Bytor tends to the bloodied Augrym, and his wounds close.
Round II
1. Bulette (55 dmg)
2. Taranis, Unrak, Zed, Bytor, Marc, Augrym (45/78 hp)
"It is greatly appreciated, new musical healing friend Bytor. I am needed in battle, I shall shower praise upon you at great length later. But first, I will bathe in this creature's blood."
Marc swings as hard as he can, helped by Bytor's inspiring words. The first overhand finds its way between the plates at the back of the neck, and the second, underhand, cuts deep under the jaw. The bulette collapses, its head still attached to its neck only by a sliver of bone and gristle.
"Salt! That was a beast! Augrym, how fare your wounds?"
Taranis, trusting Bytor to see to the man, checks for a trail, lair, or swallowed items of heroes less puissant.
”I have had better days, good leader brother friend Taranis, but I have also had worse. I require more healing, and I am ashamed that this beast was slain by any but my hand…”
”I have had better days, good leader brother friend Taranis, but I have also had worse. I require more healing, and I am ashamed that this beast was slain by any but my hand…”
Unrak raises an eyebrow. Ashamed?? I helped distract the thing, but didn't get a hit. And *I'm* proud of the fight. So cut that sh*t out. You should be proud you took that much punishment and kept your damned feet!
”Agreed, I am grateful for everyone’s quick thinking and exceptional skill in combat. I’m glad we all survived that encounter. I have much to learn from all of you.”
Simply finding the creature's stomach is a difficult process, and it eventually turns up empty. Given the enormous network of crisscrossing furrows, Taranis is uncertain whether there is any actual lair to find.
Taranis looks at the sky, and then motions to the Northeast. "come now. Let us find some answers."
As you prepare to head out, a sudden crack in the air steals your attention...
Almost instinctually, Taranis casts Bark Skin on Toth as he looks about
And suddenly, in their midst, appears a figure—no fanfare, no flash of light or puff of smoke or thunderclap sound other than the initial noise. Between one breath and the next, a stranger in brown robes is among them.
He immediately raises his left hand in a gesture of peace, making no other movement. Hail, travelers… After the shock of the appearance, the Huntsmen take in the visitor. A man of medium height and slight build, in nondescript brown robes, but with a rich purple stole draped around his neck. His right hand holds a worn wooden staff with a green gem capstone, which exudes a subtle eldritch glow. His hood is up, making his face a bit difficult to see due to the cowl’s shadow.
His quiet voice sounds again, while Unrak reacts to his sudden appearance by reaching for his sword. The visitor gives a small smirk at the hulking man, shakes his head a bit, and faces his left palm at the warrior, apparently unconcerned. I come in peace. Trust that, had I intended violence, at least two of you would have been dead before you knew you were being attacked. Leave that sword in its sheath, warrior, lest you do something you regret…very briefly.
The figure slowly reaches up with his left hand to draw back his hood, revealing a rather plain human face. The only really interesting feature is his eyes—they're black! No, not black…just a brown deep enough to make the distinction between iris and pupil difficult to discern.
My friend and liege requires… he slowly looks around the group, making brief eye contact with each member, before stopping on Zed YOU. Zed the Unbroken, King Odric kindly requests your presence. I will bring you to him, then return you here, if that is the King's pleasure. I will cast the spell, and you will take my hand so I may complete my charge. He glances at the rest of the group with another slight smirk. Once again, had I wished you violence, I would not have made my presence known, so trust that I wish none now as I cast this spell—and please (here he looks directly at Unrak do nothing foolish! The stranger makes a quick mark on the ground with his staff, then completes a brief incantation, causing his staff gem to glow brightly for a moment. He holds out his hand toward Zed, staring intently, waiting.
You realize that (aside from his black-appearing eyes) the odd nature of this man’s stare is mainly due to the fact that he has not blinked. At all. And these unblinking, black eyes are trained on Zed…waiting…
Zed looks from the stranger to the Hunstmen and back again, his face contorted with emotion, displaying joyed relief in one moment and anxious terror in the next. He slowly reaches out his hand and, his expression settling into focused determination, grasps the stranger's hand firmly.
Knowing he owes them some explanation, Zed looks each Huntsman in the eye. "My friends, I--" he begins, but the stranger has begun his spell.
And with that, Zed and the stranger are gone.
"Well that was unexpected. I feel like I know that mage.... but I can't place where. Ironically, I'd have relied on Zed himself to help."
"I would agree, very unexpected," the group hears from behind a nearby stone outcropping. "It's not every day you see that sort of magic bandied about."
Moments later a tall figure emerges, clad in a fine mirthril breastplate and traveling clothes. Strapped across their back is a greatsword, the hilt and pommel giving that information away for free. They take several steps closer, and each of them note the tell-tale signs of at least some elven blood in the ears poking through the short blonde hair.
"My name is Tessaria Moondown and I, too, come in peace," she says, hands raised in the universal sign. "What's more, I don't mean to steal anyone away. Though I do have a writ of service from the Kitharodian Academy, and I'd like to ask questions if that's alright."
"Particularly of that one," she says, pointing at Bytor. "You fit the description of a... Sniegsun?"
"Well met Tessaria Moondown, at least for now. I'd like to have a complete conversation before committing to peace. Besides, Toth get shis say too."
"Sniff sniff."
"Fair," the half-elf says, stepping back a bit to keep her distance. "If you have questions, ask away. But remember: you know my name, and I don't know yours."
The last is said with a smile, and she leans back against the outcropping.
:I am remiss. I am the Baron of the Marchlands, Taranis Redleaf. This here is Tothfagen." He points to the large tiger, letting the others speak for themselves.
"We're in these parts to solve a mystery most serious."
Toth stares the half-elf down for a moment, then offers a huge yawn and sprawls on a tussock of earth to catch the waning late-autumn rays of sun.
"You're the baron? Well then, my apologies," she stands up and performs a respectful bow. "You'll forgive me but I didn't expect to meet the lord of the Marchlands here. If I can ask: what mystery? Is it the one about Varnhold being empty?"
"Exactly that one. Hence the Baron leaving the Marchlands. Now I know you have questions for our newest friend, but I'm curious as to what brings you here."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Tessaria shrugs. "I've been trying to catch up to you. Saw you passing Varnhold and, to be honest, I figured you lot were as good as any to speak to. But I don't know anything about any letters of the alphabet, besides the usual uses."
She retrieves a rolled piece of parchment and hands it to Marc. "That is a writ of service, which is a nice way to say 'bounty', issued by the Kitharodian Academy. It charges the holder to track down one Ervil Pendrod, a professor at the Kitharodian Academy, who took an unauthorized sabbatical to a place called "Varnhold" about seven months ago. It also mentions the academy having dispatched one Bytor Sniegsun for this same purpose, but that he has not returned nor sent word of his whereabouts."
She smiles, not showing any sign of being bothered by Marc's proximity. It's confidence. "I was born in Brevoy, so I figured it should be easy coin to earn. But have a read of that writ, as that's the reason I'm here."
Marc believes that Tessaria's tale is a sincere and honest one.
”I am Bytor Sniegsun at your service.” The bard says with a respectful bow. “I too find the letters of the alphabet useful, especially as I find one particular inspiration in a piece combining of the letters Y, Y, and Zed. But enough said of that. It is my pleasure to meet you and make your acquaintance, Tessaria Moondown. I indeed have been sent to search and find my colleague, Ervil Pendrod. I do hope that the Kitharodian Academy has not imposed upon your generosity in this matter. I have thus far been unable to locate the professor, but I have not given up my search. I do not wish to impose upon you further, my lady, but if you do speak with my colleagues at the academy, please kindly relay word that I am safe and that I continue the task in good company.”
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Augrym looks to Toth to see the results of the cat's sniffing. The cat gives him no indication for the results of this sniff, so he gets to work on his own by Detecting Alignment on this new arrival, starting and it seems finishing with good.
He turns to the Huntsmen.
"Good leader brother friend Taranis, this elf seems to be of good intent. Also, I have no reason to not believe her straight forward words. If she does indeed come from the same location as Bytor, then I believe we can trust her."
Augrym then turns to Tessaria, and claps a hand on her shoulder
"Well met, indeed, possible new armored friend Tessaria. I am a big fan of honey worded healing friend Bytor, and look forward to becoming a big fan of yours. Do not disappoint me though, for I have lived long without trust issues and do not wish to start now. If good leader brother friend Taranis wills it so, then you are free to travel with the Huntsmen. We have a kingdom and people and everything. It is both a great honor and great fun."
Motioning to the group now.
"This here is great leader brother friend Taranis. He is the greatest person Augrym has ever met and made Augrym an honorary Redleaf. For this Augrym will walk into fire for him, if he were to ask him to. And his cat Toth. The cat seems to like ear scratches but not tummy scratches. NEVER the tummy!"
Continuing down the line...
"This is rage filled brother friend Unrak. He is a brother to Taranis and must be great to have come from the same loins. He is also honorary brother to me and has incredible anger issues that he seems to be able to use to his advantage but then is quite tired afterwards. It does not seem healthy, from a mental health standpoint, but he is loved and knows he is loved, so we make it work and fully accept him as he is."
He now nods to Marc...
"This is Erastil's chosen and original healing friend Marc. He is very useful in a fight, but often seems distracted. I believe it is because he is the reincarnation of a man who had many stresses like fathering 1000 children, for example, and this has left his soul distracted but oddly fulfilled. He is a devout follower of Erastil and, for some reason I feel compelled to say this, has never used a sling in his life."
And finally...
"This is new honey worded healing friend Bytor. He seems incredibly nice and Augrym wishes he had known him for so much longer. He does not know this yet but we will have a spot for him in our kingdom and Augrym is fully prepared to give him the hard sell to stay with the Huntsmen. Not just because of his personality but also because of my general dislike of change and this day has seen much of this as magical friend Zed, or Zeb, depending on who you ask apparently, seems to have gone missing. I feel like this is something that great leader brother friend Taranis probably knew was coming for some time, but he is great and has many stresses to bear on his incredible human brain and only burdens us with what he feels we need to be burdened with."
Back to the elf.
"So welcome and well met, possible new well armored elf friend Tessaria. We will help you and Bytor find this elusive friend of yours and you will possibly also earn the privilege of joining the Huntsmen as well. Perhaps we will be need to be known as Huntspeople then, but we will discuss all brand name changes as a group or just listen to whatever great leader brother friend Taranis tells us to do, for he is, and always will be, as the baron of this fellowship, in charge."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
...or just listen to whatever great leader brother friend Taranis tells us to do, for he is, and always will be, as the baron of this fellowship, in charge.
Unrak, silent (yet smirking) through the introductions, snorts at this last bit. Yeah...he SAYS he hates it.
Tessaria listens to the speech from Augrym, silent but smiling at the appropriate parts. When he finishes she says, "A pleasure to meet you all. And thank you for that. I feel like I know you all now."
She turns her attention to Bytor. "So I'm guessing you're still looking for Ervil, right? If so, I'd like to work with you in finding them, assuming you are still looking for them. You are, right?"
"Oh, and maybe you should send a letter back to the academy. Let them know you're alive."
"Aye. We have reason to suspect that the centaurs of the Nomen tribe are either responsible, or have knowledge of what happened to Varnhold. We're heading into their lands to find them."
|
Marc looks at Augrum for a moment. "You say the oddest things my friend. Inside, I don't feel you are wrong, but still odd." Marc shakes his heads as if to remove the sounds of a puking 3 year old child from his ears.
He collects his things and get's ready to leave.
"You there, Elf Girl. What do you bring to the search besides a suit of armor and a large sword?"
"Well, for one thing I bring a degree of self-respect, so you'll refrain from calling me 'Elf Girl'," Tessaria replies to Marc, her once friendly tone turning frosty. "If you hope to grow your populace, an attitude shift towards others will do you a world of good."
"Well, for one thing I bring a degree of self-respect, so you'll refrain from calling me 'Elf Girl'," Tessaria replies to Marc, her once friendly tone turning frosty. "If you hope to grow your populace, an attitude shift towards others will do you a world of good."
"I like the cut of your jib! Have you ever thought about a career in governance?"
Tessaria turns to Taranis, putting Marc out of her thinking for now. "Honestly, no. It's not a thing I've ever aspired to. Right now my goals are simple: find Ervil and get paid. Like many, I'm just surviving in this world the best way I know how."
"Why? Do you have a job?"
"Well.... If Zed's gone. Yes. I'll tell you what. Since you seem to be now joining us, we're going to have plenty of time to catch up. I'll let you know all about it."
She turns her attention to Bytor. "So I'm guessing you're still looking for Ervil, right? If so, I'd like to work with you in finding them, assuming you are still looking for them. You are, right? Oh, and maybe you should send a letter back to the academy. Let them know you're alive."
"I most certainly am still looking for Ervil, and your help would be greatly appreciated." Bytor seems embarrassed at his lack of keeping up with the communication with the academy, but does not deny it."Yes, that is a good point. The headmaster is probably worried about me. I was hoping to have a bit more news for him, but I suppose letting him know that I am still alive would be a good start. I will draft my later tonight. Do you bring any news from Kitharodian Academy? I hope they didn't send you just to find me. Did they? If so, I offer you my sincerest apologies for bringing you all the way out here."
Do you bring any news from Kitharodian Academy? I hope they didn't send you just to find me. Did they?
"No news. The writ was something off a notice board, so I've not spoken directly to anyone at the academy. And, candidly, the writ really just mentions you as having gone looking for Ervil. The actual reward isn't for you. So as long as you help me find him, consider your apology accepted."
|
|
"Well, for one thing I bring a degree of self-respect, so you'll refrain from calling me 'Elf Girl'," Tessaria replies to Marc, her once friendly tone turning frosty. "If you hope to grow your populace, an attitude shift towards others will do you a world of good."
"Sorry, don't take offense, I'm just bad at names. My question still stands."
"Sorry, don't take offense, I'm just bad at names. My question still stands."
"I quite literally just told you my name. The fact that you are bad with them does not, and never will, make 'Elf Girl' an acceptable alternative. What you have offered me is a non-apology, and I do not accept it."
She checks the buckles of her backpack, all business on getting ready to leave as she adds, "What I do is take care of myself. A thing that I have done all my life. If a fight breaks out, I will help. And that is all you need to know until you develop proper manners."
Tessaria stalks off ahead, passing Taranis as she does so. To the baron she says, "Sire, I hope he is not your chief diplomat. Otherwise your kingdom will fall faster than a pair of Calistrian panties."
|
|
"It's as much an apology as you'll get. i TOLD you why I said what I said and you should take it at face value." Marc continues," HERE we take care of each other, missy." Marc makes his point by sticking his finger 6 inches from her nose. "You remember that! You should also work on your temper. We don't need you starting fights with strangers over not knowing your name!"
With that Marc takes point and moves up the trail.
Tessaria stops. Her voice has never been raised. She has never invaded Marc's personal space. No. I'm not dealing with yet another self-entitled, lazy, clueless, mouth-frothing imbecile. I left home because of these sorts of people. I have not come back for more.
Her tone is even, but her voice is steel. Though she stares daggers at Marc, her words are for Taranis. "Sire, if this man speaks for you, simply say so and I will take my leave and find my own path. I think I do not need to explain to you why this behaviour is uncalled for."
”Hehe, Calistrian panties… ahem. Potential new magical friend Tessaria, nobody speaks for the Marchlands but the Baron. I do not know what crawled up Erastil blessed original healing friend Marc’s flank and perished, but this could be why good and wise leader brother friend Taranis did not make him a diplomat. I believe he is our religious leader, who are dodgy at the best of times. Clearly he does not realize that calling you elf-girl or missy diminishes you or that telling someone to work on their temper after being the one to set it off would only infuriate you more.”
Augrym pauses here only to growl a low guttural growl at Marc at the thought of being called an Elf anything himself and adds a scowl as the thought begins to fester.
”You have clearly encountered this type of behavior before. Multiple times even. You will never change all of society, but stay with us to help change one man of influence who may then change more people in the society we are building.”
Augrym crosses his fingers and squints in anticipation of her answer. He really does not want to live in a society that refers to each other as elf people, which is the most obvious possibility for what started all of this to him.
Taranis listens to the conversation, but does not partake. Often Augrym accepts his words as ipse dixit, and it's important for the free exchange of ideas to flourish. This is Gozreh's way.
He keeps his eyes eastward, for he knows that the land beyond is new and unknown.
Since the abrupt arrival of the wizard, and the abrupt egress of TWO wizards, then the (somewhat less) abrupt arrival of Tessaria, Unrak had been watching the area carefully, hand close to his sword, barely registering the conversation with the newcomer. He was wary of an ambush (and a little on edge at the wizard's calm, matter-of-fact-threats, to be honest), and his eyes scanned the horizon, as well as the sky, for possible threats.
It was only when Marc raised his voice that the big man's attention focused back to the group. He caught the tail end of the conversation, and watched Marc draw off in a bit of a huff.
He steps up (not TOO close) after Augrym's statement, and gives a big smile. He speaks--loudly, so it carries to Marc--There's a saying I've heard. "Courtesy costs only breath, but it can be worth your life." He offers his hand to her. Tessaria, welcome. We're looking for the same thing, so let's work together. And out here, we each speak for ourselves.
After the handshake , he says Is "Tess" OK?