Petrovich hands you a spiced rabbit on the stick (raw) and motions to a seat on a fallen log near the fire.
"Ochin Preeyanta, Brother"
"Tea" points to a pot hanging from a tripod near the fire
"potatoes" he digs out a good many potatoes, onions, and carrots that were tied in some large leaf bundles; pleanty for all; even the halfling :)
"beans" point to the pot
"All, enjoy now" he beams.
"later, we tell stories, drink warm Vodka, yes, yes"
Having finished his work on the beanpot-retrieving, the Goliath sits on the ground near the fire, holding his two rabbits out over it to get them cooked.
B-
"And an...umm...Elven Preeyatna to you, as well." Kedan's return of the gnome's greeting was more good intentions than accuracy. He helped himself to some of the hot food and seated himself near Gloisil and Petrovich. He nodded politely to the Goliath, but the look in his eyes betrayed the fact that he had never seen one before.
"This is a considerable sight better than what I was expecting to eat tonight."
"What are you all doing up here? We have a small expedition traveling through the area. You have probably seen our fires by the lake. We're looking for..." Kedan's voice trailed off, suddenly uncertain in his tone.
"Say, does anyone here have a big black dog? I just saw one before I came upon you all. A big fellow. He gave me the chills. They can be ill omens, I've heard. But if he belongs to one of you, I'm sure it isn't a bad sign at all."
Hava, the gnomoe Master Wizard with the Grey Rat mask answers:
"oh; chuck and dave? those are my two summoned guardian mastifs; not a "black dog" as you say; I think The Black Dog; is a hellhound; black as night and breathes fire; immune to any heat or fire; I have fought a few; I know a half elven ranger named Ca-el; who wears the skin of a Alpha for protection against fire as he fights demons.
The ancient looking elven bard replies:
"Ca-el, such a sad lament of a story that one is; his doom; he is lucky to have such good freinds as human Magus Esherflynn and the elven rogue Kobar Feiht to keep him company, that beserker sword Ca-el carries is certain Doom; pray for him my friends; for as far as I know; he stands alone more or less infront of that abomination that is the open gateway to the realms of the Abyss; the open door that all these demons that plague mortals come from. Only Ca-el stands before the doorway and kills, and kills, and kills, though he kills a thousand, a million come through."
<looking around, the bard continues>
"But that is not your tale; though yours perhaps leads to as grim a battle"
Hava: "sheesh; you sure know how to kill a room; you call that a opening for me to relate the prophessy and get these guys all fired up to save the world my friend; now is not the time to wax maudlin; now is the time of valor and love."
Hava turns to the group: "well, Ca-El is perhaps the finest bladesman I have ever seen, but certainly insane; but then who else could do what he does; maybe Kojan of the Dwarves; possibly Sebastian if anyone; Archmage Fystor and his crew, High Priest Balinor could do it; but he is just as likely to shatter the world, all that ice and his unchartable strength, the two paladins I heard killed the Gnoll god maybe a few more. My friends; your task as I see it; is to decend into the dwarven mines; long ago lost to goblins and their kith and whatever else spawns in that dank dark. Little more do I know; that you must recover an artifact guarded for eons uncounted by the silent dwarves. I know not what it is; or what it looks like; but if all goes well; we shall find out tommorrow when we ascend this hill.
Shall I relate the part of the prophesy I recall at this time? I dont want to keep you from a good nights sleep, for some it may weigh heavily upon your soul and keep you from good rest?"
Master Bard: "I can think of a few more, most are fighing snakes or undead or demons; dont know any hero not engaged in this worldwide war."
"Dwarven Mines you say? He, I hope I don't have to crawl on my knees in there... But go ahead, I'd like to hear that prophecy." Merrik speaks between two bites.
He doesn't really care for the prophecy though. He simply doesn't believe in such stuff, though sometimes they are amazingly near the truth...
The Goliath thinks that each man is his own fate. There's no great plan, written in the stars, or in the coffee-ground, that determines how the world will move or end.
He strongly believes, that everyone is the maker of his own path, may it lead to glory or destruction, for him alone or some few or many in the world.
If everything everyone will do is already destined, what greater purpose would a live be than a cogwheel in a gnome device?
"Master Hava, you can tell the prophecy when you think is best, but I'm with Merrick on this one, and would like to hear it now. The sooner one has information that could be helpful, the sooner that information can be put to use."
I just as soon hear the tale now as well. I sleep lightly, but nothing will keep me from my sleep, neither a heavy heart or a heavy meal. And I give great thanks from the meal as well, well cooked and well received. By the way, you do believe in a good steady 6 meals a day don't you?
to merrik aha! a man of the mountain peaks!
to gloisil; perhaps you are "the gnome of inward lore" from my vision?
to everyone; sorry to sound all mysterious! but I have been given a vision by my god; "Seek yea a man of the mountain peaks; seek yea the song of sea when sun sets; seek yea the gnome of inward lore and the halfling who opens doors".
and looking around perhaps i have found all of you, hopefully the pretty one over there (looking at sunset)can sing and has something to do with the sun settingGalen looks at Bob by any chance are you any good at opening doors?
Doors do not usally challange me much, especially when they lead to food or drink. As for opening them, it is a favorite passtime of mine.
By the way, you do believe in a good steady 6 meals a day don't you?
"How else would I have become so big a guy?" Merrik chuckles with the halfling.
"I suppose I'm for hearing the prophecy sooner rather than later, too."
After a pause, he added, "Does there happen to be anything in the prophecy about a stone table? On a hill between a forest and a lake?"
Sunset watches the paladin and his small entourage emerge into the camp fire. Noting the large well groomed horse, and the equally well groomed squire calmly holding the animals reigns.
"Thank you," Galen takes the rabbit and will roast it.
"I travel at present alone, although i can hear at least one other coming towards us. I am interested in hearing your story, I'm galen by the way, who are you guys?" (Galen looks around and tries to discern how differnt people fulfill freya's vision, away from his fellow paladines Galen starts to become less formal, Galen also sytematically detects evil on everyone)
As the conversation runs randomly around the campfire, Sunset continues to watch things unfold though Galen's speech about his visions has here blue eyes twinkling with suppressed mirth. Continuing to twirl the skewered rabbit as people introduce themselves she continuously looks from person to person, her eyes always moving picking at details even as she hunches forward to cook the rabbit flesh.
When the 'elders' run off with their talk of prophesy Sunset sighs, checks how well done her rabbit is, then scoots around the fire to hand the stick and its bounty to Merrick as she help herself to the large amount of roasted vegetables and such from the great black metal pot.
"There ye go, mate. Ye look as if ye could use th' juicer calories afore me." She winks as she sets aside a second wooden plate and puts a plentiful helping of the roast veggies on this second dish as well, before laying a wooden spoon and fork upon one side.
Standing gracefully to her 6' height, she walks across and offers the second dish to the squire, not waiting to watch the youngster juggle the horses leads in their hands as well, as she continues over to her pack, lifts the boots hanging there from the side by their tangled laces. Looking to Galen she says,
"Th' name is Sunset, by th' way. How that factors int' yer views I c'n't be sayin' but me Uncle c'n feel free t' gve ye me views on 'Prophesy' an' such." There's a strange emotion to the woman's voice and the indicated elder Elf sighs a little even as 'Sunset' skips off into the night towards the nearby lake who's rippling surface is hinted at by the moon light, boots trailing over one shoulder while she pops cooling vegetables into her mouth with.
Hava says: " ok then, gather 'round. It was 235 years ago I and some others; like the master bard there, were here at this spot examining the ruins ontop yon hill. We were with some holy men; pure of heart they were; not posturing or like that; he had nothing to their name but faith and the simple clothes on thier back; well see. One, a human called "Simeon Darkwater" felt a great anguish for the world; a holy shudder he called it as if the world had suddenly been imperiled by the crack of one of the earth's bones. Now that is interesting; as in the last 200 years I have not been idle; I have found out that the dwarves call a certain black and incredibly hard stone "bones of the earth" Ki-cui-khandendar, the ancient dwarven word for this stone also means noble ribs of the earth that contain great evil".
so; master bard and I have been doing some research; it seems long ago; when unknown forces were creating this universe; an ancient malignant force invaded the creation; we call them the Old Ones; it is from them that all evil comes; all things wrong and twisted; but then also all wonderment, magic and change. The powers of creation created powerful entities to fight against this corruption of creation and the Old Ones twisted them; an immortal battle was fought; back and forth, what we know is unclear; only that vast numbers of immortals wielded fastastic energies and the universe was made and unmade and remade over and over and time was not countable.
it seems mortals were made after the vast devestation had killed so many immortals, worlds; realities and so on; by some act of some unknown force; the battle got constrained to the mortal realm; the initiator of this was certain seals that bound the Old Ones into sleep and that all immortals where constrained to act through mortal agents.
We know that on our plane of existance; there are fifteen seals; they have been guarded by unknown forces of good since before time began. By some treaty of the Gods; the dwarves guard them now; over 200 years ago when I started this quest; I discovered that back then; the dwarves had 4 unaccounted for; lost; probably in the hands of evil. Thus at that time; both the forces of immortal good and evil could touch the world in greater ways much easier and not always needing to work through mortals. Recently; last 10 years; a concerted act to obtain the seals by evil has been going on; that is the whole purpose behind the last decade of war on every continent. The Old Ones grow less in slumber as evil holds the seals; thus are able to give untold powers to their agents. If Good recovers the seals undamaged; the Old Ones should be send again into deep slumber.
but I digress; 235 years ago; Holy Simeon gained a vision of this; and prayed; prayed for days without sleep; eating; and naught for comfort through any weather; he prayed until his poors bled; his bones cracked; yet ever faithful he prayed to the Gods of Good.
thus; an agent was sent; a powerful Kirin; a holy one of good; and he spake to us then these words. ("now Kirin are not mortals or humans and they always speak in heroic cuplet" interjects the bard "I would sing it to you, but we decided that plain cant would help you more as this is for you to gain faith in your quest not entertainemnt")
the Master Bard in high cant:
Part of the prophesy of Holy Kirin.
The immortal war of olde burns ire
new toils of evil feeds twisted fire
mortals good have lost the path
forgotton seals rendered Math
In the Age of Strife upon this hill
in the Year of Life events thus will:
Council sends Goliath seeking
Heroes halting Chaos reaping
Seat of Heavons feels their dread
Time of Ending many are dead
Seal of Maddness maybe freed
Old Ones waking planting seed
Rise Two Brothers Gods long forgotten
Bring Death to Pantheons later begotten
Ten candles burn on Farthday languish;
Goliath needs raise Halfling anguish;
Mortals pure with hearts unstained
Goliath, Halfling, Gnome abtained.
Three days hence Godstone brighten;
Heroes gather and contenance lighten.
Three days hence Baking Day Morne;
Kirin returns blessings adorne.
Who will join to seal the pact
Heavons tremble at the fact
In flux and fluid is Son of Man
Come thus steel new Pali-dan?
Half Man Half Elf, both and neither
Bring she music, knowlege either?
Hunter,woodsman, guide so true
Seal he dark seal, goblins rue
If none shall come than All is lost
existance severed shall be the cost
In the East, Mik-Hael with sword
if heroes fail, he cuts the chorde.
Maddness of Old knocks at the door
Ancient Evil, Maddness Abhore
Seals imprison Old Ones sleeping
Pray for heroes oaths a keeping
In dark fortress Fallen struggle
When Evil presses, Chaos bubble
Mortals get thee hence down deep
Broken seals mean no more sleep.
Ancient gods and no more joy
Freedom lost, life destroy.
hordes of goblin kill ancient foe
Dwarves past death stop seal's woe
At midsummer peak; spirits fail
Must by then, the quest entail
Good must hold unbroken seal
have and hold, protect with zeal.
any may answer Goods clarion call
if none save seals; all will fall.
Go now favored of the gods
for knowlege gained good it prods.
Return thus here in time I spake
gather heroes, worlds at stake.
Hava: says; thus we return here now; in the remberance of Simeon; our human friend of olde. For this is the age, year, and time; and you have come.
obvioulsy we must enter the dwarven mines as sooon as we can, before that lets rest and enjoy ourselves, we have two bards, and a reasonably capable amatuer, how about a few songs, and some good storys before we go on to possible doom!
lady bard,will you play us a song? I would consider it an honour to be able to accompany you (galen pulls out his lyre and looks hopefully at sunset)
Hava: I know the location of the mines though I doubt I will be allowed to take you there; those of us older ,well, we no longer have the purity of mind, body, and soul as youngsters as yourselves; be aware; knowledge has a price, some even changes you; your soul.
After the prophesy has been related, Gloisil, with a bit of a harsh tone that had not been present in his voice before, responds to Galen's question.
"Galen, I may be the gnome from your vision, but I know not for sure. It seems that we have all been chosen for this task, and not necessarily by our own choice." Gloisil look towards Hava as he says this.
"I would much rather have been left alone to study magic and what it can do, but it seems the greater hand of fate has taken control of our lives and is directing us now. Hence I am taking on this quest so that perhaps the world may be healed and I may one day return to an undisturbed life."
Now showing a bit of impatience, Gloisil says, "Therefore, I would like to make a start of this task as soon as possible."
As Sunset skips away from the camp, working the last of the vegetables around her mouth and thence down her throat, the 'Cant' of her Uncle reaches her ears. She slows only momentarily listening to the words, voice and singing. She shakes her head as myriad thoughts tumble through her mind at what is portrayed in the music. Sighing at some aspect that rubs at her wrongly.
She is well out of 'Elf ear' shot by the time others begin to speak and reply, coming upon the edge of the lake. Her head tilts and a smile quirks her lips as she regards the small amount of water,
*T'is naught but a puddle.* Comes to her mind as she strips off her travel stained gear then squats beside the 'pond' to rub a small stone of soap into them, alternately slapping and banging them against the available stones upon the shore to free up and dislodge any of the tougher 'muck'.
Happy after some moments work, she hangs them over any available bush or low branch and then gingerly steps into the waters themselves, hissing against the frigidness against her bare calves. Gritting her teeth she applies the soap top her legs with equal vigour, both to remove the dried mud and keep the warmth in her lower limbs.
Once her legs are clean she rubs them slightly dry with her wash-cloth, smirking at some though as she reaches for the boots that are a gift from her Uncle.
She unlaces them deftly and then slides first one foot and then the other into the supple leather. Even as she's wiggling her toes at their tips, her hands are 'unfolding' the tops and she's surprised that the magically imbued material just seem to keep unfolding, it's thickness not changing even as the length rolls up her shin and then thigh.
She stops when she's happy with where they are 'at' as she lases them tight against her upper thigh. Standing quickly her face takes a determined look, she mutters a brief comment in Elvish about the value of trusting elders and hence, with a quick step, hop and a skip, dives cleanly into the lake waters, her passing into their embrace leaving little more than ripples as her form slides, otter like, beneath the water.
No other ripples intrude upon the lakes surface until, barely four rounds, later the young elf's head breaks the surface almost a hundred feet from shore with a musical trill of giggles floating across the lake. Deftly rolling onto her back she begins to scrub and soap herself down once again, now with the enchanted boots upon her legs seemingly in no mind of the waters freezing embrace.
Merrik keeps rather silent after hearing the prophecy, shaking his head some, smiling to himself.
Ok; when you get out of the lake; whose water is quite cold; your clothes will be missing; also; please make two perception rolls; you dont need to make swimming checks unless your going to do something unusual that would require a test.
the lake water is very blue; it feels very viberant and alive and seems to enjoy you swimming in it. When you finish swiming; you will feel amazing; +1 circumstance bonus to any actions for the next 24 hours.
As the fire dies down a bit and the cooking and eating things are cleaned up by some powder that Peter has, things wind down and drinks are passed around and instruments come out and some songs get played though you certain that at various time the "forest" adds some pipe and jug accompanyment as well as a few "oohs" and "aahs" as well as sporatic laughter.
may I have a perception roll from each player; thanks.
perception roll 1d20+4=16
Sunset finishes washing, using powerful kicks and strokes to rise up out of the water enough to toss the now diminished block of soap towards shore. She huffs and stretches a few times, then flips and dives, her limbs and skill easily propelling her down to a depth of approximately 100 feet . Turning over she floats, drifting and letting her natural buoyancy lift her gently back towards the surface. Where she drifts a while and gazes up at the stars.
Eventually she sighs and strikes towards shore, bending and rising gracefully in the shallows, she wades clear of the water. The magical boots her Uncle has given Sunset being imbued with a spell of "Endure Elements" meaning that neither the chill of the water or the night air cause her any discomfort, both feeling pleasantly cool against her skin.
Starting with her head, she energetically begins to shake herself down, water droplets flying free as she shimmies herself from a state of 'Dripping wet' to only 'Mildly damp'.
Looking about, she scratches at her wet hair with an eyebrow raised as she surveys the nearby surrounding forest. Glancing around and comparing land marks against her memory, the fact that the large-ish cloth she'd used to dry her legs off earlier was present and yet the rest of her clothes weren't in evidence is definitely vexing her for a short while. There is a brief amount of bending and ducking about as she looks under the surrounding shrubs and bushes,
She sighs, quickly giving up and taking a hand to her wash cloth, tears the item diagonally, twisting the fabric about and then tying the material about her hips and into a make shift lion-cloth.
She grins happily at her handy-work as, whistling a jaunty tune and with a joyous carefree bounce in her step, she skips back towards the fire light.
for Galen:
as you are settling down for the night and getting ready for sleep; you notice some of your gear is missing; this and that; odd.
for Sunset:
When you get back to camp; you notice that your clothes are on top of your pack all cleaned and folded; you also notice that someone has gone through your pack as a couple things have been moved; also your instrument looks newly polished and cleaned and loose pegs and what not fixed and mended and the strings look brand new.
Merrik is rather uncarrying, for the rest of the evening. It was a long day, some things happened around him. He doesn't really know in which direction his home lies, and how many miles he is away from it. But he misses his people. Now even more than in the times he was alone in the mountains.
Kedan's Roll
Kedan's spot
you notice that your clothes that were torn and soiled from traveling through the mud, muck and clawing branches of trees and bushes in the forest have been cleaned and repaired; one minute your cold and damp sipping some tea and chewing the rabbit; you get up to get some beans and notice that sometime since you have been in the camp; what your wearing has been worked on; looking at it inquiringly; you also notice that someone stiched two little yellow roses on each of your outer garmet's sleeves near the wrist.
Gloisil still muttering under his breath seems to be both still angry at being tied up into this prophesy, and also embarrassed about his outburst. Yet, there is a look in his eye that says that it's probably not the last time that the group will get an earful from the gnome.
To all; please add all your gear that you have with you to your character sheets; thanks.
Gloisil:
as your muttering you look over to your friend the owl and notice that he is a different color! he now has green feathers and a blue belly; he is just now waking up and flaps his wings and sets out for his nightly hunt for some mice or somesuch.
also; while getting ready to bed; you notice that your gear is out of place and little nicks and dings in your items are gone and things are polished and a bit more organized than usual. Your pack has been cleaned of mud and some worn spots restiched.
Bob [not much on your character sheet so I dont have much to work with]
Bob; you notice that there to the left is the smell of some Twoboar Fatleaf; some of the best of your tobacco stash and grown far south of here in the Greek area; and not much farming going on there so it is pretty rare now a days. Looking through the rest of your stash; you find your sewing thimble has been cleaned and polished; your coat has some missing buttons replaced, and your shoes have been cleaned and shined.
Gloisil just stares as Hoot, his owl familiar flies off to hunt up some dinner. Standing up he then notices something different about his gear.
"Hey, did anyone else just notice my owl as it flew away? Did anyone else notice that it is now green and blue in color, or is it just me."
"Also, I know I've been brooding the last little bit and may not have noticed, but thanks to whomever cleaned up and mended my gear."
Astledier, perhaps slightly more perceptive to the antics of the fey folks about the camp is standing ready for when Sunset comes skipping back to the camp fire. He twirls the younger elf's blanket about the girls bare shoulders.
Sunset stops and speaks some quiet words as she stands in his partial embrace. Astledier stands and actually seems to stare at his nieces words, before breaking into a smile to match hers and the pair hug briefly. As the master Bard steps back to his place beside the fire Sunset twirls her makeshift cape about her shoulders and spins across the campsite to where her belongings have been put.
"Heh! Ther's fey folk all over th' place!' She cries happily, bending over and picking up her mended shirt and giggles as she notices the tiny flower patterns worked into the new threads.
"Why, fer th' first time in ages I don't miss th' sea!" She exclaims happily to every one gathered around the fire. Her expression flicks to something more pensive as she spies the look on Merrik's features. She drops the shirt and picks up the newly polished lute and steps softly over to Merrik's side of the fire.
"S'up mate? Th' sky not close enough for ye?" She asks softly as her fingers begin to dance across the strings almost absently as she begins to sing.
I encourage you all to take a 10 (or 20 when using a lot of extra time, resources and effort) for various actions when not under stress.
ok; am pretty much giving you some time for dialogue; other than that I expect everyone will bed down for the night and await the morning; am giving a bit of time for anyone who wants to do something; and am thinking our ranger might arrive shortly.
Gloisil still a bit embarrassed over his outburst settles back down, and although not actively conversing with anyone, does respond when he is spoken to or asked a question. After about an hour he lays out his bedroll and tries to go to sleep, but the words of the prophesy still roll through his mind, as well as the questions as to what is his role in fulfilling the prophesy, if any.
As Sunset returns to camp, Gloisil has something close to the wondering look he had as when Hoot flew out of camp a flurry of different colors. After laying down to try to sleep, eventually Sunset's music lulls him to sleep.
... Her expression flicks to something more pensive as she spies the look on Merrik's features. She drops the shirt and picks up the newly polished lute and steps softly over to Merrik's side of the fire.
"S'up mate? Th' sky not close enough for ye?" She asks softly as her fingers begin to dance across the strings almost absently as she begins to sing.
Merrik looks up as Sunset comes close, then looks up further into the trees. He sighs, then speaks: "I can't even see too much of it, but I thought to have accepted that. I don't know... It's more like .. .. I miss my friends, my family." My mom.
His gaze comes down, turning to the ground, the fires, the people around, the trees surrounding them all."I never thought I'd get so far away from home. Hell, if I even knew where I am right now..."
Galen will play a few quiet, gentle tunes and then sleep
As Galen begins to play his lyre Sunset softly hums along, her voice weaving around the instruments strings.
As the blond half-elf sets his instrument down and folds himself into his blankets for the night, Sunset glances to Merrick as she leans back in her own woolen 'robe'.
"Ah home." There's a lot of different emotions in her voice as she speaks the word quietly. "Fer me t'has always been a different ship, with crew comin' an' goin' when family meets up in different ports." She sighs as behind her eyes different memories flit.
"There's siblings an' relatives I in't seen in a few score o' years, but I know, come next time I'm in'na same place as 'em we'll be hookin' up an' share tales." Her gaze grows even farther afield as her voice drifts on.
"I've never been too far away from home. I was out fishing and hunting with my dad some times, we've been away for days, up to two weeks, but that's as far as it was.
We never have been out of the mountains. And I knew all the people that were with us." the goliath recons the past, sighing faintly.
"I s'ppose though I'm luckier then. I still en't actually alone, whut traveling with N'uncle an' such." She sighs looking up at at the stars.
"As t' th' placin' of yerself?" She whispers as a bare arm from within her blanket lifts to point towards the heavens,
"Y'see that one bright point o' light there?" And Merrik leans closer to look where about in the sky Sunset is pointing, "That be th' North Star. Sailors c'n use it like th' rose on'na compass pinned t' th' sky t' set their course from." Her arm drops and in so doing her body shifts that much closer towards Merrik.
"Dad told me something along that lines. He called it Lodestar though."
Sunset nods at the large man's words, "Unfortunately it only kind o' helps t' give ye a direction t' point at. I in't actually studied chart readin' an' such yet." She blushes and lowers her gaze as she admits to her lack of skill, even as Merrik's own stare drops along with Sunset's arm and now, at this close distance he realizes how big and blue those eyes truly are.
"A-hem!"
There's a polite, but loud, cough from where the Master Bard sits enfolded in his blankets on the other side of the fire watching the pair and Sunset wrinkles her nose at him for spoiling the 'moment'.
"Well, t'is gettin' late," She makes theatrical stretching motions, "An' I don't want folks sayin' I'm shirkin' me duties none by gettin' up late in'na day."
"Yeah. Right. Late." Merrik stammers, sitting up from his lean to the elven girl. He hurriedly turns back to his belongings, putting his own blanket over him, closing his eyes, breathing a bit too fast, should anyone want to check it.
She winks and grins mercurially at Merrik as they rise to their feet and Sunset skips over to her pack, pulling out some lengths of chord and looking at the placement of trees about the fire side, before picking two suitable ones and,
Quickly rigs up a cats cradle between them, onto which she sets her blanket. With an deft flip and twist she lifts herself into her improvised hammock and proceeds to wriggle around and 'into' the folds of her blanket,
Eventually disappearing completely into their woolen embrace. After few few more moments the fuzzy 'cocoon' wriggles some more and spits out Sunset's boots and wisp of cloth.
Astledier just sighs at the antics of the youngster, smiling and nodding as if in an apology to Merrick for the young girls behavior as he moves over and puts her 'discards' away with the rest of her clothes.
"Ah home." There's a lot of different emotions in her voice as she speaks the word quietly. "Fer me t'has always been a different ship, with crew comin' an' goin' when family meets up in different ports." She sighs as behind her eyes different memories flit.
"There's siblings an' relatives I in't seen in a few score o' years, but I know, come next time I'm in'na same place as 'em we'll be hookin' up an' share tales." Her gaze grows even farther afield as her voice drifts on.
"I've never been too far away from home. I was out fishing and hunting with my dad some times, we've been away for days, up to two weeks, but that's as far as it was.
We never have been out of the mountains. And I knew all the people that were with us." the goliath recons the past, sighing faintly."I s'ppose though I'm luckier then some. I still en't actually alone, whut traveling with N'uncle an' such." She sighs looking up at at the stars.
"As t' th' placin' of yerself?" She whispers as a bare arm from within her blanket lifts to point towards the heavens,
"Y'see that one bright point o' light there?" And Merrik leans closer to look where about in the sky Sunset is pointing, "That be th' North Star. Sailors c'n use it like th' rose on'na compass pinned t' th' sky t' set their course from." Her arm drops and in so doing her body shifts that much closer towards Merrik.
"Dad told me something along that lines. He called it Lodestar though."
"Unfortunately it only kind o' helps t' give ye a direction t' point at. I in't actually studied chart readin' an' such yet." She blushes and lowers her gaze as she admits to her lack of skill, even as Merrik's own stare drops along with Sunset's arm and now, at this close distance he realizes how big and blue those eyes truly are.
She's a beauty, you know? crosses Merriks mind, loud enough to make him think he just said that out loud, bringing him to blush just as well. Thankfully his darker skin tone and the absence of light hides this mostly.
"A-hem!"
There's a polite, but loud, cough from where the Master Bard sits enfolded in his blankets on the other side of the fire watching the pair and Sunset wrinkles her nose at him for spoiling the 'moment'.
"Well, t'is gettin' late,"
"Yeah. Right. Late." Merrik stammers, sitting up from his lean to the elven girl. He hurriedly turns back to his belongings, putting his own blanket over him, closing his eyes, breathing a bit too fast, should anyone want to check it.
Oh, you like her... A bit small for my taste, but a cutie.
At least he didn't feel so homesick after that encounter.
Kedan looked at the two small flowers stitched into his garment. If the black dog had been a bad omen, this was certainly a good one. The musty smell of ten days on the road was gone, and he didn't miss it one bit.
Belly full, he thanked everyone sincerely and copiously. "I have companions back by the lake. I traveled with my good friend and mentor, and some soldiers from home. I need to let them know I'm okay. I appreciate the fine meal and fine company."
"I suppose I should probably rejoin my old friends now. It was a great pleasure meeting new ones."
Hail the Camp. I was wondering who you all are and why you have come to this place. If you are waiting for others, my people have had reports of at least 4 other groups attacked and wiped out on their way to this place and I was asked to find out why.
Galen will do a det evil on the forester
A muffled sleepy voice comes from within the woolen bundle suspend by its cords between two trees,
"Is it my turn fer th' ships watch already, Nuncle?"
At the sound of someone coming into the camp and the voice of the newcomer, Gloisil sits upright and raises his hands as if ready to cast a spell. Once he see that there is no threat he then lowers his hands.
Gloisil mutters to no one in particular, "Another soul who has been wrapped up in this prophesy no doubt..."
Gloisil then lays back down and turns over as if to go back to sleep.
With his eyes already closed he says, "Someone wake me when it is my turn to take watch, but please wake me carefully, good night."
Galen
no evil, not even minor traces.
Galen will do a det evil on the forester
Master Elven Bard:
Greetings Ranger, we are here to await the dawn and the coming of things to be; we sleep here upon the predipice of events in motion long awaited.
We thank you for your sad news of the others; holes in the tapestry that binds the fabric of prophesy, yet we are but a few threads, we must take up that which those cut threads no longer provide. All honor upon your and your lord for the "work" that you do. Have there been tracks of gnolls or goblins? Fresh and how many if you will.
Take ease with us Ranger, there is kaffe warm at the fire; some roast rabbit and a pot of beans and vegatables and some spiced potatoes wrapped in leaves among the coals; search them out if you hunger; you are welcome here.
Brother Kedan; I advise that you not leave; it is night and the forest and area abounds with those lurking for the unwary; yon Ranger says that others who should have joined us have been killed; those against us trying to stop the fulfillment of that which is Holy. To leave us and walk alone is to enter into perdition.
GM: ok; little note to elves in game terms; elves sleep when they are very young; but do not really sleep as other races once they are about 30 years old or anytime thereafter; instead they enter a type of deep, lucid dreaming; usually done in a sitting stance; but can be in any position, during this time they relive their past or portions of it; thus a 1200 year old elf has a lot of history, but this help keep their memory sharp and the elves healthy; missing this time of dreaming memory effects the same way as missing a nights sleep. As the mind is focused inwards though an elves eyes may be open; they are not really aware of what is going on around them any more than a sleeping person; thus as elves dont sleep; they cannot be put to sleep with sleep spells; though can rarely be forced to relive and events much like the one present when a sleep spell is thrown on them.