Selene flits through the few shadows that appear in the morning sun, wondering the extent of the damage.
Shi'Vatha pays close attention as they move, wary of Orc ambushes.
Echane finds her programming leaving her slightly preoccupied as it runs diagnostics.
Off to your left, you find a small camp, about 50' away. You see a person cleaning up and packing the site up, and you also see what appears to be a tiger with him.
With the camp packed up, Locke holsters his backpack and heads towards the strange group. Divokost yawns and follows him. It had been a few months since Locke had the pleasure of traveling companions, and he was starting to get rather lonely.
There was also an issue of supplies. Locke hadn't had much luck hunting-even with the aid of Divokost-and his rations were dwindling. Locke didn't have any coin for this strange land either, so he was starting to get rather worried.
When he gets within twenty-five feet, Locke says, "Hail!"
A large feline pads behind the lanky human. Its coat is white with black spots, and it has piercing blue eyes. Upon spotting the strange cub creature , she lets out an deep-throated, yet inquisitive, meow.
Shi'Vatha blinks, and then gives an odd bow, his taur torso bending and his forelegs dipping at the same time. "Greetings, stranger." He nods at the feline. "Greetings to you, I am afraid I do not speak feline."
The young man nods in return, his long, black hair temporarily concealing his face. After the nod, he puts three fingers on his heart.
"Greetings to you as well. This may seem rather abrupt, but I have been bereft of traveling companions for quite some time, and I'm afraid supplies are running rather low. May I travel with you for a time?" As he speaks, the young man absentmindedly scratches the ears of the large feline, who purrs at the attention.
There is an oddly designed sword on his back, with a white ribbon at the hilt and nine rings on its blade. Although the black-haired stranger is bulging with muscles, he is clearly very strong-his biceps aren't huge, but it looks like you could break a rock on them.
Shi tilts it's head, and a long blue tongue flicks out. "That sword is on the wrong continent." He says simply, and then shrugs. "I have no objections, if the rest of our group does not either. However, we are heading toward a fight with a group of Orcs who have recently raided a town, so I would not, were I you, be so eager for that destination." The outsider grins, it's blue tongue wagging in amusement. "Unless of course, you seek to find out the quickest way to visit the spirits..."
Entering the clearing, Felicity joins Shi'vatha. Friends are always welcome, but we are traveling into danger. The orcs have become more aggressive of late and begun attacking the locals. You're assistance in finding out why would be appreciated.
The shadowy wispy form of Selene flows out of the shadows, the bright light of the morning making her seem more solid although the shadows still seem to cling to her. "Indeed. They had overrun the town when the locals who may have been capable of protecting it were out tilting at windmills."
At the mention of the orcs raiding a town, a shadow passes over the young man's face, and his cat gives out a low growl. He unconsciously cradles his fist. "Yes. I will help you."
It's about 2 hours back to Fairhill, so if everyone could make a Perception check, please.
Locke helps his cat look around, wary for any threats that may come their way.
Divokost keeps her ears and eyes up, knowing that danger could come from anywhere.
You come upon smoke rising from what you assume to be the village almost a mile before you reach Fairhill itself. Picking up the pace, you arrive at the village to see that most of the fires have been put out. There are however, a few wheat and bean fields that are in various stages of being damaged, not by orcs, but by fire. You can still hear people calling out for volunteers to put the fires out.
You can also see that several buildings have been destroyed, and others have been damaged. You can also see from the main road that the temple, at least the front of it, has been damaged.
What do you guys do?
Seeing the village still burning, Felicity runs to the aid of the nearest group fighting the fires and joins in. Where can this unit be of greatest assistance?
Locke runs alongside the strange female, hoping to help as well.
Selene watches the townsfolk and her companions attempt to put out the fires. Her current form was likely to ephemeral in order to assist, but it was unlikely she would offer in any case. She was too caught up with looking at the pain and suffering that was caused by the orcs and how the townsfolk were coping with it.
Locke tries as hard as he can to put out the fires, helping his cat clean up the mess.
Divokost follows her cub's lead in putting out the fires.
Shi'Vatha moves into the town itself, seeing where he can be of assistance. His small form is not built for putting out fires. However, he can squeeze and wriggle through rubble and search out those trapped in down'd buildings.
Djalos sits down with a sigh. He had a few minor burns-nothing that really hurt-but other than that, he was fine. He drinks some ale as a courtesy and rests for about two hours, then gets back to again to assist with the rebuilding effort. The young man is obviously somewhat tired, but still throws himself into the task.
While working, the young man exchanged a few pleasantries and told you his name, but nothing more. His rock-hard muscles are obviously not for just show, and Djalos seems to work tirelessly-although this seems to be more from determination on his part than lack of fatigue.
Throughout the work, there is a haunted look in his eyes, as if he had seen some of this before.
Djalos sits down with a sigh. He had a few minor burns-nothing that really hurt-but other than that, he was fine. He drinks some ale as a courtesy and rests for about two hours, then gets back to again to assist with the rebuilding effort. The young man is obviously somewhat tired, but still throws himself into the task.
** spoiler omitted **
Having finally extinguished the fires, Felicity quickly douses herself in the nearby stream before redonning her arms. This unit will keep watch tonight. You should recover for the night. Should the orcs return, I will sound the alarm.
Djalos sits down with a sigh. He had a few minor burns-nothing that really hurt-but other than that, he was fine. He drinks some ale as a courtesy and rests for about two hours, then gets back to again to assist with the rebuilding effort. The young man is obviously somewhat tired, but still throws himself into the task.
While working, the young man exchanged a few pleasantries and told you his name, but nothing more. His rock-hard muscles are obviously not for just show, and Djalos seems to work tirelessly-although this seems to be more from determination on his part than lack of fatigue.
Throughout the work, there is a haunted look in his eyes, as if he had seen some of this before.
Shi'Vatha will thank the inn keeper, and then go find his companions to let them know about the inn. He will then go back to work on the buildings and repairs, cleaning up, bundling up valuables and handing them off to the local guard, and doing other things throughout the night, since he doesn't need sleep.
While the group is recovering from putting out the fire, Shi'Vatha comes up. "Town grateful, innkeeper give rooms for those that need them. I no need to sleep, so I will continue cleaning and repairing what I can throughout night." He offers before going off again, his normally white pelt matted and caked with dirt and dust and smeared with brown stains that look like blood.
Shi'vatha will probably run into Locke as he valiantly continues to help rebuild the town. Locke is rather the worse for wear-he has various minor burns, and he looks rather tired. "Hail, Shi'vatha. Is there anything I can assist you with?"
As things finally begin to die down, you are approached by an elf and two guards; one most of you recognize from your first visit. Both guards are armed with swords, but they are sheathed. "Gentle beings," the first guard says, "this is the priestess Shandril. She wishes to speak to you on an urgent matter." With that, the priestess steps forward. She wears the robes and symbols of Freya and looks weary, as if she had seen fighting before today.
"Good gentle creatures," Shandril starts. "Thank you for helping our village with its troubles. We likely would have suffered far more from the fires if were it not for you." She accepts and acknowledges your replies before going on. "However, we have a more dire problem, and it involves our attackers to the north."
Shi'vatha will probably run into Locke as he valiantly continues to help rebuild the town. Locke is rather the worse for wear-he has various minor burns, and he looks rather tired. "Hail, Shi'vatha. Is there anything I can assist you with?"
"No, thank you though. Those who can be saved have been, those who cannot have been retrieved so loved ones can mourn them and perform funerary rites." The small creature says without his usual mirth. "I am only cleaning now where I can. As one who is not mortal, I do not require rest or food, so I help where I can. Those who are mortal should eat and rest, as I fear their health will be in danger soon enough, tracking down and disposing of those who attack others without reason."
As things finally begin to die down, you are approached by an elf and two guards; one most of you recognize from your first visit. Both guards are armed with swords, but they are sheathed. "Gentle beings," the first guard says, "this is the priestess Shandril. She wishes to speak to you on an urgent matter." With that, the priestess steps forward. She wears the robes and symbols of Freya and looks weary, as if she had seen fighting before today.
"Good gentle creatures," Shandril starts. "Thank you for helping our village with its troubles. We likely would have suffered far more from the fires if were it not for you." She accepts and acknowledges your replies before going on. "However, we have a more dire problem, and it involves our attackers to the north."
Shi'Vatha straightens up, and tries to wipe off the worst of the dirt on his face. He listens politely, shaking his head at any thanks directed at him, but nodding at any praise heaped on his companions. When the priestess is done, he nods. "The orcs?" He confirms, ensuring there are no additional dangers they are not aware of.
As soon as the priestess mentions the invaders from the north, Locke visibly tightens. "Northlanders?" the young man inquires, looking rather like he was about to strike out at someone.
Echane sits in her chair sipping at her ale very slowly, trying to decide if she likes it or not. She couldn't remember ever having anything like it before.
"You are going to ask for our assistance." She predicts, looking up at the priestess. "This unit will help freely."
As soon as the priestess mentions the invaders from the north, Locke visibly tightens. "Northlanders?" the young man inquires, looking rather like he was about to strike out at someone.
"No, good sir," says Shandril. "It was orcs that invaded our homes. They also, among other things, stole an ancient relic that belonged to the temple. It was a gift from the Goddess Freya; a basin, that allowed those who worshipped her to give blessing to those in the village that needed it. Such blessings came in the form of bountiful harvests, blessings upon the newly born, and a blessing to newly planted crops. It is the last one that distresses me the most right now."
Locke relaxes some, but he is still wound tight. "Indeed. Such a holy relic can not be defiled by such creatures, especially if it is of such significance to your people. I am willing and able to assist you in recovering this relic."
He takes the hand that he had unconsciously put on his strange, anachronistic sword, and says "However, I would like some rest before we leave to recover it-and some information as well. Perhaps you could tell us where these orcs are based? And is there any place that we can sleep for the night while we recover from the days activities?"
Shi'Vatha pokes Locke on the back of the head. "Sleep in Inn, remember? I tell you earlier, free room for mortals?"
Beyond that, Shi nods at the priestess. "Orcs should not be having relics, I will attempt to find it. The Orcs have taken over the location we were going to anyway, before we got distracted by the Mandy Cores."
"We must get it back as soon as possible," says Shandril. "It has likely been defiled by now and I will have to re-sanctify it. I am supposed to give the blessing of the planting with three days from now. It will take a day to to complete the rituals to re-sanctify the basin, so I must have it back in the temple by tomorrow night at the latest." She looks at each of you, almost pleading.
Locke relaxes some, but he is still wound tight. "Indeed. Such a holy relic can not be defiled by such creatures, especially if it is of such significance to your people. I am willing and able to assist you in recovering this relic."
He takes the hand that he had unconsciously put on his strange, anachronistic sword, and says "However, I would like some rest before we leave to recover it-and some information as well. Perhaps you could tell us where these orcs are based? And is there any place that we can sleep for the night while we recover from the days activities?"
Locke nods. "How long of a journey is it to the orcs' camp?"
"Several hours, most likely. The keep, or what's left of it, was built before Fairhill was."
"When is the soonest that you think you can go up there? We have to have the sacred basin back soon!"