Seraph laughs at Asta's words as well. "Winter normally cooled me too much. Mostly in the middle of winter but this time I look forward to it."
They continue to ride. Keeping the donkey with them as they made their way to the mites lair.
Sunset dismounts and advances slowly towards the tree and its mystery. Reigns in one hand weapon held in the other.
She gazes out at the surrounding landscape as if expecting something to perhaps pop up out of the very ground.
He goes over to Elaina, "I don't want to pressure you, but so you don't forget, I am here for you. Just let me know what you need." He puts his hand on her shoulder and looks her in the eye. His face is a mask of concern and care.
=========================================================================== ===
Torod uses Detect Magic on the rope before climbing up and retrieving it.
White Eagle awakes from his dream. He had spent the past few days hunting and gathering furs for the up coming winter.
He had planned to sell them at the Ulfen Trading post. in exchange for other supplies.
but this dream has interrupted his hunting. Looking to the Eagle perched atop his head. You provide dream? Green haired woman seeking help?
He mounts his horse and rides, following the trail his dream has provided.
As he rides the bird atop his head takes to the air. flying ahead scouting the wilderness ahead.
As he gets closer to the possible location White Eagle stops and dismounts. checking the ground for other creatures. He grabs his spear just in case.
Sunset drifts closer to the tree and its dangly parts... though her gaze, hidden by the brim of her hat, keeps sweeping the area.
White Eagle sends his Eagle (Elangomat) up to where the half-elf is climbing to. Instructed to keep him from releasing the rope but not to outright attack.
Meanwhile CWE mutters a short incantation to allow magical auras to become visible to him.
He examines the rope as well as the people.
As the large bird of prey settles on the tree branch Sunset frowns but whistles as well,"That's a big 'un." She tilts her head as she eyes the eagle.
"Make sure there in't a nest about up further in tha' tree. Don't want Moma there peckin' at ye none." She warns Torod.
"And its not acting normal either. Strawberry, keep watch!" Torod starts to look around for anything else out of the ordinary.
Perception
Strawberry Perception
Strawberry Stealth +4 in undergrowth
Torod finishes climbing up and gets comfortable on a limb. "This land is rife with surprising folk." He waits for the native to get close enough to speak.
Sunset tilts her head as if in question to Torod's remark.
"Greetings, traveler, this rope would not belong to you, would it?" Torod calls out to the stranger. "We were just about to take it down."
Sunset turns around and looks to see to whom Torod is talking... though she's not surprised if all the can see is the cat.
"Right," Asta says, reining in her horse for a moment to survey the land. "Looks like the peace is holding. On the surface, at least... So! Let's go see the Sootscales and ask them about Miss Emerald-Locks."
White Eagle makes his way out from the brush. He is a tall muscular man in simple leathers wielding a spear. A hand Axe is tucked into a belt. he wears simple soft leather shoes, most likely hand made.
He addresses Torod, The rope would not be mine, but, the great spirit guided me to here, I have been shown visions of a rope that can turn to iron. it was being used to bind a fey woman with green hair
he makes a caw like an eagle and the bird at the rope flies down and lands atop the native man's head. as it does so it seems to change into a bird shaped headdress.
I have examined this rope, it seems to be the same one that can turn into iron. I fear that cutting the rope may affect the magic it possesses.
after a moment, he address both Torod and Sunset, I am Chief White Eagle, Son of Ten Bears. I am scouting these lands to find a home for what is left of my tribe.
As the newcomer emerges Sunset shifts her stance, the placement of her mount so that it acts as partial cover and trains her small hand item at said fellow.
At the newcomer's 'call' to the large bird and its transformation into a hat sunset's expression remains inscrutable.
When the Chief gives his explanation she does glance from the hanging rope and back.
"Ah... alchemy." And she nods, "Not to worry. We can untie the thing and you'll have your iron rope, as the item's called." She informs 'White'. Sunset looks around,
"Your folks? They're coping all right out and a bout?" She asks. While her stance has relaxed her watchfulness/awareness has not diminished.
Seraph is wary, since it i just the two of them and their expeditions belongings were on the Donkey. As they approached the Mite's lair from afar she turned to look at Asta, reigning in Julius short of coming into their territory. "So how shall we proceed milady?"
"Well met Chief White Eagle, Son of Ten Bears. I am Torod, devout of Erastil and a Warden. We have been tasked with the taming and settling of this land. If you and your people are able to live in harmony with others, you have found a home." Torod looks at the rope again. "If you think it best to leave the rope here, I will, but would take it with us if we can."
Strawberry gives a loud purr.
"And that is Strawberry Deathstrike." says Torod.
Strawberry studies the chief's headress for a while before returning her focus to Sunset's bird-steed.
(O_o)
"Tha' fek!" Sunset instantly becomes distracted by the talking critter.
"Why do you even bother to ask?" Croft asks with biting sarcasm. "It's always 'Croft, go take a look'. Caw!"
Despite his complaints, the raven flaps his wings and shoots up into the sky. Once at a safe height, he heads towards the mines, watching for traces of danger...
The raven circles lower and shouts at the guards: "Hey! Hey! You know me, I'm friends with your crown prince! Have there been big creatures passing by your mine? We saw the tracks!"
Sunset moves to he saddle bags upon her mount and searches through them. After a moment she brings back a seeming loop of wire joined by two wooden handles.
She offers to throw the gizmo upto the Half-elf.
"Here. Cut the end of the branch and then the bit with the rope on it. We get it down and can worry about the knots later." She suggests.
With the rope problem solved Sunset gives the place around the tree one more looking over,
Brushing her hands Sunset takes up her mount's reigns,
"Whelp.... where too next?" She asks Torod and 'Cheif'.
"Whose mama?!" Croft croaks, shocked. "Hey, you guys had a treaty with us first! My lady master will want in on this!"
"Announce her coming, so your visitors do not cry ambush," Croft caws. "Announce her coming, for she is no mere wanderer, she is a woman of power who will rule in these lands! Winter Moon is she, descendant of the First Witch is she, Asta of the Black Heart is she! Announce her, for she is coming to visit with your king!"
Cawing, the raven flies back to Asta and Seraph and makes his report.
"Ah," Asta says once Croft has reported. "Time to dust off our finery and courtly manners, my knight. We have another chance to make allies - or at least to deflect trouble before it materializes."
"Next we do some more mapping. One can not properly protect a land without knowing it."
As the group goes about its business, Torod speaks up. "In your vision, Chief White Eagle, you mentioned a green-haired fey. I do not know how common such a thing is, but we have also heard of such a woman. She seems to be woven into the fabric of this land's history. What more do you know of her?"
CWE thinks a moment, All that I saw, I have shared. this rope was used to bind the green haired fey. Perhaps she is possessed by a dark spirit.
CWE then turns toward the brush he had emerged from, and whistles.
then after a few seconds a horse makes its way toward White Eagle.
Are there more of your tribe? You had mentioned others? Perhaps we can make peace, sign a treaty, and my people can settle in these lands.
Sunset smile,
"I think 'Tribe' might be a tad strong a word. Bunch aa people all milling along in same direction would seem a tad better. I be thinkin'." She responds to Chief White Eagle. Putting a foot into a stirrup and swinging up into the saddle she surveys the land around them,
"Okay, which way next?" She edges her mount over and closer to Torod,
"Giz a gander at yer parchment there. Where've ye bin so far..."
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Upon hearing of these guests Seraph decides to use a bit of 'enhanced diplomacy' methods on herself. Just in case these newcomers wanted to start a fight.
Seraph follows Asta in, nodding in greeting to the Kobolds before being introduced to the large troll. She returns Chief Sootscales warm greeting with her own in his native tongue. Even in draconic she was able to added an allure to her words, one that was hard to shake "The pleasure is ours in seeing you again Chieftain. As always you are a generous and mighty dragon host and I plan to repay you in kind one day soon."
His throat clearing raises nothing from her as the beast reminded her of the Ogre she had killed and instead she had a sense of being completely calm. Though the chain on her locked collar rattled slightly from the vibrations, to her this was nothing more than another enemy in Asta's way. Despite the three Trolls her voice was once again like honey. She took the leader trolls words in stride, despite their well veiled accusations...
She steps forward, her height allowing her to stand tall among the kobolds but not so much with the Trolls. She unclaps her massive blade and sets the sheathed blade point down as she introduces her Witch. "I introduce Lady Blackheart, Queen of Winter and friend to all Beasts that roam the lands above and below. I am her Knight-Protector, Seraph and it is our pleasure to make acquaintance with your Lordship." She turns to Asta then her eyes looking to her for answer. "Shall I explain the terms of the treaty to Lord Hargulka Milady? It appears he is under a false impression of our relationship to the dragonblooded and their Chieftain."