Sugua Bran't |
" Well camping right outside would just be stupid, so the wild can't be worse and you have the benefit of tree cover. The Worse we might run into is a bear or one of those Plant things. Maybe another Troll, but we can beat it to death with a torch if need be. "
DM Tuyena |
Gonzo knows that mites are fey creatures and as such have a natural weakness to cold iron. In addition they're a subterranean species of fey. They also share a natural affinity with vermin and frequently use them to guard their lairs.
Gonzo isn't sure, but he can surmise, that perhaps the Mites revered the whiptail centipede when they found it, and resorted to sacrificing themselves to it to keep it well fed and on their side.
Over time this may have lead to the bizarre transformation the centipede obviously has gone through.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Gonzo the Magnificent |
Thinking upon Khargol's statement that night at the camp, Gonzo makes a connection, "That must be it! Mites are well known for using vermin to protect their dwellings, but what wasn't making sense was how they would've managed to procure such a powerful one, and there's only one explanation as to how the mites and that centipede could be living in the same cave: The mites must have some kind of pact with it, perhaps they provide sacrificial offerings as food to the beast in return for its protection. If that is the case, then perhaps it is best we move on to a less precarious objective and return once we have become more experienced in what we are dealing with here." His eureka moment randomly interrupting the peace and resting of the party.
Donovan of Restov |
As the group bands around a small fire for warmth, Donovan munches on cold biscuits and warm water and says, "So what is our plan of attack? Are we returning to the mites' den to try to finish that monstrosity, or striking off in some other direction?"
Vladimir Ducheski |
"I suppose we could return to try again, we would need to prepare better." Vladimir says in response to his friend's question.
"Arrows were mostly useless, fire was useless, and all but the strongest of strikes was mostly useless. Do any of the more magically inclined amongst us have anyway to temporarily enchant weapons? That may help." Vladimir asks shrugging, unsure if the suggestion is even a valid one.
"Did anyone who's eyes work better in the dark see any other routes to take within the warren? Or is marching straight back to the bug our only option, should we choose to go back?"
Sugua Bran't |
Sugua shrugs, " Nothing I could see. Probably only that way. It seemed like it didnt like getting hit. And it definitely got hurt so its not invincible. If I had figured out the fire didnt do much beforehand, I might have tried this out instead. " Sugua raising a longsword with a dull blue hue.
" Right tool for the right job and all that. All I can say is.. hit it harder. " Sugua rips into some bear jerky and chews openly.
Alphonse Calderon |
"Preperation would certainly be a great idea, these mites are fey creatures and it seems cold iron is needed to do signifigant harm to them. as for that centipede i feel that only a weapon imbued with the powers of the celestial realm would have any lasting effect on it. perhaps oleg could supply us with the weapons we could use against the mites at least. id say its high time we got better armed for the creatures that inhabit this region as it seems we didnt properly do so before ariving"
Donovan of Restov |
Donovan nods in response to Vlad's query. "I can temporarily grant magical power to a small number of weapons. I don't know if that will cut the hide of that beast, but it is possible to try. Some creatures, I've heard, can only be hurt by sacred weapons, and that is beyond my power."
Sugua Bran't |
Sugua snickers, " Most don't, at least you got those Spears like I had said earlier or the Trolls would have been a bit more annoying. Anything that can smack you around without getting close is always a hassle. "
Khargol Uzgurn |
"I can imbue my weapon with magical power, as well. Though I think presently the more important question is whether we will have to deal with that same beast again should we return or if it will have fled the mite's den for now."
Sugua Bran't |
" Maybe, maybe not. If it fled then we will likely have to deal with it later anyway. probably won't forget the beating if it is intelligent like you all said. I wouldn't be surprised if it changes by eating other things. We have to finish this job sooner or later. "
Khargol Uzgurn |
"I am personally an advocate for retreating a safe distance from the mite's den, resting and returning. If the centipede is still here, we can at least better prepare ourselves for encountering it. Avoiding fire magics, for example. If not, it will be no less helpful in finishing the clearing out of the mites that reside here."
Durielle Omenstar |
Durielle listens to the chatter even as Alphonse helps her attend to those wounded.
"Thank you for your help with this, Alphonse Calderon. I'm glad you have such skill. It will surely be needed more in times to come."
Sugua Bran't |
" Then we are in agreement, NOT in front of the cave. " Sugua grunting as he is getting bandaged tightly. " As far as spells, yeah Fire did nothing. I ain't an expert on that so the best I can say would be finding another way to hurt it directly or Indirectly. "
Durielle Omenstar |
As she finishes applying the bandage, Durielle pauses and looks at the gruff half-orc. It occurs to her that while they had been in close proximity before, this was the first time her illness had not been interfering with her perception and consciousness. Sugua looked...content. Despite all the death and his own near brush with it, the slayer appeared as one who was satisfied with his lot in life. His devotion to his god was near absolute.
A twinge of jealousy found its way into her heart at the thought. The oracle would give anything to understand what entity had cursed her with its blessing. Being able to understand one's purpose must assuredly bring the peace of mind that even now Sugua displayed. But was that all there was to his motivations?
There had not been any of his kind living in the small village where Durielle had once resided, and precious few had traveled through it as well. Seeing the tusked visage of Sugua, Khargol, and even the now departed Angor each day had been a shock at first. But the road from Brevoy had been long, and the elf had grown accustomed to them even as the three had displayed such wildly differing personalities. Very much had they disproved the many discriminatory notions that her small-minded village had whispered whenever a half-orc passed through on his or her journey.
Abruptly, Durielle realized she had been staring and felt the rush of blood heating her face, the rosy color so evident on her pale skin. Averting her eyes and finishing the knot, Durielle responds to the last thing Sugua said.
"If we camp nearby, is there a chance the centipede monster will attack us here? The much smaller variety are very adept at squeezing their bodies through even the smallest places." She gestures to the opening under the mites' tree.
Alphonse Calderon |
Concidering Durielle's question for a moment Alphonse responds "If the mites here keep its life comfortable then it likly doesnt stray from the mound so we should be safe if that assumption is correct. and because i hate assumptions lets be careful and move a ways away from the mound before setting up camp and post watchs through the night."
At the thought of a night under the stars Alphonse smiles a little, the wonders of a night sky are things he has always enjoyed. Turning for a moment to the party "I would leave it to the martially inclined to set up a watch cycle, advise me when it when it would be my turn to watch, my blood does give me vision that penetraits the dark if that makes a differance to your watch schedule"
Durielle Omenstar |
"I only worry as the creature has made threats against us if what was heard in our minds is to be believed. Who knows what means of healing this thing from the Abyss may possess."
Durielle sighs. "I'm sorry. I probably worry too much. It just always feels we are under prepared for these unexpected encounters. I'm still in shock we were successful in defeating those trolls so handily. It feels as if it was the first time since the bandits at Oleg and Svetlana's that we were able to turn something around without someone needing to be saved from death. One of these times, I will find myself drained of power, or I myself will be the one needing healing. I fear that in such a case so many more of you will meet Tomas or Morgrym's fate. My death is something I can accept, but the rest you...I would prefer to see you live even beyond my time here if I am doomed."
Khargol Uzgurn |
"Do not concern yourself too much, Durielle. If that centipede is to harry us again, we must simply get strong enough to overcome it in the meantime. I know that those of us skilled in the arcane have a spell that attacks with missiles of force, yes? Those would be effective against such a creature, I would imagine. Regardless, right now the best way we can be prepared for a next encounter with anything, not just that monster, is to rest and refresh ourselves."
"Life and death out here seems a strange thing, indeed...something that may be kept or plucked away in a moment. The priests would always try to teach that once life is given, it must ultimately be returned, else the scales will never be balanced, no matter what one does with the time they are given. But being confronted so many times with one's own mortality puts those lessons in a new light, to be sure."
Even so...fretting over when death may come for us is no way to spend our lives. Certainly I have no desire to speed death to me, but when it comes, it will come...it is an eventuality we all must face, sooner or later. That was another lesson from the temple of Abadar: there are only two certain things in this life; one of them is death."
Sugua Bran't |
Initiating Wall of text
Sugua had tried to stick his attentions towards the conversation at large but it became painfully hard to do so with Durielle's eyes seemingly piercing through his form, uncomfortably close to his face. He looked away as well or rather at the ground.
Both Durielle and Alphonse would have noticed if they didnt know he was well-muscled or strong, they did now. As they were going through the motions of applying the more mundane healing arts that the now armor-less and now topless half-orc was adorned with vibrant red tattoo and many scars. The tattoo started from his lower back curved up and around his neck reaching his shoulders in a zig-zag pattern. It then went down to his pectorals making a slight swirl before moving to his abdominal region and zig-zaging to his back once more. The newer wounds were quite deep and it was obvious that they should have killed him normally or at least the immense pain rendered him unconscious, yet he had continued to fight. That would seem odd. The older scars had healed in varying degrees, some puncture wounds that went straight through, others long gashes from the skin pigmentation.
The strangest feature was the fact Sugua had a patch of his skin covered with a bandage already. When the two healers sought to remove it Sugua grumbled a bit and looked away. They would have to inspect it for health reasons he knew but it wasnt something he wanted. As it was cut away the patch revealed a Scorpion tattoo in midnight black ink on his left pectoral.
Once Durielle began to speak and the conversation went on where she voiced an opinion to die but they live his hand reach up and... gently grasped the top of her head, more like.. a pat. He also lightly punched Alphonse in the shoulder. " Listen here. We will get something straight. If anything I would be dying before you Durielle-Elf. I havent forgotten you all have done. Why do you think I ran down there before the Centipede could jump on Khargol? Or stand at the front? Told you all to get long spears? If anything you should get used to the idea of me dying. I have made no friends here and I'm sure quite a few of you would like me dead. Which is fine, it wouldn't make any other day different for me! AHAHA! I do question however... if the creature was that tough why you healed me up, it was the perfect time to get rid of me if you wanted. "
Donovan of Restov |
Donovan sits near his old friend Vlad as the group rests.
"Funny how things came to this. Did you ever suspect we'd wind up out here, in the Greenbelt, this far from home? I certainly didn't. I mean, I knew -- of course -- that things were going to change after I left Restov, but . . . this isn't what I imagined. What about you? I figured that if you were going to put that sword to use, it would be settling slights in the city, defending the honor of maidens, that sort of thing. Certainly not traipsing around the wilderness fighting hell-spawned giant centipedes or . . . whatever."
Vladimir Ducheski |
Vladimir lets out a chuckle, hearing Donovan's initial question. "I would have never imagined something like this. I guess I had always assumed that I would have gone into the family business like my siblings, but after training those years with Master Mikalos, that simply was not enough anymore...I needed to find my own way, just so happened the opportiunity to receive the charter really put those thoughts into motion."
Smiling and with a wink, Vladimir says, "Oh do not be so sure, my friend. If we manage to do this right, there still may be plenty of time for settling slights and maidens. What was it you were hoping for in your life when you left with the old man all those years ago?"
Noticing the conversation across the campfire, but not really hearing the conversation, Vladimir whispers, "Don't look now, but it seems that Sugua, Durielle, and Alphonse have found some common ground. Just maybe this will all turn out after all."
Durielle Omenstar |
Durielle certainly wouldn't be able to say she wasn't fascinated with Sugua's body. The tattoos and the sheer amount of scars would bring a pain of regret within the even the most proficient healer. That part which always brought forth the empathy made inside anyone whose desire to help those who were wounded. If only I had been here when this injury had happened, they find themselves thinking absorbing the pain of mind that a healer feels when confronted by the failure of fate not to have been close at hand.
When Durielle feels Sugua pat her head, she pauses in shock. It was a surprisingly gentle gesture from one such as he, a force of combat few could equal. She raises her gaze to look upon Sugua's face once again, but this time a vision of his future burns an image in her mind and roars forth unbidden. Durielle sees the half-orc years from now leading a platoon of soldiers in battle against a foe threatening a kingdom forged in the wilderness around them. The soldiers' armor finely wrought and inlaid with a pattern of fire-forged steel mirroring the tattoo etched into their leader's skin. It was a bright and glorious image, and Durielle shuddered at the power of it. Frustratingly, this future was far from certain, but one which the half-orc was destined to have if he survived the trials of their exploration. His absence from the future was as correspondingly grim as his presence in it was glorious. The result of whatever sortie the oracle saw had no guarantee of success without the slayer present.
Without even realizing it, the elf reached out a hand and delicately touched Sugua's face. Her fingers were like a butterfly's kiss. So light on the skin, they were barely more than a breath on the wind. Words came forth then, louder than whisper, but only just so.
"No one here who calls themselves Good has wished your death, Sugua Bran't. Your destiny is far greater than to die ignominiously in the wilderness...or so it can be. We can all make it so. And a kingdom will flourish by our hands. A haven for those who love life...each in their own way."
The strange glittering light of Durielle's eyes seems brighter at that moment than it has before, but unlike Alphonse's aasimar heritage, not even slight illumination comes from them. The moment fades and Durielle's eyelids flutter slightly and her hand drops to her side. Swaying as if she will faint, her nose begins to bleed slightly, and she falls forward just catching herself from where she kneels next to the wounded slayer with her other hand.
Clousuk Sootscale |
Clousuk follows the others, only occasionally shooting them glances of disappointment (if such a thing could be identified on a kobold's face). After all the work he had put into capturing them, he had expected more from them. Even the two green scaleless had not performed to his expectations. Did they not realize what was at stake? Serving Chief Sootscale was the greatest honor one could possibly have... and failing him was the greatest disgrace. He would sooner let that nasty bug eat him alive than return to his tribe empty-handed.
He shudders again, the memory of the centipede still far too fresh for comfort. Its stare alone had been enough to make his scales crawl. That the mites had such a thing in their possession only increased Clousuk's hatred of them. He was eager to return with his minions and show the creature what-for... but only after taking a nap, first.
But naturally, things had to take a turn for the worst - with another glance, Clousuk beholds the elf nearly collapse. Too proud, perhaps too naïve to think twice, the kobold snaps.
"Clousuk says Clousuk, no falling here! Pointy-ear scaleless cannot serve Sootscale eating dirt! Chief Sootscale no need weakling!"
Donovan of Restov |
Donovan leans back a little bit and says to Vlad, "Well, I don't think the Greenbelt is necessarily the place to find a lot of maidens with honor in need of defense. Regardless, though, I'm glad that Master Mikalos' training paid off. Who knows? Maybe you'll become a Sword Lord in your own right!"
The priest glances over at the conversation between Durielle, Sugua, and Alphone, then looks back to Vlad and says, "I'm glad to see that we're seeing something in the Greenbelt that is not a problem solved by a sword."
Sugua Bran't |
Everything is Fighting, this is just a different kind of fight. Also Clousuk is all ' Shameful dispray! You rack Discprin! Kill Mitesesses '
Sugua catches Durielle though she had done well herself. He had reacted without much thought but the words she spun permeated the half-orc somewhat. Sugua had been rude, he knew it and was purposely so. Little in his experience did the half-orc have any interaction that wasn't brutal or physically painful. So the light caress was.. foreign to him. He turned a shade of darker green as his face twisted into an odd smirk as he reach into a pouch took out two flasks and gave her one while he began to drink the other.
" Well then.. I guess you can have this.. not sure why you are bleeding, but a potion tends to help. *cough* You know, you shouldn't touch an orcish man so gently like that.. He might get ideas. " Sugua let that hang in the air a bit, it was not often he was the one on the defense. " Don't push yourself, we will see if you are right about the future.. I don't think that far ahead "
CLW Potion: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
When Clousuk spouted out he reached for the Kobold and brought him lose, grinning, " That scaleless is the reason this one is moving around and killing trolls and mites. So that scaleless isnt weak if it keeps me strong. Ha, I didnt see you fighting that bug last I remember "
Vladimir Ducheski |
"I suppose we should all get a bit of rest if we are going to have another go at that bug. Any thoughts on watches for the night? I would imagine we would want Durielle, Sugua, and Khargol to get as much rest as possible, given the day's events." Vladimir says to the group as a whole.
Turning his attention to Sugua in particular, but glancing around the rest of the party for suggestions as well, "Any thoughts on a better tactic for dealing with that damned thing? Range wasn't doing much and melee seems borderline suicidal."
Donovan of Restov |
"I can take a middle shift," offers Donovan, "Though those are usually the roughest."
Sugua Bran't |
Sugua drops Clousuk and gives Durielle another glance before looking to Vlad. He obviously seemed disheveled by whatever he was thinking about, flexing causing the scorpion tattoo on his chest the imitate the stinger moving slightly as he adjusted.
He was quiet as he thought.
Durielle Omenstar |
Durielle finds herself clutching the potion Sugua handed her as her vision stops dancing. Her mind replays some of the last words spoken, and she blearily looks to the kobold bard after he was rather unceremoniously dumped in the dirt. She smiles and wipes her face with the scarf Khargol had given her what seemed weeks ago but was merely days.
"Durielle says Durielle, fear not, dear Clousuk. What weakness that is in me is made stronger by the support of my—now your—comrades. Scaleless they may be, but they are stout of heart and wish to see all succeed and live in concert aiding each other and bringing much glory to all." She gives the kobold a wink and places a pale hand on Clousuk's shoulder. "Even your destiny can be greater than you would expect if you can bring your tribe the respect it can gain from our service. We scaleless shall not leave your cause abandoned, Clousuk. Much honor can be had and shared by all of us."
Khargol Uzgurn |
"The question of what will harm such a creature is a good one. Allow me some time...I will see if I can recall anything now that I have some time to sit and think. Do not fear, my friends. There is no creature in this world that has no weakness. This one's shall be uncovered in time."
"In the meantime, I also will take one of the shifts as required. It is noble of you to volunteer yourself, Donovan, but no matter how much rest is needed, those of us whose eyes can pierce the darkness should at least help in the watch-keeping and there are enough of us we can post at least two watchmen in each shift. While we wait for our next assault on the mites, I will think on what I have learned and see if a weakness comes to me."
With that, Khargol sits and stares at the fire, thinking hard and deep about what he has learned in his studies of monster lores and histories. If it was a creature spawned of the pits, then what could they use that would truly damage it?
Donovan of Restov |
"Would you prefer to concentrate on this in isolation, Khargol, or would it be useful for us to compare our notes from our studies of various doctrinal records?" says Donovan.
Khargol Uzgurn |
"No, comparing notes is certainly helpful. Others may have noticed things that I did not...for example, some of you have mentioned the creature speaking? If it did so, I was unconscious for it. In what manner did it speak? What did it say?"
Donovan of Restov |
"It wasn't speech, so much as . . . an intrusion, a voice upon the mind, in the fashion of a demon or similar creature."
Clousuk Sootscale |
"Waaaaark!" Clousuk squawks, as the half-orc scoops him up. He flails around for a bit as Sugua lectures him, too taken aback to make any serious effort to escape. It is an exercise in futility, naturally, and he escapes only when he is allowed to. Dazed, he is quick to pat himself down, as though to make sure his scales were all intact. Rather than rebuke Sugua however, the kobold seems more interested in salvaging his dignity.
"Clousuk offer support, yes? Thought green scaleless like heavy lifting," he says, too proud to simply admit that there was nothing better he could have done. As he continues to pat dirt off himself though, the elf woman speaks out to him. He is surprisingly attentive to her words, cocking his head to the side and blinking. Perhaps he comprehends, even if he does not fully understand. What really stood out was that she used words like "honor," "glory," "respect" and "service." Perhaps she understood the position she was in after all?
"So scaleless Durielle grasp situation, yes? This is good."
Alphonse Calderon |
Alphonse was surprised to see Durielle manifest her powers, the tone in which she told Sugua of a future that may come to pass a tad eery to his ears and he could have sworn he could feel a connection to somewhere beyond flowing from her and speaking to his very blood. But the others seemed to think little of it or perhaps didnt hear it in the same manor as he did. speaking mostly to himself he is awed by her powers "Visions of what is to come. she is beautiful and has wisdom of things that have yet to come, this girl is like none i have ever seen..." realizing he is speaking out loud Alphonse quickly snaps back to reality and says "Sugua you certainly bear many scars indeed, id be glad to hear the stories for some of them at some point. your hardships seem much more vast after seeing the wear your body has gone through compared to the simple life i have had"
Turing towards the men discussing watch cycles "Green skins arnt the only ones who have dark piercing eyes, ill join a middle watch as i mentioned earlier and keep the company of whomever is decided to be up at that hour as well"
Durielle Omenstar |
"Durielle says Durielle, I believe I do, Clousuk Sootscale."
After speaking to the kobold, Durielle glances at Alphonse. She dimly recalls him speaking of her once again with quite flattering words. She feels a warmth that her companions were seeing her as powerful when she felt so weak. One day she hoped she would feel as they do about herself.
"Thank you for kindness," she whispers into the space between her and her companions not even intending for anyone to hear.
She then tries to help with relocating their supplies if they choose a different campsite and preparing a simple broth from roots and mushrooms she had scavenged as they walked.
Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
If anyone else wants to throw some Aid on there, we can get a rabbit stew going on that will feed everyone. So far I have myself plus two others. :-)
Gonzo the Magnificent |
Quietly taking in the events occurring in front of him, Gonzo seems intrigued, So this is what their like when they aren't questing about. An entertaining bunch, and more sensible than those circus clowns. Juggling random objects is only interesting for the first 10 minutes... His thoughts begin to trail off as he zones out for a minute or two.
The smell of food rekindled his senses, Oh, what a marvelous aroma! He chimes, looking around to find where it is coming from.
Once he spots Durielle boiling up the stew he trots over and takes a peak, "You cook too? What a talented lady, this smell is heavenly compared to the grub my old roommates use to scrounge up. What's in it, if you don't mind my asking?" His gaze genuine and pleased.
Sugua Bran't |
Sugua finally thought up after looking at all they had to offer and sighed from one strange situation into the other. " Yeah We'll watch I might have gotten hit a few times enough to kill a man three times over but it doesnt mean my eyes stopped workin. " Sugua sluggishly stands up, tenderly
" As for a plan well, all the ones I thought of come with... risks, luckily I'm pretty sure I can survive the plunge if need be. Ranged actually isnt bad but you need different arrows. That way we can test what hurts it out of what we can afford. You said it had some.. taint? I know some boys up north that fight some devils or demons or whatever. Thats why I got this longsword here. That might help. Might want to trade out who uses that Bow Khargol has, he has the pull strength but none of the accuracy. Durielle-Elf is.. well and Elf so maybe Vlad can let her borrow his. Just going based on the bugs actions it wasnt too confident about running away with two people right next to it, so closing distance is key. Basically, know our weaknesses and strengths and play to them. Now thats enough nice talkin for a while.. I'm gunna go help make dinner "
Sugua draws a dagger and goes off in the woods, a little hunting was good for clearing his mind.. he spoke too differently today.
Take 10 that will get us more meals so we are up to 6.
Alphonse Calderon |
taking 10 on survival should easily get the rest of the food the party needs so ill do that
Easily using his knowledge of plants and nature Alphonse procures some roots and nuts and anything else he can find and knows to be edible. The stew really looks to be coming together and it looks like they will have plenty to feed the group with so he doesnt push too hard at finding alot of foods. supplying Durielle with the goods he has procured he advises to their use "The roots will need to be cooked through thoroughly lest they be too tough to eat, these leaves ive gathered give an interesting taste to things if you wanted to add those and finally it seems ive found some fresh berries we can serve on the side. now if you all will excuse me i am going to meditate and clear my mind, call me when dinner is ready"
moving a ways away from the group, not completely out of sight but not completely in it either, Alphonse sits eyes closed and seeks to clear his mind, any of those watching would see his body rather still but his wings seem to shutter and move even though they can markedly remember never seeing those same wings move except for the wind. they shudder as if a creature stuck in chains is struggling to break free but lacks the strength.
Durielle Omenstar |
Durielle thanks everyone for their contributions and for Alphonse's suggestions. As Gonzo approaches with food on his mind, she answers his questions about ingredients based on what roots, leaves, and meats have been given to her by their companions.
"Just a little wild rabbit camp stew. Nothing that can't been done by anyone really," the lady says demurely.
Vladimir Ducheski |
Listening to Sugua's suggestions, Vladimir shrugs, "I am certainly not opposed to letting Durielle use my bow, but if the plan is for me to use Khargol's, I am afraid it is strung a bit too stout for me to use effectively. Now as far as differing arrows go, I do have a few cold iron and silver tipped, if we think that will make a difference."
Catching the scent of Durielle's stew in the air, Vladimir's stomach growls a bit in anticipation. "Whether it can be done by anyone or not isn't part of the discussion. It smells wonderful and I am sure we are all grateful for your work." Vladimir says with a smile.
Durielle Omenstar |
Steam from the stew rises up causing the wateriness and redness of her silver eyes' to become more evident as a result. Raising her head from her cooking at Vladimir's kind words, Durielle smiles and says,
"Well be that as it may, it should be ready, so everyone come and eat."
Sugua Bran't |
Sugua was the first to dig in and quite unceremoniously at that. He took the pot and poured it into the hard tack bread from his rations that he hollowed out like a trencher so that it absorbs the flavoring of the stew. It was something he learned to make even the worse, bland foods tasty. And ofcourse to not waste anything.
" Nah Vlad. I'll use the bow you two would regulate to the shortbows, That way if it gets close , I would drop it for Khargol to use and engage in close quarters combat, eventually the rest will be able to do so and Durielle-Elf has a better chance to harm it. The little Lizard Clousuk will help there too. "
Sugua breaths on the stew to cool it down practically starting to slobber, " This poor stew won't stand a chance.. too bad we don't have any potatoes. " As you see him raise his combined meal to his mouth and chew and slurp.
Donovan of Restov |
Donovan goes through his backpack and unties his bedroll, brushes some twigs away on the ground, and rolls it out. He removes his helm and shrugs off his scale armor with a bit of effort, and then sits on the ground next to the armor. He spends the better part of a minute simply sitting there, staring off into the distance as if his mind is somewhere else.
Finally, he rises slowly to his feet and joins the line to have a small helping of stew. "Thank you, Durielle," he says as he takes a portion. He then takes the stew and heads back to his spot on the ground, where he settles back into a seated position without any further commentary.
Clousuk Sootscale |
Clousuk sniffs at the stew curiously, before raising it to his mouth and drinking it straight from the bowl. He noisily slurps it down, leaving an empty bowl in a matter of seconds. At Sugua's mention of his name, he speaks up again.
"Clousuk says Clousuk, Clousuk will use mighty voice to empower minions, as he did against ugly green giants. Voice just need rest, yes? Clousuk's magic should return as well."
With supper out of the way, the kobold pulls out the charred troll tooth it claimed earlier, fiddling about to make an impromptu necklace out of it.
Khargol Uzgurn |
Khargol somewhat in contrast to Sugua, was measured in his eating habits; though he ate hungrily, he was silent for a moment beforehand, head bowed and eyes closed. "Thank you, indeed. An excellent meal." he chimes in, though his controlled eating otherwise gives no indication of his enjoyment of the meal.
Once his stew is about halfway finished, he pauses, then looks to the others. "Back in the city, there was a great deal of focus on combat-at-arms, particularly the sword. It was a needed, useful skill at the time. But out here, with the things I have experienced to this point...I do not see it as useful as once I did. When we return to Oleg's and moving forward from here, I will work to train myself with the bow. We do not have any who are true masters of the weapon and I find, more and more, that it would be extremely useful out here. It will take some time, of course, but I hope that I will one day find myself in a more advantageous position and placement in our team than I presently find myself in."