The days are long and the nights are warm in the town of Tride where you have all met up. You are not quite sure what made you choose this town as your starting point, but you have met some others with similar plans. After getting to know each other, you begin to contemplate how you will be starting your journey. The closest capital is Livesong, a lovely town nestled on the shores of the river Halese.
Rumors are that the founding cities are going through something, and while they are struggling with that unknown threat, several known threats have popped up. Monsters that had originally existed in small troupes, if at all, have grown in number and are becoming bolder. The roads aren’t as safe as before, causing problems for travelers and the towns alike.
"*YAWN*" Adalric wakes up feeling absolutely fantastic! The bed was incredibly soft and comfy - a perfect way to start the day. With a smile, he leaves the room and starts looking for some breakfast.
Luthor gets up feeling a little groggy though not tired. He was used to sleeping on beds made with pure goose down so this commoner bedding was downright uncomfortable. But roughing it was part of the experience he told himself. He stands up, gets dressed, and makes his way down for breakfast. "Hello there Adalric." He says greeting the poor commoner.
As the group starts to trickle down for breakfast, the tavern owner brings out bowls of porrage and a nice hardy chunk of bread with a small side of cheese, along with a mug of either ale, water, juice, or fresh milk.
Adalric gives Luthor a happy smile. After all, it's difficult to be sad when there's a meal as fine as this in front of you. "Good morning, Luthor. Sleep well? This place is so fancy! I'm almost tempted to end my Journey now and just relax here."
Luthor raises an eyebrow at the farmer's enthusiasm. "Not as such. I've slept better." He replies while poking the bread that most likely wasn't made by a world class baker. But the juice and milk seemed fresh enough so it wasn't horrible. "While understandable it is adorable that you think this is fancy."
San didn't sleep well. The sounds and feel here were all wrong. No bugs, or frogs, or mist in the morning. Just a bed which he quickly abandoned for the floor. Tomorrow he was so sleeping outside. why would anyone pay for this!
He stumbles down stairs and grumpy orders breakfast. It wasn't frog legs, but the porrage wasn't bad.
Charsi awoke if you would call it that full of excitement, after all her journey to become the worlds premier candy merchant started this very day. She almost couldnt wait to make her first sales! Evidently however the others were that much more eager than she was. Rubbing her eyes she yawned and made her way to the breakfast table.
Mornin y'all, you reckon we can find some of then newfangled fruit filled jujubes in the market this morning? I know the folk back home love exotic candies
She began ordering a bowl of porraige with a glass of milk, it was breakfast after all she reckoned, she wondered if the milk was fresh from this morning, and whether or not it had been a happy cow who provided the milk.
"And again I have no idea what you're talking about."
You've aint ever had candy? I reckon thats the most horrible thing 've ever heard I reckon Mr. Stone that I have a secon...a se... an additional mission in life besides being the most famous candy merchant the world has saw. I have to learn you about the most amazing invention the world has eveer made I reckon.
The young woman beamed with her drawl. Ne'er heard of candy that was just ridiculous.
It is pretty tasty. San mutters from his porridge.
"I've had candy. It's your accent that confuses me."
Muh accent? I reckon you ain't never traveled about a bit have you? Why where im from everbody talks this way. I could try pinching muh nose to sound all nasaly like you do but I reckon I'll just sound plum silly.
She said with a very big smile. She liked this feller Mr. Stone. He was funny.
"Everyone speaks like you? That is horrifying. And I do not sound nasally. I speak with the refinement only heard of from nobility. You would not understand."
San sighs. Come on, people. We're all Travelers now, remember?
"If bein' a refined noble means talkin' all nasally-like, I don't think I want to understand." Adalric gives a teasing grin. "I'm just kiddin', Luthor. I'm sure all your high-falootin' learnin' will come in handy on our Journey. Do we need to get anything else, or can we head on out after y'all are done breakfasting?"
"High-falootin' is not a word. But I am ready to leave."
The morning getting late after everyone is finished eating. The road is long and the day hot. You overhear two patrons talking.
"No, no. I don't believe it! Monsters! Bah! There haven't been monsters in these parts in centuries!"
"I tell you, Bart, I saw one! It was swollowin' a bunny whole! Then it looked at me with these horrible, red eyes! And there are strange rumors about the other cities...."
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Sam dismisses the idle tavern talk. Monsters. Whatever. Heads around here are full of moss.
Let's get going. he says sounding a little bored.
Adalric gave a happy chuckle. "Those be good eatin'. Rabbit stew's my favorite!" Licking up the rest of his porridge, he readies himself to go.
I dont rekon I like the idea of monster eatin bunnehs, they are such cute little things with thar fluffy tails. Let me get Charlie and we can get goin
The irrepressible young candy merchant said whistling a happy little tune as she made her way to the stables. Even outside the stables you could hear her loudish drawl.
Candy mountain today maybe Charlie, hope your ready to go! The braying of the Alpalca was just as loud as she lead it out out the stables. It obviously did not sound ready to go.
"Monsters? That is concerning. It makes nobility look bad and drives down property values. We should deal with this problem post haste."
The man named Bart looks at Luthor. "Yes, m'lord! Huge bees! ENORMOUS ANTS! They have made a nest near Livesong and have been making travel and trade difficult. We haven't had fresh fish in three weeks. My friend here doesn't believe me, but its true, m'lord! What are we gonna do?" He seems genuinely scared but his friend seems mildly annoyed.
"Giant insects near Livesong? And you survived an encounter with one of them?"
The man nods. "I heard 'em before I saw 'em. I peeked around and there the flyin' bastards were! Feeding off of a huge ant. I got outta there quick. I'd never seen nothin' like it! You believe me, right? If yous goin' up that way, be careful... I heard theys very aggressive. Some people have died..."
"Don't listen to this moron. He's always telling dem tall tales. Last week he said he saw a Neko Goblin! Ha! Can you believe that?!"
"I swears it, m'lord! Im not lyin'! Jus be careful... Its not as safe as it used to be..."
"Fine. We will investigate."
Sam sighs. It's not very frustrated, just slightly annoyed at not getting started and already having their first distraction. Oh well. At least he'll get some interesting hunts in. I guess you'll want me to track them then.
"That would be for the best as it is in your wheelhouse."
Her eyes slightly glazed over a small smirk creeping up on her face.
You said there were giant bees? Well thats swell I reckon Giant Bees means Giant Bee Pollon and Honey, can you imagine the sugary Bee Toffies we can make with that, I reckon we should get to tracken them as fast as possible.
She drawled adjusting the packs on her alpaca. Maybe they should get some big ol pots to carry the honey in.
Adalric closes his eyes and basks in the thought of swimming through large pools of honey. "Count me in! I wouldn't mind a little smackerel of something sweet."
You all set out to Livesong. The grasslands seem to stretch out for days. You can see small fauna busily foraging and eating their lives away. Being summer, the grasslands are in full bloom. Many flowers of red, orange, and blue seem to spring up, making a sea of brightly colored petals. The occasional person passes you with their fresh kills, headed back to town. It will take you a good twelve hours on foot. If you walk through the day you will get there mid day tomorrow.
All of you make good time, traveling carefully across the easygoing grasslands. About four hours in, your stomachs begin to rumble. You all realize its been a while since you've eating and the sun is high in the sky.
Sam sits on a nice tuft of grass and breaks out some dried frog legs, cheese, and hard biscuit.
We've made good time, but still have a bit to go. Don't dally. he reports.
Adalric munches on a delicious smoked ham sandwich. Finishing quickly, he remarks, "Luthor's prob'ly gonna take a while ta eat. I'll go lookin' for a stream. Maybe I can catch us some fish!"
Adlric finds 1 ration and refills his waterskin.
Im just gonna grab a...Charlie! you forgot to pack our lunch you silly Alpaca!
She exclaimed coloring bright red.
A good thing I know about looking for candy ingrediants in the wild!
She added.
Luthor has a lobster roll made for him by his butler.
He is not used to fending for himself in any way and finds no more lobster rolls out in the wild.
The sun is beginning to set on all of you and you begin to hear the sounds of nightfall. Small lightning bugs are floating lazily around, illuminating the quickly darkening sky with moving stars. You hear a wolf cry, reminding you that you are in the great outdoors, not as safe as in a city.
Sam slips off into the forest to try to catch the group some dinner.
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Adalric does his best to help out while the campsite is set up.
Luthor will set up camp, spectacularly.