Round 2, Init 20
Mukluk double moves to get behind the 2nd ankheg, not yet engaging.
"Careful now! I've seen this kind of beast before! It can spit acid at you!"
"Acid? Did demonic acid keep Desna from fighting her way through the Abyss? Keeping working together. We made quick work of the first. Let's finish this last one." György moves up and looks for a place to use the reach of his longspear to attack the creature.
Move into a flank position.
Acrobatics taking 10 penalty to move at full speed if I need to check.
Attack with rapier
Damage
Sir Gavin is horrified at what he almost did to Ameiko.
"Milady! I'm so sorry; I didn't know you were there!"
He reorients onto the enemy (making sure Ameiko is nowhere in range) and attacks again.
for a possible crush damage.
With your combined forces working together to put down the second Ankheg, the bug falls, having suffered much damage already at the hands of Ameiko's crew. The caravan takes a moment to gather their senses before camp returns to normal.
Mukluk walks over after the second ankheg falls and drives his pick right into its head.
damage
"Sometimes they get back up," Mukluk explains as he uses his boot to wrench the pick out of the skull.
"That was a good clean fight; the lot of you fought like dwarvekin there, you did."
Mukluk looks at the carcasses.
"Say, Gyorgy...did you think there was any usable meat on these? Where is that dang cook? We should find out, right?"
"Meat? You're probably right Mukluk. Of course, extracting it from those shells might be more than its worth. Reckon they taste like crawfish or crabs?"
Corvus looks aghast at the thought of eating these things. [b]"Seafood tends to live in the sea. Insects that burrow in the ground never tend to taste so good. These are like that - but just bigger. But feel free to try for yourself."[/ooc]
"More like an ant or termite? You know that there are some in this land who regard those as a delicacy. Not my favorite though. You remember that Shoanti shaman Mukluk. He swore by them."
"More like an ant or termite? You know that there are some in this land who regard those as a delicacy. Not my favorite though. You remember that Shoanti shaman Mukluk. He swore by them."
Mukluk scratches his beard, remembering.
"Yeah, that guy was crazy though. He was the one who was arguing that it was impossible for owls to breed with bears. He thought it was difficult for different species to breed. He learnt otherwise when the camp was attacked that one time. It's just too bad for that shoanti that it was owlbear breeding season and his feathered headdress...well, you remember...it's best not to talk about it..."
Mukluk shivers in remembrance.
Mukluk helps the cook collect and prepare the ankheg meat before readying for the next day's travel.
Sir Gavin looks a little queasy at the thought of eating the giant insects and quickly leaves to tend to Sovereign.
The next few days pass again with no threat in sight and no more signs of other ankhegs. Those of you who tried the ankheg - which Ramsay assured you would be grand - find that the chef is right. "It's all about the spices really. Get the right spices together and you can transform any slop into a dish fit for royalty." Ramsay continues to boast.
You arrive in the town of Galduria late in the morning. The town is small and quaint with little in the way of trade goods save for grain and lumber. Most of the lumber industry relies on the lake for it's continued power and it's not hard to tell the close relationship between the townsfolk. You park your caravan within earshot of the local inn and set about planting it for the duration of your stay. Sandru departs to conduct what he calls 'business' and you don't see him again for the rest of your stay in town.
After the wagon is setup, Treygan walks around for a moment stretching. "So our first major town since leaving Sandpoint. I know I'm interested in taking a look around during our stay here. What say we figure out shifts on keeping an eye on things here?"
Mukluk stretches his feets, looking around town. In general, he loves new towns, new people to meet, and finding a few extra things to read.
He will head to the general store looking and a-browsin', even asking if there is a library or arcanium about.
"I'm not really much of a people person, I'll just stay out here...on top of the wagons and keep an eye on things."
Stupid bugs coming out of the ground...
Corvus quickly adds, "I'll stay here with Jean. You travelling types should head off and enjoy stretching your legs and such."
She winks to Jean. "The truth is, I've never been anywhere except Sandpoint - unless you count the swamp. All this moving from place to place is new to me. Plus," and she points at a nearby tree, "Accipiter doesn't like crowds much and we're still bonding."
She extends her arm and the young falcon swoops down and lands lightly on her wrist. "You can get better acquainted if you'd like."
"Corvus and Jean, be sure to see the city. Seeing new places is one of Desna's greatest blessings. The lake here is beautiful." György doesn't press too hard. It has been months since he has been to Galduria and he is eager to see what has changed in the meantime. As soon as the caravan is parked, he heads off into the city to catch up with old acquaintances.
"Corvus and Jean, be sure to see the city. Seeing new places is one of Desna's greatest blessings. The lake here is beautiful."
"Yeah Jean! We should go into town together. It might get cold where we're going and we could buy some of them furry hats that have the flaps on the side...you know, to keep your ears warm," Mukluk says excitedly about town. Mukluk is hopping to go in and look around.
Sir Gavin dismounts and strolls about the town to stretch his legs.
Corvus heard Mukluk's words and it took a few seconds for them to sink in. She'd been used to life in the temperate town of Sandpoint. Winters were colder than summers but snow was something you heard about, not experienced.
Checking quickly with Sandru as to the accuracy of the dwarf's words, she nudges Jean in the ribs with her elbow. "Mukluk's right...after a fashion. We should buy some cold-weather clothes. You know - a wool or animal skin coat, some sort of cap or hat. Maybe a heavy cloak, some thick trousers and definitely some boots. You'll thank me later."
"OK Accipiter, I have to go in to buy some warm clothes. I guess you'll be staying with the wagon? And I guess I can't buy you anything? No, I thought not."
Corvus didn't expect the hawk to respond or understand her, but she enjoyed talking to it and it always seemed 'happy' when she took the time to speak to it.
'I wonder if I can buy a large bird-cage here? With a blanket to cover it when the weather gets really cold? Or am I just worrying too much?
"All right, you convinced me...but I'll go in on the second trip anyways...I'll keep watch here while ya'll start shopping...
A lake Gyorgi? hmm..maybe they will rent sail boats...Muk, Corvus if we have time for pleasure how about I take us for a ride on the water...I can start to show Mukluk the ropes, since he's showing me about caravan work?"
Meanwhile Jean will start making a list for shopping...500' of hemp rope, 2 bolts of canvas, 20 iron loops and bolts, an awl with bits, heavy cloak, scarf, heavy breeches...
Galduria proves most hospitable to the each of you. Whether you've been here before or not, everyone seems especially keen on being wonderful hosts. You're invited (whether together or separately) on a tour where you're taken about to see all Galduria has to offer. Strangely as you move through town you see people with carts and kiosks moving them down to the lake and peddling their wares. Your keen eyes also note several ne'er-do-wells making their way through the throngs of people gathering at the waterfront.
At first, everything seems strange. It's not until you decide to move about later that evening that your eyes catch exactly what Galduria's residents are gathering for. As the moon rises, it's beams shine down upon the lake face and reflect it's lunar brilliance back upon the residents. It is a silencing effect, though the peddlers refuse to remain anywhere near silent as they compete to sell their wares to whomever will pay more.
But the lights... Gods, the lights. As the moonbeams reflect upward, one by one you watch as small particles of luminescence ignite just under the water's surface as if thousands of fireflies all awakened at the same instance. The lights mix with the stars upon the waters surface and leave nothing but wondrous awe in it's wake. As fast as the lights alit, however, they promptly go back out.
The festivities continue on into the night.
You're unable to identify any folk legend, rumour, and so on related to these radiant creatures. Most vexing indeed.
Corvus takes in the town. She's relieved to see it's not so different to Sandpoint. It's clearly more focussed on lumber than her home town but it has shops and inns and stables and the people are friendly too.
What takes her breath away is The Twilight Academy. In a small strong box, back at her room in the Rusty Dragon are a handful of letters. One from each of the magical colleges asking her to join their ranks. She dismissed them all - but kept the letters none the less. And here she was standing in front of one of those centres for magical learning. If she had to have picked one academy, it would have been this one. It has a reputation of promoting some of the more unconventional theories of magic and not putting too many strictures on its students - and that almost hooked her.
As she stands in front of the building which is constructed more like a small fortress, she wonders at what might have been. Did she make the right decision? Has she chosen the right path?
Mukluk runs after Corvus, leaving Jean to decide if he wants to follow.
"Corvus! Wait! My stumpy dwarven legs don't move as fast as yours!" Mukluk yells.
"Did you say the Twilight Academy? That's here!? I thought that was in Garund...oh wait? Or is that is Stone of Seers? I want to see this!"
Mukluk follows Corvus.
Know (Local) - what does Mukluk know of the Twilight Academy?
The Twilight Academy is a major center for magical learning in Varisia. Located in the small town of Galduria, it was founded by mages who wished to sidestep the politics of the larger magical colleges in Korvosa and Magnimar. Because of this, it is looked down upon by the other Varisian schools, who consider it an upstart with no sense of tradition or history.
The Academy has always had the reputation of promoting some of the more unconventional theories of magic and not putting too many strictures on its students, leading to the occasional spell going awry.
This was most memorably demonstrated in 4688 AR, when a group of precocious necromancers from the Academy lost control of their carrion golems. The constructs went on a horrible spree of destruction in the countryside which is remembered to this day.
The building which houses the Academy is constructed more like a small fortress, with numerous mundane and magical defenses. Some speculate that these defenses are designed more to keep people in, rather than to keep intruders away.
As night approaches, you can sense the excitement in György and he encourages everyone to visit the lake. As the moon rises, the cleric finds a quiet spot away from all of the merchants and prays to Desna, wondering again at the mysteries she reveals as the lake lights up.
Mukluk exists.
Corvus glances at Mukluk as they stand in front of the Academy. "There was a time when I considered becoming a wizard." It's not clear if she's talking directly to Mukluk or just out loud. "And had I chosen any of the colleges, it would have been this one. Sure Korvosa has the prestige but it's know for being very straight-laced in its approach - it only teaches specialisms. Anyway..." Corvus sighs deeply, "That was then and now is now. I've made my decision and there's no going back."
Now facing Mukluk directly, "Do you have any interest in the school?"
Mukluk looks at Corvus.
"Yeah, that's good. You made a decision and you're sticking to it. That's real good...and travel is good too. You'll get the hang of it. Every day is a new day, something new to see."
Mukluk remembers his brief time in Korvosa.
"Aw, no...I could never sit still enough to last in a classroom for a day, let alone a few years. They couldn't pay me enough to do that." Mukluk explains.
"I need to travel and see the world. I mean, I'd like to see the inside...and there have been some questions I would want answered, but I kind of like figuring things out for myself as I travel about. You know what I mean? You think and you read enough, you begin to understand how things fit together."
Mukluk leans his face into the iron gates, looking around.
"Yeah, maybe when I'm much older and if I take an arrow in the knee and can't travel anymore, maybe I'll come see if they want an old dwarf to tend to their horses here. I dunno...I don't know what Desna is going to show me on our travels, but I figure that is going to show me if she has a path for me in mind."
Mukluk, having seen what he wanted to see, is ready to return and move on.
Corvus has all of the goods she needs and having seen the Academy is happy to return to camp and (reflecting on Mukluk's words) is keen to see what the new day has to show.
The wonder-filled evening comes and goes with little interruption beyond the night's festivities. The next day crests and the caravan prepares itself to leave. Sandru does a quick head count to make sure that everyone is present. As you get back onto the road, he updates the each of you on the day's haul. It was a decent trade with more lumber and trade resources gained than actual currency, but it was still what he considers successful.
Next stop - Roderic's Cove. Three days journey. Maybe four.
Mukluk smiles happily at leaving Galduria, another checkmark on places seen and wonders beheld.
He's happy to see the road in front of him, wondering what Desna has in store for him. He slaps the reins on the mules, getting them moving and keeping them focused.
He might never be happier, he thinks.
As Mukluk drives the wagon, in order to gains some exercise and practice, Jean will work on racing himself around the wagon underway by traveling across his rigging.
Acrobatics
Corvus continues to alternate between time on a wagon and time in the saddle. She uses the latter to develop her relationship with her horse and hawk and can be seen openly talking to them in a conversational way.
Corvus tries to embrace Mukluk's philosophy of taking each day as it comes and looking for the positive in new things and constant change (although it doesn't come naturally to her).
Having enjoyed the time spent in Galduria, Treygan nevertheless is glad to be on the road again. Having a clear destination always suited him, a clear goal to work towards. Being in town was a nice change of pace, a time to recuperate, to explore and prepare. But back on the road gave him a sense of drive that was hard to match.
György is happy. Not only is he back on the road, but he's having a chance to share the experience with both new and old companions...and Ameiko. He passes the days reminiscing about old caravan trips with Sandru and Mukluk and whenever he builds his courage up enough, he spends some time talking with Ameiko, teasing out her own feelings about the days ahead.
,Hey Muk! How close can you drive to the wagon in front of us?
Jean will line up on the back of Koyas wagon and take a running start as soon as he thinks the wagons are close enough....
Acrobatics to jump over
Sir Gavin is happy to be back in the saddle again, his lance raised high and pennant flying. He rode ahead then behind and back ahead of the caravan again checking for ambushers and stalkers. He stuck to the road and in sight of the caravan, and consulted with Shalelu when they crossed paths on occasion.
At times he rode next to the wagons, chatting with Sandru and flirting outrageously with Ameiko.
He studiously ignores Jean wherever possible, but his eyes pop at the swashbucklers wagon-to-wagon bound.
Acrobatics back
Reflex to grab one of his many rope handholds and swing back to sit next to Mukluk
Ok Mukluck, that is a first example of being able to stay mobile on board a ship...here give me the reigns and you try...I'll just move us alongside and hold this wagon steady next to the wagon currently in front of us, ok...?
Mukluk does as asked by Jean, more out of a chance to show his driving skills than understanding what Jean had intended.
When Jean jumps, Mukluk nearly falls from his driving bench in shock.
"#$@!@$ you doing you T^$@# Elf!"
By the time Jean recovered enough to jump back, Mukluk had recovered the reins and his composure enough to help ease the Jean's return landing.
At the suggestion that he do the same, Mukluk responds quite positively:
"@#$% you, Elf."
Mukluk grumbles and keeps his hands on the reins, ain't no way he was going to attempt that.
"Hey, thatta boy Muk! Now you're starting to sound like a sailor too! I hadn't even gotten to that part of the lessons yet. You are a natural for this. Now c'mon let me drive!"
I like this....I really am enjoying things. This is a much nicer crew than those rats back on the ship. I think I can actually call Mukluk a friend, a true first for me...Corvus is nice and pretty, but I still don't understand her..Gyorgi and Treygan are decent folk but I still don't know him...but what is the deal with that knight, I just don't know...
I do miss the salt spray and the sea air, but the sway of the wagon isn't too different from the ocean swells...Muk sure seems to be a good driver.
Now that I've got the wagons rigged so I can get from one end of the train to another fairly quick, I'd had to fall off the wagon and try to keep up..who knows what we may encounter along the road...if bugs will leap out of the ground like some sea creatures...then I'd better stay ready on board here...it's really not that different.
Hmm after the next town, perhaps I'll stash a few daggers on top of each wagon, just in case...
I can't wait for Muk to teach me to drive!
Treygan moves up near Jean, chuckling at his antics. "I've got to say I'm pretty impressed. I'd love to give it a try if I wasn't wearing so much metal. I'd love to see you do those same flips on a ship." Chuckling a bit more, he takes a (slightly) more serious expression.
"Of course this isn't a ship you're on. Every time you leap from one to the other, who do you think feels it?" Treygan's eyes move from Jean to the horses pulling the wagons. "Every impact they can feel, the tug of the wagon as you swing. Sure it's not much, but they already volunteer to carry our load for us, why make it harder for them? And it'd be even worse if you fall. It's a scary thing, a horse bolting in fright. Those hooves they have can be painful, even deadly when you consider the horses weight. Wouldn't want to see you, or anyone, get hurt. So perhaps you can show me a few of those tricks tonight. I can take this armor off then and try them out too. Maybe you can tell me about some other things you've learned at sea?"
Mukluk ends his grumbling pretty quickly, but does give over the reigns to Jean, explainin' how to coax movement out of a the team.
"...now don't go yanking on the reigns like you're tendering to your family's hose alone, you gotta ease it nice," Mukluk explains. "Pretend that ass is a dearie you've been meaning..."
Mukluk gives Jean some darn fine lessons on drivin' and muletendin'.
The days rage on as your caravan journeys to Roderic's Cove. On the fourth day out of Galduria, the wagons spy a cavalcade of merchant ships in the harbor, but not as any as is usually the case in bigger towns like Riddleport. The city is situated on the Varisian Gulf at the mouth of the Chavali River and is a small town that serves as an alternate destination for merchants too nervous to dock at the pirate-controlled city of Riddleport. Before entering the city, Sandru gives the caravan a quick brief. "We picked up a few illicit goods I'd like to see sold off as quickly as possible, so we'll be here until morning. Don't gamble and don't drink too much or else we might not be seeing you in the morning and sorry to say, but we won't be staying." Sandru warns.
Jean may have visited the port before, but he likely was never ashore, so he would like to help explore and definitely assist in the sale.