Kenith's cooking is not amazing, but it certainly is edibly when it is brought from the smoky kitchen into a room with no real tables left. There is enough for everyone... at least for a meal. Though the amount that has to go around significantly increased since the plan was first hatched.
There was still some gathering to be done to make sure everyone ate alright for the rest of the day.
"Well not my best work but it is still edible... Sorry about that."
"I think it's fine, Kenith. Thank you for your efforts!"
Tuich's eyes wander over the ever-growing group. "Sooo... I guess we should start scouting the area. I'll volunteer for one; I haven't minded the housework but honestly I'm getting almost claustrophobic from being in this old place so much today. Maybe we can find a ridge or somewhere high so we can spot the nearest town and get some hiking bearings. Taking down wild game and all is well and good, but we're going to need supplies before long."
She didn't share one thing she was thinking: "IF there's a town..."
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"We could go in groups." "Yay!" "Groups!" "Yes." "The knights of hell could go together." "And we could protect the little ones!" "Hurray!"
"Mistress Farja I was on the front lines of the Lastwall line against the horde of Orcs. I heard the Orc's battle cry and saw them starting to charge the line. I was readying myself for a very brutal fight and then I felt like I was falling. When I landed I was here with these two talking."
He points at Max and Xarl at the end of his sentence.
"So I guess I will stay here with the little ones or should I go with the Hellknight and Paladin, though it doesn't seem like they would need my help."
"Actually, Kenith, I had something to ask... Um... Did you bring a shovel?" Came Lupi's inquiry.
"I don't bury those I kill, I leave that to the cleric of the town that hires me sorry, I don't have a shovel."
"Oh." Lupi betrays a hint of disappointment. "That's unfortunate, because there's a couple of things we need a shovel for pretty badly... Um, but are you good at foraging, at least?"
"Why do we need a shovel?"
A bit concerned, she scans her fellow diners again. Lupi was obvious, but it seemed Tuich herself might be among the shortest.
"Now... when you say 'little ones'... what do you mean? Because I am NOT going to sit on my hands while this is going on, even if I'm not tall or wide or muscular."
"Besides, 'good things come in small packages'. And deadly ones."
She looks around at everyone almost as if issung a challenge.
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"Well, I have been able to find edible foods in the wild before however this is a place that none of us know anything about. I don't know if I can even find berries that wont kill us."
Kenith turns to Tuich.
"So you think that you could pose any challenge to any of us guys? Err, well Max, Xarl and I... Still confused about Xarl..."
Xarl smiles at Kenith's confusion.
"As it should be Brother Kenith."
Xarl then listens to Tuich's speech.
"What can you actually do Sister Tuich?"
Tuich seems genuinely surprised by the question, and ponders a bit before replying.
"Wellllll... like poppa used to say if he ever ran into an angry bear while out hunting: "I'll probably die, but he'll know he was in a fight!"
She stands up to her "full" 5'1" and faces him.
"I'm not saying I can equal you in battle. Surely not! But that doesn't make me worthless in this. I can hold my own in a fight!"
A strong not-wind begins to buffet her. "STOP IT, TOOLEY!" She balls her hands into fists at her sides, her face growing red in frustration. "OKAY, OKAY, FINE! 'USUALLY!'"
The not-wind subsides and she sighs, then continues.
"Look, I'm an adult. I got here mostly on my own. I can take care of myself, and I can make a difference."
She swallows hard, takes a step towards him and says "Now, are you REALLY going to tell me I can't go, or will I have to show you how the bear feels!"
She crosses her arms over her chest, offers a stern look, and taps her foot.
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"Well I'd love to see how a bear feels after killing a few of their kind with my trusty Axe right here!" He draws his Dwarven Waraxe. "Now before you hurt yourself why don't you ask Xarl and Max if they want to keep an eye on you out in the wild, I'll stay here with everyone else who doesn't want to go out and search or fight outside. After all we need someone who can fight here if anything does happen."
Xarl stands up, draws his falchion, and simply looks at Tuich.
"You will tell me who this Tooley is, and you will explain whatever just happened to you. My order doesn't usually burn witches... Usually."
"'Keep an eye on.' Pfft!"
She turns, her gaze leaping past Xarl and settling on Max.
"Sir paladin, what say you?"
Her voice seems calm, but Max can see an almost pleading look in her eyes.
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Lupi blinks.
"Tuich, I think they want to know how you hold your own in a fight." the halfling explains, holding out her hands placatingly.
"Um... and as for the shovel... we kinda... need to dig a place to... er... do our business. And turn over a garden, I think, if we are going to stay here for any amount of time."
Lupi puts a hand behind her head.
"I want to explore, too, but I know it makes no sense right now for me to leave. Um, I'm going to make this place more habitable, and Niulamayu's company is most welcome."
Max studies Tuich for a few moments. After about a minute, he speaks.
"I think it would be fine for some of the less advanced in their studies to accompany those who might be more advanced. Perhaps we can assist them on their way?"
Pharysene crosses her arms.
"I may not be as advanced, but I can heal a little."
Tuich glances briefly at Lupi and smiles, then returns her gaze to Max.
"It's about more than fighting. WAY more. Who opened that box so we didn't have to go with 'Gronk smash!'? Who found the carrot patch, or even thought to look for it? Who knew how to rescue the kitchenware... and also DID it? Who crossed some of the most dangerous territories of Varisia ON HER OWN? I'm not a genius, but I can think and reason. I can heal. Ashava actually grants me boons on occasion."
"And yes, if you MUST know, I can fight reasonably well with the traditional weapons of my people. Including a variant graced to me by Ashava."
There's less pleading in her eyes now, but more determination. She tosses a look to Xarl.
"And there is nothing wrong with being a witch!"
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"Of course there is something wrong with being a witch. They sell their soul for power, and consider all they meet to be tools and nothing more. BUT we get away from my first concern. Who is this Tooley."
Max puts his hand on Xarl's shoulder.
"Before we go off fighting against each other, we need to stop. We don't know where we are, if there are others around here and heck, we don't even know if this place is going to be hospitable or not, my guess is not. So everyone settle down."
Max looks at Xarl and Tuich.
"Tuich, I wanted to speak with you in private about this, but I can see this needs to get out. She's not a witch, per se. In my travels I've come across a few folks called Oracles, for some reason, some of them have a haunt, don't know why, don't really care. My guess, uninformed as it is, is that Tuich is...for lack of a better term, haunted. I suppose some, might call Oracles witches, because they don't act like the clerics or some of those healing paladins. Am I right?"
Tuich rolls her eyes at Xarl's witch pronouncement.
"Tooley is... my burden alone." Her eyes become a bit watery, and there is a brief catch in her voice. "And that's something to discuss another time, perhaps as we divvy watches around the campfire . IF you can manage an open mind and a wee bit of compassion."
"For now, know that Tooley is not a threat to you, to... to anyone. And if you cannot accept my word in that, then there is no point in discussing it further."
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She looks at Max with new respect, becoming perhaps a bit more open-minded herself.
"I've never been called a witch, or considered myself one; I was just standing up for them. But you're right in most of what you say. There are those of us who are haunted, and there are signs, some obvious, some subtle." Her eyes flick ever so briefly towards another, and then she looks directly at Max.
"I'm one of the fortunate ones. Or perhaps the UNfortunate ones. I know the 'why' of my haunt. It was my own doing, the thoughtless action of a foolish child, and I have spent every day of my life since in regret, bearing that burden. I've struck something of an uneasy truce, and thankfully I can say again", looking at Xarl, "that Tooley is no threat to anyone."
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Fajra starts laughing and barley gets her words out. "Oh if the High Priestess could see you now! She would be beyond livid men thinking because they carry a pointy stick they are far superior to women in battle. Please! I cannot speak for every woman of course but just because we are smaller than you and have a pair of ta-tas does not mean we are useless and I. Am. Not. Repeat. Not! staying here. Just because my work is usually done between my legs does not mean I have nothing between my ears! Lady Oracle if these 'men' will not accept your help I most certainly will. If your are half as good as the blind oracle of my people than you shall be very valuable indeed."
Fajra has gone from mirth to peeved during this monologue.
Tuich listens to Fajra's declaration with some surprise, then mutters a quiet, "Thank you".
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Fajra smiles a small smile."Of course. I am quite often underestimated by my appearance and my occupation. Sometimes that is good but most of the time it is maddening. Though in my experience it is the ones who look least menacing and capable that you have to watch out for."
Lupi gulps.
"I assure you that's not always the case! And... er... there is no need to draw a gender line in the sand. A strong support network is different than jumping the supposed opposition, or so a bellflower tiller once told me."
She scratches the back of her head.
"Um... If you are going to go, I suggest you take some paper with you. You know, to map and stuff. And that you go quickly so you can come back while there's still some light."
"Excellent idea halfling. So besides myself and the Oracle who else is to accompany us on this scouting party?"
Fajra is practically emitting waves of excitement and is in fact jittering.
I have so many gifts and have only been able to use them to one purpose. Now I can finally show Calistria that I too can be an unquenchable fire!
Xarl offers a bow to Tuich.
"Oracles are diffrent from witches, and for not saying that I am truely sorry Divine One. I also know what is like to lose a childhood friend."
Though I doubt she had to kill her childhood friend to stop a demon invasion.
"I would be glad for any help you choose to offer, but expect none for my rudeness."
"Well, now that you're all on friendly terms, I suppose it's the best time to decide who is going to be in the scouting party and which direction you're goin'." Lupi urges.
"I don't think any of us were talking about gender here. We've determined that some of us are more advanced on our journey within our place in this world, or calling. We don't want anyone in over their head, or to face certain death and what, if this world is anything like Golarion, is sure to be a hostile land. In the end, we need to work together to find out how to survive while we figure out why and how we are here, and see if we can return to the lands from which we came, if that is our wish."
"The next question is this, do we want more than one scouting parties? And more importantly, we'll need food. I always carry some trail rations, but those are limited and to be honest, I am not sure I have enough to cover all of us. The auroch I killed earlier won't last, even past this meal. I could use some help if we want to try to find some more. And, I'll admit I am not accustomed to being a hunter of game. Typically the church sent me on a mission and I made due with rations and what food I could get from local merchants or cooks. So, if there is someone here who can provide the direction, my bow stands ready."
"Sorry my spells would not leave game in a state fit for eating. Though I have a cantrip that might be useful in making the food a bit more flavorful. I do have trail rations as well but not a lot."
"Divine One?" "Expect none for my rudeness?" Tuich looks over at the halfling girl. "Is this how Lupi felt earlier?"
"Please, sir hel... please, Xarl... I am not a 'divine one'... the farthest from it, in truth. And you owe me no apology. If anything the opposite is true, as it seems I've been judging you by others' deeds. May we start anew, no titles and no preconceptions? I think I would like that..."
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"As for the rest... now I understand what poppa meant when he said even if you're only hunting doves, go armed for bear. I was not expecting this -- not that ANY of us were -- and I have no rations, none of my tools, or anything I would normally choose for a situation like this."
"I am not a huntress by any stretch, but I can occasionally bring down birds and small game like rabbits... though such won't take us far."
"You're right, the key is working together. All of us contributing our strengths -- that is the safest path to survival and success."
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There are those of us who are haunted, and there are signs, some obvious, some subtle." Her eyes flick ever so briefly towards another.
Pharysene glances away, uncomfortable with this line of conversation. An eddy of air blows the door open (wasn't it latched?) and musses everyones hair.
Jeesh maybe instead of losing their minds when I arrived these people should have just went along with it! A session could do them good, help release all this tension. They would not have that awkward 'stranger' thing going on then. Oh well.
" I am thinking if some of us are staying here that one 'party' will do. Lets not split up more than we have too. I would like to cast an alarm spell around the inn after we leave. This way if something that doesn't have the password gets to close everyone inside will have a few seconds to ready for an attack or what have you."
Lupi returns Tuich's glance knowingly, but waits for the woman to pause.
"I know it's a little suspect, too, but... for what it's worth, the cornbread should be the property of the exploratory party. And your direction to the patch of edibles will be of much value to me. Maybe, if the gods smile on us, I can gather enough. Oh, and I think.. if most of you haven't done much wandering, heading south first might be a good idea."
The halfling thumbs back to the study.
"Then you can just follow the needle home, right?"
Jeesh maybe instead of losing their minds when I arrived these people should have just went along with it! A session could do them good, help release all this tension. They would not have that awkward 'stranger' thing going on then. Oh well.
" I am thinking if some of us are staying here that one 'party' will do. Lets not split up more than we have too. I would like to cast an alarm spell around the inn after we leave. This way if something that doesn't have the password gets to close everyone inside will have a few seconds to ready for an attack or what have you."
"Running away. It's a useful way of staying full of vitality." Lupi inclines her head.
"Thank you. That will be of great use."
"How far are we thinking to go? I'd imagined starting at first light tomorrow and taking the day."
She looks towards the door. "Nightfall will begin before we've traveled much distance, but I suppose "near" needs exploring as much as "far".
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"I suppose you are correct, perhaps as long as we are in sight of the inn at all times?"
"That sounds fair." Lupi spares a glance to Kenith. "Saves Kenith from having to miss too much action."
it's hard to tell if she's joking.
"But I trust your judgement... so I'm going to go find a stick or a pointy rock." She squints further, if that is at all possible. "For digging, if that isn't clear. I, too, will stay close to the inn at all times in my mighty quest. Preferably not straying more than six meters, in fact, but that goes without saying."
With that, Lupi ducks out the front door and goes on her search for a digging implement.
"How about a day's journey out and then come back the next. That way we can survey a part of this land and stay within a distance of the inn."
"Lupi, wait!" shouts Tuich as she runs after the halfling, catching her just outside the front door.
"I'll show you that patch of carroty things, it's actually rather large and if you hunt nearby you might find other wild things. I'm hoping it might have once been this place's garden."
"And for digging, at least for now and in softer soil, I wonder about one of these", reaching down beside the steps and handing her one of the pots deemed worthless for cooking.
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"Fine I don't care but lets DO something. I have only been here a short time and I am going stir crazy I can't imagine how the rest of you feel. So I am going now anyone who wants can come with. I shall return whenever I feel like it."
At that Fajra starts walking towards the door.