"Just don't go coo-coo up there." Berrin remarks with a miscevious grin as he watches Zander climb up. Staying only a moment as Zander disapears up the tree Berrin heads back to the campfire feeling satisfied with their talk, everybody got issues it seemed.
Getting back to the campfire as the groups discussion turns to Taisper's newfound ability Berrin takes his seat and picks up his twig to resume stroking the fire. Catching Jemini's eye he gives a small reasuring smile and a nod.
Jemini puts her hand reassuringly on Verik's shoulder, "In that case, have you considered the other side? Maybe a devil isn't really evil because he's not feeling much pleasure from hurting you - perhaps he's just trying to fit in. Peer pressure. Is he really evil when he burns families if he's only doing it because he was ordered to?" Despite the dire nature of her words, her voice is soothing, "Verik, doubt is part of what makes you good. If things were easy... well, you said so yourself: it's a constant struggle for us."
The morning arrives rather quietly, with an overcast sky blocking the sun from shining brightly. The night was rather peaceful, with no one on watch having anything to report. Despite the dreary sky, the expedition is abuzz with cheery excitement at returning to Oleg's. Even dour Zander smiles (as much as the scars allow) at the prospect of Svetlana's cooking. She'll surely be excited to see them and will cook up quite the feast.
The group sets out to the plains in the northwest. For the first time in a while, the terrain is clear and easily explored. Seems that it is literally all downhill from here on out.
Seems that it is literally all downhill from here on out.
Zander rides alongside Berrin on the next day's journey and spends most of the trip focused on his map. On the back of the map, he's marks off another day in the tally he been keeping and smiles softly as he realizes the date.
"You know," he says to Berrin as the party rides down the last of the hills and sets out into flat terrain, "It's a shame we won't be back to Oleg's for another few days. I would have liked to have some of Svetlana's cooking for my birthday tomorrow. Maybe we can take Reggie out once we've made camp tonight and see if we can find any more game."
'Its your birthday! That would be nice to celebrate! Hmm.' Tandlara goes queit for a few moments.
'I know some herbs that grow in this area that could flavor the meat nicely, I'll try to find some mushrooms and nuts and berries aswell. I've never celebrated a birthday with someone. What are you supposed to do other than eat?'
Tandlara hops from her horse to hunt for mushrooms without even waiting for a respons from Zander. Perhaps her elven mind thinks that he'll respond in time, eventually. Elves are a bit odd in the temporal sense, their patience appearing sometimes as an inability to focus. Of course, sometimes it appears to be an inability to not focus.
As Tandlara searches the roots of an old sycamore tree, she makes a strange discovery. The roots of the tree have been disturbed, though it's subtle enough that a city dweller wouldn't notice.
"He-hei! You old dog! Too bad we don't have ale as well!" Berrin clips Zander in the shoulder at the news. "I'm sure Svetlana will give you a feast even if we're a couple of days out man."
When Tandlara reports her findings Berrin will go and examine the roots. "I'd rekon sombody's been living 'round here. We should keep our guard up if Orlivasky is any indication of our neighbours." he says dourly.
Tandlara investigates the strange disturbances at the roots, getting down on her hunkers, she leans in closely, hands passing over but not touching things, he solid green elven eyes alight, the whorls within seem to move frantically with her curiosity.
As Tandlara roots around in the roots of the old sycamore, she finds that someone painstakingly dug the roots up but left them intact, placed something underneath, and then reset the roots with care. As she carefully moves the roots, intent on not harming the tree, she finds the outline of a metal chest sticking out of the dirt beneath the roots. Its rusted exterior shows it to have been placed there some time ago, long enough for it to be occasionally exposed to the elements and covered up again.
Tandlara informs her companions and lays out a plan to recover the chest without harming the tree, she moves around the roots marking particular ones with bits of string and leather straps until the entire process is ready. She then directs the party as they carefully extract the chest. It lies out on the grass near the tree after an hours painstaking work and Tandlara ignores it for a moment to check on the tree.
After she has checked it for damage she turns back to the party. 'Its a good tree, solid and old. We did good work today. Maybe this box will have a present for Zander. That would be nice.'
"Oh wow! That is great work Tandlara! I think the gods may truly be smiling down on Zander for his birthday!" Jemini tries not to be in the way of Tandlara, but she's curious and excited and fidgety - which probably does its part to delay the whole process; much to Jemini's own chagrin.
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With a sigh Verik eases himself out of the saddle, ties Virtue off to the tree and begins working. He gives Tandlara a level look as she tries to "direct" them, but does take care around the roots despite being eager to see what the box holds.
"So what are we guessing, gold and jewels, more erotica for Jemini, an impromptu halfing coffin?" He asks wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. "My guess is its probably a bandit stash..."
Smiling sheepishly and scratching at the back of his neck, Zander replies, "Well I'll be 23 this year if my count is right. How old are you Verik? I suppose we've never really talked about this before, but how old is everyone and when are your birthdays? I can make notes on the calendar so we can celebrate for when they all come around."
Once the chest is dug up, Zander walks around it a few times, looking for any signs of danger before setting in.
Assuming no traps are found, he steps up to the chest. "Well I suppose we'd best take a look inside," he says as he begins to open the clasp.
Berrin looks a little shocked at Zander's question. "Well, um.. it's Erastus 29. I'll turn 25 this summer, thanks for askin'. Don't rightly recall anyone asking that before."
Berrin grumbles slightly and sighs plenty at Tandlara's insistance on beeing carefull with the roots, realizing full well that his axe would make short work of the roots and free the chest in no time. With the chest finally out of the ground Berrin steps back as Zander examins it, his coution making him a bit nervous. "What? You rekon somthings gona jump out of it or somthin'?"
Taisper peers over at the roots, more curious about how Tandlara noticed something was amiss than about what's in the chest, but nonetheless he stays on his horse so can have a view of what's inside without having to crowd in around Zander.
'I don't really have a birthday that I remember, I'm well past my second century of life however. I was born in autumn, I think. As I said, my people don't really celebrate birthdays.' Tandlara lets the others near the chest and keeps her own distance, more from disinterest than caution. Bandit gold, while useful, doesn't capture her attention. Of course, maybe its something far more interesting. I can be patient, its not going anywhere.
"I was born on the 11th of Calistril," Jemini grins, "And even though I'm a noble - I've never received a mysterious treasure chest for any of my birthdays. Zander, your luck might be on the level of royalty!" She nudges him with her elbow, cheeks flushed with excitement. "Now stop making it so exciting! We've waited long enough!"
Zander examines the box closely. It is eighteen inches by ten inches by ten inches. The back of the box, pressed against the cold airless soil, is free of rust, but the front looks as if it has been well-acquainted with the elements over a period of many years. Zander cautiously undoes the latch and opens it to look at what is inside.
The first thing he finds is a letter written on yellowed parchment. The ink has faded over the years, but some of it is still legible. '...f I told you the location of the cache, the clergyman's followers must have ... will be no forgiveness for what I did, but I hope that you can find a use for his possessions. They deserve the redemption that...' Nothing more is readable after all these years. It looks decades, if not centuries, old.
Atop the other items in the cache is a folded set of clothes, stained with blood around a hole in the chest of the shirt. They appear to be the raiment of a traveling cleric, a suspicion that is further built upon when Zander finds a holy symbol of Milani underneath. He recognizes the rose that symbolizes his patron deity.
Tucked away deeper in the chest is a lightweight mithril chain shirt. It is free of the bloody stain that mars the cleric's robes. Next to it is a morningstar with a Celestial inscription along its handle. Both are of truly extraordinary quality, looking as if they had spent barely a day hidden under the ground. The last item in the chest is a small, unremarkable pearl. Not particularly lustrous or shiny, it may be a memento of some sort of the owner.
A small bag rests at the very bottom of the chest, jangling when Zander pulls it out. As he pulls on the string to look inside, he finds 120 pieces of platinum, stamped with a very old design from Brevoy. The design shows the face of Choral the Conquerer, who conquered and united Brevoy under his rule some two hundred years prior.
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"Birthdays? Mine is Neth 16th, so a fair ways off, and I'm twenty three now."
Verik chants and surveys the items, before saying excitedly, "They are both magical... But I am afraid I cannot tell much more than that, Tandlara anymore idea? Does anyone know what the inscription reads? I'm afraid my linguiostic skills start and end with the common tongue."
His eyes linger on the morningstar, but he restrains his covetous instincts until he knows what the inscription reads.
"The inscription reads 'What Is Right Is Not Always Law.'" Taisper is speaking in hushed tones. "The calligraphy is flawless. I've never seen anyone write anything so...perfectly...in Celestial before. Whoever -- or whatever -- did it, did so as...at..." The young inquisitor just trails off, stunned by what he sees.
Jemini is torn between the excitement of the treasure, and what appears to be a century old murder. "That is incredible! You really do have a treasure fit for a prince for your birthday! I think that armor will suit you like a second skin," she exclaims as she fondles the giving folds of the mithral shirt. When she thinks the others are mostly distracted with the other items, she takes the bloodied clothes of the cleric and the holy symbol and walks until she finds a place with a good view and pleasant scenery then busies herself making a grave to symbolically bury the victim with what remains of him or her. You will have parted long since, I hope, but allow me to give you a prayer...
Zander goes through the contents of the chest with a growing sense of awe. As he holds the mithral shirt in his hands, he is amazed at how lightweight the metal is. Handing the items up to Verik and the others for identification, he pauses to study the holy symbol before hanging it around his neck. "I don't know for certain if this chest was a birthday gift from the Gods or just a turn of good luck, but I think I could make good use of that armor. I can just barely take advantage of my mobility in this steel chain; if I'm to hone my quickness further, something lightweight like this would be really useful, especially if there's magic in its crafting."
Smiling as Taisper reads the inscription on the mace, Zander replies, "That sounds like Milani's teachings alright. I imagine either of you two could use that mace, but I have to admit I think it speaks the most to you, Taisper." Turning to Verik, he holds out the pearl in his hand, "Do you know if this pearl is anything special or just a piece of jewelry?"
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"What is Right is Not Always Law?" Verik repeats frowning, "I will concede that there is truth in that, but I am not sure I appreciate the need for a reminder of it so close at hand... Not something I would wield I think. Would anyone object to Taisper taking this up? If you want to that is cousin?"
He takes up the morningstar and glancing about for objections hands it to Taisper. It might be good to give Taisper a reminder of the importance of right as something separate from the law. And for myself I would prefer a different sentiment.
To Zanders words Verik frowns and chants briefly again looking the pearl over with detect magic enhancing his vision. "It's definitely magical, but I'm afraid I simply cannot tell you in what way. Tandlara any ideas?"
"Zander! Verik! I...really?!" Taisper holds the morningstar after Verik hands it to him and gazes at it with awe. "I mean, I won't lie, of course I want to...to wield such a weapon, but...well, if you're sure." He sets it lightly across his saddle and looks significantly at Verik and glances at Jemini's retreating back before smiling ruefully at Zander. "I know in some eyes I'm probably the last fella to deserve treasure right now. But I won't say no." Taisper also looks around to see if there are any objections.
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"I can't see anyone who would make better use of the chain shirt than you Zander, and it is your birthday soon afterall. Many happy returns. And I think that message suits you better than me cousin, for one thing you can read it, to me its just a bunch of squiggles, beautiful squiggles to be sure, but squiggles no the less." Verik says smiling as he hands the beautiful silver chain back to Zander.
"Try it on Zander."
Reaching down into the chest he carefully retrieves the letter and studies it, "He killed a priest? It sounds like that, but if that's it it seems the author was repentant... Seems he wished the gear to be put to good use, if I understand his talk of redemption for it correctly. I think we can say we will do that, in his eyes and its former owners to I hope."
As Jemini returns she sees the distribution of treasure and nods enthusiastically. "I think the weapon will actually serve you particularly well. The engraved words speak a little against your creed, but they do speak an important truth. I hope when you feel the weight of the weapon in your hand you will remember the weight of those words." She looks at Taisper and Zander, "I guess that makes it two lucky birthday boys! Congratulations!" She laughs and as they progress she is full of praise as Zander tries on the new armor - it really does look incredible in form.
Berrin remains quiet as the morningstar is handed to Taisper but smiles and nodds in satisfaction at the exhange, finding it oddly fitting for Taisper to have such reminders writen in the language of the gods in his hands.
Whistling as Zander tries on the shirt he claps his hands and gives a laugh as Jemini pours praise over Zander displaying the shirt. "Looking good!" he hollars in edgewise between Jemini's praise.
Clapping Bessie on the neck Berrin makes another failed attempt at playing fetch with Reggie as the group finishes their buisness by the chest.
"But doesn't it?" Jemini agrees with Berrin, "The effortless form of the mithral shirt shows off every move and accentuates the form. It's almost as if it was tailor-made for Zander," Jemini keeps on touching, tugging and pulling on the shiny armor until she's satisfied. "I think Oleg and I will have to have a talk about ways and means."
Armor:
Weapon:
Pearl:
As the others talk and discuss Tandlara pays close attention to items, watching them with her uncanny sense open, her eyes moving back and forth slowly, their vivid green seeming to dance as they move back and forth in the forest light.
She watches the auras, blooming like plants and something deep and primal guides her to an understanding of their nature, no words form in her head, but she gains an understanding of the items.
'The armor is enchanted to be magically warding, it gives its user greater protection. The morningstar is empowered with might, and will guide itself to its target with force. The pearl, the pearl is a subtler thing, allowing one to recall a spell of the first order within the day one casts it.'
"Thanks, everyone. Really. This is something to meditate and pray on, that's for sure. Wow. Well, happy birthday, Zander! The armor really does look great, but how does it feel? Does it feel...I dunno, lighter? Stronger? Quicker? All of the above?"
Trying on the armor, Zander stretches and moves around a bit to test it out before replying to Taisper excitedly, "Yeah, definitely. This stuff is great! It is a lot lighter and I can move really easily in it. I don't think I'll be needing any replacement armor for a long time with this stuff!"
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Verik frowns at the pearl, "You should take this Tandlara, I'm not really feeling a lack of spells. Though when we get back I would like to borrow it and your cloak occasionally, I can almost see how I might duplicate them..."
"Suits you Zander, what is it made of mithral right? I've heard of it but I've never seen it, hard to believe that something that light can be as strong as steel..."
'Oh. Why thank you Verik, thats very generous of you. You can of course borrow my enchanted items at your convenience. I'm here to help,' she smiles warmly at the cleric and then turns to watch Zander in his new armor.
'Mithral is a glorious metal, considered sacred by many. I hope that it wards you and lends you its strength. Happy birthing day Zander.'
The day passes quickly and easily, the group's explorations taking almost no time at all on the open plain. Practically back in Brevoy, they converse excitedly about Jemini's family's holdings only a hundred miles northwest, though Zander is strangely quiet. Berrin casts him a number of sympathetic glances through the conversation, but remains quiet as Jemini recounts the many stables, farms, and townships that her family rules.
While setting up camp for the night, things take a fairly ominous tone as the discussion turns to the possibility of war between Issia and Rostland. Things appeared quite dire up north with tensions high between House Surtova, backed by its allies, and House Lebeda. Jemini longs to get word about the state of affairs from home, hoping that it might have reached Oleg's by now.
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Verik listens intently to the talk of nations sabre rattling, though he has little to add to the conversation. He mulls over the possible ramifications for their own efforts, but swiftly concludes they can do little more than keep an eye on things for the time beings - perhaps Jemini will receive some illuminating intelligence.
Eventually he changes the subject to a more cheerful topic, "So does anyone have any suggestions for the Taxfest celebrations? I was thinking of trying to organize a little miniature tourney with archery, maybe a melee, that sort of thing. Drinking and eating contests, maybe a lumber jacking contest to see who can fell a tree fastest? Hopefully I can enlist Svetlana and Oleg to do a lot of the organizing so we can go out exploring and return a day or two before..."
'We could always slcaken off the pace. Do our little exploring near the trading post, come home regularly. Its not like the Stolen Lands are going anywhere, and whats the harm in being around the post, getting to know everyone better?'
"There's not much time, more's the pity. We'll not be able to get all that many of the locals to take leave from their livelihood at such short notice. Though I do hope that some will come, even if just to have an excuse to celebrate. But! We'll definitely make all the effort we can!"
'And it establishes tradition. Humans take to traditions very quickly, in a generation it will remembered as having always existed. Even in the years to come people will remember it and strengthen the celebration. It has to start somewhere.'
Stretching out against a rock, Zander keeps quiet as Jemini goes on about her family, but perks up once Verik turns the conversation to festivities, especially relishing the idea of an archery competition. After listening for a bit, he eventually weighs in on the matter, "Are there even any friendly locals around these parts to attend besides Oleg and Svetlana? I mean, I suppose we could invite that Boggard back there, but I don't recommend sending the Stag Lord or those Fey from last week an invitation. I suppose at the very least it will give us a chance to better get to know Keston and the guardsmen."
"There should be a few subsistence farmers, and some trappers. Considering the number of dead we found with Orlivanch, there ought to be a reasonable number of people about in these parts."
Relieved that the talk is light with war looming on the horizon Berrin is in no hurry to talk of gloomy subjects. "Drinking, arm-wrestling and eating! Those events would draw a crowd, I tell ya. But we'd have to have a reward of somesort, maybee a trophy?"
"Hahaa, yeah! That's a great idea. What do we have that we could use? Maybe we could whittle something? Or does anyone know how to do metal work?"
"I'm perfectly happy to sponsor a prize - perhaps masterwork tools?"
"Yeah! Or why not both? Some coin for your pocket, and a trophy for bragging rights! It can be a yearly thing to take it from the guy who won it the year before."