"A boar hunt?" Qorinae said. It sounded a bit dull. How heroic could it be, after all? But Foxglove had traveled here from Magnimar to hunt a pig, so maybe there was something to it. "I've hunted under the eaves of the Mierani forest, but we never hunted boar. Is there a trick to it?"
Uuli looks at Qorinae, "I've not done that, either. Is the hunt from horseback or on foot? I have heard of special spears just for hunting boars but have never used one."
Then, with a look of concern, Uuli talks to Foxglove. "Going on a hunt in the woods might not be the safest of pastimes right now. It would not surprise me to find remnants of the goblin tribe that attacked the town in the woods, licking their wounds. " Then, with a grin and a wink, Uuli adds "Of course, causing wounds on goblins is quite a fitting activity for an afternoon."
Tiberiu blinks, surprised at the invitation. "I'm, uh...not much of a hunter...or much of a fighter, really..." He pauses for a moment. "Eh, but what the hells. It'll be a good time--as long as you don't expect me to be out front with a spear, that is!" He winks and grins. "Always happy to be along for a romp through the woods."
Uuli's remarks give him pause. "Uuli might bring up a good point, though...we wouldn't want to run into trouble out there. I'd save your hunt, my lord...wait for a more opportune time..."
The dinner is fine and the wine particularly good. Foxglove makes pleaseant company, complimenting you on your prowess at arms every now and then, and making lively dinner conversation besides. Eventually, the hour grows late and the nobleman pushes back from the table, offering fine cigars around to all.
"I am going hunting tomorrow, goblins be damned. I don't know if you left any alive this day at any rate. You may join me in the morning at Tanner's Bridge at sunrise if you like. If not, my men and I will have all the sport! I assume brave heroes like yourselves will be there!"
He raises the last glass in a toast to you. "Until then, my friends. Here is to the Heroes of Sandpoint!"
He quaffs this last, shakes hands with you all around then makes to depart upstairs for his lodging. Late as it is, you realize that you haven't made lodging plans yourselves yet....
Working your way back into the common room, you see that the crowd has grown. When you re-appear a boisterous cheer fills the room, and men begin lining up to buy you drinks again.
In the midst of all the commotion, the lovely Tian lady you saw earlier on the stage arrives at your table. "I am Amieko Kaijitsu, owner of the Rusty Dragon. I am pleased to have you under my roof and offer you our hospitality for a full week on the house. Bethany has already prepared rooms for you. Retire, if you will, or stay and enjoy the company of the Dragon as she salutes the Heroes of Sandpoint this fine evening! I will join you again, after I finish my set."
Ameiko climbs the stage again, dressed this time in a extremely form-fitting jade silken gown, with a long slit up the side. She sits at the stringed instrument and begins playing and singing. The music is foreign but the melody and skill lead you to believe it is a story of a group of warriors on a great quest against impossible odds, heroically they all die failing to fulfill their quest, but making a tremendous effort in the process. The entire room is caught up in her song, and when she finishes there is not a dry eye in the room.
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Slaynn wipes his eyes as his gentle elven soul quells the savage orchish soul brought out for this one night as the song reminds him of his village all those years ago.
He nods to the rest of his companions before heading up, grateful for the offer of lodgings. His eyes closing as he slips into reverie upon sitting on his bed.
Preparing for the morning hunt.
"We'll see you in the morning, then," Qorinae says to Foxglove, before he leaves. The young elf returns to the bar, then, to soak up praise and ale.
"You're very kind, thank you," he tells Ameiko, with another of his trademark bows, and then takes a seat at the bar, to assure anyone that will listen that It was nothing, just a few goblins.... Until the song begins and he sits, paralyzed, with his cup halfway to his lips until it's done. When she finishes he starts clapping enthusiastically, the cup is still in his hand, but fortunately, most of the ale he spills lands on himself.
Uuli enjoys the dinner with Foxglove and the rest of the heroes. "I will see you at sunrise, Foxglove. If nothing else, the possibility of goblins means you will need some protection. If I can get some boar out of the excursion, all the better."
After Ameiko introduces herself, Uuli smiles and says "Many thanks, m'lady. It was really the least we could do for the city. " Uuli stays and watches the performance. He can see that it is well received, but not really in the style that dwarves are used to. He waits around the bar, continuing to have ale as she plays through her set.
"See you tomorrow, sir," Tiberiu says with a little bow, then instantly hates himself for it. Why are you being so subservient to him? There's no need for that!
His dark mood is lifted quickly by Ameiko Kaijitsu's incredible performance, and he's openly weeping by the end of it. When Ameiko rejoins them, he stands and bows to her deeply, offering her his chair.
"Miss Kaijitsu," he says reverently, "that was an incredible performance. Though I am nowhere near as talented as you are, I am myself an artist of a kind--a kapenia dancer, a holder of simple folk traditions. If you have time, while I'm in town, I would love to learn some of your songs, and the dances that go with them--or to create dances for those you think appropriate, if they have none. It would be an honor." He smiles slightly. "And, of course, I'd be more than happy to perform for the patrons of the Rusty Dragon. It seems the least I can do, given your generosity."
The lovely bard finishes her set, and comes to join you. "If you really want to take a turn on hte stage, Tiberiu, be my guest. Our Varisian customers will appreciate your dancing at least! I'd love to perform with you, but we'd better practice together first, eh?" she tips him a wink that is playful and teasing. Tiberiu isn't sure if that's an entendre or not...
"Well now, not often I am surrounded by heroes, at least not anymore. There was a day...You see I used to adventure myself. I met my staff, Lars Bethany and the rest on my adventures. Five years ago, just about the time of the Recent Unpleasantness, you know the Chopper and all that, my mother died. I used coin from my adventures to buy this place and settle down. Seems like maybe adventure may be back after today. Tell me what you know about the goblin attacks."
Qorinae listens to her, not doubting her in the least. Perhaps he's not paying close attention because he's trying to wring the spilled ale out of his cloak. Fortunately, a refill is promptly provided, and he manages not to spill it this time.
"All we ... er ... I really know is that I was dancing and then they came. They seemed to be trying to attack the cathedral for some reason," he says. Then he shrugs, as if to say it's one of life's grand mysteries. "Goblins, right? That was, you know, a wonderful song you sang there."
Tiberiu notices nothing unusual about Ameiko's statement. He shrugs. "As the good elf says, they're goblins...the sheriff seemed to think they might be a return of the Recent Unpleasantness too, but no one seems to know anything more. Everyone seems to be going about their business as usual."
He leans back in his seat and sighs gustily. "As for myself, I'm no adventurer--just a simple entertainer. I see no more adventure than any who travel the open road in Varisia, which is, I admit, more than I'd like." He smiles, first crookedly, then more genuinely. "I hope that I'm in town enough to take you up on that offer to practice! We have an appointment with one Mr. Foxglove tomorrow morning."
Uuli asks about Ameiko's adventures, "You took off across the north, then, Ameiko? That seems to be where Lars comes from."
After listening to the other two Uuli chimes in. "I agree with my friends here, " says Uuli. "They are goblins, filthy creatures with no rhyme or reason. I'm not sure even they know why they attacked other than the city is here. Stopping them should be a goal. With that many in the same place at the same time, a leader may have arisen among them that needs to be put down."
Qorinae's eyes light up at the thought of putting down a goblin leader.
"Now that would be a task worthy of a hero," he said, sighing.
"Easy, man," Tiberiu snorts, "Don't get yourself too eager for more blood; some of it might end up being yours!"
"That much is true, " nods Uuli, "While most goblins are weak and frightened, their leaders can be quite strong. They are much like Orcs in that respect."
"Either way, less goblins in the world is always a good thing, " Uuli declares.
"Well if they do have some kind of a king, someone should do something," Qorinae says. "I don't see why it shouldn't be us." A moment later, he yawns. "Anyway, we won't be going after anyone tonight. I thank you again for your hospitality."
He gives a little bow and heads up to sleep off the days heroics.
Ameiko listens to yoru theories politely. As you are discussing goblin leaders, Bethany, the halfling hostess comes and whispers something in her ear. Whatever it is, Ameiko is noticeably quite shaken.
"He's here? Now?" she says, rising. To you: "My friends urgent business has come up. Please enjoy our hospitality, and thank you again for yoru service to our town."
And with that the lithe bard slips from the table, ducking beneath the bar, and into the back. The Ulfen barman, Lars, creates a formidable barrier for any who care to follow the songstress.
Eventually, the evening wears down, and all of you slip off to very comfortable lodgings in the Rusty Dragon, curious what the next day's boar hunt, might bring.
End of 21 Rova, First Day of Fall, 4707
Dawn, 22 Rova, Sandpoint, The Rusty Dragon
Shaking the sleep from your eyes, you are awakened by the knock and gentle call of Bethany the halfling hostess. "Lords, your wake up call. If you want to join the hunt, you'd better get moving."
Slowly ambulating, with the soreness from yesterday's battle still firing in your wounds and joints, you make your way downstairs for a delicious breakfast.
Bethany and Morris serve and the aroma of strong coffee and frying bacon fill the place. "If you have luck with a boar, bring it back here, and we'll roast it up." says Bethany hopefully. "We can probably feed half the town, and the other half wouldn't come here anyway."
Soon, you are geared up and go to meet Foxglove and his retainers at Tanner's Bridge.
The dandyish nobleman waves big as you grow near. You see he has horses (or ponies) for all. His huntsman, Otis, carries a fair number of boar spears in a special rack on his pack pony.
"You are well me this morning, lads! A beautiful day for a hunt, what?" cries Foxglove in a loud voice that makes those who imbibed too much last night cringe. "The Tickwood isn't far from here, but let's be off while the hunting is still good."
Foxglove talks about his favorite topic, himself, most of the way to the Tickwood. You hear about his adventuring stories, most of which can only be flights of fancy.
"I've talked enough, tell me about yourselves, any experience on the hunt?" he asks fascinated by the group.
What a pompous, self-absorbed macska, Qorinae thinks, as Foxglove launches into another story of his own adventures. The elf sees no resemblance whatsoever between his own behavior and Foxglove's. Still, it is a beautiful day, and as his body grows accustomed to being awake, he finds himself able to enjoy it.
"Of course," he says, when the opportunity is given for him to talk about himself, "In Mierani hunting is a proud tradition that goes back long beyond the knowledge of men. We favor precision over brute force, naturally, and if any beast that walks, crawls, flies or swims can stand for long against our arrows, I've certainly never heard of it. Now there was a time when a bear was hunting...."
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Slaynn wakes up to a beautiful morning with himself fully refreshes. Scratching himself as he dunks his head into the wash basin provided to give himself a much more refreshed outlook, he thinks about what is to be done today.
Along the hunt as he hears this Foxglove fellow launch into his tale of hunting, Slaynn stays silent and nods at what he thinks is teh appropriate points. On his question however, Slaynn shakes his head.
"Boar be different from giants, wryms, wolves or the great mammoths that wander my homelands. Perhaps setting traps may do well, else setting spear in its path and provoking it to charge may do just as well. I could use a boar spear if you don't mind."
Foxglove goes onto explain how the hunt works. Otis and his hounds (there are several trailing along with you) work the boar into a corner. When it goes to ground, all the hunters take boar spears and close in, tightening a ring. Eventually the beast charges someone, and they have to stand their ground using the spear, which has a metal cross piece, to stop the charge, and slay the boar. It is thrilling dangerous fun.
It isn't long, perhaps 90 mintues, to ride to the Tickwood. The trees here are old growth forest, but the undergrowth is surprisingly easy to navigate. You stop, dismount from the steeds, and the hunter and hounds head off into the forest, the sounds of shouting and baying growing a bit dimmer. While you wait, Foxglove pulls from his pack a nice vintage wine and offers some to all of you.
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Uuli wakes up when roused and begins to get himself ready for the day. He spends a little bit of time in a devotion to Angradd, then packs all of his gear, has a quick breakfast, and sets off to the bridge with his companions.
Once they arrive at the bridge, Uuli lets Foxglove know about his familiarity with the hunt, "I've never hunted a boar before but I can see how it would work, much like a pike square or other battle formation. The key part is that you need to be disciplined and not present a way for the boar to escape."
When offered the wine, Uuli accepts with a smile, "This is a good way to start any endeavor."
Tiberiu listens to Foxglove's many stories with an increasing sense of incredulity. If this man were more of an ass, I might have to hitch him to a cart... He takes the wineskin when offered, and drinks deeply, enjoying the taste. "Mmmmmm. You have an excellent palate, sir! As for myself, I've never hunted boar before. I, uh...didn't really grow up in the sort of family where that was a pastime. I think I'll stick to the outskirts of the hunting arrangement, if that's alright with you." He flashes a winning smile. "The moral support, as it were."
It is not long before a shrill whistle pierces your little picnic. "It is the signal from Otis. The hounds have a boar trapped. Come my friends, let's take up a spear and ready for the mort."
Foxglove caps the wine, and hands out boar-spears to whoever wants them. Following the blasts on the whistle, you wander through the peaceful forest, until you come upon a clearing with a rocky wall on the backside.
Otis points out the likely location of the boar, and drags the excitable hounds away, leaving you to find the cornered boar in the underbrush.
Uuli accepts a boar spear from Foxglove and stabs at the air a few times, mimicking the actions he would take if actually charged by a boar. "I think this will be workable, " he declares, then adds as long as the crossbar holds against the weight of the boar.
Uuli moves up into the clearing, trying to follow the noise of Otis and the boars.
Once Uuli is in place, he tries to figure out where to move next.
"The boar must be over there!" declares Uuli loudly as points his hand wildly across the clearing, never settling on one spot for long.
The mighty elven hunter prefers his longspear to Foxglove's boar spear, and boldly advances behind the dwarf, nervously looking at every rustle in the undergrowth.
Tiberiu laughs, a bit nervously, at the offer of a boar spear. "Oh, I'm afraid I'm not much of a one for spearing boar. I'll just watch the excitement...try not to get in the way..."
He saunters, as casually as he can, into the clearing, glancing around.
"Wh-where did you say it was, again?"
The hunting party advances deeper into the clearing, assuming the boar is along the back wall. As they advance, Foxglove tends to lag behind the others, looking around nervously.
From the tree-line, no sound or movement emerges. Just the wind whistling. The tension has a sobering effect on those that imbibed too much wine and cold sweat breaks out on your foreheads, knowing the beast can run you down at any moment.
Tiberiu advances a little further forward, though he stays close to the group.
"I'm beginning to think there isn't even a boar in here..."
As Uuli continues through the clearing, he pays attention to his companitions. It seems Foxglove is a lot more talk than action. Make sure he doesn't get put in a corner position thinks Uuli.
"I don't think the dogs would be wrong on that, Tiberiu. We just have to find it, " says Uuli as he moves even with the man.
"There it is! " Shouts Uuli as he points at the boar. Uuli grips his boar spear firmly and lowers the point in the direction of the swine.
Tiberiu peers where Uuli is pointing, and sees the boar. "OH S+&$!" he yelps.
Qorinae looks to where the dwarf is pointing and his sharp eyes see the boar there lowered head and pawing the ground. He moves diagonally behind the group to take the left flank as the boar is a bit to the left.
Foxglove actually cries out a bit when Uuli spots the boar. He shifts the other way, taking up a place on the right end, but behind the dwarf as well.
The boar, it's feral eyes rolling back in it's head, paws the ground anxiously tearing large chunks out of the turf. As it sees the spears lowered to meet it, the boar lets out an unearthly primal scream and charges!
Boar Hunt - Round 1
21 Slaynn
20 Qorinae
15 Foxglvoe
14 Uuli
14 Boar
10 Tiberiu
Realizing he doesn't, in fact, have a spear ready, Tiberiu pats Qorinae on the shoulder. "Yougotthisbuddy!" He then proceeds to dart behind the elf, and pulls his scarf out, ready for use if it should become needful.
Uuli stands in the clearing, holding his boar spear but taking no other notable action.
Boar Hunt - Round 1
Seeing the porcine beast charge from cover, Slaynn braces his boar-spear, ready to receive the charge of the beast, but it doesn't come his way.
After taking a step back to fill a gap in the line, Qorinae also braces his spear against the coming charge, ready to hit the boar if it comes near.
Foxglove holds his spear with trembling hand, and continues to create a gap in the line, refusing to take his place in the front rank.
Uuli stands ready in case bravely holding his ground as the beast thunders down.
The boar charges in a line straight south, headed to the left of Qorinae. When he gets close the brave elf holds his braced weapon as the boar charges upon it. The point rips into the pig's shoulder and bright red blood wells from the fearsome wound, but the pain only serves to enrage the beast the more. The boar strikes out at the elf rogue, slamming into the rogue's ribs and knocking the wind from him, but thankfully, not piercing his leather armor.
Lastly, Tiberiu steps around the stricken elf, readying his Varisian scarf for battle with the raging boar.
End of Round 1
Boar Hunt - Round 2
21 Slaynn
20 Qorinae
15 Foxglove
14 Uuli
14 Boar (badly wounded)
10 Tiberiu
Qorinae braces the butt of the spear against the ground and closes his eyes as the boar charges. After feeling a thunderous impact, he peeks, and then whoops in triumph, seeing the boar impaled on his spear, thrashing as it tries to reach him.
Full of courage, he pulls the spear back and tries to drive it in again.
This time, he only grazes the beast, but he laughs deliriously in his giddy shock at not being dead.