Aristu flies up to the top of the hill. As he does, he looks around for their opponents. Have they already finished the race?
Piotr flies along with Aristu, also watching for the centaurs.
Danide and the centaurs (including a bruised Xamanthe) have finished the race, just barely ahead of you.
Everyone gets to the top of the hill and scrambles across the finish line. Danide looks immensely pleased with herself, but Aecora steps up and greets you with something like respect.
"You have done what no other Two-Legs has even attempted. You are blessed by Kankerata. Hear me, all you Nomen! These two-legs are our guests. They are free to wander Nomen lands."
She looks around at the female warriors, especially the glowering Danide.
"Go. Celebrate your victory. I would speak with out guests. Alone."
When the other centaurs have left you alone on the wind-swept hill with their chieftain, she turns to face you.
"There are no rules against cheating in the Kankerata. As chief I judge that the Nomen have won. But as a mother, I am not proud of my daughter's rashness. I am grateful that you saved my daughter from a terrible fate. So as Xamanthe's mother, and not as the chief of the Nomen, I ask you to take this as a sign of gratitude."
She reaches into a pannier at her flank and pulls out a shining rod with a white crystal at its tip. "It is a holy wand that may save your lives some day."
TRUST+7 points (Total of 14)
"Thank you. It was our pleasure to join in on your rite." Mikhail says.
Aecora sighs. "The trust of the Nomen is not so easily or quickly earned, Master Templeson, but I will tell you of a few ways you can make the tribe see you in a better light. Go to see the Elenorik, the tribal bard. He will have questions for you, and perhaps need something. Also, I know that Iosis Redmane has been looking for someone to journey to Talon Peak for her. You might speak with her as well."
Piotr takes note of what Aecora has said, committing it to memory. As anxious as he is to know more about the fate of Varnhold, he leaves that question to his companions who are better spoken.
He tries to remember anything that he has learned concerning Talon Peak.
"Thank you for allowing us to race, it was unlike any race I've done before. That spirit of yours is quite the specimen, perhaps I will ask the bard more about it."
Kern adds.
"Are there frequent hunting parties? I would like to join them if they'll allow it."
Piotr takes note of what Aecora has said, committing it to memory. As anxious as he is to know more about the fate of Varnhold, he leaves that question to his companions who are better spoken.
He tries to remember anything that he has learned concerning Talon Peak.
"Thank you for allowing us to race, it was unlike any race I've done before. That spirit of yours is quite the specimen, perhaps I will ask the bard more about it."
Kern adds.
"Are there frequent hunting parties? I would like to join them if they'll allow it."
Aecora shakes her head. "You are not well liked, Master Flott, and hunting parties are dangerous places. The bad blood between centaurs and two-legs is very ancient. You would be wise to avoid my people in the wilderness."
Kern nods curtly and thinks indeed, the wilderness is dangerous... for most
Alister bows to Aecora. "Your hunters are both swift, brave, and cunning. It is easy to see why they are the pride of your tribe. Thank you for your hospitality and your gift. It is quite generous."
He nods to the rest of the group. "We will be happy to speak to Elenorik and Iosis to learn what we can. I think our people should know more about each other. I do hope that you and I can have a moment to get to know each other better too. I also have a daughter, Anya, though she is no hunter." He chuckles and smiles. "She raises rabbits for us."
Piotr tries to recall anything about Talon Peak.
"Would you and your people be interested in trade? We could exchange goods, soemthing that your people require in return for goods that we can use?," asks Piotr.
"Not at this time, no."
"We thank you for your time. We will go and see those you suggested." Mikhail says. "Do you know where we are likely to find Elenorik or Iosis?
"They are in the camp.Elenorik's tent is three down from mine. You can find Iosis at one of the camp-fires, cooking."
Alister nods. "Let's go see the bard. I would like to learn more about the history and the stories of the tribe."
Elenorik's tent is right where Aecora said it would be. The bard is reading a hefty scroll laid out on a rude table when you arrive. He looks up. "Yes?"
"May we enter? We are interested in learning more about your people and your histories," asks Piotr. He waits politely for the bard to respond.
Kerns peers over the wizard's shoulder at the bard, lips pursed, waiting for admittance.
Aristu steps up next to Piotr. "And Aecora Silverfire thought that you would have questions for us as well."
"I am Alister Medyved and these are my friends. We come from the Kamelands to the west. I would be very interested to hear the tales of the tribe. And if we can help you in any way, we would be happy to try."
"Hmmm, I had heard there were humans in the camp. Or do you prefer two-legs? No, I don't imagine you do. Probably not humans, either for I perceive that you are actually comprised of several bipedal races. Are you comfortable with 'humanoids'? My, my. You know, in earlier days you would have been slain on sight. Most likely with poison arrows. Some will think our matriarch has gone soft. I like to think it is merely the wisdom that comes with experience."
"Ummmm... what did you ask me? Oh, questions. Good heavens, no. I've no need of that. Hmmm... what I do need are a particular set of skills, one of the few things which the gods have given you and not to the centaurs - the ability to climb easily. Do you fancy a bit of climbing?"
He points to the mountains known as the Tors of Levenies (the northern edge of which forms the boundary between Varnhold and the Sword Marches, between the Greenbelt and the Dunsward). "Up there are many ruins, some very ancient. Some even older than any of our races. Can you imagine how very old that is? I am interested in the remains of Iobarian culture, but especially any remains of the ancient cyclops civilization that once ruled these lands in the long-ago. If you were to go up there and return with some surviving clues about that civilization, I would reward you handsomely."
Piotr thinks for a moment, trying to recall anything that he might have learned about the nearby mountains or the ancient cyclops, before he responds to the centaur sage.
Piotr knows that either the Tors of Levenies or the Dunsward itself are generally considered to be the eastern border of Avistan. Beyond lies land of Iobaria and the immense continent of Casmaron.
He is generally aware that the area is said to be littered with ruins, but knows little else about them.
"These humans prefer 'Lord', I believe."
Kern chuckles as he slides into the tent.
"I hail from the Fair Ones of Kyonin. Kernithar Flott.
I think we have the skills you need, we've passed mountains with little trouble on the way to your plains.
What more can you tell us of the mountain? You say ancient cyclops, but do any still remain? We've had enough trouble with spriggans of late, more giants sound like a nuisance."
"If any cyclopes remain in Avistan, they do not live here. I have heard that some may linger in the jungles of Garund, but I have heard of none in the nearby lands."
Alister considers this for a moment. "I could be convinced to go see what's there, but it is a bit far. Perhaps if we head home, we could go by the Tors and see what we can find. Unless there's something pressing...?"
"Not pressing, no. The've stood there for four hundred centuries. They'll wait until next year if they must. But I would like to know!"
"I am sure there is much we can learn about their society that would benefit all. We will let you know what we discover." Mikhail says.
"This investigation is interesting," remarks Piotr to his companions.
"It would be good to, possibly, improve relations with the centaurs. And, it is good to explore and learn what resources or travel routes may exist around our kingdom," says Piotr. "Besides, Corb likes soaring on the winds in the mountains."
"Thank you for your time, Elenorik." Kern gives a nod to the bard.
------------------
"Good point, Piotr. Understanding the routes in and out of the kingdom is paramount to setting up defenses and scouting parties." says Kern. "Perhaps we can speak with Iosis Redmane about Talon Peek, too. I believe that's on the way back to Stagfell, so we could detour there before checking back in with the capital. Then provision ourselves for surveying."
As they exit the bard's tent, Aristu turns to his companions. "I don't like the idea of returning home when we don't have any better idea what happened to Varn than when we set out." He shakes his with a grimace. "We should keep searching until we have to return to Stagfell."
"Let us go and find out what Iosis might ask of us before we decide where to head next." Mikhail says as he comes out and looks towards the cooking fires.
Alister nods. "Sure, let's go see what Redmane wants. You think with a name like that, it'll be easy to recognize her?" He joins the group going to find out what she wants with Talon Peak.
Iosis Redmane is a red-haired centaur woman whose arms, face and flanks are covered in intricate black tattoos. She looks up from a mortar and pestle containing half-ground leaves and flowers. She folds her arms and looks down at you. "What is it?" she asks. "I'm busy."
Kern peers at the leaves and flowers.
As politely as he can, Piotr introduces himself and his companions.
"Ma'm, we are visiting your tribe. I am Piotr Denisov and these are my companions. We understand that you are seeking someone to explore Talon Peak."
Alister smiles. "As my friend indicates, Aecora Silverfire indicated you wanted to investigate Talon Peak. We may be well suited for the role. Can you tell us more about what you are interested in?"
She regards you coolly. "Hmmm, alright. Talon Peak. Yes, I've wanted someone to go there for some time. I need two things you can find on Talon Peak and one of them can be found nowhere else in these lands. The easier task, I assume, is that I need ten quills from the tail of a manticore. They infest the Tors of Levenies."
"The second may be harder. A great spirit of the Tors lives on the highest peak. It is a bird of incredible size, large enough to eat a horse whole. For the art that I am preparing, nothing will do for the ink but the unfertilized yolk of the great bird's egg. Bring me these and I will reward you."
Kern thinks on the manticore some...
"This must be some impressive art you're planning. Will it be tattoo ink as well? What can you tell us of the bird and has it ever been done before?"
"Yes, a tattoo. Scholars call the spirit a 'roc'," Iosis says. "Gigantic birds. Like castles with wings, really. No one has ever tried to rob their nests that I know of, but I'm no scholar."
"Is there only one roc in the Tors? How can we be sure that we have the right one?," asks Piotr.
"And, for that matter, do you even know if the roc is female? I mean, some birds will lay eggs without congress between the male and female bird. Like chickens. And ducks, I suppose. But other birds won't do so unless there is congress. What do roc's do? Do we need to cut the unfertilized egg from the body of the roc?"
Piotr turns to his companions. "Do you know anything about rocs and their mating behaviour?"