"The 'Double Circle' being, of course, two rings around Ossington inside which the citizens seem safe from the slings and arrows of The Knight and the... what in blazes are they? Grugach?" He kicks his mount forward, plodding up to the skeletal horse. "Is that right, manling?"
dice=Perception]d20+10
Brock has to stop and think very hard for a moment. He mouths the term "Manling" a couple times and counts on his fingers before coming to the conclusion that Tuck was referring to him. "Oh, Yes, That is correct." he finally replies to Tuck while nodding his head.
"How did you get way out here and mixed up with that knight if you never leave this Double Circle place?"
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+10
"Nobody ever leaves the village because of The Knight and The Grugach. Doing so usually results in death. Nobody in Ossington has ever left except to Farm and we cant even do that anymore. The only reason we were chosen to leave was to try and collect food and supplies to hold us over until we can solve this problem."
Brock clutches the box containing the villages money firmly.
Alan looks at Brock with a curious expression before looking to the sky, wearing a slight frown.
"Well, we won't be getting much farther along with it getting dark like this," he says, glancing at his companions. "Why don't we go check out that farmhouse? Perhaps its host would be so gracious as to suffer us for the night." He pats Riddlethorn's pommel, smiling confidently.
With a harumph Marianne picks up her pace to the farmhouse. Not as suspicious of Brock and strangers as the others, she looks towards the smoking building with a hint of apprehension.
When she gets to the door, she lightly raps on it and stands up straight, trying to look presentable.
As Marianne makes her way to the farmhouse, Tuck touches Alan's arm and hands him the arrow point he found in the horse's skeleton, leaning to whisper to the younger man.
"What do you make of this? Elven craft or I'm a blind man."
A grizzly looking man opens the door just enough to peek through. In his hands he holds a pitchfork in a defensive stance. From behind him in the room is a very beautiful younger woman. Her hair is a deep red with a white stripe and he is clumsily pointing a crossbow at the door.
"Who goes there?" questions the man in an authorative manner.
Alan turns the arrowhead in his palm, running a thumb along its edge. He speaks to Tuck quietly, glancing toward the farmhouse as he does so.
"...or not."
Oooooh. That has to be at least a four...
"Marianne!" she says brashly, uncaring about the weapon pointed at her. "We need a room for the night." Attempting to put on a smile, though it comes out a trifle forced.
Tuck jerks his head up in surprise. "Hey, somebody is alive... er, home. I meant home. Shall we go rescue them from Marianne?"
"Someone in there needs rescuing all right," Alan replies with a wolfish grin as he approaches the barn, trying to get a better look past Marianne and the grizzly man.
"As you see" she takes half a step to one side, slowly to reassure the stead-holders; "there are a few of us, including man from Ossington. We have food." she adds.
"And weapons." Tuck pauses for a moment. "To help defend you and this place, of course." He gives the man a reassuring smile.
"How long have you been holed up here? Your plow horse looks to have died quite some time ago. Why not go to the village?"
The grizzly man swings the door open wide and beckons you in muttering "Quickly, quickly, get yerselves inside before the Elves or the 'Orsemen comes. He takes one look at the cart containing the 2 bodies and adds "The deduns ain't allowed in though. You can park 'em in the stable along with yer Mule and Horses fer the night."
"How long have you been holed up here? Your plow horse looks to have died quite some time ago. Why not go to the village?"
GRIZZLY MAN: "Nuttin wrong with holden off a few days on the plowen. I aint as young as I used to be."
From behind the mans back the beautiful young woman signals to drop the subject.
GRIZZLY MAN: "Whatterya doin so far from home Brock? Dang fool villagers shoulda stayed home and minded their own business. I'd say that looks like Misha and Harard on that cart."
Brock lets out a whimper and nods his head at the Grizzly Man.
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Billy gives the Grizzly man, a pleasant smile, and hops down from his horse securing his equine friend somewhere he can graze if possible before coming into the house. "Thank you sir, we really appreciate it, I'm Billy" The black haired young man offers his hand "Ain't got a whole lot to eat, mostly dried rations, but I'm happy ta share if you'd like sum."
With a look over his shoulder towards his horse Billy adds"Is Rudabaga gonna be ok out here? I don' mean ta rub salt in an old wound, but yer friend didn't seem ta fare so well." by friend he means the man's horse.
"My name is Tarbee and this here is my daughter Tanasha-Lu" he gestures to the red and white haired woman who lowers the crossbow. Tarbee relaxes his stance but does not let his guard down completely. "Ya'll interrupted our dinner but are welcome to join us. We don' have much ta go around but if we pool our resources we might have a decent meal for a change..." Looking over at the table you see 2 half eaten bowls of simple and thin porridge. "As fer yer horses I can't make no promises, but they're not welcome in my home."
lastly he adds "I don't suppose any of ya'll have any pipeweed?"
"I am afraid I do not. But for what it's worth, thank you for your hospitality," Alan says with a genuine smile. He bows down, perhaps a little melodramatically - and takes the opportunity to look Tanasha-Lu up and down. "In return, my faithful friends and I will ensure your safety through the night. No elf or spirit shall harm you while I, ah, we are around." He contemplates sneaking a wink at the daughter, but deems it highly inappropriate.
"I'll get the ungulates and the wagon into the stable," he says to the others, "Keeping them out of sight is the least we can do."
Tanasha Lu happens to catch Alan's observation. She locks eyes with him and smiles and strikes a pose that is very "inviting", but only so long as Old Tarbee isn't looking her way.
Patting the cold flames that flicker up her clothes; "Afraid, I don't smoke." Marianne says with a hint of wicked sardony.
Just stopping shy of rolling her eyes at Alan's florid bow, she agrees with his prose. "Aye, we'll protect you."
She shrugs off her heavy backpack into one corner, making sure it's out of the way and the opening flap is near the corner - to prevent easy access. Then gets out some supplies from the pack and moves over towards the kitchen area to prepare a filling meal.
Throwing a glance at the others; "If you don't like my cooking, you'd better help out."
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Billy shakes his head at the question of pipeweed "Nah, don't touch da stuff."
Tanasha Lu's posing, although possibly not intended for him isn't missed by Billy, and since Grizzly Adams' attention is on Alan it seemed like a good time to try a move himself, he goes for the good ol' Groucho Marx style eyebrow waggle. "Yeah ya got nothin ta worry about with us here."
Through Tarbee's disappointment of none of the travellers having any weed to spare, he misses Tanasha-Lu's excitement and flattery over having multiple handsome gentlemen adventurers in her home.
TARBEE: "Well might as well sit at the table while we wait for this delicious meal to be ready. I must admit that I am looking forward to eating something other that porridge for a change."
Tarbee casually walks over to the head of the table and takes a seat. He leans over to see what feast Marianne is preparing.
Getting out a sharp knife, Marianne begins to prepare some food. Having been a while since she's had a proper hot kitchen to work with, rather than the sporadic camp-fires. She shrugs of the heavy fur coat and places it out of harms way.
'Notice that none of the other fellows help....' she mentally grumbles, despite enjoying herself.
Cubing some lamb, with some fired onions - she quickly creates a smooth and rich gravy, to bulk up the meal turnips, carrots and a couple of potato's are added. The stew isn't too heavily spiced or overly meaty, but it doesn't take long before the smell infuses the kitchen.
Second last to enter is Robinet, having let his extremely charismatic crew secure their lodgings. Turning over Sherwed to Alan, the former cavalier-turned-ranger does a brief scout of the property.
Of all the things he might find, one he expects appears before him.
"Ah, Maneakira. I am glad to see you safe. What have you been able to discover? We encountered a spectral knight who has apparently been murdering townsfolk...or so it appears on the surface. Come, we will discuss as I finish my route. Better I know what you may have learned before we enter. I know not yet whether the house's occupants can be trusted."
Robinet finishes his circuit and then approaches the dwelling.
Maneakira nods and speaks in low tones to Robinet. Even low, they are slightly shrill.
Maneakira takes a breath and prepares himself for the usual reaction most country bumpkins have upon seeing him. Following Robinet's lead, he enters the dwelling.
The little bird flits down from the eaves, to alight near Robinet. Marianne's wary thrush companion whistles and bobs a warning to the hero, seemingly about the food. Whereas the warrior grumbles lightly as she starts to dish out the food - hearty portions for all.
"Been to Ossington recently?" she asks Tarbee. 'Cause I just wonder what it's like, perhaps these rural folk can help. Or if it's like that village that was sent to sleep for a hundred years by the Northern Hags.'
Robinet cocks head and listens to the whistling bird for a moment. He breathes in the aroma of Mariann's handiwork and looks around the farmer's home. He regards the farmer and then his young daughter in turn, an easy smile on his face that he shares with both of them.
"My name is Robinet. This band of merry folk and I are traveling to your town of Ossington to see what we can do to help in these dire times. We would be happy to share what provisions we have and offer our protection in exchange for the lodgings you offered and what news you can give us."
Gesturing to the tengu behind him, Robinet says, "This is Maneakira, he is a traveler from a distant place, and he is a trusted friend. Be at ease while we are among you. None of us intend harm, and our goal is to prevent anyone from suffering needlessly."
Maneakira casts a sideways glance at Robinet upon the introduction. The darkly clad tengu appears to be a tad off put. Nonetheless, he makes a gesture of greeting and says simply, "May your blades be proof against the night."
The thrush lands upon Robinet's shoulder at the end of his introduction, chirping his approval. Whilst Marianne just quirks an eyebrow to the half-elf and motions to the food on the table, with a nod to Maneakira's blessing.
Tarbee and Tanasha-Lu are both quite startled at the sight of Robinet. Tarbee stands up from his seat at the table and points his pitchfork ar Robinet and says "Ya look like you have Elf blood in you son! Are you in league with the Grugach? Don't lie to me or I'll fork you here where you stand!"
"They'll be no forking around here." Marianne says authoritatively rising up to her full height and looking to Alan and Robinet meaningfully.
Turning to bear upon the farmer; "He's no Grugach, you have my word on it. What can you tell me of them - or this ethereal knight that plagues you. Does he look like them? I would think they were small and fey-like?"
"The fair lady is right, good sir. Sir Robinet is kind and good, among other things of benevolence," Alan says soothingly, having concluded his business in the stable. In a conspirational whisper, he adds, "Manny, on the other hand, you should watch out for. I think he cheats at cards."
Hearing Alans praise of Robinet her eyes widen slightly; "I wouldn't quite say that." Marianne mumbles whilst she starts to plate up all the food.
"Come now, goodman, if we meant you ill, we would have killed you before sharing Mari's fine stew," Tuck points out pleasantly, "Or, if she were a worse cook, we'd have made you eat it. Put down that haysticker and let's have a meal, shall we?" He takes a step towards the farmer, hands outstretched and open to show he has no weapon.
She grumbles softly under her breath; 'Just cause I can cook doesn't mean I will, I'll make one of them cook next time. Yeah, that's what I'll do, but not....' she shudders at the memory of an appalling meal upon the road.
"Very well then. Be warned though that even if your friends defend you I still find you suspicious. The Grugach can't be trusted"
Tarbee rests his pitchfork against the wall in the corner and fills a plate, inviting Tanasha-Lu to do the same. They take their fill and get seated.
"What can you tell me of them - or this ethereal knight that plagues you."
"They're just a couple'a trouble makers, thats all. There ain't no trouble round here, just hype. They don't give me any problems because I just go about mindin' my own business. Thins would be simpler if people would just mind theirs."
"So the two deduns in the wagon outside... they got what they deserved?" Tuck asks very quietly, "How do you figure that?"
"They got what they got because they didn't mind their own business!" Tarbee replies with a stern tone.
Tanasha-Lu signals at Tuck to drop the subject.
Feeling her hackles raise, the north-woman tries to calm her emotions by dropping a husk of bread on the table with a resolute thud. "For t' gravy." she rumbles.
"Ever seen a Grugach?" she asked pointedly. 'Or just gonna bury your head in the muck and let your poor daughter worry about all the farm stuff that you are too afeared to do.'
"Yes, or the knight? Did the townsfolk bring 'em? Look, we're new in town and don't want to cause any harm. If you can tell us how to put our feet right and not fall into it, we'd be much obliged." Tuck winks at the toothsome Tanasha-Lu.
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Billy looks curiously towards Tarbee and Tuck as they discuss, that last bit sounded just a little bit threatening. However the pretty girl indicated they should drop it so Billy'd better leave it at that. Manny and Robinet are not a real common sht, but it seems that other than a little pitchfork weaving they were accepted fairly well.
The roguish young man takes a seat next to Tanasha-Lu "Mari's quite a good cook, she tries to make me cook every so often, but I'm pretty sure she always regrets it don't you Mari?" He grins towards the north-woman. "Oh and by the way" he leans in a bit closer for emphasis on his stage whisper "Alan warned ya about Manny, but ta be honest 's usually me that cheats when we play cards... jus don't tell the others they haven't caught on"
Sitting up straight and preening slightly at the culinary comment, Mariannes' pomposity is soon shattered by the chirping laugh of the little thrush.
"Yep, Mindin' their own business is what more people should be doin'. That's what I plan on doin', in the biffy. Pardon my leave, but I have some business ta be takin' care of." Tarbee casually slides back his seat at the table and walks out of the room.
Once Tarbee has taken his leave, Alan sidles over toward Tanasha-Lu, a mischievous gleam in his eye.
"Is you father always like that?" he asks her in a hushed voice.
"Yes" replies Tanasha-Lu, with eyes focused on the table. "My father denies that there is anything wrong but our situation is dire. The people of Ossington are starving because The Knight and The Grugach have prevented them from planting this years crops or hunting in the forrest. We have nothing to eat ourselves. There are no eggs because our grain reserves ran out and we were forced to eat all our chickens. There's no milk or meat because we were forced to eat all the sheep and cows. Right now we're reduced to eating our seed corn, and once that runs out we're likely going to starve to death if the Elves or The Knight dont get us first. We're helpless to do anything..."
Robinet is not completely shocked by Tarbee's evident hostility nor Tanasha-Lu's anxiousness. As his comrades come to his rescue, Robinet merely lowers his head and smiles sadly.
"No threat will come from me, I can promise you that."
Once Tarbee exits, Robinet turns a concerned eye to the young woman, shrugging off Marianne's forking comment with a slight twitch of a smile. As Tanashu-Lu explains their situation, Robinet tilts his head to one side and listens carefully.
"We are planning to see what we can do to help your community, miss. When we arrive in Ossington, can you tell us whom we should seek out and who may be able to help us?" Robinet turns his head to include Brock in his question.
TANASHA-LU: "Mayor Uptal might seem like the obvious choice however he has placed much of his faith in the adventurer Dyson to solve the towns crysis with The Knight and The Grugach while he devises ways to keep his people from dying of starvation."
"One man to take on all the Grugach and the nasty Knight? Bah! He's badly outnumbered. If we stop in town and offer our services, maybe we can put an end to the siege, which will let the town fix its own starvation problem, hmm? Of course, our resident Grugach might have to cover his ears to avoid starting a panic." Tuck grins at Robin and begins rummaging through his pack. "Maybe I have a big enough hat to cover that head and those outrageous ears, but it's unlikely."
"So Dyson seems to live upto his reputation as a hero if he's trying to solve the problems with the town." she says with a hint of respect. Marianne nods in agreement with Tuck's assessment of the situation.
"Ah, another arrow pointing us to Dyson. It certainly would not hurt to learn what we can from him. We are still on unfamiliar ground, after all."
"True, but every step we take we learn more about the land and ourselves." her accented voice runs deep with the pseudo-philosophy of the cold tundra. Taking a sip from the jug of water, she adds; "At worst we could escort or get some food. But stopping the root cause is equally important."
"Dyson is not the only one..." Tanasha-Lu replies. "There is also Mother Henwen, and their accomplices Tully and The Cuckoo. Together they have been working very hard on restoring Ossington to the way it once was. They're all very nice people."