"He said to be careful not to wake the evil that slumbers below the once-holy dwarven ruins. Do you know what he might be referring to?"
Summers backpedals a bit as some tvvat runs into him, but that quickly turns into amusement as he sees the reaction of the guy.
So Summers bashfully shields himself with his arms, blushes and gives a quiet, girly Ohh!! and then bursts out in laughter at his flabbergasted reaction.
And then towards Kinshara after Corindus leaves.
It is eminently pleasurable to meet you Maam Kinshara! Summers gives a deep bow.
That sounds exciting and I would love the chance for something adventerous. Sides. I think I kinda got roped into doing that anyways.
And Laura! How dare you impune me? I'll have you know I represent everything you just said! I am the epitome of chilvary!
Summers gives a sheepish look. Its his normal look, really...
Then he follows her out the door to the Goos n' Gander.
--At the Kirk--
Summers walks into the Kirk after Kinshara almost a bit hesitantly.
Ya know, I never been in here before. Never really understood it. Sure we Satyrs submit to the powerful, and let me tell you, some'o tha Eternal Monarchs are VERY powerful, like Syntira of the Velveted Voice, but what these guys do... Its different...
Still, Summers reconizes the sombere atmosphere in the chapel and so he pulls out his flute and plays a slow, quiet tune for those within while Kinshara and Cirthana talk.
Taking a break, Wasn't that man talking about the same story that Mr. Brick'nTurd from the Goose was talking about? It seemed to line up an' I really liked his story, tho it seems kinda fanciful...
Now that I think about it, how did he know about that? Maybe he was in the Goos'n'Gander with us an overheard it? Ya. Must be coincidence...
Summers watches as Kinshara takes out a gold and give it to Cirthana, and pulls out a gold coin himself, staring at it. He only had 6 left. As if weighing a heavy decision in his mind he sticks it back in his pocket and turns around.
Lady Cirthana:
"I know there are Dwarven ruins in the area...."
Lady Cirthana pauses a bit as if having an epiphany
"and aren't ironbloom mushrooms generally found in areas dwarves have lived in or left.....
and I think the only one close by was a monastery....."
Lady Cirthana replies to Mr Summer's words.
"So you've also heard Mr Hildrinsocks' tale, and now that I think about it.
When I asked him about details of the man that warned him, he said he was tall and wore a blue and white cloak and hood.
Now Mr Hildrinsocks could not see any other details due to the rain and lighting at the time.
And he tended to speak of things that not yet happened, and I could see a sorrow and pity like no other before him."
then she has another epiphany and fear runs across her face
"Oh my .... If he is the man, Mr Hildrinsocks met, then he might be a harbinger.
But the question then would be a harbinger of what?"
Laurel approaches Corindus and Darion
"Time is running out boys, it'll get dark before you know it.
And given what I've seen of your trip it's going to take days, and some people don't have days."
Darion try’s one more time this time with Laurel to see about modes of transportation
Darion looking a little defeated but still hopeful asks Laurel
”Laurel?....you wouldn’t have horses and a cart or mules or anything that we could ride to quicken our journey would you? I fear that we will not be in time for alot of people even if we are successful with only our legs to carry us! Is there anything that can be done to hasten us along”
Kinshara thinks carefully about what Lady Cirthana has said. "It seems that, at a minimum, we should take his words seriously. If the two men are the same they seem to lurk among disaster. Do you know what he might have meant by the evil under the dwarven ruins? Do we know why the dwarves left their home?"
Laurel replies to Darion
"If you go off the trails horse may just hinder you, and if your taking a boat back can it take horses back with you?
And it does not help that I have none."
Lady Cirthana:
Lady Cirthana replies to Kinshara
"I don't have answers to those questions, my dear.
For when the dwarves were there they kept to themselves, so no one knows why they are gone."
Kinshara nods affirmatively. "The goddess will provide our path. Thank you for your help. May I request a blessing before I begin my journey?"
Lady Cirthana:
"Sure child, as I don't know what your journey will bring."
she prays with open hands, palm up
"Oh Iomedae, I ask that you watch over Kinshara and her party as they venture forth for a cure.
That the party is successful and without harm.
I even ask that answers to our questions be revealed as you judge right to be revealed."
"Thank you again, Lady Cirthana. May Iomedae watch over you as well. I should be going now: this plague won't cure itself."
Kinshara salutes Lady Cirthana and then turns to depart, gesturing for Boreas to follow her.
Hes Harebrained? If you say so. Boreas shrugs.
You know, I kinda liked the guy. Thats not saying much, the Satyr likes just about everybody.
However, he does have a hard time sitting still during the blessing and is constantly fidgeting, and tries to take off the moment its finished. Come on Kinshara! Lets get going!
Once outside he turns to Kinshara quizically and asks, Miss Cirthana said a party, is it not just you and me going on this adventure?
The Satyr once again pulls out his panpipes and practices a little tune while he walks, pausing whenever he needs to talk.
You know, I really liked that gnomes story. I like stories, it can be so facinating to hear of all these different things. Things I have never heard of before, I really only know of the forest and little else. Whats yours? Your story I mean? he asks of Kinshara while walking back towards the Root and Remedies, listening attentively.
"We're just going to have to make haste, reassemble our new companions, and be on our way," Corindus says to Darion.
"There is more to the group, Mr. Summers. I am capable with my sword, but it would be dangerous for mortals to go into the woods without a few companions. It still is dangerous, I suppose. Mr. Holdfast and the fellow named Corin will accompany us."
"As for my own story, it is very different from that of Mr. Hildrinsocks, but I suppose that it would also serve as a cautionary tale," she trails off for a moment and then continues with a more somber tone. "I made an innocent mistake, and many people died for it."
"The details will have to wait, as we have much to do. I promise to tell you more when we I can do so properly, however."
Summers considers for a moment. Well if it was an innocent mistake then surely no one would hold it against you. But thanks for telling me so, I would like to hear more, later.
He then continues to play his pipes the rest of the way there.
Summers opens up the door and sees Corindus once more. Sieizing on a chance for some more fun Summers immediately covers himself up and looks bashful. Laurel! Why is that man here? Dont you know what he did the last time?
Then someone points out that he is part of the group and the ruse is immediately dropped.
Whaaaat? the Satyr bays, I'm with him?
Welp! Can't help it! Names Summers. Boreas Summers. Nice ta meechya! An this is my twin! Hes Mote. Hes also a bit of an airhead, so you will have to excuse him...
Summers casts Dancing Lights and a vaguely Satyr-like glowing shape appears next to him and begins prancing around the store.
So. Whats next? Where are we going anyways?
Laurel with a stern look
"Mr Summers, can you take your antics outside; cause if you break something, you bought it.
An given your debt to the Brothel King it'll be a long while,
and you'll not like what I'll be requesting in payment since I don't like waiting for a long time to be paid my due."
"Oh, well, it's a pleasure to meet you two, Mr. Boreas and Mr. Mote. Time is of the essence, so let's get on the road quickly."
Once everyone confirms they're ready, Corindus will lead them on the road leading north to the forest's edge.
Kinshara follows Corindus out of town.
”Let us depart then”
Corindus says little as he marches with the others following behind.
He breathes deeply, enjoying the fresher air outside of the Hollow, free from the sawdust pervading the town.
He idly adjusts the straps of his pack and his belt, from which hang his cutlass and hatchet.
While he feels no need to brandish his weapons in the clear-cut swath between the town and the forest's edge, he finds comfort knowing they're near at hand.
Kinshara gives Darion the rations she bought for him.
Darion takes the rations and stuffs them in his pack. He then pulls his club from off of its belt loop and holds it at the ready in an idle fashion in his primary hand... years of foresight have always taught me to be ready as best I can...as he walks and talks to Kinshara.
”Kinshara, I thank you for the rations. Did Lady Cirthana tell you anything helpful or give you anything to aid us on this journey”
Darion pulls his familiar Crusty Boogie from his pack and sets it loose to assist with scouting. He announces to everyone so they won’t be alarmed or so they won’t kill it
”Hey everyone don’t be alarmed and don’t kill my familiar he is a greensting scorpion!”
The Group gets to a Lumber camp as they approach the Forest's Edge.
Mr Summers can see Milon talking with Jarlben Trookshavits under a rain shelter at a table looking over something.
"Just keep the bug to yourself," Corindus says to Darion.
He briefly looks over his shoulder and squints to see the scorpion, but soon returns his focus to the road ahead.
It would not do to become distracted by a bug and stumble over his own feet in front of everyone.
As the party reaches the lumber camp, Corindus stifles a wince as he feels specks of sawdust coating his lips and eyelids. Each footstep seems to kick up a sizeable cloud.
With the treeline in sight, he is eager to escape.
He even ignores the nascent gnawing in his stomach, resolving to wait until a more palatable time to tuck into some of the dried peaches and jerky wrapped up in his pack.
Darion eyes the site that they are approaching and thinks ...While we need to be quick to return with the cure ingredients. I wonder if there is anyone here that we should talk to or if there might be anything useful here that maybe we should take with us like rope maybe
”Mister Summers I can’t help but notice you eying those two under the rain shelter. Is there something pertinent to our quest that we might learn from them? Corindus you seem to want to be on our way but are there any supplies that might be useful here that you can think of that we might need and don’t have, or should we just press on?”
"The Consortium is probably more knowledgeable about the nearby area of the forest than anyone. Shall we go make inquiries? It should not prove to be a long detour."
"Ah,Mr Holdfast.
those two under the rain shelter are Milon and Jarlben Trookshavits.
Milon is a hunter under the employ of The Consortium,
and Jarlben is this camp's boss."
"Ah,Mr Holdfast.
those two under the rain shelter are Milon and Jarlben Trookshavits.
Milon is a hunter under the employ of The Consortium,
and Jarlben is this camp's boss."
”Perhaps we should get some information from them about what kind of creatures have been seen recently, and Mr Corindus if you think it would be wise maybe we should see what trails they suggest for us to on to get to some known locations along our route of travel”
"Our cause is theirs, at least for the moment. Let's see what they have to say."
Kinshara heads toward the rain shelter.
"Hmm, I don't like dallying, but it's true that while I know where we're going, I'm not as familiar with the best trails leading to them."
Darion approaches with Kinshara he rehearses what he might say upon approach.
Using forewarned roll. Darion says the following upon getting close to the rain shelter ”Good day to you, we are traveling from Falcons Hollow and on behalf of the townspeople to find some ingredients for a cure to the sickness that I’m sure you know has recently been plaguing the town. Would you have any information that could be useful to us, in our travels toward the dwarves ruins or the Old tree”
Jarlben Trookshavits:
"Who the heck are you, as I've not seen you around before."
Milon:
"Calm down Jarlben, you and Me been here all this month, so they could of arrived after we started the monthly shift.
As I can see Corindus and Mr Summers is with them."
Jarlben Trookshavits:
"Oh alright so what they could be saying is true."
Milon:
"What plague?
Unless it just started a less then a week ago, since we go into town and stock up on food and water for the week."
"Laurel is dealing with a bout of Blackscour Taint that has cropped up in town. It seems that the well has picked up the unwelcome fungus. Be careful when you return to stock up on supplies."
Jarlben Trookshavits:
"Well, F***.
We're going to need to divert some man power now to finding and collecting good water.
And we are already on a tight deadline and quota before this dropped."
he sighs
"The higher ups aren't going to like this, but at least we won't have all the camps getting sick and dropping production like a rock.
They should at least agree that a minor diversion of man power for clean water is in their interests."
he adds after a pause
"I'll get a few men to inform the other camps so we don't have the other camps getting sick."
Milon:
"I know it sucks Jarlben, but we all have work to do.
I'll take a few hunters out and see if we can find some fresh springs, though we should test them and mark them as we find them."
He looks at Darion and points locations on a map as mentions locations
"As for your earlier questions;
Dwarven ruins are here and here, but this one is much further and will likely take too much time to reach.
As for the Oldest tree it is here, The Lumber Consortium would love to cut it down and make a mint on it, but won't due to various reasons."
Darion addresses Milon
” Thank for the the information we will note it as we travel. And I’m sorry to give you the bad news, but I once heard from a guy named Cid that bad news is just good news in disguise. Perhaps the disguise being removed here is that none of you are as likely to get sick now”
One other question what kind of monsters and creatures are roaming about
Jarlben Trookshavits:
"Who the heck are you, as I've not seen you around before."
Hi Mr. Jarlben! I have no idea who he is either! But he is helping me and Kinshara to figure out this plague thingy on Boss Paydens orders. I'm working off my debt, ya see, so I can get back into the Lady Rouge.
Anything you can help us with would be great!
Summers looks at the maps provided, but only with a half-interested attitude.
Ya. You wouldn't want to cut down THAT tree. The Eternal Monarchs would tear you limb from limb for doing it. Then probably ressurect you just to do it again. And then they would probably ressurect you once more as a literal dog, and let you spend the rest of your days as a blind, limbless dog.
Yup. No one messes with the Monarchs' stuff.
I heard that they make lovely tea, tho!
Which destination is closest tho? I don't want to have to walk very far...
Summers turns to Darion;
Don't tell the Fey that theory. That will just make them want to prove it wrong. And make a game of it. "Who can do the worst prank to Cid? And laugh as he tries to find the silver lining each time.
...You know, the Fae arn't all that nice, some of the time :/
Milon:
"If your curious about what you can find out there; there is lots.
You got; Fey, Werewolves; Giants, Animals, Hobgoblins, Goblins, and Dragon related things to just to cover the common stuff you'll likely find and that can move."
"I'd be aware of where-ever you walk because some are smart enough to use traps or the terrain to there advantage.
Heck the Knifetongues are also a pretty mean little group.
And don't fall the the antics of a small group of goblins in the area, though they are quite the stooge to each other."
Jarlben Trookshavits:
"Ah Mr Summers good to hear you paying the debt and racking up some more at the same time.
I'm surprised your Kind hasn't done a thing to you yet...."
"And I'm going to agree with Mr Summers, don't give Fey that idea or they will very likely test it and prank the whole town for weeks to find the answer."
Why would they do anything to me? I'm one of them! I mean, sure they are a little mad, but that will pass. They have probably already forgotten about it.
Summers has a general belief of the universe somehow exists solely for his entertainment and would never really allow him to come to harm. He may be dissapointed some day.
Jarlben Trookshavits:
"Ah Mr Summers you know your helping us chop down some of their homes and wrecking some of there favorite spots...."
after a moment
"Ah maybe your right and they have forgotten about it...."
Corindus leans over and quietly speaks to Kinshara.
"We should get moving. We need to cover as much distance through the forest as we can before dark."
His darting eyes and tensed muscles also make it clear that Corindus does not enjoy spending too much time in the Consortium's camp.
Milon:
"Since your passing though the Wood and it'll be more then a day getting through.
I recommend setting up a camp here, as there is a cllearing with some small ruins you can use.
And they are not Dwarven in design and are old."
He points to another spot on the map between two of your places of investigation.
"The ruins only physically offer wind protection, and reflect the heat from the camp fire to keep you warm.
But also Hunters whom fell asleep there were never attacked by anything."
Darion senses Corindus’s anticipation and the need for haste but quickly turns to Milon and says
”Milon we thank you for the advice and the campsite location, is there any supplies that you could give us or that we might purchase that you would recommend we have. After that is settled we better leave to make good time”
Milon:
"Can't think of any supplies at the moment, and I pray your successful.
Oh and watch out for the Knifetongue's traps, as they can be very hard to spot and avoid."
"Thank you for your advice, Milon. I'm not familiar with the Knifetongue. Are they local bandits?"