Selene pauses from her meal, dabbing at her mouth with a cloth, before turning to look at the man on the table. "Is this in reference to the flyer posted outside with regards to a sunset meeting?" she asked. "If so, I shall join you once I have finished my meal. If you are looking for some kind of pleasure slave, I'm afraid you'll have to look elsewhere." She then turns back to her bowl and continues to work her way through her stew.
Corian blinks rapidly at your response, as he steps down from the table. 'Pleasure woman, what kind of a person does she think I am?'. He looks chagrined and his face flushes at the crude thought.
Looking at the people already at his table, he says, "Perhaps, once I get past my embarrassment, I can explain why I am looking for people. And no, it is not to be for pleasure!!" He flushes even more red on his face at the last statement.
Now that the man is not yelling, Shi'Vatha's ears perk back up again. "That is certainly good, I am afraid that human males are not my type." The eidelon says, it's tongue lolling out to one side in amusement.
Glornug croaks softly in what you realize is a laugh. "I must confess that I am also glad to hear that. You're a strange lot." He continues to sit, patiently waiting for Corian to explain himself.
Shi'Vatha untwists his neck and nods at the frog. "Now, if he were a cute female Vulpinal, or a well constructed female Astral Deva..." The Eidelon shrugs, indicating that would change the whole companionship equation.
"Many outsiders posses a certain universal attraction, often phenomenal or faintly psychic in nature." the oddly dressed elf next to the odd little animal creature said. "I believe it stems from the universality of their natures, being that they are formed more from form-given concepts than biological processes."
"Given that, your preferences are perfectly understandable."
After listing to Vedric's speech, Felicity nods. You are an expert in inter-species mating processes. Interesting. Perhaps we can discuss the subject more in-depth later.
"Not an expert by any means. Merely informed." any potential humor in the situation was clearly lost on the fast speaking elf.
Shi'Vatha laughs, a kind of purring bark sound. "It's more to do with commonality of interests and loci of origination."
"That would certainly help romantic pursuits." the elf said with a nod.
"I am Vedic. This is my companion Shi'Vatha." the elf said introducing himself to the table. "Tell us more about this task."
"I've been told I have a potent mating call. So, what is this task you require assistance with, wizard?"
Looking at everyone who has now gathered and making a gesture that seems to indicate he is doing a head count, Corian begins.
"Well, I have recently come into possession of an item, from a...well, a friend of the family, for lack of a better term. My uncle has tasked me with going to his estate, near Fairhill, and taking care of the effects. As you may or may not know, Fairhill is about a week away on foot. I'm afraid that I can't afford to buy horses at this point, so we'll have to walk. I expect that we'll get to the estate in about a week, take a day or two to take care of the ke, I mean, house that the friend had, and then another week back. I can afford to offer each of you 5 gold per day for your services, along with a share of whatever is in the house, with a couple of exceptions. Any questions?"
"That will suffice for me. Are you wary of anything in particular? I am a hunter, and will take any challenge, but it's still good to know up front what you're hunting when you can." Glornug says, nodding matter-of-factly.
Your offer is acceptable. We will depart in the morning, after my self-repair cycle is completed.
Selene shrugs "I wouldn't know if that is the actual going rate for such things, but as the others seem to agree, and the trek does sounds interesting, I shall join. What is the item you are in possession of, and how does it relate to the friend's estate? I am also curious, however, about these 'couple of exceptions'. Can you be more sepcific?"
Looking at the frog and tilting his head back, in thought, he takes a moment before replying. " I plan to stay off the tradeway, to avoid bandits and other ruffians, probably follow along a mile or so north of that road, close to or in the forest. My understanding from my contacts is that game is plentiful in the woods, so we'll not want for meat. However, we may stray into the odd orc now and again." Another moment and he snaps his fingers. "Also, we may run into stirges as we get near Fairhill. Do you know what those are?"
He then turns to the pale lady who just spoke. He says to her. "I'm afraid I can't be more specific about the item in question at this time. However, as to the exceptions; I am looking for some documents that belonged to the friend. My uncle has asked me to retrieve them. Personally, I am looking for some spellbooks that might have also been in his possession, and I am hoping to find them. Other then that, I am willing to part with whatever else that we find, so long as I receive a share of the goods, or the gold value of the items sold. I'm not greedy by nature, however, as my uncle has made me the executor, I'd like to get first call on other items. Is that fair to you?"
Finally, he turns to the masked lady and says simply, "That's excellent! Is everyone else in agreement?"
Shi'Vatha tilts his head. "It is certainly possible, provided you are aware that anything a Paladin would destroy I will destroy, so if your friends papers are papers involving rituals to summon demonic entities, then I would destroy those, and anyone who attempted to stop me from doing so. Beyond that, I care not what politics or history or legal contracts are on said papers. The same goes for any items we might find in your friend's estate." The idelon licks the back of his hand, and rubs it through the pelt on his head to smooth it down. "Is that agreeable?"
Vedic nods. "Agreed."
I am in agreement
I would, however, request the opportunity to copy any spells of interest before you take the spellbooks. Knowledge is the greatest form of payment, and I have lost much. I would recover what I have lost.
Selene nods. "You are to gain the 'item' you refer to, any spellbooks, and now the first choice on other items. Provided your nature remains 'not greedy', this is acceptable."
Before responding, he asks for everyone's name, then reintroduces himself. You get the impression that, while he is likely a wizard, his social graces could use some polishing, perhaps away from his books...
Looking at Felicity and Selene, he says "I can appreciate both of your candor. If I am a greedy person, it is for knowledge. I may not look it, but I am only 20; I have plenty of time to accumulate wealth of gold, but I am always looking to expand my knowledge of arcane and planar types. I am smart enough, I think, to acknowledge that some monies are needed to help seek the former, but I am more than willing to share gold and other valuables to those who help me in kind. If I ask for other items, it will likely to be only those things that can increase my knowledgable wealth, as it were. I understand that there are magic items that can magically increase one's intelligence, for example. That is the kind of thing that I would be after. Nothing more at this point in my career as a sorceror."
"This seems fair. I will go. I like to hunt and am always looking for new game. If I can help you, learn things, and hunt new creatures, I am happy."
" That's fantastic. Unless anyone has any objections, we'll leave at first light tomorrow."
It has now been about 4 days since you left Reme. Staying off of the tradeway seems to have been a good idea, but it comes as a double edged sword. One the one hand, it's kept you away from potential thieves and bandits On the other hand, it has rained almost non-stop since you have left, which is rather unusual weather for this time of year. As such, the rains have kept you in the forest, instead of alongside it. It is less muddy in the woods, but mud is still mud, and everyone has managed to slip on a rock or blade of grass since this trek started.
It is about an hour before sundown, and Corian has announced that this area seems like a good place to setup camp and a (much needed) fire. He's getting used to spotting out potential sites, but he has a bit of a way to go. Your first night, Corian picked out a spot, and despite Glornug's attempts to warn him, Corian chose his spot...right on top of a fire ant hill. His butt is still sore from that, but he learned his lesson and now listens to the ranger and the rest of 'his' entourage in picking camp sites.
Corian seems like a likable chap, for someone lacking polish in his social graces. That being said, you have seen him at one point or another, looking nervous and peering back over his shoulder now and again, as if expecting someone. He has indicated that he would like to talk to the party this evening, once everything is setup and the fire has been going. Despite the rains, deer and rabbit have been plentiful for the last three days. However, it seems that the animal population is receding. You may have to dig into your iron rations tonight to supplement your remaining rabbit meat.
Glornug does his part to assist in making camp. "Not as many animals about. I am happy to eat rations. If anyone else is low on supplies, though, let me know and I will hunt. I am also happy to take the first watch."
Shi'Vatha rarely attempts to point out a camping spot, as people don't like his choices. Then again, he likes defensive places where he can either see a long way, or small caves where he can hole up and not be attacked or seen easily.
As the group has traveled, Shi'Vatha has taken every single watch each night, in addition to whoever is on watch. His keen blue eyes seeing equally fine in the dark as they do in the light, and the small feline taur never seems to get tired. He often does 'circuits' on watch, going out about 150 ft and moving very slowly in an orbit around the camp, to make sure nothing sneaks up on people.
He has made it very clear he takes no responsibility for fire ants, termites, centipedes, scorpions, or other small tiny vermin that others should be noticing on their own at night.
He also makes it very clear that anyone who puts their boots on in the morning without shaking the snakes and other vermin out first is entirely deserving of the bites they get.
Also note, nobody has seen Shi'Vatha eat anything more than an occasional berry or bite of meat here and there, and seems to be more 'polite nibbling' than any real need.
Having left the city behind, Felicity stow's the damaged robes, preferring to travel without the tattered garment impeding her movement. During periods of heavy rain she will frequently stop and star up into the sky, allowing the rain to wash across her face.
Glornug decides to hunt after all, saving his rations for when they are needed. He slips off into the forest, quickly fading from view.
[dice=Survival]1d20 + 6 - 2
Glornug decides to hunt after all, saving his rations for when they are needed. He slips off into the forest, quickly fading from view.
Selene remains in the camp, seemingly enjoying this quaint bit of 'camping out'. Her curiosity had been piqued, however, with Corian's encounter with the fire ants and she had been peppering him the past few days with questions about the experience, particularly the details on the pain. Having sated her curiosity (at least as much as Corian had shared), she leaves him be.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 6
Selene remains in the camp, seemingly enjoying this quaint bit of 'camping out'. Her curiosity had been piqued, however, with Corian's encounter with the fire ants and she had been peppering him the past few days with questions about the experience, particularly the details on the pain. Having sated her curiosity (at least as much as Corian had shared), she leaves him be.
At first, Corian is relieved when it seems that you are concerned for his pain. As it dawns on him that (to his perspective) you are analyzing his pain, he seems conflicted. On the one hand, he understands that, as a fellow caster, you are gathering information. On the other hand...it's a little creepy. By now, he's a bit distant towards you. Whenever you ask him 'those' questions, you notice that he slowly tries to back away from you, as if he's uncomfortable in sharing his pain with you.
Glornug decides to investigate. He nocks an arrow to his bow, and stealthily moves in that direction, scanning for trouble.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 6
Shi'Vatha's ears perk up. "Baby crying? Glornug?" He says softly, but loud enough to hear. Shi'Vatha turns to Vedic. "You guard camp, I'll check on it..." Shi'Vatha then silently moves into the woods, vanishing into the underbrush.
Glornug is angered by the idea that these creatures would lure their prey by imitating a crying child. He decides to test himself against them.
He fires at the creature making the noise.
Glornug is angered by the idea that these creatures would lure their prey by imitating a crying child. He decides to test himself against them.
He fires at the creature making the noise.
[dice=Bow Attack]1d20 + 7; 1d6 + 1
The larger one is about 20', straight ahead, hiding behind a bush. The smaller is about 10' in a diagonal, also hiding in a bush. The larger one is the one that was making a noise. Neither one saw you as you pull back on the string and fire the arrow. It hits squarely in the larger one's flank. The baby sound stops immediately and is replaced with a different kind of wailing. It is hurt, but far from down. Both animals are stunned by this and are considered staggered for Round 1.
Glornug, you may take one more 'surprise' action, before the creatures can attack. Shi'Vatha can get in on this round (on initiative count 1 for this round).
Combat Tracker post will follow.
'Large' hyena-type creature (not identified): -4 hp, staggered, 20' from Glornug
'Medium' hyena-type creature (not identified): staggered, 10' (forward right diag.) from Glornug
Glornug: Init 17, surprise action available
Shi'Vatha: Init 1, surprise action available (on large creature only)
Felicity V (combat available in Round 2)
Vedic (in camp)
Selene (thus far failed Perception)