap knows that he represents much more than that. The market is simply a symbol for a way of viewing life, an allegory. Every experience has the potential for profit or loss. You can learn from experience, or be crushed by it. Fair dealing is not simply a philosophically appropriate way of dealing with the world, but a pragmatic way: If Leap deals fairly with someone and gives him a break when he needs it, he may do the same for Leap. If Leap keeps his word and fulfills his contracts, others will be willing to work with him. On the other hand, if he deals unfairly, word will get around, and he will end up paying higher prices and trying to deal with people who have no incentive to aid me. Fair dealing is simply the best way to live, and it is Leap's mission to spread this word.

Leap sought out and acquired further training as a priest. Of course, in Sharn, "priest" is not a profession. It is not a way of earning a living. Leap sought out his family connections and was accepted as a courier. He was provided with training. His profession allows him to travel and spread the word of Kol Korran.

Recently Leap discovered a strange mark on his shoulder that extended up his neck. His mother recognized it as the Least Dragonmark of Passage. There was great excitement and Leap suddenly discovered a huge number of relatives who were eager to meet him. Interestingly, the Mark of Passage integrated well with the skills in Travel that were granted to him as a priest of Kol Korran. Soon thereafter, the Mark grew into the Lesser Mark of Passage, and, following a huge party and naming ceremony in which his name was changed to Leap d'Orien, Leap began receiving more important missions for the House. He was presented with a +1 Heavy Mace and a +1 Chain Shirt to help protect himself, since he was now much more important to House Orien, and he was given a Heward's Handy Haversack to hold his gear without slowing him down.

In between missions, Leap serves as a guide in the area around the Mror Holds. Recently Leap accepted a contract to help guide a group of human scholars into recently discovered ancient tombs in Mror Hold. His connections to the dwarves and his ability to speak the dwarven language were highly valued. Unfortunately, a trap caught and killed all of his companions except one. Leap encountered another group of explorers in the tomb, who appear to be mostly motivated by greed. He secured their assistance in retrieving the bodies of the fallen scholars and, in return, agreed to assist them in their mission. It has become clear that they have secrets and may be on a highly perilous mission. Leap is not sure yet whether they are companions to be valued, but he will travel with them for awhile to see if they can be brought to a better understanding of the purpose of life and the inadvisability of selfishness.

He is not even sure if his companions are completely sane, but Leap has seen that before in his dealings with the refugees. For now, he'll travel with them.