Big Ern puts on his best s~!+-eating grin as he greets the stranger.
"Hey, good-looking! My buddy and I are going out to crack some heads and make the land safe for pretty girls like you. So why don't you get a couple of your girlfriends and meet us back at Oleg's trading post? We should be having a big victory party tomorrow!"
He gives her a crude wink for emphasis.
Xanda looks at the large fellow, blinks slowly and then says,
She glances around, then looks back to 'Big Ern' and 'Agerron'.
then she replies,
And she points over to the rest of the group.
Big Ern shrugs at the woman's gibberish and says to Agerron, "Come one, let's go."
Branomnrik nods in agreement with Queslin"Agreed, They have the option of wondering the woodland alone or traveling with the group, and I also think it wise to not allow our "Guest a weapon until we get to the vermin cave" He looks over seeing Ern talking with a rather confused looking elf
"Speaking of which, I believe saving young ladies from ruffians is your area of expertise is it not Michale" He says with a chuckle as he points out the elf and heads to his mount with his night gear.
Queslin goes over to greet the newcomer with Michael.
Xanda looks at the large fellow, blinks slowly and then says,
** spoiler omitted **
She glances around, then looks back to 'Big Ern' and 'Agerron'.
then she replies, ** spoiler omitted **
And she points over to the rest of the group.
Agerron looks at Xanda in a questioning way. "Does no one in this wilderness speak Common? I'm sorry miss, but do either me or my friend look like elves or faeries to you? Let's try this from another angle. I'm Agerron, this here's Big Ern, but you can call him 'Lard @ss'."
"Come on, let's not waste our time with someone who's unable or unwilling to speak with us."
Big Ern rides away at a canter.
Xanda sits upon her horse and listens to Agerron's words, though upon 'Big Erns' interruption, she again looks puzzled. With a slight sigh, she does say to Agerron,
And noting that he is an Elf, Xanda smiles though is a little nervous.
Xanda does not hide the fact that her birth is of mixed parentage, herself being a Half-Elf.
Seeing one of the other group approach,
And noting that he is an Elf, Xanda smiles though is a little nervous.
** spoiler omitted ** She waves with her free hand, while sliding the x-bow into it's place upon her saddle,
** spoiler omitted **
Xanda does not hide the fact that her birth is of mixed parentage, herself being a Half-Elf.
** spoiler omitted ** She frowns at these last words, seeming genuinely puzzled.
Agerron scowls. "You are as rude as the others!" he shouts, obviously angry again. "Doesn't it occur to you that not everyone speaks the same languages as you? It is plain you understood our Common, yet you refuse to converse in it! So be it."
He turns to Queslin and Michael, "And why must you continually invade our camp? Very well, if you prefer our site so much, you can have it."
Agerron begins riding off, presumably with Ern.
Agerron, Big Ern:
Today, with the sun shining brightly and in favor of Agerron and Big Ern, the two easily find their way south, without much need to heed the surroundings. Devoid of things to get in their way the two hit a pretty good speed and two hours later they leave behind the trees of the Narlmarches and ride on in boring open land. Though most of it is still covered in snow, some spots already sport grass and early flowers.
The area itself is relatively flat, though occasional hills occure.
Seeing Michael and Queslin heading to talk with the woman, Devlin heads over as well, leaving Delfey to finish packing their gear.
Once he reaches the woman, he says, "Greetings. I apologize for those two, they lack tact when meeting new people. Consider yourself lucky they didn't draw blades and attack when they first noticed you. I am Devlin."
Xanda smiles to Devlin, then dismounts her horse. Pointing to herself she says simply,
"Xanda." Then, bows here head in greeting.
Elvish
"He speaks to everyone that way. I have found ignoring him to work so far. Would you mind speaking in Common? You seem to understand it so I assume you can speak it as well. It is the only language shared by all here."
Elvish ** spoiler omitted **
Xanda smiles initially as Quwslin addresses her, though as his words finish she has a slight frown upon her features, though she bows deferentially to Queslin before she answers.
She pauses again slightly, glancing away, some slight colour rises in Xanda's cheeks, which would seem to not have anything to do with being embarrassed.
She coughs behind her hand politely, then bows again to Devlin and Queslin.
"Sorry I am for my words. I do speak the way of...others. But it is not my native speech and I do not want to make mistakes." She smiles, "Shouting just be-gets shouting and no one learns anything."
"A'h don't worry Ern is like that with everyone" She leans in closer
Elvish
"Anyway I'm Majet greenhill pleased to meet you."
Kardok keeps back, staying by the fire, warming his reptilian body even though the sun shines through the trees.
The Kobold looks tentatively out to the newcomer with her cart.
With a yawn he reaches out for some radishes out of one of the baskets that still stand around, slowly chewing on them.
He looks around the arranged members of the team some more, probably thinking of something or other, tapping with one foot on the ground softly.
Taras and Kay finish breaking the camp shortly, just as Delfey is ready as well.
Having finished his breakfast of radishes, Kardok asks without addressing anyone directly:
Trying some words Devlin taught him he intonates: "Battle Mites? We go?"
Michael does not speak Elvish, so he stands by as the others talk again in a strange tongue.
He smiles as the Kobold speaks common and winks at him and nods.
"So does anyone want to tell them two we are going to the same place, or do we let them either beat us there, or get annoyed when we get there first and steal their thunder?" he asks, "does anyone want to volunteer to ride and catch them up and explain what we are doing, give them a chance to get their first or join up with us?"
"No matter what you do they won't like it. I say let them figure it out on their own. They may just come to accept it after a while. I think it is important that our plans not change because of them, nor should we make it seem as if they do. I don't think it wise to feed into their negative thoughts."
I think it is important that our plans not change because of them, nor should we make it seem as if they do.
"No need to worry yourself with your proficiency at the common tongue of humans, there are those among us who have spoken it their whole lives and still struggle with it." He looks in the direction of Agerron and Ern. He continues, "Please miss, walk with us as we go to slay some vile creatures plaguing this land. We can share our tales and you can share yours." Devlin bows courteously.
He then motions to Delfey, who starts leading Devlin's horse, and packed gear, over to the group.
Seeing Kardok standing there with a questioning look on his face, Devlin says,
Xanda smiles at Devlin, Majet Greenhill, Queslin and Michael's introduction. She walks her horse and cart over to where they are packing up their camp in preparation for moving on with the coming dawn.
She notes the Koblod in the groups midst, raises an eyebrow and asks,
"Is this a guide?" She points to the small scaled folk.
Branomnrik rides up to the others. "Ah another elf blood eh? Yes, the kobold is the guide, if you are coming with us that is. We go to do the vaultkeepers work" he says with a grim nod. "Well lads are we off before this beast tries to kill me again?" he says looking at the house with contempt.
"Agreed, Bran, we should be heading for the mites."
Devlin looks the woman up and down and says, "Xanda, this land is rough and full of both man and beast that would do you harm. Please, accompany us, both for your safety, and our peace of mind."
Devlin mounts his horse, offers a hand up so Kardok can ride in front of him, and point the way.
"Agreed, Bran, we should be heading for the mites."
Devlin looks the woman up and down and says, "Xanda, this land is rough and full of both man and beast that would do you harm. Please, accompany us, both for your safety, and our peace of mind."
Devlin mounts his horse, offers a hand up so Kardok can ride in front of him, and point the way.
** spoiler omitted ** "Kardok, care to ride with me?"
Xanda smiles and blushes slightly at Devlin's invitation. Though there is definitely a twinkle of humour in her eyes at his suggestion about how capable she may be.
"I am thanking you kind sir for the offer to travel with every persons else." As she brings her horse and cart to the rest of the group she asks, "Are you being all following the adventure of taming this land? I have heard stories of the offer, but not much else besides."
"Yes, most among us have a charter from the Swordlords of Restov granting us official right to explore, map, and pacify the Greenbelt region of the Stolen Lands." Noticing Xanda's sword, he continues, "That is a fine blade you have. I admit, I wish I was better with weapons, but I have Delfey for most of my up close and personal fighting."
Delfey while walking beside Devlin's horse.
As the others of the group prepare to journey out into the coming day, Xanda takes a moment to observe Devlin's companion.
And sees nothing untoward beneath the cloak.
"Everyone ready? Ok, kobold, lead the way." Queslin stands ready to depart.
Xanda bows to acknowledge she is ready to follow Queslin's question/request.
Kardok prefers to stay on foot, though he renews his request for his weapon.
The newcomer's cart drags the groups speed down and even though the forest isn't too dense, you sometimes have to take the longer ways, where Kardok might have known a shorter passage.
The Kobold is quick on foot and a bit quirky, probably eager to get to the hated Mite's lair. He (and most of you) often have to wait for the elf with the cart to not lose sight of her.
After close to three hours you finally leave the forest behind and continue southbound on fair plains.
At that time, Big Ern and Agerron already rode about 8miles, bringing them from the plains to a more hilly terrain. And riding up one of those hills, they meet another human riding east to west.
He's clothed in warm clothes, longbow hanging from his saddle, short sword at his side. In short, he looks like the typical hunter you would expect out here.
He hasn't taken notice of the two of you.
Xanda will give their guide a weapon if he so asks, as well as assuming she has a suitable weapon spare that she can give.
She also does apologise for her cart slowing down the parties travel, explaining that until now she has needed to carry everything a single person needs in her journey through the lands.
Big Ern nudges Agerron. "How about you hail that guy and see what he has to say. People seem to like to argue with me, I noticed. Probably because there are so many g*&++*n idiots in the world."
Big Ern nudges Agerron. "How about you hail that guy and see what he has to say. People seem to like to argue with me, I noticed. Probably because there are so many g~+#%#n idiots in the world."
"Yeah, I'm sure that's it."
Agerron spurs his horse ahead a bit and calls out to the man, "Hail, traveler! It's good to meet another in this lonely land. I am Agerron, and my companion is called Big Ern. Is it the hunt that finds you out here?"
"Kardok,
Xanda will give their guide a weapon if he so asks, as well as assuming she has a suitable weapon spare that she can give.
She also does apologise for her cart slowing down the parties travel, explaining that until now she has needed to carry everything a single person needs in her journey through the lands.
"Do not arm him! When the time comes, his weapon will be returned to him. Our alliance with the kobold is tenuous at this time."
"Yeah, I'm sure that's it."
Agerron spurs his horse ahead a bit and calls out to the man, "Hail, traveler! It's good to meet another in this lonely land. I am Agerron, and my companion is called Big Ern. Is it the hunt that finds you out here?"
The hunter turns around in surprise, reaching for his swords hilt when he hears Agerron closing in, and quickly brings his horse around as well.
Still cautious he answers: "Well met, I suppose. I'm Nicolay.Yeah, if Old Deadeye is graceous, he will grant me a good hunt today.
But you look like a special kind of hunting folks to me. You'd tell me, if I was your game, would you?"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Xanda will give their guide a weapon if he so asks, as well as assuming she has a suitable weapon spare that she can give."Do not arm him! When the time comes, his weapon will be returned to him. Our alliance with the kobold is tenuous at this time."
Kardok would have gladly taken the weapon, if Devlin and Queslin hadn't stopped Xanda from handing it to him. The Kobold spits sourly to the ground, mumbling some uncomprehensible things but doesn't bring up the topic anymore, while leading you south.
"Yeah, I'm sure that's it."
Agerron spurs his horse ahead a bit and calls out to the man, "Hail, traveler! It's good to meet another in this lonely land. I am Agerron, and my companion is called Big Ern. Is it the hunt that finds you out here?"
The hunter turns around in surprise, reaching for his swords hilt when he hears Agerron closing in, and quickly brings his horse around as well.
Still cautious he answers: "Well met, I suppose. I'm Nicolay.
Yeah, if Old Deadeye is graceous, he will grant me a good hunt today.
But you look like a special kind of hunting folks to me. You'd tell me, if I was your game, would you?"
Agerron laughs. "Oh, we're hunting alright. But if you were our prey, do you think we'd take the time to introduce ourselves first? No, our targets are smaller, and more ... pesty. Word is that there are some mites making themselves very annoying, and we aim to take care of them."
"Yeah, we're going to smash those mites good. Say...you aren't a closet mite-lover or kobold-lover, are you? I'm just asking because I think there must be something in the air around here..." Big Ern picks his nose ominously.
Draconic
Whatever she is saying she seems to direct it at Devlin although she speaks in Dracnic so that Kardock can understand her.
She smiles to Kardok,
She gives the Kobold a stage wink,
To every one else,
"I am sorry for not understanding your words clearer. When you said the Kobold was a guide, I thought such a word meant a different thing." She again bows to every one.
Devlin smirks and winks at Kardok.
Agerron laughs. "Oh, we're hunting alright. But if you were our prey, do you think we'd take the time to introduce ourselves first? No, our targets are smaller, and more ... pesty. Word is that there are some mites making themselves very annoying, and we aim to take care of them."
"Yeah, we're going to smash those mites good. Say...you aren't a closet mite-lover or kobold-lover, are you? I'm just asking because I think there must be something in the air around here..." Big Ern picks his nose ominously.
Nicolay relaxes a bit, but keeps his hand close to his sword, replying: "Yeah, I've heard of those small beasts. Word is, they're really cruel, so much so that even the Kobolds appear civil in comparison.
I don't know it though, I never travel that far south. Only seen a band of Kobolds here and there, but was lucky enough to never have them hunting me.Don't get me wrong, I'd kill them too, if I had a chance to live after fighting them, but that's beyond my capabilities.
Let me ask you: Only the two of you? Isn't there like a whole lair of them?"
Branomonrik spends most of the time trying to stay on that damnable animal, but at the rate that odd languages are flying around he makes another vow to himself to learn it. If these kobolds become part of the Vaultkeepers plan then they also must her his words.
"He is a guide, but our alliance did not start out the best with members of our party killing members of his tribe. Adabar alone knows if this alliance can last but Queslin is correct. It is to fragile a thing to trust him with weapons at this time'
Michael stays quite for the majority of the journey listening to the others and pondering the next course of action. He asks Queslin suddenly. "how far are we from Oleg's? Do you think it would be quicker to nip by there, drop off this cart and proceed rather than continue at this pace?" he looks at the map expectantly, but has no clue himself.
"Let me ask you: Only the two of you? Isn't there like a whole lair of them?"
"I heard there's about a dozen of 'em. That makes nine for me, and three for him. I reckon that's almost a fair fight. Maybe I'll use my bare hands just to even it up." Ern spits some disgusting substance on the snowy ground.
"It would put us too far behind the other two. They may not realize it or just don't want to believe it, but they will. Besides it may come in handy."
Xanda blushes again under Queslin's comments about her excess baggage.
"If speed is what the group needs, I am not against leaving it here and we come back to it later?" She offers. "If leaving things here is a safe thing to do? How likely is it for some one to be coming along and taking it?" She adds.
"Are we much behind the others people wish to keep up with? Have they far to go? If it is not too far, you ride on ahead and I shall catch up, perhaps?" She offers.
"Let me ask you: Only the two of you? Isn't there like a whole lair of them?""I heard there's about a dozen of 'em. That makes nine for me, and three for him. I reckon that's almost a fair fight. Maybe I'll use my bare hands just to even it up." Ern spits some disgusting substance on the snowy ground.
"Actually, we heard a dozen raided a kobold lair. That leads me to think there are more than that. Probably won't want to take them all on at once, of course, but if we can draw them out in groups, maybe use some fire to flush some out ... I think we can take 'em. Of course, you're welcome to come with us, Nicolay. We wouldn't turn down a capable ally in making the region safer. You'd have a fair share of any goodies, of course."
diplomacy