"Eilena, can you tell us anything about the large palace place right here," Lera says pointing to their target on the map.
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Not much here. It's fairly new, and taken in reference to other facts, It suggest they are well funded endeavor. Maybe even state sponsored.
Jolis bows and steps back to clear the area of any refuse or broke plants from the battle, but still keeping his ear open for conversations spoken.
Not much here. It's fairly new, and taken in reference to other facts, It suggest they are well funded endeavor. Maybe even state sponsored.
She waits while he looks at things, and then hears him out, Richard was useful but he was so highly strung. Showing hes feelings to everyone as he was a teen age girl with a 1st love. Well he was useful.
"So this means they have workshops or there is a possibility they have a supply root form outside this Island."
She said.
"You mentioned a dusky-skinned elf in this menagerie of monsters? One with a shield bearing a demonic symbol? Could this be one of the mysterious dark-elves that were 'discovered' a few years ago by the Pathfinders? The ones that live underground?"
Or they're just a well supplied expeditionary force using whatever means they came here with, which seems the likeliest explanation based on current knowledge.
"Either possibility complicates things considerably. It does led credence to the idea that they can leave the island and come back. We have to be extremely careful from here on in."
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"You mentioned a dusky-skinned elf in this menagerie of monsters? One with a shield bearing a demonic symbol? Could this be one of the mysterious dark-elves that were 'discovered' a few years ago by the Pathfinders? The ones that live underground?"
Jolis stops his clean up for a moment to address the shoanti woman. "I think so. I think they were like normal elves who went underground to survive Earthfall, but their skin turned blacks as the dark they lived in."
Miya, says look on
"I was told they have dark purple skin and white hair. But did not know they where from the vault lands, that's deep down so they say."
She take a cross bow and bolts if there is one, in the Bugbears kit.
She stows in her lesser bag of holding, while walking to the dryad.
She stops and bows to the dryad moving her hands in a seemingly praying way.
"Lady of the woods, mine kind have had a long relationship with yours, and we of the many tails, have always shown respect to yours. I ask you, what do you know of the palace, this dark binding and things that abide there. Do the leaves whisper of things coming and going from this Island? I ask because they seem to be dark and unnatural."
Eilena curtsies to Miya, and begins to answer her back in Sylvan before catching herself. She glances in Richard's direction before starting again in common. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you much. I do my best to avoid unnatural settlements. I can tell you that the palace itself is older than I, though not older than my mothers. They have always warned me away from that place. If you find them, perhaps they could tell you more."
She takes a closer look at the map in Lera's hands and points to the place named 'Carnivore Grove'. "Here is where they stay."
Lera raises an eyebrow at Miya's words though she doesn't say anything in response.
"This is where the Hamadryad is, then? Why would the villagers call in Carnivore Grove?"
Richard tries to remember everything he can about dark elves.
Jolis's ears perked up when 'Carnivore Grove' was mentioned.
The big warrior cautiously stood next to Lera to look at the map.
"I can imagine the carnivore plants are to keep trespassers away."
Bowing slightly to the dryad, Jolis asks, "Am I right, lady?"
She nods at the dryad's words.
"Thank you Eilena, all you have said helps us"
Then as Jolis asks his question, she nods her head to Eilena then while she talks to the others. Miya walks over and looks at the loot pile form the Bugbears.
She is careful, looking over what is of use and what is not.
@Richard: Unfortunately, dark elves are subject you do not know much about. Their existence is still not well understood by those who have not interacted with them directly. You do know they come from a subterranean society, and have a reputation for sadism and demon worship.
"Yes and no," Eilena answers. "Carnivorous plants are common on this island already, and my mothers cultivate whatever grows. But they did choose to dwell there because your kind typically avoid it."
"So I suppose that asking your mothers for help would be difficult then," Lera says brow furrowing. Reluctantly she continues "Eilena, if you could ask the Dryads for any help they deem appropriate, we would greatly appreciate it. If they do control a way off this island then we would take many villagers with us. The leftover settlement could be reclaimed by nature if we succeed."
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"Many of the humanoids on this island are not here by choice. If we are to find a way off the island for everyone, you and your fey sisters could reclaim the whole island proper."
Looking around to the others, Jolis comments, "Well, we have bothered Eilena long enough, let's get going".
Richard walks up to the dryad and whispers to her.
Grelda readies her drumsticks as the group prepares to depart.
As Richard is saying his good buys my comes, ready to go.
If she heard anything she dose not respond or show she has.
Starts to talk into the woods once more.
Fearing the unknown future, Vitranna will help herself to a light crossbow and a quiver of bolts. She will also grab her share of the gold (5gp).
"We should go. Which way? The village is closer than these Older Dryads...correct?"
Eilena places a hand on Richard’s shoulder and nods understandingly, but says no more on the subject. ”I will travel south and try to convince my mothers to hear you out. They can be…stubborn. But I will do my best. Good luck.” As you part ways, Eilena will say her goodbyes to tree she made her home before stepping into it one last time.
The rest of your trip passes without any further incident. It is still mid afternoon, the sun high and bright when you see the first signs of the village. Old stone walls built from the same material as the Broken Tower rise in front of you. It’s likely they once encompassed the entire village, but now there are several massive gaps wide enough to drive a cart through.
Unlike the Junker Village, you don’t see any guards of any sort. In fact, you hardly see any signs of life. Inside the walls, you see several tall buildings, two stories at least, lining either side of a cobblestone path. While these are old as well, you can tell some effort has been taken to restore them. Sections of oddly colored clay patch up sections of cracked or missing stone, and most of the plants that have overgrown the wall have been cleared away inside. It’s obvious the place has been well maintained.
Most of the buildings you see nearby have signs in a half a dozen languages, and stalls line the street in the places between. It’s almost like stepping into a small town market. However, there is still not a soul in sight. Doors are closed and windows are shuttered. The town is still.
Valeriya walks through the town the way she once did: self-assured and ready to show that was no pushover. It's the kind of gait one can only develop in a city. But it seemed it was not needed here.
She checked the Merchant stalls to see what they sell.
"Ghost town or are we that frightening?" she whispers. "Should we announce ourselves or scout the place out? There could be an ambush waiting."
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"We're new and different. They are probably afraid of us, thinking we are with the strange invaders. Let's relax in the shade somewhere and wait for them to come to us. No weapons if possible. Keep your hands free, but be ready too."
Moving to an open but shady area near the middle of town, Vitranna places her spear on the ground and sits on it, pulling out her panpipes and begins to play a gentile song reminiscent of the sea and the breezes that last forever there.
"I am always ready," Grelda says, crossing her arms over her chest. She leans against a stall in a casual manner, or as casual as a burly half-orc can appear to be. She scans the town for movement, her darkvision letting her see anything that might be concealed by shadows.
Although Jolis would love to sit down next to Vitranna and relax, the big warrior stands guard while the other rest a spell.
"Beautiful place. Odd there's no guards, though", Jolis mused out loud. "If we get any fierce weather, there's at least shelter."
The Investigator takes a moment to prepare an extract and then drinks it.
Richard looks around. I sincerely doubt this has anything to do with us. Maybe a high holiday. Or they expect something that would require shelter from the outside. Let's look for a church. We should probably get indoors, if everyone else is. The scientist starts scanning for religious iconography.
Miya is on guard the moment they get close to the town, Then seeing no one she knows its trap, its always a trap. She scans left and right, seeing if she can spot the attackers hiding. Talking her time to scan all the places she would hid in.
Then as the others move about she picks a tall building she can clime,
Talking great care she goes up the outside to gain high and then look over the town to see if she can see anyone.
She is carrying now weapons has has been suggested, all tooked away in her bag, but even so she is never not armed.
The big warrior sees Lera walk off to explore the stalls. Jolis calls over to the witch, "Stay where we can see you, Valeriya."
The big warrior sees Lera walk off to explore the stalls. Jolis calls over to the witch, "Stay where we can see you, Valeriya."
"Getting protective of me already? We've only had one date," Lera says with a wink.
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"Just making sure you stick around for a second 'date'", Jolis winks back.
"Vitranna", says the big warrior as he turns to the shoanti, "please play a couple more tunes. If no one makes their presence known, we should have a good look around."
Looking to the investogator, "I like Richard's idea of find a church or temple. You get a good bead on people when you find out what gods they follow."
"Don't worry about me, silly. I may be cute but you don't want to get on my bad side," Lera says with a wicked grin.
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Nodding in agreement, Vitranna turns her music to a funny tale that resembles a butterfly and a thunderstorm arguing the merits of each other's power over the other.
Jolis enjoys the beautiful music, careful not to lull himself into rest.
The music reminds him of the bards that would often play in Cayden's Hall back on Absalom.
Then a small shadow crosses the big warrior's face. Thoughts of home, Absalom, his ma and pa.
I miss them. I hope they're doing alright.
When the song ends, Jolis claps enthusiastically.
"So Vitranna, where did you learn to play? Your parents teach you?"
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Finishing her tune will a trill, she glances at the witch and gives her an off-hand reply without really looking at her.
"Its my job to read the weather and talk to the wind and storms for my tribe. Not all of the spirits speak Auran unfortunately. Being a force of nature itself, they don't have the intelligence most of us can use. Music like this, or with my spear, is a way to communicate with the spirits of breeze and thunder. The right sounds can inspire, cause fear, and cajole these creatures...much like Grelda's drumming abilities do as well to our little group. Although her music is even more marital than anything I can offer I think. Truthfully, the fact that anybody corporeal enjoys my music in the slightest is incidental."
Turning to her final song, Vitranna plays a little foot-tapping ditty of hunting birds racing over miles of scorching desert.
Lera looks a little downtrodden. "So you hold no music in your heart? The tribe doesn't like to dance and sing and have fun? It's just a job to you?"
What she had taken for a building was in fact one of the seemingly abandoned fortifications, now half in ruins and empty. She got to its broken top and looked around, its high was such that she could not see much of the town, but the streets and building around them she could see. Empty, closed up homes and empty market streets. All very odd, where was everyone.
Lera looks a little downtrodden. "So you hold no music in your heart? The tribe doesn't like to dance and sing and have fun? It's just a job to you?"
Eventually her song ends and Vitranna replies casually as she puts away her panpipes.
"On the contrary...I always feel uplifted when others enjoy my music. My tribe dances and sings to the stars, spirits, and each other whenever possible. But my music and its gifts HAVE a purpose. They are sorely needed in my tribe's harsh lands in Varisia. Our tribe must always be on the lookout from Orc and Giant raiders or even natural disasters like tornadoes can come upon us suddenly if we are not watching out for them during the rainy season. My people, Valeriya...we fight to live, not live to fight. There is a difference. Other Shoanti Quah may differ however. I only really know mine."
Lera smiles. "That's good to hear. I was almost worried that all your people were dour and humorless," Lera says with a teasing grin.
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Smiling at the obvious humor, Vitranna easily replies with a smile.
"That's a common misconception of the Quah from 'barbarian' outsiders. My people however are given
to forgiveness due to your kind's obvious lack of intelligence and tendency for drooling too much."
At this point she will stand and retrieve her Totem spear. Leaning on it heavily.
"Any sign of a church or citizen yet 'Captain' Jolis?"
Smiling at this less dour bard, Jolis responds "Sadly, no. But we have some eyes on the rooftops", nodding up to Miya.
Calling up to the monk, the big warrior asks, "Miya! What do you see? Any signs of life or any structures that looks like a temple or church?"
She looks down and says back
"Not much, place is a mess, hard to see what is what. There is a lot of run down building. Can't see anyone at the moment. Going to try getting a little higher on the other side.
"That's a common misconception of the Quah from 'barbarian' outsiders. My people however are given to forgiveness due to your kind's obvious lack of intelligence and tendency for drooling too much."
"I see. You have finally found me out. Indeed I am one of the infamous Ulfen Raiders. I am White Estrid, the bloodthirsty Shield-Maiden known to every port as the most skilled warrior in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings," Lera says pretending to hold an axe and a shield. She swings at a few imaginary enemies.
"The 'drool' you imagine is the blood of my enemies as I tear at their throats for hiding behind their shieldwall. I will now be forced to press gang you all to my longboat to become my thralls!" Lera breaks down into giggles when she's done playing pretend.
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Looking around, you notice the shops are what one might typically find in a small town. A butcher, a tailor, an apothecary, and a few other assorted services. The contrast between this town and Junker Village couldn't be more apparent. There are no wares out to see at the moment, but you do notice crates and barrels have been sorted neatly every few blocks.
From Miya's vantage point, she can easily see the largest structure in the village - a building at least the height of the next tallest. It's mostly plain except for what looks like a human face carved into stone, the details faded with age. She will also be the first to notice the half-orc woman stalking towards you from the next street over with a greataxe strapped to her back.
"Are you dumb or just stupid? What are you doing on the street today?" she yells. Once she gets close enough to make out your faces, she pauses. "Who the hell are you people?"
"We are new arrivals from Junk Village. We have traveled here in hopes of speaking with The Old Man of this village, for he is known for his knowledge of the island. We mean you no harm, lest you visit harm upon us", spoke the big warrior.
She signals to let the others know someone is coming. Then as the half orc shows up she slinks into hiding a top the derelict tower.
She is in a spot where she can see whats going on below.
Grelda steps up to stand beside Jolis. She gives the other half-orc an appraising look. "If there is danger afoot, we would know of it. Why do your people hide? What is special about this day?"
Jolis smiled inwardly as Grelda stood beside him, proud of the association from the aloof skald.