Hrunndalf scrutinizes Proudstump carefully. "Was she dabbling in undead lore? Or are these just the dark rumors that people commonly cook up about people dwelling alone in the swamp?"
"Undead?" says Proudstump. "Not to my knowledge. But I imagine that the small animal population in the local area wouldn't miss her if she's gone. Old Megus is not exactly what I would call a kindly but misunderstood soul."
Dripping on the other bank, Alaric watches Mel dry herself with a shake. He shrugs, shudders, and looks down. "Well, it was worth a shot." He puts the armor back on over his waterlogged clothes.
"Melinda, does your grooming trick work on others too, or just on you? I'd rather not get my armor muddy from the inside."
Of course, A little louder, Does anyone else want to be dry? As a blast of wind whisks the water away from Hrunndalf.
Mel looks at Alaric, obviously happy to make his struggle back into his armor easier, but trying not to impose.
"Yeah Mel, would appreciate it. Thanks. I may be used to being dirty out in the wild...doesn't meen I gotta like it. I was already thankin the water for just gettin rid of some of the mud. What you got is better, way better." She blinks at Mel expectantly.
"Thanks, Mel. As much fun as a nature hike is, it's better when one isn't carrying the entire swamp in one's smallclothes."
Soon after crossing the waterway, Reta leads you to the second boat. It takes you a little while to realize that’s what it is – it at first appears at first to be a strange tangle of branches. But it is in fact the moss-covered ribs of a wrecked ship. The ruined ship lies on its side, split down the middle and mostly sunken into the mud and murky water.
A careful search of the wreck reveals it to be of a similar style to the Kaijitsu Star, but larger and in far worse shape. The painted name has long since been eroded off of the bow, but you eventually discover a small, verdigris-encrusted nameplate that reads, in Taldane, Kaijitsu’s Blossom.
You do have a moment of concern when you discover three skeletons, but they appear to be nothing more than dead humans, not undead. They wear the remains of armor that the geographically inclined among you tentatively identify as being of the style of Tian Xia. All three of them have broken wakizashi – a kind of short sword – stuck through their rib cages and left there to rust.
...
Lio turns to Myriana when she asks for her water skin. "Ah dunna 'ave yur wat'r sk'n; ah 'ken ets wi' Melinda, but yu kann 'ave somma mein" She pronounces Melinda's name very carefully, like she's trying to get the sound just right (Melleeeneda). Then she takes out her waterskin, and offers it to Myriana."Oops, you're right Lio, I forgot Mel offered to carry my waterskin. Thanks, though, I don't really need water right now. I was just teasing our halfling friend."
...When Myri asks for blunt arrows, Lio doesn't even hesitate. "Ah got plenteh oph 'um, an' let meh seh 'e uns yu recov'd from t'e hut, ah...Myri relaxes visibly, "Thank you so much. Yet another thing I've been short on this time out. Here's 8 of mine to fill that gap in your quiver...the 2 that I retrieved from Gutwad's hut, plus the ones you used as well."
Mel shakes her head, No, Myri, out here I'm not going to give up my current hairpiece, anyway. So better that it serves a purpose. It look good with your hair. She smiles, The gemstone, just seems familiar. She shrugs. No doubt the practical thing do would be to sell it anyway. Although she looks sad at the idea.Myriana does not answer verbally, but her eyes sparkle as she takes back the hairpin and does up her hair once again. When she is finished she does a little dancer's twirl. Stops and leans close to Mel, giving her a light peck on the cheek and a whispered...
** spoiler omitted **
Lio looks confused, "Hou es offr'in ah wat'r sk'n teas'n?" she asks Myri.
"Melinda, does your grooming trick work on others too, or just on you? I'd rather not get my armor muddy from the inside."Of course, A little louder, Does anyone else want to be dry? As a blast of wind whisks the water away from Hrunndalf.
Mel looks at Alaric, obviously happy to make his struggle back into his armor easier, but trying not to impose.
As Proudstump explains about the old witch, Lio nods once, thoughtfully, listening.
When Mel offers, after she's followed through on any other takers, Lio also asks to be died off. "Thank-ye" She says afterwards, impressed by the power. "Th'ats ah 'ery us'fl spal raigt 'ere. Ah dinna 'ken yu kuld due th'at. "
So on to the cave? Which means everyone gets wet again? Looking at Myri and Lio for confirmation.
"Thank-ye" She says afterwards, impressed by the power. "Th'ats ah 'ery us'fl spal raigt 'ere. Ah dinna 'ken yu kuld due th'at. "
You're welcome, she says with a little shrug, it isn't a powerful magic, but it's a darn useful one finishing with a smile.
Lio looks confused, "Hou es offr'in ah wat'r sk'n teas'n?" she asks Myri.
Myri, with a touch of trepidation, attempts to explain things to Lio. "Kalimac agreed to model Gutwad's pretty panties for us if we "bought him a drink", probably because he was alluding that he would have to be drunk in order to do such a thing. I was just taking the literal sense of his words and offering him a drink of water now to say tongue-in-cheek, "okay Cutey, let's get your pert little ass parading around in those sexy thangs". ... ... ... Does that make sense?" Myri looks hopefully into Lio's eyes.
Alaric watches Myriana trying to explain the joke to Lio with even more amusement than that afforded by the joke itself.
Kalimac pointedly Does Not Hear the conversation between Myri and Lio about drinks and pretty panties.
Hoping to change the topic of conversation, Kalimac mentions idly, "Not to sound too crass, but while most of the treasure the Licktoads had was not to my liking--other than its monetary value--I do like the chest it came in. If no one else has a claim on it, I would not mind having it as part of my share."
Mel watches the joke explanation between Myri and Lio, Alaric's amusement, and Kalimac's refusal to hear exchange. She starts to stay something, but Kalimac's obvious attempt to 'change the subject' squashes her smart-ass comment, probably for the better.
It's okay with me, but I know Lio was admiring its worksmanship.
And more on tangent, So what do we know about undead? Other than the fact that more powerful and charismatic someone is in life, the more powerful they are in undeath too, of course. She adds the last as if it is such common sense that she feels a little silly mentioning it.
Alaric opens his mouth, perhaps to pile on, but then notices the adoring gaze from the goblin guide. "I have no objections," he says instead, turning his attention back to the swamp.
And more on tangent, So what do we know about undead? Other than the fact that more powerful and charismatic someone is in life, the more powerful they are in undeath too, of course. She adds the last as if it is such common sense that she feels a little silly mentioning it.
"Far less than you, apparently. Although I should be worried if either you or Kalimac rises."
Knowledge Religion(Favored Enemy: undead +2):
Knowledge (History)
Looks at Alaric, I don't think I'd rise as an undead. Well, unless something happened that was really traumatic or that offended my soul. But that is three-quarters of why we do funerals for our loved ones, right, to calm their souls enough so they don't fight their journey to Pharasma's boneyard?
She then pauses, her eyes filling with a unexplainable worry as she remembers something that she'd managed to recently bury, Then again, on the safe side, maybe make sure I don't die...
Looks at Alaric, I don't think I'd rise as an undead. Well, unless something happened that was really traumatic or that offended my soul. But that is three-quarters of why we do funerals for our loved ones, right, to calm their souls enough so they don't fight their journey to Pharasma's boneyard?
Alaric blinks. There's just so much wrong with that statement... she waited to rebut me, I can afford her the same courtesy.
She then pauses, her eyes filling with a unexplainable worry as she remembers something that she'd managed to recently bury, Then again, on the safe side, maybe make sure I don't die...
"That's why I came along," he says with a smile.
Eyes wide, Oh, that's why you came along? tone sweet, light, and trying very hard to get rid of whatever it was in her eyes, I thought it was to be the romantic protagonist for Reta? I will have to re-evaluate roles.
Eyes wide, Oh, that's why you came along? tone sweet, light, and trying very hard to get rid of whatever it was in her eyes, I thought it was to be the romantic protagonist for Reta? I will have to re-evaluate roles.
The smile turns rueful. "I'm never living that down as long as I know you, am I?"
Not at all true, I'm sure we will all do something that makes a goblin crush a fond memory. But you are certainly not living it down when you haven't broken her poor little carnivorous heart. She smiles, Besides, it helps to keep everyone grounded.
Not at all true, I'm sure we will all do something that makes a goblin crush a fond memory. But you are certainly not living it down when you haven't broken her poor little carnivorous heart. She smiles, Besides, it helps to keep everyone grounded.
"I could not agree more. And besides, I did bring it on myself," he says, falling into step beside her.
You went to join the groups going against the goblins, but you were late and everyone else had already left. Sheriff Hemlock told you the group had gone to get more information from Walthus Proudfoot, the self-appointed swamp warden.
So you went to his house. No one was there.
You'd heard the swamp witch, Old Megus, might know where the goblin village was, too. So you made a fairly arduous journey down a little-used trail and finally found her house, only to discover that she has apparently been dead for months, killed by some kind of bizarre experiment she was attempting. Her witch's familiar, a weird rat creature with the face and hands of an old man, explained what had happened and then told you unceremoniously that visitors were not welcome, good day.
Eventually, you used your knowledge of the wilderness to find the site of the goblin village yourself, trekking through miles of muddy swamp to get there.
The WHOLE VILLAGE WAS DESERTED.
In desperation, you've been following a set of non-goblin tracks you found, hoping they might lead to some people who can tell you what the heck is going on.
As you all head back to re-cross the stream, you see a figure on the other side - a somewhat frustrated looking half-elf. Alaric immediate recognizes (and is recognized by) Rhost, a friend of Koya's. The rest of you have, at the very least, seen the half-elf around town.
A tall, slender girl with deeply black hair, green eyes, and pale skin, smiles at the half-elf, Lost?
"Everyone, this is Rhost, a friend of Koya's." Alaric rattles off the names in the group, helpfully identifying them for the barbarian.
Myri does not keep him covered as the others cross, nor does she let him leave the field of her vision. Her arrow is knocked but down and to the left of the 'stranger'. As the others do not seem to be overly concerned, she proceeds almost as if he were not even there. When she reaches the other side, she looks him up and down sizing him up. "You seem to be pretty sure of yourself, out here on your own." She states matter of factly as she shakes off the water, aided by a particular cantrip, and adds as an aside, "Thanks, Mel."
After drying off with the aid of Mel's wind, Kalimac dons his armor. "Well met, Rhost. Any friend of Koya's is sure to be a friend of mine."
He checks that Attatoq is properly dry, then gets into his saddle.
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Hrunndalf wonders about the skeletal crew of the Kaijitsu's Blossom. "Were they nailed to the ship with their swords to pay for mutiny? Or did they do this to themselves after they had failed to save the ship from destruction? At any rate, it's time they were laid to rest." He collects the broken swords and lets the bones sink into the swamp with a few ritual words, unless someone wants to give them a more formal burial.
As the group slogs on towards their third destination, Hrunndalf raises his voice in what seems to be an Ulfen marching song, to pass the time. "Það var einn björn, einn björn! einn björn! allt svart og brúnt og þakin hárum..." If asked, he explains it tells the story of a bear and a maiden fair.
"Everyone, this is Rhost, a friend of Koya's." Alaric rattles off the names in the group, helpfully identifying them for the barbarian.
Mel gives the half-elf a cheerful smile, Greetings, Rhost. Did you come out to help alleviate the goblin problem? If so, that has been taken care of... Mostly. Now the goblin is just Alaric's problem and we discovered two boats that Ameiko lost and are going undead hunting. She says this all in a cheerful, upbeat rush, And you?
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Rhost is six feet tall, and fairly thick. Although perhaps that's due to the thick mud-spattered animal hides he's wearing. He's also wearing a backpack, and carrying a monstrous hammer. His hair is saffron, but matted and stringy. His eyes are dark. He does not look amused.
"Alaric, greetings." Rhost frowns. "Bad day so far. I was looking to go goblin-hunting, but got there late. Everyone was gone. Went to Walthus' house. No one there. Hunted up the swamp witch. She's dead. Finally found the damned gob village on my own, and it's deserted. Deserted! Too much mud, not enough smashing.
He looks around at the assorted crew. "What brings you lot out here?"
Lio looks confused, "Hou es offr'in ah wat'r sk'n teas'n?" she asks Myri.Myri, with a touch of trepidation, attempts to explain things to Lio. "Kalimac agreed to model Gutwad's pretty panties for us if we "bought him a drink", probably because he was alluding that he would have to be drunk in order to do such a thing. I was just taking the literal sense of his words and offering him a drink of water now to say tongue-in-cheek, "okay Cutey, let's get your pert little ass parading around in those sexy thangs". ... ... ... Does that make sense?" Myri looks hopefully into Lio's eyes.
"P'eart?" Lio raises a questioning eyebrow. She then looks over at Kalimac, studies him for a moment as he is pointedly ignoring the little discussion. "May'aps yu shou'da offr'd 'em a strong'r drank th'en wat'r 'kas ah dunna 'ken Kalm'mac 's laiken yur edea. Al'toug Alar'c seams up f'r modl'n, mayb's yud laike a drink oh wat'r?" She smiles at Alaric, she's probably joking about the modeling thing, but it's kind of hard to tell because Lio's sense of humor seems a little strange.
Hoping to change the topic of conversation, Kalimac mentions idly, "Not to sound too crass, but while most of the treasure the Licktoads had was not to my liking--other than its monetary value--I do like the chest it came in. If no one else has a claim on it, I would not mind having it as part of my share."
When Melinda mentions that Lio was admiring the pretty red chest, Lio shrugs and lets Kalimac know, "Es prette, bot ah dunna hav' enea use fo' 'et. Yu shu'd tak et 'e yu laike 'et."
As the group slogs on towards their third destination, Hrunndalf raises his voice in what seems to be an Ulfen marching song, to pass the time. "Það var einn björn, einn björn! einn björn! allt svart og brúnt og þakin hárum..." If asked, he explains it tells the story of a bear and a maiden fair.
"A good song," Alaric says. "I learned a version of that one in my youth."
Rhost looks at Melinda and slowly nods. "Undead hunting sounds good."
He looks around at the assorted crew. "What brings you lot out here?"
We rescued Walthus from an evil, lying shapeshifter that tried to eat Alaric. Scared off the goblins by pretending to be undead, and killed the vile, fat toad who had threatened the safety of Sandpoint's road. Now we are hunting undead. She doesn't seem at all perturbed at repeating herself
Rhost looks at Melinda and slowly nods. "Undead hunting sounds good."
Great! With a smile that just barely shows off her lower canines.
Looks at Alaric, I don't think I'd rise as an undead. Well, unless something happened that was really traumatic or that offended my soul. But that is three-quarters of why we do funerals for our loved ones, right, to calm their souls enough so they don't fight their journey to Pharasma's boneyard?Alaric blinks. There's just so much wrong with that statement... she waited to rebut me, I can afford her the same courtesy.
She then pauses, her eyes filling with a unexplainable worry as she remembers something that she'd managed to recently bury, Then again, on the safe side, maybe make sure I don't die..."That's why I came along," he says with a smile.
Lio debates telling her new found friends that where she was from, bodies usually ended up in the furnace. Well, that they ended up in the bellies of the dogs. She shudders a little, almost imperceptibly. She doesn't know anything about the gods that most common folk don't know, and has nothing really to contribute when it comes to discussing the undead. "Ah nev'r bean t' ah fune'ral." she mentions. "Mus' be naice t' sae g'd buy."
Eyes wide, Oh, that's why you came along? tone sweet, light, and trying very hard to get rid of whatever it was in her eyes, I thought it was to be the romantic protagonist for Reta? I will have to re-evaluate roles.
Lio covers a little laugh. For people who were serious about killing, they sure were amusing.
... "Ah nev'r bean t' ah fune'ral." she mentions. "Mus' be naice t' sae g'd buy."
"...And sometimes you only wish you could." Myri mumbles under her breath.
Lio is a light skinned elven girl, who has probably just reached adulthood. She's quite short for an elf, maybe 5'6" in her boots. But her muscles are wiry, and she's a strong swimmer as the group heads back across the water towards Rhost. She makes the crossing sans armor, which she has stuck in her bag to keep out of the water.
She's pretty dirty, though some of the mud previously covering her washes off in the water; the ends of her long hair gleam white. She once again quickly picks up some mud, and runs her fingers through her hair, matting it up, and getting rid of the attention grabbing color. Her eyes are a dark blue, and there are a series of tattoos on her face, which run down her neck and disappear into her peasant shirt. Her tattoos looks somewhat like the ones on the Halfing, Walthus.
After Melinda dries everyone off with her magic, Lio thanks her quietly, her Common thickly accented. "Thank-ye, ag'n." Once dry, she dons leather armor over her rough pants and top, adjusts her sword, which she likes to wear slung comfortably around her waist, and puts on her backpack. She carries her short bow over a shoulder, next to a quiver of arrows.
She studies the newcomer just long enough to determine what weapons he carries, and if she has seen him before. Once Alaric vouches for the man, she relaxes a little, though she doesn't get too close to him.
... "Ah nev'r bean t' ah fune'ral." she mentions. "Mus' be naice t' sae g'd buy.""...And sometimes you only wish you could." Myri mumbles under her breath.
Alaric considers his words for a long moment before speaking. "Goodbyes are not always necessary. If I'm right, the person who has died has no knowledge of their death. One moment here, the next, nothing at all. If I'm wrong, then there is no need for a goodbye. In the afterlife, there's an eternity of... well, I can never keep it straight in my head. But no goodbyes, certainly."
Gaining momentum, his voice grows with confidence, green eyes glittering. "It is far more important that those we love know we love them while they're still alive. Tell them with words, but more importantly, show them with actions."
Mel looks at Alaric, who seems to confident in his view, and then thinks about her mother, starts to say something, and seems to decide that maybe now is really not the best time to go into something that esoteric.
Al'toug Alar'c seams up f'r modl'n, mayb's yud laike a drink oh wat'r?" She smiles at Alaric, she's probably joking about the modeling thing, but it's kind of hard to tell because Lio's sense of humor seems a little strange.
Mel starts chuckling, but there is a definite green flush to her cheeks.