Hey! Lie back down. Now.
Kairon pushes on Grung's shoulder just enough to ensure his meaning is understood, without adding to his injuries.
No good?! Hah! Not a one of us could have been wolf-bitten as much as you and actually lived through it, Grung. And you did put an arrow in that one, there. It might not have been a good hunt for you, this time, but I think you saved at least one of us from dying today. At that, the cleric looks meaningfully at Chillel. Yeah, he took what would have killed her, or me. What do you think about that, girl?
Kairon is right Grung. You were in the front line and took the brunt of the attacks from the largest and most dangerous opponent. That thing would have probably killed me if you had not stood in it's way. You are a wounded hero, not a failure. Chillel squeezes Grung's hand as she speaks.
So lacking in confidence. I may be exaggerating a little, but not much.
Grung looks at Kairon then Chillel as they speak words of comfort and encouragement. Looking Chillel deep in her eyes, and searching for truth he asks: You think Grung is real hero? Grung knocked out, and lay bleeding. No hero story Grung ever hear say hero do that. Feeling suddenly very woozy Grung does listen to Kairon's advice and lay back down.
There are plenty of heroic tales where the hero dies bravely. Human ones anyway. I am certainly glad you stood between me and that huge wolf. Chillel replies, surreptitiously winking at Kairon.
Baradim finishes inspecting the wolf bodies, deciding that it would take too long to try and skin what he could from them. Turning on his heel, he approaches the others and a toothy grin appear upon his face at the sight of Grung awake and moving.
"I was wrong about you Grung." The half-orc murmurs, kneeling down beside him. "You fought vicious beasts on our behalf, nearly lost your life for us, and did so without hesitation. You could've fled and disappeared whenever you wish but decided not to. I am sorry for my earlier suspicions against you."
Reaching over into his pocket, he pulls out one of the massive incisors taken from the dire wolf and gives it to him.
"For you, first to draw blood and to spill their own blood against a mighty predator." Standing, he then approaches Illiam and Chillel. Again he offers out teeth of the beast, nodding. "Without both of your magics, that fight would've been far different. Our pack survives thanks to your cunning."
Each member of the party receives their own tooth from the dire wolf, the tooth carefully extracted and cleaned of any meat or blood. After that, Baradim draws the bow from his back and stays on watch with Kanga, scanning the woods for both scavenger and predator.
"Well, that last oar didn't come out quite right. Let me try again."
Well, technically he wasn't quite dead -- but he got better!!
Helping Grung ease into a more comfortable position, Kairon gestures with the wand, and speaks Curare.
Keeping Grung in a recline with light pressure on his chest, he puts the wand back in his backpack. Grung, this is only a quick fix. You're gonna feel pretty bad for a good while; I need you to stay put till we finish getting our raft together. I dunno what ya had planned for the future, but you've got to make the crossing with us, you know? I can't leave you here hurt this badly, but I can't stay on this side of the river, either. We're gonna need you to be able to stand on your own, and maybe even help guide the raft across. . . . . Oh. And next time a wolf knocks you down, maybe stay down till we can drive it back, okay? He probably wouldn't have bit ya again if you'd waited for just a moment.
And, yes, Chillel is right -- many of our stories say good things about someone who gets hurt protecting friends. Guarding your friends is a good thing.
Kairon stands up and asks the others: What can I do to help get this raft-ride done? And does anyone know how deep the river gets here?
Kneeling, Goruck gently places his hand on Grung's shoulder "It's thanks to you we could focus on the beasts as we did. From one warrior to another, I thank your for keeping my charges safe." Looking at Kairon, Goruck inquires, "If he needs help, whether it be assistance to walk or to be lifted, just ask. 'Tis the least I can do."
As he stands the half orc gives a grateful nod to Baradim, even though the swordsman has no idea what he'll do with such an item as a wolf's tooth.
Deciding it's better to be safe than sorry, Goruck sets about making another oar for the raft.
Much appreciated, Goruck.
Been thinkin'. We'll need to take our armor off during the crossing, won't we? Just in case one of us winds up in the drink?
It is clear from her manner Chillel appreciates the kind words the party members have for Grung, though she says nothing. Upon receiving the dire wolf tooth from Baradim she bows ever so slightly, saying:-
I am honoured Baradim.
And I am, it clearly has meaning for Baradim. It is not exactly an item I would have sought out myself. A giant wolf tooth complete with blood? Great for...
Tell you what Grung, it may not seem like getting knocked unconscious was the bravest thing to do, but it took a rather large set of stones to step up and take point in the face of that horse-sized wolf. May not be so in goblin culture, but in human culture, sacrificing yourself to save others is about as brave and heroic an act as can be done. So, yes, you are a hero, whether you see it that way or not, when we get back to town, you better believe I'll be singing your praises to everyone I meet.
Lunarinus receives the bone white dire wolf tooth from Baradim with a bow and small flourish. I'm honored Baradim. He then deliberately walks up to Kanga and scratches him under his still bloody chin. You are a brave and powerful cat, Kanga; you do your master proud.
Then Lunarinus goes to the rafts and oars that are already crafted. Looks like we've got four serviceable oars, and a sturdy double raft. I'd feel a bit better if we had two more oars. I'd hate to get pushed down river because we don't have enough propulsion power. As to the armor, Kairon, I do believe taking off such weighted metal is in our best interest. We'll want to tie it securely to the raft somehow though, so that if we're jostled it doesn't slide off and sink to the bottom.
Well, let me help y'all outta your shells, then.
Kairon assists Scipio and Goruck tend to doffing their armor, and then sets to removing his own. Once finished, the cleric uses a variation of how he secured his armor to his backpack to affix both to a timber on the raft -- looping the backpack's straps through the mail's interior and buckling them around the wood.
Baradim does the same, taking off the heavy chainmail that he wears and following Kairon's lead. He watches as the cleric ties off his belongings onto the raft and follows suit. After testing it and finding it secure, he grins at Kairon for a moment. "Clever trick. Good to know."
The mighty cat, in the middle of licking and cleaning his claws and muzzle, stops and looks curiously at the paladin. The magic of the wand was still active and the feline was still just as big as the dead dire wolf laying off to the side. Yet when he scratches underneath its chin, a purr that seems more reminiscent of a tree being cut down rather than a sound an animal makes comes from him.
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Illiam hopes that Grung will come with them, but he was never much good at telling the truth, other than the half-truths that make lies more convincing, so it when he tries to convince Grung to come with them, it doesn't even occur to him to be entirely truthful. Grung, I hope you'll continue to travel with us. I don't think we can complete our mission without you. When we run into more potential trophies, we're going to need you. In truth, Illiam does think that they'll have a better chance with him than without him, but has never thought that he "needed" the help of any specific person.
Then, Illiam goes back to making the sixth oar.
Giving a quiet "Thanks," to Kairon, Goruck closes his eyes and breathes deep before removing the cloth padding beneath his armor. Quickly, the half orc dons a oufit common of wandering sellswords and soldiers, though his clothes fail to hide the heavy tattoos that seem to cover all but his face.
Keeping his mask in place, the swordsman silently follows in Baradim's and Kairon's technique, before setting about an oar.
Then, Illiam goes back to making the sixth oar.
With a mischievous grin on his face, "So, Illiam, how was it you showed me the oars are made again?"
"No, not quite right again."
"Grung, that was a great heroic example, getting out in front & taking the brunt of the attack! Now we would certainly like to see you come with us. For one, I believe you could be of great help to us and secondly, I don't think your in any condition to stay out here by yourself as is."
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Illiam tosses away the bad materials and picks up some more from the pile gathered before.
Like that. Illiam hands the newly completed oar to Dolok. That one's yours.
Then speaking up to the larger group, That's the last one. Is everyone ready to go? Illiam picks up one of the other oars and walks over to Grung. Offering it to the hobgoblin, he says You're coming, right?
Baradim, as the group tries to create the oars necessary, has been looking to the excess rope they have and has been tying them onto Kanga's harness. The feline does not look particularly pleased with the idea of going into the water but so far, outside of a few grumbling growls, has put up no protest.
Baradim will growl in frustration as he makes his way to the group, dismissing the spell upon Kanga who returns to his normal size. "I don't want to waste more time trying to make this harness. We've wasted too much time heading in the wrong direction anyways." He grabs one of the oars and whistles for Kanga, who climbs upon the raft eagerly.
"If you would honor us with your hunting skills, we would appreciate it Grung. We are trying to save our own tribe, a sickness is amongst them. Every day we wait, more of them are lost. I cannot honestly ask you to join us, you've already helped us more than I could ever expect." Baradim speaks truthfully to the hobgoblin, giving a slow nod. "If you wish to join us still, I will happily have you. We can teach each other more of the hunt, your ways and my own. So...will you join us?" Baradim still sees the instinctual brutality in the hobgoblin but there is an opportunity there. His home is already made of others who are so different, so diverse. If he could reach the hobgoblin in the middle ground as hunters, perhaps he could teach him of the Green Faith as he was taught.
Grabbing the thickest oar he can, Goruck stops by Grung, waiting for the hobgoblin to make his decision.
Chillel moves onto the raft pausing to speak to Grung:-
You are coming I hope Grung? We could use your strength.
She then takes up position near the armour, ready to intervene if comes loose from where it is tied.
Grung looks at the party gearing up for the crossing, and back at the bevy of wolf corpses in the grass. He looks back and forth, back and forth, then turns to the group, and says. Grung will stay here. These corpses should not go to waste. Good hides, good meat. Then as if it could not possibly brook argument, Grung goes to the timber wolf corpse and begins the arduous process of skinning it. His birds flying to the trees nearby to keep watch.
. . . If that's how you want it, then.
Kairon strides over to Grung from the raft, and takes hold of his ankh to cast a spell. Ap' eulogein, iaomein.
Be safe, Grung.
Stonefaced, the cleric goes back to the raft, looking expectantly at the others. We all ready?
After feeling healing once again course through his flesh, Grung takes Kairon's hand in his now crimson grip and shakes gently. Thank you. Safe journey, is all he says, and then goes back to his bloody work.
Farewell Grung.says Chillel, scowling and taking up an oar.
Lunarinus takes to the drudgery of rowing after waving Grung a fond farewell.
Rowing across the slow moving Taggoret river is dull and strenuous work, and all those pulling on the oars lather up a good sweat underneath the full heat of the afternoon sun.
You hear the distinct buzz of insects, and look out over the water to the north to see a flock of stirges flying straight for the party.
Contending with the effort of oaring along and keeping his guts in order, Kairon breaks twice the sweat the others do, oblivious to the danger heading their way.
"This rowing stuff is hard work!"
Baradim is rowing along when Kanga interrupts their hard work with a fierce roar, growling with his eyes on the sky.
"What is it boy?" He asks before looking up in the air and seeing a swarm of creatures flocking towards them.
"We have company coming! Everyone get ready!"
Baradim drops the oar onto the raft and grabs his guisarme from the ground, readying for these flying beasts to come in.
Kanga's keen eyes and ears catch the sight and sound of the tiny winged menaces flying towards the group, and her growl alerts everyone to their danger. Straining eyes everyone can see them. Bloodsucking little so and so's.
Chillel is exerting herself using the oar when she hears Baradim's alert. she initially looks to the rear of the raft, then her attention is drawn towards the stirges by Athena.
There's nothing...figures, this whole day crawled out of Asmodeus's a... armpit.
With that she places the oar somewhere near the center of the raft and draws her dagger, readying an action to use the slumber hex on the first stirge to fly onto the raft, or more precisely the area just above it.
As the others begin to move with agitated purpose, triggered by Kanga's bubbling roar, Kairon drops his oar in the middle of the raft section and draws his spear.
Lunarinus places his oar in the center of the raft and draws his scimitar. Great... He mumbles to himself.
As the incoming beasts become silhouetted against the sun-limned sky, Kairon touches his holy symbol lightly, preparing to loose a blast of the Everlight's flame, and keeping his longspear unlimbered for a pair of quick strikes.
"What? Something's coming? Where? Ah! there they are! Big mosquitoes?!"
Dolok sets his oar down about the middle of the raft as well and draws a dagger and prepares to fire a ray as soon as they come within 25 ft.