With a nod of thanks to Illthir, Serena focuses once more on the foe at hand. She regrets having to kill the bear and would rather frighten it off, but she will not let her friends be hurt except over her body! Unfortunately, the bear moves left at the last second, causing her to miss.
Zokon tries to keep his Zen state going and he fires another pair of shots at the bear
But Alia's movements in front of him distract his eye and he doesn't do as well.
Balzeros' ethereal warhammer thumps against the bear while he pulls a scroll from his bag. "Ageless woods, help us defend ourselves!" he cries, the scroll quickly deteriorating into a swirl of leaves on the wind.
________
Fergus concentrates on moving the flaming sphere back onto the ferocious bear before stabbing at its shoulder
Encouraged by having several companions in melee already - and the foe blind - Illthir charges the bear! Given that her weapon had reach, she didn't actually need to come too close. Which was very nice!
6 Alia's stab at the blinded Bear from slightly different angles. Some of the Estocs connect, others don't.
Durgan hesitates. Killing a blinded animal like this just seems cheap and unworthy, and he rather hopes it will run off.
He moves up and prepares to aid in Serena's defense if the bear attacks.
The wounded bear bats the dust from it's eyes as the party moves to combat it.
It avoids Fergus's magical flames, and most of the party's attacks. Rearing up on its back legs, the bear launches another attack against the paladin. With Durgan's aid Serena is able to fend the blows off.
Round 3! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Da Bear -82 hp, bedazzled
__ Fergus
__ Serena
__ Alia
__ Balzeros
__ Durgan
__ Illthir
__ Zokon
__ Erevenywg
__ Ilvah
As the bear resumes it's vicious attack, Alia channels a spell into her Estoc, even as she empowers it using her innate connection to the blade.
Trying to evade the bear to move into an advantageous position, she finds herself depending on her mirror images before stabbing at the beast.
With it's attention focused on Serena, it was simple to pick out a vulnerable spot...and deliver a hopefully fatal blow.
The bear's claw strikes one of the myriad Alias causing it to wink out of existence, allowing the real Alia to deliver the deathblow.
The bear bellows, lumbers to one side and crashes to the ground.
RESULTS!
_________________
__ Fergus
__ Serena
__ Alia
__ Balzeros
__ Durgan
__ Illthir
__ Zokon
__ Erevenywg
__ Ilvah
"Follow the rule people, there is always one more, make sure we have done our best to see if there is another threat present. Check if it was a zombie or something maybe?"
Illthir lowers her weapon a little and eyes the forest around them. "Hmh?" Then she looks around for Ilvah - she hadn't run away had she?
{Watching from behind the nearby tree.}
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There doesn't seem to anything else left aside from a moderate number of bees in the air and the fact the bear's forepaws are sticky with something that's not blood and/or gore.
Zokon stands over the bear
"Sorry my friend we all appeared to just be in the wrong place at the wrong time, may the heavenly forests treat you well."
H then retrieves what arrows he can and makes ready to travel. leaving the others to compose themselves as they will.
"Nature will make sure this bounty doesn't go to waste, but I'm happy to assist if anyone wishes to put it to good use," Balzeros offers. Once everyone is ready, he leads the way through the woods again.
Alia, having waited long enough to make sure the bear is REALLY dead, looks back at the tree. Usually Animals, especially Bears, were not in the habit of randomly knocking over trees.
There was a good chance the bear had chased something up the tree, and knocked it over in an attempt to continue the hunt. Half-expecting Fan Auric to emerge from some of the branches, Alia takes note of the large number of bees, then makes her way back to the fallen bear.
"We most certainly should make use of it. The hunter became the prey - but even if we killed it in defense, we should make sure it's death serves a purpose. That fur will make for a splendid overcoat...if we can skin it properly. Does one of you have experience with tanning?"
Alia does indeed encounter a large number of angry bees swarming about the fallen tree.
"I've done a bit in the past... I can give it a try."
Durgan gets to work. He skins the bear, soaks the hide in a solution of ash, scrapes it, and does all the other requisite steps...
Alia disengages from the bees and returns to Ilvah, making sure the girl was fine.
As Durgan gets to work, she watches with growing fascination, but does not interrupt his work, only speaking up after the skinning itself was done: "That was...skillful. I've been hunting in the past, with others. If we kill prey, we try to use as much as we can. So I saw some creatures skinned - but that...was beyond some dabbling in the past. Masterful work, Durgan. That will make for a cloak worthy of a ki...duke!"
"If we wish to spend the time, I can strip and dry some meat, however, considering our destination and current supplies, we should be ok if we go without. The forest will reclaim its own," Balzeros says.
After dealing with the great bear's carcass the party moves on.
The rest of the journey is quiet and uneventful. A couple of days after their encounter with the bear they spy the edges of civilization, a hunting lodge, then a logging camp. The forest clears, and the smoke of chimneys can be seen hanging over the large fortress town of Stoneclimb.
Zokon looks over the fortress and sighs
"Home sweet home.. jiggity jig.. Oh i'm soo not ready to be back here." he says with trepidation
"It looks picturesque at least!" Illthir cheers on Zokon and grins. Ah it was nice to be going somewhere nice! Hopefully. "Don't worry, we'll help you if we can."
"Wow, that's the biggest structure I've ever seen," Balzeros admits in amazement. "Anything we should be on guard for? I'm happy to just follow along, just want to be prepared."
"I'd say just follow along, hopefully our new status as founders of a settlement will allow us some latitude with the nobles. This is the seat of House Medvyed of which my father is not the paramount Lord we must be respectful and watch out."
"Certainly we will be respectful. Can you tell me more about your father? His likes and dislikes, and his mannerisms?
Is he refined, or coarse?
Is he strategic, or impulsive?
Does he enjoy debate and challenges, or does he expect total deference? I am most concerned if he should insult Alia in some way. Should we stand up for her and earn his respect through our loyalty, or keep quiet to avoid making things worse? I will do as you request, within the limits of my faith."
"And do you imagine that your half-brothers will be there?"
The great fortress rise from its plateau like a bundle of stalagmites. Its towers disappearing into the clouds. The walls and narrow approach seem daunting even to friendly visitors.
The gate watch stand bundled in warm coats, and fur-lined helms even though it is past midday, for spring comes late this far north in the Icerime Mountains. Snow still dots the spaces under the city eaves, and beneath the trees along the edges of the plateau.
The guardsmen ask the party their names and their business in Stoneclimb.
"Zokon? Is that you lad?" calls a gruff voice from out of Zokon's past.
Zokon and he have have a passing student/combat instructor relationship as he often both the first and last instructor the martial men of Medvyed train with. It has been years since they have seen one another. Naughleck known to be open, and warm with his friends, and utterly merciless with his or his lord's enemies.
"This place looks kinda cosy up close ..." Illthir smiled and looked around at the desolate fortress. She couldn't help but imagine that her mothers peoples home would look something like this. She's way too caught up with that daydream to recall anything useful about Zokon's father. Or much of anything really!
"So it sounds like we should point out what is in this arrangement for him. How he benefits if you marry Alia.
And the same probably holds true for Lord Gurev, who may also claim a say in this matter.
Perhaps... we can note that since Alia has no Brevoyan family, there will be no other Brevoyan nobles with leverage to influence Zokon.
True, House Medvyed doesn't gain the benefit of a marriage alliance, but as many have noted -" "- such alliances are double-edged and the other party always wants something.
I expect they will ask for some portion of the tax revenue, or some other financial concession as the price of their support. A 'gift', or Alia's dowry, or legalized bribery, call it what you will. That is just how these things are done, and standing on principle will get us nowhere. We can negotiate, of course, but if we draw too hard a line they will refuse their consent. We just have to show them they have more to gain from agreeing to this than not.
So what I propose is promising them a portion of Avalon's trade with Kyonin. I think we are well-positioned in that regard, even if Avalon is seen as a vassal state of Brevoy. Alia, do you think I am correct? Would Kyonin merchants be more willing to trade with a realm ruled by you and Zokon than with Brevoy proper?
By giving House Medvyed an incentive like that, they will advocate for the marriage and for more Kyonin-friendly policies by Brevoy.
Trade is a great ambassador of peace."
Durgan's contacts in the Church of Abadar keep him up-to-date on Brevoyan nobility, and he knows a bit about Lord Gurev Medvyed.
Fergus looks around.
Reminds me a bit of the commoner district of my home. No noble would dare to be seen with such bland masonry there though. Though, I suppose that could be a cultural difference.. If its anything like the politics back home, shady deals, coercion and even black mail would likely be common. Oh! and of course, the best lubricant of all, gold. Bribes are normally an effective, if expensive, manner of dealing with court intrigue. Of course, all within the law that is. The dowry would likely be akin to that. He says as he twirls a ruby between his fingers.
And no need to fear me, I know how to behave myself, and do not fear a bit of bootlicking if needed. Making those who think they are your betters, think you agree often times makes matters much smoother. He says with a smile, before quickly getting a frown.
Though, I suppose the more mentally unstable ones can make that an effort of moving mountains.
"Naughleck Lyre wow! You're still serving well and ably I bet. Tis good to see you, you training has served me well over the years and kept me alive. How are things with you and yours?" he says with a little glee happy to see a welcoming face to start.
Listening to the others words he responds "Thank you, those are some important insights, just as well you are along, otherwise i'd be a little lost."
I think love should be enough... Why complicate it all with money and legality and nonsense? Balzeros tightens his cloak around him as the walking turns into talking at the gates. Zokon should be able to get us in, he's already chums with the guard!
"This place looks kinda cosy up close ..."
With its high population (for the north anyhow) and being built upon a mountain plateau, Stoneclimb's building space is limited, and so the structures inside the walls stand shoulder to shoulder some as high as FIVE or SIX STORIES! There is a maze of shadowy alleyways, passages, and thoroughfares at their base that seems crowded with commoners, and soldiers going about their daily business.
Durgan's contacts in the Church of Abadar keep him up-to-date on Brevoyan nobility, and he knows a bit about Lord Gurev Medvyed.
"Naughleck Lyre wow! You're still serving well and ably I bet. Tis good to see you, you training has served me well over the years and kept me alive...." he says with a little glee happy to see a welcoming face to start.
"Has it?" Naughleck says smiling and drawing close. "Show me."
With a sudden move the older man puts Zokon on his back, on the hard cobbles next to a stone well.
The gate guards spin around to see what all the commotion is about.
Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Illthir
__ Naughleck Lyre
__ Zokon prone
__ Serena
__ Balzeros
__ Durgan
__ Fergus
__ Alia
__ Erevenywg
__ Ilvah[/b]
Illthir laughs and abruptly stops. This looked like friendly banter - in old and grumpy - but who knew. Just in case ... And to give Zokon some style points! The skald stepped back a little and cast a quick spell conjuring a most pleasant breeze that washed over the scene.
"C'mon now, or are you gonna let your elf girl fight for you."
Zokon will get himself back up immediately
trying to avoid any further attacks
"I see your still conducting lessons anytime, anywhere..
Fergus stops, and chuckles at the scene. Come on then, sir, show us em what you got! He then gives Zokon a firm slap on the back.
"It...is difficult. We were traveling here first - I had no time to inform anybody at home. I suppose they may learn about it, regardless, but making promises that we cannot be certain will be kept may weaken our position. I will do my best to make things work out with my homeland, but I'll need to go there and talk with some people to see to what extent I can secure influence in favor of what we are trying to do..."
When Zokon relaxes his guard and talks with the Weapon-Master of his youth, Alia is also surprised when the old man suddenly downs Zokon.
While her first instinct is to rush to his aid, she is momentarily paralyzed from insecurity - was it a friendly spar? Did he mistake Illthir for an full Elf Girl? Or did he talk about her? Was it a veiled insult? Or a proper challenge?
Was she supposed to be a docile wive in the Brevoyan way or a headstrong warrior standing up for her beliefs?
A skillful one. Can we dance with his blade? There is a chance to learn...
"Are you not in the mood to save yourself?" Naughleck broadsword is suddenly in his hand, the point slashing the air between them.
"Now, guard yourself for true."
Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Naughleck Lyre
__ Zokon
__ Serena
__ Balzeros
__ Durgan
__ Fergus ("casting" though you can change if you like)
__ Alia
__ Illthir
__ Erevenywg
__ Ilvah
"Come on, Zokon! He must have taught you more than dodging!"
Durgan is pretty sure this is just sparring, but he looks closely at the old man for any sign that he is not what he appears to be. A shapechanger, for example.
Serena starts when the ranger is downed and begins to draw her weapon, but stops short of baring the blade, figuring that this might be not what it seems.
Balzeros stands there wide-eyed and looks to Zokon for guidance.
________
Zokon moves out of the way "Yeah i'm not going to risk that this is not an attempt to kill me, even if it isn't, that's taking play to far in my books."
Zokon draws his own sword and takes a defensive stance
"Some help please. Naughleck stop this now, you go too far."
"'Play?' And do you think an assassin would merely 'play' with you, or that your allies will always be near enough to aid you? Play is for cubs."