View source for Awaiting a Cure

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== Log Info ==
*Title: Awaiting a cure
*Emitter: Sargon
*Characters: Sargon, Ashes, Morgan, Kira, Sabina, Seldan
*Place:  A10: Temple District
*Time: Thursday, June 18, 2020, 11:45 AM
*Summary: A group of adventurers are hanging around the fountain in the Temple District, discussing various things. Sabina arrives, still sick with the plaque. Silver Guard Seldan appears, and is identified as someone who can cure it. He undertakes to do so, and after three attempts is successful.</div>

<pre>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  Appearing, in Order  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Sargon       6'4"     225 Lb     Orc               Male      Green (and bronze) skinned Oruch brawler.
Ashes        5'11"    177 Lb     Hobgoblin         Female    A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face
Morgan       4'10"    79 Lb      Half-Elf          Female    Short pixy like half elf with fair skin
Kira         5'0"     120 Lb     Human             Female    Blonde woman in simple robes with an eye patch.
Sabina       5'4"     130 Lb     Human             Female    Tsuran woman of dark hair and green eyes
Seldan       5'11"    187 Lb     Human             Male      Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=</pre>

Sargon enters the main plaza of the temple district, from the side closest to the mountain road. His feet clack slightly at each step from wooden sandals he wears. He's also dressed in white canvas trousers and a matching jacket that opens slightly to one side of center. A red belt of stiffened cloth cinches the waist of the jacket.

Standing near the fountain is a grey arvec nar in faded clothes. Her most striking feature is a skull painted on her face, decorated with silver piercings and small flowers and vines. She's watching people pass by, and seems to have a larger than normal personal space that everyone takes care to avoid.

Morgan comes walking from behind the Eluna emple with two buckets full of wet leaves and other things "Gee lets go to the temple on your day off and say hi... then they get you to clean the gutters." she mumbles as some one takes them from her and walks away.
Sargon walks to the fountain and glances over the side into the water. Then he nods at Ashes. "Afternoon." He turns his head towards Morgan and his lips twitch in a smile. "I'm sure it builds...something. Character?" he offers. "Focus?"

"Hello," Ash says, looking at Sargon. She seems to speak in a monotone, and like most Arvecs, doesn't smile. Her painted skull makeup looks like it might crack if she does, so she maintains the mask. "Patience, I would guess."

Kira emerges from The Healer's temple with a large basket over her shoulder. The scents of fresh bread waft from her exit and in her wake. Like the sky overhead, the smile she wears is clear and bright.

Morgan shrugs and then says "Na they want free labor and I used magic to speed it up." she then uses spells to make her clothing and self clean.

"Guess that's a different lesson altogether," Sargon notes. He inclines his head slightly to Kira. "Greetings. Good to see you..." he seems to change what he was about to say mid-sentence. "...about."

The ashen arvec nods in response to Sargon's comments, and makes a small wave of her hand towards the woman with the bread. Otherwise she stands still, looking a little out of place beside the fountain in the bright sun. There's a bit of a squint to her eyes. She tugs at her clothes, arranging them, the stark light showing off their various shades of grey.

Kira turns her smile towards the dip and greetings and it widens. "Oh! Hello, and thank you." She also notices the gray-clad arvek and includes them both with "How are you this bright and lovely morning?"

Sargon glances back and forth between Kira and Ashes. "My name is Sargon," he says to Ashes. "Kira I know...if only by reputation," he adds. "I am well.

"Ashlee Ciaradh, I prefer Ash," the quiet, skull-faced arvec says, making a slight incline of her head towards Sargon. Kira already got the wave. She grips the shoulder-strap of her bag. She knows she should contribute to the conversation but is at a loss for what to say. Finally she adds, "I'm waiting for death."

Kira dips in a curtsey to both when introductions are offered. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Kira, Sentinel in service to The Healer." She turns to Sargon at mention of "Reputation? I didn't realize I had one. I hope it's pleasant?" A bad one certainly wouldn't help anyone.

Kira then blinks at Ashlee's comment and turns. "I hope you don't take offense that I pray that you will have a very long wait, and the time is filled with much joy and accomplishment."

Sargon also looks at Ashlee. "Death?" he repeats. "You're waiting for death?" He looks at her for a bit. "Then you are defeated already?" His voice is equal parts disbelief and scorn, but he immediately softens it. "How did that happen?"

Sabina steps out from the Tarien temple with slow steps. Her peacock, who normally rides her shoulder, walks along side the slow moving priestess. Her maks she normally wears is missing, as is most of her pep. Her palor white-greyish and sweaty with illness. A rag is held at the ready in one hand and a small vial in the other. Spotting a few peope she knows she raises a hand in greeting and gives them a tired smile.

"I'm not in a rush." Ash tells Kira, sounding calm, her words flat and slow. She turns her head to look at Sargon. She's squinting a bit from the bright light. Overall with her greys, she seems like someone much more comfortable in the shadows. She pauses, perhaps in thought, before answering, "I was stillborn."

The arrival of Sabina gets her attention, and she raises a hand towards her in greeting, followed by stating the obvious, "You didn't get better."

Kira is relieved to hear that Ashlee isn't in any great rush, and she doesn't sound defeated. Not really? The relief turns to surprise, again, at mention of her (still)birth. "Oh my! I... am very glad that you recovered!"

Sabina's arrival is also caught, though more from Ashlee's reactions. Kira offers a smile and wave, though the latter becomes concerned. "You aren't well...?"

Bina's smile gets a tad wider and she shrugs to Ashlee. "Sadly no." And then to Kira. "Sadly, yes." and then giggles herself into a hacking coughing fit. The rag is brought up to cover her mouth and she stops moving until the fit is over. "Plauge ooze I'm afraid."

Sargon seems mollified as well. And perhaps a bit confused, but he turns towards Sabina now. "That's unfortunate," he comments. "You getting that taken care of?" He flicks a look towards Ashes as if to confirm that such a thing is indeed possible.

"Thanks," Ash says, and then she elaborates on Sabina's answer. "We shared an ooze. Mine went up her nose."

She doesn't sound any particular way, happy, anxious, guilty, proud, disgusted. Although the more one thinks about throwing up an ooze, then having it slither up into someone else's sinuses, the grosser it gets. She stands a little taller, if anything, conversation is being participated in, this is a daily life-affirming goal. She'll find some ghosts next, as her death-affirming goal, later. Balance in all things. "It needs a Silver Guard to fix." At least, as far as she understands the disease.

As if summoned, the doors to the Temple of Eluna open. What emerges, though, certainly does not exactly look like a Silver Guard. Seldan has eschewed the armor for a much simpler outfit that much better befits the heat rising off of the cobblestones in the city, a sleeveless shirt cut in the crossed style that many of the workers of the city favor and belted trousers, with low black boots that crackle with lightning here and there, an open-front sleeveless blue robe with silver stitching over it. The monochrome image of a furry tail emerges from his right sleeve, to wrap around his bicep. He does wear a weapon belt with a mace on one hip and a sword on the other, and walks out into the sunshine, squinting up at the sky, his usual jewelry glinting in the sunlight.

"You should see the healers as soon as possible, Sabina," Kira encourages her. "If they are busy, I can help cure you of it. You don't need to suffer that."

Sabina shudders at Ashes all too apt description and candor. "Yes. What she said only with more disgust and 'eeeewww' involved." She gives Kira a nod and that tired grin again. "There were others that carried the plauge much longer then I. Suffering is.. a frame of mind. I'm not well. I don't feel well...but I'm not suffering, yet." And as Seldan emerges she looks up and over at him and hikes a thumb towards the well dressed paladin. "Hope arrives."

Sargon shakes his head. "Went up your nose...well, at least you're not letting it get you down," he seems to be trying for sympathy but isn't too practiced at it. He glances at Seldan and quirks an eyebrow. "'Hope'? Now that's a rep," he flashes a quick smirk towards Kira.

Ash nods slowly, adding, "I didn't have it long. I felt a little more dead, so it was fine. I didn't like the coughing." A slow wave of greeting is offered to Seldan, although she adds no words.

Kira's smile at Sabina softens. "You shouldn't have to suffer being ill, I meant. I know how uncomfortable the plague can be, and any illness is not a joy. I'd rather you were healed sooner than later." Especially after that description. Ew.

After Sabina points him out, Kira turns her smile to Seldan. "Good day, Silver Guard." A nod to Sargon follows. "It's always good to give hope to all how need it."

Something about the gathering draws Seldan's eye. Maybe it's Sabina's jerked thumb, or the looks over at him, but he approaches the gathering, looking from face to face, in time only to catch the last words. "Her light upon your path, all of you. Is something amiss?" His words are accented with the lilt of the Myrrish peoples, his eyebrows raised in question.

Bina looks ill, grey-white palor and sweating as well as tired. She still manages a smile for the paladin as he comes near while explaining to Sargon. "I'm a priestess of Tarien. Can't let every little thing get you down." A hacking cough-laugh follows and she covers her mouth with the rag. "Hello Seldan. Can you assist me with curing of plauge ooze or point me towards one who can?", she asks politely.

Sargon exhales through the nose, not exactly a chuckle but accompanied by another quirking of his lips, it would seem to be a sound of amusment at Sabina's explanation. He watches Seldan to see how the latter responds.

Ash recognizes Seldan from the moot, even in his dressed down state. She has already waved and adding a greeting would be redundant, so she doesn't. She points at Sabina, her hand extending from her faded sleeve. Much like her face, it has some sort of marking, a tattoo, skin discoloration, paint, that resembles stylzied bones. This gesture makes her resemble a little death even more, though the image would be more complete with a scythe. Her doomed friend now indicated, she lets her hand drop to her side and continues to stare silently at the proceedings.

"I'm sure that the temple healers can," Kira shares with Sabina, with a warming smile, "or I would be glad to, as I offered." She's not sure want to make of Ashlee's pointing, as it does seem a little ominous.

"Luckbringer, you were not cared for ere we departed the moot?" Seldan's raised eyebrows draw down into a frown. He -eyes- Ashes for the space of some moments, but shakes his head at Kira. "I would ask your forgiveness, then, for my distraction. Yes, of course I will do what I may, but be warned. Serene's power is that of the Seeress, where my cure is from but my own." Respect and reverence are heavy in his tone. "I would ask the aid of any that may be willing. Do I fail, she will be ill, and you will need to dispose of the resulting ooze, ere it attacks another." He looks around to the others, expectantly. "Do you wish to aid, you will require a blunt weapon, or mundane fire, for magic and blades will avail you naught."

Kira looks to Seldan with confusion at his headshake. "The healer's shouldn't cure her? Or I shouldn't?" She then looks between him and Sabina, nodding at his recounting of the ooze and potential for more of it.

Sargon purses his lips as he considers Seldan's warnings. Then he shrugs and nods. "Sure, why not. I could use the excersise." He looks around, comitting the layout of the square to memory. Perhaps he is one of the (surely few) adventurers who have never before had to fight in this district.

Bina coughs a few more times and nods to Seldan. She peers down at her bird and then gestures at him in a shooing motion. "You.. You don't want to be sick. Go on.. go." The bird makes it's call loud and complaining as it turns about and moves off and then up atop a nearby temple. She holds out the vial that's in her hand then. "I have lye.. it should work as well as fire. For those without blunt weapons."

With an easy gait, Bannon enters the Temple District, his eyes immediately darting towards the fountain. His lips straighten, and his path turns abruptly to carry him closer. As he gets closer to the gather, he nimbly goes from walking along the ground to walking sure-footedly along the edge of the fountain, craning his head to get a better view.

Ash stares back at Seldan as he eyes her. Staring seems to be her main skill, and she does it quietly and efficiently. She blinks, she has managed to turn enough that she isn't squinting into the sun. She doesn't seem to add anything further. As the need for fire or clubs is explained, she makes a brief look around then holds out empty hands. "I have neither."

She's rather unadventurous, for an adventurer, preferring to lurk rather than leap into action. She moves out of the way.
You paged Kira with 'sure, lets do that that, I'll wake her up'

Long distance to Seldan: Ashes nods, "I've only heard of that spell yesterday"

Ash does pick up the vial from Sabina, just in case. She opens it and is ready to throw.

Sargon thinks for a moment and then reaches into a small belt pouch. He pulls out a sling and then offers it to Ashlee. "Do you know how to use these?" His other hand digs into another pouch. "I have a few stones here as well." He pulls out a small handful of rounded sling stones. "You can hurl them from a good distance away," he adds.

"If you have not a blunt weapon, you may wish to procure one from the weaponsmiths, but do not have it enchanted, as magic both attracts and feeds the creature." Seldan looks at the fountain. "I will create us a space that the ooze may not escape, but I would exclude the fountain from that space, as it connects to Alexandria's water supply." He suits action to words, moving a good half-dozen paces away from the fountain and unhooking the mace from his belt as he does so. "Luckbringer, you will wish to sit down for this, as you may well be ill." His words are laced with genuine sympathy. "Please tell me when all of you have prepared."

Bina smiles that tired smile and nods to Seldan. Then she looks about to make sure everyone is ready with something if they are taking part. Spying the late arriving Bannon she reaches into her pocket and pulls out two more vials. One of the vials she underhand tosses to the man. "No blades. No magic." She tells him with a wink. 

Then she settles down apon her knees, sitting on her heels. Looking as if she's going to her own execution with a grin. "I'm ready...as Ican be."

Ash takes the sling and stones from Sargon, with a short nod and a monotone, "Thanks." She moves as directed, away from the fountain. She drifts, as much as walks, short steps disguised by loose clothes, she glides into position. A pat on Sabina's back is followed by an encouraging, flatly stated, "Don't die", and she gives the two room.

Bannon reaches out, picking the flying vial out of the air and looking at it with a raised eyebrow. He looks at Sabina quizically and then nods his head, "Got it." He turns his pack over, opening quickly and removing a small mace from within. He closes it up and then sets it aside, standing up straight, "Ready." He looks quickly towards Seldan and then adds, "Let's evict this snot monster."
Sargon chuckles. He looks at the others present, gauging where to go. Then he takes up a position near Sabina's side. He starts to shifts posture, then stops. Then he snorts and falls fully into a fighting stance. "That's the spirit," he nods at Bannon.

<pre>GAME: Seldan casts Resilient Sphere. Caster Level: 15 DC: 21
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+15: (3)+15: 18</pre>

Seldan, too, chuckles lightly, but falls silent quickly enough, murmuring one of the repetitive, meditative prayers to himself as he waits for the others to get into position. Once they are, he draws a series of symbols in the air, three in a triangle around the most complex one in the middle, chanting arcane phrases as he does so. At a final word, a blue-white sphere of invisible force surrounds them all, some fifteen feet across, but including no grass, dirt, plants, or the fountain, only cobblestones. 

That done, he settles himself again, and, mace held loosely in one hand, traces another series of sigils, then speaks a word to them. These burst into arcane violet fire before him, and he frowns at something, but slashes through all three sigils anyway with a final word. All three turn night-black and -reverse-, tugging at the slime within Sabina ... but isn't enough.

Sabina jerks as the magic washes over her. Her eyes getting big and her face going white as a sheet. A moment later she's leaning forward and wretching loudly as the baby ooze rockets forth from her mouth and nose to pool in front of her. And then quickly it's on the move.

<pre>GAME: Ashes rolls ranged: (2)+2: 4</pre>

Ash... tries to throw her vial of lye. It leaves her hand, goes skipping down the flagstones. The lye... well she had unstoppered it, and most of it either stayed put or streamed out while the bottle was in flight. She manages to splash herself, an area in front of her, and completely miss the ooze.

<pre>GAME: Bannon rolls Ranged: (6)+7: 13</pre>

Bannon takes a step forward as Sabina begins the eviction process, his eyes squinted until the ooze hits the ground. His eyebrows pop up, the vial hits his lips, and the stopper is pulled out of the vial with his teeth. He lowers his arm and then sidearms his vial at the ooze. It hits with a splash, and Bannon is suddenly running after it, balancing along the edge of the fountain at least at first, and then jumping down to the ground.

Sargon watches with what might be professional interest as the lye splashes into the ooze. Without waiting to see if it's still moving, the Oruch moves in and lifts a knee into the air, well above the level of his own waist - before giving the ooze a stomp to make sure. He slams his sandaled foot down and then twists it back and forth.

Seldan shakes his head as Sabina retches, wincing in sympathy, but there isn't time to see to that just yet. He reverses the mace in his other hand, about to strike - and Sargon's booted foot is in the way. He backs off, and instead turns to Sabina. "Are you all right?"

Bina is /not/ a happy Tarienite. She shakes softly due to the violent upheaval and tears stream from her eyes. Coughing she puts the rag to her face, wiping away what was left behind, gasping fro breath. "Oh.. Yeah.. I'm breathing. I think."

The little ooze fizzles and pops and... well it's hard to tell what else it /might/ do because it's quickly squashed flat beneath Sargon's foot. When the foot moves once more, the ooze is a little puddle of water and no longer one that's wiggiling about.
You paged Seldan with 'can I leave the resilient sphere, or I'm stuck in it?'

<pre>GAME: Seldan casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 15 DC: 20
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+15: (4)+15: 19
GAME: Seldan casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 15 DC: 20
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+15: (19)+15: 34</pre>

The next attempt Seldan makes is nearly identical to the first, and a second black mark is left on the cobblestones, but on the third attempt, it -feels- different, and certainly the Silver Guard seems satisfied with the power structure built. For the third time, a negation and reversal, and - nothing happens. No retching, no ooze. There is - nothing, and he nods his satisfaction, a smile breaking out across his features.

Sargon looks at Sabina in askance as yet more ooze emerges. But now that he's seen firsthand how the ooze behaves, he moves in gamely whenever another emerges. This time he crouches and slams his hands down at such an angle that the fleshy heel of his fist is the part that comes down - the better to protect his bones as he is essentially punching the ground. He does his best to coordinate his efforts with those of the others.

Ash watches for the remainder of the attempts, as she's unwilling to try the sling in an enclosed space. The others seem to have it well in hand. She wears no expression but is inwardly sympathetic when the second attempt fails and Sabina vomits again, then quite happy when it succeeds on the third attempt. She says, "Good job," in her typical monotone.

She hands the sling and stones back to Sargon, "Thanks." To the others she says, "I have to clean the lye off." It isn't going to be nice to her clothes if she leaves it much longer, or her skin if it gets through them. She makes a small wave to Sabina and moves to the edge of the Resilient Sphere, waiting for it to drop so she can get to the fountain or some other facilities and wash off the chemicals.

Sabina is a mess. Her clothing and what have you is in place but she pants as if she's run a marathon and is damp with sweat. She braces for the next ooze to ..take form but it never happens and she leans forward to place her forehead against the cobbles in relief. 

She dares to cast a holy orson and drenches herself in pure clean water, reveling in the clean feeling and her sudden returning strength and calm stomach. 

She gets to her feet dripping wet but smiling and steps up to Seldan and goes up on tip-toe to place a chaste and thankful kiss apon his cheek. "Thank you."

"Well, that was a sight to see." Sargon examines his hands and then the sole of his shoe for any lingering bits of ooze. Seemingly satisfied, he nods to the adventurers present. "Glad it worked out in the end though." Despite the lightness of his words, there does seem to be a sense of relief, and a subtle easing of tension in him. "I'm going to head out. Stay safe everyone," the last seems a bit tacked on, but he seems to realize he should say something before departing.

Bannon takes a moment to clean his mace, removing his pack and returning it. He looks between Sabina and Seldan, then shakes his head, "That was not a good situation at all." He trails off for a moment and then adds, "Sabina, are you alright?"

"Well, that was a sight to see." Sargon examines his hands and then the sole of his shoe for any lingering bits of ooze. Seemingly satisfied, he nods to the adventurers present. "Glad it worked out in the end though." Despite the lightness of his words, there does seem to be a sense of relief, and a subtle easing of tension in him. "I'm going to head out. Stay safe everyone," the last seems a bit tacked on, but he seems to realize he should say something before departing.

Bannon takes a moment to clean his mace, removing his pack and returning it. He looks between Sabina and Seldan, then shakes his head, "That was not a good situation at all." He trails off for a moment and then adds, "Sabina, are you alright?"

With an arcane gesture, Seldan dismisses the sphere as soon as he confirms that Sabina is cured, and nods to the others as they depart. He flushes pink at the kiss on the cheek, but nods. "You are quite welcome, and I would ask your forgiveness that that was not done ere we left." Bannon also gets a nod. "Once have I attempted it and had the attempt go so badly awry that the patient attacked me with teeth and claws. That was not so very bad."

Bina's smile widen and then she's showing teeth in a great true smile. She is still pale and trembling but she's happy once again. Truely happy. "I'm well, Bannon. Thank you for asking. And yes I was there for that purging. It was.. scary." The smile slips briefly. She turns towards Ashes and nods to her. "Thank you, Ashlee."

{{LineSkulls|300px}}

'''Ashes'''
<br>She has a skull for a face.

On second glance it is a tattoo, white on her warm grey skin. Her nose is a coal black patch while her hair is a lighter, cooler grey. The hair has wavy, thick strands that clump together. Piercings and other decorations enhance her markings, creating a sugar skull, a festive death. Ashlee Ciaradh is not festive. She is a quiet, somber Arvec Nar. A little creepy. It's the way the hollows around her eyes are emphasized, her stare. The heavy jaw with all the teeth tattoos.

There's a chill around her, one unlike that caused by cold weather. A quietness of the tomb. Her clothes are dark, a short half-jacket over a shirt with dark slacks. She has a very battered bag slung over her shoulder, one that seems older than she is.
Ashes looks at you.
I don't see that here.

'''Kira'''
<br>This young woman is of average to slight stature, and her quiet poise doesn't make her appear any larger. What skin is exposed shows some weathering from sun and wind, but is relatively smooth. Her blonde hair is hacked short, somewhere between a pageboy and pixie. This exposes prominent ears that are only overshadowed by the brightness of her blue right eye. Her left is presumably missing, covered by a simple white leather patch held in place with a matching leather thong. Her remaining facial features are pleasant, but subdued, from button nose to full lips and cheeks.

If the woman seems mostly unremarkable, her clothing is entirely so. She wears a simple travelling robe of light gray cloth with a stylized rose dyed blue on the breast. A similar cloak worn overtop in inclement weather. Well worn boots and the bottoms of tan breeches are visible at times below the hem of the robe. The only visible possession is a large duffle carried over her right shoulder.

'''Morgan'''
<br>Her diminutive figure stands at a keen 4'10", including the amber wave of hair flowing not much past her chin. Bound together by red bow, four long braids rise up from the crown of her head, and entwine themselves together in a single, undulating cascade. Her petite form seems childlike upon first glance, yet her witty laugh and smooth voice have far more polish than a mere babes. And those sparkling emerald eyes have seen far too much adventure to belong to any but the most hard-bitten of youths. 

A long, deep blue, doublet adorns her with black buttons that hang undone. Long sleeves that flare some at the wrist to keep her hands free for her work. Below the doublet is a red tunic of cotton, black vines etch little flowers along the tailored garment that cuts in at the waist before being belted just above the hips. A pair of woolen pants, dark blue to match the doublet, are upon her legs, a flare to them as they breach over the tops of her calf-high black leather travel boots. 

A cloak wraps about her as well, long and similar in its dark blue as the rest, a black metal clasp holds it about her neck as the dance of mystical symbols runs down the edges as if forming some shield against the elements.

'''Sargon'''
<br>Sargon stands six and a half feet tall and exudes a solid, chiseled physicality. His eyes are tawny and his hair is black and thick. It's cut far too short to be a proper mane and instead forms a rounded fringe on the top and back. With an otherwise narrow face this simple style seems to somehow balance his large Oruch jaw. His skin is rich green, but curiously his lower arms are bronze. Careful inspection would reveal they are actually covered in scales up to his forearms, ending in uneven lines above the elbows. The scales gleam dully like metal and yet are so tiny and malleable that they reveal every ripple in his forearms and every joint in his wrists and fingers.

He wears a leather vest decorated with faintly glowing runes along the edges. It has no clasps or buttons - possibly meant to be shrugged off quickly were an enemy to catch hold of it in a fight - and leaves his arms and shoulders and the middle of his torso exposed. A thin cloth strip is tied over each arm between his biceps and shoulder. Sargon's lower body is wrapped in fitted denim leggings with reinforced patches over the knees. The ankles are tucked securely into soft flexible boots that rise to mid-shin. A leather strap dotted with small steel studs covers the palm and back of each hand.