"Randu does himself no justice, I would be bleeding still if it were not for him. Rrruh is right, you are most worthy." Krogge says to his friend with a toothy smile.
"Rrruh's Fiery kicks saved us alot more injuries I'm sure of it M'lady! I was able to attract the beast by banging on a cooking pot too, hahahaha" he says to the priestess.
A blush "Gwan the lot of you" The halfling coughs "But.. thanks. And yes, leaves were thrown"
"By the Dawn! Such good news!" Lissel exclaims, clapping her hands together. "There are already far too many injuries among the local farmers, ranchers, and loggers just from daily accidents. It was a terrible tragedy to have some creature preying upon them, too. Thank you ever so much for protecting the hardworking people of our town."
Lissel reaches into a velveteen satchel at her hip. She withdraws a bit of weaving, the first portions of a shawl.
"I had an instinct that you were good to your word, so I began weaving the shawl, as promised."
She traces her finger along the colored strands woven into the white cloth. Golden threads form the outline of hills and mountains, while red is used to emblazon a rising sun over the rendered horizon.
"I will need a day or two more to finish, but I hope you find my talent to be sufficient," she explains, greatly understating her weaving skill.
He opened his mouth to begin to speak about how thoughtful she was but words didnt come out at all. For once he was a little awestruck. His ears twitched once, a second time, his whiskers trembled then he smiled, the toothy one. He bowed low eyes down.
"By the dawn indeed my lady. Doing this for my friend puts me in your debt. If you ever had other needs please send for me and but ask."
He said rather quietly glad that they had moved past the part about his part to play in the little saga. That was exquisate work. It would be no doubt the most treasured item for someone for a very very long time.
"Most kind of you," The Halfling says
You now find yourselves stopping in Olfden for two days as Lissel finishes the shawl. Thus you have time to wander the farming town's streets, browse the wares, see the sights, sell items recovered from the lycanthrope slain by the sawdust slough, or venture forth in search of the pool and glade that Randu spoke of.
Krogge was left speechless by the shawl, "....its.... Its...amazing lady......" is all he could really manage to say to the priestess at the time.
Sweet Pea lasts half a day more in town before becoming overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle. "Randu! Let's go see your pool! I wanna go for a swim."
A gulp, "Yes. Well, I think you're braver than I, but i must see this done to learn more of my brother's fate. " He nods
After resting and recovering from the sawdust monster at a nice Tavern with some good mead, Krogge is ready to go visit this pool before continuing on their journey for Jack, "Sweet Pea this is not swimming hole, If there are Werewolves there we will all be in danger but If we plan this right we might be able to do it without any serious injuries. I've got an idea but it relies on you actually Miss Pea." He says to the group. "with your wings you make the perfect scout, I might even be able to camouflage you a bit to make you harder to see..., although," he says looking at the Gathlain,"you do blend into treetops pretty well on your own." he says with a toothy grin.
"I can totally scout! I'm the scoutiest scout who ever scouted!" Sweet Pea says enthusiastically. "And we can just beat up the werewolves, then it will be safe for swimming!"
"I'd prefer to avoid them than fight them, but I leave it to those more versed than me."
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"perhaps it its time to hammer coin into an old club somewhere eh my friends?"
He began with a particularly feline grin. He tilted his head to the side and sort of snorted. That actually might not be the worst idea ever.
"That could work, I've got a few silver too." Krogge says in response to Rrruh improvisation idea.
Although Olfden is more than twice the size of Falcon's Hollow, it offers less than half the excitement. Although it is quite a large town, its agrarian and logging roots remain evident, giving Olfden a sleepy, stolid air. Nevertheless, the town is not without its diamonds amid the rough.
After the Hall of Sarenrae, the building that next draws the eye is the town hall. If its impressive size did not already seem out of place with the town, the elaborate fountain perched in the yard is an uncanny sight. Five bronze falcons, their wings spread wide in mock flight, dominate the fountain. Cascades of water pour from their open beaks, leaving the sculpted wings of three of the bronze birds with a sheen of water.
The feline philosopher's interest is roused when locals direct him to Maestro's Music. Emblematic of the town's recent efforts to attract adventurers and explorers to invigorate the town's economy, this shop is famed for specializing in the magic inherent in music. What's more, the owner of the shop - a retired conductor of the National Orchestra in Almas - also offers an array of scrolls, potions, and other magic knick knacks.
Regarding the silvering of a weapon, Olfden boasts a handful of smiths who offer the otherwise peculiar service. Werewolves remain such a perpetual bogeyman in Darkmoon Vale that there is a lively cottage industry of charms and weapons to fend off the lycanthropic foes.
"I'd chip in for that." The halfling offers
I've got a few gold left, I can help pay for it too; Tho' I'm hoping to avoid combat with werewolves..... " Krogge replies as they stroll around the blacksmiths. Having very little coin to spend Krogge is enjoying the window shopping.
Randu nods, "You, Krogge, are a sensible man."
As you stroll down the Olfden streets, more than a few vendors edge forward into your path and shopkeepers emerge from their doors and stalls to hawk their wares. They clearly have you pegged as the adventuring sort and hope to pry your liberated gold free from your purses.
The goods are of much higher quality than what Krogge and Randu ever saw offered in the Low Market of Falcon's Hollow, and the prices are not nearly as exorbitant as those found in the High Market.
"Oh if I thought we could buy and resell this safely, we could make a small fortune."
Rrruh purchased three of the silver shod clubs just in case, two a bit smaller, one for Randu and one for Sweet pea though he was sure that she would be fine flitting up in the sky with her wings. In the back of his mind he kept the thought that they were on another mission entirely, but much like the fort stopping to do good works would be that bad a thing.
Let us hope these clubs are never needed, yes yes.
He added and smiled his big feline smile.
"Thanks!" Sweet Pea says as she takes the weapon. It wasn't a pole with tacks, but it was a nice beating stick regardless.
Randu tries to remember what he was asked to buy, though most of what he wwas asked toget was in Almas itself if he recalls correctly
Krogge will head to a silversmith and look into getting some silver arrows. "erhh How much for silver arrows? I might run into some werewolves." he asks.
When you inquire after a silversmith, you are directed to a sizable business more comparable to an emporium than a mere smithy. Here, in addition to the silver-shod clubs, you can find silver-headed arrows and silver blanches available for sale.
The gray-mustachioed shopkeep responds to Krogge's inquiry with a warm smile.
"Why, of course you will," he replies in a nasally voice, propping himself up with an elbow upon his counter and leaning sideways towards his sturdy customer. "Why do you think my fortunes have fared so well?"
He punctuates this by waving a flabby arm around the cavernous display room.
"Can't remember the last time I had anyone ask after a set of silver cutlery. 'twas probably some Consortium bigwig, and years back at that. On the other hand, I sell silver arrowheads like they was toothpicks. Bounty hunters, would-be adventurers, caravaneers, and even simple ranchers come to me to fend off the werewolves that hide in the forest's eaves by day and roam the plains by night.
"Now, I've got silver arrows - shafted and fletched and ready to fire - for two gold each, but I'll give you a deal: a full quiver of twenty for just thirty-six. On the other hand, I can blanch a quiver's worth for just ten."
Randu can only give a nod of respect to a smith who knows where the demand is, "That bloody common are they? It's amazing the authorities don't have the army up here armed with more silver than rich man's banquet table to do wot about it."
Krogge begins to looks through his coinpurse grabbing all but a few coins to clink around in the bag, If what they say about the Werewolves is true this is the only way we'll be able to stop them.
"thats alot of gold... but I really need them, you've got a deal." He says sliding the coins to the smith.
Krogge pays the gold but, as he puts his coins back in his backpack he finds 10 more gold he had taken from the bandits! "Hey I forgot I had this!"
Sweet Pea throws her hands up in the air. "WOO! Free money!"
The halfling snerks at Sweat Pea's cheer, "Doubt he'll find another 10 every time he checks, Sweat Pea."
With a smile, the silversmith eagerly accepts the proffered gold. He also accepts Krogge's quiver of arrows, but their obsidian heads elicit a quizzical look from him that briefly causes the bushy ends of his mustache to droop. He dismisses the irregularity with a shrug and turns to begin his work.
"I should have these ready for you in, um, about an hour," he says with a nod before vanishing through a doorway into his workspace.
"Thank you for the service ser." he says as he heads outside, finds a shady tree, and has lunch while he waits.
Once he has the arrows he makes sure to arrange them all on one side of his quiver so he doesn't get them confused with his regular obsidian ones.
Randu remembers most of his shopping is in Almas to be done, so waits. And is nervous.
"Hopefully we won't have to fight at all but if we do nice to be ready." My mind is blanking.. I put the cloak on.. I go to the water, take the stones... oh my.
With much of the daylight left at your disposal, you again set out from the gates of Olfden and march towards the Arthfell. Along the way, you pass some of the same farmers and herders as before. Although not many, a couple of them pause their work, lean against a crook or plow, and offer a friendly wave as you press on.
You reach the forest's edge without incident, but based upon Randu's description, you will be plumbing much deeper into the Arthfell than when you hunted the slough. It will require a bit of wilderness lore and skill to find your way safely.
Krogge confidently leads the group down the choicest paths.
If I get us all lost, I'll owe so many apologies.
He quietly followed along, looking about enjoying the walk for what it was. Since he was on a self impossed mission of experiance and enlightenment he didnt care what path was taken, after all it was the journey that was important in life not the destination.
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Sweet Pea seems delighted to be back in the wild woods, though she spends more time making everyone flower crowns out of the early spring blooms she’s collecting than doing anything particularly useful.
The party skirts the edge of the Arthfell until it becomes necessary to plunge into its northern depths. The forest grows deep and dense here, having largely resisted axe and saw. The game trails are narrow and obscured, but Krogge and Randu guide the party along safely, even as a thin mist begins wreathing the forest around you.
You pause when you begin to find signs - claw marks upon trees and totems planted upon the soil - that mark this as claimed territory. You are near the Moon Silver Pool, and now caution becomes paramount if you hope to reach the site without running afoul of werewolves or dark druids.
now that the signs are starting to show up, Krogge has his bow in one had and an obsidian tomahawk in the other, "Ok lets figure this out; Way is see it, this is like a hunt in reverse right? we want find our prey, but then get them to chase us so Randu can visit this pond right?" he says confidently, " Sweet Pea, this is where you come in. We'll need to fly up and ahead so that you can warn us if anything is approaching us before we get to the pond, think you can do that?" he says, trying to think of what Jack would do if he were here.
He then looks at Randu and Rrruh, "I guess the 3 of us will just do our best to be as quiet as we approach, and Randu once we see them you break off under your cloak and do what you need to to do. Me and Rrruh will... well run. Sweat pea should be able to harass anyone who gets to close to us with her leaves, right?" he say, less confidentaly.
"I suppose that is one way to succeed assuming we live."
He said with a wink and smile. Truth be told he didnt have a great answer to what they should do. Krogge's plan was as good as any he could think of.
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"AIGHT!" Sweet Pea launches herself skyward almost before Krogge's question is complete, her latest flower creation scattered and forgotten.
"Big fan of hte living part." Randu says slipping on the cloak.
From her vantage above, Sweat Pea can spot the clearing in the canopy that marks where the Moon Silver Pool lies. Furthermore, she notes that the wind blows in from the south, so the party is currently upwind. If there are werewolves around, the party would do well to circle around and approach from a different direction to avoid their keen sense of smell.
Through the treetops, she spots a total of six people near the pool. Two of them are wearing robes that remind her of the old druid that taught her, although they don't look nearly as nice.
Sweet Pea swoops low and reports her findings. "It's probly best we circle around, or the werewolves might smell us. Also, the pool seems popular, there's already a buncha people there."
"You saw a bunch of folk gathered around the pool in an area known to be frequented by werewolves?"
He asked quietly, with a slight feline smile. He had a hunch that those folk perhaps were exactly whom they were looking for and/or trying to avoid. The fact that Randu needed to be at that very pool certainly complicated things.
"Is there a specific time you needed to be at that pool Randu? We could swing east or west, climb into the treeline with sight on that group and just wait til they leave. Im fairly confident we can slip to the side out of the way as long was we get out of smelling distance to anyone there."
Randu wracks his brain "The cloak is supposed to render me immune to scent. But as for timing, I dont' recall a specific time of night or dahy I should get it.. she seemed eager, but did not press speed for her own sake but for ours . Talk of how we were on a path to ash even before she appeared."