You all make your way down to the river where you first arrived, some of you just yesterday. There’s a hut near to the ferry crossing, made of mud and sticks and reeds and things. A flap of woven reeds covers the entrance, and there’s no sign of anyone being home. A dirt road follows north and south along the river. Following the advice given by Master Ashilia, you go north along the road.
It is a clear day, only the occasional cloud. The air is brisk, as the weather is still warming into proper spring. The air is made especially chill along the river, but as the sun rises it also warms your shoulders, making things pleasant enough.
After close to an hour on foot, you realize the road is slowly being overtaken by the encroaching forest to your right. Only the occasional muddy rut is visible for you to follow through the weeds and tall grasses.
Iagon clears his throat to take advantage of the first bit of down time away from curious ears. So...as I told you guys...met a little walking talking badger last night. He called himself a doctor and said he made the best...grimple...around? He glances about to see if the others had ever heard of such a thing, then shrugs.
Anyway, the little fellow asked me to kill him a Chaneque. He said they're cruel and look like bats. Trap yer soul in a skull, if you're not careful. He shakes his head at the odd conversation. Anyone ever heard of such a thing?
Túrante does in fact take the lead. Her woodcraft seems to be on point: She knows how to avoid soft mud and where to hug the treeline without getting too far from the water. She keeps her sword handy, just in case of trouble.
"A talking badger, you say?" she replies to Iagon as he relates his tale. "Well, not the strangest story I've heard. It may have been some kind of wood sprite, shapeshifted. Possibly a malevolent faerie creature."
"The chalenque are... also small forest spirits. Kind of like... gnomes, I guess, would be the closest? But I don't know much about them."
Kytes has never heard of any of this before, and listens with interest. "Why would the badger thing want us to kill a fey forest spirit for him? Was there a reason given?"
"The chalenque can be quite malicious, and they especially like hunting faeries. The badger may have been a boggan or other fair folk in the form of an animal," suggests the elf ranger as she pushes aside some rushes and steps carefully.
Well, first he wanted me to buy some of his grimple, said they had some different effects...perhaps potions of some sort? But he wanted more coin than I'd be willing to part with. So, instead...he asked me to kill this beast for him.
He shakes his head. Odd, indeed. There certainly seems to be more to this place than just a simple frontier settlement...the land is always surprising these days...
Almost on cue, there is a rustling sound in the tall grasses ahead of you. A large, sail-like fin rises into view, followed by hissing and snarling sounds. The fin moves, and into the overgrown road roughly 30 feet ahead, carefully steps a large lizard-like, reptilian creature. It’s jaws hang open menacingly as it hisses, and you can see razor sharp, knife-like teeth of varying size. It looks very angry.
"I don't know what that is, but it doesn't look happy!" Liamae explains. "Your highness, can you calm it down?"
The elf holds her gloves up at the ready.
Turante tells everyone to get low and look non-threatening. She does the same, and seems to commune with the beast somehow, speaking in hushed whispers to try to calm it’s temperament. Thankfully, the creature doesn’t attack, and seems at least willing to, uh, work things out. After some more hissing and flexing of the tall fin which runs the length of its back, the creature begins to calm down. A tense minute passes, and then the large lizard closes its mighty jaws. It shuffles awkwardly backwards back into the grasses, although it’s large fin remains visible alongside a bush just left of the road. Perhaps this is a warning sign not to get too close.
"We're encroaching on its territory," says the ranger. "We should go around unless we want to risk it attacking." She moves very slowly backward, still facing the dinosaur.
"It will take a little extra time but I think would be worth it."
Sensing nothing evil about the big lizard, Kytes gladly steps back and crouches rather than entering into a fight with it. Once it meanders off, he says "Could it be that the missing ferryman was made into a meal by that big fellow? Seems like a single person alone in the woods wound't have much chance against that thing if it were hungry."
He looks back over his shoulder from time to time to make sure the sail fin is still far enough off not to worry about.
"Let's go around and keep looking. We can come back and investigate further if we think the big guy is reponsible," Liamae suggests, following the others.
You give the big lizard a wide berth, having to step into the tree line for a bit before moving back to the remnants of the road. This you follow again, for about a half hour before the road is completely lost to the grasses and underbrush.
Turante is able to spot some curious web-footed tracks in the soft mud. Looks like Rilli passed through this way a few days ago. Pressing on, the lack of a trail slows your progress, but another half hour later you come to a bend in the river and a wide and open sandy shore. In the middle of the shore there is a long reed pole stuck upright in the sand and a fishing line cast out into the water. Next to that is a wooden bucket. No sign of any frog-person visible, though.
Liamae picks up the fishing pole and concentrates, trying to pick up on the psychic impressions surrounding it.
While Liamae psychically inspects the fishing pole, Kytes walks the perimater of the sandy beach, looking for anything amiss. Woodcraft and tracking is certainly not his strong suit, but he still tries to stay as observant as possible.
Kytes discovers some warm coals half buried in the sand about 15 feet back from the fishing pole. As he walks the perimeter, he notices what appear to be hoof prints in some mud at the forest's edge. After a moment of silent observation, he can hear the sound of whispered voices coming from deeper in the woods.
Kytes walks briskly back to the others, and explains quietly about the prints and voices from the edge and deeper into the woods. He sends Eir on a flight above the wood line to see if anything can be spied from above and draws out his blade with a soft rasping sound.
Attai feels more and more nervy as the trek continues. The encounter with the large lizard confirms his suspicions: this is not his environment! At the pond the Sylph stands ready with his heavy crossbow, personal gyre blowing about him.
"Rilli was here recently," Liamae confirms, describing her vision.
When Kytes warns the group, the elf uses her wand of mage armor and casts a spell to heighten her senses.
Kytes reports on the voices in the woods, and you've taken some precautions. What next?
Túrante likewise casts mage armor and prepares for battle.
"What do you see?" she asks Liamae in a whisper.
Liamae peers into the woods with her heightened senses.
Iagon calls upon his innate powers, and his skin turns into a much more effective barrier against attack. He stands ready, his eyes also trying to pierce through the vegetation.
Iagon isn’t able to see much through the thick foliage of the forest, but Liamae picks up on the whispered voices, and peering deep into the woods, is able to make out two figures standing amongst the trees.
One is small and, well, froglike. Actually, from the vision she received from the fishing pole, Liamae quickly recognizes this is Rilli. He seems to be talking to a tall, well-physiqued, woman with dark brown skin and long pointed ears like an elf. She’s almost completely nude save for a simple loincloth around her waist and painted markings all over her body. She holds a long staff with a curved blade at the end. Their conversation seems to be amicable as neither are on guard. However, from this distance, it is difficult to make out what they are saying.
"I see Rilli talking to somebody wearing less clothing than me," Liamae says with a trace of jealousy in her voice. "They seem to know each other. Should we go and say hello? Or perhaps one of us could sneak closer to listen in on their conversation?"
Iagon grows a bit distant, perhaps imagining Liamae with even less clothing. He shakes his head, then nods. I think we should say hello...to sneak up on them seems like we're spying, or perhaps mistrustful. I don't think we have cause for that yet...and hopefully not at all. Liamae, you'd be much less...confrontational than most of us, would you mind leading the way?
Túrante nods in agreement with Iagon's assessment.
"Very well." Liamae leads the group to the odd couple, smiling warmly. She adjusts her glasses, gaining a flash of insight into the immediate future.
"Hello! You must be Rilli. The folks at the outpost have been worried about you." She eyes the half-naked woman. "We haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet. My name is Liamae, and these are Iagon, Kytes, and Turante. Who might you be?"
Attai also had difficulty imagining someone wearing more revesling clothing than Liamae. Then he saw the elfin.
"Ah." was all he managed.
If only the Harrow had indicated this!
Kytes is surprised to see the frog-person and his mostly unclothed companion, and realizes his sword waving in the air might seem a little foolish. As taught, he makes a short oblation to the Inheritor before putting his sword back in its scabbard. "Daughter of the Righteous, bless this weapon and its use for the cause of Good." Then he turns to face the others, studiously keeping his eyes off the form of the elf woman, while waiting for an answer to Liamae's query.
As you all step through the forest, not taking any care to hide your approach, the two figures of Rilli and the brown-skinned woman cease their conversation and turn their gaze to the oncoming group. Rilli seems relaxed and unphased, serene one might say, while the elf woman tenses and stands guarded with her scythe-like weapon held before her. Wild eyes take you in as Liamae announces your presence, and there is a feral, animal-like way in her stance, as if she might flee at any moment.
However, Liamae's overture seems to disarm the stranger. She looks to the frog-man. "Rilli," croaks Rilli, a broad smile crossing his face. The woman looks back to the group and answers, "You must be the Marquis' new men. We heard you were coming soon. I am glad to meet you out here, unexpected though it may be, than on the battlefield." She bows deeply, crossing an arm over her bare chest. By now you may have noticed a few wands and scrolls hanging from chords around her hip.
"I am Uufanes," she continues as she stands upright and meets your eyes again, "I wish to make peace with your lord before my brother takes his war too far."
Liamae echoes Uufanes's bow, mimicking her motions, though her own chest is (technically) covered. "Well met. We are indeed agents of the marquis. We have only just arrived and still learning about the local goings-on. Please, tell us more of your brother and his war."
Attai blinks, realising Liamae had ommitted him from their group.
"Well met Uufanes - Liamae has left me to introduce myslef. I am called Attai Kah. Would I be correct in thinking your brother is Uuhurn? I had thought he was a centaur!?!"
Uufanes nods to Attai, "Yes, Uuhurn is my brother, and yes, we are what you call centaurs. My people prefer to be called the Brygair. We are the chosen protectors of the Great Forest, created by the Forest Spirit himself. I assumed this form as I thought it less alarming when I approached Rilli here. My observations told me he might be the most approachable and less... belligerent... to make contact with. If you all are agreeable, perhaps we can continue our conversation back at the riverbank."
"Rilli," croaks Rilli.
"Of course," says Túrante as she smoothly sheathes her sword. "You seem to be on good terms with Rilli; I hope we can soon say the same."
She gestures back toward the riverbank.
”Yes, let us relocate.”
Kytes watches the words and deeds of the strange lade of the Brygair carefully, trying to determine if her peace feelers are indeed truthful, or some kind of trap or reconnaissance mission for the dreaded Uuhurn and his minions.
"A truly brave warriors seeks peace first, and only girds for battle when all else has failed. Only a great fools strikes when calmer heads can prevail. If you and your brother seek to be guardians of this forest, then perhaps we can seek an accommodation that suits all parties."
Iagon silently follows the group, more than happy to let his companions do the talking, since they seem to be doing so well. He keeps a safe distance, scanning the woods almost nonchalantly, as he didn't expect any opposition now that they'd been introduced to this new potential ally.
"Rilli" returns Attai. "Well met." he adds, in case just repeating Rilli wasn't a form of greeting in return. He turns to Uufanes.
"Agreeable. Yes. Let us. Return to the riverbank." Attai syas, looking closely at Rilli to discern if he is under some enchantment.
Uufanes nods and gestures for you all to lead. She follows behind with Rilli.
Kytes is unable to read any dishonesty in Uufane’s words or mannerisms. She’s admitted to hiding her true form in order to parley, and there’s nothing in her body language that contradicts her words, although Kytes doesn’t allow himself to linger on her body for too long.
Likewise, Attai isn’t able to discern anything off about Rilli, however this is their first meeting, and he has no reference to make a comparison. The frog-man seems generally friendly and good natured.
Iagon, in his casual lookabout, spots something up in the trees. It is a bird, an owl in fact, and remarkably, it is perhaps the most beautiful owl the young man has ever seen. It’s feathers seem to catch the light just so, even under the dense canopy of the woods, and well, it is just an extremely healthy and robust specimen. He can’t seem to look away from it, and he notices it follows them to the forest’s edge, but stays in the trees as everyone steps out onto the small beach.
“Rilli,” croaks Rilli as he happily returns to his fishing pole. Uufanes instead takes a seat in the sand and bids you all do the same.
“For many cycles now, my brother has led our people in a war against the nation west of this river,” she begins, gesturing to the far bank. “The people of that nation have decimated the forest, and the war is justified. We know of the devils controlling nations far to the west, but even their evil is no match to the destruction of our sacred wood. However, the Treaty of the Wildwood has protected the Great Forest east of the river for longer than I have lived. We have many eyes and ears in the forest, and we have watched your lord and his endeavors closely. My obversations have informed us of his plans to allow the woodsmen to cross the river and spread their destruction. It was on this knowledge that my brother acted. However, his actions have put the Treaty at jeopardy. What’s more, our chieftain, my father, is in his decline. Uuhurn has most of our people under his sway. There are a few of our people who will side with me, but when my father passes, Uuhurn is poised to become leader. I have come to urge you and your people... Uuhurn will not attack, not now, but he will make a show of it, to try to scare you off. Please, do not attack him nor his warriors in retaliation. There is already enough darkness growing beyond the Verdant Slopes, I do not wish to upset the balance any further.”
Attai listens attentively, and though he has much to say on the matter he defers to Liamae and Turante as the "elvins" of the group to match diplomacy with wisdom.
"I see," says Túrante. "You are kind to bring this to us, rather than risking a war."
"Liamae, Kytes, Attai... you know the lord better than I. Is the description of the treaty terms accurate? Does this encampment actually constitute a violation of treaty?"
Attai hums. "Hmm. Perhaps the encampmemt is not, being this side of the river...but if the Marquis sends cutters over the river to denude the forest, that might constitute a violation."
The sylph hums again.
"The trouble with the written word is that it is then open to interpretation, and there are those...with vested interests let us say...who will interpret those words more...elastically. And beyond that, once hostilities have commenced the elasticity becomes interpreted through a darker lens, and with more force."
He pauses.
"I fear the Brygain may be more honorable in their understanding than the Marquis' functionaries in their...interpretation."
Liamae nods as she listens to the story. As a regular of the Taldan courts, she knows about the Treaty of the Wildwood and its repercussions.
"Attai is right. Uufanes, do you think you could arrange a meeting with your brother? Perhaps we could talk to him and try to convince him to stand down."
Uufanes listens carefully to Attai, finding wisdom in his words. She nods in response to Liamae, "I can try. I've tried to reason with him already, and I am uncertain to how open he is to a true peace. He has given me his word that he will not attack, but he will try all he can to provoke you all into attacking. If I can convince him to meet, I will send word."
Attai bows. He pauses for the merest moment, as if sensing Uufanes.
"Uufanes, please permit me to ask of you one favor. I am a disciple of fate, to whit the prognosticative power of the Harrow Deck - perhaps you are familiar with it? During an undortunate encounter with a wolf that attempted to eat Iagon here [here indicates Iagon] I received symbols of a centaur, perhaps as a gatherer of otherwise unwanted things..."
He looks directly at the Brygain, without guile.
"As an extension of our shared goodwill, would you be so kind as to draw a card so that we might gain some wisdom?"
The sylph holds out his deck, presenting it to the Brygain woman.
Uufanes tilts her head and looks at Attai and his deck of cards curiously, "A strange magic you practice airy one. But you speak wisely and I gather you've learned much from your consultations. I myself speak to and learn from the forest. It is my guide, but I will confer with yours."
She lifts a slender hand and picks a card at random.
Uufanes looks at the card and its imagery, but she doesn't know what to make of it. She hands it back to Attai, "What does it mean?"
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Attai only nods at the Brygain's characterisation of his mystery. When she turns the card to him he considers it.
"Lady Uufanes, it is important to note that precognition, ovaticination and the seersoothing is...imprecise. We ken notes, motes and lost truths or unpossibilities. The cards then are a guide, to lean one way or another and we merely interpret the symbols, images, set and setting - all that transpires or effects the multifaceted nature of what fools call truth."
"This card speaks in many of those ways. It is a card of neutrality, so perhaps it is a sign of compacts. Also of intelligence, but what kind of intelligence - the ability to know things and how to use those things, or things known and how to trade them?... A foreign trader. Perhaps, given we cleave close to a trading post, one has been before, or may arrive yet who plies Uuhurn with lies or half-truths? Or, given the actual image as it appears -one of the fey who meddles at the trading post."
Attai pauses characteristically.
"Is any of that germane to your knowledge? Are there traders who fit this description more specifically than their calling might suggest to those more...cynical?"