And me? I'm just looking for trouble. With that Dris takes off her shoes and rides her horse standing. Weeee!
Stepping out from the shadows, a slight figure applauds Drispeera's horsewomanship. "Well done, Lady Dris! But shouldn't the ruler of a country show a little more decorum?"
" Yes a Cathedral with arched and vaulted ceilings! It would be a beautiful testament to Shelyn and the glorious wonders she gives us!" she says with a chuckle as she than gets onto her horse and smiles.
" Bingo it is good to see you, how have you been? and more importantly what have you been up too"Ionnia says with a sly wink as she than looks back to Dris and chuckles even more
|
What? Dris wobbles for a second before catching her balance and slowing her horse to a stop. Don't startle a girl when she's doing that!
Purrcy races over to pounce on Bingo and slurp his face.
Fie on decorum! I've been decoroistic for weeks now. I'm bored! I want adventure! And speaking of adventures-- what have you been up to? What news of our new neighbors to the East?
After thoroughly drenching Bingo, Purrcy will resume following the scent of larger tracks. (No Survival, but he does have Scent and the Track Trick.)
"Akshully, Dris, I've bin ta Razmiran, on ... personal business. A long standin' account I tried ta settle. Wasn't able to, this time, but I will, I swear it." Bingo seems much grimmer than usual.
Bingo examines the tracks. "Someone tried ta hide these tracks, like they didna want to be follered. Thas not good."
|
|
Well, if you ever want help settling that score, just let us know. Meanwhile, why would someone or something hide its tracks? Can you and Purrcy and maybe Kaeso figure out where the *real* tracks go?
Purrcy aids Bingo with Scent and Tracking:
Edit: Oooh, Bunny!
Oh, and Ionnia, I think that's a good plan about your cart. We should get a few days' head start, and then Mikmek can follow us, in case we find anything.
Kaeso begins to look around, but sees that Bingo has already taken care of it. Then, he does a double-take: Bingo!
"Glad to see you back with us!" He pumps Bingo's hand excitedly. "A new kingdom! Who would have expected? I guess Dris is a queen or something now--she's never been happier. Not even in a shoe shop!"
Striking to Bingo from his track finds, there are no indications that any humanoids were ever here. Only animal tracks were ever made.
" So super intelligent raccoons?" She says with a light laugh."Sorry that is what i am picturing"
Dris knows that there ARE many types of magical beasts that look like animals and are intelligent. For example, Worgs look like wolves but can even speak.
" So super intelligent raccoons?" She says with a light laugh."Sorry that is what i am picturing"
"The dumb raccoons are bad enough!" Kaeso shivers a bit.
Dris thinks these are wolf tracks for the most part, some Medium and some Large. At least... wolf-like.
"Come now Kaeso its not that bad, they would be cute rapscallions" She says giggling as she sits atop her horse, still awkward in the saddle.
Bongo surveys the ground carefully.
The group is able to track the beasts around the plains. After about 30 minutes of scouting, Bingo is able to track them to what seems to be a small cave entrance on the side of one of the land's rolling hills. Some other animal bones litter the entrance.
" Boys" She giggles as she lets her horse slowly follow.
"Sounds like a plan, Dris," replied Bingo. He draws his rapier and prepares to back-up his leader.
"Oooo I would love for you to cast that on a few of the new pioneers, I would love to paint them and dub them Living Art" she says giggling
|
|
Dris shakes her head at Ionnia and whispers, I said "Vanish" not "Varnish". You got a Bless or something to help if something tries to eat me?
Dris double checks that her Mage Armor is still up, then signals Purrcy to hide outside the cave mouth, then casts Vanish on Bingo.
Then she peers into the cave (darkvision) and calls out cheerfully... Helllooooo! Anybody hommmmme?
Ionnia looks at Dris and giggles and than tells Dris."Well I can cast it but I have to be up there with him"
She follows Dris her hand ready on her new club Maidens' Hammer
Kaeso casually readies his bow, just in case.
The cave seems desolate. The smell of wet fur is in the air, as well as some meat. From inside, but not where Dris can detect, a deep male voice comes from the cave.
"HRMM. I smelled pink-fleshes, I did. Know that you are in the lands of Howl-of-the-North-Wind, and I take intrusions... personally. But, I am no fool. I am old and would rather be left to my own devices along my pack. Leave now, be on your way, and just let me live on my remaining years."
There seem to be 2-3 distinct growls from inside the cave as well.
"There is peace now, I take it. Bandits were never my problem, and if they are gone from your lands, then more free lands for your puny conquests." a snarl follows. "I don't care about 'owning' land. Land is for everyone, but I have marked this territory as my hunting grounds. The way I see it, if I run into you out in the wild, you will be prey. And prey... gets eaten."
Two red eyes are seen at the edge of Dris's darkvision.
|
|
Well, Sir-Spits-into-the-Wind, you were almost reasonable there for a moment. You have plenty of prey to choose from without attacking my people. If you would simply abide by a promise not to harm elvenoids...er, two-leggeds... we could happily leave you "to your own devices"
Last chance... swear not to hunt creatures on two legs... or do we settle this now?
Dris readies Levitate to propel her upward at the first sign of hostility.
"We could do better than that, by Erastil! Humans raise animals for meat, so we never have to go hungry. We could share, if we could have peace and cooperation.
To Drispeera and the others: "this seems an opportunity wasted, if we must fight. Intelligent wolf allies would be awesome! I mean, would be very useful in keeping the peace."
From the cave the voice responds "Hrm... no, little one. I promise nothing. What power do you think you have over me? I am not part of your silly cultures. Out here, we hunt or get eaten. If a pink-flesh comes into my cave, unarmed, then it is the order of things that I eat him. I have eaten my fair share of pink-fleshes in the past."
His speech seems to turn towards Kaeso now.
"But, if it makes you leave me alone faster, I can admit that you humanoids are smallest percent of my meals. Deer are a plenty, and much less stringy than you. Pigs, fatty and delicious, like sheep. Mmm Yes. I like pink-flesh's farm animals quite a lot. You grow them fat, and stupid. "
"Little man, I don't know who this Eras-tool is, but I like your propositions. I will agree to not hunt humanoids in these lands, should you provide food for my pack. We barely hunt for fun anymore, and if we did, why would we hunt humanoids, HAHAHA. No fun in that. Feed us well, and in return we will agree to leave your humanoids alone, and we can... patrol these lands for you... How does that sound?"
|
|
Hee, hee! Eras-T00L! -snicker-
Very well, we have an accord. Our people will bring you fatted cows and sheep and pigs. We will also refrain from farming on your hunting grounds--if you'll tell us where those boundaries are.
In return, you and your people will *not* attack my people, and you will patrol and inform us if two-leggeds come from another direction. Agreed?
-whispers to Kaeso, good thought there.-
Shouldn't we give our new friends here some means of telling us apart from others, Maybe a crest or something of our nation? I like a white stag on a field of purple? Wouldn't that be a pretty symbol for our kingdom? Ionnia said as she looked at Dris trying to figure out how this whole plan would work when the wolf clearly thought all bipeds as one creature.
|
|
Good thought, Ionnia. I am actually going to make my personal herald a White Unicorn on a Field of Scrumptious Blue. (Who you calling pink-skin, dog-breath?) Her fingers touch the strands of unicorn mane tied to her wrist.
We can discuss what the Kingdom's Herald is going to be. If you like the symbol of Eras-tool -giggle- as the symbol of our land, I'm sure the boys will be very happy.
She turns back to the suspected Worg, Meanwhile, it's pretty simple. Don't attack two-legged creatures. If they come from that direction, or that direction, points East and South don't attack, just report their movements to us.
"Fine, fine. All sounds well and good. No eating of pink-skins. No worries, I am not stupid. I can distinguish you lot."
From the shadows of the cave a large worg steps out, licking his chops for a second, then slumps down at the mouth of the cave.
"Now, if we are done here, I believe it is nap time."
"Or blue-skin pointy-ears. . ." says Kaeso, glancing at Dris.
To the others: "I'll ride up here with some livestock soon as I can. I have a feeling this will very good."
Wolf allies. That is so cool!
|
|
I'm not so sure of your eyes, old wolf. It is clear my skin is not pink. Nonetheless... After finalizing the details of where and when to deliver the lifestock, Dris turns back to her friends.
Well, shall we travel on? Isn't it nice we resolved that peacefully, Purrcy? Purrcy yowls in complaint. Turning to Kaeso once they're out of earshot You do know those are Worgs, right? They are NOT famous for being NICE intelligent wolves. If Norn was here they'd be setting off his evil-o-meter. Still, if they keep they're word, they could be very useful allies.
Continue East to the edge of the charter. If we're there already, then we'll turn South.
I agree Dris, if they disobey though we will have to punish them like any other sentient creature. I hope though we wont have to
The party continues east to the edge of their charter! The rolling hills of the Greenbelt continue on, but after exploring and mapping this hex, nothing else is found.
|
|
The group continues South along the edge of the charter, and then West, exploring the territory on our way back to the Tuskwater.
As the party sets up their campfire and settles down to enjoy another of Ionnia's delicious stews, Dris starts to speak, but seems atypically tongue-tied.
There's something I've been wanting to tell you guys for a while, but it never, um, seemed like the right time. I've overheard you boys guessing why my skin is this fabulous shade of blue, but you know, none of you ever actually asked me?
I was all ready with an answer too. I've got Fey blood. That's why I'm so good in the wilderness and with animals. And why I'm this spectacular color. That's the truth. But...
She gets unusually shy, ... it's not ALL of the truth. The rest of it is that I'm NOT a surface elf. My people come from underground, we're the dark-skinned elves, the Drow elves. Have you heard of them?
My people are kinda like the Worgs, we're kinda famous for being evil. If you ever see another dark-skinned elf, my best advice is to run. My Matriarch, er grandmother, is one of the nastiest and most ambitious. She's always breeding herself and her children with ANYTHING to breed more magical power. I've got cousins that are part illithid, or part undead, or part aboleth, or part demon, she shudders. Granny really didn't care what anything looked like as long as it had magical ability. One of my father's surface raiding parties happened to catch, and uh, force a Nymph. I never met my mother, she died when I was born.
My grandmother was so excited to add Fey Blood to the gene pool-- until I turned out to be useless as a Demonic cleric. All the girls in my family are powerful clerics, except me. Anyhow, I was about to be sacrificed in some ritual, until my father suggested I be tested for Arcane magic. *That* I was actually good at.
After some training, Granny sent me up here to get a foothold in the surface world. I'm supposed to claim a base of operations up here for when she's ready to conquer the Surface.
But, um, I don't want to follow her plan. When we got back from defeating the Stag Lord, and everyone was so happy to see us-- people were nice to me. I mean they really just liked *me*, for the first time ever in my life. People were actually happy to see me, even without sex. That's never happened to me before. I want to be a *good* leader. I want to keep our people safe and well-fed and prosperous in their crafts. I want our people to choose me because our government is good and fair, not because they are terrified of me.
Dris slows to look at everyone's reactions. But...if I *am* leader, it might cause some problems for our country down the road. So I wanted you guys to be able to make the choice. She looks down. If you want me to leave, I'll understand. I'll go. Her eyes start to well up with big blue tears.
Interesting Ionnia pauses and looks at her blue skinned friend and smiles.Look Dris I my self have always striven to judge people based on their honest reactions of there heart, When I see you I see a friend and compatriot first and anything else is second. So in essence I care not what insults may be hurled at you, as for your record with the people you have already proven your general good will to make the life of our fledgling kingdom and all its inhabitants to be safe and not for your personal gain but from a heart of concern. I see no reason not to dethrone you, Besides your my friend and just remember what ever else happens I will never stop being your friend."
As the party travels south and west, the plains have been very forgiving. Two days later, they reach the Gurdin River. Normally quite deep along the majority of its length, the river becomes rather shallow here, creating a
navigable ford across its width.
Kaeso looks at Dris with a blank expression: "So, let me get this straight: you're _not_ evil?"
Then he giggles, unable to keep a straight face. "Alignment is as alignment does, right?" Then he gives her a big bear hug. "No worries!"
Dris slows to look at everyone's reactions. But...if I *am* leader, it might cause some problems for our country down the road. So I wanted you guys to be able to make the choice. She looks down. If you want me to leave, I'll understand. I'll go. Her eyes start to well up with big blue tears.
Bingo kneels down in front of Dris and takes her hand in his. "Now, hush, milady. You've proven yourself over and over. You are our leader. Besides, you're not the only one with secrets. I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone." Bingo looks into the fire for a time. "My name is not Bingo Underbough. My name is Kaleel. My parents were slaves in Galt who escaped when their master was killed. They became assassins in Daggermark. Their children, I and my three sisters, acted as lookouts and distractions during their assignments. My father's last job took him to Razmiran. He never came back. Months later, I returned home and was attacked by a priest of Razmir in his golden mask. I managed to kill him. I found my mother and sisters in the basement. They'd been tortured with blade and fame. I built a pyre for them and laid the priest at their feet. I lit the fame and left Daggermark forever. Now I seek for a way to get revenge. That is what I was doing when I was gone. Someday Razmiran may come looking for me."
|
|
Dris squirms in Kaeso's Bear Hug. Can't... breathe...
Then she looks at each of her friends and hugs each of them in turn. You are the best friends ever...
And Bingo, thank you for telling us about your past. It must be hard to lose family who actually... loved you.
Our fledgling land has plenty of room for new people. We will make it our creed that any slave that makes it to our land will be a free and equal citizen. And someday, I pledge to you, we will take the fight to Razmiran!
Thank you for believing in me. For now, I think it best we keep my heritage between us. I don't want to continue with this secret, but there are people, she wrinkles her nose is distaste, like those snooty elves in Kyonin, who think they're too good for half-bloods like Mornie-- and would stop at nothing to kill someone with my heritage. So for now, just spread the rumor about me being blue because I'm fey. It's true anyhow.
Now, let's go see what other adventures our land has for us!
She and Purrcy scout around the river bank, checking for dangers before crossing.
Ionnia looked at Bingo and Dris and smiled." I do not fear for me or the nation when it comes to your heritage or your past, I know that our land will be a strong and healthy one known to the area." She looks at them and smiles as she hums a few bars of a Shelynite prayer.
"Besides the Eternal Rose has blessed us, as well as Old One Eye. I think with those two guiding us and our people that our enemies will know we are not to be trifled with,....sorry I got a little carried away" she says blushing a bit as she than followed suit.
Much like the river crossing north, Dris looks around and looks like a natural ford, making it easier for mounted adventurers and travelers to cross across the river. Nothing peculiar stands out to the group, although some fishes are swimming upstream in the distance.
Kaeso looks around for a piece of parchment. "We should jot down the location of these fords. We will probably want to keep watch on natural attack routes."
"Seems a good spot for fishing, and possibly a community for the savvy settler" She says as she giggles "We could have them call it Kaesos' Point"