For reals gameplay thread.
P.S. Thanks Chris and team for helping
Oathday, 21 Erastus 4716 AR
A knock sounds from the front of the house. Everyone looks up to see an extremely wrinkled and hunched Gnome totter into the entranceway. This is Bani, the oldest Gnome in Tarn-under-Hill at 330 years old, the unofficial matriarch of the village. She shakes her head at the dead bodies and damage before turning to you.
Kas, Issi she croaks, it looks like you two are in more trouble than ever before. Bani cracks a smile and lets out a small cackle, Always was the best thing in the morning to hear what you two got up to. I take it this waving a hand at the mess on the ground, means you have to leave Tarn-under-Hill now. Your best bet is to head to the nearest Big Folk city, Rookwarden to the south. It'll be about 4 days of walking, but I think you can handle it.
She reaches into a small satchel sitting at her hip and pulls out the pistol one of the assassin's attempted to use. Looking closer at it there are bits and pieces that don't look like they were supposed to be there from what you've heard about firearms. Take this, you may be able to sell it in Rookwarden to help you on your way.
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"Thanks Miss Bani!" Issi grins. "Sorry about the mess but we shouldn't stay here now... thank you for the pistol. Can you explain to mother what happened? I can clear up the blood but..." She trails off, not quite sure how to talk about disposing of an assassins body.
"We'll come back with great stories, I promise!" She turns and begins humming to herself as she removes the blood from the carpet.
Kas is still mostly happy and relived that he was able to save Issi. He can't help but show a relived smile back at Bani. "I'm just glad it didn't turn out worse. It was a close call. Still, what happens next is exciting. We'll get to the bottom of this, I swear. This is the beginning of something big."
He walks over and hugs Issi affectionately. "Issi is a princess, can you believe it?" His smiles turn to just happiness and excitement. "It's just like in the [i]fae[i]rie-tales. Gotta win the princess and half the kingdom. But it wouldn't make for much of a story without adversaries right?"
He walks over and take the gun and studies it intently. "Thank you for this. I do wish I knew how to make this, but alas, my skills lie more with traditional weapons. Maybe I'll be able to figure something out."
He turns to Issi to help her clean up the place and gather her things. "We won't just come back with stories. We'll make the most exciting story that everyone will want to listen to for generations to come. First we gotta fix this place and gather up our stuff though."
Bani rubs her chin and looks at Issi, A princess eh? She takes Issi's chin and turns her head this way and that. Ah, there it is, that beautiful spark in your eyes. Don't worry child I'll let your mother know everything that happened and give her your love.
She looks at both Issi and Kas, You two take care of each other, you hear me? If you two need anything you know the village is here to help.
Saying this she turns to Zarya, And you make sure they don't get into too much trouble. Ignoring any stares her way she turns back to the door. Looking back over her shoulder, What? I'm old, not deaf. Well, maybe a little deaf, but when you live as long as I have you pick up on things quick.
Your last sight of Bani is when she sticks her head in the doorframe one last time And remember how old Bani helped you when you name the children! With one final cackle she disappears from the house.
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Once Issi has removed all traces of blood from her mother's carpet she scurries round stuffing the last few things into her satchel. By the time she's finished Trax is stirring and he sits up and yawns hugely as Kas scratches him behind the ears.
Once awake the large cat walks cautiously over to Zarya and begins sniffing around her, clearly aware that something is not normal about this wolf.
"Are you ready Kas?" Issi calls, watching the two animals in amusement. "We're going on an adventure!"
Kasyomnite helps with cleaning up and prepearing as best he can. He already have his adventuring gear ready from his trip outside so he doesn't need to pack much.
Zarya looks curiously on as Trax sniffs her and swats at him with her tail. "What do you want?" She says to the cat who obviously doesn't understand her. Still, she's finding that she doesn't mind the attention.
"Am I ready? I've never been more ready in my life. This is not some small trip, but an actual adventure. It's so exciting. I can't believe all this happened in such a short while." He rushes over to her and hugs her tight. "You are amazing, it's amazing I get to do this with you."
He grabs her hand, in his other he fishes out one of his weapons, a length of chain with a claw-like weapon at one end, a three-pronged hook, and starts swinging it around. Then he proceeds to move towards the door. Zarya starts moving when Kasyomnite does, not needing a command to follow her master.
The sun is bright and strong bringing some measure of warmth in the increasingly cold days. The strange thing about the weather is that the change from summer to fall occured approximately a week ago, all of the trees in the nearby Echo Wood going from green healthy leaves to a blaze of oranges, reds, and yellows like a merry fire crackling in the sky. It was the middle of Erastus, typically the hottest part of the summer, and the way the world looks now one would think that the autumnal equinox was a week away.
With all of the commotion happening in the market no person is around to see your small group slip away. The sun arcs across the sky and as you reach a small hill overlooking Tarn-under-Hill you estimate that there are about 5 hours of daylight left.
"You could both ride me, but without a saddle or training that would be a huge liability if it comes to combat." Zarya says and Kas nods. "Yeah, I think it's better if we walk."
"About a campsite, I've been this way a bit before so we should be able to find something. It's a shame you haven't travelled with me before, it's such fun to go see new places. But I'm very glad to have you with me now." He smiles and just to show how glad he goes over to her and kiss her on the cheek. This hugging, kissing and holding hands is quite new for them, but Kas is sure he likes it, likes it very much indeed. Just thinking about it makes his smile widen another notch.
"About going to Rookwarden, we could go there, but our priority should be to find out how to get to the fey realm then travel there. Maybe you got that knowledge Zarya?" Kas turns towards Zarya with a questioning look. He's not quite sure how to treat this new side of his companion with her knowing plenty of things that he does not.
Zarya tilts her head and considers for a few moments, I don't know much about portals between the First World and this one. And what I do know is all knowledge from the other side where distances might not necessarily correspond. The portal that I originally travelled through was very small, much too small for my full power to arrive through, which caused it to be shed on the journey here. Hopefully it will come back in time.
I have heard rumors of this land, these River Kingdoms, from the First World. There are likely two locations from which a portal can be created where the wall separating our worlds is thin. The first is a town, hidden within a dense woodland that is regularly assaulted by evil Fey, all led by a grig named Mather Nithra. Zarya pauses to scratch herself about the face and neck before continuing The other area is another forested area, this one supposedly south of a large, ancient elven settlement, or so I'm told.
She pauses to give both of you a meaningful look and finishes To my knowledge there are no permanent portals between the First World and this plane, which leads me to believe that we will have to open or create one ourselves.
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"Have you heard of these places Kas? If not then we need a map or someone with ideas of how to get there. Do you think we might be able to find some elves in Rookwarden? They might be able to help us, since they live so long and everything!" Issi seems quite excited at the prospect of meeting an elf.
"Let's go!" Unwilling to wait any longer she starts skipping southwards towards Rookwarden and the excitement of a new adventure!
Kas shakes his head with a sad look on his face. "I'm afraid not. We need to come up with some plan of how to get there. But in order to do that we need more information. Rookwarden might offer us some leads for that."
Once Issi sets off it takes but a moment before Kasyomnite runs to catch up. He quickly does so and skips along beside her. "Yeah, let's!" A wide smile spreads across his face. "To learn something from Rookwarden we have to get there first."
Zarya have no trouble rushing past the pair to take lead, quickly outpacing their shorter legs.
As they move Kas comments. "So... About the kiss earlier. It was just a spur of the moment thing, I was so glad to see you alive. But now I can't stop thinking about how glad I'm here beside you. I don't regret it one bit." He's slightly nervous about how she'll respond. She didn't withdraw from the kiss and kissed him back later, but maybe she has changed her mind since then? He doesn't think so, but there is slightly sliver of a fear that he wants to banish.
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Issi turns round and kisses him again, firmly. "I'm glad too. I've liked you for ages Kas, I just never knew how to say so. I'm actually happy it happened since we finally managed to tell each other how we feel!" Trax makes his agreement known by inserting a large wet tongue into the conversation and covering both gnomes in saliva.
Issi breaks off and grabs Trax around the neck, as Trax swings his head back she is lifted onto his shoulders, rubbing hard on her companions head. "Trax likes you too Kas!" she says, grin wider than ever. "It's a good thing, I don't think I could spend time with a man Trax didn't approve of." With the wind streaming through her hair and the love of her life with her Issi laughs out loud from sheer joy, hair a bright, vivid red as she and Trax run together.
Though there are no roads or tracks to follow on your way southward you do make good time and cover about 10 miles in the time you have before you find a good spot to camp for the night just as the sun kisses the western sky. Confident that no one and nothing is around you bed down for the night and wake refreshed and ready to continue on your journey, first to Rookwarden, then to find your way to a portal to the First World.
Kasyomnite is ecstatic and relived when Issi kisses him. The clump of worry that had formed in his chest dissolves and is replaced by a tingling warmth and spread into all his limbs making his toes curl. He pulls Issi against him, wanting to be as close to her as possible. Her soft mouth feels wonderful against his as they share a very intimate and nice moment. Once the kiss finally ends and she says her words he can't stop smiling. "I'm very happy too." Kas says as he battles Trax to not get pawed down.
"That's great." Kas says in response to Trax' feelings being revealed as he sprints after the pair together with his own companion.
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Once night falls and they make camp Kas removes his armor and snuggles up to Issi. He has always wanted to be close to her like this, but never dared to take the step before now. "This is our first night out here together. Let's enjoy this moment together." He says softly.
Fireday, 22 Erastus 4716 AR
The day breaks to a radiant sunrise. You can hear the nearby animals starting their day and feel a crisp wind greet you. Another layer of leaves has fallen in the night giving you a cruncy carpet all around your camping gear.
A noise sounds in the distance, cacophonus and upsetting the wildlife around you. Mixed in with the sounds of screaming are bass Whumps that you would almost swear you can feel in your chest. The morning mists that have remained obscure your vision, but the sounds reverberate close by in your estimation.
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Issi wakes up and lies quietly for a few moments, luxuriating in the warmth of the sunshine and of Kas' body snuggled up next to her. Being out here with Kas and Trax and Zarya is wonderfully fulfilling in a way she's never known before. There's a piece of her heart that is singing, or perhaps humming happily, as she relaxes. Just a few more minutes
Issi sits bolt upright, the warm feeling inside her dissolving into the much more bitter feeling of fear. She shakes Kas hard. "Kas, Kas! Wake up, I think something's coming!
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Kas sits up quickly. Before going to bed last night he actually did get back into his armor. It's light enough to sleep in and protects him if they should end up in combat quickly after awakening. One thing that is not ready though is Zarya. "Oh shit. I hope it's not something dangerous. I'll call on Zarya." He quickly gets to his feet and starts chanting to bring his companion back from the limbo she's forced to recide in while he's asleep.
As Kas chants a series of lights start to coalesce and continue to get brighter and sharper. The sounds of the Whumps dies away but screams can still be heard as well as the sounds of metal on metal.
Zarya stalks out of the light, hackles raised Your call sounded urgent, what is the matter?
"There is fighting over there!" Kas points in direction of the sounds. "At first we were worried that it would come here, but now I just think we should check it out... Maybe we can help out?" It's more his curiosity than his willingness to help out that leads him to want to go investigate the sounds. He can't just let them be right?
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Issi's hair has turned a pale, washed out red - the color indicates clearly that she is afraid. "We can go an have a look...?" She trails off - her usual blithe demeanor soured by what had happened the day before. It hasn't really sunk in until now that she and Trax almost died yesterday, that sobering thought has Issi's inner happiness curling up into a whimpering ball and, combined with the strange noises has Issi uncharacteristically nervous
She keeps Trax close by her as they head towards the mysterious sounds.
The four of you slowly stalk through the morning mist, wary of any sudden noises or movements. You see into a small dell where it looks like a large battle has been fought. You hear another scream from down below where a bald Taldan man in patchwork clothes and studded leather armor removes his bloodied handaxe from a corpse before him.
A small human in large sky blue robes points a dagger at this man and screams You may have killed my guards and broken my wand, but you're not going to take our skiff! His wild gestures draw your attention to a platform that appears to be floating above the ground with a large piece of cloth strung up to upright timbers.
The bald man responds in a gravelly voice Ha! You have failed your master, apprentice. My boys and I, indicating to several others who were crouching among the carnage, apparently searching through vestments, are going to take your fancy floatin' boat and there ain't nothin' you can do about it. Six River Freedoms can be a b~*~+, huh? The smile he gives is full of daggers.
On the way to the scene of the battle Kasyomnite touches Zarya briefly and a crackle of blue lightning seems to run across her fur, leaving behind a shimmer of energy that is barely visible if you look closely.
Once they see what's going on Kas whispers to Issi. "Bandits! We should help against them." He doesn't think much about the risk, he just want to help out, after all they are heroes, at least to his mind.
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"Kas, we can't just let them do this!" Issi's hair has turned the fiery red which accompanies anger. "They can't just take it without him wanting them to. We should stop them."
Issi hops out from behind the bush and runs forward, thrusting out her hand. A huge coruscating beam of clashing colors erupts from her hands and washes over the men picking pockets.
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Trax leaps on Baldy.
Seeing that Issi moves forward Kas follows along right next to her, hoping to protect her from harm with the reach of his chained claw. After waiting to see the result of Issi's spell Kas follows with his own. He chants and pick up a tiny bit of something goey from the poch at his side and holds it palm up in front of him towards the bandits.
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"H̶̵̨̥͈̹̫̹͚͚͔ͯ ̬̞ͣ̐͟͞r͉̮̯̥̝̫̀̂ͣ̄͋̋̉ͪͫ͞e̷̦͚̫̔͌ͩ͟w͔̳̜̎̀̔̆i̸̤̗̤̼̐͐̽̀ͅo̢̪͚ͤ̿ͫj̥̣̺̙̤ͪ̔͆̑̔́́̚ ̗̼̠̾͟͟g̛̬̻̏ͬ̀w̶͉̆͐̾͑̀ͫ̆ę̯̖̥ͯ̔ͪ̓ͦi̵͕͈̻̖̮͍̙ͣ͐o̭̟̞̜̮̦͕̖̗̐ͨ̍̃̂̏̂͢͝͝j̸̈́̿͛ͦ̌͋̽͆̀ ̫͖͈͕̻̙̪ ̡̼̮͉̻̻̲͒̃ͨ̾ͫ͋g̭̩̺͕̻͔͑̔́ͦ̿́ͭ̋̐͜w̩̪̆͒ͧ͊̔͛́͘͞ȩ̢̻͔̬͕̌̉̒ͧ̎̒̃̆p̶̜̩̝̯̖̜̪̰ͦ͐̈̊̈͑͆̿ ̰ô̴͔̹̗ͧ̑ͭ̅̈̐͢ͅiͫ̐̽́̿͗ͨ̓̃͏͓͈͟͝j̠̼̟̳̺̻͍̬̔͒̓ͩ̇̈ͧ͘e̢̪͎̭̩̗̱͓ͨ͆ͥ̋̏̽̿ͣ͘ẅ́̐̒͐̆̋̑́͑ ̱̮̭͇́ ̱̬̪̤͗͑͘͝"
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With a soft pop the goo disappears before reappearing in massive amounts right underneath a couple of the bandits, unsettling their balance.
Zarya doesn't wait to see if they fall or not but charges straight into the closest of the bandits caught in the goo.
All four of you are able to sneak forward while the bandits are pre-occupied with looting.
Issi's Color Spray catches two of the bandits, while Kas' Grease forms under the two farthest to the right. Only the bald man with his twin axes is not affected by a spell.
While the lights are bright the two bandits hit by the color spray grit their teeth and and reach for their longswords. The other bandits, hit by the grease are not so lucky and fall facedown in the nasty goo. The closest one to Zarya screams as she falls on him, several hundred pounds of muscle, fur and teeth ripping him open like a wet sack of red.
The bald Taldan man is also hit by pounds of teeth and fury and comes away from the struggle with several bloody wounds on his torso and arms. Then he grins and hefts his axes Two half-pints and their pets? I didn't realize I'd be skinning today, would have brought my good knife. And thanks for taking out Joey, now we don't gotta split with him.
"What an awful thing to say about your companion. You should cherish the people you travel with!" Kas says and lashes out at the feet of the closest bandit, looking to sweep him off his feet.
Meanwhile Zarya decides to deal with the prone bandit before he can stand up to better defend himself.
The bandit Kas has chosen soon finds his leg wrapped in a length of chain, and with a heave that belies his size Kas uppends the man before he has time to draw his sword.
Zarya jumps upon the man not bleeding slowly into the pool of grease and begins shredding him with her claws. Tatters of skin flap back and forth from the minor flaying but resolution fills his eyes.
The bandit before Kas and Issi pulls out his longsword and steps towards the Gnomes, risking an attack from Kas to move beside them.
The man Kas has just knocked on his ass stands up and draws his sword ready to enter back into the fray.
The bald headed Taldan man laughs cruelly while swinging both of his axes back and forth Here kitty, kitty. Come and run along this nice sharp edge before swinging his two axes looking to score on Trax
Kas swings his claws at the legs of the man, but he hits the ground instead. The man leaps over anyway, but the jump leaves him unbalanced and the swing goes wide.
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Seeing Trax being hurt is like a punch in the guts for Issi. She yells something incomprehensible, although the hurt is clear in her tone, and unleashes another series of coruscating lights at the two men in front of her.
Without waiting to see the result of her spell she runs, circling around to catch up with Trax, who is still bravely holding his ground.
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The man threatening Kas blinks his watering eyes to clear them from the bright lights once again. There is a soft thud behind him as the other man succumbs to the full effects of the spell.
The bald man steps to one side, then the other to avoid Trax's claws, which puts him in the perfect position for Trax to tear a big bloody chunk out of his arm. Smiling sadistically he quips I like it when they fight back, makes it more fun to rip their throats out.
The man bleeding out in the grease makes a soft gurgling sound while his compatriot attempts to stand up in the face of Zarya.
As the man tries to rise Zarya snaps out and bites his throat. Him trying to rise gives her an easy opening to reach his bared flesh.
Once the man is down she turns around to charge at the bald man, looking to help out Trax
Meanwhile Kasyomnite has moved to follow after Issi, hoping to protect her from harm while at the same time coming close enough to the bald man to hit him with a quickly conjured snowball.
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v̶̮̫͐͋͆̋̐̍e̶̸͉͎͈͇̤̍̏ͩ͐̂̃͂̍͐́y̨̧̤̳̥̤͚̖̳ͮ́ͦ͌́̓̈j͚͙̖̙͚̫̖͕̿̉͗͌ͥ͐͑̊̋͟r̝̱̘͗ͥͦͫ̄̚͞ ̯l̸̺̥̜̼̺͕̬͂̆̇ͫ͝ḯ͖̝ͩͫ̾͜o̡ͫ̀̊̑ͧͮͮ͏̨̞̫͓̝̠h͎̟̽̃̀̏̓̉͡ ̦̘͖̠͖͕̹̭̙̎̐̐ͧ͐i͉̣̩͓ͭ̅͒ͩ͢j̖̣̐̊ͥͥ͛́ö́͏̜̱̙́e̴̙̻̫͇͇͔̗̊̿ͥ͑ͦͣ͂͊ẇ̧̬͖͙͒f̥̞͑̓͛̾̈́ͮͦ͐ ͇̺̥ͅ ̸̵̬̝̗͕̼͓̼͋͑̊̋͐̐̇̚j̴͇̥̜̞̝̘͍̮͂̈́͗͊̿͢͡ĩ͉̫̲̖̏͗̌ͬ̚p̦̗̻̠͕͙͔̘̘̓ͬ̉ͩ̈́ò̢̹̣ͧ̃̄̉̅ͧ̎͜͢ͅ ͔̤v̵̥̳͔̩̩͈͙̽̐ͦ͊ͤ͢͞ͅẉ͔̗͕̓ͥ́͆ͭ̎ͬ̿̈́̕e̩͓̞̞͋̅͂j͓̮̬͉̺͇͖ͥͩ͘͝ö̸́̌̏͒ͅp̣͎͈̂̎̏̔͋͌ͬ́ ͈̺͍͌̔ͧ͂ͧ͒͡
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Right after the snowball flies Zarya barrels into the man, hoping to take him out before he can wound Trax further.
Kas' snowball screams into the bald man's face, spinning him around only to be hit by the full brunt of Zarya's charge. Not deigning to stain her teeth on the blood of one so foul Zarya instead rips him open from chest to groin and jumps off of his body so the blood does not stain her beautiful white fur.
As the Taldan collapses all turn to look at the remaining bandit, unconscious from Issi's spell, and the only one not watering the dell with his life-blood.
As the Taldan collapses all turn to look at the remaining bandit, unconscious from Issi's spell, and the only one not watering the dell with his life-blood.
Or running in the opposite direction as fast as his legs can carry him.
The man in the blue robes lets out a large breath and falls heavily onto his bottom. Dropping the dagger into the dirt he starts shaking heavily and begins reaching into various pockets in his robes, what seems like, automatically. He pulls out a pipe, a small baggie with some sort of leaves, and a case of tindertwigs.
Stuffing the leaves in the pipe he takes out one tindertwig and attempts to strike it on the side of the pipe. He is shivering so much he fails several times to light the twig, which quickly becomes too mangled to use. Blast it all! he cries, tossing the twig away and grabbing for another. This one catches immediately and he sets to puffing on his pipe, blowing out smoke in large amounts through his nostrils and making occasional rings with his mouth.
Looking closer at him you judge him to be a younger human of Chelaxian descent with pale, nearly waxy, skin and dark unkempt hair. His robes conceal almost everything else about his appearance, height or build.
His magical platform is still floating, about a gnome and a half above the ground, though not in any particular direction with its sheets rolled against the timbers jutting from the platform.
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Issi completely ignores the young man and the other bandits, racing over to Trax as fast as she can to look over her companion. As she reaches his side she starts casting repeatedly, cleaning the dirt and other nastiness from Trax's coat and wounds.
Once Trax is settled licking his wounds Issi turns to baldie's body and kicks it hard. "That's for hurting Trax!" Then she kneels down, the practical side of her upbringing coming through and starts searching through his pockets, although she steers well clear of both the axes.
Kasyomnite sees that Trax is not going to die soon, so healing can wait until they have dealt with the bandits. There is still one alive who haven't ran away, the one knocked out by Issi's spell. Kas quickly gets over to him, removes his weapons and binds him up.
"What is that" Kas points to the skiff, "Who are you and what happened here?" Questions tumble out of Kas due to his curiosity even before he manages to introduce himself. "Oh yeah, almost forgot. I'm Kasyomnite Farcaller and this incredible and hot woman I'm travelling with is Issi Flamehair."
Issi's digging through pockets reveals a small jingling pouch and 2 vials, one a deep clear emerald green and the other a dark blue color.
The man that Kas has tied up slowly comes back to consciousness, though when he opens his eyes they are crossed.
The man in the robes looks up and remembers that he was the one that was saved. He stand slowly, continously puffing on his pipe, and with one final breath begins to explain, Let me try and answer your questions in the order they were asked. He slowly walks towards your group, avoiding looking at the scorch marks in the earth, the blood pooling around the bodies around, and at the remains of the Taldan man.
That, he says pointing to the skiff, is a form of land skimmer my master and I have been working on for some months now. My name is Barnabus Ruckleer, apprentice wizard to Master Galadon Albercroft. What happened here is that man, he nods in the direction of the bald man, turning a bit green in the face as he does, has been hounding my companions and I since we got outside of Rookwarden.
Barnabus takes a deep breath and everything about him sags a bit more, I grew careless and kept my compatriots and myself out in the wilds longer than usual. We were ambushed this morning, and before my wand was broken by a stray arrow we held them off. Afterwards this monster came in and slew my accomplices. Then you two showed up and saved my greasy bacon. So with that out of the way, it is a pleasure to meet you Kasyomnite Farcaller and Issi Flamehair. He holds out his hand to shake, while being wary of both Trax and Zarya.
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"Hello Mr Ruckleer. Itsapleasuretomeetyoutoo! Do you know anything about the First World? Do you know anyone who does? We need to go there as soon as we can!" Issi notices that Barnabus seems uncomfortable around Trax and Zarya. "Don't worry about them. They're friendly and really nice! This is Trax," she takes the opportunity to scratch her companion behind his ears. "and this is Zarya. She's very clever!"
Realising that Barnabus has been left hanging Issi reaches up and pumps his hand vigorously.
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Barnabus smiles at Issi's enthusiasm. An avid learner eh? I am sorry to say I don't know much about the First World, other than that is where the Fey come from. But I'm sure that Master Albercroft knows something...
As he finishes speaking the man bound on the ground starts struggling against his bonds.
You hear the strain of creaking leather, but the bonds hold true.
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"Could we meet your Master Albicroft then? We need someone who knows lots of stuff! Do you live in Rookwarden? Is it far? Can we have a ride on you flying thing?" The stress of combat having worn off and with it apparent that Trax is not in immediate danger of death Issi's natural curiosity is rapidly reasserting itself.
Focused on Barnabus she doesn't actually notice the bound man's attempts to break his bonds. Trax does however and stalks over to the bound man where he growls, very quietly, but with a distinct aura of menace.
The man stops struggling with a small whine and does his best to be very still.
Barnabus glances in his direction and notices that Trax has it covered. Looking back at Issi he smiles "Of course I can take you to Master Albercroft! It's the least I can do for you two, erm..." he takes in Trax and Zarya with his eyes, "four for saving me. Rookwarden isn't close, it's actually a little more than 50 miles south of here."
A gleam comes to Barnabus' eye "But! We can get there in about a half day using my skimmer, rather than the 3 or 4 it would take walking."
He walks back to his skimmer and grabs a rope tied to it. With a tug and a grunt he starts walking it back to the group. Upon closer inspection it looks like the flatboats that occasionally run the rivers of the kingdom. He points to the timbers sticking vertically from the skimmer "These timbers are scaled down versions of those found on sea-fairing vessels. They allow for greater speed, especially with this." He draws your attention to a ring on his right hand, shaped like a series of clouds. This ring allows me to cast a nearly constant stream of wind into the sails so we won't have to rely on the actual winds. Of course the skiff can always be pulled or travel under its own speed, but that isn't any faster than walking. And if we need a burst of extra speed I have these."
He pulls what appear to be chap-books from inside his robe. "Hopefully it won't come to that though."
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Issi's face lights up at the prospect of riding the skiff. Her hair follows suit, changing to a wonderful gold flecked red, clearly showing her joy. She runs over to the skiff and scrambles aboard, perching right at the front where she'll get the best view.
"This is going to be so much fun! Come on Kas! We're off to see the wizard!"
Once Kas, Zarya and Barnabus are in place she'll whistle Trax on so that the bandit doesn't (hopefully) have enough time to do anything before we get going.
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Kas has quietly gone from body to body, examining what they have and emptying their pockets as he goes, all the while listening intently to Issi talk. She's so charming that people can't help being taken to her. I should let her talk.
He makes his way back to the bound bandit. "What are we going to do about the knocked out bandit? Just leave him? What if he tries to steal from someone else?" He fishes out his curved sword and holds it out to the bandit's chin
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Kas is impatient to be off as well, but he's unsure given the presence of the bandit. If Issi insists he makes his way over to the Skiff quickly enough though. "I really want to figure out how that thing works, maybe I could make something similar? Could you tell me more about it as we travel? But learning more about the fey is more important. So if you can tell us more about them than what you've already said that would be even better."