.
.
.
.
.
Once the last person is there, he, too, would enter, and give some things away. Each person gets 10 platinum, 6 gold, 1 silver, and 1 copper. He explains that this comes from Angelina, having been stored for an emergency. It's not petty cash to buy nice things, it's funds for the express purpose of acquiring that which is needed to survive. He partially feels that it should go without saying, but he says it anyway: "Do not be wasteful with these funds. If you intend to use them for any purpose - any purpose - other than this mission, return them now, and I shall keep them for this mission, and for us all. This is not 'your' money. This is 'Angelina's' money. To do otherwise is theft from someone who seeks our good. This is the height of dishonor." His voice is entirely emotionless.
Eli keeps 10g and 10s remaining in the box, informing everyone that he's doing so.
4 refuse (Chap, Lesith, Poterol, Shyness); 1 Doesn't Receive (Andrei)
Please PM me if I have missed your character's refusal.
That leaves 5 sets of funds, or 50 platinum, 30 gold, 5 silver, and 5 copper added back to the box.
In total...
Money: 50p, 40g, 15s, and 5c are in the box.
Potions: cure serious wounds (s), neutralize poison (2), remove curse (2), remove disease (2)
"In general, if we want to purchase supplies," says Eli, flatly, "I suggest we do so right away. If none else have specific ideas, I suggest some sort of food. I myself will need to acquire something more durable than these clothes. I would have waited until Endurant, but it seems we have little time. To that end, should you permit it, I suggest we split into two: one group that acquires food for the lot of us, and myself (and anyone who wishes to accompany me) to acquire armor or other similar items. We will meet back here, and leave right away, thereafter."
Eli would ask if folk have their own food; for all those (like himself) who do not, he marks out an amount of coinage to purchase food enough for a few days, and requests that Cernan lead those acquiring food.
Those going shopping with him, are welcome to acquire armor, or weapons, as well, or any similar piece of adventuring equipment.
-Posted with Wayfinder
I should have enough good and water for the trip. I have enough food for four days and can ration out my water supply as needed. I will head to the local armory, perhaps they will have something I find interesting
I say if you are not already prepared, then take all the time you'd like here. Just make sure to catch up with those of us that are leaving directly after breakfast. Chap barks as she pounds her mead, scarfs her food, pockets as much bread as she can, and wipes her mouth clean with her forearm.
There is much to do before our enemies discover us and I plan to take advantage of the time before. Chap stands ups holding her head in one hand fighting a headache, collects her backpack, and heads for the town gate.
Chap intentionally on waits there a couple of minutes for stragglers before she sets out. It is hard to tell time though so she sticks around long enough for at least one other to join her before heading out.
Wait, I've never met anyone from there, that's odd.
Another backwater place. Meh, seen one seen 'em all
Hope it's all blue sky sailing from here.
Poterol shakes his head. "I would hope that we all have at least some food fit for traveling. As not though, I vollenteer to fetch supplies."
As Chap leaves, he frowns. "We know not that there is an enemy. Still swiftly begun, swifter done."
He collects what money Eli gives him for food, and goes shopping for basic supplies with any others who wish to.
Marius nods, satisfied with the general response of his companions. At least they were not fool enough to leave fully unprepared. "I'm afraid the long road here has tapped us out of food as well. I have perhaps enough for myself and Rex to make it to Endurant, though I suspect our journeys will take us further than that." He stands, clearing his plate and cleaning up the area around his spot at the table. Rex happily scoops up all the leftovers, meat or otherwise. "As for myself, I think I will patronize the local alchemist. I've found an alchemist's touch to be rather handy in more than a few situations. It wouldn't hurt to have a few of their tools on hand."
He scoops up his portion of the funds, then waves a temporary farewell to his kinsmen.
2x Acid Flasks @ 10g ea
1x Alchemist's Fire @ 20g
1x Defoliant @ 30g
1x Alchemical Glue @ 20g
=90g, leaving 1p, 6g, 1s, 1c.
At the appointed time, Marius meets the others near the gates of Vigilant.
|
Azmaria is silent for a few minutes. trying to figure out exactly how to say what she wants to say. Do you believe in God? The almighty, The creator?
Shyness smiles after the exchange, relieved at Azmaria's change in demeanor, and happy to have been part of the resolution.
However, the question asked lingers in Shyness' mind. The Lady believes, as do many of my Sisters and Brothers. Some in the arena would cry out to the Creator before their defeat, but they were savages. Should I believe, too? There is much to think on.
When the conversation turns to food and supplies, Shyness offers little input. She is unused to the logistics for large groups, and wonders why they can't hunt for what they need as they go.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
On the way Lesith will cook for the group.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Cernan will purchase a set of silken ceremonial armor, if he can, for a little extra protection along the road.
"Walking in all this armour, I'll slow you down. I'll get a horse, war trained, so that it won't bolt."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Natanja reached out her hand and softly placed it on her cousin's arm; her eyes filled with warm golden light. "I have not come across Catfolk. My hopes are that you discover the identity of your birth parents and gain the answers that you seek. With so many varied kin in our group, a peacemaker or peacekeeper will be most useful." Natanja winked at Kayahidye.
Kayahidye bows her head in gracious gratitude toward her comforting cousin, with a subtle purrrr-rrr at her warm, supportive touch. “Thank you, dear cousin. In some ways, I have come to accept that life itself is a mystery. Still, I have a good feeling about this quest of ours. From all I've learned already, I believe we are on as much a journey of self-discovery as a quest to confront evil.”
She smiles, “I am quite comfortable in my role as peace maker, and so far, my genuine curiosity about people has helped me much in that. Now that we know we are all family, I am even happier to massage our bonds of camaraderie that are just beginning to form.”"My apologies, cousin. I have not heard of this Lotus Saint or of the Cloud Wreath Mountains. I am gladdened to hear that you have honed your form into keen weapon and have attained inner peace for it will be a boon to the group when we undertake these goodly missions."
”I do not blame you for not knowing the Saint of the Lotus! She is rather obscure, outside the Mountains. The Cloud Wreaths are a rather remote place, where most who wandered there have returned to a Nature-bound tribal life style. It was Kamali uniquely among them founded a lonely little temple, where her followers and descendents still practice her teachings written in the Celestial language to this day.”
"I am Emberkin, by divine heritage, and we, peri-blooded Aasimars, have great skill with fire-magic. My bond with the Flame Spirit, Eth, has only deepened the flame within, cousin. And aye, some are drawn and some repelled, depending on their preferences and proclivities. I, however, am confident in my own skin and nature. This has given me an emotional and mental strength. I was fortunate to have had opportunities to speak, learn from and work beside other Emberkin in my homeland."
” I cannot say that I have attained similar inner peace -- possibly a simple form of acceptance of who and what I am. But I am driven -- as if my very life is dependent upon it. There is not much harmony in that”
“Emberkin? So you are not only a favorite of a powerful fire spirit, but you are yourself a child of flame! Forgive me if my questions seem prying, but I am endowed with quite the curiosity,” she nods humbly, ”- is your inner flame- for you, an affinity for fire, or do you possess fire in your very soul? You say of yourself that you are driven, yet so much that there is little harmony. You are strong, yet the power you carry must come with turmoil.“
Her voice grows softer, soothing, from velvet to silk, “The path to inner peace is different for all. I had to reconcile a somewhat feral nature with the discipline I sought. You, it seems, must learn to control the power of an element that burns within you. That is an entirely different sort of challenge. I am here for you, so long as we travel together. I shall be glad to do anything I can to help sooth any turmoil within- should there even be need for such. And I would love to learn more about the Emberkin, of your inner flame, though perhaps we should speak of this on the long road!”””I was also raised in a temple.” She says, looking over at Kaya. ”Tho I was taken there as when I was but a cub. They had told me and my family I had been chosen by the goddess and given a sign that I was destined for a greater purpose.” Kiwyn tries to sound cheerful but a small frown touches the corners of her mouth.
As Kiwyn speaks, Kaya listens with the sincerest interest and kindness. However, her ears noticeably perk up at the mention of the word 'cub'. She looks to her cousin Natanja as she asks her questions, and gives cousin Kiwyn a moment to respond. Then, she would add in her velvet, gentle voice, “So you were taken away from your family? That must have been difficult.” Kayahidye says gently. Again, she would give the girl a moment to respond to that, and would focus on her response if given. Otherwise, after a breath and then another, she would remark, “It is interesting to me that you say when you were a 'cub'. Your manners are so refined, dear cousin Kiwyn, for you to refer to yourself as animal.” She pauses for a moment, kindly inviting her cousin to say anything she wishes to that, though her eyes show that Kayahidye suspects there is more to Kiwyn that meets the eye, though she is not sure what.
She does not put any pressure on Kiwyn to 'reveal' herself in any way, rather she merely invites to girl to speak of herself as she pleases, and fully accepts any response or silence that comes. Should no answer come, or should there be any following awkwardness, Kayahidye ends it by chuckling, clearly at herself, and then saying, “Though I understand that it is ironic to here that coming from me! I often refer to myself interchangeably as child or kitten, when talking about my early years, though in my case for obvious reasons!” After a good laugh, “And words are often only how we use them.”
Then, with a look of sincere apology, "I am sorry for my comment, my dear cousin. I would love to know your story as well. So your Temple was one of the Goddess? How was your life there- and what did you learn? Did you ever have the chance to visit your family?"
"Walking in all this armour, I'll slow you down. I'll get a horse, war trained, so that it won't bolt."
"Walking in all this armour, I'll slow you down. I'll get a horse, war trained, so that it won't bolt."
.
.
"Any excess, we can sell in the village, or give to those in need." says Eli in a dispassionate tone. "Acquiring mounts and food will let us quickly catch up with those of our group who decided to move earlier. Cernan, Poteral, please do this for us. Thank you."
While shopping, Eli notices some of his peoples' craftsmanship on display - he recognizes a bow crafted by one of the apprentice bowyers from his village, complete with tadpole and deer marks on the bindings. Not the highest quality work his folk produced, but well made, nonetheless... and, more importantly, Eli had been able to draw it easily - not always something he was good at with their finer craftsmanship. He remembered this particular piece, however, because he'd helped sell it at the time. Taking it for a sign, Eli purchased the bow, and acquires arrows along with it.
With the shopping completed, and the advent of fully saddled and bagged donkeys, Eli and those who'd stayed at the city would be able to more quickly head down the road, relatively soon catching up with those who'd left a few hours before they.
"Were you not entirely happy with the explanation? Or was it the temple upbringing? Perhaps it has more to do with these shared dreams we are experiencing?"
Then, she would add in her velvet, gentle voice, “So you were taken away from your family? That must have been difficult.” Kayahidye says gently. Again, she would give the girl a moment to respond to that, and would focus on her response if given.
Kiwyn looks over at Natanja and tries to smile a little brighter. ”In truth, I just missed my family. Sometimes my mother would come to see me with my younger sisters. But, I only got to see them all during celebrations.”
“It is interesting to me that you say when you were a 'cub'. Your manners are so refined, dear cousin Kiwyn, for you to refer to yourself as animal.” She pauses for a moment, kindly inviting her cousin to say anything she wishes to that, though her eyes show that Kayahidye suspects there is more to Kiwyn that meets the eye, though she is not sure what.
Kiwyn looked back at Kaya again smiling at first. When called out on her slip of the tongue she tries to hide her reaction, tho a low audible ”Eep.” slips out. Her cheeks redden and she tries to dismiss it. ”It was just a term of endearment from our mother.”
***
When the subject of horses is brought up Kiwyn admits with some embarrassment. ”I’m sorry, but I don’t know how to ride a horse.” As she looks around tho a thought comes to her. ”A wagon. Perhaps a wagon to carry some of us and supplies?” She suggests.
"Or you can ride with me, Kiwyn..."
Poterol nods to Eli as he accepts the platinum, meeting the others at departure and distributing trail food to all, and the leftover money to Eli.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Kiwyn looked back at Kaya again smiling at first. When called out on her slip of the tongue she tries to hide her reaction, tho a low audible "Eep." slips out. Her cheeks redden and she tries to dismiss it. "It was just a term of endearment from our mother."
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Kayahidye hears the vocal reaction, and notices Kiwyn's blushing. Kaya still has a sense that the girl is hiding something about herself.. out of fear? Shame? In any case, it is deeply personal, and 'cub' was a slip of the tongue she is trying to dismiss. Kaya let's it go.
Kayahidye remembers the teachings of Kamali- every person is like a lotus in a mountain stream. Some are high on the banks, open in the sun, others are in the shade, partially open, others are in the water... Everyone is at their own place in life, and must follow their own path....
If Kiwyn here wishes to hide herself, then I shall not interfere with what she needs to feel comfortable. She shall reveal her true self when she learns to accept herself, in time.
Returning from her reverie, Kayahidye tilts her head to a side slightly with a gentle, warm smile. Her expression as she looks at Kiwyn exudes unconditional acceptance.
"That is adorable, if you don't mind me saying. It must have been wonderful to have such a loving mother, when you were with her."
She pauses to reflect a moment, "Makes me wonder, what my mother would have called me, whoever she is, if I had known her... a bitter sweet thought!"
*****************************
Once inside Arabeth would offer the other woman access to her skills at massage therapy, the better to sooth any travel ills Chap might have after the journey here. Come time for bed Arabeth seems quite calm and casual with her own appearance and such, not having anything other than herself/own skin in which to sleep.
The one, possibly dramatic, thing to which Chap is privy too is Arabeth's true nature. The great cloak which is constantly draped over the woman's shoulders is, in fact, not a cloak but part of Arabeth's very nature. Being spread large to reveal a pair of sable wings.
Arabeth does take some time to gather Chap's reassurance that her true appearance will be 'Their little secret' for now.
Come the morning Arabeth awakens and arrives down to breakfast at the patrons/Owner's allotted time. Partaking of sweet bread and honeys she daintily eats and listens to others chat about the night's revelations. She, herself, keeps her own council though her demeanor is one of cheerful contentment. (^_^)
Seeing the funds available Arabeth will use her share to purchase a donkey/mule, pack saddles for said animal and enough feed and fodder for her horse, the pack animal and possibly an amount 'on the side' just in case. Rations will be bought enough for herself and another person, again buying for a 'Margin of error'. Once her previous day's clothes are ready from being washed and dried they will be packed away and herself made ready for the journey ahead.
Arabeth will with the tavern owners much best wishes, even casting some small spells to help sooth any slight ills or such they may have.
Other wise, she will gather with every one else, great black cloak of feathers pulled tight about her shoulders, at the appointed gate and make ready to head off on their journey of adventure and discovery together.
“Emberkin? So you are not only a favorite of a powerful fire spirit, but you are yourself a child of flame! Forgive me if my questions seem prying, but I am endowed with quite the curiosity,” she nods humbly, ”- is your inner flame- for you, an affinity for fire, or do you possess fire in your very soul? You say of yourself that you are driven, yet so much that there is little harmony. You are strong, yet the power you carry must come with turmoil.“
"There is nothing to forgive, Kaya. The fire is something in my bloodline ... yet with my connection to Eth, it is the very nature of my being and soul. And aye, the bloodline I possess is not an easy burden -- to rein one's nature at its extreme and to progress with goodness and justice is not always simple or easy. The flame can destroy or it can renew. One must choose a path and ask guidance to follow-through."
Kiwyn looks over at Natanja and tries to smile a little brighter. ”In truth, I just missed my family. Sometimes my mother would come to see me with my younger sisters. But, I only got to see them all during celebrations.”
Natanja did not speak her thoughts aloud but filed away what she had sensed from Kiwyn.
"Missing family I am well familiar with. Mayhap now we are together, we can forge connections and friendships." Natanja warmly smiled.
Cernan doesn't know much about the outdoors, but he'll try to assist Natanja with whatever almanacs and charts he has on hand.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Vincent, never been a large animal lover, Uses the mule only as a last resort. He is used to packing and carrying his possessions. As he has never been used to having much, he is not ignorant to be ill-prepared or without a plan.
He enjoys the trip at hand, enjoys looking at the various wildlife, and trees and nature overall. He enjoyed the break from the town.
He takes out his dagger and plays with it. He does some sleight of hand on occasion, flipping it from knuckle to knuckle. He hums a soft tune, something he heard as a child, that brought his solace and comfort when life was harsh (as it usually was in his viewpoint).
At the end of each night, he takes out a small pad, and draw for a few moments. Most are just doodles, whatever his hands create. Some are of the interesting "cousins", he has learned them to be.
After each drawing, he tosses it in the fire.
Lesith, seeing Vincent doing tricks with his dagger goes to him.
"Please be careful, and don't play with that, it's dangerous."
"I am not sure using a weapon can be considered a "skill", but anyhow, I don't think is the correct way to "practice"... He must have caution, and if he wants to practice his legerdemainship he can use something without a cutting edge."
Arabeth rides along listening to the various conversations but not feeling the need to interject or comment.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
On the road to Endurant, Eli generally watches, seemingly dispassionately, and says very little.
At meal times, he accepts some basic food, sits by the fire, removes his mask, and beams a visage of joy, though still silent, at pretty much anyone for about as long as it takes to place food into his mouth. After the last bite is gone, before finishing chewing, he places his mask back on, and immediately gets to work re-securing, cleaning, or otherwise tending the mules.
They catch up with the early-leavers around four in the afternoon , at the location the walkers had mostly stopped for the day. After the mounted ones arrive, those who'd left early all mount up, and continue until around five.
The early leavers: 3 miles/hour, four hours advanced, 8 hours total in a day.
The mounted followers: 4 miles, four hours behind, 8 hours total in a day.
Start - 6 AM v. 9 AM
7 AM: early 3 mile
8 AM: early 6 mile
9 AM: early 9 miles; mounted leaves
10 AM: mounted 4 miles; early 12 miles
11 AM: mounted 8 miles; early 15 miles
12 PM: mounted 12 miles; early 18 miles
1 PM: lunch (no progress made)
2 PM: mounted 16 miles; early 21 miles
3 PM: mounted 20 miles; early 24 miles (end early walkers, after 8 hours)
4 PM: mounted 24 miles; early resting - catch up/all mounted!
5 PM: mounted 28 miles
6 PM: mounted 32 miles (end mounted journey, after 8 hours)
"We should let the mounts rest," says Eli with no trace of emotion, late that afternoon, "and we, too, should rest, according to those in my village who raised and worked with these. We will be sore enough tomorrow if we stop now, and I do not wish to harm ourselves, or these fine creatures."
He looks down the road. "I suppose, should we all be willing to walk, we could make a few more miles... however, those of us who left early will need the rest, and I am unsure how strong our general constitutions are." he looks around.
"Tomorrow, we can ride for eight hours, and then travel for a ninth on foot."
Aeryth pulls out his sword and twirls it around in intricate patterns, his blade blurring around him.
"Skill with a weapon is how you stay alive in a city Lesith. In most cases it's also how many people outside cities survive too."
He looks to Eli. "I can take first watch if necessary."
"As you like." Eli says, simply.
Arabeth helps as best she can... though she is more in a position where in she needs showing what needs being done.
"I am glad to take last shift..." She offers.
The fact that Eli constantly hides his face is starting to intrigue Cernan, who will do his best to surreptitiously observe the innkeep while he eats and then later copy down the man's features in one of his many notebooks.
Other than that, he keeps somewhat to himself; but when he gets a chance, in idle conversations along the road, he will try to ask others in the group what they remember of their parents, grandparents, etc., in an attempt to work out some sort of family tree.
Poterol can inform Cernan about his elven parents, although not any grandparents. As far as he knows, his parents are full-blooded elves, no hint of any other blood, celestial or otherwise.
Poterol tends to talk freely on the road, if no one wants to listen to him talk about the fauna and flora of the area, he speaks quietly to Merry.
Eli would certainly describe - briefly and succinctly - his own family. He was raised by his mother, his sibling, and, in the end, his nephew. His grandparents and father were killed in the war between his people and the expansionists of the Allied Kingdoms all those years back. His grandparents were full-blooded Embishiu, so far as he knows. He can recite up to five more generations back, as they are all that remains of the shrines he maintained for his family, and memorized them.
All of this would be described in only a few paragraphs of information.
And Eli listens to everything, and everyone. Constantly.
Aeryth pulls out his sword and twirls it around in intricate patterns, his blade blurring around him.
"Skill with a weapon is how you stay alive in a city Lesith. In most cases it's also how many people outside cities survive too."
He looks to Eli. "I can take first watch if necessary."
"I am sorry to differ... skill with a weapon is what makes you kill others, and later on get killed yourself. You stay alive by learning to cooperate with others. Love, trust and brotherhood, that's the skills you need to survive."
|
|
"I am not sure using a weapon can be considered a "skill", but anyhow, I don't think is the correct way to "practice"... He must have caution, and if he wants to practice his legerdemainship he can use something without a cutting edge."
Shyness looks confused. "Little Sister, you believe that using a weapon does not require skill? And why must he have caution? A cub will grow without its mother's consent."
"I am sorry to differ... skill with a weapon is what makes you kill others, and later on get killed yourself. You stay alive by learning to cooperate with others. Love, trust and brotherhood, that's the skills you need to survive."
"Skill does not make one do anything."
Poterol overhears a strange argument, and queries, "So you would say that not knowing how to defend yourself makes bandits not attack you? How is that different from not knowing what berries and vegetables to eat out in the forest making them all safe to eat? A very strange philosophy. Bandits and Mercenaries go after the weak, the defenseless, not the strong, and the protected."
"Using a weapon doesn't need skill, it needs callousness. You need friends, a community, to survive. Not weapons. And bandits are made by lack of sympathy for them. Lack of food, of opportunities. Yes, it's easier to kill them than to understand them. But they are people, living, thinking, feeling. Fathers, Mothers and sons and daughters. Just like us."