"I'll have you know, each of my skillfully recounted tales is as true as the Frog King of the south, and the tales of Gilliam the Elf-Bird." Randal replies, with a wide grin.
"As to the matter of tipping, I would tip more, if it didn't mean I had to drink less. And never have I run off on a tab." he finishes, quite proud of that last bit.
Emi smirks and, turning to Soliana, adds, ”perhaps if Cayden had a shrine at the church you vould know him.”
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Jerukh splits time eying the newcomer and the chatter surrounding him, and examining the body of the huge ogre kin they had downed...
Ach. Let the chickens cluck round the new cockerel...
The alchemist shrugs his shoulders at Soli's question concerning Bugwort's change;
"I do not know Soliana... but I will find out..."
Jerukh pulls forth his leeching kit and chirurgeon equipment, readying them should he require to check the brute's corpse.
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As Jerukh takes a closer look, he notices that the change also caused Bugwort's muscles to expand significantly. he also sees the remains of a banner with a single word on it, "brute."
When the man is confirmed as a regular person, and one from Sandpoint to boot, Vigny brightens considerably.
"Well, our last several days have been filled with that sort of thing. Seemed like it was something worth asking. But, if you're from Sandpoint and we're finding you here of all places, this is no coincidence!"
She takes Emi's comments about him literally. "And you know the Accidental God as well? Outstanding!"
Vigny rummages into her pack to produce the bottle of ale she carries at all times. "Here" she says handing Randal the bottle. "We have to drink to this."
"Now you're speaking my language." Randal says as he greatfully accepts the beverage.
"Tell me," he says looking into the fog, "Where exactly is 'here'?"
Vigny takes a stiff draw on the bottle after Randall.
"Brinewall. Haunted and creepy from what I've heard. I can vouch for creepy so far."
She hands the bottle off to Emi or Soli if they're up for it.
The fog, noticeably thinner than it was only minutes ago, shrouds the ruins of the village like a ghostly veil. In the distance, the stout form of the castle can be seen as a silhouette in the mist.
It's about this time that it occurs to you that Reiko has not said a word in a while. Perhaps too long of a while.
Emi shrugs and accepts the bottle from Vigny. She takes a few healthy gulps before handing it back to her Ulfen friend.
"Vhere is Reiko?" she asks without too much alarm, "she vas right vith us vhen the fog rolled in..."
"I hate to be a bother, but given recent events and the challenges of this fog, might it be all right for me to accompany you fine folk for a bit? I'm not sure I like my odds alone, and I may be able to help find this friend of yours." trying to be personable, but still not knowing whom he owes his debt to, he re-introduces himself, "As I said, I'm Randal. ...."
”And I am Emi, in case you’fe forgotten,” Emi adds only half looking at the newcomer.
”Should ve go back to the hut and look for Reiko?”
"Soliana, I have seen no rose that could compare in beauty to you." Randal says with a bow, tipping his cap a little.
"And Emiliana, I did not recognize you until your snark shone through." He smiles as he can't help but bait the friend of Ameiko. "I see your dance is not just for show, perhaps sometime you can show me more?"
:
:
Jerukh stoops over the "brute's" fallen form, looking for clues on its transformation...
As Randal makes his introduction, the alchemist pauses and absent-mindedly grunt's a greeting;
"I'm Jerukh... Apologies I am... somewhat busy at present..."
”You could not handle any more than that,” Emi answers flatly, now fully turned away from everyone to look back at the hut.
”I’m going to go back and look for her...”
After a brief examination, you believe the change was brought about due to the ogrekin's mutations. One of which appears to have been a spell-like ability to cast the prestidigitation spell.
The fog continues to clear, but of Reiko, you see no sign.
The fog continues to clear. It is around mid-morning now, and the air is cool, if not crisp. After the chaos of combat and the cacophony of the strange birdmen, it is eerily silent and still in the ruined village of Brinewall.
Jerukh continues to crouch next to the ogrekin corpse as he nods briefly to himself before collecting a vial of the brute's blood.
He then rises, nods briefly to the newcomer, then joins the others in the search for their missing samurai.
Vigny takes another pull off the bottle, then offers Randal one more as well. She saves the remainder in case the need for a blessing or some such comes along later.
"I'm Vigny" she tells Randal without further elaboration.
++++++++++
When Soli mentions Reiko's disappearance, Vigny isn't terribly concerned. She gets ready to start looking along with the others.
"The last time we didn't know where Reiko was, she turned up on her own with a bugbear's head. I don't think we have to worry too much."
Retracing your steps leads you back to the building where you'd faced Buttersnips and Muhtildah. The quickling's corpse is gone and the only sign of Reiko is her straw hat lying on the floor, now sporting a cut in the brim that goes nearly to the crown.
Emi frowns and looks around with uncertainty. ”Yeah...” she offers with an uncharacteristic lack of confidence, ”Soli is right... last time she vandered off it was to mofe ahead on her own... ve should head for the castle and see if ve can find here there... I guess...”
Vigny doesn't answer Soli's question. Okay, that doesn't seem so good.
"Yeah, I think it's time to get to the castle."
Before moving on, Randal sweeps the area quickly, looking for signs of the missing friend of his rescuers.
Randal easily finds the signs he seeks. What ever took Reiko managed it quickly, and it appears that there was more than one carrying her. The tracks lead out to the main pathway to the castle in the distance. There they turn west, heading towards the hill it rests upon and the main gates.
"It looks like your friend was grabbed by more than one unfriendly." Randal says as he points out the signs.
"Seems you were right to be headed toward the castle"
Jerukh also eyes the tracks;
:
"Seems our new friend is speaking true... More than one took our Reiko..."
The lanky alchemist rises and shoots Randal an awkward smile;
"No offence... but we've only just met, and these are strange times..."
Clearly agitated, Emi takes a deliberate deep breath and then turns to scrutinize the new arrival. ”You know how to use that fancy bow, Cupshot?”
"I've had this pretty girl out for a spin quite a few times."
though that was mostly rabbit hunts and contests in town....
"Fery vell... you and your girlfriend can bring up the rear vhile ve mofe. If anything tries to attack us, shoot it," Emi instructs the newcomer.
"Veriu, stai cu el și ai grijă de el," she says more quietly to Jerukh.
"Reiko alvays used to go first..." she's continues with a frown, "Soli, Figny, vhich of you vant to take the lead?"
Jerukh nods at Emi's words and replies in kind;
"Ochii ca un văr de șoim"
"Eyes like a hawk cousin"
The alchemist belts his cudgel and grips one of his combustable bombs that hang on his belt...
Vigny does her best to follow the trail identified by Jerukh and Randal. She tries to be quiet about things as she makes her way toward the castle.
Randal follows along in whatever order the others seem to want him.
Jerukh moves as stealthily as he can, conscious that potions rattle and half-orc's aren't usually subtle;
:
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”That is because beautiful vomen” like us ”seldom hafe reason to hide,” Emi reassures Soli while unhappily being very careful about her movements.
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As the others slowly make it up the hill, Soliana trips and falls with a clatter. The strange birdmen that you see guarding the gates stop their heated argument. Heads cocked as if listening for something. After several tense seconds, it appears that the monstrous things will return to their conversation.
Then one of them turns it's beaked head and spots Soliana lying on the ground.
With cries of "Doom!" they rush towards the prone paladin.
Oops. Looks like another fight's coming our way" Vignu quips as she shifts position to put herself between the corbies and Soli.
She takes her tankard from the clip on her belt and touches it against her sword with a quick prayer. The blade takes begins to glow golden yellow again, and she waits for the corbies to arrive.
The two birdmen leap down the sloping pathway, one at Vigny, the other at Soliana. The first one doesn't manage as well as the second. Still it manages to land next to Soliana and take a swipe at her.
The second one flies at Vigny like a black-feathered boulder. She only has a moment to react as it barrels towards her.
Emi loops around behind the creature that tripped Soliana (to flank), and reaches out to touch it with her laughing touch.
”Soli, stand kvickly vhile it’s laughing!”
The dire corby standing over Soliana begins to laugh a deep, throaty laugh as it clutches it's sides.