Arilyth smiles, noting their new 'friends' fondness of raw meats. Disgusting, but may be useful in the future! "Fret not Littlefang, our talk should hopefully not take too long."
[dice=Know:Nature(Kobolds)]1d20+6
[dice=Know:Nature(Mites)]1d20+6Hella listened to the conversation as she moved the deer over to the spot Littlefang had pointed to. Aluxion saw a rare smile from her and she nodded accepting his help hauling the deer up. Pulling out her own dagger, he noticed it was made out of black obsidian. Definately not something normally used for combat but nice and sharp. Working with Aluxion, Hella guts it and takes choice bits out before letting her wolf and hawk start picking over the innards that other's wouldn't eat.
"Miss Darbi, you can have some too." She called out. Taking out the heart and liver she walked over to Littlefang and knelt offering them to him. These were choice pieces from a kill and a rare treat for a hunter to share except with friends. Once he took what he wanted she would head back to the kill and helps finish skinning it. Setting the hide off to one side she would quarter it with Aluxion. Once done she would smile at him again.
"Thank you. This should provide us enough for the day. How did mapping go?" Hella would take some of the meat and sets it aside for the kobold. Looking at the others she shook her head.
"Littlefang, my companions I believe would prefer cooked meat. May we start a fire here to cook it?"
"Cerian started the mappin' today, and I reckon it looks pretty good," Aluxion replies, looking over at Hella from his work on the deer carcass. In addition to the meat, a good portion of the hide was in good enough shape to save. Once tanned, it could possibly be used to make something. Hella's hunting methods weren't as clean as an arrow through the eye, but Aluxion isn't one to look a gift horse--or deer, in this case--in the mouth. He notices Hella smiling at him. He gives a hesitant smile back, wondering to himself, 'What does it mean when a wolf smiles?'
"Y'all wait here. I'll get some wood for the fire," he excuses himself, moving towards the nearest trees. He gathers some fallen branches, making a mental note to pick up a hatchet or other axe for camping purposes. And a shovel for related reasons.
Aluxion looks around the circle of companions. "Of course I'm thinkin' we should help 'em. Littlefang 'as worked with Svetlana before, so I'm gonna consider 'im an' 'is tribe ta be locals. They can work with society, y'all see? Mites, on the other 'and, are a varmint of the fey persuas'n. They're a danger ta any settlement, so we've gotta handle 'em eventually."
Cerian shrugged and nodded. "Ive always thought mites were tiny little bugs that annoyed a creatures skin so I wasnt entirely sure what mister Littlefang meant. I have met a fey creatures back home, they were always a bit mischiveous but never evil. If ridding the land of mites makes this a safer place, then i am indeed for it." He said idly toying with a few of the flowers. He was half tempted to try and weave them into a little crown... His mother used to do that. That memory crept up on him and for a moment sadness welled up in him but he pushed it away. He would find out what happened to his parents, it just might take some time.
Finishing the heart the little lizard man stands and lets out a primal hiss, a massive lizard, easily a match in size for even for Rodric comes barreling out of the hut, jumping on him, knocking him down, and licking his face clean. The kobold yips in laughter pushing him off. Handing the large saurian the liver it devours it quickly and Littlefang walks over to the radish patch to begin filling a basket. He inspects each radish carefully before choosing which ones to put in the basket. Some he puts in a different basket, others he discards entirely, tossing them at a refuse pile of rotting vegetation. As he passes the two moaning kobolds he gives each another solid THWACK with his staff, hollering at them again in
As he fills the basket overflowing he sets it down their the group and heads inside the hut, shortly coming out with a strange stone pot nearly as large as himself. He quickly cuts up some radishes, roots and strange stalks that look like some kind of onion with a knife of bone. Tossing these into the pot he moves to the nearby stream with a bucket and fills the pot with water. He moves the pot over to where the fire has been started and briefly interrupts the groups conversation, "You like moon radish soup, Oleg's favorite, add some deer to pot and you have soup!" He disappears inside again, the large lizard following him.
Cerian sits on one of the stones, hands practicing something that seems half a finger exercise half a work of art. His first attempt is a lovely wreath of pale pink forest flowers. On the second he makes a few too many mistakes, the white flowers of the wreath looking somewhat wilted but still wearable. As his hands dance through the effort one last time he produces a wonderful effect with the pale blue and red flowers.
The third one he glances at with a little smile and blush takes over to the pommel of his mount placing it there carefully to keep it mostly out of harms way, the other two he comes back with and hands also with a little goofy grin to first Miri, then Miss Arilyth. "Payment for your advice." He offered as the soup was started. He was only a little leery of the moonradishes... hoping the two kobolds belly aches were more in tune with overeating than with the taste of the things. Though the fact the kobold checked the radhishes first gave him some small comfort.
"I can look the map over. I am good with territory marking and such, unsure how that translates to map making. Saw the deer tracks and figured everyone would want food. A pack rarely runs good without food." Upon seeing the large lizard she chuckles and Wolf would stare at the thing staying close to her unsure what to make of the thing.
Hella sets the hide to one side treating it with care. She would have to work with it later.
Moving to the group she sniffed at the pot and would cut some chunks of meat up putting them in the pot letting it start to cook. Slicing a piece off she would feed the hawk and her wolf taking a couple of bites herself seeming not to mind the raw meat. She didn't eat much but it was enough to make sure wolf didn't grumble or growl at her.
"The kobolds seem to not be feared here so much as accepted part of the greater pack. Mites...can cause issues. I am more concerned about the shaman. To kill for position is..... not exactly how I would think supports a good position. Probably ulterior motives. If we are going to go deal with the mites we should head back to Oleg's tell them where we are heading and to drop off the deer hide and the radishes. Also lets us grab a couple of other things." Shifts looking at everyone.
"Are you good with still mapping or do you want to give someone else a try at it? Does anyone want to try their hand at getting food for our pack?"
"Well, I'm not going to lie, my reasons for being here, as far as I know anyway, have little to do with kobolds, but I'm always up for something new and they've got me curious. this idol, is anyone else curious about it? Is it truly magical, is it truly connected to the divine? I suppose we should learn more before we take sides firmly, but it seems to me we won't learn more unless we stick our noses into the local goings ons."
Taking the slightly wilted looking one, Arilyth smiles back at him. "It's been years since I've seen one of these. Thank you, Cerian." She places the flower crown upon her head and smiles. Just like Kyonin. Only with more non-Elves. Turning back to join the discussion, she's nodding along. "We should still assist them. If anything it rids us of at least one now-known menace, the Mites. It may also help establish friendly ties with the kobolds, and that means more radishes for stews. It may also mean a possible ally against these bandits in the area. A thought at least."
The kobold waddles back out and stands near the door, waiting for the tallones to come to a decision. He snorts a little impatiently.
Hella looks over at Littlefang and nods. "I see you wish to hear our decision." motioning him over she would hold out some meat she hadn't put in the pot yet. "We wish to help your pack. We are worried about this shaman and believe he is a.... concern." It took her a moment to bonder how to phrase it simply.
"We will have to return to Svetlana, to give her the radishes and the deer hide. But if you point to where the mites and your pack is located on our map, we can head there afterwords. Do you want us to meet you here or at your tribe to prove this shaman's duplicity." She looked at the others to make sure that last word was correct and if anyone had any objections.
Nedyr shakes his head, having no objections.
"That all sounds 'bout right ta me." Aluxion states after thinking it over slowly. He afterwards explains what he's heard of mites to the others. "Mites are 'bout a goblin's size, but blue an' with huge eyes they do weird magic with. They're fey, so cold iron is the thing ta be usin' against 'em. And they are right down ornery; Impossible ta work with."
It sounds like a plan then, return home then go mite hunting... He paused for a moment then made a slight confused face. To be clear cold iron is needed to kill them outright or does it just help? Does anyone have anything made from cold iron?" He asked fingering the hilt of his short sword.
"Uh... Ol' Man Harkan didn't really say in 'is story. Littlefang, have y'all killed a mite before? Did y'all need cold iron, or does it jus' help?"
Her hand falls to her rapier. Cold iron, huh? But then she pipes up as a thought crosses her mind. "Even of we have cold iron, we still need to find where these mighty mites might be. Unless we want to wander and pray that Desna's stars guide us to them."
Mme. Pindles accepts her crown of pink flowers in a most regal manner. "Yes, yes, thank you Sir Screamingtrees. I shall wear it proudly." She magically adjusts the color of the blooms slightly to keep it from clashing with her pale magenta locks and anoints herself in a fancy, dignified manner.
"Ugh, cold iron." Miri's pompous facade drops instantly as she hears the words and shudders violently. "No way, I never touch the stuff."
She grins widely as she thinks about the mites. "I'm sure they were just playing a prank- here she lowers her voice to keep the kobold from hearing- "and frankly, I think it's kind of hilarious- I don't think we should just cut them down for... Y'know, being fey. Maybe give 'em a stern talking-to?" She smothers her giggles at the idea of Aluxion trying to discipline fey creatures.
smiling fiercely he says, "Makes them scream more but not needed to make them good dead. Show me map! I show you where they hide. Under big dead sycamore. They kill mighty tree with their filth. Not show you were tribe is yet... Might be exile but not traitor. We go there together and see what we do then. I think Svetlana not send you unless she think you trustworthy so we play friends nice for now but can't just hand you tribes fast when other people not so trustworthy might know." He looks over the map and marks a spot, "Big hill, no brush, hard to sneak up to tree and they always watch. Tunnels under the roots where they live. You get statue I happy, you wipe them out, I VERY happy. Not likely to care about punishment talkity lady. They mean spirited not just naughty hatchlings."
"The hooligans of the fey ,eh?" Nedyr nods, "We'll scout it out at the very least. A little idol repossession sounds like a fun way to kill an afternoon. Littlefang, later on I'd like to ask you about towers deeper in the wood, if you've seen any or such. But for now we'll focus on this mission." Nedyr looks to the others, "I've no cold iron on me. Given Madame Miri's distaste, I'll try to do without."
Aluxion looks over the map, "If y'all don't mind some more travelin' today, I reckon we could make it ta the fort tonight and then spend a couple days headin' down ta the mites."
Arilyth nods at Aluxion. That sounds fine to me. We can gather minor supplies and such as needed from Oleg, and then march on the mites. And I've need to talk to Oleg and Svetlana anyways. And, if our goodsir Cerian wants, a nice chat and meal with a certain lady back at the fort." She gives Cerian and coy little smile.
Hella nods and looks at Cerian trying to mull things over and nods again as if coming up with something.
"Then we push back to Oleg's. Let us eat this soup first. No use traveling on empty stomachs. Especially it is rude to turn down such a treat." She pulls out an old wooden bowl and would spoon herself a good helping. With a grin she would sit back enjoying a meal feeding her wolf and hawk.
"Yes, here's to soup," He toasts with his serving.
He colored, i mean how could he not. He felt all their eyes on him. Even the strange wild Hella's. "yes, well... i mean." he sputtered glad the other elf Nedyr in a way interupted things with his mini toast of soup. Indeed it smells delicious." He half lied trying not to draw that much more attention to his burgeoning crush, perhaps more. The mites and taming this land were more important to the group as a whole than his desires for some sort of normalcy. The pressing drive to discover what happened to his parents too pressed in the back of his mind.
"Indeed, here is to the soup!" She keeps her eyes on Cerian for a moment before chuckling and scooping some of the soup out into her mess kit.
The soup is hearty and delicious and even Littlefang seems to enjoy it. He hands you the basket as you prepare to leave and nods before going back inside his hut. He nods at Nedyr and mutters something cryptic about the ruins and 'when the time is right' as he disappears.
You reach the Tradepost just before dark, Svetlana is delighted with the offering and plants a kiss square on it's bearers forehead. She produces a bag of coin in payment for services rendered, "A fair cut of the profits. I only need a few and they sell good so you can have some of the coin from the last batch."
On their way back, Mme. Pindles gives further, more serious advice to the blushing Cerian. "If you like this woman, what you do for her.... it has to be something special. Something that sparks her interest; what does she like?"
He colored, as they rode back taking the words of the most important Chief Delegate and Spokesperson for the River Kingdom Restoration Project. "To be honest... i'm not sure at all. Her son, I would imagine that is the most important thing to her and well Family is important." He began his voice a little dull as he tried not to think too much of his missing parents. "I just, she is, you know. She has had it so rough, she seems sad. I want to see her smile you know?" he added not sure how to put the words fully into place. He smiled ruefully for a moment. "Foolish i know, here you all are, on an important mission for that lord in Brevoy, and im tagging along like a heartsick fool. Do you think those guards men might have something made of cold iron? He asked obviously trying to change the subject.
Cerian watched Svetlana's reaction to the moon radishes certainly glad he wasnt the one carrying them. He had enough tangled embaressment going through his head at the moment. He milled about around the room Neila was currently being tended to in. the Flower wreath in his hands as he paced back and forth half paying attention to the others as he worked up the courage to take it into her.
Arilyth accepts the coins. "Thank you, Svetlana. And if things go well, you'll be receiving a steady supply of them soon enough." Turning, she steps over to group. "Group fund, or divide it up? My vote goes towards dividing it up for now. Say 30 gold per and the remainder into a group fund?"
Cerian see's his opportunity when everyone else clears out to let Neila rest, heading for the tables to talk.
Kesten listens to the tale the kobold spun and frowns, "I'm not one to trust the little lizard. His people can be as dangerous as they come. But they are the sort that will keep to an agreement if they make one... If you secure a truce or treaty it would be easier than having to fight them to the last to secure the area. They are liable to resist with geurilla tactics otherwise."
Svetlana gives him a withering look, "Littlefang is my friend and if he says he will help them he means it!"
Kesten holds up his hand, "Peace, I meant no offense to your friend, just giving you my honest experience with kobolds in general."
Oleg pounds a fist on the table, "Damn mites are a problem though, they've not been here but the hunters and trappers come in with enough injuries from them they are liable to foul someone up if they keep getting worse."
Hella looks stunned at the kiss her brow furrowing in suprise and confusion. Wolf's head tilts to one side looking inquisitively at Svetlana also and wagged his tail standing on his back legs waiting for his too. Shaking her head she would sit and watches everyone settle down.
Hella looks at Arilyth and would nod. "Sounds like a good idea. Extra group fund for emergency potions and the like."
Listening to Kesten she smiles. "Past experiences are good but no two creatures are alike. We must not let passed predjudices cloud how we meet new people or things here. Here, is a new beginning for everyone here."
"Mites have caused trouble here. We will deal with them and work to make an alliance with the Kobolds. Getting rid of the bad shaman and letting Littlefang take his proper place in the tribe will cement a good relationship."
My vote goes towards dividing it up for now. Say 30 gold per and the remainder into a group fund?"
"I agree, I think some of us might enjoy shopping early... for ourselves, or lady friends," He carefully does NOT look at Cerian when he says that. He's rather pleased to see a touch of romance in the area and hopes Cerian ends up happy, "And a group fund is perfect for potions as Hella suggests."
"Mites have caused trouble here. We will deal with them and work to make an alliance with the Kobolds. Getting rid of the bad shaman and letting Littlefang take his proper place in the tribe will cement a good relationship."
"While it isn't in elves to force others to take up our ways, and I'm not suggesting that, maybe such an alliance, if we are good role models, will allow us to have kindly influence on future generations of kobolds."
It was apparent even from any sort of distance that the young elf was a little nervous. Even with the way clear it took him a moment to work up the courage to go inside. The look on his face was much like the one someone would get when going into a battle.
"Hello? Miss Neila? he began, the circlet of flowers held before him like a talisman or shield. "I thought you might like...this. As a token of my esteem. he finished as he colored holding it out to her.
She smiles weakly at him, "Well I... Thanks you." She takes it from his hands with a weak pull and kisses him on the cheek. "It's been a long time since I've been treated like a lady by a NICE elf." She laughs a little tiredly and lets him go.
He blushed, though that might not be the right word for it. "Thank you for your kind words. Your son, he is about three?" Cerian asked as he carefully sdisengaged and sat down, his eyes not really leaving the infirm maid. He felt it was important to learn of her, anything about her really. She deserved more than just judgement based upon her looks.
"We have discovered this small tribe of kobolds warring with some apparently wicked fey called mites, On the morrow i think we are heading to deal with the mite 'threat' to see if we might reach some form of accord with the kobolds. Securing our surroundings before we move against the camp again."
His nervousness faded the longer he sat in the room with her his smiles became more frequent more genuine. "You should rest some more Miss Neila, We will do all we can to help you and yours, and soon. there are too many unknowns and I certainly don't want to put your boy's life in jeopardy for hasty decisions. He proffered a little bow and took her hand gently leading it to his lips. He colored as he kissed, smiling and giving her a slight wave as he made his way back outside.
Before he leaves she makes mention, "The Stag Lord hates the kobolds but never acts against the mites. I don't know if there is anything to that but anything he hates is probably worth considering."
Smiling at her suggestion being accepted by the group at large, Arilyth doles out 30 gp to each member and her self. Stepping up to Svetlana, she hands her the purse with the remaining coins. "I hate to be a bother, but until we acquire our own safes and chests, could we ask you and Oleg to watch over the 'group fund.' I'll pay you, if you want, but it would be better that a separate party watches over it for now."
Aluxion joins in the conversations with Oleg and Svetlana, voicing his support of the mite-hunting plan, and then spends some time before bed chatting with the various soldiers around the fort to get to know them some. He is quite free with information about the small village that he's from, primarily talking about crop yields and "that blizzard a few years 'go, y'all remember?"
He leaves Cerian's romance mostly alone save for a few conspiratorial grins at the rogue in passing. Romance is a bit out of Aluxion's depth. While certainly not a loner, he doesn't quite know how to handle himself around ladies. He is under the vague impression that they expect some level of decorum that is absent in his farm-raised manners. Miri only seems to act like a lady half the time, though, so she's okay. And Hella is fine all the time, since she doesn't seem to expect anything but competency and teamwork. He's still not quite sure about Arilyth.
Nedyr chatters happily on any subject the others bring up, and seems to know just a little about almost everything though he doesn't claim to know everything about ANYTHING.
He does ask, "So how long until we head out again if I might ask?"
Cerian found himself joining the group again looking sheepish and excited, confused and elated. He certainly keeps quiet looking more for a place to jump into a conversation than anything. A sharp look of alarm crossed his features for a moment and his eyes widened. He had meant to ask more about her son, not get well distracted by the kiss. His hand slowly reaches up to his cheek where she had kissed and he shook his head and grinned for a moment. Then he colored and realized how silly he must look.
His eyes wandered and they came across Rodric, or was it Sir Rodric? He could never remember humans and the particular titles. He couldnt really remember the man saying much during their explorations, but the way he had ridden slack while the explored certainly didnt leave him much time to talk with the others. Then he was so distracted by the flowers and making crowns,and speaking with the woman folk about how to woo Neila that he realized Rodric could have been saying important things the entire time and he hadnt really noticed. It made him feel like a jerk, ignoring him so. cautiously he moved closer to the man.
"The little kobold mentioned the mites lived under the tree. Do you think there will be tunnels and the like to try and squeeze through? I cant imagine it will be pleasent. Have you...fought in simular conditions and have any advice Sir Rodric?" He asked sounding concerned because well he was. He didnt know where things were going with Neila at all yet, their appeared to be mutual interest but... he certainly wanted to find out. Crawling into cramped tunnels with nasty wicked fey didnt sound like an easy job at all.
Miri listens attentively to any new information about the mites, seeming interested about anything to do with the fey, but grimaces in distaste when the topic of their weakness is broached. With a carefully neutral tone, she points out that her reluctance should not be the law for their group: "Feel free to arm yourselves as you please- personally, I have never enjoyed the touch of cold iron to my skin."
"Did you happen to think of any names you'd like to ask Madame Horse about, Lady Lebeda?"
Svetlana nods and smiles, "We'll keep it safe, we can also take any purchase orders for items we don't have on hand as well. I'll see to it you get a good price."
to Cerian:"I expect there will be a number of tunnels, yes. It'll of course mean that my horse has to stay behind...As for fighting like that, I can't say that I have Cerian, most all of my fighting time in the militia was spent on horseback usually out on patrols. Either that, or just standing watch in a tower or on a wall. By the way, you can call me Rodric, no need for the Sir, I'm no noble or titled knight."
Hella would pull Kesten to one side. "Something seems to be weighing on you heavily. I know not what but I wanted you to know you are not alone here. We are a pack. We support and help each other, if you need help, or just need someone to run with.....talk to is more accurate term maybe, though run requires no talking and relieves stress. We will be here for you. You are a pack leader in your own right, guarding our den. I am happy it is a man that smells not of fear but of good and honesty. Wolf here says you are pack worthy." She clasps his arm in a more warrior greeting. "Welcome here and thank you for your assistance.
She would move to Benny and Reynolt. Her hand finding Benny's hair and rustling it affectionately. "I have decided the gold is yours to buy what you need to start the farm and ranch. Reynolt, gather the seeds and animals you can get and if you need more money tell me. Benny, you have done great work with the horses here. They are happy and like having you around. You are doing me proud." She hugs the boy to her and smiles at him. Wolf jumps up licking them both wagging his tail and looks for anything he can eat.
Answering Nedyr. "Tomorrow morning was the plan, unless something comes up to prevent that. It will take a while to get there so a fresh start is preferred."
Nodding to Miri. "It is not that we dislike fey, I have quite a few fey friends. But not all fey are as pleasant and beautiful like you."
Saluting Rodric. "Sir fits you though. You have a noble wolf bearing. Nobility out here in the wilds is." She steps forward and taps his chest. "Within the heart of each person."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Kesten seems somewhat surprised at the camaraderie of this group, his experience with adventures tending to him expecting them to be ruffians and vagabonds.
Arilyth turns to speak with Miri, a small smile on her face. "Why certainly! How about names? Does she prefer simply 'Lady' or 'Adella'?" She turns back to see Hella doing her rounds and nods along. A pack? So very much like a family. And who knows? In time, this group may be as close to her as family!
Stepping up to Hella she stands tall before her. "And you, Hella, are a fine example of natural wisdom. May you keep the pack together, lest the strays lead us apart!"
"Tomorrow morning it is," Nedyr smiles. "Let me know if we get more than one day in a row here. I have a gift for our hosting couple. Time will be a requirement."
"I beg your pardon, Madame Hella, but as colorful as my hair is... I'm not fey, not really. Gnomes're closer than most, but we're still average and boring creatures like the rest of you." She sticks her tongue out in a silly contortion of her face to belie the idea of average and boring. "It's just.... I think I'm a just a smidge closer than the rest. Just a feeling sometimes. I can still hold the cold iron, but I'd rather not, you know? Feels all wrong." Miri shrugs, grinning, and saunters off to interview Lady Ledeba's horse.
"A very good evening to you, Madame Horse!" the gnome approaches breezily, sweeping into a low curtsy. "How are you liking Lady Ledeba?"
Who? The horse glowers at the small, colorful creature before her. Which two-legged beast are you referring to?
"Now that's no way to refer to Lady Ledeba. She's quite sweet, you know. She's the one who's been on your back today."
At this, Madame Horse warms considerably. She is kindly. She brings me apples or carrots in the morning. I like the way her whinny sometimes gets low and high and low again. It makes me feel like running faster.
Miri smiles. "That's singing, Madame. Her voice is quite lovely, isn't it?" Her fingers drum on her small chin as she contemplates the names suggested by the elf woman. "She's looking to name you so you know when she is referring to you. Do you care for Lady, or Adella, or a specific other salutation?"
The creature snorts, pounding one hoof to the ground to accentuate her laughter. The two-legged ones and their names! I do like the sound of Adella. It reminds me of her whinnying.
"Singing," Mme. Pindles corrects absent-mindedly. She thanks the horse Adella for her time and bounces back to where Lady Ledeba waits.
As she bounds lightly back up to the elven woman, the smile on her face is the brightest she's had all day. "You may refer to Madame Horse as Adella if it pleases you. She told me she likes you, and enjoys hearing you sing!"
Arilyth claps her hands and, grabbing a brush, begins to comb the man of the horse. "Adella it is then! Give me time and you'll be the envy of every horse we encounter. Thank you, Miri. I shall repay you for your kindness someday." Hmm... I'll need to start saving for oats and salt licks, soon. And a beautiful saddle...
Arilyth begins to hum a folk song of Kyonin she learned in her youth known in elvish as Hulon'ham Rumtril or in Common The Horse King of the Dancing Meadow, a light hearted travelling song with many of those 'ups and downs' Adella enjoys.