Othoe lets out the breath he didn't know he was holding when the man was first sighted and inhales more easily.
Creepy quiet. That must be a nice trait.
"Greetings, and yes, I'm always interested in new experiences."
Best to be polite. I sense great power in him...
Othoe trundles along with the others after the quiet elf. When he thinks no one is looking he adjusts his wig.
Chrystosm waves a polite greeting at the man.
"Frilly" boots? I thought they were furry... Ulp. Hope they aren't made out of a friend of his...
Dorial turns her head as she blushes when he looks at her.
"Thank you. I have spent many years in the vale."
"Thank you for welcoming us to your home...er..land, umm..." Simon awkwardly falls silent, a stretched look on his face as if he listens to a voice that no one else hears.
Kast, happy to meet the parents, tries to walk with Mr. NimDad.
"I appreciate you meeting with us...uhm, Mr. NimeonDad. What should I call you?" Kast asks plainly.
"Nimeon doesn't talk to about you much. Or is Mom much? Do you guys keep in touch at all?" Kast makes small talk.
He nods quietly and sets out, slowing his gait so that the others can keep up.
"My given name is јелена и антилопа игра, but I you may call me Jaryd, if that is easier." he says with a slight smile. His brow furrows at the mention of Nimeon's mother, "No, we don't often travel in the same circles anymore. Is she...?" He does not finish the sentence as his glance skitters towards Nimeon, perhaps hoping to read the answer without having to hear it.
The path that is no path save that the man in front of you knows where to place his feet, curves around an outcropping, bringing a small, possibly perfect, campsite into view. There is no fire, but a small spring burbles up out of the rock, steam rising from the warm, bubbling stream. The trees here, though the tips may be cloaked in a the same dusting of snow, sport green boughs that overhang the entire camp, providing more cover than the dilapidated cabin from the night before.
"Now, about this box..." he says as he settles on one of several stones near the water, pulling off his boots as he does so, "Where is it?
"She lives. Fleeting though our lives are to you if I speak to her again I'll be sure to pretend you still care."
Nimeon's eyes unconsciously fall to Jaryd's feet as his boots are removed.
Jaryd rolls his eyes, his mouth twitching at the corners. Still so young, but so full of fire. That's his mother showing through alright.
Catching him eying his feet as he skins out of the soft hide wrap boots he wears, he stops, "What? They're only feet, Nimeon, and only skin. Everyone has it. I'd rather not ruin my boots to pander to your modesty, though if you insist, I'll keep the rest of my coverings on and change later."
Though fully clothed, save for his boots, Jaryd lowers himself into the steaming waters as he whispers, "Као тим водама, дозволите ми да потоне у свој вољи ...."
His commune with the world around him sated for the moment, he looks up to the others, "As for the rest of you, join me if you will, in whatever attire makes you the most comfortable. Then, we will speak."
Othoe shuffles about... his disguise can't handle a removal of boots - let alone a swim!
"I'm fine thanks. Not much of a bather..."
He casts Prestidigitation to clean himself up a bit and relaxes on the rocks near the pool. He waits for Kast to take out the box and offer it to the old Is he old? I can never tell with elves elf.
Chrystosm, compelled by who knows what impulse, suddenly strips down to the buff, revealing an angry-looking old burn on his back and a crude tattoo of a heart with an arrow on it on his chest, along with the phrase 'I loev Snusan', and slides into the pool, sighing with contentment.
"Come on in!", he says to the others, waving a lordly hand in their direction.
Not one to let a good hot spring go unused, Simon joins suit, or strips down to his birthday suit as it would be, and climbs into the steaming pool. "Ahh, that takes the chill off better than a warm fire!"
Relaxing back into the pool, Simon turns a mischievous grin at Chrystosm, "Snusan must have been pretty special to earn a tattoo on your chest?"
Kast sucks in his breath as Nimeon responds to Jaryd.
Kast gives Nimeon a wince and looks at Jaryd, wondering what kind of response to expect. Trying to conceal his embarrassment for Nimeon, Kast retrieves the handkerchief-wrapped box of evil from Simon's pack and places at the nude feet of Jaryd.
Eventually, Kast's curiosity overcomes his embarrassment.
"Don't mind him," Kast gestures towards Nimeon. "He really didn't want to come here. If you don't mind me asking, how did you meet Nimeon's mom?"
"No, I can imagine he wouldn't." He moves fluidly into the water, eying the box even more warily now that it is at eye level. His attention caught, he doesn't censor himself as much as he should in front of his overly sensitive son.
"Erastil gave her to me, right here in this very glade, this very pool, in fact. But only for a little while. I wondered why at first, it was...magnificent. But hmm... so short and then she was gone again."Having slide He continues to look at the box, turning it, not by touching it, but by tugging on the kerchief.
Looking up at Kast for a moment, his smile broadens, "But you should join us, Kast, and not worry so much about what is passed."
Dorial turns her back to everyone as soon as the others start stripping down. "I.. uh.. er.. LOOK! Plants!" With that, she hurries over into the nearby trees and disappears.
Ugh.. men
Kast looks to the water, staring at the water but his mind upon his twisted left leg and how he's tried to hide for his entire life.
These are friends, Kast.
No.
They won't even notice.
No.
You're among those who care about you.
No.
They don't care what you look like.
No.
Come on, Kast, get in there. Enjoy yourself.
No.
Kast politely declines the offer to enjoy himself in the beautiful warming water that would, no doubt, be an enjoyable experience.
"Thanks, I'll pass. So...what about the box?" Kast takes out his pen, ink, and a journal to record the events of the last weeks to this point.
Scholars record.
Not one to let a good hot spring go unused, Simon joins suit, or strips down to his birthday suit as it would be, and climbs into the steaming pool. "Ahh, that takes the chill off better than a warm fire!"
Relaxing back into the pool, Simon turns a mischievous grin at Chrystosm, "Snusan must have been pretty special to earn a tattoo on your chest?"
Chrystosm, feeling unaccountably drowsy and relaxed, opens his eyes and looks down at his chest.
"What? Ohhh. I'm going to kill that tattooist", he says in a lazy drawl, his tone of voice contrasting completely with his words. He closes his eyes again and, with a broad smile, sinks below the surface of the water.
"Blblblblblblbl"
Jaryd shakes his head as both Kast and Dorial turn down the opportunity to enjoy one of Nature's wonders, but doesn't push. Such a mystery these humans are. So little time, and yet they deny themselves still...
Focusing back on the box, he frowns, running his hands around it, but refusing to touch it.
"It's definitely up to no good. I can feel the evil coming off it in waves. And you say this was in Falcon's Hollow?" He gives a slight shudder, then sighs.
"I will have to take it to the Circle. Tablic will want to look at it. At least, I think Tablic is still center of the circle." he waves one hand idly, leaning back against the rocks with a sign, " Regardless, they will want to know that something such as this has turned up."
Jaryd opens one eye as Chrystosm sinks below the surface, though he doesn't make an immediate attempt to raise him back up.
This 'circle' must be their elders - or at least the folks in charge at any given point in time. Interesting that their leadership is so hands-off that they're not even sure who the current leaders are! We could learn from that.
"Yes, it was found in possession of an evil man who was spreading his religion through the town."
Othoe goes on to describe the plague and how we believe the same man was behind it.
Kast listens to Jaryd speak, trying to focus on the weight of the words regarding the box rather than the other questions burning into his mind about the Nimeon's past.
Trying to absorb everything into his journal notes, Kast asks some follow up questions to Jaryd.
"What can you tell us about the box now? What auras did you detect? And can you explain who the Circle is?" Kast dips his pen into his ink, preparing to jot down notes. "I just want to note how we or others can handle things like this in the future. It seems terribly evil...the box does."
As the conversation continues around him, Simon watches the bubble stream from Chrystosm's submerged head.
How long is he staying under?
Chrystosm emerges, beaming idiotically, and settles back onto the edge of the pool, eyes closed. He doesn't appear to be paying much attention to what's going on around him.
Jaryd nods sadly at Othoe's words, "Evil indeed." Giving a sigh, he looks past Kast to where Nimeon stands nearly in the tree line, as if wishing himself on some far distant isle, or really, anywhere rather than watching his father in the pool with his traveling companions.
Belatedly, he turns his attention back to the scholar answering matter of factly, though there is a very faint slur to his words as the steam eases what little tension the elf may have harbored in the beginning. "Hmmm, Conjuration to be sure, and definitely Evil. Some sort of summoning and... healing? Curious."
Moving away from the edge near the box, he finds another, leaning back against it and letting his eyes close. Arms spread wide along the edge, he takes a deep breath and lets it out again before he answers, "The Circle, or rather The Greenfire Circle...are the keeps of the wild spaces in the vale. We try for a more balanced approach to dealing with the towns. Tablic's spouse is Commander of the Diamond Regiment out of Adamas." This fact seems to provide him no end of subtle amusement and the man laughs silently to himself for a moment. "At least, that is the state of things for now. All things change, but surprisingly nothing really does..."
One hand hovers over the Chelish soldier, but eases back as the man breaches on his own. "Easy, friend. The waters can change your life, but you should be certain it's something you can handle before going quite so deeply."
"Healing, yes, healing." Othoe describes how the box seems to work, and the worm.
"So it's really a creator of loyal followers. We know of only two in the town who were, infected, but the town guard is searching the town's feet for others."
Othoe cleans his nails.
This elf sure likes his bath.
Dorial pokes her head out from behind a tree, slowly opening her eyes to make sure it's safe. "Would it be possible to meet any of the council? I'd be interested in speaking with more of my kind."
"It is possible, and technically you've done so already, but alas, only from a distance." He says, the corners of his eyes nearly crinkling with laughter.
"But if you wish, you may travel with me, Dorial. I'm afraid it would be just the two of us, though. We'll need to travel too quickly to take the whole group. We should leave now, in fact."
With only a moment's hesitation, he pulls himself from the pool. Water streams from his clothing, but he pays it no heed, moving instead to gather what few things he deems important.
"What say you, Dorial? Will you fly with me to meet the leaders of the Circle and see this evil thing safely destroyed?" His dark green orbs light with humor. He clearly expects that the young woman will choose her friends rather than some mysterious trip with him.
Kast looks at Dorial, then at Jaryd and wonders what keeps the woman with them. There is a chance to meet with a circle of her kind. On the other hand, Kast looks at Simon hugging his beloved cauldron and Chrysto's "Snusan" tattoo and the collective yahooery and wonders what reason she would give to stay.
Kast leans in to listen to her response.
Dorial bites her lip as she looks from each of her companions. Nodding at the lot of them, "I will go with you. But we will need to be quick."
Jaryd smiles, then frowns as she mentions time. Always so impatient, these humans. Like ants, in a way. "I can make no guarantees, Dorial. I will do this thing, because it needs doing. Beyond that, I go where the wind and my mood take me. If you have... responsibilities... that tie you to time, then perhaps now is not the day for this trip?"
Othoe wonders if we'll ever see Dorial again.
"Jaryd, if you're going to be gone a while, should we wait for your return - or can we trust that you'll destroy the box and we should move on. There is still much to do at the town, and all of this will be for naught if they simply rebuild the mill using the same methods they did before. We must still convince them to use the old ways."
"I apologize if I seem hasty to you, but the townsfolk have real problems and they will move quickly to rebuild the mill so we cannot tarry over long."
And there may yet be other cultists in the town which we must find and root out.
"Oh no, Othoe. You should not wait on my account. I'll do what needs doing with the box, and let Tablic know where to find you. Rest tonight, head home tomorrow. But harm nothing within this valley." His clothing dries as he stands, the water running in rivulets back into the pool.
Looking back to her companions, "I'm sorry Jaryd, but based on that, I must decline. When I first came to Falcon's Hollow it was to prevent the plague from spreading, and that has been resolved. However, based on the information we have gathered, there may be something larger going on and I can not let it happen in these woods. Please let the council know that I am sorry to miss this opportunity to speak with them, but I will be focusing on my priorities of protecting the woods with my life."
Kast nods at Jaryd and looks around the grove.
Maybe I'll spend some time in the pool after all. After others have gone to sleep.
"Okay...so we spend the night here and return first thing tomorrow morning?" Kast asks.
"Glad you're sticking around, Dorial." Kast says with a smile, finally looking comfortable.
We have temporary safety and the box is out of our hands.
Chrystosm opens his eyes, slowly coming back to reality (or as near as he's ever likely to get) upon hearing his friend's voice. Beaming with delight at her return to the group, he leaps out of the pool, splashing water everywhere.
"What?"
"EEP!"
*splosh*
"Sorree! Uh, you can come back now!"
Dorial ducks back down behind the bushes, "Uh, HI Chrys."
Snusan?
Othoe takes out his bedroll and makes himself as comfortable as he can in the warmth of the glade and falls peacefully asleep.
In the morning, he prepares his usual wintery set of spells. Rested and ready for the day, he packs up his belongings and prepares for the cold journey home.
"Dorial, could I trouble you for another Endure Elements? That's a spell I dearly need to learn." Othoe smiles weakly.
Weapon Equipped = everburning torch
Conditions = none
Arcane Bond = none
Force Missile = 6/6
Wizard Spells Remaining:
0) Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost*, Spark
1) Burning Hands*, Magic Missile w/Topple*, Magic Missile w/Topple*
Jaryd takes his leave of the glade while his hair is still curling with the dampness, leaving his son and the rest of his guests to pass the night as they will.
Those that partake of the pools special properties sleep particularly well, waking as if in the arms of a loved one sometime after the sun is warm.
For the rest, the night is cool, but not cold, and undisturbed.
Kast looks at the pool, then at his leg, then back at the steaming pool.
Piddlespot it. I'm going in.
Kast tries to nonchalantly undress to buck nude and hobbles towards the warm water, trying to make neither note of his leg nor his manhood dangling in the wind.
Easy now, Kast thinks as he slowly lowers himself into the waters. Don't slip and break a leg...you'll be stuck here until spring thaw.
Ahhhhhh....
Kast lets the warmth of the water take him and spends more than a few moments enjoy the effect.
This is going to be a good night.
* * *
Flute!
Kast wakes again early and well rested, spending less time than usual stretching his twisted leg and gazing longingly at the steaming water.
No. Practice and meditation as Irori showed us.
Kast arises, dresses, and begins his usual routine.
By mid-morning, Kast is ready to travel back to town.
Chrystosm, lying in a warm heap, spends the night smiling to himself, his paws twitching as if he's chasing rabbits in his sleep (we hope). He takes a long time to get up and dressed, but is in a state to move off (and cleaner than he's been for some years) at the same time as everybody else.
Feeling the best he has in weeks, and glad to be rid of the evil box, Simon rises and prepares for the trip home.
Nimeon quickly strips to his loincloth and goes for a swim, resolutely ignoring his father and the discussion of his birth.
The morning dawns cool and clear in the protected vale. Jaryd and the box are long gone, and though the small camp site remains warm and out of the wind, it does seem to have lost some of its specialness without the elf in residence.
When everyone is ready....
The walk to the stone path goes more quickly in the daylight; trees of green and silver parting along a now easy to see path on this side. The path up the rocks is harder to find, though with focus, the way becomes apparent. The other side, though proves more difficult, as the rocks become coated with ice, and the wind, missing from the vale, whips around the boulders on the other side, spraying ice and snow back up into the faces of the companions as they come down.
Reflex
That was close! Sure wish I had magical shoes that would make this easy. Kast catches himself with his bardiche.
Kast follows (whomever is in front) down the path, trying to be careful as he walks lest he twist something.
I wonder if it's possible to fall and twist by bad leg straight.
You're an idiot.
Kast shrugs his shoulders at himself and marches on.
Othoe picks his way carefully over the rocks trying hard not to faceplant in the cold hard ice.
Whew
Relieved to be past the worst of it, he trudges in the snow doing his best to keep up with the long-legged among the party.
Chrystosm carries on, oblivious of the treacherous conditions.
Dorial sleeps on the snow as if it were a bed of leaves. Her endure elements making in comfortable.
In the morning, she rises well rested and begins to prepare her spells for the day.
HP:17
Equipped: None
Conditions: None
Wind Blast: 7/7
Spells Memorized:
0 - Detect magic, Purify Food and Drink, Light, Flare
1 - Whispering Wind (Domain), Entangle, Endure Elements x2
Upon finishing her meditation, she nods towards Othoe and touches him on the shoulder. "You will be fine until the next sunrise" She chants again as she uses her last endure elements on herself.
*****************
The sun in her eyes, she misses the first step and tumbles to the ground beneath the boulders. "Oww!" Standing, she brushes her self off and waits for the more 'careful' members.
HP:15/17
Equipped: None
Conditions: None
Wind Blast: 7/7
Spells Memorized:
0 - Detect magic, Purify Food and Drink, Light, Flare
1 - Whispering Wind (Domain), entangle
Othoe helps Dorial up and gestures to Simon for some further aid.
"Alas my healing is not meant for us, but perhaps Simon can help you."
"And thanks again for the endurance! It really keeps the cold at bay!" Othoe grins broadly.
Simon hurries quickly to Dorial's side, perhaps a little too quickly...
Slipping on the same patch of ice, he smacks down on the cold stones, sliding to stop beside his downed companion.
"Aarrgg! Walking after a dozen pints is easier than this!"
Ignoring his own pain for the moment, Simon tends to Dorial's wounds, then his own.
Though Dorial and Simon take a tumble, the party makes relatively good time considering the conditions. Just before the sun begins to set, Nimeon points ahead, just barely making out the campsite for the night.
Kast will cast light on his bardiche and head to the camp, intent on making fire and resting his leg.
Soldiers hump. Soldiers aways hump. So do knights.
"Simon, why don't you and I get firewood. Dorial, you and Othoe prep the camp. Chrysto, look out for danger, eh? And Nimeon..."
Kast doesn't finish his statement to Nimeon, instead grabbing his bardiche and looking for wood.