Valen rises and does his usual routine of cleaning up and checking his armor for any rust. He gives a brief look at his book going downstairs.
Seeing that Smith has not joined them, he gives Madeline a bit of quizzical look, but realizes she's a bit out of it. He heartily takes in the meal, pausing with nod at Alexa's question of departure. After the meal and a bit of clean-up, he goes to Babrick:"Thanks the use of your fine inn, Master Babrick. May the Grey Lady's blessing aid your establishment."
Following the others, he can't help chuckle as one of Alexa's errant twigs almost hits another patron as he sidles by on the way out. Finally, he makes it point to offer Madeline a hand to help her climb up on her pony - if needed. A night's rest has left him refreshed as they take to the road.
Madeline as well thanks the tavern keeper for their hospitality, complimenting him for the lodgings and the meal. The gathering of her gear leaves Madeline a little flustered but she manages to set things mostly straight upon her pony's back.
Upon receiving Valen's kind offer of gaining her seat upon her pony's back, she smiles and nods in thanks. Though the rather close proximity of the gentleman leaves Madeline blushing and looking a tad awkward. She coughs, huffs and other wise settles herself in ass the group prepares to depart on the next leg of their journey.
With the town receding behind them and what might pass for a pleasant day of travel Madeline's demeanor brightens.
She moves to shift her ponies walk to bring her along side Alexa. For a while Madeline actually watches the landscape as it passes the group by.
Alexa looks over at Madeline riding next to her:
It is beautiful land, is it not. We might not have oceans or seas or great hot deserts. But the land here is alive, and it would be more so if the unnatural taint left by the Whispering Tyrant did not still poison so much of this realm.
Survival: <-- if we need to find a path. I assume there is a decent road between the two large towns though.
Madeline smiles and nods, though it is a while before she replies.
"The deserts to the South, indeed the ocean as well. They have their beauty also." Madeline's eyes wander about the scenery.
"In the deserts...it is the hues which are different...Though, I think, there are as many shades within its pallet." Madeline sighs.
"I see these things perhaps as but a simple painter might. I have no skills or knowledge of the wilder world. My focus has always followed the scholastic." Madeline glances towards Alexa. "I am more akin to trying to work out the intricacies of machines. I...my passion is bringing to perfection the work my Father, and in some way my mother, started so many years ago far to the South. In the land known as Alkenstar." Madelin closes her eyes as her mind drifts back.
"There are many forces that care for naught but how they wish the world to be. Regardless of the costs, or the price that might be payed by others...." Her voice trails away, even as her features show her inner sorrow.
"Still..." She brightens and smiles to Alexa, "I thank you and your friend's hospitality for the other night. There was much more pleasure to be found in the company of said house than all of the seeming rancid bricks that were Tamrivena..."
Alexa think for a moment about Madeline's response:
Yes, if one treats nature kindly, nature will reward one with great bounty. Druids may seem to be rustic and backwards to many who live in the cesspool of civilization. But, the druids and farmers are the ones who have truly won. They have fresh eggs, plentiful grains and corn, animals which provide wool, milk and meat. And when they have finished their work, they can sit outside their homes and watch the beauty of nature. Animals playing, flowers growing, the wind blowing leaves from trees in the autumn.
I would like to someday visit other lands to see some of the natural wonders there, but the beauty that can be found even in a land such as Ustalav is really all that I need.
Madeline laughs, "I think that you will find, in other lands especially thoughts of the South, that the grass will always be greener in Ustalav." (^_^)
Valen listens to the women's conversation and merely nods as they travel. "It is hard for me to envision anywhere except the dense greens and fogs of Ustalav in my experience. Alkenstar sounds...stark but dynamic the way you speak about it. I imagine it must be an interesting place of its own."
At Valen's comment Madeline does smile. Slight colour comes to her cheeks and she does not look at Valen directly as she replies,
Oh... indeed it is. Miles and miles of rolling sands and scrub-grasses." She sighs, "Though the rains can bring an amazing;y beautiful carpet of flours for a time." Her gaze drifts off towards her past even as she looks out over the fields of Ustalav, though her mood darkens.
"Still...all places have their darkness. Here, it the threat of the unknown. There...it is the threat of people knowing too much..." And she says no more about the matter.
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You leave Tamrivena early in the morning while the streets are still clear of the daily pedestrians. While the guards on the northern gate give you a few strange glances, but otherwise do not impede your journey. About an hour outside of the city, the road north turns into a wide dirt path, one that appears well traveled, but not well kept. Weeds, cloaked in mists, flank both sides of the path. The road itself cuts through some rough hills and you can see, further north, a series of hills that promise to make this leg of the journey far more challenging than the roads to the south.
Valen will ask about Courtaud - again being curious about what they should expect. That aside, he does take some time to examine the books they were tasked with taking to Lepidstadt - since he's not had as much exposure to them as the rest of the group.
Also - aid another to assist Alexa on survival rolls, if necessary.
Alexa will stay out ahead of the rest of the group scouting. If it looks like we are getting into an area which looks like a good place for a trap, she will change form to that of an eagle and fly overhead scouting.
Alexa can only take animal form once, but can maintain it for 4 hours.
Perception:
Survival: <-- +2 from Valen aid another, remove if not applicable
Weehawk keeps to the rear of the group - looking back on occasion for signs of being followed, as well as casting his eyes from side to side.
Seated upon her pony Madeline is content to watch the scenery of Ustalav go by.
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The books There is no common references to these books that you are aware of.
After nearly eight hours on the road, your group starts to tire. A light fog - mixed with drizzle - rolls in from the west.
Valen looks at Alexa after her scouting trip with surprise in his eyes:"That was amazing - that eagle form," pointing in circle as he does. After a moment he seems to gather his thoughts,"Err...umm. Did you find anything interesting?"
Madeleine as well watches the Druidess become something else. Her eyes following the beautiful, winged form as it climbs into the sky.
Such wonder soon fades as the hours of travel roll on. As the weather changes again for the damp and cold, Madeline adjusts her hat and pulls up the collar of her coat.
Alexa returns to the group and ruffles her feathers before changing back to her normal form.
There is a clearing a little to the west. It will take a few minutes to get there as it is off the path, but there appears to be some vegetables and a places to get out of the weather. Should make for a safe place to sleep.
Valen nods and, looking around at the damp conditions, adds: "Sounds as fine as any inn right about now." He follows where the druidess leads them.
"Ooh, vegetables you say? I haven't had a nice vegetable stew in some time. Of course, unless one of you happens to be a better cook than I, it will be some time yet; my assistant back at the University made me swear to never attempt to cook anything more complicated than boiling water for my tea after the incident with the fire." Vaghn smiles wistfully. "I wonder how she has gotten on in my absence. My students, not to mention my cat, can be quite the handful. Not that many students bother to attend my lectures, mind. Not much call for studies of the arcane at a school dedicated to the mundane sciences, I'm afraid. Still, it will be good to see all and sundry when we get there, good to be back home, if only until we figure out our next step."
Looks like there were some onions. Not sure what else, but I am sure that I can find something, perhaps a rabbit for rabbit and onion stew.
After making camp, Alexa heads out and gathers food for the evening meal. Wild cabbage, red beets, onions and even a few elven tomtoes are in the mix. In addition, she manages to bag a plump rabbit to add some meat to the stew.
Enjoy all, not every part of this great land is as bountiful as where we are now.
She will also gather enough vegetables to hopefully provide good food for a few days before it wilts.
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Your group enjoys a nice stew, prepared carefully by Alexa and Valen. As the sun finally sets, a heavy fog rolls in.....
Survival rolls would work, as would Profession (chef) or Craft (cooking).[/ooc]
I think the same watches as before.
Valen - first
Vaghn/Weehawk - second
Alexa/Madeline - third/morning -- gives me time to commune with nature
Weehawk, in the fine tradition of warriors passed down through the ages, grumbles softly to himself and Mule about the rain.
Alexa!
He calls, the name coming out "Aleksee" in his thick accent.
Can ye tell if dis will only be a pisser, or some ting we nee ta be wary of? Gettin' caught out in de open during one of Gozreh's rages, is no a place to be
Madeline does her best to make herself 'reasonable' after a night spent in the 'wilderness'....
Alexa tests the air and scans the sky for any sign of how bad the storm may be, and how long it may last.
Survival: <-- no clue
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As if to answer Weehawk, the rain starts to come down harder. As your group looks up and ponders the grey clouds filling the sky, a crack of lightning crosses the sky with a loud crack.
Your morning travels are wet and slow going. By noon, the rain returns to a mere drizzle.
Late in the afternoon, after a short break to dry off some and eat, you hear the soft sounds of a flute in the distance.
Alexa attempts to discern exactly where the sound is coming from. Then she stealthily moves that direction to determine who, or what, is playing the flute in the rain.
Perception:
Stealth:
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Alexa heads back to the rest of the party:
Looks like a gypsy caravan. Perhaps traveling Varisians or something similar. I cannot see anyone playing a flute, but there are a number of people lounging about several wagons and wearing brightly colored clothes.
At Alexa's words Madeline immediately straightens her posture where she sits upon her pony, adjusting her clothes and hat as best she can to make herself more presentable.
"Should we be on our guard against such?" She asks.
Alexa shrugs:
I remember such groups passing through my village as a youth. I never spent much time with them or researching them, so I really couldn't tell you much about them other than that they appear to like bright clothing and flute music.
Knowledge(geography/history/religion): <-- I doubt any of these are relevant, but here is a roll if they are.
Madeline smiles, "They sound wonderful...and 'Folksy'..."
Valen's voice registers more at Alexa's update. "Varisian's perhaps? That would be an interesting site." A faraway look goes into his eyes, and he mutters something under his breath.
"Sounds like some fellow travellers on the road. An auspicious sign, I'd say."