The brief argument draws looks from a nearby group of muddy lumberjacks who begin to watch very closely with suspicious looks cast at the group... They continue to watch the group as they all begin to head into the Store.
A bell jingles at the opening of the door into the Store as you all step in. The interior of the building is larger than one would expect from a glance at the exterior; however, it is also cramped with shelves stacked in tight rows, leaving only enough room for one person to walk down. A simple counter of wooden planks occupies a section of the wall near the door. "Them supplies ain't goin' t'be ready 'til t'morrah. If I have to tell you daft lot that again, so help me I'll give ya'll a nose to match Payday's!" An angry voice can be heard from behind the counter.
A rather unfriendly man suddenly stands up from behind the countertop, glaring at you through a smoky haze which indicates a chimney in dire need of sweeping. He eyes you suspiciously for a moment before talking. "You're not Jacks. The hell you doin' in my Store?" he asks warily. You all can see his right hand reaching for something behind the counter...
"If I lay eyes on whatever it is you're about to pull, you'll have a really bad day." Caine said, grabbing hold of one of the shelves and beginning to tip it, just a little, ready to send the whole thing crashing over into the other shelves like dominoes.
The old shopkeeper does not seem intimidated by Greyson's words; however, he does stop reaching for whatever item he had been. "Boy, you tip of that shelf and it'll be you and yer friends that'll be havin' the bad day. You know how many lumberjacks are out there? You mess up this store, and they'll mess ya'll up even more."
Ruhk would recognize the old man as Bigsby, the cantankerous shopkeeper who is known to keep an axe handle nearby at all times in the event a rowdy patron comes calling. Ruhk would also recognize the validity of Bigsby's statement. The company Store, while poorly stocked compared to the stores in Falcon's Hollow, is the only place that the Jacks can go to find a little something to remind them of back home while they spend months out in the main camps. They tend to protect the Store with fierce devotion from anyone, including their own...
Bigsby stipples his hands in front of him as he looks through narrowed eyes. "Now I ask again. The hell ya'll doin' in my Store?"
Caine lets go of the shelf when the old man stops reaching for a weapon.
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"Whoa, whoa, let's all calm down now. Nobody's going to mess up anything or anyone. We're all on the same side here, believe it or not. Kind shopkeeper, we've no desire to cause trouble -- we're here on behalf of Laurel, looking for a certain tree that has medicinal properties and will let her formulate a cure for this Blackscour Taint that's been going around. That's something that will benefit everyone, right? Too many lumberjacks get sick or die, your store will suffer, won't it? So we want to help. Some of us are just kind of, well, grumpy."
She gives the shopkeeper a winning smile.
"What my friend says is true. We have no intention of causing any trouble to anyone. We can see that you are a busy man and are, as you say, a lifeline to many of the lumberjacks around here. More specifically, we are looking for a lumberjack by the name of Milon Rhoddam. I don't suppose you would happen to know where we might find him?" He paused for a moment and looked around at the shelves lining the wall.
"Also, since we've already troubled you for your attentions, perhaps we could take a look around at your wares."
Bigsby seems to visibly relax a bit as Zilka begins to explain the situation which brought them to the Store and even more so as Zirren joins in. He eyes the duo for a moment before nodding, perhaps there was even a hint of a smile at the corner of his permanent frown. "Now, that's all y' had t' say at the get go. Didn't hafta go and threaten to make a mess o' me Store. Grumpy don't seem to cover his problem." He shoots another glare at Greyson as he opens a window behind him and sticks his head through the opening.
He lets out a shrill whistle. "John! You lazy Sczarni ingrate, go find Milon and tell him t' get t' the Store on the double. Got some folk who wanna see him!"
The Varisian driver's voice can be heard retorting. "Go find him yourself, old man! I'm busy."
Bigsby leans a little further out the window and looks to be shaking a fist. "Boy, get your butt movin' or so help me, I'll whip your little arse again, like last time. Now GIT!" After a moment of silence he leans back into the Store, shaking his head. "Damn Sczarni..."
He leans against the counter, eyeballing you guys individually, his eyes linger on Zilka for a moment. A ghost of a smile lifts the corners of his mouth for brief second. "Ya remind me of me grand-daughter..." The smiles suddenly disappears and his face hardens again. "You lot are an odd group... Y' say yer out here on behalf o' Laurel? Kreed got anythin' t' do with your venture?"
Caine shrugged. "If all you wanted was to do business, pulling weapons on customers is a bad way to show it."
Bigsby looks at Greyson for a moment, as weighing the man's words. "Can't ever be too careful, son. Even though those boys out there be my only customers, they have a tendency t' get a little rough 'round the gills at times. Plus, we don't get folks up here that aren't Jacks. I didn't know ya, so I had to protect myself. We've had folks come around here lookin' for trouble b'fore. 'Sides, ain't nothin' more than an axe handle." He hefts it to show you all before putting it back down against the counter. He glances at Zilka when he looks back up and seems hesitant to say something... After a long moment he nods, as if making up his mind.
"If ya'll are lookin' to go into The Woods, then I feel I best warn ya. Folks back home don't know 'bout the trouble we been havin' with the fey up here. They been comin' closer to the Camp than they have in a long time. I think somethin's got them riled up... Be careful."
Caine nodded, mostly to placate the shop keep. The old man kept an axe handle around to protect him from the people he had just claimed would protect his shop, and he couldn't figure out why the fey might get angry about the lumber camp slowly chopping down their home.
The old man clearly wasn't burdened with an overabundance of intelligence, but saying so wouldn't help any. Caine kept his mouth shut.
Zirren nodded to Bigsby. "Hmm, thank you for the warning and for fetching Milon. Now I'm glad we came here first. Also, I can assure you that us being here has nothing to do with Kreed. I can only begin to guess at why the fey would have begun to act out against you. Is there anything more specific you can tell us about them? What they look like. Their kind of magics, or anything else to look out for in the nearby woods as I think it's very likely we will be going there."
I turn to Zilka, and then say, quietly Should we offer to pay the man for his time. I feel it might go a long way to securing his trust. I would hate to see the poor man abused because he took the time to help us.
And then I approach Zirren, I've never dealt with these sorts of creatures, the ones you call the fey, though I have heard of stories about a type of spirit my people call the Good Folk, perhaps they are one and the same. Can you tell me what you know about them? Are we facing mischievous spirits, or something more like the dangerous sorts of things like the goblins and kobolds I have heard about?
Zirren looked a little sheepish at Nathaniel's inquiry. "Honestly I don't really know much more about them than you yourself do. My studies with the Pathfinder society went in other directions, though I am still trying to learn as much as I can." He nodded back to Zilka. "She on the other hand, knows quite a bit about everything. If you want to learn more about the world, ask Zilka."
Thank you, Zirren.
Once again I move close to Zilka and look up at her, noticing for the first time something in her face I never saw before, and I smile sheepishly as my thoughts drift for a moment.
Excuse me, Zilka, but if you have some information about these fey things, if you think it would be helpful, could you tell us what sort of danger we might be in, or if there is a particular way of dealing with them that might keep us out of danger from the start, that, uh, that would be helpful too, well, actually, anything you might have to tell us, I'd listen to, I mean, I would listen to the others, to, but, if, I mean, well...
I trail off as I begin to blush
I trail off as I begin to blush
So cute!
Bigsby shrugs in response to the questions about the fey. "I'd imagine you folk know more 'bout them fey, than old Bigsby. I know there was talk of a couple Jack seein' a few of them goatmen runnin' about." He pauses a moment, rubbing his jaw in thought. "I recall some silly Jack who done claimed he went blind from seein' the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Rumors was she might've been a nympho... no, that's not the right name. A nymph! That's what they called her. There be all sorts of fey roamin' The Woods, it'd take a better mind than mine to tell ya'll about 'em."
Zilka you recall some basic information regarding the fey; they are creatures of nature, intrinsically linked to their environment. You recall that cold iron is particularly effective against the fey and even it's touch can burn the creatures.
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"Hmm. Well, my mentor always said to spring for the extra for Cold Iron arrows, and it might be useful now. Fey are usually weak to Cold iron, see. Don't suppose you have any of that, Mr. Bigsby?"
Zilka ponders the descriptions. "Goat-men doesn't ring a bell... wouldn't mind seeing the most beautiful woman ever, but I wouldn't want to go blind from it!"
I shake my head and sigh heavily...
Just like the muskrats and the badgers, everyone's first thought is, 'how do we kill them.' Why? They are what they are and they are where they are for a greater purpose than obviously we understand. How complicated is it to simply try to learn what it is that is troubling them, learn how to show them we are good and want the same things they do, to live, to love...
Perhaps we can leave the cold iron weapons behind, for a change? Maybe if we approach them without hostile intent, open mouths and not closed fists, we can find out what is troubling them. Do they understand the common tongue? Do we know their practices, their Gods and Goddesses? You know you can attract more bees with honey than with vinegar.
"I can see the validity of both points, Zilka. It's often better to have and not need, than to need and not have. Although even some of the more friendly Fey may take offense just for the very presence of such harmful objects. Perhaps we could try Nathaniel's way first."
How long before this fellow who knows about the tree's location shows up? Should we be hanging around here this long. I don't want to get the shopkeeper into any trouble
I think I overlooked that possibility, Zirren. You are right, certainly. Let's hope that we do not get in over our...well over my head would be impractical, I guess, so over, um,
looks around to see who is the tallest
Zilka's head, I suppose, hehe
20th of Lamashan, 4714, 5:30 PM
The next thirty minutes pass by slowly, though the warmth and smoke finally begin to dry out your hair and clothes. Bigsby's attitude has changed drastically since your initial encounter and he seems to almost dote after Zilka. He offers you all a hot drink to put a little warmth into your bellies while you wait. He is in the middle of describing his second account of the Night of Silver Blood when a tall, rugged looking man walks into The Store dripping wet with a large axe of his shoulder. He looks to be in his early thirties and his clothing appears worn, but well-made. He notices you all immediately, looking over the well-armed group with a weary eye before turning to Bigsby. "Well, old man, I'm here. What do you want?"
Bigsby gestures to the party with a hand. "Milon Rhoddam, these fine folks were sent out here t' talk t' you about finding a tree. Said they're here on Laurel's behalf."
Milon's eyes widen slightly and his face pales for just a moment as his eyes drift back over towards you all. "Laurel sent you? Why?"
It is a pleasure to meet you, Mister Rhoddam, my name is Nathaniel Artegal Boote, but please call me Artegal. These others are Zirren, Zilka, Belladonna, and Greyson, and we learned from Laurel that there is a component, to a possible cure to the current plague, that can be found on a specific tree in the forest near here and that you might be able to lead us to this tree, or at least tell us how to find it. We understand there is the possibility of some danger associated with finding the tree, but we are confident that among the group of us we have the necessary skills to overcome any conventional obstacles we might encounter. Would you be willing to help us, please?
Nathaniel smiles as warmly as he can without going so far as to appear overconfident.
"It would be best for everyone if you were to accompany us to the location yourself, if you know where it is. A lot of people are sick and their time is limited, we have to hurry."
Milon looks visibly relieved when you all mention your reasons for seeking him out. He nods to each of you in greeting as Nathaniel introduces the party. "A cure, eh?" He runs his hand over his face as Zirren implores the woodsman to help, he lets out a heavy sigh. "Ya don't have to sell me on the importance of your search. My sister's son came down with the Taint just a few days ago. Little stick of a boy he is, but he's my blood and only 9 years old..." He shrugs helplessly. "I want to help you, but if I go runnin' off into The Woods with you lot, Trookshavits will can me for sure. I love that little boy, but I've got my own family to provide for. If you can tell me exactly what you're lookin' for, then I can help you find it. I know The Woods better than any man 'round these parts."
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Zilka has a stricken look on her face as Milon explains about his nephew, and she puts a hand on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry. We'll do whatever we can. Let's see. What we're looking for is called Elderwood Moss, and Laurel says her granny said it only grows on the oldest tree in the forest. Do you know one of those, maybe a grand old giant of a tree that you jacks don't cut because it's too old to make good lumber?"
Milon nods to Zilka as she expresses her remorse. "That'd be the Forest Elder, as it's called by the fey. They claim its the first of it's kind in Avistan and consider it to be a hallowed place. I don't know if there's any power in that tree, but its an uncanny clearing. I can get you there without too much issue. What else you looking for?"
Zirren nodded to Milon. "Well since you know the area, if you can give us the best directions to the Dwarven Monastary, and the location to the Witch Ulizmilla, that would be helpful too."
"I can do better than just give ya directions. I've been workin' on mappin' out some of The Woods for years now. It's not perfect, but it'll lead you in the general direction you need to go." He scrunches up his face. "Normally I'd not just give it away, but if you think you can help them sick folk, then it's worth it. Just... make sure it gets back to me when you're done?"
Belladonna has been particularly quiet and moody so far, but when the man mentions his nephew she looks a little more attentive. She still doesn't say anything, but keeps close to the party as they walk, specifically Mr. Artegal.
Milon quickly leads the party to a nearby shelter that consists of nothing more than several posts and a roof; several wooden hewn tables and benches are packed inside. He then rushes into his nearby tent, returning shortly with a well-kept and oiled leather map case. He opens the cases and removes a piece of fine vellum that he gingerly unrolls out on one of the tabletops. A well drawn map of the Darkmoon Woods is plainly evident. "Take good care of this... Took me six years of savin' to afford this vellum." He removes a charcoal pencil and makes a few marks indicating the locations you mentioned... and two others than you did not.
"Okay, now the quickest route is to take the loggers path straight north from here to Droskmere. From my best estimate, I think it winds a little back west, but not enough to effect your travel time much." He draws a line from the logging camp up towards a lake. "Then you'll want to follow the lake front around until you come to the Taggoret river here (Black Star). There's a bluff on the east side of the bank, below that, upstream is a shallow ford you can cross. On the other side of ford you'll see a game trail. It'll lead you west, then north, and back west again. That'll lead you out to the Forest Elder. You should be able to see the Elder from the bluff when he get there, he's hard to miss."
He then draws another line with the charcoal pencil west from the Elder tree to another spot marked which is indicated as Ulizmila's Cottage. "There another trail, this one I believe was blazed by humans... or perhaps by Ulizmila herself. It's damn near a straight shot from her cottage to the Elder." He then stands up and looks at the party with a frown. "As to which way to go to get to the monastery... That's a little more difficult. I don't know that there are any trails that really lead that way. Never been to the place, but I'd say it's mostly west from the witch's cottage based off the stories I've heard. Supposed to be nestled up at the base of Droskar's Crag, east of the Crags. I'd suggest going northwest from Ulizmila's cottage and head towards the mountain, then follow the edge of the forest until you find the monastery. I can tell you this much, you'll find it before you find the Crags. If you see them, you went too far." He gives his map another look before rolling it back up. Milon's skill in cartography is apparent to those with knowledge of such things...
He closes up the case and hands it to Zilka. "There's all sorts of fey in The Woods, werewolves too. Best be careful you don't run into one of them. I have dealing with some satyr in The Woods, good people, but their queen, Syntira, isn't too pleased with the heavy logging they say. I've tried to warn that fool, Kreed, but he won't listen to me. I fear somethin' bad may happen before he heeds my warnings... if he ever does."
A muscle in Caine's cheek twitched and clenched as Milon told them how long it had taken him to earn enough to purchase the vellum.
Six years. Abadar, look what has become of your gifts. This is not commerce. This is perverse.
"We'll make sure no harm comes to the map." Caine said with conviction that seemed a bit out of character for him. "Thanks."
A look of surprise emanates from Belladonna as she looks over the map and listens to Milon speak of his adventures. She doesn't dare interrupt him, and listens closely to his words.
Just as Caine speaks to Milon, Belladonna sneaks behind him and slips 3 gold pieces into his pocket.
He wouldn't accept this otherwise she thought to herself.
Milon is completely oblivious to the generous gift.
Milon gives a nod of thanks at Greyson's promise. "I don't know much about the Monastery. Just that the dwarves there worshiped Torag until it was abandoned a few hundred years after the Rending. As far as Ulizmila... well, I can tell you what I've heard about her. I don't know that anyone actually knows anything about her. Kids are told if they don't have that Ulizmila will snatch them out of their beds and cook them in her giant cauldron. There are stories abound, but I don't know anyone who has seen her since Laurel's grandmother. The stories say she does not give anything away for free. All her presents come with a price, usually a hefty one, and not in gold or silver."
Milon shrugs. "Laurel always says Ulizmila took her grandmother's sight as payment for sharing some of her knowledge... Some of the fey claim she's one of Baba Yaga's spawn, that witch from Irrisen if that's any indication on what to expect."
You guys remember seeing an axe with a silvered head and a dagger as well. You guys can make any retroactive purchases you want following my next post if you think about something you'd like, or if you want to buy one of the two silvered items.
With Milon's map in hand and directions to their next destination, the party prepares to make their way into the nearby, quickly darkening, forest. Milon takes one last look at the sun. "You got about an hour left before sunset... and it gets dark beneath those boughs. Hope you all brought something to light your way. If you hurry, you should be able to make it to the banks of the Droskmere, not a bad spot to camp-out for the night." He shakes everyone's hand. "Good luck! Please hurry for the sake of all our loved ones...." With that Milon bids you farewell and begins walking out into the rain. He walks but a few paces out when he turns. "Don't forget to get my map back to me!" He grins and turns away, hunching his shoulders against the still drizzling rain.
Milon's map is rolled up and then stored back in its case as the party heads back out into the rain and towards the northern end of the logging camp. The Woods loom nearby, and behind it one can make out the edges of Droskar's Crag through the limited visibility. The party finds the logger's path easily enough and meet up with Ruhk 50 yards in... where they quickly find they will soon need some sort of lighting to lead the way. Beneath the thick canopy of The Woods and the overcast clouds, the ambient light is limited (Considered Dim Lighting conditions).
"So uhm... we did bring light... right?"