Tetra concludes. Unless there is anything else that you need, I suggest that you get to the ferry before it gets crowded.
"Thank you for your time, mistress. I also thank you for the odor elimination tools."
Once the team is ready to proceed, Siondel stops by a chandlery and picks up a few coils of rope, two daggers, and some dried meat.
"Can't hurt to be a bit more prepared. If there are crocodiles around, let me try to talk with them before attacking. I might be able to sway them without violence. "
Augier hrumps and follows the others out. Must learn curse that gives people the same smell as me.
While the team is talking to the fortune-teller, Ravenna mutters something about prices going up every day and slips off to pick up a little extra gear. When she returns, Ravenna raises her dark eyebrows at Siondel's comment. "Crocodile whisperer?" she says. "Anyway, let's get to that ferry."
"With the blessings of nature, I can speak with many different animals. Some are more receptive than others."
Siondel scratches the bear behind his ears as he walks along.
"If crocodiles are among those willing to play along, that remains to be seen."
"Ah, so you've never tried talking to a crocodile," says Ravenna. "Well, first time for everything!"
Never heard of those, how dangerous?
"They're a kind of lizard, about the size of a large man. They live near the water and can move quicker than you'd imagine. They can be dangerous, especially if they can catch you unawares."
Siondel thinks about Jax's question for a moment before answering.
"My magic comes from nature, in all its unspoiled glory. I can speak with animals, cure the wounds of my friends, and call forth creatures to my aid for a short time. I can also create water from air, so we will not go thirsty by any means."
Cerilis spends the night without complaint. This bed is better than the cold ground. When the morning comes, Cerilis grabs his gear and
follows the rest of the group.
When the gnome woman quotes her price for a simple reading of their future, Cerilis steps back and shakes his head.
No falling for that scam
From what I have heard in my travels, the crocodile is an aggressive reptilian predator that lives in the rivers.
From Hochoch, the Realstream is quickly crossed at the ferry point south. The ferrier tells you that the fare has been taken care of. He also adds that you should avoid Orlane because his cousin's family has returned from their recently telling of villagers being turned into changelings and then becoming indistinguishable from their former selves, with exception of the two puncture wounds in their neck.
Once across, you follow a caravan track that winds along the south side of a narrow creek. The plains here are flat and grassy. Occasionally, large cottonwood trees grow along the stream, but in general, the plain is unforested and serene with a gentle breeze blowing through the grass.
For several days, you pass through an uninhabited area with no untoward experiences. This seems to contradict the multiple warnings about dangerous fauna and bandits from the citizens of Hochoch.
Finally, staying always to the right of the creek, the track enters a region of prosperous farms surrounded by fields of grain or pastures for cows and goats.
Early on the fourth afternoon of the trip, a cluster of buildings and trees become visible ahead, with the stone walls of a temple beyond- ORLANE!
At the outskirts of Orlane, a large grove of elms is visible to the left, while several wooden buildings border the road to the right.
"Anyone know anything about this place? Seems a little but out of the way, a typical farming village. Those holds we passed on the way in seemed plenty successful, in good repair and with a decent yield. Perhaps we find a local to ask around, gain some more intelligence towards our end goal?"
Siondel dismounts and leads his horse, with Medved to his side and bow in hand.
Survival for gathering food on the way here.
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 3:
That's effectively 14 days of rations we don't have to expend.
"All right, straight talk," says Ravenna as the group approaches Orlane. "With a job like this we don't know if anyone else is also horning in on the goods. So we should be circumspect about gathering information. I think it's probably not a great idea to advertise what we're actually here to do, or for whom we're working. Maybe for now if anyone asks we just say that we were sent to make some maps of the countryside because of the political back-and-forth in the region between the Gran March and the Grand Duchy?"
"Sounds reasonable to me. I admit, I am not that great of a talker or lie-teller. Perhaps one of you would like to be our spokesperson? An easier story to remember is perferable, no?"
Not really popular myself. Considering those warnings from the ferrier, maybe we should camp away from the village?
Cerilis looks at each of the members of this...group. He steps closer to Siondele
He turns to the group as a whole
Being other that what we are will draw attention to ourselves. We should go with that when we explain why we are here. A completer lie will draw more attention that we need. Our group makeup is highly suspicious at best and we do not look like Cartographers.
He address Ravenna
Your plan has merit but perhaps we are two groups that are traveling together for mutual protection. Our final destination is Hookhill where it is said good coin is there to be earned. The road from Hochoch to Hookhill is filled with dangers and we banded together for this trip.
That sounds reasonable, let us go see if they have a resthouse. Augier will head in when the others are ready.
OR we can just follow behind the pungent dwarf and no one will come near us. Zirul thinks to himself and has a little chuckle under his breath.
"Perhaps they have a bath house, as well?"
Siondel heads in, careful to stay upwind from the dwarf.
Ravenna touches the brim of her hat and says, "Certainly, whatever is convenient. Though that may seem strange if we leave the town and then come back - I suppose any traveler might turn back after running afoul of some savage monster on the road to Hookhill, though." She shrugs.
"Since everyone seems eager to see Orlane, let's do just that." She regards the collection of buildings at the western edge of the village along the road from Hochoch, pointing to the one that seems to have an enclosed yard (#4). "Is that a barn or a stable? Let's find out, and we can ask about lodgings."
Looks as good as any other.
This house and barn are clean, whitewashed wooden buildings. Several cows chew their cud just outside the barn. Three little girls playing in the front yard of the house stop suddenly, to gawk at your group.
Augier let's the flowery smelling elves take the lead.
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Jax inhaled deeply as they arrived. The nomadic elf loved the smell of road's dirt, smoke and farm animals most human settlements had.
Thhe elf has been paying attention to the subtle -and not so subtle- remarks different people made regarding Aggghhh, but he found his odor unique, even if it was intense. And Jax prefered people with unique odors to them.
As the party approached the barn, the elf waved his hand at the girls playing outside. "Hello there, little ones!" he said "Would you be so kind as to point us to the inn? We are weary from the road and fancy some stead and a warm bed."
Before the girls had time to answer, the elf remembered the diviner's words "And is there any Hunter's Lodge in town? Perhaps a lone ranger or hunter."
Zirul gives a confused look to Jaz at the mention of a lone ranger or hunter, but chocks it up as something he doesn't need to know about.
The three little blonde-haired girls are frozen in amazement as their older sister darts out of the door to bring them inside quickly. Seconds later, a middle-aged man slowly approaches the fence to inspect the band of outsiders standing in his lane.
Hello! Can I assist you in any way? he adds to the greeting.
Ravenna gives a winning smile and sweeps off her hat with a flourish. "Good day; we've just arrived in Orlane and are looking for lodgings. Is there a place locally where you might direct us? We would welcome the chance to lift our feet from the road and try a mug of the local ale."
The curious farmer replies to Ravenna's question, The Golden Grain Inn is right behind us. You also have the Slumbering Serpent Inn down the street a bit across the creek. Both fine establishments.
Where did you say that you were from? He gets up the nerve to ask.
"We just came across the ferry," says Ravenna. "Next stop is likely Hookhill. Been traveling with company as the roads are still a little dangerous! Not that I'm afraid," she continues, patting her rapier's basket hilt, "but you can't be too careful these days." She gives a pleasant smile.
Golden Grain sounds as good as any.
"Sure, Golden Grain Inn sounds fine. It's close by and probably has a stable for Capall and Medved to stay. Lead on."
"Golden Grain will be just fine by me." Zirul exclaims.
Augier nods to the man. Much obliged, thank you. He then heads off to the Golden Grain.
"Thank you, good man!" says Ravenna. "Oh, any local news of which we should be apprised? Wouldn't want to offend anyone or accidentally misstep in a local festival or the like."
The man hesitates for a couple of seconds and then asks the band of travelers, Would you like to come inside for some sustenance and rest for a bit?
Augier arches an eyebrow. Well, a spot of tea doesn't sound bad.
Good Sir, We thank you kindly for your offer. A home cooked meal would do just fine to these weary travelers. I must admit the road was long and hard it has been some time since we have seen anything but the hard ground as a bed. It might be better for us to partake of your gracious offer on the porch where the wind can bless us with its ability to disperse the odor of travel.
Cerilis speaks to the man in a calm manner and with a slight smile.
"That's a very kind offer, thank you, and certainly."
"If your offering, then it would be impolite to decline."
"Sure, I'm game for some refreshments. Do you have a trough for Capall and Medved? They are quite amenable, but I doubt you'd prefer to have a bear in your residence."
Siondel slings his bow and takes his spear in hand, leading horse and bear to a nearby watering area if available.
I'm Nowell Graven, welcome to my dairy farm. Upon opening the door the travelers see the little blonde girls sitting with their two sisters along the wall as two adult women work at a table preparing a stew by the fireplace.
I have been blessed with five daughters. He exclaims proudly.
I have a bit of homebrew mead. Will that suffice? The missus will fill your waterskins at the back of the house.
The home is rather small for the amount of occupants, but well-organized and tidy. A gentle breeze blows the smell of successful animal husbandry and agriculture as the sun works it's way past the mid-point position in the sky.
You are welcome to refresh your animals in the barn. Please have a seat and rest a while. He says pointing at a large wooden table with bench seats.The stew should be ready shortly.
Augier looks very interested at the thought of mead and polity settles in to wait.
"I'd love to try the local," says Ravenna. "My fellow travelers, shall we?" To the dairyman she says, "I'd also love to meet all of your daughters. We saw some of them outside as we were coming down the road, they look like fine children."
While in the barn, Siondel looks around for other farm animals to evaluate their health and general status.
"Easy, friends. I am a nice person, here to be helpful and kind to you all.
The three little ones are Daphne, Delilah, and Dalia. Nowell introduces them by pointing to them as he says their name. My older daughters are Mena and Maudlin, he continues pointing to the darker-haired teenage girls. My wife Mary and her mother Gwyn also live with us. The women acknowledge you with a smile and a nod, but do not break from preparing the meal. The older girls begin to serve the homebrew.
The dairy farm keeps us busy enough. The crops around here are yielding better than ever, but..., Nowell hesitates as he catches himself preparing to speak his concern aloud. A couple of seconds pass along with a harsh glance from his wife, then he decides to continue. People are leaving? I don't get it. The best producing season ever and some families are just leaving. Vanishing really. It's strange to say the least.
How is Hochoch these days?,He adds as a distraction for himself.
In a soft calm voice, Cerilis opens the door for Nowell to explain more.....
Please Mr. Graven, We would like to hear about what it is that is plaguing your thoughts and this town. We have just arrived and we are met with uncanny hospitality. If there is a problem, please speak freely and we He motions to the others around him. will be more that willing to aid in any way we can. It would be the least we can do for our gracious hosts.
Augier sips his mead and lets the flowery worded elf charm their hosts.