Still seeing her friend Nevuda injured, her wounds greater than Shallya thought, she channels the forces of life once last time...
Thank you, that would be most kind my dear; and we should stay for the night anyways, in case there are more of those beasts about. I am sorry for your loss, all of you. I will help with the burial if I can, and will sanctify their remains to the Green if you wish.
Nevuda sits up with a lurch and silently sheaths her blade. "Thanks, that was uncomfortable."
"I appreciate your gift for healing though I am uninjured." Toriel says softly to Shallya before turning her attention to the villagers. "Any reason the orcs attacked and took you?"
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One of the women answered, No...We haven't seen orcs before at all. I can't believe they got this far north onto our lands!
Most of the orc's weapons and armor were of poor quality (as to be expected of orcs). However, those who taught you, taught you to search every part of your enemy for possible spoils. Inside of the mouth of the light skinned one, you see a peculiar ring piercing his tongue. It's slight glow catches your eye.
Jarkralzak looks to remove the ring and brings it back to Shallya.
"I found this on the lighter-skinned one. It was pierced through his tongue. I though you may have some idea as to what it is...if anythig beyond a simple decoration."
Shallya takes the ring, looking it over closely...
I haven't been gifted with such abilities yet, all of my gifts deal with healing and providing succor...I am sorry Jark, but it sure is pretty!
"With it glowing I highly doubt it is simple decoration. May I take a look perhaps its design will offer insight on it." Toriel will offer helpfully.
Nevuda tucks her hand into her robe as the group returns to the busted up town. "It seems these are dangerous times..." She comments soberly.
Nevuda turn to the lady and smiles shyly as she tugs on her hood. "I am... not from around here. A foreigner, as you would say."
"She has been nothing but helpful since we met her, I care little about her origins at the moment." Toriel will offer the villager a reassuring smile.
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The woman looks a little nervous. Not all who do good works have your best intentions at heard, my elven friend. Be careful about the proverbial wolves in sheep's clothing.
She makes some food and hands each of you a bowl.
Life just gets harder out here. I'm afraid we're going to have to leave these farms. Without our menfolk to help do the heavy lifting, I'm afraid we're not going to last long, out there.
The evening passes without further incident, leading to a new morning.
Nevuda approaches Toriel in private bright and early in the morning, her hood casting a long shadow over her face as she speaks to her. "Why are these women so distraught about their men? Were they not failures? The orcs were able to overpower them, after all."
"I am sorry for the loss of your menfolk. Do you need us to escort you to the city? Who is the law in these territories? They should be notified and come to care for you and yours. These beasts should not be allowed to walk free and unchallenged in there lands! Who is your protector!"
"If they hadn't stood up to fight the result would have been the same... not everyone has the convenience of people gifted in combat around unfortunately. If they choose to abandon their farms it is their choice... we could insist they have the power otherwise but that is at the risk of them ending up dead for staying and fighting off other predators... I would rather the knowledge they were truly saved then the thought that my encouragement may lead to their deaths honestly."
We will happily escort you to where you need to go; those vermin move in droves, such a small party probably didn't get so far in on their own. Please take our escort!
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The Royale Guard generally does not have the time to patrol lands so far from established cities. We have to fend for ourselves. Usually, the worst thing we face is a goblin or bear...but now, orcs. These are dark times, I say. I don't believe we have much choice. I will tell the others that we need to abandon our homes and leave.
"I think the rest of the group is preparing to move out." Nevuda notices, cutting her conversation with Toriel short.
"The villagers may take a bit of time to pack... are we going to wait and escort them?"
"The other choice is to leave them to the mercies of roving gangs of monsters. This land is poorly protected! How does this king expect his lands to prosper when he does not protect them? We must stay and help...if their King cannot uphold the law, then I will!"
"I am not opposed to remaining with these people."
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You spend the next few days helping them to pack. You then resume your trip towards Silverfall.
The next few days pass with little incident. The mood is very somber as you head to the next town, Mollo. .
Another town not far from the Wolfen Territory (and the nation of Elves), Mollo is a hub of trade and fishing, though not quite as busy, nor nearly as large, as Silverfall. Most of the people here have a deep tan from years of working outside.
You do not spend much time in town . You bid your new friends farewell, and you follow the path south, towards the farming village of Asylan, the entry town of Ushed, and finally to the city of Silverfall.
Asylan is another farming village, about two days from Ushed, and four days from Silverfall. It takes you about 10 days to get there from Mollo. Thankfully, the weather cooperates, and during the trip, you only suffer one short rainfall.
Similar to the last town, Asylan is a small farming village with a few building that form it's town hub. Halflings work side by side with humans to raise and bring in the crops each year. You are relieved to see that there is no trouble in this farming village, and you make your way towards Ushed.
Ushed is the largest town some of you have seen before. Surrounded by a pallaside wall with guards at each entrance, it also seems to be the most protected. Many travelers, merchants and the such stop at Ushed before the final 1-2 day trip to Silverfall.
Shopping: Simple weapons readily available. Healing potions from mages guild. Basic temple services available. More complex weapons (normal) and armor available with some time to make it (1 day) from local blacksmith.
Attitude/Society: Ushad stays busy, and the people complain little. For a medium town, there’s little poverty, and most of the people work hard. Those few who do not work usually move on to Silverfall to try their luck at begging in the larger towns.
Characters
Mayor: Kyut Greenfoot (Halfling). Old adventurer that now leads the town with the help of the council. While unusual to see a Halfling in a leadership role in a mostly human town, Kyut is hardly any normal Halfling. Years of adventuring have helped him break the average Halfling mold. He’s clearly too old to be adventuring anymore, but has no problem seeking aid from local adventurers when the town needs it.
Toriel is going to seek out a shop or mage where she can have the orc's ring identified while they are here since its the largest city they have been in since the incident.
Shallya will accompany Toriel and also look for a alchemist and/or herbalist shop...
Zarkralzak will look for some form of the law and relate what had happened at the village. He will then meetup with the others at a predetermined inn.
Nevuda follows Toriel around, looking very uncomfortable around a town full of strangers.
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Shallya/Toriel You look around, but you don't see one. Roll a Knowledge: Local (or, you may roll diplomacy to ask around), just in case you're missing something :)
Jark finds the constable, in charge of the Ushed malitia. A hearty man in his late 40's, Jark's story only seems to add lines under his aging eyes.
I'm very disappointed to hear that this small band of orcs pushed its way so far into our lands. Even more devistating, that they were able to cut down a number of our men. That's not good. He sighs heavily. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about it. We have enough of our own problems here, and there's always too much on my own plate to worry about farmlands two weeks away. I'll be happy to mention it to the Royale Guard next time I meet with one of them.
In fact, listening to how you and your friends took care of those monsters, you may want to check in with them if you're in Silverfall or any major city that they have a presence in. They're always looking for mercenaries to take care of some of the smaller complaints.
While Jarkralzak bristles somewhat at being called a mercenary, he nods his head slowly as he makes his way back to the meeting place.
Once back with the others he will relate what the militiaman told him.
"I think we should speak with this royale guard and see if there is some way we can help bring law and order back to these lands."
Toriel will ask around town then in search of a mage or similar shop for the ring.
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Toriel brushes against a brutish man. He immediately retaliates with a verbal assault. Hey, pointy ears! Watch where you're going. I guess you don't see too well with those eyes of yours!
He swears as he stomps off.
A halfling who witnesses the incident approaches her and says, Ummm, I'm sorry. Bukanuscanbeabitrudeattimes. Youlooklost. CanIhelpyouwithsomething? He sees that you're struggling to understand him, and he repeats what he said, slowly. Bukanus can be a bit rude at times. You look lost. Can I help you with something? You explain what you're looking for. Ah, well, the mage's guild is right in the middle of town. You can't miss it. It's the only three story building in Ushed.
Toriel thanks the older looking halfling. He replies, The pleasure is all mine. Let me show you a real Ushed welcome! Come to my house tonight at the corner of Main Street and Lanton. I'll make you and any friends you have some nice tea!
The well dressed halfling skips off.
"A real Ushed welcome?" Comments Nevuda after the Halfling has well left hearing distance. "That sounds very weird from a child-sized man who prances."
"It's fine Nevuda... they are halflings... I guess you do not see any where you come from." Toriel will ponder Nevuda as they walk to the guild. "I am not sure if you should go in or not at the guild... you may be better off waiting outside... these are the same people who help regulate the use of arcane magic...."
Nevuda drams her fingers thoughtfully against her bottom lip. "I will stay out here... just in case." She searches for an inconspicuous corner to loiter in as she tips her hood downwards.
They are halflings...hmmm, what is that supposed to mean, pointy ears?Shallya chuckles. I hope they have a good herb selection, maybe a alchemist lab so i can tinker some!
"Hmm...." Toriel will check if the door is locked.
Sounds good to me Jark!
Zarkralzak makes it too the Mage's Guild just as Toriel is knocking.
"How did your research in the ring? Did you find out anything about it?"
"They don't answer and the door is locked. I've no interest in forcing the issue on my guild. We can investigate the ring further at a later date." Toriel will explain with a slight annoyance at the situation.
"I am going for a drink and rest... I will check again in the morning before we continue on." Toriel will explain before walking away from the door.
"I will come with you Toriel. Maybe we can come back later this evening and see if anyone is around then."
Nevuda wanders away aimlessly as she looks for someplace quiet and away from major crowds.