The Beginning of All Things (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

Agreed. Though unless we have someone who can see in the dark, we'll be seen coming if we have to actually move at night.

"And if we wait till the dawn, we will be seen as well," Stolos comments. "If we wait till the dawn, whoever is there may also leave before we are able to meet with them."

Looking at the group, he adds "While it is good judgement to expect danger at all costs, it may prove beneficial to investigate while we are able."

Calamity would nod towards Apostolos "Then let's do so with caution." She nods her head, keeping her bow strung and readied.

Ravena too readies her bow and files in with the group

With renewed purpose the party sets out art a quick pace toward the Green Wood.

Unlike the Fox Wood, the Green Wood is an Old Growth forest, where the trees are much larger, and it can be easy to get lost. Most people who grew up in Woodbridge know that there are hunting as well as regularly used trails within the Green Wood, most well known is a trail that will lead to the Lyph village of Kinemay Brawnoor. However, not everyone knows exactly where these trails are, so you have been warned

As the sun dips close to the western horizon the party reaches the edge of the Green wood. Off to their left, within their sight, is a break in the woods and an obvious trail can be seen.

From this position, you can no longer see the smoke rising into the sky, and those among you who have some skill in being in the outdoors can estimate that whatever fire is causing that smoke, is likely more than one mile into the woods from here.

The trail leads into the woods, but none of you know exactly where it goes. A Take 10 of any Survival Skill use will tell the character it is a trail made by the passing of humans over a long, and regular, period of time. Once on the trail it is possible to spot the smoke occasionally, but as long as you are moving at a normal, and not deliberately slow pace, each character will need to succeed on a Perception Skill Check, the DC is 20, to spot the smoke at one point in time. Once the smoke is spotted I will post a clue about what needs to be done next, and if the smoke is not spotted before the sun sets, I will post an alternative narrative. You only get one chance to spot the smoke before dusk begins to settle.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Ugh.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

whew

Robert leads the group down the trail catching the smoke occasionally. "It looks like this is one of the paths the locals use."

Survial Take 10=15

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Nope. But then this is pretty much in keeping with Cal- he has an ability to get lost in a field with only 1 tree to confuse him. Needless to say, he really REALLY likes roads- they always go SOMEWHERE he can ask directions at...eventually. ;D Maps are good too- almost as good as roads.

"It might be prudent to update the map we were given...um...for future reference of course." Calex says, looking rather nervously at the wooded entrance before them.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Calamity sees others looking about and gives a small shield over her brow as she looks on with them "Am.... I missing something? What are you looking at?"

Her voice is soft, almost like a whisper, as her bow now hangs at her side.

Ravena gives Calamity a pat on the arm in comfort and points out the smoke thar smoke blows, followin that lead'n to somethin

The Green Wood
Day 13, approaching dusk

At first the trail appears small, overgrown, and unused, but just a short distance into the woods it begins to appear wider, being almost wide enough for two large humans to walk abreast.

The woods are dense here. The trees growing here are no more than their diameter apart from other trees, though they are not large, nor are they particularly tall. The spring growth has been abundant and the forest canopy is thick with leaves and vines. As the trail widens it becomes clear to those with the sort of knowledge and experience of wild places that this trail has been made by the work of intelligent creatures, and often a felled tree is seen on the side of the trail indicating someone maintains the trail regularly by trimming back the encroaching forest.

Soon the trees begin to be larger in diameter, and taller. Occasionally the sky overhead is visible through the twisting, reaching branches.
The trail heads in a generally north by northeast direction, which is not in the direction that you ultimately want to be going, but you hope to get some clue about the smoke that was seen from the Hill of the Cairns.

Suddenly, Robert, looking up and to the left, spots the column of grey smoke through the trees, and taking a clue from the angle of his head, Stolos and Ravena are quick to spot it as well.

The party comes to a halt, and moving back a short distance an even better view is obtained.

The smoke is coming from the west of you current position, and appears to be no more than a quarter of a mile away.

But the trail continues gently curving to the northeast. Heading toward the smoke will take you off this trail and through the wilds

Robert points to the smoke and then says to the others, "It looks like we are going to have to head off the trail that we if we want to investigate. Shall we head toward the smoke? I'll take the lead."

Calamity would simultaneously curtsy-shrug off Ravena's touch and nod towards Robert "Very well. I will keep as ready as I can. And, sorry, Ravena." Calamity gives a small, shy laugh "My people are not, er.... we do not normally touch.... other people.... I'm sorry...."

Ravena follows along and also nods in agreement with Robert but still speaking with Calamity:
how do ya make more of ya then if'n ya don't touch? Not hurt at all now but like a dog at a bone looking at Calamity with wonder.

Only expected of a brigand.

As sunset approaches, Robert leads the group off the trail and into the forest deep. It is slow going, stepping carefully through the undergrowth.

Robert has a pretty good idea of the direction he needs to be going, but soon the tangle of branches overhead begin to block out the little light remaining, and it becomes a concern that the group might get lost before they reach their goal before the woods become draped in the shadows of nigh when suddenly the forest clears away and the party emerges onto a large clearing. The sun has dipped low below the tops of the trees to the west and long shadows spread across the clearing toward a small glowing fire.

The clearing is bowl shaped a shallow depression about twenty paces across. In the center of the clearing is a campsite. There is a single fire, carefully surrounded by stones, and set back from the campfire there are three small tents.

As soon as you emerge from the trees, a curious little man appears from behind one of the tents, followed quickly by a female about the same size, and then three more appear, two are males and the third is also another female. They are all armed, but none of them wear armor. They wield long handled spears, and long knives hang in leather scabbards on their belts.

These people are too small to be halflings. They wear simple clothing, made from animal skins, that consists of a single garment, closed in front that extends to below the waist, and is held tight around the body with a single wide leather belt. Their shoulders and knees are bare. On their feet they wear simple leather shoes. They look like small dwarves, with thick, dark hair, worn gathered into knots at the back of their heads, but they do not have beards. Their arms and legs are thick and muscled.

When you emerge from the trees, and they suddenly appear, at first they look frightened, and hostile, but it seems that they quickly recognize what kind of folk you are and they relax their guard a bit, going from crouched aggressive stands to standing to their full height, but keeping their weapons ready.

One of the men in this group calls out to you in the common tongue
Stand where you are and come no further. We are the O’drago people, from the southern mountains, strangers in these lands, but we are not here to take your land or your game. We were driven from our homes many weeks ago, while winter was still fast. What brings you to our camp? If you are with the woodsmen of Alodoa, we have already given your people an account of our numbers and intentions and want no more trouble. Speak quickly, are you friend or foe?

Robert stops as the people emerge and responds, "We are from the town of Woodbridge and mean you no harm. We are looking for two of our residents who disappeared during the Tafganor attack on our town. We heard the where heading this way and when we saw your smoke came to investigate if it were them or more Tafganor."

"I should think any wanderer unlucky were they to call themselves your foe," Stolos says, moving towards the people. "and you seem more than ready for any trouble that would come your way."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Glancing towards his companions, Stolos turns back to the speaker and adds "As Robert has mentioned, we have been traveling ourselves. As it is nearing evening, perhaps we could camp nearby and share a watch through the evening?"

Stolos lets this question hang in the air, as though he is putting it forward to both parties to consider.

"A good suggestion, Stolos, but I don't want to intrude. These are troubled times and they have cause to be cautious. We'll move on if they wish. But a few questions first." Cal addressees the newcomers, and asks "Can you tell us anything of the country we'll be traveling through? Any dangers you know that we should be warned of, for instance? We would be grateful for the knowledge."

If we can keep moving, perhaps we ought to regardless. Unless these fine folk have seen the Tafganor themselves lately, I don't think we ought to impose ourselves. You haven't, have you?

"They remind me of my people...." Calamity sighs to herself "Hurt, afraid... I cannot help but ask...."

Calamity slowly trots forward, raising her whisper to a calling out "Who would dare to remove people from their own homes? Who has done this to you?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Several members of the party speak to the small people in turn, and they seem to relax when they hear certain things.

Their leader, the first one who appeared raises his spear to point to the sky and takes a step forward, then bows

I am Ket Son of Dakkor, you are welcome to our camp, people of Woodbridge. I do not know this town, but we spoke to a pair of women from this village two days ago. We do not know this forest at all, there is little we can tell you other than that we passed by a lake, a small lake to the east of here and we were camped there for a while, that is where we met the woman of Woodbridge, a witch and a Maetaur. They spoke of a lyph village northeast of the lake, a place called Kinemay Brawnoor and when we parted they set out in search of it. I would not travel through these woods in the dark if I were you, especially on a night like this when the stars and moons are dancing behind swift moving clouds. Come and sit by our fire and we will share a meal and I will tell you what I know of the tafganor and how we came to be so far from our homes

He gestures toward the center of the camp, and then calls out loudly
Iniktah, fetch the bags of mead, we have guest and we will show them proper blessings of the O’drago

When he calls out this name, you are startled to see a green skinned young tafganor woman emerge from one of the tents. Her hands and feet are bound in shackles. The chain is not heavy, and it is long, giving her some freedom of movement. Her body is built slight, almost frail, but her arms and legs are strong. She has a long neck, and a narrow face. Her mouth is wide, and she has a few large teeth that can be seen coming out of the corners of her mouth. She has long, thick dark hair that is braided. Her forehead is high, and her ears are pointed. Even though she has the distinct look of a Tafganor, there is something almost human about her. She is attractive in some ways, but at the same time looks like a young person who has been afraid for a very long time. She keeps her head low, does not look up at you at all, and goes into another tent quickly.

Ket begins telling you a few things about the tafganor you did not know’
For many generations our people lived in peace with the few tafganor who dared to come out of their caves into the light of day. We traded with them, our goods for their weapons, for they are good smiths to be sure. Then, two seasons ago, when the summer was near its end, something changed. The tafganor disappeared from the places where we hunt, where our villages are found high in the mountains. For almost a month we saw not one of their kind, and then from out of the east, from the deep dark valley between the two great peaks called Tignum and Hagnum, the tafganor returned, only now they were armed for war, and numbered in the hundreds. They were led by a giant, a mountain giant called Lorgrad the Stone Hand, who we learned was on a quest to free an ancient citadel that was sealed off in the mountains a thousand years ago.

The advancing tafganor horde attacked every village in their path, taking all the food they could steal, and scattering all the people in their way to the four winds. We fled to the west, and that brought us here. A few weeks ago we came across a party of the tafganor, a group of scouts who were down on their luck. They had been attacked by a well armed force of gymnaga-folk, and had suffered many casualties, but they were still strong, too strong for us to attack, but they knew that attacking us would cause them more trouble than they could handle, Ha, and so we negotiated a peaceful exchange and parted ways. We bought the slave Aniktah from them for some game we had hunted, and twenty pieces of gold. They were headed to the northeast when last we saw them.

If the two you are searching for are the same two we met only a couple of days ago, then you may catch up with them if you reach the western edge of this forest by tomorrow at sunset. The two women said they were headed to the lyph village, but would not stay there long and they intended to reach a place called Gowen’s Crossing, on the river that is the western boarder of these woods. From there they intended to move northwest to Otter’s lake, but I remember them saying that if we reached Gowen’s Crossing by tomorrow night, they would be there as well, and they would help us with trade in that small town. It is a human town, so they told us, and we have furs, as well as gold and silver to trade. We will be setting out at first light, heading directly to the west until we find the called Worran, and then follow it north to Gowen’s crossing.

As to dangers, we saw, from a distance, Bullywugs in the lake, and we chased away a large bear and her cubs many days ago. I have seen trails made by human-types in these woods, but not seen any of your kind.

Calex's eyes harden at the sight of the trafganor slave, but he quickly schools his features into a disinterested neutrality.

How I hate the evils of slavery and what it does to people! Such barbarism is a blight on any society. Still I must be cautious, we need these people. But the slave might be informative and doesn't deserve her fate in any event. There is no justice in slavery.

"Interesting." Calex says aloud to the O'drago headman."This is good knowledge to have. We appreciate you telling us. We too would be willing to intervene with others of our kind for you, should you need the aid. This town is not ours but we at the least can advocate for you, and attest to your generosity and friendship. I offer some advice in dealing with them."Calex waves at the surrounding forest pointedly, and continues. "This place is so close to the forest your furs might not be as valuable as you hope. Gold of course will get you what you want anywhere, but if you are looking to the furs to add to your purchase power you may come up short. Now that you spent gold on a slave you must feed along with your own, it might be even tighter. But I have a proposal for you. She might be able to answer some questions I have about her kind. I'll replace the gold you lost in her purchase if you will turn her over to me."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Ravena watches it all with a bemused chagrin even at the mention of a slave as she saw it all and more on the high seas keeping a calm look on her face and a hand on her bow with no arrow knocked.

As the small humanoids gather around the fire, taking a seat on the ground, or on cut pieces of thick round logs a few small children appear. Ket places a hand on his chin and rubs it briskly as he eye’s Calex.

Aniktah reappears from the small tent across from the camp fire carrying a few large bota bags and a stack of mugs.

Ket says,

This is good, yes, this is good. We were burdened terribly when we escaped, and Aniktah has served us well carrying more than enough to make it possible for us to get this far, but if you will journey with us, help us pack the tents and our furs, we can be done with her. She is obedient, but she eats more than three of our kind’s measure of food every day. I will sell her to you for forty gold pieces, or twenty five of the alar of the Alodoan

Calamity sits and listens as she embraces the warm of the fire, and the O'drago's voice and story telling while doing so. Upon mention of the giant leading a massive army she would speak up quietly "All the more reason for all of us to join forces... I must keep this in mind when I speak to my people.... I wonder if that is why she left, if that's where she is going.... To deal with them...."

She watches the dealings over the slave with a small amount of confusion, though no objection herself to the price "Calex...." She puts a hand on his, lowering it as she speaks directly to Ket "Why, after feeling the fear of being torn from your home, would you still keep a slave? Wouldn't you due better to separate yourself from others who take lives, by freeing this one? Give them to us not as a slave, but as a person."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

The small man squats by the fire, listening to Calamity’s questions, and then rubs his chin while trying to think of the right words to answer her. he gives her a smile, and then

Finally, Ket says,

I never intended to keep Aniktah, but at the time of our encounter with the Tafganor, well, they seemed to be in a position to be done with her, maybe even kill her, and we needed help with the things we were carrying. She was not a slave of her own people, but you have to know how the Tafganor think. They would not turn her over to us without some payment in kind, and that is how we came to own her. I would not turn her over to you without some compensation for the cost I paid for her service to us. As to what you do with her, that is your decision. She is, for now, our property, if that is something that offends your kind, I offer my apology, but this is how things are done among our people. The Tafganor have at times in the past been a threat to our people but there have also been times when their villages are more interested in trades and bargains rather than war. We have traded with them in the past, when they were willing to trade and they do not always trade in slaves. I think that it is something they are learning from the Sashi-Anhain, who are a thoroughly despicable people in all ways. As to her actual place in the world, for now she is an investment we have made, but we are willing to bargain for her with you, but we cannot take a loss. We either need the money to buy food, and possibly obtain temporary shelter until things settle down and we can return home, or we will keep her and put her to work for us, as is our right*

*Most civilized races of Urandoma do not practice slavery, as we might understand it, but indentured servitude still exists, though it is rare among the poorer villages here in the southern part of the country. Alodoa has banned slavery in all forms. It is likely that these isolated “gnome-like” people do not really mean to imply that Aniktah is their slave, and when they refer to her as their property, they most likely mean that they do not consider other races the same, or even equal to them, as far being a “person” is concerned. Most of you who are people of Urandoma will understand where this gnome is coming from, even if his ways seem antiquated, while those of you who are Alodoan will be confused by his attitude toward “buying” a person, even if that person is Tafganor.

people is people and coin is coin an I see yer point bout not wantin to lose somethin for nothin. We'll give ya fair value minus how ya value our help?

That's a fair bargain. Let's say she belongs to you, for now the small man says as he takes a long drink from a goat skin bag. When we reach the village by the river we'll settle up our differences. If there is nothing to trouble us but carrying our camp, and you can help with all that, I'll take the 25 alar or forty gold pieces, but if you have to defend us all from a dangerous forest creature or attack by hostile goblins or orcs, I'll take less, say maybe only half the price. How does that sound?

"I agree you should be rewarded for taking her in that way. I'll even give the money now, and any settlement after we can work out as needed." Calex hands him 25 Alodoan coins, and smiles at his host. "There is only 1 last thing I ask: a mug of your mead to seal the deal and toast to new friends!"

25 gp removed from Calex's character

Marwan has been keeping quiet, and looking about the camp, not really paying attention. This talk of slavery immediately gets his attention, however. He wrinkles his nose at the notion and scowls a bit, then goes back to his looking about.

At least we have a means of removing this poor soul from her bondage.

Once the transaction is complete he moves over to Calex and speaks to him quietly.

I would hope you are doing as Miss Calamity says and do not hope to keep her on as your personal property. I know little of the customs of these lands, and I wouldn't sabotage our new relationship, but the idea of owning a soul is simply repulsive to a level I can't abide without voicing my distaste for.

Calex nods at Marwan's words and in a low voice replies "I have no intention of keeping a slave. I'm more interested in any information the creature may provide. However, all the other encounters we have had with them have resulted in their treachery. I will not risk our people over such. Slavery is cruel, I agree. But I am not beyond a swift death to a rabid threat. Equally though if she proves able to adapt to civilization, and adopt our mores and laws, she will have shown she can stand among us with the other peoples we have allied with.

Also, the slavery you see I think is more akin to indentured servitude. She was more working to pay a debt than condemned to a life of drudgery. She does not appear to have been ill-treated by her holders. In that light all I did was pay her debt in exchange for the service she would provide to her original debt-holder. We do have similar customs for criminals. Hard labor sentences where they pay for their crimes in service to the community they wronged. Often a term in military service is volunteered for instead if the crime committed was was not something truly horrible."

After the gold is exchanged, Stolos makes his way to Aniktah and asks, "How are lives valued among your people that they sold you for food?" The question isn't meant to be rude or accusatory, but it's one of those awkward straightforward questions.

Ket takes a wooden mug, lying on its side, from the ground, pounds the open end against his leg a few times, blows into it, and then hands it to Calex just as Calex is taking the coins from his pouch. There is a brief exchange as mug and coins move from one man to another.

Aniktah moves next to Calex and pours from a goat skin bottle, a thick brown and pungent liquid, into the mug as Calex holds it.

Ket says,
Good then, trust in the bargain, good, good. Let us hope that for all our sakes that I can keep the full amount, hahaha

When Stolos slides closer to Aniktah and asks her about the value of her life among her people she looks down at the ground and then at Ket.

Go ahead, Ket says as he takes another drink directly from the bag in his hands You are their property now, do as they say.

Keeping her eyes down, the green skinned girl speaks in a low voice, her words come out measured, but to your surprise she is articulate and well spoken

Among the Tafganor there is no freedom as the Orimar know it. All belong to the tribal leader. All are his or her property and live their lives at his or her pleasure. It is not common for the Tafganor to sell, for money, a tribal member to another people, let alone trade one of their own kind for food, but I am not one of their own kind. Tafganor do not consider it a form of slavery to belong to the tribe in this way, but Asnakoh is smart, smarter than most Tafganor. I was passed from one lieutenant to another among Nagatoh’s warriors until I came to be the burden of one called Asnakoh. Asnakoh was a Tafganor who knew my father, and knew the ways of the Orimar well. He and his men were separated from a larger force that was to march on a village south of the Lorisane. They had been harassed by the Orimar scouts who wear thick metal rings for armor* and had been forced to break camp several times. When Asnakoh came upon Ket it was he who offered me in exchange for supplies and information from Ket and his people. I believe that Asnakoh thought he was getting a bargain, as in his eyes I had no value to him and he would have killed me long ago if it were not out of fear that my mother’s spirit would take revenge upon him.

* she is most likely referring to Alodoan Groundsmen, and not any local Orimar/Urandoman warriors. Only the Alodoan Groundsmen are known to wear heavy ring mail armor. Orimar/Urandoman people still wear only leather or studded leather armor. Chain mail is extremely rare among the Orimar/Urandomans and would only be seen on kings or great leaders of armies.

Calamity stands quietly at Ket's answer, as well as the further questions and the deal. It wasn't that she was entirely opposed to buying Aniktah, or that Ket had not made sense when talking about ensuring he earns his money back.

But something about the entire scenario had rubbed her the wrong way. She hid her face even more so than the cloth could to ensure her feelings were not interpreted as accusatory before listening to Aniktah, allowing the woman to take her out of her own head.

"I am unsure of the world I have stepped out of Mingary Bend into.... I apologize for my silence but.... this all seems so strangely, violently foreign to me."

Calex answers Calamity, saying "It is that, I'm afraid. Woodbridge is a yeoman village, which means they're not bound by feudal oaths to the local aristocracy- they are bound by the laws of the land, instead. But even under the feudal tenants there are codes and conducts that are in place. A lord's vassals are not slaves. This, however..." Calex turns to his newly acquired "property" "...is alien. So your previous master feared your mother's spirit, you say? Why would such as he have any reason to fear her but not, I presume, your father's ghost? What was special about her that made him so scared?" Calex silently adds ...and can we use that fear to drive a spike into their plans?

Calex gently raises her head to look her in the eye to show how serious he is about what he says next. "I have many questions for you, Aniktah. I hope you you will answer. But I have 1 that overturns all the others. If you had the chance to be free- would you return to your people, or try to make a place for your self where you would never be treated like that again? Would you return to the life you know, or try to learn a new one away from that? I can give you that, now that Ket has released you to me. But the choice is yours. Either way, you go free. But if you go back to them, I'll assume you sided with our enemies. This decision is your only chance to choose."

Moving back so that he's next to Calamity, Stolos quietly speaks to her. "It's not so different among my people," he says. "Not that we practice slavery, but people are treated...differently." His brow furrows for a moment as he tries to explain in a way that Calamity might understand.

"We do have a hierarchy, or a ranking," Stolos begins, slowly. "And if you're not of the Gymnaga, you don't belong in it. Not that there's anything wrong with that," he adds quickly, "But it means you're an anomaly. You don't belong in the regular structure of things." Nodding towards Aniktah, Stolos continues, "Among my people, everything and everyone has it's place. If you don't have a place, it's not that you don't belong, you just don't...fit. And to try and make you fit would be like pushing a square peg into a round hole. There's no sense in forcing it, and cutting off the corners will only make it something it's not. So you may as well find the right piece for the right hole." Nodding towards Aniktah, Stolos finishes by saying "The Tafganor handle these situations differently, as others around us will, and maybe it is what was best for them. At the very least, she seems to be unharmed, and could prove a useful member of our company."

Smiling at Calamity, Stolos reaches over and pats her hand. "I hope this helps."

hey now that this deal is done an yer freeing the girl can we find a way to make that gold back up by escorting these fellas or what?

Marwan smiles slightly and nods, content with Calex's explanation, then turns his attention to Aniktah.

I can say as an outsider to these lands with strange practices myself, I have found their people to generally be tolerable, but I also keep mostly to myself. Without knowing what you would prefer to do with your time, I have no means of gauging what your experience with this prospective new society would be.

Robert sits and drinks and watches the proceedings but says nothing.

Calamity gives a deep sigh "It would appear the outside world is more different than I thought.... I will have to act as a better ambassador for my people...."

Leading on towards Calex's topic, she nods at him as she approaches, looking at the one who in her eyes was no slave, but simply had yet to be given a true choice "Freedom... Lack of freedom.... She has never had a choice until now. Not a real one, Traveler Calex..."

She stares after Aniktah "In my people, in my way, we decide who we are by the stars. Each family looks above and sees a million different things, in a million different patterns. To unite us is the major paths- the Father, the Mother- but to each of us individuals there are more. The Royal, the Guardian.

As a Royal, as Calamity Tabei, I have chosen to do what I do best. To represent my people as well as I represent myself. To be for the people, and to give all fair representation, even when it is backed by a slight madness...."

Calamity pauses, wondering if all these voices at once would confuse the woman, and with a smile simply states with a small shrug as she bows back to Stolos "Do not choose a side, Aniktah. Choose yourself. The stars, as you'll find in freedom, will bend to your own vision."

When Calex asks her about her mother, Aniktah smiles, and her smile is devilish.

I am not Tafganor, nor am I human. My mother was a Tafganor witch and my father was a human man of the mountains. My mother was, she was, different.” Aniktah pauses and moves away from Calex to fill other cups.

She was not of this land, of these Tafganor, but came here to Orimar on a quest. She was originally from the lands of the Vayangurr, across the sea to the great islands. She was born with a gift of sight, and could speak to the dead. She came here searching for the pieces of a long ago spoken prophecy, and she was respected by the Tafganor of the southern mountains for her gifts, but feared for her power over the undead. My father was a wild man of the mountains, a friend to many Tafganor chiefs, and a brave warrior in his own right, but though he was strong, he was simple, and the Tafganor only feared his strength and skill in combat.

The Tafganor always feared my mother’s connection to the realm of spirits and her command of the undead. As I was growing up she was able to protect me from the Tafganor of this land. She used to tell me that these Tafganor were very different from the people of her homeland and that someday, if we could return, if she had lived, that I would find a better life there but that among these Tafganor I would always be looked upon with disgust. When my mother was killed by Lorgrad the Stone Hand, I was given to Nagatoh, one of the Tafganor tribal leaders. He used me for his pleasure and then gave me to Asnakoh, one of his lieutenants, and it was he who sold me to Ket. Asnakoh knew my parents, and had a great fear of my mother while she was alive. He, like many of these Tafganor are superstitious, and are easily frightened by ghost stories or tales of vengeful spirits and they will not engage in battle with the undead believing that their souls can be captured by the undead if they die in battle with them.

She moves around the camp filing cups, and then stops when Calex mentions her freedom.

Where would I go? I cannot return, would not return to the Tafganor here in this country, and I don’t believe that the humans, the Orimar here would accept me, being half Tafganor myself. But, if I could sail to Vayangurr, then, yes, I would take my freedom. Until I can make that journey, if you want to keep me as your property, which might protect my life better than you realize, then I will not protest. I would not wish to be set free here, now, a stranger in a strange land.

She listens to Stolos explain his people’s ways, and nods a few times as if she truly understands what he is trying to explain to Calamity. When Ravena mentions earning back the price paid for her, she puts her hand to her mouth quickly, stifling a laugh. When Marwan speaks, she stares at him intently, and Marwan can tell she is confused by his words as well as his accent.

And then Calamity mentions gauging her purpose in life by the stars and Aniktah drops the goat skin bag she is holding and gasps.

Realizing she has spilled some of the strong drink, Aniktah gasps again, and drops to her knees to quickly recover the spilling skin.

She looks up, clutching the bag close to her, and locks eyes with Calamity

My mother understood the patterns of the stars in the sky and taught them to my father. I used to listen to them from inside my tent when they would sit outside in the dark. They spoke so tenderly to each other, spoke of so many dreams, and desires. Before she died she promised me that she would teach me the mysteries of the patterns, but she never had a chance. Will you teach me what you know? Will you help me to see, up there, what my mother saw that gave her heart such infinite hope, and my father such devotion to her heart?

Regardless of the agreement to teach the stars or not a deal is struck so Ravena starts by scouting near the camp to hunt up some food while the rest talk.
take 10 for 18

Calamity looks over Aniktah with blinking, curious and questioning eyes as she speaks with at least some familiarity of the stars. Neither she nor her people had taught such a thing to any outsiders. A very select few had learned small hints from rumors, but this intuition seemed to be more than that. Was it ok for Calamity to teach her? Her people were scared and private; they were still too conservative, too afraid...

Yet a stranger was here asking to know about them, and being of the Royal meant that she was to act as an ambassador of all things, not only what she was comfortable with.

Calamity took the girls head in her hands and kissing her forehead over the cloth she smiled "Of course. Of course I will. You will need this..."

Calamity removes the small white cloth that had hid her face with a blushing down cast. Even with Aniktah she could not maintain eye contact "When someone inherits the stars, when someone's eyes are first revealed, a cloth is given to those who are the most devout. Those who understand the power the stars have. The tradition they hold. The strength it takes to follow them. The cloth represents a symbol, just as the stars do- a constant reminder that your mouth is not always your own. Your words are not always yours. Your life is not always in your control. Your mother sounds like a vanguard of the stars- this cloth would fit her wonderfully and naturally I would like to think."

Calamity then directs Aniktah's gaze into the horizon, searching for both her constellations and those universal to the Maetaur of the Mingary Bend "There. That is your Mother, if she was truly free, she would be the Second Mother. She is the Waters, and Mother of Diplomacy. Those of the Second Mother must be extra careful to remember their cloth, as a silver tongue becomes easily and enjoyably spent if unkept."

Calamity kisses Aniktah's head, sliding to touch their foreheads together "I will teach you of the signs, and what they mean. I will tell you of my family's signs, and what they too mean. There are some things I cannot tell you- not yet... My people are private, most likely not as daring as it sounds like your mother was... But I will try to help you see the stars. Your Mother, the Second Mother, is there in the sky. Always look for her waves and contortions. She is an explorer, almost never in the same place twice."

Sorry, between work and the wedding, I *really* did not want to do a two sentence post on this one. Hopefully it is cleaned up enough to make sense.

GM T, please act as if Aniktah knows of Calamity Tabei and the general Mingary Bend constellations of the Maetaur. Obviously it'd be a lower standard of knowledge, but she could probably find them all by taking ten on int / profession astronomer :P

The Green Wood
Day 13, after sunset

Aniktah listens intently to Calamity as she offers to teach her about the stars and their meaning in her culture. For a moment she is distracted, as Ravena rises from the ground, readies her bow, and sets off away from the camp.

Thank you, the half-tafganor girl says quietly, still watching Ravena as she moves out of sight. I have heard only stories about the equurata, your people. I did not know that you look to the stars the same way our people do, but I have heard that constellation called the second mother by my mother when she was still alive. But, wait, where is your friend going? Does she know that there are strange folk in the waters not too far from here? It is not safe to be in the woods, in the dark, alone.