Kast moves with the party, his limping gait keeps him to a 'normal' (as if there is such a thing) halfling's speed. Of course, Kast doesn't create quite the same levels of hostility in others as a halfling might.
Kast marches.
*pace*
*limp*
*pace*
*limp*
The heavy thread of Lokien's boots follows as he takes up the rear along with the man with a spear.
His strides purposeful though he wouldn't pass muster for a silent approach.
Purrin will be keeping guard on the outskirts of the group. He will be trying to make sure there is no ambush waiting for them up ahead.
The elven woman looks at the horse and refuses to ride, not because she is not a skilled rider but because the horse belongs to her father. If I have been cast out then I will not take the hospitality of a bastard she says as she proudly begins to walk with the group asking Kast how he learned so much about the town and if he was interested in learning the language of the elves and about Kyonin.
Amren walks at the head of the group, leading them along the path outside of the city, and on the wilderness path toward Thistletop.
As they pass the tower where Amren had his... encounter, he speeds the party up and looks a little nervous. Once they are past, he calms a little and speaks to the group.
If you ever find yourself diving into ruins for money, 'ware the artifacts you find. They can kill you just by touching them sometimes, I hear.
He smiles back at the group and adds
Oh, and the creatures that move into old ruins are pretty nasty too. That tower had some kind of winged lion dog thing that chased me through three floors before I finally lost him by hiding in a chest that I was trying to loot.
Of course, later I found the damn vault, and that star thing damn near destroyed me....
The elf will shoot back at the halfling, Thus it happens when novices or fools play with things beyond their ken. In your case, I think it was probably both at play in a very not nice tone of voice.
Yeah, well, at least I have cash and parents that still love me, so.... Who's out of their "ken"?
Amren will fire back.
How can we be sure of that? Ruffians are usually abandonded by their parents. But if it as you say, How are things in Cheliax?
The elven woman...asking Kast how he learned so much about the town and if he was interested in learning the language of the elves and about Kyonin.
Kast will answer her questions the best she can, politely considering her offer to teach him her language. On one hand, learning a new language, especially elven, intrigues Kast. On the other hand, it might require that he spend more time around the woman, something he is not sure he can do.
In the end, he tries to pick up the elven language while explaining stuff.
Yeah, well, at least I have cash and parents that still love me, so.... Who's out of their "ken"?
*zing*
*zing*
Kast whistles as the rejoinder is made and makes no effort to intervene.
Cheliax? My family is from Varisia. They travel the country with a wandering caravan, and a traveling wonder show. They know the value of life, and that money isn't the only thing that can bring happiness. Of course, you know the second part to be true. From what I understand you find happiness under everyone that looks at you.
From what I hear a halfling is only worth their mettle in Cheliax as they treat them as they deserve to be treated. At least the cuffs I wear and I put on others are of our own volition. They enhance oh so many things. But I digress, you should be used to serving your betters as little more than a pack animal as she returns to Kast's lesson in elven linguistics.
He didnt have the heart to tell her that the money he had spent to purchase her things was pay from her father as well. As was his equipment. As was the fact she even had him about to try and care for her. He was afraid that would lead to her turning from him and that he couldnt have. At least he didnt have to worry about her getting hurt on the warhorse.
For a small time, Calin wanted to almost laugh but. . . it was trying to deal with her...anger. He didnt remember her being so angry a year ago, then again maybe he was more the fool than.
"Elrawein... enough!" He began sharply at first but reaching out to gently caress her face. He also shot a dirty look at the halfling for not quite egging her on but retaliating. Not that he could fully fault the small one. He slid off the horse and moved close to her now, pulling her closer hoping his proximity calmed her.
As he heads back towards the group again, he sees Calin moving toward Elrawien.
"The group of you are like a herd of elephants. And you two should just get the rutting over with already."
He moves back to the edge of the trail and continues to keep watch.
Lokien chuckles, a deep rumbling from deep within his chest but he doesn't say anything. Let those two settle it their own way.
"Rutting? " He said with a slight shake of his head. "I assure you were we 'rutting' you would know. Perhaps I should go back and re-explain for the thick headed about how there are ones here who have been put through hard times and handle things differently, or is the fur too thick?" He said simply not bothering to even glance in his direction.
"stay calm my one..." He whispered hoping for the love of the light and Shelyn that she didnt fly off the handle . . . again.
Perhaps the cat would enjoy a threesome in the rutting exercise? she states as she corrects Kast on his pronunciation. No, it is a long a.
Kast works on his elven translation, using the suggested long 'A' sound.
"Cette femme étrange est une pute."
He tries to ignore the ribbing and catcalls, focusing on the march and learning. He enjoys the combined mental and physical strain.
He deflated at her words, the quick glance to the sky and the look on his face said it all though. He was indeed at wits end trying to figure out how to deal with this situation. He was well and truly deep in the water and his treading was getting tiring. He half glared at her for a moment at her before he moved to the other side of the horse keeping silent. The soldier Kast's facility for trying to learn the language of elves was impressive. The man must have a natural gift for languages.
Trying not to think of his wife and her hopefully rediculous offer, Calin instead tried to focus on the task at hand, large bands of goblins working together underneath some larger threat according to that pretty wild elf maid. He hoped it was something as simple as just some goblin chieftain jumped up with power and charisma, not something more sinester at work, crazed goblins were bad enough.
lol, is that an out of character thing, Kast?
Garridan gathers what little possessions he has left and sees to putting his mother to rest before joining the others for their excursion. He follows with the group, silently seething. His attention is diverted to the constantly shifting emotions raging in his heart, so he has not much to say as Amren and the elf bicker back and forth... Though the elf's prejudice grates on his nerves quickly.
After a moment he turns to Calin, his normally diplomatic nature utterly gone. "Get your wife under control, Calin. I tire of this pointless bickering. It is not your words I seek, but only your powers that can be used to usher in my vengeance." His words are sharp and he puts his hand upon Amren's shoulder.... keeping the halfling back from the rest of the group.
When the two of them are a little ways from the rest of the group he looks down at his friend. "Tell me, Amren, of what did you wish to speak with me?"
the elf is oblivious to her husband's predicament and tires of teaching for the moment. Growing bored she begins to talk to Garridan about the virtues of the Savored Sting.
Ok. I'll post this afternoon/evening. Busy day.
Lokien this is really nice but we need the Thistletop map.
Only if you need anything, friend. Or if you're ok with all this in the first place. It was kind of a whirlwind. But know this, I'll be here until the end. She was a good woman, and didn't deserve that fate. And if you wish, I'll save the leader for you, to do with as you will.
As he walks with Garridan, he continues to follow along the trail, leading the party on the quickest route to Thistletop that he knows of.
Growing bored she begins to talk to Garridan about the virtues of the Savored Sting.
Kast gives Garridan an "I'm sorry" look as the elven woman moves off of Kast and onto annoying Garridan.
I kept her presence on me as long as I could.
Kast works on what the woman taught him as he limps along.
Garridan, I know what it is like to lose parents. I lost my mother well before you were born but that pain is still with me. It is part of the reason why I became an adherent of Calistria. She has helped me to see what I must do with my anger and rage. I lost my father yesterday and will use those same emotions to help me along my path. I am sure that Calistria blesses this task, that is why I thought I would help you in your endeavor.
Thistledown is located on the Varisian Coast, approaching by land is difficult since the tangle of the Nettlewood are in the way.
Is there anyone else other than the Halfling that has Survival?
Lokien Ambles along, letting the others resolve their differences thou the elven lady seems intent on converting everyone to her religion. Adjusting his glasses on his nose, he starts noting down their area for any visible landmarks.
Ok, let's get some survival checks. Amren you already rolled so let's see if someone else can roll high enough.
Lokien, can you put a whole bunch of goblin tokens in the water or some place for easy access?
Looks like she is too bust talking with the sorcerer to notice anything.
Survival
Kast marches on, obvious.
"If you would like Kast, I have some knowledge of the elven tongue." He began at this point doing his best to stop trying to keep his wife in reign. He didnt think it would work anyhow, though he kept a wary eye on both the feline fellow and Garridan. he truly felt for the younng man, he couldnt imagine the rage burning in his heart. He didnt think revenge was ever the best of answers however. Goblins though... he couldnt think of a reason to let the fecund and horrid little race live. With a general idea of where they were headed though he keep his head up watching and gauging their travel.
Lokien, can you put a whole bunch of goblin tokens in the water or some place for easy access?
Though the trees are thick, Calin notices a route through the woods after wandering through the woods for hours.
As they get closer, Amren starts to check all his sheathes and daggers as he walks, ensuring none of his blades will snag or get stuck. This process takes a little while, because the small fellow is absolutely loaded with knives. Watching, you see hidden sheathes in his sleeves, sewn into his pants, in hidden pockets on his chest, and on his back, all in addition to the daggers that are in plain sight. If anyone gives him a strange look, he smiles and replies
It's a performer thing. See, the visible daggers draw the eye away from any you might see hidden while I perform, making it that much more amazing when I pull a dagger from "thin air".
When he says the words
"Thin air" a dagger magically appears in his hand, from seemingly nowhere.
When he's done fixing his blades, he pads up to Lokien and speaks
So, what brings a scholarly fellow such as yourself on a mission to quell a goblin menace, good sir dwarf?
"I came to see the temple's unveiling and maybe have a pleasant discourse on the ruins and lore about Sandpoint. Unfortunately the goblins spoilt that and I overheard you talking about needing stout blades or such to guard your back. I only got a hammer so that'll have to do. The journey's being pleasant so far as I observe the rest of you making nice with each other. I must say it has turned out quite amusing.
Stroking his beard as he speaks, Lokien gazes at Amren with old eyes through his battered glasses.
"Your skill with the knife is indeed impressive and I hope that it serves you well against the foes we may come across. Goblins may not be so observant but their leaders might. Beware your pockets might be spelled upon."
Kast tries to take to Calin's teaching of the elven tongue...but finds himself distracted though he tries to concentrate. He longs to shake Calin until the half-elf comes to grip with the true nature of his wife.
He practices elven again to Calin.
"Parfois, une mauvaise herbe est juste une mauvaise herbe que vous souhaitez peut-il être une rose."
Purrin, do kitty cats get scent?
I do, it's either scent or low-light vision.
I will say that you catch the scent of some goblins and the scent leads you to a well hidden path that no one else was able to see. I am going to move you on the map as to where that path is.
The briars and thistles that grow so rampantly in Nettlewood are even more dense and tangled here close to the shore. Although not quite dense enough to block the sound of waves crashing on the unseen shores to the west, the undergrowth is certainly thick enough to block sight and access to the coast. Few trees grow this close to the edge of the sea, but briars themselves often reach heights to rival them here, the patch is nearly twenty feet high.
He didnt like the looks of the thistle warren, not one bit. "Stay close to me my lady." He said lowly literally almost pulling her away from the young man seeking vengence. With no real leader he wasnt sure how to move forward though he readied his gear and unlimbered his shield while drawing out his flail.
Patting him on the rump, Oh Calin, you take such good care of me but I am not without my resources. as she pulls out a small piece of cured leather and begins to chant Ast tniol wjoru as an image of elven armor appears around her and then disappears. My skill in magic was always great but has improved in the time that we have been apart, my love