Lokti bows to Laurel, thanking her for the potions, and then leaves the shop. His face shows that he is quite confused by the bickering inside. In his tribe, everyone grew up respecting everyone else. The slightest amount of disrespect brought dishonor to you and if it continued you were banished.
I have much to learn about this world, he says to no one in particular.
Handing the oil back to Little Horn, Andern tells him, "This is to be applied to your weapon, my friend. It gives it a magical aura for a short time that will guide your blade to be more effective in battle. Next time allow me to take a look before you taste them. Knowing the ingredients in this concoction I can't imagine it tasted good. Other potions may be poisonous as well. I don't think that woman would poison us, but she accused one of our number of it a bit too freely."
"You and I both, Lokti. [Little Horn agrees softly in Sylvan before looking at the half orc and responding in Taldane Common.] That would explain the foul taste. I did not expect a medicine woman to deal in concoctions not safe for consumption, even if she did not create them. And was not aware of another way to understand a brew's effects. I have no magical talents myself. I must admit [-he continued once out of earshot of the apothecary shop-] I don't think I must care for that woman. Do these people honestly charge for relief from deadly illness like the devil worshiping Chelish? She seemed to be holding a great amount of wealth for a healer."
Fisnis turns to Yuma Ahote than says "If you have a problem with it after she makes the cure we can stop it." Than turning to the rest of the group he says "Which of the three ingredients will we be going after first? "
Fin looks at the people complaining that they are taking too long and shrugs"I tried to speed them up." He looks at the door when his sister comes out, "See the rest of them should be out in a short time and by the way your welcome." He says with a smirk at the crowd.
As everyone comes out of the shop Thor stands, stretches, and yawns. A few of the locals back up as he exposes his large fangs in the yawn. He then walks over to Ghadame, his tail wagging a little. "Good boy" she says in a cheery voice and pats him on the head. Ghadame looks at Fisnis "Well in my previous experiences with the Vale I know where the witches hut is and I also believe there is a dwarven settlement on the other side of the forest and am pretty sure I can get us there as well. We just need to find the biggest tree in the forest and I'm sure the man at the lumber consortium would know where its located. Dad is actually out on business as of this afternoon so he won't be available for questioning."
Fisnis thinks for a moment than says "Than would it not be a good idea to go to the dwarf settlement first? On our way back we can than go to the witches hut."
As they exit the shop, Razz clasps a hand on his younger brother's shoulder.
"It's okay, Fin," he says, "I know you didn't do this. You've been too busy picking pockets and lifting skirts, anyways.
"I'm up for pursuing the dwarven settlement first," Razz says to the rest of the group. "Mr. Fisnis seems to have a good plan here. Perhaps we can talk to one of the lumber boys on our way out, though. Ghad, would you happen to know who is available?"
"Well if you want to check out the Dwarven monistary first I suggest we take the Ferry. Though I'm not sure if it runs that far northwest..." her voice trails off a little as she thinks. "hmm we could walk but its about a four day journey and I suggest we skirt the forest because I want to spend as little time in it as possible, according to father parts of the woods are filled of all sorts of things. Maybe we should stop at the consortium first and see if Mr.Rhoddam knows a good way to get to the other side of the forest."
"Is there is a stable in town where we can rent some mounts? I don't have nearly enough coin on me to purchase a horse, but since we are in a hurry to save the town perhaps the stablemaster will see how haste is important for everyone's well being and let us borrow a few. [Yuma suggests, understanding most people aren't as swift on foot as those of the steppe.]"
He nods to Razz,"Thanks bro, I think we should talk with one of Lumber guys as well. I'm also cool with going to the dwarves place first and hitting the other spots on the way back to the hollow." Fin then looks to Little Horn and says with a grin,"You can try ,but I wouldn't mention that Razz and I are with you. Lets just say we aren't on the best of terms with the stablemaster hehe."
He stands ready for the group to move.
"How exactly did you two earn such a negative reception in your own town? [The brothers seemed friendly enough, if far less reserved than the barbarian himself.] Which direction do we need to head? I'm not familiar with this area."
Little horn waits for someone to take the lead, following when they do so.
"Well in my case the horses just don't like me. The stablemaster's issue with Fin is a bit more... concrete.
"Anyway, the lumber guys are this way." Razz gestures towards a road leading to a big wooden building. "Ghad, you can talk to them if you want, but you know they don't want me in there."
Fin starts to smile as he responds to Little Horn, “It’s only negative if you look at from one side but if you could see it from another angle we would be shown in a better light. When we finish our errands for the plant lady I’ll have to show you the side of Falcon’s Hollow that adores the Derakht brothers.” Fin claps Little Horn on the back and says, ”When this adventure is over the Derakht brothers promise to take you and everybody else out for a shindig you all will never forget!” As he says that he goes from looking at Little Horn to facing the group. Fin then looks over to his brother and sister and says, ”Don’t worry you two Mr. Rhoddam loves me, I know he’ll tell me where that big old tree is.”
Fin moves with the group to the Lumber Consortiums building with a little more energy in his step.
Fisnis looks at the brothers than says "As long as we get information so we can leave. We should get going the longer we stay here more people that get sick."
"Let Fin handle the lumber guys. I agree we should go to the dwarves first, since that will be the hardest to get to. One person can get in and out faster than half a dozen. Let's get this done as fast as possible and get moving."
She nods at little horns comment about getting horses "I think maybe if we pool our money we might be able to rent some from the consordium, seeing how my brothers aren't allowed near the stables in town. That might cut down the length of the trip a little ways but its still probably going to take days to get to the dwarven settlement. I should also tell you that the consortium is a 3 day trip from here so those of you who are itching for adventure just might find it."
Ghadame smiles at the group who seems really eager to leave and guides them out of town and north west to the lumber consortium. You guys travel for the whole day and don't encounter anything. You travel until its dark and then set up camp.
Unable to find much food on the first day, Lokti eats the last of his rations.
Apparently my luck in finding food has run out. Perhaps someone else can help me tomorrow?
When it gets close to night, Lokti will bring up the idea of a watch. I suppose we should set up a watch for tonight. I recommend we take the watch in pairs.
Fisnis sits to eat when finished he says "Watch would be a good idea."
"I've no problem being on the first or last watch, but my eyes aren't sharp enough to see well during the darker hours of the night without a bright fire."
Returning to the group successful Yuma eats his portion in relative silence. Seeing that Lokti found nothing on his foray he gladly shares some of his surplus with the grippli. While consuming his end of day meal Yuma finds a spot a bit away from the group, though still within sight, and leans up against a tree. He'll pull out a mostly empty book with a quill and inkwell and start scribbling away the poetry he is fond of.
Ghadame comes back carrying a rabbit and Thor comes back empty handed. Ghadame sets to skinning and cleaning the rabbit and then starts a fire to cook the meat on. The entrails and other parts she doesn't feel she can eat are fed to Thor who happily eats them down and then starts begging for more. "Oh Thor what am I going to do with you, you'll be fine with what I gave you for one night" Ghadame says petting him on the head. She then looks at the others "As far as a watch I can either take the first or the last watch because as Yuma said my eyes aren't sharp enough to see well during the darker hours and I do need some beauty rest."
With a growl of his stomach, Fin looks around for something to eat but nothing seems to be around. He looks in his pack and nothing there as well. "It seems I forgot pack some food, but if any one is willing to share some I can share a little of my whiskey."As Fin is talking he shakes his flask. As he waits for a reply he says,"I can take any watch my senses are use to the night hehe." He sets up his bedroll and relaxes with a stretch.
As long as it's nighttime:
After scrounging up various fruits and nuts, Razz uses some dried brush and his spark spell to get a fire going. His senses are sharp at night, so he is willing to contribute as much as possible to the watch. He gets a bedroll ready for whenever it is his turn to rest, but to be safe he takes out his crossbow and loads it, now, getting as close to the edge of the lighted area as possible.
In his other hand, Razz grabs a rock on which he casts light so that if he detects something approaching he can lob the lighted stone in it's direction and hopefully take a shot.
"I don't trust the forest tonight," he says.
As some of the rabbit is done cooking Ghadame breaks off a piece and hands it to Finik. "Here we don't need you starving" she says somewhat coldly. Thor whimpers and gives her a look and then she rolls her eyes and breaks off another piece and gives it to Thor. "Well I wouldn't usually do this I think Razz and Finik should take first watch, its been a long day for me and I'm rather tired" she then turns to her brothers and gives them a stern look "Please no shenanigans tonight boys...we're depending on you to keep us alive." As the gravity of what she just said sinks in a chill runs down her spine. "I must be loosing my senses" she whispers to herself as she walks off and starts setting up her bedroll. Once its set up she goes to sleep, Thor curling up next to her. Soon the camp is full of the sound of both of them snoring.
I shall take second watch then. My senses are rather sharp and I can still see well at night.
When it is Lokti's shift, he will climb the nearest tree that overlooks the camp. He will hide their stealthily with his bow drawn while keeping his watch.
As the group listens to Ghadame and Thor snore, Fin looks to the group and laughs, ”Now the group has found out why Razz and I are always trying to spend the night somewhere else cause we have a bear sleeping at home haha.” He studies the group and says, ”I know my eyes aren’t very keen in the darkness, but I know Razz’s are. So what I think is if anyone else can see better in the darkness should be paired up with one that can’t. At least if we have enough people to put in each pair.” After that Fin will sit up and place his great axe next to him and starts to sharpen one of his throwing axes on his whetstone. While Fin sharpens the blade he says, ”This is a shot in the dark but I think the next pair should be Lokti and Fsinis. Then Little Horn and Andern will finish up. But it’s just merely a suggestion” Fin is just basing it off what he has heard about the other races especially elves and half orcs.
"Suits me. I'm a morning person anyway. I can see in the dark however, so if you want me to take a middle watch, I can do that too." Andern shrugs and pulls out some rations and his bedroll. "Wake me when you need me."
Fisnis draws the massive sword from his back as he hears something coming towards the camp. He than turns to Lokti and says " Go wake the others. I do not know what is coming but best everyone is awake for it whatever it is. If the thing comes before you can wake everyone I will hold it off."
Lokti climbs down from his spot in the tree and runs over to the rest of the group, shaking them one by one to wake them up.
Fin wakes up to Lokti's warning, with a yawn he mumbles"Who ever interrupted my sleep is going to pay." He stands up with his great axe in hand.
"Always in the middle of the night!" Andern rolls out of his bedroll and looks around to see why the alarm was raised.
Initiative:
Perception (if needed)
Razz responds to Lokti's rousing and sees the brute looming in the distance. His first instinct is to mess with it's head to buy the group some time.
Ghad mumbles in her sleep and turns over. Thor, smelling the foul creature gets to his feet and starts growling which will eventually get the grumpy druid to wake. "Why must things always attack when I'm trying to get my beauty rest..." She says as she stands.
Yuma Ahote awakens quickly as the alarm is raised, and climbs to his feet, scrabbling for his nearby gear.
New plan. Hopping over to F12, protection from evil on Yuma.
"Whatever your people say... um... spirits guide your blade? Go, Little Horn, go!"
Fin moves with annoyance and comments to the monster,"Hey Ugly one why couldn't you attack us from the other side and save me the walk to kill yah haha!"
Andern shakes his head clear as he rises to his feet. Looking about he moves to Fisnis and casts enlarge person. "With luck that will scare it off, if not I trust you know what to do with that blade."
Fisnis looks at his sword than it starts to glow. Looking at the monster before him he smiles savagely.