"Seems a good plan Bynoth," Harry pipes up, "Our business with this 'Sage' should not be long, if'n ye kin delay the start of your trip back to Burle we kin travel with ye, offer ye escort."
Harry scan the road behind them wary of trouble.
Sylas leans forward a bit and smiles saying if he has been around that long is he perhaps an elf? My name is Sylas Shadow. Would you happen to have a spare net and fishing pole with hooks and line for sale? Its a hobby of mine.
Belon the Farmer
Belon smiles as the Grey Olf asks him about fishing. He seems to relax and settle in on his staff. "Well I have some homemade lures I make that I call poppers. I carve and paint them myself... I also have some cane poles and long thin cord I make myself as well. I can sell you a set. I also have a few homemade bobbers and wooden hooks as well; great for worms and shiners. I use them a lot in the marsh edge for swamp bass and swamp catfish. I have them set up on long cord as well."
Eloon looks at his brother and they both start to laugh a little as their father starts talking about fishing. "Now you did it. He will go on for hours now about his fishing lures and how big those fish are on the marsh edge."
He chats for a few minutes with Sylas and the Grey Olf discovers that Belon has been making and selling them to avid fisherman for some time at the market in Burle. He sells a cane poll with a popper and a bobber set up for 12sp and a single set up 9sp. He can also sell the bobber with hook and the poppers by themselves for 2sp each. He also sells a cord made of spider silk he finds and weaves himself along with thin sinew for the fishing cord in twenty foot lengths. It is not very strong it might hold 5 to 10lbs at the most but he sells it in a spool for 5sp.
Seeing Belon relax a bit gives Thanim some relief. He breathes a little easier and smiles. The forced meeting of strangers is at best awkward, and he is happy that this one seems likely to be uneventful. "Belon, pleased to make your and your sons' acquaintances, and good luck with your wares. I am Thanim, servant of Pelor, and these are my compatriots." He makes a shallow bow and shakes his locks as he does so. Not knowing whether Belon can read, he keeps the parchment in his pack and says, "We received a bill sent by Demetrius, so we seek him out."
"What business do you have with old Demetruis? He is a feisty old badger...full of stories if you can get him to talk...he tends to ask more questions than he gives."Hearing Belon's description of Demetrius, he responds, "He has asked for some assistance. Though I do expect questions, I hope he won't play coy and refuse to answer ours. After all, he requested our presence!" He chuckles at his joke and adds, "We'd appreciated any help or directions."
Belon the Farmer
After Belon concludes his conversation with Sylas he listens to Thanim. Belon smiles when Thanim announces his faith in Pelor and nodes. Old Demetruis is a good man but odd. He often calls on the service of your kind when he needs something valuable or important things recovered. I hear tale he works with others like himself in keeping things in order. I am not sure what that means exactly but I have been told by older and wiser folk than myself that his knowledge of things are many. If he has called on you like you say I can only imagine it is for a purpose."
Barna pipes in...The old sage is friendly. He comes in to the village on occasion and talks to people. Animals seem to really like his company too especially his crow that follows him around all the time."
Eloon speaks up just as quickly. "He is on the other side of our village. Just a half mile east or so...it is easy to find as long as you stay on the trail goes straight to his home. No one goes their unless they are invited."
Bynoth listens to the interplay with the men and boys, then taking his cue from the canny olv Cerilis, eyes the surrounding locale;
: 1d20+7
As he scans the horizon, the priest of war chimes in with his own forthright thoughts;
"Though we have business with the sage Belon, I would offer you and your goods escorted protection to Burle. The lands reek of lawlessness and you are honest folk, whose wares and toil will be needed to rebuild such a realm."
Belon the Farmer
Belon looks at Bynoth and then back to the rest of the party. "I greatly appreciate your offer of service. I have been traveling this unkept road since I was a child and my sons have as well. If it is our time to pass to the other side then the gods will it and so it will be. I will not keep you from your travels. I am sure if you go to the call of the Old Sage it is for a reason. You will not have time for me or my trinkets or goods." He smiles at the group and turns to his sons. [b]"Once you are in Labalna find the east trail and go down it until you come to a wooded hill and go around it. You will find the Old Sage's home.
"Seems a good plan Bynoth," Harry pipes up, "Our business with this 'Sage' should not be long, if'n ye kin delay the start of your trip back to Burle we kin travel with ye, offer ye escort."
Harry scan the road behind them wary of trouble.
[dice=Perception]1d20+7
Belon the Farmer
Belon turns south and looks at the sky and turns back to the group. "I intend on making Burle before those storms set in. Lots of rain from the looks of it. You will need to find a roof as well. My village has no inn or tavern but if you go to my home and give it knock give her this." He tosses Harry a small carving that is half done. It is about four inches long and looks like a small fish of some sort but not done yet. "That is the new popper I started on and my wife will know what it is. I tend to give them as gifts. Tell her I asked to give you a roof for the night while the storms pass. Even if you make it the Old Sage's home in time you will still be stuck in the rain. Best stay dry and get a good meal. My wife's name is Sarah, she is a good woman but don't get near her with that spoon of her's." Both boys nod in agreement. I appreciate your offer of service but let my family give you a night's rest in a dry place and some half decent home cooked food."
Sylas will pay three gold and buy two poles and two lines and six hooks along with four of the bobbers. He thanks the farmer and ties them to his backpack with a smile.
Bynoth takes on board the farmer's intent and logic with a nod;
"You are the veteran of these routes and realm Master Belon, so I will honour your decision."
The war priest then holds as the others conduct business and converse with the merchant before they once again march on Labalna.
Harry acceps the proffered gift gravely, stowing it away in one of his many pouches in his vest. "Aye, 'tis a warm heart ye have. Ye do me great honor wit' this and I pledge ta repay you in kind, should the opportunity present itself."
Once the farmer and his boys have departed he turns to his fellows, "I t'ink we needs ta hurry, feels like the storm be gettin' worse 'ere."
Belon the Farmer
Belon smiles. There is a fine chance that the miss's is making fish stew...a bit spicy at times but it is loaded with hunks of catfish, crayfish, and anything else I catch. Lots of okra, onions, celery, and green peppers. Bread and a spoon is all you need ma'am.
Belon tips his hat to Bynoth. I wish you well on your journey's and may the Gods you serve watch over you and yours.
He turns to Harry as he moves to his cart and begins to pull out several rods and finds two of his liking. They are cane poles, varnished and brass tipped. They come apart in the middle so they are about 3.5 feet long in two pieces and 7 feet long as one pole. He pulls out two sets of lines, six hooks, and four bobbers along with a popper. Walks over to Sylas and hands them to him for his inspection. They are well made and can be easily stored. The cane poles are 1lb each and the tackle all together way a 1lb.
No problem at all; if we can't make friends on our travels there is not much worth in traveling I say.
Belon quickly explains to Sylas that you lay the plopper out near top cover and let it set for a bit and then move the pole so the lure plops around in the water. The more quiet the smaller the movement...if there is wind or the water is moving use a bigger plop. Fish will think it is another fish getting a nibble...they will come and take a nibble as well. Give it a try if you get a chance.
The boys at this point are up at the front talking but still keeping a watch out on the woods around the cart and an occasional glance at the rest of the party.
When Maja's interest in the boy's vigil is piqued, Bynoth marks her words, knowing to trust the canny hobniz' keen senses.
The priest of war's hand moves toward one of his six darts upon his belt, each stylised to resemble one of the arrows of Hextor's holy sigil.
"Have we reason to be wary Weatherseed?"
The wanderer watches with amusement as the group discusses fishing, tackle, and the weather. "Your offer is amazingly kind, Belon. We should see if there's anything we can do to help your household while we are there. It is the best way to repay the gift."
Sylas thanks the farmer very much and packs his things for travel then looking around a bit as the others start up eyeing the surroundings
The party concludes their conversation with the small party of farmers.
Maja realizes the boys are simply nervous about the large company of adventurers and the woods around them. As she peers into the surrounding woods it seems both peaceful and serene. She notes the sound of birds singing and animals chattering in the distance on both sides. There is no uneasy quite or stillness around them.
As the two parties break off the farmers say their fair wells and head north along the small trail. The party begins making the way to Labalna. Maja relays to the party she thinks it is about seven to eight miles from the old sage's house.
The party figures they have about two to three hours of walking to make the house but are trying to figure out if they make for Belon's home first so they have a roof during the storm or make for the sage's home and backtrack to Belon's home. Harry and Maja figure they have six to seven hours before the rain comes in but Harry makes the point that it could start raining prior to the heavy rain setting in over them.
Cerilis continues to walk.
I am all for a roof over my head...if we can.
"So, the question is whether to disturb the sage in the early stages of a storm, close to his likely bed time, and then go wake up the farmer's wife after the storm has hit so that we can soak her home with the water off our clothing, or stop at the warm, dry home with a hot meal before the storm gets bad, and go see the sage in the morning after the storm passes?" Perri looks confused. Very confused. "I don't understand how this can even BE a question! Dry, warm and fed should win without doubt or hesitation!"
"Well said, Master Perri," Harry nods laconically, "Well said."
Bynoth gives a curt nod in agreement at Perri's assessment of their options;
"An army marches on its stomach. In principle we are no different."
Sylas agrees with a nod and will follow along with the group.
3rd Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy
The party makes its way south as they do the amount of biting bugs seem to increase. Gnats, flies, and biterbugs are everywhere. Maja tells the party that on the west is the Jory Hills and the woods surrounding it are call the Jory Woods. To the east is the Yestin Woods and Hills named after some noble family that owns those lands.
After an hour or so the woods thicken and the trail is literally a narrow cart trail thankfully with fresh tracks from Belon's cart and ox. The forest is made of dense oaks, pines, willows with a mix ferns, grass, and briar patches.
A few times a raccoon or a possum skirts across the trail along with an armadillo or two. Maja a few times spots a hill cat trailing the party on the west side but often it veers off and back from where it came from. The party stops and rests their legs and gets some cool water while they take a break.
After their stop, the breeze picks up from the southeast. It is a cool moist wind and in the distance through the breaks in the trees, the party can see that the sky to the south is darkening with rain. Maja seems to think it will be two maybe three more hours before they walk into that rain.
"Och!" Harry swears softly, pulling up the hood of his cloak around his face, "Better double time it 'ere else we be gettin' cleaned off agin!"
Thanim thanks Belon for his generous offer, "You are being most gracious to us. It is my sincere hope that we are, in some way, able to repay you in the future." He makes a slight bow and turns to nod his head in acknowledgment to the sons. "What a pleasant surprise..." He looks toward the sun and smiles. He is grateful that in these last shining rays of the day, the hope of a comfortable night has been secured.
---
Thanim agrees with the comments of the others, shelter and food before meeting the sage. "Aye, let's meet the sage in the morning. It is not as if we have an appointment. Let us beat the rain to Belon's and prepare for the night."
Roughly an hour later The party breaks the treeline and begin to walk by small cottages, homes made of stone, and little farms. To the east and west of the wagon trail are fields of newly tilled earth. Farmers are out spreading seed in the fields. The tilled earth is a deep rich dark black; a farmer's paradise if it was not for the close proximity of the Hool Marsh. The wagon trail has turned into a narrow dirt road as the party broke the tree line. It is not well used and in poor condition but easier to walk on then the broken wagon trail.
Thanim, Maja, and Harry discuss the exact location of Belon's farm when a young boy with two cows and a calf walk by them heading north. As he approaches he seems a bit nervous. The seven adventurers cast an imposing mark and the young boy is not sure if he wants to walk by them but as Maja begins to laugh at Thanim and a few of the others follow he realizes that the group must be somewhat friendly.
He swats the lead cow with a thin branch...Go...Go...Let's get going! He pulls the three along with an old hemp rope and keeps a close eye on the group as he walks by. Sylas catches the young boy staring at him and Cerilis. The boy has no more than ten summers under his belt and the olf can see that the boy as probably never seen a Grey Olf or a Half Olf in his brief existence.
With Maja, nor Harry, nor himself being familiar with the area, Thanim grows tired of debating the unknown. When he sees the young boy in the distance, he prepares a Touch of Glory. Sensing the nervousness of the boy he smiles and calls out, "Young lad! Perhaps you can help us. We are searching for the home of the good Belon. Could you provide directions?"
Bynoth marches along with the others, his countenance grim-set as always.
As they approach the lad, the war-priest's brow furrows;
"If Olv and Dwur give him awe, I pray to the Scourge of Battle that his wide eyes are spared the sights that befell mine own by his age..."
Sylas thinks of his people and how a simple magic trick might send the children laughing but knows this is most definitely not the place so continues to keep quiet.
Harry watches the young lad understanding the nervousness he must feel.
Och considerin' the arms we be carryin' be no wonder he dinnae piss his breeches already!
He is about to call out to the lad, but the fellow half-dwur beats him to the punch.
Aye I always be starin' at th' horizon a mite bit too much an' not watchin' fer the waves...
The Young Farmer Boy
The young boy takes a step back as Thanim walks towards him. He seems to sink towards his cows and then as Thanim begins to speak to him he relaxes his shoulders and his facial expressions seem to relax. He listens the dwarf's question. He turns to the halfling as well and smiles.
Well, I know Eloon and Barna. I play with them all the time! They live over their down that road. He points west down a forked road. If you go on the north road of that fork it will take you right to their farm. But...but Belon is not there he left this morning with Eloon and Barna. Eloon's mom is there and so is his older brother and sister. He looks at the entire party and then he smiles. Are you here to go to the marsh! You look like adventurers...I mean...you look brave... He pauses and looks at Maja and Thanim again.
"No, they aren't human like you or me. But they are good people. We met Belon and his boys on the road. He asked us to check on Sarah, see if there's anyway we can help her while he's on the road."
Sylas waves at the boy with a smile and then prepares to move on to the farmer's home.
Harry calls out, "Aye, ye's better git 'ome. The skies will open up shortly 'n it looks like a bad 'un. Jes remember, those who look different than you still be jes like ye, in more ways than jes by looks." He then turns away to follow the others, his thoughts elsewhere.
Thanim smiles at the boy's compliment and pulls a copper piece from his pouch. He presents it to the boy and says, "We have our moments of bravery, but don't be fooled. Sometimes you just do what needs to be done, even when you're scared. Here you go, fine lad. You have been most helpful." Hearing his question about the marsh gives Thanim pause. That makes the second time today they've been asked about going to it. Something serious must be happening there. "The marsh. What is happening in the marsh? Have you heard anything?"
Cerilis keeps quiet as the walk. He is polite to those walking by but remains quiet. He knows first hand the feelings others have towards those of a different race. Sometimes a simple greeting can turn into a riot and he felt that the best thing to do was to keep respectable and quiet.
The Young Farmer Boy
He looks at Perri. "Oh...Ok! Well Belon is a nice man. He is always helping people. Elm is at the house and he is Eloon's older brother and tends to the farm when Belon is away."
He looks at Maja and smiles...he blushes a bit. "No...Yes I am heading home. I have to get our cattle in the barn. I was letting them roam the village fields and stretch their legs a bit." He looks at the sky and smiles. "It rains a lot this time a year. You should get inside too!"
He looks at Harry and smiles but listens closely. "Yes sir! I will get them back to the house."
When Thanim gives him a copper he beams with a smile as big as his face. "THANK YOU! No one has ever given me a coin before! I am sure you do...you all look brave. I need to go but if you hurry Belon's farm is right down that road.
(((It starts to drizzle and the skies begin to darken a bit more as the wind picks up.))
As the boy gets the cattle's attention. He turns back to Thanim...[b]"We get adventurers coming through to the marsh often...most don't ever come out again though. I haven't seen any in a while a matter of fact you are the first this year!" he turns south and then back to the group. "We have not had any real problems in a while but elders say that the Lizardman tribes are not happy about something. They have heard their drums when they have gotten near the marsh... drums are not good!"
As the boy pulls the cattle down the small road the drizzle begins to turn into a soft rain. The wind has picked up and the sky goes from cloudy to grey to dark in a matter of moments.
The entire group can see that hard rain is rolling in from the south and in a few moments you will be soaked to the bone.
Thanim waves at the boy, then heeds Maja's advice and hustles along with him, "Ahhh, nothing like a nice jog in a light rain..."
"Right behind ye!" Harry responds as he increases his own pace to keep up.
"It's only water. Water is good. We need water. It's only water . . .." Perri mumbles to himself as they travel through the first part of the storm, trying both to move faster and to not look like he's hurrying.
Bynoth nods in agreement at the necessity for hustling and picks up his own pace.
Syslas sighs and starts to dash to the farm with the rest of the group
Belon's Farm
The party rushes to make their way towards Belon's farm as the intensity of the rains begins to increase. As the seven adventurers hurriedly made their way down the road they see a housebarn built into the side of a small hill. It is made of stone and timber with a wood and thatch roof. There is a small corral on the double barn side. There is also a three-foot high timber fence around the small yard of the home. On the left is a small vegetable garden and what appears to be an outhouse near on the back side of the garden near the edge of the trees.
The rain is coming down at a good rate but as you approach the fence it begins to come down in sheets as the wind picks up and the trees around seem to bend in the gust of wind.
As you make a quick pace down the stone walkway to the porch you can hear the sound of voices behind the closed door of the Belon's house.
Harry puts up with the deluge stoically but his eyes betray the discomfort he is feeling. "Aye, let's hope she is 'as hosptitable as Belon says!" he exclaims as he knocks firmly on the front door, hoping the party was not led astray here.
Belon's Farm
As the party makes their way under the roof of the porch they can see that there are rain barrels on each side of the porch capturing water off the roof. They have little metal bells that are on the inside of the vain that runs down to the barrels that make a cling, cling, ding, cling, cling, ding sound as the water runs down it into the barrel.
As Harry knocks he notices each barrel has small holes on the side facing the flower beds in front of the porch just six inches below the lip of the barrel. He assumes it is so the barrel doesn't become overfilled with water. He can see a wooden valve with a stopper on near the bottom as well.
The porch is covered with clay pots of flowers and herbs on both sides. There is also a three foot long rectangular pot on each side of the stairs on the front with vegetables(tomatoes, green peppers, onions, carrots and such). A big barrel sits on one corner that has potato vines coming out of the top and a few holes that have been cut on the sides.
As the rest of the party makes their way up on the porch the voices grow quiet. A man's voice can be heard from the other side of the solid wood door. Who is it and what is your business! You can see the door press forward just a bit against the door jam as if someone is pressing against it. The small square window to the left a curtain waves and moves for a brief moment and you can see a little noise pick out. A little girl yells out from behind the window Ma Ma it strangers...a lot of them!. A moment later a women pokes her head out the curtains of the window and looks surprised to see so many on the porch. She looks directly at Bynoth and her left eyebrow pops up. Some unintelligible voices go at it for a few moments behind the door and the window.