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The faceless stalker attempts to get to its feet...
...and Friday takes the opportunity to impale the thing through its gut!
It then tries to run away through the open door and into the swamp! It hasn't gotten very far...
Even though they were in the middle of a fight Friday found himself smiling, not out of bloodlust, but out of a calm euphoria. There was something pleasant he found in Haru's song.
Chasing after the creature he stabs at it again, Haru's voice taking up much of his thoughts and focus.
Not so fast creature, you have questions to answer! Marten shouts, dashing forward and calling upon the power of nature to confound and imprison their foe.
Haru continues her eerie, haunting melody as she moves into the next room and shoots an arrow through the open door.
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Friday's spear misses the fleeing beast, striking the ground outside the house.
As the stalker makes it out the front door, Marten's druidic power settles into the grass. The grass suddenly grows and lunges forward, wrapping around the beast's legs and arms! The creature begins to panic, but Haru's arrow strikes it in the back, dropping it into the dirt!
As the noise subsides, a faint voice can be heard from upstairs. "H-hello? Is someone out there?"
Excellent shot, Haru. That thing won't be impersonating anyone else for.... what's that? I think it came from upstairs.
Who's there? Marten calls up the stairs. Come out now, if you mean no harm.
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There's a silence followed by a slow pattering of feet approaching the stairs. Coming into view is a spitting image of the 'halfling' you were talking to moments ago. He looks even more injured than the beast you brought down.
"Oh my... is--is it dead? Please tell me the monster is dead. Please." He gasps, visibly struggling to stand upright as he leans on the railing.
Seeing their opponent fall Friday nods before turning around to face Haru. "Nice shot." he says as he's about to move but then stops, obviously thinking something heavily over before speaking again. "Um, that was quite beautiful... Your singing I mean."
Haru beams at Friday's compliment. "Thank you! My mother always says I am blessed by Shelyn with this voice."
Seeing the injured halfling struggling to walk, Haru rushes forward to help him down the stairs. "Oh thank the spirits, I thought for sure that creature had killed you before taking your shape, Walthus."
"I agree." he manages to get out before Haru hurries to the halfling. As he aproaches the new Walthus he keeps his spear ready, incase this one turns out to be an imposter as well.
Mr Proudstump. I'm Marten. It's good to see the real you. We came to seek your council on the goblin situation in the swamp but we found something quite different. Are you hurt?
"What a shot. That thing... was quickly slippery. Nice job Marten and Haru." He loosens his grip on his axe and look around to see if there is anything else hiding around the place.
Clenching his Axe again as he hears the voice he looks up to see Walthus again, narrowing his eye's on him he calls out. "It's dead, please come down let us look at your injuries."
The fight had ended before Valeria even knew what was happening, although the shock of the creature's true form hadn't helped. "Okay, that was new." she commented.
"Good job everyone; I had complete faith in you." Xel said cheerfully as he waddled out from under a nearby cabinet, having bolted under there the moment the creature had started to drop its disguise. "My securing a tactical vantage point was unneeded, it seems.". Valeria simply rolled her eyes at that last comment from the avian.
"Next time keep to the rafters. Gives you a viewpoint. And keeps your wings free if you need to flee." Friday spouts out almost methodically as the familiar gives his reasons for hiding, his response almost innate and learned rather than fluid.
Come down Mr Proudstump, we will help with your wounds if you have any.
Friday, could you check that creatures' body? Perhaps it had some clue as to its origin or purpose here.
Still wary of the current Walthus Monday gives Marten a nod after a moment and goes to search the body of their attacker.
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Walthus staggers down the stairs, crying tears of relief and gratitude. "O-oh heavens... thank Desna you came by when you did--that beast nearly killed me. If it weren't for my pets biting and poisoning it, I'd be a corpse."
He stops next to Marten. "You said you could heal me, sir?"
Finding nothing on the creature Friday will move back over to the others and the Halfling, nodding his head in the negative towards Marten.
Marten nods to Friday, a slight look on his face as if to say that's a shame.
I have exhausted those powers granted me by the Great Earth for today. Tomorrow I will be able to heal your wounds properly but for tonight it would seem rest would be your best option.
He leads the man to one of the sofa's in his living area and has him gingerly sit.
Marten sees nothing in the way of life-threatening injury so he busies himself in the small kitchen, making Walthus a strong herbal tea that should help with the shock.
Where did that thing come from Walthus, had you seen it before?
Gryf stands over the stalking, making sure it doesn't come back to life as Friday searches it. Nodding as he finishes happy with it's state of death.
"So the snake bites it had, they were from your pets." He ponders to himself, then echos Martens question.
"Where did that thing come from Walthus, had you seen it before?"
Walthus follows Marten into the dining room and sighs at the sight of the destroyed dining room table. "No. I'm afraid that was the first encounter I've ever had with its kind. Hopefully also the last."
"I suppose it's a good thing too--the poor table never had a prayer, did it? Oh well..."
"So the snake bites it had, they were from your pets."
"Oh, yes indeed." Walthus nods with pride. "The venom gave the thing what-for more than the actual bites did."
"Now, how about the lot of you stick around for the night? I mean, it's the least I can offer for you saving my life." Walthus points up the stairs. "I've got a spare room for guests. Might be a bit cramped, but the roof'll keep the rains out, sure as day."
Marten grins in response.
I'm glad you said that; as much as I love the outdoors, I can also appreciate a solid roof over my head.
Do you feel up to discussing the goblin matter now, Walthus, or would you prefer to rest first?
Walthus winces and rubs his leg. "Eh... I need a good night's sleep first, before I'll be in any shape to talk about goblins. That thing did quite a number on me."
Of course. Marten says, holding up both hands as if to say no need to say any more.
Gryf nods. "Thank you for letting us stay here, as long as we're not outside i think we'll all be fine. We will talk of the Goblins tomorrow"
--
In the spare room
"A little excitement before tomorrows hunt, You all did very well." He looks around at each of the party, then steps over to his brother. "You've grown in power brother. I'm very impressed, mother would be impressed." He looks down at the mention her, the one thing they disagreed on that broke them apart.
Marten nods to his brother as he unstraps his backpack.
And you, stronger still. A lot has changed since you went away Gryf. The Spirit Walk taught me a great many things, not least of which was that Mither never truly left us brother. Her spirit is free now in a way she could never be when she was earth-bound
Marten nods to his brother as he unstraps his backpack.
And you, stronger still. A lot has changed since you went away Gryf. The Spirit Walk taught me a great many things, not least of which was that Mother never truly left us brother. Her spirit is free now in a way she could never be when she was earth-bound
Haru will sing a gentle, peaceful melody as she prepares for bed, in minkaian again, which if she is asked the meaning of the words, will explain that this is an evening song that praises Shelyn, gives thanks for the beauty she has seen that day, and asks that she be given the gift of beauty tomorrow as well. "Love, Art, and Beauty transcends culture," she adds. "Shelyn is worshipped in far Tian Xia just as she is here, and I am sure that even in other far-off lands and other worlds, she is honored."
She excuses herself to go out into the dark, both to take care of life's necessities, and to transform from her human form to her fox form and back a few times, as if stretching a muscle that she has kept a tight grip on all day. Of course, she makes sure that no one is watching before she does this. Returning, she curls up in her blanket and goes to sleep.
Gryf nods as Martin speaks of his strength of the spirit walk but quickly steps back as he spouts his spirit talk again. "You know i don't like to hear that. Are you saying mother was never free when she was with us? Don't talk of such nonsense..."
Feeling the anger build up in him before it can burst out he is distracted by the singing of Haru, the beautiful harmony soothes him as he watches her sing away, listening as she begins to explain its meaning. Then taking a few deep breaths he turns back to Marten. "I'm sorry brother... this wound may never heal."
Simply sitting on the the sofa and thinking over the events of the day Friday finds himself starting to slip into a pleasant oblivion as Haru sings. Listening to her give neaning behind the song and its origin his face becomes wistful. "That was... quite beautiful, thank you, Miss Haru. One day I would very much like to go to the other side of the world. To my mother's homeland."
"Your mother was tien too?"
Friday nods before removing his necklace from his shirt. "Yes, although I never truly met her. All my family would say was that she was an extraordinary beauty that came from beyond the ocean, from the lands of silks and spirits... this necklace is all I have of her." Trying to dig into some happy memories to grasp onto his fingers begin playing with the jade moons.
Deciding not to push the subject with his brother, clearly he was not ready to discuss it, he turns instead to Haru and Friday.
You both have heritage in Tien Xia. he observes. My geography beyond the Land of the Linnorm Kings is poor at best but I would think a journey of so far would be a terribly arduous thing. How is it that you, and I wonder Miss Kaijutsu for that matter, found your way to Sandpoint?
"I do not know if my mother came to this land and met my father or if it was the other way around. I just know that he was Ustalav and she was Tien... and that I was born in Ustalav." he responds glumly, a forlorn annoyance in his quiet voice at not having a better answer to the question.
"As for why I came to Sandpoint? Fate, I guess. I found myself traveling, and stopped at the edge of the world. It felt... like home here, more than Ustalav ever could." he adds, neglecting a bit here and there.
The night goes on uneventfully, with only the chirping of crickets denoting the passage of time...
--------------------
The morning comes as the sunlight reaches through the trees and into the guest room window. The smell of freshly-brewed tea can be smelled from downstairs.
Haru smells the tea and is up very quickly, padding down the stairs barefoot to see what Walthus has for them.
"That must be nice, to know your own history." Feiday says while wistful smile starts to creep into his face.
Having slept sitting up against the wall next to the door incase there were anymore unwelcome visitors in the night Friday is easily awoken as everyone begins pattering about, moreso when he smells the tea.
"Good morning Miss Haru, did you sleep well?" he asks half-asleep, which meant he looked even more sleepy than usual.
Valeria had gone to sleep almost as soon as she'd settled down from the earlier fight. She was also the last to get up the following morning, walking down with a slow, shambling gait that would have been more appropriate on some kind of undead.
"The coffee zombie's on the hunt again," Xel commented as he glided down the stairs, prompting Valeria to simply give him a rude hand gesture.
Gryf wakes early, always an early riser. He goes about checking the house and outside for intruders then begins making breakfast, a simple porridge that he heats up and leaves for everyone else. He then greets everyone good morning, as they all begin to wake up.
"Good morning sleepyhead. There is warm porridge i will pour you some coffee too." He steps Valeria up with a plate. Then when everyone is eating he begins to talk. "With any luck and with Walthus help, we will be on the Goblin camp today. It will be a bloody affair but we all have our skills and we will work together just fine."
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As the party convenes downstairs, they can see Walthus busily preparing several cups of tea on a small coffee table next to the splintered remains of his dining room table. He looks up as they approach.
"Ah--good morning to all of ya. Thought you might like a cup of tea before you go gallivanting off to hunt goblins." He gives the broken table a look of disappointment. "I'd offer ya a place to put your cups, but, well, the poor table didn't quite make it."
He turns back to the party, holding a teapot with a stylized flower engraved on it. "Still, can't really complain all that much. If the beast managed to get his hands on my teapot, however... well, let's just say that there wouldn't be enough of it left to fill a teacup. Care for a drink?"
Excellent, thank you. replies Marten. I'll rejoin you in a moment, I need to commune with the land.
He thought about asking his brother to join him. But the old ways no longer seem to be a part of Gryf's life and so he simply ecuses himself quietly.
He steps outside into the swamp, even this early it is humid and he can hear the lazy drone of flies around the pools of fetid water beyond what could be loosely described as Walthus' garden.
Marten finds a relatively dry spot and stoops to light a small fire, using dry twigs he carried with him. Over the flames he sprinkles a mixture of herbs and other things to create an acrid, bitter smoke. He breathes it deeply, filling his lungs and opening his mind.
Afterward, he stamps the fire out and mutters a few words in the secret language of his Circle before returning to the cabin.
It grows warm already. You must enjoy the solitude Walthus, don't you ever wish for company? Beyond that of your snakes I mean. he asks as he sips his tea. And it must be dangerous, especially with the goblin tribes. What can you tell us about them?
Politely bowing to the halfling and accepting the tea Friday steps off to the side as Marten returns and begins asking his questions.
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"It grows warm already. You must enjoy the solitude Walthus, don't you ever wish for company? Beyond that of your snakes I mean."
"Oh, sometimes. Then I drink some more tea and it goes away." Walthus smirks. "I'm joking. Sometimes I visit Sandpoint for things I can't get in the swamp."
"And it must be dangerous, especially with the goblin tribes. What can you tell us about them?"
Walthus stands up and stretches. "Oh, a good deal. They've been more active recently, for certain--part of me's wondering if ol' Gutwad's finally let his ego get the better of him. It's not every day goblins manage to get their hands on fireworks and use them as weapons--makes me wonder where they found them. They're sure as the Hells not smart enough to make them on their own."
"I can show ya where their village is. Have ya got a map or some such that I can draw on?"
Gryf ponders Walthus words. "We have a map it's how we found you, here please point out what you can." He says as he takes out the map and hands it to Walthus. "They found these fireworks from somewhere... could have to got them from a caravan?"
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Walthus takes the map from Gryf and lays it out on the coffee table after clearing it of his teapot. Taking a stick of charcoal out of his pocket, he begins to study the map.
"They found these fireworks from somewhere... could have to got them from a caravan?"
"Possibly. Though I'd have to ask who'd be brazen enough to transport fireworks in the first place." Walthus replies as he draws a square around a spot in the middle of the swamp.
"That right there is where the Licktoad's village is. If ya go in a straight line ta get there, you'll have ta deal with the Soggy River--it can get pretty bloody deep in places, I can tell ya that right now." The halfling stands up with the map in his hands. "Still, it's faster than going around, unless the rest of ya know something I don't."
Crossing the river? Marten thinks on that for a moment. That might be tricky. We could head back to Sandpoint and get boats. Is there a waterway through this swamp, Walthus?
It looks like we could follow the Soggy River all the way around to pretty near the village.
"We saw first hand what's in those rivers, we won't be wading through it. It's either get boats or walk all the way around." He then look at where Marten is pointing on the map. "Thats a good idea Marten, if it is connected that could be our best way in."
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Walthus hands the map off to the brothers. "Aye, you could take a boat on one of the Soggy River's branches. In fact, if you stick to the coast of Sog's Bay here, you'll be able to reach the Licktoad Village without much of a problem." He traces a path down the map. "Hopefully."
"I've got a skiff that I occasionally use to get around here. If you'd like, I could show you where I've got it docked."