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Lovissa draws her longsword and focuses her psychic powers into it, enhancing it with her mind. She points her blade at the slavers and announces loudly.
"I am Lovissa of the line of Halenbane! Saviour of Janira Gavix and Balenor Forsend, Slayer of the Minotaur of the Kortos Caverns, Hero of Diobel, Investigator and Saviour of the city of Ridonport, and Victor of the Battle of Arnisant House!! Free those captives! Or mine will be the last name you ever hear!"
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Soddy bounces along the path towards Catorze and the two raiders. "A lot of plants die if you uproot them," she remarks as she pulls a small seed loose from her person. "Fleshies do too. Can't let you uproot either!"
With that, she flings the seed at Yellow...
__________
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Caena is a little surprised when Catorze dashes forward to attack. Are they really slavers? Maybe we shouldn't jump to conclusions...
However this line of thought is thrown out the window when she hears the man's words. She blusters, "In a... How about you deal with me now!" She stalks forward, drawing her scimitar as she goes. She feels slightly dizzied by trying to focus on the multiple images of him at once, but she glowers at him anyway and points the tip of her blade at where he (probably) is standing. "Maybe you should be the one standing down, unless you don't want to take responsibility for your words?"
The yellow thug attacks Catorze, swinging his rapier at her.
Her blade smacks into his, blocking his attack. Then she twists at the blades and scrapes his arm.
The other thug saw Soddy's attack, and returns fire.
An arrow strikes one of Soddy's main appendages and sticks there.
round 2
bold may post:
Aglynn
Catorze
Waola (mirror image, -11 HP, shaken)
Caena
Lovissa
Sara
Soddy (-2 HP)
hunters (yellow -6 HP)
Catorze's quick-moving blade slashes across the thug's torso. He soundlessly falls over, unconscious and dying.
round 2
bold may post:
Aglynn
Catorze
Waola (mirror image, -11 HP, shaken)
Caena
Lovissa
Sara
Soddy (-2 HP)
hunter
The sorcerer gives a shrill scream and falls over, dead, as the rocks slam into him in a series of sickening thuds.
The remainins hunter suddenly seems very concerned. The captive elves's eyes begin to light up with hope.
round 2
bold may post:
Aglynn
Catorze
Caena
Lovissa
Sara
Soddy (-2 HP)
hunter
Catorze reassures the captives.
Kaa... erm, Sara... sings and sways. As he watches her, the Aspis hunters jaw goes slack and his arm drops to his side.
Catorze is able to walk up to the hunter without risk and slash at him. As her blade slashes across his shoulder, he falls over, unconscious. The elven captives now watch Catorze very carefully. They are reassured by her words, but she is carrying a sword and they are tied up.
potion of cure light wounds
scroll of mirror image
wand of acid arrow (3 charges)
wand of endure elements (10 charges)
alchemist’s fire (2)
light crossbow with 20 bolts
light mace
studded leather armor (2)
buckler(2)
composite longbow (+1 Str) with 20 arrows (x2)
rapier (2)
sap(2)
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Lovissa charges into battle bravely, only to have the enemies fall the moment before she raises her sword. With a wide grin she remarks, "What a fierce team we have! Well done, everyone!"
She then very carefully uses her sword to cut the captives bonds.
Then she sheathes her sword and offers them a hand up.
"Hail and well met! I am Lovissa of the line of Halenbane! Daughter of Mergerice, and Granddaughter of Abrenica and Ferdinand! Famous Pathfinders, all! Tell me, do you understand the common tongue?"
The captives do look wounded. They seem to like the tone of Lovissa's speech, but shake their heads that they do not understand. They stretch and shift when their bonds are released.
The elves smile as they feel their wounds knit together at Lovissa's efforts. They look to Catorze and say
Mitarat steps forward, happy to help with your conversation with the elves.
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Catorze offers to translate for everyone. She first translates Lovissa’s speech, and then says to the group, “These elves were assaulted and enslaved by Aspis scum because they got in the way of the Aspis. If you have any questions to ask, I’ll happily translate too. This was one of the tongues the aunties taught me.”
Turning back in elvish, Catorze says, “I am Catorze. I once belonged to one of the Catfolk tribes that live further inland from here, but i was stolen as a kit. However, I freed myself and then joined the Pathfinder Society so that I could free others. We have here my colleagues: Lovissa you’ve already met. Sara, a sorceress from the Nagaji. Caena, as proud as the moon. Aglynn, the sturdiest thrower of rocks you’ll ever see. Soddy, a sweet nature spirit, and these men here: Gellion, my porter and Mitarat, our guide.”
When they are done searching the Aspis, Catorze politely asks the elves, “Before we make use of their gear, was any of it yours? Also... may we escort you back home? We have reason to wish to treat with your people.“
A flash of recognition sparks from their eyes when you mention the Pathfinder Society. "Please, come, we will take you to Fola. She has been looking for Pathfinders."
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Caena blankly observes the conversation between Cartoze and the elves, and tries not to let on that she doesn't understand what any of them are saying.
In the meantime she inspects the body of the unpleasant man at her feet. She pulls out a couple wands and potions, assuming they will likely be useful to their group. She also glances over at the nearby hunter and smiles at the sight of the longbow. Erastil's own favored weapon. It will be better in our hands than with these slavers.
Caena carries the small haul over to the group holding a conversation, but stays silent herself, since it's clear the elves don't understand Common.
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Soddy looks at the arrow sticking out of her arm and pulls it free, leaving a wound that oozes a greenish plant juice.
"Oh bother," she sighs. "That will take some time to mend, but the damage could've been worse."
She then cocks her head slightly to one side as Catorze begins translating back and forth for the group. "Tell them I'm happy we kept them from being uprooted. We should make sure they get back to their soil safely!"
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Lovissa smiles and nods at the elves before helping Caena with the equipment.
"A fine idea, Soddy Daisy! We should have them take some of this equipment. Rapiers, bucklers, armour... None of us need these, right?" she looks around to ensure none of the others want the basic armour to weapons. Then she tells Catorze, "Suggest they take some of this to protect themselves, please."
When Catorze conveys Lovissa's suggestions, the elves shake their heads and point to a bundle you had not noticed stashed in the nearby jungle. "We would prefer our own stuff that the Aspis scum took away from us and hid from you."
Assuming you don't object, they go grab the bundle and put on their usual gear. Their eyes tear up for a second as they see more gear than they need, which you can only assume comes from dead comrades. However, they shake their heads and return to business. One whispers to the other Mourn not yet, we will celebrate their lives when we return home.
The rescued captives take you further towards what you know is Ekujae territory. They are very quiet, and seem to occasionally communicate with each other with a look and perhaps one hand gesture. As night falls, they indicate to you that they think you should camp for the night. They happily share a camp with you, and seem content, if silent.
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Soddy watches the elves curiously with her small, unblinking eyes. Then she remembers that Poffis had told her most fleshies didn't like being looked at for very long and she decides to look down at the ground instead.
"You said you would take us to Fola. Who is Fola?" she suddenly asks; it's a bit awkward because the leshy continues to look down at the ground even though she's addressing Catorze-as-translator.
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Lovissa settles in to camp for the night, completely unworried over spending the night with their new 'friends.' She's pleasant with the others, and poses a few questions for Catorze to translate.
"What are your names?" ("Hail, and well met!")
"What is your home like?"
"Have you any advice for foreigners to survive in your jungles?"
"Could you share with us some of the history or stories of your people? I love a good tale!"
The shorter of the two elves smiles gently at Soddy. She seems to like the gentle little plant-woman. "Fola is half one of us and half outsider who has chosen to live as one of us. She has been sent to find Sharrowsmith."
Mitarat looks shocked at Aglynn's question. "They are honorable. Of course they would not treat you like enemies while letting you think you are a friend."
The taller Ekujae elf looks a little shocked at Lovissa's questions, but then relaxes. "I am Danbit. My companion is Erta. Our home is as like the jungle as possible while being a place we can live. Our stories are in general not to be shared with outsiders. We like you, but cannot treat you like one of our people unless the elders accept you." She smiles gently, trying to take any sting out of her refusal. "You are not like any outsiders I've known before; other than your guide, the only outsiders we regularly run into are the Aspis scum."
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Catorze nods. “My family was also cautious of outsiders. We will be glad to meet with your elders, and see if we can win their approval. If you cannot share stories with us, would you like us to share stories with you? It is the custom of my new tribe, the Pathfinder Society, to share our stories far and wide. If it will not break custom, we’d love to share them with you as well.”
The two elves look at each other, surprised by the offer, but clearly pleased. "We would be honored to hear your tales."
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“In the beginning, Durvin Guest and his friends met to exchange stories of their adventures. They set up the Pathfinder Society so that they could share stories, resources, friendship. Soon they had big ideas and joint missions so that they could work together and make alliances all over the globe. The main rule that they set for their group was Explore! Cooperate! Report!”
“From these beginnings, the society grew. We’re all new members of the society, but some of us have had some of out own missions and would be happy to tell you about them!” Catorze happily shares and translates any individual tales that her friends have of their adventures.
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Soddy applauds at Catorze's story, her viney hands making funny little slapping sounds. Then, realizing that it seems to be story time for everyone, pauses to consider what she'd like to say.
"Leshies aren't like fleshies," she begins with an enormous understatement. "Our bodies look like fleshy bodies but made of plants instead of meat and bone. We don't have souls like fleshies do. Each leshy body houses a nature spirit! Nice fleshy druids, fey, treants, they make us, grow our bodies until a spirit can settle inside."
"And then we live in the fleshy world for awhile. Some leshies are guardians but some like me, we...we feel the need to go. And see. See everything, go everywhere, meet as many fleshies as we can," Soddy continues. It's difficult to tell the little plant's moods but her tone of voice sounds smiley as she talks about the origins of creatures like herself. "That's why I'm here! I want to learn and see and grow, like Sara. Poffis said it would be good for me, too. And good for the Society!"
Tipping her head to one side, Soddy adds, "I think maybe the Society wants to see how leshies do as agents; Poffis told me that there's suddenly a lot of leshies like me being sent out on missions now."
She bounces excitedly. "Maybe I'll get to meet some of them! That would be nice, very nice!"
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Lovissa smiles at the stories.
"I am Lovissa, of the line of Halenbane. Daughter of Mergerice, and Granddaughter of Abrenica and Ferdinand. Famous Pathfinders, all." She smiles and bows her head to the others.
"I am a wanderer at heart, and explorer. A discoverer of history, both epic and small. My deeds are many and my legend is great. I am the saviour of Janira Gavix and Balenor Forsend, Slayer of the Minotaur of the Kortos Caverns, Hero of Diobel, Investigator for the city of Ridonport, as well as it's Hero and Saviour, Victor of the Battle of Arnisant House, and Honoured Patron of Arnisant House Museum."
"But, I will not tell you of my battles. I will tell you of my home. Not a home by blood, but a home by choice."
"I come from a land far to the north, where the wind carries the chill of death. So intense is the cold that it burns. It can kill the unprotected in minutes. Turn flesh black. There, nearly all year long, the ground is frozen, and the waters are covered in a layer of ice as deep as I am tall." She stands, to show how deep this is.
"But, there lives a people proud and bold, who survive in these frozen, forested lands. They are sailors and warriors. Survivors and heroes. Lovers and friends. They live in large wooden halls, and they fill it with warm furs, roaring fires and raucous laughter. Never have I met a people so wild and reckless." she chuckles at the thought. "They are fierce opponents, deadly enemies, and the greatest and most loyal friends you could ever have."
"Their kings combat primal dragons called linnorms to prove their right to rule. They hunt whales larger than trees in the summer, and bears and seals when the winter bites. Tthere, strength is not a valued attribute, but a necessity of survival. As is wisdom. For the stupid will not survive the cold. On the coldest nights, in the dead of winter, colours dance across the skies. They say that if you follow the lights you'll find yourself in another world." She smirks. "It may sound a fanciful tale, but they meant it literally. If you follow the lights north across the steppes, and the glaciers and the mountains, you will come out in another land."
"This is the world I was born in. A land my mother chose as home. I have travelled far in the years since. Across the northern continent. To the city at the centre of the world. To my homeland by blood, where the rich bicker and lie and scheme. And now, I set foot in your lands."
With a grin and a chuckle she remarks, "I didn't expect the heat to be so wet!" She laughs then, and fans herself. "Your lands are beautiful."
Danbit and Erta look at each other. Erta begins to speak. "We cannot tell you tales of our people, for they are not ours to tell. We believe that the knowing of tales gives power over those the tales tell about. We can, however, tell you a tale that is our own."
Danbit takes over and tells the following tale. "A few days ago, we went on patrol, sent to help find Sharrowsmith and bring him to Fola. Our patrol ran into a group of Aspis scum. They killed our companions. Among those they killed was Haldin, my promised mate. They knocked Erta and I unconscious when we kept fighting after they killed the others. They tied us up, telling us about the punishments their organization used on slaves who did not work hard enough. They would not let us bury our dead." Danbit's eyes fill with tears, clearly not a common occurrence for the proud warrior woman. "The thought of Haldin rotting on the ground, turning into an abomination is more than I can bear. For those arms I long to feel around me to be crawling with bugs..." she shudders. "The Aspis scum made us travel quickly, they never told us where. And then you came, and we again had hope. We will not die from exhaustion or under the whip on some Aspis gold mine or worse. Because of you, our stories can go on." Erda places a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder, and both grow silent.
Mitarat's eyes open so wide that you are surprised they don't fall out of his head at the story told by Danbit. He stays where he is and remains silent, however.
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"Have you any idea where his body now lies? We can return with you there, if you desire."
Lovissa waits in silence for translation by Catorze.
Later she remarks, "You speak of Sharrowsmith. It is because of him that we are here. Since his death, many Pathfinders have mourned. But recently, we heard that your people have been abducting travellers who may belong to our organization only to return them days later, beaten and wounded on the side of the road. These people have reported that they were questioned and threatened by Ekujae. They say that Sharrowsmith owes your people a service, and that if he will not settle his debt, then others will."
Lovissa eyes the elves closely. "Tell me, friends. Is this true?"
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While listening to Danbit's sorrowful story, Caena's own eyes brim with sympathetic tears. "I have seen... something like that once before. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. We can't just leave him unburied, this precious person." She agrees with Lovissa.
Now that they have shared their experiences on both sides, she doesn't want to suspect the elves any longer. Maybe the stories we heard were wrong, or - well, I don't know, but I want to believe that these two at least are good people. She waits in silence while Lovissa continues to question them.
Danbit's eyes continue to tear up as she looks at Lovissa. "We are about a 15 minute walk from where his body, as well as that of our other companions, lies. I cannot do anything about it; our ways tell us that a body that is unburied for a day becomes unclean, and so since the Aspis scum did not let us bury him within that time, I cannot do it now."
Erta hears the doubts in Lovissa's other questions, and tries to answer. "In terms of what some of our people may be doing to Pathfinders, it is possible that what you have heard is true. Our people are very angry, because Sharrowsmith made a solemn promise to us, and then did not carry through with that promise. He had already gotten what we offered him in return. I do not think that any of our people would kill someone, but it is possible that in their anger they could cause injury. They also would never take away someone's freedom for more than a very short time to communicate."
The looks of relief and confusion fight on Danbit's face. "Are you saying that your peoples' ways do not forbid you to bury our dead, even after a day? I could sleep at night without seeing him rotting, and even becoming an undead abomination..."
Erta smiles at you. "We should all rest for the night. Tomorrow morning, we will take you close to the place, and teach one of you a brief prayer. After that prayer is said and the dead ones are under the earth, Danbit can come and mourn in peace for a short while. Then we will take you to Fola, who can either explain the situation or take you to the elders. We will make sure Fola understands how much you have helped us."