"I'm going to relieve Merek on watch. I assume that since I cooked dinner that you boys can handle cleaning up. Try to get some rest, and figure out who will be relieving me in a few hours." And with that she heads outside to take her turn on watch.
Ah, yes. Zveris and I share an aquaintance in one Mister Merek Montague, Paladin of Sarenrae, Husband of Sarrissa Montague. He would be the fellow standing watch at the moment. He's quite the helpful type.
”Edgar Storm, previously a lowborn pickpocket of Greywall, currently a lowborn wanderer of the land, and student of our gracious host.”
He nods towards Zveris
”I'll take the watch after yours Sarrissa.”
”Edgar Storm, previously a lowborn pickpocket of Greywall, currently a lowborn wanderer of the land, and student of our gracious host.”
He nods towards Zveris
”I'll take the watch after yours Sarrissa.”
Hey! A fellow pauper!
"I'd actually like to take next, if you don't mind, Issa. I can go set my traps out, see if I get anything tonight."
He produces a pair of unengaged bear traps from the work table.
"Wonderful. I'm amongst thieves. Well, if my valuables go missing at least I'll know which lizard gets the explosive greeting the next morning." Fray holds tighter to his bag.
"Wonderful. I'm amongst thieves. Well, if my valuables go missing at least I'll know which lizard gets the explosive greeting the next morning." Fray holds tighter to his bag.
"Former thief, thank you very kindly. Not all of us were born into rich families, so we had to do what we could to survive." Edgar says not unkindly. "I don't do that anymore, you can rest easy."
Fray pulls a small piece of parchment from his bag and scribbles onto it.
Bugbear- Sarrissa(Cleric of Sarenrae)
Tavi(Mongoose)- Castell
Hobgoblin-
Weasel- Barin(useless)
Fray shoves the note into his front shirt pocket and stands up.
"Well, if we're all done here, I'm off to..." Fray looks around, "floor. Fair night."
He finds a suitable spot on the floor, grabs a skin from the bed and sniffs it. He gags slightly and lays the skin back on the bed, before lying down on the floor and propping his head up with his bag.
"I'm going to relieve Merek on watch. I assume that since I cooked dinner that you boys can handle cleaning up. Try to get some rest, and figure out who will be relieving me in a few hours." And with that she heads outside to take her turn on watch.
Upon seeing Sarrissa walk out of the hut, Merek says, Oh good. You're up. I didn't think anyone would still be up by now, especially after today.
Merek walks over to Sarrissa to embrace her.
Sarrissa, my love, I think I know what to do now. Sarenrae has guided my thoughts. I am going to accept my fate and trust myself in her arms. I am going to maintain my paladinhood and continue the path of righteousness.
For now, I will focus on protecting our small community of mishaps and monsters - for that is what we've become - until we decide how things will go forward from here.
Speaking of monsters; that we've become them makes me think that our eradication efforts have been wrong, and should we encounter "monsters" like us in the future, we should focus on eliminating any evil ones in their midst and allow those who wish to part from the path of darkness the opportunity to redeem themselves.
Upon moving forward, I believe that we should not stay here, by venture into the unknown to find a new home that is secure. A base from which we can perform expeditions - to gather supplies until we can figure out how to reverse this. I feel that we should abandon Crossroads for now.
What do you think?
"I'd actually like to take next, if you don't mind, Issa. I can go set my traps out, see if I get anything tonight."
He produces a pair of unengaged bear traps from the work table.
"I will take watch. I would like some...quiet time, to reflect on the last 24 hours and our current situation. Set your traps though, we will need as many supplies as we can get. I will keep watch from here."
Fray rolls around a bit, grunting in discomfort. He sits up and looks around a bit. He stands up and pushes his bag into a corner, then spreads out his wings and with one big flap leaps upward, catching a ceiling support beam. He nestles into the corner and drifts off to sleep.
"I'm going to relieve Merek on watch. I assume that since I cooked dinner that you boys can handle cleaning up. Try to get some rest, and figure out who will be relieving me in a few hours." And with that she heads outside to take her turn on watch.Upon seeing Sarrissa walk out of the hut, Merek says, Oh good. You're up. I didn't think anyone would still be up by now, especially after today.
Merek walks over to Sarrissa to embrace her.
Sarrissa, my love, I think I know what to do now. Sarenrae has guided my thoughts. I am going to accept my fate and trust myself in her arms. I am going to maintain my paladinhood and continue the path of righteousness.
For now, I will focus on protecting our small community of mishaps and monsters - for that is what we've become - until we decide how things will go forward from here.
Speaking of monsters; that we've become them makes me think that our eradication efforts have been wrong, and should we encounter "monsters" like us in the future, we should focus on eliminating any evil ones in their midst and allow those who wish to part from the path of darkness the opportunity to redeem themselves.
Upon moving forward, I believe that we should not stay here, by venture into the unknown to find a new home that is secure. A base from which we can perform expeditions - to gather supplies until we can figure out how to reverse this. I feel that we should abandon Crossroads for now.
What do you think?
I think when it comes to others, we must not judge by appearance alone. It seems strange to say that out loud, for I would not thought to have done that previously, but reflecting on the eradications, I can draw no other conclusions. With your powerful sense of character, and our new senses, we must not be quick to judge.
I agree that we should not stay here. If the witch knew Zveris, she may know about this place too. Beyond that, we are cornered here, with no escape route. A new base of operations is definitly needed. We must take as much with us as we can. I would like to acquire some things from our home, but I don't know if the risk is worth it. I would not do well knowing someone was hurt or worse because I wanted materialistic things. I am at odds with myself. We probably should leave Crossroads, but where would we go?"
I do not know where to go Merek responds to Sarrissa.
a few days to the east of crossroads, there was a small encampment of lizard-people.
About five days to the south east, there was a larger encampment.
3-4 days south west, there's a place where, supposedly, ratfolk frequently gather.
** spoiler omitted **
Inam sure you need as much time alone to get her your thoughts as I did, Sarrissa. Please, take as much time as you need. Know that you are loved by your husband, by the Dawnflower, and by the rest of the good gods above.
No matter what we become, no matter what happens to us, I will not abandon you.
Now go take your watch and collect your thoughts. There's a pond not 500 meters from here; it helped me.
I will be inside enjoying more of your food.
With that, Merek embraces his wife once more and heads inside the house, out of the rain.
Upon entering, he sees several folk still up and conversing. And the bird man on a rafter.
Hello, gentlemen. Merek says. He takes a large sniff of the air. Food still smells delicious. . Merek heads over to the cooking pot and helps himself to a large portion.
Sarrissa is going to take watch for a while. Zveris is going to set some traps, although in this downpour I'm not sure if he'll catch anything.
Sarrissa and I have been talking about what to do next. We think we should leave Crossroads and find a new home for us all - a new base of operations, so to speak. We're both afraid that with our "monstrous" presence so close to town, we may be hunted, or worse, we may harm someone in our defense. We need a new place to keep low until we can figure out what to do next. We need a place to gather supplies and information. We need a new home for a while.
Does anyone know of any locations we may go explore?
”Well, there was a couple camps of lizard folk, one a few days to the east of Crossroads, and another larger one about five days to the southeast. I do not know the state of the camps now, but they may be a good place to start. I've also heard rumors of a place where ratfolk frequently gather, about four days to the south west of Crossroads.”
Hmmmm...
According to recent news, the last of the Lizardfolk have been wiped out. Well, not anymore with you and I, Edgar. But those may be good locations to scavenge if not find a new base.
Anyone know anything about the ratfolk? If they're on friendly or at least not-kill-on-sight terms with reptilians or goblin kind, we may be able to trade with them or get equipment commissioned. The only thing I know of them is that they're plague bearers - but based on my knowledge of what we've become, that's probably wrong, too.
I'd be inclined to believe that the Lizardfolk encampments would have been cleared of anything useful by now.
According to almsot every source you know, ratfolk are vermin that bear plagues. However, rather oppoed to this image, they're also described as cunning and well organized, and you've never heard of one acutally attacking someone. When you really think about it, you can't remmeber any time you've heard of a ratfolk hurting somone, aside from somone blaming them for thier sickness.
We should at least be safe, if not necessarily openly welcomed if we wish to traffic with the Ratfolk. Honestly, I don't really recall any stories of them actually attacking someone. I'd vote we go there soon, it's likely the only bit of civilization we'll have access too.
[dice=Knowledge Local: Have the ratfolk been known to be hostile or otherwise xenophobic, and/or have they been known to trade]1d20 + 4
[dice=Knowledge Local: to know the state of the lizardman camps]1d20 + 4
”From what I hear, they haven't been seen with other races, but that doesn't mean they are agressive towards others. Still, we should be sure to mind our manners.”
Perhaps you folks do, Castell gestures around to his reptilian teammates. but we're like family now, the Ratfolk and I. Least that's what my mother always told me. He starts to wander around the treehouse at this point, still talking as he does so.
In fact, I'd better do the talking, less likely to scare them with a "robust" he waves his left hand at the word physique and they'll probably think Fray wants to eat them.
As he continues to walk he ends up wandering over towards the firepit, not paying much attention to where he's going. So, where do we want to head firs- he turns quickly, in the process, slamming his knee into the edge of the metal bowl.
...
After the outburst, he pauses, causing a long awkward silence.
He scratches the back of his head, slightly nervously. Did I just click, or is this finally driving me insane?
Hrgmm, Merek clears his throat. Yes, I believe you have. Is this significant?
Well, you know I'm not one to fumble over my words, but I was trying to say, mmm something else. Something less polite than gibberish. Castell stops for a moment, putting a hand to his chin. Do you suppose Tavi might have a language? I'm not entirely clear why I simply spawned a language, but this might prove useful. I could also be entirely wrong, since My memory doesn't seem to be what it used to be, I can't recall the last three verses of Sarenrae's Crusade for one, which is distressing for several reasons, but if this can affect our memory, why not our speech?
It starts with, "The Everflame's light will guide us through the dark..."
"Except most of us can see just fine in the dark now."
He says as he climbs up through the floor, having come back from setting up bear traps. He nudges Merek with a joking smile.
"Except most of us can see just fine in the dark now."
He says as he climbs up through the floor, having come back from setting up bear traps. He nudges Merek with a joking smile.
You can? Merek responds in bewilderment.
Castell begins trying to refit his hide shirt the best he can, while speaking under his breath. He's trying to figure out how this new language works, if anyone wants to listen in.
"Yes. I thought a lot of us could. Maybe you weren't in here when we talked about it."
He takes the seat next to the work bench if it's open, not quite ready to sleep yet.
"Hey, uh..., Castell. That's it. Sorry. I've got a chest with some of my extra clothes over there. It's not much, but I don't think it would fit anyone else. Mer, you might try tying some of those together if yer sky lady says it's wrong ta show off. Not sure how clothes'll work with a tail. I kinda just don't care. Wasn't fond of clothes before. Now if people're gonna try'n off me on sight, probly the least of my problems that I don't got a shirt."
His general lack of giving a d@#% is made obvious by the wide stance he sits on the three legged stool in, large feet and knees apart, leaning slightly forward with elbows resting on knees, and hands hanging down.
Castell switchs to common for a second. I appreciate the offer, but this will have to do, unless you got some leather armor fitted for a halfling. "Got?" What? It's "have" imbecile. What am I, an Ogre now?
Edgar curls up in a ball, falling into a deep sleep
It is getting late. I, too, need sleep.
With that, Merek curls up on the floor and goes to sleep.
Castell sees the others turning in and decides to do the same, putting the armor working off for the night.
"We can rip clothes apart and put them back together tomorrow. We should all get some sleep."
Zveris climbs onto what's left of his bed after it was distributed. He doesn't bother throwing any skins over himself, as none would fit over all of him now and it would just be one less layer between him and the floor.
At first he tries laying on his back as he normally would, but found that this folded his back spines uncomfortably. He resolves to lay on his belly facing the middle of the room, all five limbs sprawled out on the bed.
Chris makes several drafts of the message he is to send to his family and crumples up all but the last one, before heading to sleep, waiting for whenever his watch is if there are any left
Alone for the first time since she awoke in her new body, Sarrissa's mind races faster than ever.
Is this what our future holds? Could this have happened to others? And what about all of those undead...
A splash in the distance breaks her train of thought. She begins scanning the direction of the pond.
Well being able to see in the dark is pretty nice. I guess I won't be needing my light spell very much...and this form certainly is powerful. I could probably juggle all three of those lizards...if I had the coordination. My dear goddess Sarenrae, what are we going to do?
"By the light of the dawnfire I am warmed. Darkness cannot penetrate my soul, for the light grows with every breath I take. Sarenrae, my love, please guide my actions this day and all those to come. It is in your name that I rage against the dying of the light, that I do not fear the night, that I do what is true and right."
With her short prayer complete, she returns her attention and her gaze to her surroundings. She becomes more accustomed to the sounds of the forest as the progresses. After a few hours her eyelids begin to close more and more. She recognizes the exhaustion setting in and goes inside to wake Edgar.
sunday, Deznus 29th. Salrin- Waxing crecent, dormis- Nearly full moon. Chilly, overcast, Moist.
eventually morning comes, and the rain has stopped about an hour before sunrise. No-one has come nearby last night, likely because no-one wanted to be out in the rain.
Having taken last watch so he could check the traps he set last night, Zveris pads down to the lake before going to check his traps.
-------Flashback-------
He had been slightly surprised at how quickly he remembered the old deer trail near the pond, considering his recent luck with memory. He sets the trap and pulls it open, swiping some leaves over it. He heads back after setting them a few meters apart on the trail.
-------End Flashback-------
Zveris stands over the pond, looking at his new reflection. He bares his teeth and blinks. With new hands and eyes he checks over his new form, examining everything head to tail. A while later he'll go to check his traps, strangely at ease in the damp morning he previously would've stayed in bed through.
Fray's eyes blink awake and he raises his hands to his face. He sighs as he realizes that everything that had happened was not just some awful dream. he leaps from the rafters, flapping his wings to avoid crashing to the ground. He reaches for his bag and checks it's contents, eying Edgar suspiciously. After making sure all his belongings are there, he gets to work on preparing his extracts for the day.
Merek awakes with everyone else.
Unless someone needs me, I will be outside doing my morning rituals.
Merek steps out with his Bardiche and starts practicing his forms.
Castell wakes up, stretching in new ways he never thought possible before. He surveys his surroundings realizing that the previous days events were in fact real.
Good morrow everyone, nice to see you all looking well. Castell doesn't have a morning ritual per say, regardless, he goes out of the house and first thing he looks for is a secluded tree to take care of "buisness."
Sarrissa awakes with a moan "Oh my back. Haven't missed my bed this much in a while." She stands and stretches, cracking her bones numerous times before letting out a relaxing sigh. "So, what's for breakfast? What's the plan for today? I guess Sunday school is out of the question..." she says scratching her head.
Zevris's traps, when he checks them, have both caught a deer.
"Nice."
He swiftly snaps it's neck and pries the trap open, throwing the deer over his shoulder. He checks the other one, leaving it there for now.
"Very nice."
He returns to the house, climbing up the tree with his first prize.
"Here's breakfast. Got another in the other trap, and I saw a walnut tree on the way back. Someone needs to skin this and someone else needs to come so we can get the other deer and the traps and the walnuts. Pup, I know you can do both, so if anyone else can do either you do the other."