Mange covered and nearly wasted away to nothing a panting dog, plods down the road. It heads toward the shade offered by the Border Wood. Finding little comfort in the forest as the heat of the blasting sun has reduced the wood to little more than dry kindling, the poor beast settles down to rest in the marginal shade. Several hours pass...
Suddenly out of the clear azure sky, snow begins to fall. The temperature drops drastically. The dog startled out of its siesta, rises and shakes the light dusting of snow from its coat, relishing the cold winds and falling snow. It moves deeper into the snowy Border Wood.
The iron shod wheels of a carriage roll by the abandoned snow drift...
"So this is Heldren."exclaims Mayumi Sasaki, reaching to her full height with arms outstretched. The young woman has just arrived in town from the north, having spent the last week walking from Oppara. The dust of the road coats her tight studded leather armor, which she has open to a nearly indecent level. The crossbow attached to her pack and the bolt case on her hip, show regular use. I wonder what there is to do here other than sleep. They don't even have a bounty board. That looks to be the tavern.
Mayumi heads towards the tavern, looking for if not a cool drink at least some shade.
The midden heap behind the stable begins to bulge and shift. Suddenly a burn scarred hand plunges forth into the clear warm air, followed slowly by a head covered in burn scars and patchy red hair. Filth falls off this short figure as a gnome in what should have been an impressive trench coat hops the rest of the way out of the pile of refuse and horse droppings.
"Ooohh... My head. What did I drink last night..."says Rizz. Dusting off his clothes and half diving back in the pile to rescue a battered book, Rizzickiel heads towards the tavern. "Hair o' da goblin dog is what I need."
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A mass of seemingly cobbled together armor marches down the road into town, leading an obviously tired horse by the reins. Its figure or features are indistinguishable beneath the metal, yet its hand strokes the chin of the helmet in a universal sign of deep though.
Faux did not understand what they were doing wrong. Three towns and six taverns had offered not a single quest nor noble endeavor to speak of, not even a dragon raising trouble among the herds. This was all highly irregular. After all, this was Taldor, by Faux's understanding, every knight worth their salt came here to prove their worth. No matter, Noble is tired and the town is just ahead. Surely tenth time is the charm.
Without further ado, Faux makes a beeline to the local tavern. After handing off Noble Steed to the first stable boy who presents themselves, Faux throws open the doors to the tavern and announces:
"...Please?"
A short elf, dark of hair and brown of eye, arrives on the southern edge of town, slightly bedraggled from his walk to the edge of town from the ferry that had dropped him off at the Jalrune river.
A proper small village, should be more fitting to me than the large city of Absalom and... he stops himself from finishing the thought.
He keeps an eye out for a place to stay and shortly finds himself in the first tavern he spots. Perhaps something interesting will... that thought trails off too, as he watches the knight figure enter the room and make his request to quest.
Standing up, he finds the seat most near Faux the Errant, "I just arrived in town, and if anything interesting is going to happen... I judge it's going to find you first. Would you mind if I waited for it with you, good sir?"
He then orders two drinks, and slides one to his new acquaintance.
Interesting?! Mayumi looks up from her overly warm beer, and with intense eyes, looks Faux and Hazé up and down. What is that idiot doing wearing that much metal armor in this weather? The elf is sort of cute... Maybe I ought to talk to them.
With a quick gulp of her beer, she abruptly stands up and approaches the table. "Mind if I join you gentleman? This town is boring as dwarven silvermine with no silver, and I might have overheard that you are planning for interesting." says Mayumi, attempting to put a bit of pout and more than a little sultry in her voice.
Faux nods the helmet towards the new entrants to the table. Aha! An excellent first step present themselves. Faux retrieves a straw from their pack, slipping it into the offered drink, and shifting it into the dark confines of the helmet. A slurping sound echoes. Shifting towards the new companions, Faux offers a gauntleted hand to shake.
”I thank you, good sir and lady, do you seek adventure same as I? Glorious! I am soon to be Sir Faux the currently Errant. Who might you be?”
Reaching out to shake Faux's hand, "Mayumi Sasaki, Monster Hunter. I'm no lady, but I'm pleased to make your acquaintance Sir Faux. The Errant?" She also attempts to make eye contact through the openings in Faux's helmet.
He is a strange one. I don't think I've ever seen anyone sip beer through a straw.
"My good sir, don't you find this weather particularly warm for such heavy armor?" questions Mayumi. She shifts her body to display just a bit more of her womanly assets, coming dangerously close of falling out of her armor all together.
He might be a dwarf under all that metal. They seem to live in their armor up north...
"Hey girlie, if you lean over anymore, them love pilla's o' yrrs gonna fall right outta that jerkin. When they do, kindly turn them this direction, so I can get a proper viewin'." comes a raspy voice from the far corner of the room. A burned and scarred gnome sits off to himself, nursing a flagon nearly half as tall as he is.
"I believe Sir Faux is alluding to his seeking of the grandiose adventure." Haze offers, his knowledge of noble houses being somewhat useful in this conversation.
Mayumi's efforts to display her cleavage do not change his demeanor, "A monster hunter? Are there monsters in these parts to hunt?"
At the sound of the voice from the corner, he spins on his bar-stool, and offers the gnome a nod. No competition from me, small friend....
"It appears we three are here seeking something. Perhaps one of us will find it."
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Not a breath of air stirs in the high mountain clearing. At the meadows center kneels a dark skinned man with shaved head. Around the clearing are hundreds of small delicately carved songbirds. The mans hands deftly work to create another. He's been seeking his Ladies guidance for weeks, perhaps with this offering she will whisper a direction, a purpose to her humble servant. As he finishes his latest offering it begins with the ghost of a touch on the back of his neck. Soon the slight breeze grows into a zypher pushing him to the east. "As my Lady wills it." He dutifully gathers his meager belongings and the small carved songbird that has pleased his Lady and sets out following her guidance...
...ahead a small town comes into sight. The unerring wind has guided him to this destination as surely as a ship upon the ocean is driven to its destination by full sails. As the man walks down the towns Main Street, if it can be called that, the strong breeze at his back suddenly turns to buffet his face. Stopping dead in his tracks the man surveys the building before him. The universal sign of a tavern blows in the now cold wind that guides him to toward the door. "As the Lady wills it." The man mutters as he reaches for the door knob...
...a last gust of wind pushes Zypher into the crowded common room and directly into the ample bosom of lovely young woman with reddish brown hair. "Forgive me my fair maiden, it appears that the Lady Sheyln has seen it fit that I make your acquaintance. I am Zypher, and you are?"
”A monster hunter? Splendid! You must share with me your exploits, Lady Sasaki. And what is a little heat but a test of a knight's mettle?” says Faux, shaking Mayumi’s hand over enthusiastically. ”And you, Sir Gnome! You share the same wicked tongue and scarred visage of Sir Quadrani III, surely a good portant. Come sit with us, let us share in names and beverages.” Another noisy slurp ends the announcement.
Faux then turns all attention towards Haze, leaning in perhaps uncomfortably close. ”And I am very interested to hear what you are seeking as well, Sir Elf. Might the object of your desires be something worth a valorous quest to obtain?”
Faux’s inquisition is interrupted by someone's new chestful of Slyph. Faux’s gauntlets make a grinding noise as they are rubbed together in a sign of excitement. Yet another curious soul, surely with this much excitement a quest is bound to happen.
Faux turns to the new arrival, backing off from Haze. “Greetings!”
"You, my metal skinned friend, are full of vim and vigor." the elf sips on his ale, Why a straw?
"I seek to rekindle mine, and find the joy of stories meant for the very young. I am known as Hazé."
Will every minute here bring some new and strange person to this tavern?
Hazé orders a few more ales, one for each of the people standing at the bar, and the filthy gnome. "Are you like to join us, dirty one?" he asks, his voice not raising above a normal volume, but directed across the room.
With a haughty stare, that is almost sharp enough to slice an adamantine weapon in twain, Mayumi hisses at the gnome,"Quite you!"
Turning back to Sir Faux, all sweetness restored,"Yes, Monster Hunter, though this region of Taldor seems distressing clear of foes for me to test the sharpness of my bol... umph," begins Mayumi, as a sylph face-plants himself in her dangerously exposed bosom.
The shocked and now seriously blushing young woman, hastily adjusts her outfit. Then eyes the new visitor closely. Careful Mayumi, the followers of Shelyn have silvery tongues. With a wicked grin, she mumbles,"and know how to use them."
Bowing slightly to Zypher, "Greetings, I am Mayumi Sasaki. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Rizzickiel, watching the events unfold and borrowing some manners from Faux slurps as noisily as he can from his majestic stein. When Zypher joins the group in such a glorious fashion, he nearly chokes on a mouthful of Three Devil Ale, spluttering and coughing. It was that easy?? All I had to do was pretend to trip and i could have groped them beauties...
"How was it lad? Were they as glorious to touch as they are to look at?!"crows the dirty little gnome, "and as to joining you, as long as you're buying, despondent one."
Why are so many thrill seekers in such a backwater town in one moment?
"... and what is it that you seek Zypher of Shelyn?" Hazé asks.
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As if nothing untoward had occurred Zypher stands tall and bows low to the assembled adventurers.
Matching Mayumi's wicked grin with one of his own Zypher begins"Greetings fellow leaves upon the wind. I seek that for which I have yet to begin looking for. I hunt for he who I have yet to become. The wind wills we walk this winding way, it can be no other."
"Strangeness abounds."
Hazé raises a glass to no one in particular and takes a drink.
"Respect is fleeting and fickle, just as your patron's attentions."grunts Rizzickiel. With a long, noisy last slurp, he sets his stein down, stands up and marches out the door, and with one last rude hand gesture towards Zypher, exits.
I must figure a way to make that pretty boy pay for his effrontery.
As the gnome storms from the premises, Faux’s mind whirls. A clashing meeting of bold personalities. One marches away, but once memories are made... Perhaps a future tale is to be spun from this setback.
Upon Zypher’s question, Faux’s attention snaps back. “An excellent question, Sir Slyph!” Standing, Faux digs furiously through their backpack, echoing a satisfied noise as a crumpled, aged map is pulled from the luggage. With a clank, the parchment is slammed onto the table, with no regard to any mugs still placed upon it.
Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the area can see that the map is centuries is out of date, but is covered with recent markings whose origin is easy to decipher.
Faux’s finger slams upon the parties current location, an area marked “Sweet Spot?”. ”Given the lack of excitement I’ve found thus far, the arrival of an obviously blessed vagabond, the presence of a lovely monster hunter, and the solemn searching of someone as long-lived as our Sir Haze here; something just must be happening. That’s how the world works," says Faux with unassailable certainty.
Faux turns to stare at each of the table members in turn, intent ill conveyed through the helmet.
“Thus, we must certainly search this quest out! What say you all?”
A bespectacled, fit youth, barely sixteen winters from the stubble on his chin, walks into the tavern eying the crowd. The snap of the metal tip to his snake-headed cane a shocking cadence to his otherwise calm appearance. The long leather overcoat seems to be a mixture of elegance and function; well made with an abundance of pockets that strain to contain their contents. A crisp and bleached cravat lies impeccably set upon his gray shirt, a bronze clasp stylishly holding the necktie in place. Bloused brown trousers tucked into his thigh-high riding boots mark him as a seasoned rider, if not a professional courier but the road does not seem to cling to him on this day.
He walks around the room addressing the other patrons in quiet tones, leaning in to speak with them as a confidante would. Occasionally he hands a sheet of paper to those that don't dismiss him outright, but it seems that most of the patrons of this establishment want to return to the imbibing of their libations or they aren't buy what he's selling.
Finally the man begins to walk slowly towards the gathered group.
"Well then," he says in with only the barest hint of a Chelish accent to his otherwise crisp Taldan, "by the look of you all you might just be the type of people I'm looking for on this fine day. I'm seeking those of stout-heart, sound mind, and with bravery in their soul. Would you be interested in joining me in my investigations into a matter of great importance?"
"Ooo! Sir Faux, you demand a quest and it seeks you out! You must be destined for greatness!"squeals Mayumi with delight, clapping her hands together. Finally, something other than boring taverns and dusty roads and its important too!. Turning quickly to the well cravated young man,"Yes. I am very interested in matters of great importance, especially if I can fill something full of crossbow bolts!" Pausing a moment, as a thought hits her,"Though other sort of investigations could be fun as well..."
"It certainly seems like you've come to the right place at the right time, Mr... Haze's voice trails off with a questioning look.
"What are you investigating?"
I've got nothing better to do... and if I'm going to find a thrill anywhere, these adventurers seem like they're out to find it.
Faux is silent for a pregnant moment.
”...really?”
Another moment passes before Faux explodes into cacophonous noise and motion.
Come, come, my young friend, sit down,” says Faux, offering the new entrant a seat, attempting to flag down a tavern employee in the same motion. ”Please, some food! And another round of whatever we have been imbibing! And you, Sir Human, must tell me of this quest, or, I’m sorry, “investigation” as you call it.”
Faux leans the helmet unreasonably close to Vaethic’s face, allowing him to meet a set eyes through the visor. The orbs glow faintly golden within the dark of the chamber, sclera unnaturally veined with the same color as the irises. ”Will there be danger? Excitement? Monsters to slay? Innocents to save? Accolades to earn? What exactly are we seeking?”
A single eyebrow raises on itself on Hazé's countenance as the knight gets close to the youth. Too close. A knight should know etiquette, shouldn't they. No noble person would allow such proximity in public.
The raised eyebrow lasts only moments before Hazé's faces again take on on a placid demeanor. "How old are you Chelaxian?" Hazé asks the youth. "How did you come by your matter of great importance?"
Faux is silent for a pregnant moment.
”...really?”
Another moment passes before Faux explodes into cacophonous noise and motion.
Come, come, my young friend, sit down,” says Faux, offering the new entrant a seat, attempting to flag down a tavern employee in the same motion. ”Please, some food! And another round of whatever we have been imbibing! And you, Sir Human, must tell me of this quest, or, I’m sorry, “investigation” as you call it.”
Faux leans the helmet unreasonably close to Vaethic’s face, allowing him to meet a set eyes through the visor. The orbs glow faintly golden within the dark of the chamber, sclera unnaturally veined with the same color as the irises. ”Will there be danger? Excitement? Monsters to slay? Innocents to save? Accolades to earn? What exactly are we seeking?”
Interestingthisoneseemstobeaexhuberantone. Hmmmmthearmorheiswearingseemstobenew, clearlythemarkofauntestedwarriorbuthisexcitementisrefreshing. Thehuman, no, accentsuggestsTianormaybeMinkaianbutdefinitelynothuman,somethingelseperhaps sheisclearlyinafightitormatewithitmode, curious.
"I have been commissioned..."bestnottorevealthesourceyet, beobtuse."well, that is to say I have come by information that a lady of some regional renown has been assailed somewhere here in bucolic Heldren whilst in-transit to her domicile in Oppara. Concerned local parties are quite distressed and forthwith require the heretofore succor. Wouldst that be amenable to you coterie?"
"How old are you Chelaxian? How did you come by your matter of great importance?"
Vaethic turns and regards Hazé for a moment, a look of disdain dances across his face for but a moment before he composes himself long enough to to reply.
"You get good marks for your astute aural observations, sir, but I am afraid that you've fallen into the role of the country-bumpkin uneducated... well the role of someone who is unaware of the verbal nuances. I am carrying a Chelaxian cane, but I am a Chelish man - a subtle but distinct difference. I'm sure that you'll understand the difference someday. As for your former query, I have seen and remembered sixteen winters pass and have reached and been recognized as attaining the age of majority, as defined by the Taldan Primogeniture Convention 4126 A.R., this year - eighteen years of age. The manner in which I have come by my information is of a proprietary nature. Until you accept this invitation, the interested parties will avail themselves of the shadows; however once the proffered summons has been heeded, my clients need for obfuscation will no longer exist and all will be illuminated."
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"Come now friend Haze, give the lad a chance. After all, experience comes not with age but rather with experiences and by what the lad says he surely has had an experience of note."
Is this quest that which my Lady has led me here to discover, I must meditate upon this.
"Upon this question of answering this summons I must meditate."
Zypher tucks his legs beneath him in a lotus form while still sitting upon his chair. No sooner than his eyes close a gust if cold wind batters the door open.
Zypher quickly stands, "The Lady wills it. When do we leave?"
”Immediately!”
Faux begins clanging around the table, collecting the map and packing away any loose gear. When the food arrives, Faux horrendously over pays for it before unceremoniously scooping it up; plates, bowls, and all.
I can’t believe how well this is going. Not only have I not been chased out of town nor offered work as a scarecrow, but a quest has found its way to my table. Things are finally coming together.
”If we are in search of a fair damsel in distress, haste is historically paramount. I trust our loquacious friend will be able to guide us to her last probable location. Tell us the rest on the way, Sir Human,” says Faux, careening towards the door. They pause in the threshold, turning back to the party, straw now connecting helmet to a mostly spilled bowl of soup, and asks, ”How many of you have horses?”
Hazé brushes some of the soup spray from his cloak unceremoniously, "I came by river, I find myself without a mount."
Swept up by the day's conflux of strangers, he follows the knight out. Let's see if this mystery woman will sate my needs.
Vaethic scratches his thin chin-stubble beard for a moment in quiet contemplation.
Themonasticbrotherequatesnaturalphenomenaasasignfromhispatrondeity, curious. Wouldthatthewindalwaysbaretheanswersthatweseek. Theelf, heiscurtandterse; perhapsIwastooharshinmycritiqueofhisverbalaccumen. Agentileapproachisneededinthefuture.
Vaethic snaps from his reverie with a shutter and offers his hand and a shallow bow of his head to the gathered group.
"Vaethic Brombly, Itinerant Inquirer of Intriguing Inexplicable Incidents.
Forgive me for bypassing the social niceties usually due in transactions such as these, but my employer would most appreciate our haste in this matter. Please, if you will, follow me and make your introductions as we go. If you are indeed concerned about the typical social contracts wherein unfamiliar persons need divert all mental acuity towards the speaker, so as to gleen all that need be learned in a limited time, please take comfort in the fact that I am listening, quite intently, and will most assuredly recall any proffered personal information as if it were being scribed on a web of æther and kept here," he gently taps the side of his head with a gloved finger,"for future use."
Vaethic leads the group out the back door of the inn, you are struck by a strong breeze that chills you to the core, and while the sky is clear you feel like a snowstorm is brewing. You cross the backyards of the Silver Stoat Tavern and over to the back door of the the Willowbark Apothecary.
With a rap from Veathic's cane, the door is opened quickly by an elf woman with a hint of loss and sadness in her face. "The patient is with May... umm... Councilor Teppen, please come in and follow me to the spare room." The elf leads you through what appears to be an alchemical laboratory, through the house to a pleasant room in the front of the house, decorated with a light, airy, flowery motif. On your way through the house and shop room, every shelf and surface appears to be covered with alchemist's fire.
In the recovery/guest room, lying propped up on the bed is an Ulfen man, with lots of dark splotches on his hands and face. He is bandaged and talking with a tall severe woman, in very sensible clothing. As you enter the room, the woman turns to the group and addresses you,"Greetings gentlemen and lady, I am Councilor Ionnia Teppen, head representative of Heldren. I've asked young Vaethic here to acquire a small group of capable individuals to mount a rescue mission. A peer of the realm, Lady Argentea Malassene appears to be captured by bandits and a group of strange wintery creatures. As strange as it seems, she was taken when here caravan ran afoul of snow drifts near the Borderwood. Yuln Oerstag, here can fill you in on the details of the attack, as he is the only survivor besides the Lady Malassene. Heldren is incapable of dealing with this issue on it's own, and I would request that you rescue the Lady and eradicate this bandit presence in the woods. I must be off to compose a letter to Oppara to report this incident."
Along the way, an observation strikes Hazé. I"s your alliteration intentional, Vaethic? Once, when I was a young wisp of an elf, my mother berated me for making light of a spectacle wearing friend by calling him four-eyes. Have you intentionally donned a title by which you can be known as five Is?"
Hazé listens to Ionnia story. "A damsel in distress? How does that strike you, Sir Faux?"
”In the act of saving damsels, I prefer to be doing the striking,” Faux say, giving Haze an appreciative nod.
Faux takes a knee next to the bedridden Ulfen. In Lady Alister's Code to Courtly Conduct, she called for caution when dealing with wounded knights, lest pride lead them to foolish deeds with incapable bodies.
”Sir Oerstag, I commend you for your valiant effort defending for liege. However, now is not the time for accolades. Tell us everything that happened, leave nothing out. Tell us especially of these cold creatures and this unnatural winter. Any detail could be important for Lady Malassene’s survival.”
After that, I ask that you to leave it to us. No heroics in your condition. We will have your Lady back.”
“Would that I could go with you,” the large yellow haired man says.“My ancestors would ridicule my lack of valor for fleeing rather than fighting to the end. But I faced enemies that even the greatest warriors in the Linnorm Kingdoms have faltered against, though I think I slew at least one of them before they dragged Lady Argentea away.”
“We thought they were just bandits at first—outlaws who hide like wolves in the forest. They were no match for us. But then came the cold fey of the north. They appeared among us and the battle turned quickly. My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to meet them this far south." says Yuln.
He pauses a few moments to catch his breath and continues,"They took Lady Argentea into the forest, back through the ice and snow. Beyond that, I don’t know. I followed as far as I could, but the winter-touched were too many and too hard to fend off in the snow alone. I barely escaped, and rode to seek help here.”
As the story ends, Yuln coughs weekly, then gestures for the large mug on the table.
Quickly springing over to the table, Mayumi grabs the mug and places it into Yuln's hands. Then she asks, "These cold fey must be fearsome creatures indeed, to harm such a warrior as yourself! We must face these winter-touched? to rescue the Lady, what can you tell us about them to make them easier to defeat?"
As Yuln speaks, Vaethic's eyes dart back and forth over the Ulfen's imposing frame, examining the foreign warrior for tell-tale signs of deception.
Fey,winter-touched,hmmm...
Pupils-normal,heartrate-increased,butthatisprobablyduetohiswounds, bodymovement-normal,gaze-intense.
Hewishestodieinbattlebutchosetoleave, curious. Nowthen,let'saddalchemicalcomponentstothisone'sfireandseethecomingreactions . Thatmayprovemostusefulandinsightfulintothisone'scharacter.
Vaethic ceases his observations and withdraws his note taking equipment from his pack. "My good sir, you say that upon first encountering the aforementioned creatures it was your assessment that they were simple brigands and not a force organized by these fey creatures. Can you tell me what it was that lead you and your compatriots to said judgement? Secondly, as evident by your sole presence, your mercenary company was slain to the man, and yet here you are - what was it, pray tell, that allowed you to escape whilst your valorous brethren honored their commitment and died in service to Lady Argentea?"
Winter fey as they are sometimes called are various forms of fey creatures such as pixies, atomie, and sprites, have taken a magical ice sliver to their hearts to make them fiercer and more dangerous, it is rumored that the White witches of Irrissen are involved with this process. The fey are magically altered with increased restistance to cold, and possibly become more vulnerable to fire based attacks and magic.
Bandits are common along the roads of Southern Taldor and Northern Quadira. While the two countries have no love for each other, they both love the trade money, so there is much travel along these roads by many a caravan. Where there are caravans and merchants, there is sure to be highwaymen and bandits.
There should be a regional group to keep the bandits in check.
While the planes are interesting, you've heard that Baba Yaga installs a White witch daughter as the Queen of Irrisen and then disappears in her hut to travel the planes of existence.
There shouldn't be any snow in the Border Wood, and the icy breeze as you walked over to apothecary was very unnatural.
Yuln is telling it how it is, he isn't even exaggerating as a Ulefn warrior is likely too. He is conflicted over his duty to protect the Lady and the glory of death in battle. He decided that finding help for his Lady and living to fight again, was the right option.
Hazé nods to himself as the ulfen speaks. Has Fate finally decided to favor me? A chance to travel and realize the life of the storied heroes? Stories I could not stop reading as a child?
"Yes, what type of monsters have your charge?" Hazé asks, curiosity matching that of Vaethic and Mayumi.
"The Winter-touched are fey creatures who have sworn themselves to the White Witches of Irrisen, those who stole our lands from us during the Winter War. Tiny sprites no taller than the length of a man’s forearm. But don’t be fooled by their small stature. Legends say they have taken a sliver of ice into their hearts, and their touch bears the harsh bite of winter. The best way to defeat them is with cold iron and burning flame. Both burn them,and both are weapons they fear.” answers Yuln.
As he talks, you can see him fading fairly quickly, his injuries and walk into town through the night has worn him out. With a sigh, he offers, "My sword is how I survived, as it be made of cold iron, this did hurt the blasted fey greatly. Would you take my sword with you to avenge my fallen comrades and rescue my Lady Argentea?"
ColdforgedironnotasgoodassteelbutanathematothefeyifYuln'sstoryholdtrue.
"This type of iron has been known to cause grievous injuries upon creatures of the First World - here add this to our inventory."
Vaethic relieves Yuln of his sword and absently passes it back to whomever takes it and proceeds to lean down to whisper to the wounded Ulfen.
"Prithee stout warrior, before you find yourself in Desna's sweet embrace, could you elucidate upon your whereabouts so my compatriots and I might rescue Lady Argentea from the clutches of villians most foul."
Mayumi grips the sword and swings it about, very poorly. It is obviously to heavy for her. She straps it to her hip however and with a bow, exclaims in a strong Dwarvish accent,"Sir Yuln Oerstag! I will avenge thee and your fellows, and slay many a monster til our blood sings with the carnage!!!"
Yuln grins at the girl's excitement, then turns to gaze upon Vaethic not hiding his dislike of the uppity young "lordling". "Head south down the road about 3 miles, you can't miss the ambush site," says Yuln. "I assume if I draw you a map you could read it?"
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Zypher looks upon the proffered weapon with disdain. "My Lady provides the greatest of weapons. If you wish to travel as the wind, that is to say far and fast, one must divest oneself of all envies, unforgivenesses, jealousy, selfishness and fear. Come now, worry not of these items of the material plain, let us be carried by the wind.".
A look of paniced uncertainty crosses Zypher's face as he realizes the wind is strangely silent. Have I not done as my Lady wills?. Looking down at his belt pouch Zepher realizes that he has yet to fully release himself from his own selfishness. Taking a rather full pouch from his humble monks robes Zepher sets it uponYuln's bedside table with a loud clank of heavy coin. "May the wind guide those in need to this.".
Before he can question the sense of giving away his coin
This Zephyr character is noble indeed, a worthwhile companion for such a noble quest.
Faux claps the gauntlets together with a clang. "Splendid! We have a heading and great cause to rush to it," Faux says, rising to their feet. "It is as fair Lady Sasaki says, Sir Yuln, you shall have your Lady returned and your vengeance sated, that much I can guarantee.
"But first," Faux turns Councilor Teppen. "I believe our need for haste is self-evident, Lady Councilor, and though I greatly support my compatriot's flair for selfless charity, I fear a number of us shall ask for a charity in response. We will require horses."
Faux turns to Zephyr now, striding to meet him in the doorway. "For though I'm certain Sir Zephyr travels with such speed as to be looked upon fondly by his patron, I assure you my Noble Steed is faster still. Furthermore, it is very impolite to belittle a warrior's weapon so. I have often read that many seasoned knights find a good blade a far more trustworthy companion then all the fickle gods above and below."
Faux offers a gauntlet to Zephyr. "I look forward to discovering the answer to this dispute together."
"Head south down the road about 3 miles, you can't miss the ambush site, I assume if I draw you a map you could read it?"
"Why, yes. Given the proper description and geographical inclinations, taking into account the most likely path you took to arrive here to convalesce, the propensity for bandits to strike in rural areas, and the presence of a wreckage - I believe that we are most apt to find the ambush site,"
"My Lady provides the greatest of weapons. If you wish to travel as the wind, that is to say far and fast, one must divest oneself of all envies, unforgivenesses, jealousy, selfishness and fear. Come now, worry not of these items of the material plain, let us be carried by the wind.".
A look of paniced uncertainty crosses Zypher's face as he realizes the wind is strangely silent. Have I not done as my Lady wills?. Looking down at his belt pouch Zepher realizes that he has yet to fully release himself from his own selfishness. Taking a rather full pouch from his humble monks robes Zepher sets it uponYuln's bedside table with a loud clank of heavy coin. "May the wind guide those in need to this."
Vaethic looks upon his monastic companion and his eyes widen as the pouch hits the table.
Whatinthenameofallthatisempriciallyprovableisthiswindsweptmonkdoingwithallt htgold? Judgingfromtheweightandsizeofthepouch...
...thatlookstobeaboutonethousandpiecesofgold!!!
"Well then. It seems as though our 'brother' wishes for your speedy recovery, Yuln of the North." Vaethic sets his heels with a militaristic precision, turns to the Apothecary and says flatly, "Mrs. Willowbark, I am most certain that this offering is for Yuln's recovery and well being. Please see to it that all of Zephyr's coin goes towards Yuln's care. Should there be an excess of coin remaining after Yuln's care would that you treat any survivors that we may find as is the right, just, and honorable deed. Should we not find any survivors I'd suggest that remainder of the cache be distribute amongst the various shrines and faiths here in town."
There,thatshouldendeartheknight-wannabe,themonk,andtheapothecary.
"We will require horses."
"Nay, sir." Heh,pun. "Light's Light Laughter brought me to this bucolic paradise, and she shall take me ever forward into our investigations into this heinous act of cowardice on the part of these fae-inspired highwaymen."
"More alliteration?" Hazé asks the youth, expressionless. He turns his attention to the room gathering in general, his eyes glancing over the bag of gold as if it were just some other object in the room. "I will need a horse, or to ride upon another's. I can afford to rent my own if necessary."
He thinks shortly to himself, and then steps out to make arrangements for a mount.
exclaims Mayumi. Wow! That's a massive amount of money to just throw away... I should really convince him that giving money to pretty girls is the best way to handle that in the future...
"Horses don't like me. Do we have to ride them?" simpers Mayumi. "It'll take less than an hour to walk there."
Looking around at the group,"If Zephyr and I start running now, you fellows can get supplies and meet us at the ambush site!"
Mayumi unshoulders her backpack and with a curtsy, holds it out to Faux,"My pack however doesn't bother the horses."
"More alliteration?"
Vaethic smiles and chuckles for a brief moment as they are leaving the apothecary towards the adventure that lies ahead before saying, "The professional description's use of alliteration is intentional. When one is trying to evoke a sense of wonder and awe it is best to create a memorable and distinct phrase wherein a customer will recognize and imprint that phrase upon the bearer. Alliteration is a rather banal but effective method to achieve such results. The name of my horse, however, is simply following the naming conventions set forth by the Dortrot Ranch Studbook, which was founded and recognized as the primary horsebreeder of Lastwall's military, and thereby the standard by which any horsebreeder of merit follows. The studbook, authored in 3877 Absalom Reckoning, suggests that the name of the foal should be the combination of the mare and the stud. Typically the incorporation of a pun or a sense of humor is used when the newborn foal isn't bound for service in the military. In the case of Light's Light Laughter the stud was Grace of Light and the mare was Laughing Spirit. But I've waxed philosophical long enough... come now, let us be off.'
You'renervious. Youtalktoomuchwhenyouarenervious.Shutupbeforeyoutalkyourselfintoafrothingfr enzy.