"If i may, as we have not been introduced. I take it you are lord Aristide? Nice to make your acquaintance, sir."
"I have not heard of Sogg or locathah before. What kind of a people are they?"
Oliver, curious about the answers to that as well, shuts up (for now).
Then he opens his mouth (it was but a fleeting respite). "I would be sparse with trading away tubers for fish. Fish is more perishable than tubers are, and tubers could be cultivated. If we hold off on trading those away to the Locata for now, we could cultivate a lasting profitable trade later. It seems the safest solution to the food problem, for now, is trading away excess valuables. It is both foolproof, reasonably quick and makes us less attractive to raiders to boot," he reasons, adjusting his cravat afterwards.
"More importantly, perhaps, is that selling jewerly buys us time. In that time, we could organise an expedition to either the ruins, as Varr said, or to make contact with the Sogg. I would rather avoid going hunting and angering these centaur tribes if not strictly necessary. The less enemies we have, the better. At least the ruins and the Sogg are unknowns instead. And while we would be away, the townsfolk could see to planting the tubers and building fishing ships to fish, perhaps."
It seems that someone, somehow?, tied Oliver's shoelaces together while he was sitting there.
Since Claudia is focused on lord Aristide, Sargon was just looking, half following the conversation, after his talking to Francoix.
"Say, Oliver. Just so you know, your laces have mysteriously tied themselves, so don't make sudden moves."
"If i may, as we have not been introduced. I take it you are lord Aristide? Nice to make your acquaintance, sir."
"I have not heard of Sogg or locathah before. What kind of a people are they?"
"Please forgive my oversight. There is much on my mind as of late. Valdemir Aristide, formerly and regrettably of Corentyn, at your service. I also hope you won't mind terribly if I don't rise to formally greet you," he says, gesturing towards his abbreviated legs, his trousers hanging slack below the knees, while wearing a rakish smile that indicates that his disability is no sore spot for him.
"Anyhow, The Sogg is what our settlers have taken to calling the swampy forest that stretches southward, on the far side of the river. It is where our friends here discovered Sargon and his 'father's' lair.
"As for the locathah, they are the fishfolk who live just offshore from here. They introduced themselves some weeks back after discovering that we had settled here. They have been astoundingly friendly. If not for their rather marked odor when on land, they would be perfect neighbors."
Aristide also goes on to explain that Mother Shimmerscale is the matriarch of the locathah settlement, and that she has eagerly visited Haven a handful of times herself, rather than working through representatives.
"She behaves like a surrogate grandmother, albeit one with the face of a carp."
[dice=Perception Sargon]1d20+8
[dice=Perception Sathyssil]1d20+6"Say, Oliver. Just so you know, your laces have mysteriously tied themselves, so don't make sudden moves."
The minstrel (?) blinks at suddenly being spoken to by the dragon, then looks downward and sighs. "Thank you, my scaled friend. It seems even here, I can't escape my juvenile tormentors..."
"Juvenile tormentors?", Sargon eyes Oliver curiously.
His eyes narrowed when the pretty man mentioned tormentors. He had been watching everyone keenly of course, and he saw nothing that would suggest someone slipped under the table and pulled that prank. His forced smile faltered for a moment.
"Im afraid at some point we are liable to upset one neighbor or another, but you are right, I would like to avoid annoying either the centaur or the locathah. The centaurs are volatile, the Locathah actually friendly."
He paused and looked about the room. He didnt have the sleeping quarters built yet. . . but they had some clean space on the floor. He could set up a few sleeping pallets.
"I would normally charge, but since you folk are new and are looking to step up and help, I can arrange some sleeping space here later. Meals on me as well. If you will excuse me though, i need to prep my things and get some stew going. Lots of new folk here to take care of."
He said nodding to all the new folk and hurrying back torwards the kitchen area.
"Juvenile tormentors?", Sargon eyes Oliver curiously.
There's a pause before he answers. "...Let's say young me won a music contest against a local fey, who was a bit of a sore loser."
He unties the shoes and nods at Francois. "Ah, my sincerest thanks! That would be most gracious of you."
After Francois leaves, he turns to the others. "So, an expedition to these ruins early in the morning, then. Have we scouted the area around them before?"
Varr kept quiet as he watched the interactions on Olivert’s curse with a wary eye. Nobody had noticed his own lack of a shadow yet, and to his fortune there hadn’t been anything else that had occurred. It had led to so much hardship in his life that he expected it to follow him here. But if the others were accepting of Olivert’s condition, then it boded well for him. In part he was jealous of the man having a reason for his curse rather than it being something intrinsically wrong with him.
”In the interest of full disclosure.” Varr said. ”Olivert here angered fey. I have something similar with spirits. I have the ability to feel the connection that spirits have with items. Let’s me do some minor magic.” He touched some spilled drink on the table, causing it to dry. ”Lets me identify items easily. Comes at a cost though, as I lost my shadow for this power.” He assumed this was the case, at least. He motioned in what he hoped as a casual way towards where his shadow should be. ”So if anyone notices that, or other wee things like that, it’s all it means. Same as he has Fey tricks I have spirits. Moving little things about of what not. Nay reason to worry.”
The Evoker arches a brow at these disclosures "Well, we all have our challenges. Let us know if either challenge brings a danger to village eh? But looks mostly personal." He scratches his chin, "For me, is bad family history," He gestures to his orcish features, "Father is powerful orc of, how you say, unpleasant disposition. If he and I ever meet again, it will not be happy family reunion." A shrug "Fine. We go to ruins in next morning it looks like."
"Thank you for the vote of trust, both. I can assure you that my... 'frenemies' are mostly harmless. Usually they're annoying, but seldom actually dangerous. They... like fun, in their chaotic, childish fashion, but also dislike what gets between them and it. In fights, I found they usually help me instead," Oliver explains, then shrugs. "Do I understand them? No. But we have an... 'understanding' of sorts that usually suffices. Now then, if there is nothing more, I believe I will take an opportunity to practise my music before turning in for the night."
Varr let it drop, pleasantly surprised that it had gone so well. It was odd to realize that after a lifetime of being an outsider back home, he was so readily accepted within this eclectic group of settlers. It seemed that he had more in common with a half-orc wizard and a cursed princeling than he did with the people he had grown up with.
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Sitting down next to Sargon, Claudia leans back, looking briefly at the ceiling when Oliver starts playing music. Reminding her of the few consistently good things about her time growing up.
How ironic. I'm so far away from that place, and yet here music is played, Patrice's favorite for get together evenings.
She could not help but softly start humming along with the music, slipping into soft singing while looking into a distance beyond any surroundings.
" Have you--ever wondered,
what lies beyond the edge of your sight.
What you cannot see, yet feels right.
Feeling drawn to new places, to new sights,
flying high, through a star lit night.
Only so much to see right here, right now.
fate please tell me when, tell me how.
Have you--ever wondered,
what lies beyond the edge of your sight.
What you cannot see, yet feels right.
A longing feeling in my heart,
growing restless, i need a new start.
Coming together, looking towards a rising sun,
much has happened, yet life's road has only just begun.
Have you--ever wondered,
what lies beyond the edge of your sight.
What you cannot see, yet feels right.
We celebrate together tonight.
even if it means parting ways soon.
It need not be a farewell,
we all walk underneath the same moon.
When you've settled your longing,
longing that floated in the air like a feather.
We'll all get back in touch,
and we shall once more get together. "
Hindsight, Claudia gets the impression the song may have been a song of prayer for someone who remained behind, yet applied to herself right now.
As she snaps to clarity, she feels a bit melancholic.
Not bothering to hide underneath hair and mantle anymore, you notice a tiny dragon, the size of a cat, snuggling its head against her neck, making some noises as if to cheer her up.
She strokes its head with a finger, then looks back up with a smirk.
"Say...minstrel boy. Where did you pick up that melody?"
Oliver glances sideways, his hands absently settling into another melody as he gives a pleased smile. "I see you have some musical talent of your own, Miss Dragon Girl. Beautiful lyrics, I must say. A song of wanderlust and friends lost along the way?"
His violet eyes look glide from Claudia to the whelpling and Sargon afterwards. He laughs softly, clearly amused. "And here I thought I would make too grand an entrance. Fortunately, I have you to keep me in check, no? Or should that be checked, perhaps..."
He gives a nod of respect. "Ah, but where are my manners. To answer, it was a melody composed by my mother. She performed in Court at times. Not professionally, but... well, are you familiar with High Society in Taldor, Claudia? Often times, at gala's, balls and the like, where noble families of different standings mingled, there would be various contests and shows of arts and skill. Not just dances, but music and the like as well. And I am to believe that, on a special night like this, mother played this exact melody and drew father's eye. And that from that moment, he would make it a point to listen to her play each time."
Motioning towards the rest of Haven, he continues. "Of course, I'd like to imagine the scenery in the Capitol City twenty-two or so years back then was just slightly more romantic and grand than our current surroundings," He jokes, counting all of the five or so buildings that made up the majority of the 'town'. "Still..."
His smile fades slightly as he looks over the buildings. "I quite like it. I feel her melody combines elements of wanting to be free with reaching towards what you want to have. Though, still warm enough to make a listener believe it is possible without sacrificing what you already had. Perhaps it sells an impossible dream, but is it not better to try and risk it?" he wonders, seemingly to himself.
The next moment, he is fully back to his seemingly eloquent and friendly, yet somewhat flamboyant self. "So, what brings someone like you way out here, of all places? There must be better opportunities for a... dragon keeper elsewhere? Something tells me it's not about expanding your family business or is it?"
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This tiny dragon is a pseudodragon.
Tiny sized kin to dragons, they curious and shy.
Sometimes familiars to casters, traveling companions to others.
The latter in particular only if the one they travel with treats them with a warm heart and care.
"I see you have some musical talent of your own, Miss Dragon Girl. Beautiful lyrics, I must say. A song of wanderlust and friends lost along the way?
"Oh, i couldn't properly again if i wanted to."
"The lyrics are a shared composition of me and a lifetime friend who lives in Gralton. Quite prior to my departure. Some people are in more of a position to travel than others."origin of melody
"With Taldan nobles, can't say that i am. But there was this one violinist, Linda Stirling i believe, a student at a Taldan music academy, who played that melody at a ball in Gralton. Giving credits to its original composer, of course. Fair chances she must have been at one of your mother's occassions then."
So, what brings someone like you way out here, of all places? There must be better opportunities for a... dragon keeper elsewhere? Something tells me it's not about expanding your family business or is it?"
"I mentioned earlier, i had seen enough of Gralton. It was high time i left."
"Sathyssil here," as she slightly nudges her head to the tiny dragon, "Has been with me for the past 3, 4 years. She'll have to get used to me spending time with -2- dragons now."
"I'm better off training animals, over setting up a dragon hatchery.
If you want a bison mount, i could get you one, for example."
Sargon slightly grunts..... "Yes, a whole clutch of little ones would very much help the food problem...."
Sarcasm is thick like butter on bread....
"Ah, my mistake," The bard says when claudia repeats herself. " My mind has been on multiple matters, not the least of which wondering if I should make myself scarce to Francoix. He didn't seem to particularly like me much, though there isn't much else in the way of lodgings I believe."
He plays on a while as Claudia talks of her dragons. "A mount? Hah! I'm afraid I lack that sort of talent. All of my jousting is verbal at best. I mean - " He pauses to consider, then laughs. "Perhaps that came out wrong. Still, I'm sure you get the gist of it. I'm proficient magician but have always fumbled when it came to swordplay. It didn't help that the fey somethime unbuckled my swordbelt in the middle of lessons. That was always a real riot..."
He shrugs and ends the performance. "Tell me, how do you feel about a venture such as this? I never quite imagined I'd try helping grow a community and town in the middle of nowhere. But there's a certain... charm to it, of being able to make your mark, supposedly. Isn't there?"
For a moment, the half orc seemed lost in the music, "Very nice."
He looks over at the littler dragonling
"A pseudo dragon? Sathyssil is lovely name" He looks at the rat that has come out of his sleeve to peek, "They are making us look bad, Plague." But he chuckles. He notices that the dragon rider and the Shelynite seem a talkative bunch, not that he's been silent himself. So he listens and observes.
My mind has been on multiple matters, not the least of which wondering if I should make myself scarce to Francoix. He didn't seem to particularly like me much, though there isn't much else in the way of lodgings I believe."
She gives him a knowing look.
"Oh, i could tell you my educated guess, but i reckon your face would turn as red as your clothing."
Hearing Dargys recognizing Sathyssil as a pseudo dragon, Claudia's attention switches.
"Thank you Dargys.
Not surprising to see a wizard recognizing her for what she is.
They are a special kind of dragon indeed. She is like family to me, tiny sized."
"Where did you meet your furry companion, Dargys?"
"Near the fog peaks. I called, was expecting hawk perhaps, but no... got Plague" A chuckle though as he pets his rat.
"Well, it could have been worse. It could have been a centipede.
Petting something furry seems to work relaxing for some people. So say some of the children, at least."
"Well, despite his name, Plague is often cleaner than I am" Dargys agrees with the bronze.
At this point, Eep, the Mokele-mbembe, sticks their long neck in again through their favorite window, despite the pies long having been moved away after its first thievery.
They give a quick two sniffs of Claudia and then Sathyssil.
Mia seems to not notice entirely as she speaks up.
I would also ask that we try to find a place of power, where we can re-imbue and reawaken the magic in some relics we found that may prove useful in times to come. But, I agree, making sure we survive the winter is the first priority.
"Oh, i could tell you my educated guess, but I reckon your face would turn as red as your clothing."
"You believe I blush so readily, Dame Claudia? You wound me!" He says, clutching his chest in overly dramatic fashion. "Sure, I might be humble, but still a wandering minstrel of love! Should Francoix deign it fit to exclaim his love for me, I would let him down gently. And should it be hate instead..." he raises his hands. "They say the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. Perhaps that bridge could be mended. I, for one, would hope so, as he is our gracious host."
He says, and continues playing.
Seemingy lost in his song and conversation with Claudia for the moment, he blinks and looks back, mildly surprised to see Dargys and Mia standing there. "Ah, thank you, Dargys," He makes a flourishing bow when the half-orc compliments the play. "Truth be told, I feel my playing is a bit off today. Propbably recent events weighing on me. Yet, Shelyn is said to reward effort over result, so long as it is genuine. I am but her instrument to spread her gifts for others to enjoy."
When Mia speaks, he looks up at the shy (?) druid. "Relics? Could you elaborate, dear Mia? You found items of great interest in the wilds around Haven?"
They give a quick two sniffs of Claudia and then Sathyssil.
Sathyssil does the same, seeing this new creature suddenly appear.
"That is an unusual animal, does it belong to one of you?"
Dargys takes a long drink of his brown sour enjoying the music and chatter.
Comfortable chatter lasts a while, but eventually Oliver picks up his guitar and heads inside. "It's getting late, and we should probably get some sleep. See you all tomorrow!" he cheerfully says on the way out.
On the morrow, you find yourself thronged by the children of Haven.
They arrived with the second wave of settlers, aboard the flat-bottomed barges from Stoneriver, and have heard quite a few stories of the exploits of the new village's protectors. Thus, they clamor to see these heroes off and bombard you with questions.
They ask all about where you're going, what monsters you're off to fight, what kind of treasures you'll bring back, and all other manner of eager, youthful curiosities.
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Mia shakes her head.
No, we gathered them from a dragon's hoard. The means to re-power them may well lie there still. Or, at least, the means to know what we must do.
------
as the children swarm, Mia smiles and gives a small sigh. Her timid nature seemingly gone when dealing with the young.
we go to find and bring back food, or at least, something that can be used to get food. She will take a small seed from a pouch and bury it in the ground a small distance away from the main path.
And remember, its better to make than to take. So learn to grow things before anything else.
She will use a bit of her power to cause the seed to sprout the smallest of sprigs.
Take care of this for me, and I'll see about bringing you all back something interesting okay?
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He frowned as the morning sun roused him from his slumber. He wasnt sure how long they would be gone, or whom would be coming back. But it was important. He quietly leaned over the bed and kissed his sleeping wife before he slid from their small room like a ghost... He dressed himself in the kitchen quietly before he stoked the fires of the oven. Things would be ready for Noemie to begin the bread when she awoke. They were having to use less and less quality wheat. at his rate he would have to start considering other options. He found the procession with the others easy enough, after all, the crowd followed them.
Once they neared the edge of the town he moved closer, adjusting his belt he nodded to the others.
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Dargys wakes from his tower... okay, it's a circular shack but one day he might be able to HAVE a tower, with a yawn. Getting washed and dressed, a bit of food, and out he goes... to find themselves swarmed by questioning tykes. Ork kids, human kids, it's actually quite the sign that the youth are freerer of biases than their elders.
They ask all about where you're going, what monsters you're off to fight, what kind of treasures you'll bring back, and all other manner of eager, youthful curiosities.
"It is as Mia says, but who knows? Maybe we will find ways of not just feeding town but building it up while still keeping it green eh. Making better place for you all with schools and the like. Me? I want a tower, but I doubt we'll bring one back this month. Maybe though , with time, We get big wizard academy, you all get little hats... never know, never know. Just remember dream big, work hard for those dreams, dare to be yourself and not what others would make you, and listen to your papas and mamas who love you. Hokay?"
Varr smiled politely at the talk of druid circles and Wizard schools. It was good to dream big, even if he didn’t see this village being anything more than such. But who knew? Perhaps this group had what it took. Time would tell how much dedication and ability they really had.
"Haha, come now, everyone. We'll tell you all about it when we get back. I'll sing a song of our exploits in master Francoix's fine establishment when we're done!" Oliver tells the kids on the way out. He takes in a breath of fresh morninf air and adjusts his backup, ready for whatever the day would throw at him
Or so he thought...
Huts and hovels have been constructed by the first wave of settlers, using the ancient Kaskkari foundations. Their families, arriving among the second wave of settlers, have been crammed into these cramped shelters where possible. However, fully half of the residents of Haven - particularly those from Borjan's group and part of the second wave - presently live in tents.
The children ask about potential destinations for your pending adventure, and as they jabber on, you get the sense that they've done a bit of exploring themselves to learn about these places.
"Are you going to the forum? That's what my pa called the place, anyhow. Said them ancient folk might've gathered their to talk, or maybe to trade. There's a bunch of cellars around there. We haven't gone in any of them. They're too scary, and some are blocked by rocks."
He is interrupted by one of the girls in the group.
"No, no. They're going to the...what did ma call it? The sis-turn? It's a big square hole with dirty water at the bottom. There's probably a monster down there that needs slaying!"
However, Sargon knows about two sites across the river that haven't been touched.
The first is sealed by some manner of puzzle door. The inscriptions look like ancient Kaskkari, but it's just gibberish, as though carved by a drunkard. If the party wants to attempt to succeed where two dragons have failed, Sargon can guide them there.
The other one Barthazar doesn't even know about because the minions he sent to scout it out never came back. Their deaths sounded particularly gruesome, so while Sargon knows where it's located (keeping it a secret from his "father"), he was not foolish enough to go inside himself and find out what was able to slaughter a trio of ogres.
"You know, apart from the site that 'dear father' had his minions plunder, there are 2 other sites.
The first is sealed by some manner of puzzle door. The inscriptions look like ancient Kaskkari, but it's just gibberish, as though carved by a drunk."
"The 2nd he doesn't know about. His minions got butchered. I can tell you where, but it warrants caution. Whatever can kill three ogres is bad news."
The wizard smiles at the children "Both good ideas..." ALready his mihnd is racing. Would the Cistern help them keep clean water if they cleared it out? Then, Sargon has a suggestion... and he nods.
"Perhaps check the puzzle door, if we can't figure it out we can always go to second location?" Dargys suggests
"Dargys has the right of it, I'd say! I'd take a good puzzle over a bloodbath any day of the week," Olivert says, checking the straps on his backpack and gauntlets. Satisfied, he nods and walks with the others as they went to the first destination.
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"Yes, we are cultured academics around here," He hits his chest and mimes a belch, then grins as they make their way there.
"Im better in a fight than with puzzles, but I prefer to avoid fights... Puzzles it is."
He shrugged and nodded at Dargys' jest.
Sargon can easily lead you to the ruins with the puzzle door, but first you must again cross the mighty river to reach the swampy forest. Having Eep wading along beside your canoes seems to keep away the lumbering, dangerous hippos, lurking in the water, that imperiled your previous crossing.
Sargon asks that you keep a look out as he rediscovers the route, since he's approaching from a different direction this time.
"Not a river for a leasure canoe trip, sadly," Olivert says, observing he wild currents and searching for a way through.
Dargys finds tracks and chewed plant life that suggests the presence of giant insects, so he steers the party away from such overlarge vermin and their lairs. Meanwhile, Olivert identifies streams and bogs that are deceptively deep and cautions against such dangerous crossings.
Claudia keeps a sharp lookout for less natural dangers, especially swarms of the tree goblins she has heard about from the other party members. While she does not spot any of these nuisance creatures themselves, she observes some primitive traps they have left behind, some of them highlighted by the unfortunate (and unusual) animals that have fallen prey to them.
What you cannot avoid, however, are the inescapable swarms of buzzing, biting flies. Although more of a nuisance than a danger - at least the danger is mitigated since Mia provides some medicine against the potential diseases they carry - you do sorely wish the flies would shoo and leave you be.
Swatting at a fly, the evokers mutters "remind me that flaming sphere and fireballs would be wasted on these things"