True to her mother's affectionate nickname, "Silent Setsu" says very little during the entire meeting; too many people present for her tastes. She is not entirely pleased when Zoli gives away her reward money without really asking, but thinking back to the angry spitting woman, the Half-Elf decides to bite her tongue. If there is any element of truth to her claim, then Setsuna has not problem with the funds going to help those much less fortunate than herself.
Setsuna waves when introduced to Shalelu, though the Oracle waits for a less crowded moment to formally say something.
"Hello, Shalelu. My name is Setsuna Kaliani. Do you know my mother Jeevika? She is a Kyoni diplomat who seems to know every Elf I've ever met. White hair. Loves to talk. Smells like an ocean breeze."
Even Ironbriar if memory serves, though only faintly in passing.
Given the winter season, Setsuna casts Endure Elements every day of the trip; after all, the last thing she wants is for her feet to freeze off.
The Oracle looks around the town and declares, "I'm going to ask around town for some information. While it will probably be more productive to just head for the Fort itself, someone will probably know something here. May Azathoth Guide my efforts."
Setsuna tells the group everything that she learned.
"There’s been no contact from the Black Arrows for several weeks now. Normally, one or two of the rangers visits Turtleback Ferry every few days for supplies, news, or entertainment, but since the rains began in earnest several weeks ago, no one’s heard from the rangers at all. In addition, the wilds nearby have grown more dangerous. Wild animals like bears, firepelt cougars, and boars are becoming increasingly common along the edges of these woodlands, and several of Turtleback’s hunters and trappers believe these predators are being forced from the depths of the woodlands by the increased activity of local monsters like ogres, trolls, and worse.
"Earlier in the week, a patrol headed north to try to make contact with Fort Rannick, but it never returned. Also, the villagers all suggested I speak with Maelin Shreed; he may know more. Also, it would seem that I'm not the only one asking around town about the Fort. A man in plate armor seems to have been just minutes ahead of me..."
Setsuna gasps for air.
Upon arrival at Turtleback Ferry, Riley seeks out someone of the guard to assure the local watch that Olympus was not a threat. It usually isn't tough, since usually the guard is also seeking him out. But with Shalelu vouching for him, and the fact that the roc is clad in barding and a saddle should hopefully persuade anyone concerned that the raptor is under control.
For about an hour, Riley entertains the growing crowd by letting the bravest souls come up and pet Olympus, and generally allow the locals to get used to the thought of the roc being in the town for a while.
When Setsuna shows up and relays what she found, Riley scratches his chin in thought. "Interesting, that someone is here ahead of us. Would you like us along when you seek out this man in metal? If not, I could venture into the nearby woods in animal form and see what I can learn from the scared wildlife."
"Trolls are pretty nasty aren't they? I remember hearing alot of stories about them as a kid, but they all seem to have left my head after being reincarnated. I can't remember any details about them. How should we prepare to face such foes?"
"Fire. Or acid, but I'm good with fire." He gives Eugeni a wink. "Stay clear of their claws and bite if you can. They're ravenous."
"Maybe I should buy some flaming arrows. Otherwise I'll be useless if we run across one. Too bad I just donated my reward..." Eugeni frowns. "Anyone know how much such things cost?"
Having been given directions to someone whom might actually be of use in this dirthole, Theodric heads to the Church of Erastil/Town Hall to meet with this so-called 'Maelin Shreed'. Although he doesn't particularly relish the idea of speaking to a priest of the God of the Hunt, any information is better than none, so Theodric doesn't delay.
As he enters the church, tracking mud in along with him, he scans the building as if surveying a battlefield, before calling out to those within the building. "I was told to speak with Maelin Shreed concerning the Black Arrows. Where might I find him?"
As the group holds their discussion, they can hear a loud voice call out from the doorway of the aforementioned temple, "I was told to speak with Maelin Shreed concerning the Black Arrows. Where might I find him?"
Shalelu looks to you all with a curious expression before quickly jogging off towards the temple.
Theodric nods at the old man, before closing the church's doors behind him and approaching the priest in turn. "My name is Marcellano Kain - I've come here seeking to join my cousin - distant cousin, far removed - and the Black Arrows, which he's a part of. However, I have rather little information about where they're located and how to reach them. Thus my presence here."
"Then I am afraid you come at a bad time, friend. Word has not been heard from the Arrows for several weeks now. And the one group we sent to contact them has not returned, gone missing themselves now. I sent word to Magnimar in order to notify them of their lost band, as well as for them to lend us aid in helping find their fate, but I have yet to receive a response."
"That would be us!" Setsuna says as she waves a hand to get everyone's attention. "The Lord-Mayor sent my friends and me to deal with their disappearance. Based on what I have gathered, it seems like something in the wilderness might be to blame? I heard something about ogres and trolls. How bad are the ogres and trolls in these parts?"
Zoli cocks her head with curiosity. Ogres and Trolls. Those are big!
Her curiosity deepens as she observes Maelin and Marcellano. When Old Deadeye's priest expresses his concerns, Zoli pipes up: "Reverend Maelin, your bad times are drawing to an end! We're the Varisian Rangers, the heroes who defeated the Skinsaw Cultists, and we're here to get to the bottom of this.
"We have reason to believe there's lamia matriarch at work out here as well. Have you heard tell of any flying snake-woman? Anything you can tell us would be most appreciated."
As an afterthought, Zoli glances at the armored stranger. Oh crap. Maybe I shouldn't be saying so much in front of this guy. A priest of Old Deadeye should be trustworthy but...who is that guy anyway?
Theodric snorts at the halfling's piping voice as she proclaims the group's heroic deeds and their search for flying snake women. "Varisian Rangers? Never heard of them. Though if you are here to seek out the Black Arrows as I am, then it appears we have a common goal. I can't say the same about looking for flying snake women, though." The Skinsaw Cultists must have been a ragtag group of nobodies if this group took them out. Nevertheless, at least they are no friends to such heretics.
He looks back at Maelin after speaking to Zoli and eerily but silently staring in her direction for a few short moments. "Just point us in the direction to where the Black arrows are located, then. If communication with them has gone dark, then it would not be unlikely that us solving that issue might solve whatever else plagues this town. Regardless, my main intention is finding the Black Arrows and my cousin, a man that goes by the name Jakardos Sovark."
Riley's affable smile turns into a slight grimace when Zoli starts asking about flying snake women so brazenly in the town hall, but stays silent on the topic.
"Never heard of the Varisian Rangers? Well, I can't say I blame you, since we named ourselves rather recently. But I've never held much stock in titles."
He moves forward into the temple, eyes casting about in all directions. "Case in point, Erastil. Often called 'Old Deadeye,' but while he's old, he's neither dead, nor an eye. And I believe he still has both of them." He shrugs and steps toward Kain, extending a hand. "You have a wise thought. Finding what's caused the Black Arrows' silence may indeed help us find out what's stirred up the local wildlife."
"Perhaps its the tale of these so-called 'flying snake women'," Theodric sneers. Although his helmeted head turns just slightly in recognition of Riley's outstretched hand, he makes no effort to return the handshake. "Such monstrous creatures would indeed likely scare a few bunnies towards the town and worry the locals. Ogres and trolls, meanwhile, would likely be a more credible threat - if whatever information the elf heard was true and not simple rumormongering. Either way, neither sound particularly worrisome."
"Name's Marcellano Kain, a sellsword from Korvosa."
______________________________________
Riley frowns a bit at his hand which remains outstretched. Then he shrugs and his arm returns to his side, surmising that his proffered hand was out of the field of vision of the helmeted man. "Riley Tobias. A... ranger of Varisia. I suppose."
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At the mention of Jakardos Sovark, Shalelu audibly gasps, but says nothing. Her face becomes an emotionless mask.
In response to Setsuna, Maelin sighs before answering, "The Kreeg clan of ogres have long held sway over the the Hook Mountain region, but the Black Arrows have been able to hold them at bay for nearly 50 years. Before then, they were constantly attacking and raiding the town. That is part of the reason we agree to pay Magnimar taxes and ship so much of our resources to them. Rather see them put to use in human hands than the Kreegs."
At Zoli's inquiry, he shakes his head confusedly, adding "But I've not heard anything about any flying snake women."
Maelin shrugs, "I'm sorry I don't know more. I pride myself on being completely honest with my neighbors and...well...everyone. And our town has seen enough tragedy lately, what with the loss of the Paradise, and now the threat of possible Kreeg attacks may cause even more distress."
Shalelu asks, "The Paradise sunk?"
Maelin nods. "Indeed. In case you all haven't heard, a young entrepreneur named Lady Lucrecia moved to town several years ago and opened up a gambling barge, named it Paradise. It had become quite the draw, with many of the locals spending more coin than they should there, and attracting gamblers from quite a distance. But it sank in a fire several weeks ago, taking too many young souls to the bottom of the lake with it."
He seems almost as if about to cry, but takes a deep breath and continues, "But yes, I do believe that to find any answers regarding the Black Arrows, you'll need to go see for yourselves. I cannot risk the lives of anymore of my neighbors. The road out of town to the North will take you there, but I am certain Shalelu will have no trouble getting you there."
"Oh, where are my manners? My name is Setsuna. I'm the group's healer."
Setsuna's demeanor darkens upon hearing the story of the Kreegs. She carefully looks the newcomer over and nods; the Oracle has no idea what he looks like beneath his heavy armor, but having a big man armed with a big sword along for the trip makes her feel a bit more at ease. Zoli might be incredibly deadly in combat, but thanks to the Halfling's cuteness and upbeat demeanor, Setsuna finds herself often forgetting that fact.
"I understand that this might be a bit... sudden, but perhaps you could come with us, Marcellano? ...If that's alright with you I mean! We seem to be heading in the same direction with the same goal, and I doubt that wandering the woods alone would be a good idea with these Kreeg characters in the area?"
Theodric takes note of Shalelu's gasp when he mentions his cousin. Although not visible beneath his helmet, one of his eyebrows is raised as he studies the elf.
After a few seconds of silence as he watches Shalelu, he turns and responds to Setsuna. "I had originally intended to seek out the Black Arrows myself - but now that I've learned about the recent troubles, it would indeed be best to have company. Ogres do not scare me, as I have ways to outwit them, but nevertheless it isn't a bad idea. I accept - although I will want an equal share of anything we find should we encounter trouble. "
As he speaks he looks at each member of the group, his steely gaze causing goose bumps to arrise on some of the members' necks. A halfling who looks to be better as bait than an ally in a fight, some sort of.. wild-man , a half-breed who says she's the group's healer, an elf who looks like she can handle herself, a brawny orc thus far silent who's probably as slow in the head as the aforementioned ogres, and a.. is that a dhampir? Well they're not ideal but I suppose that they'll do.
"Shall we? Best not to linger. I would rather find out if my cousin still lives sooner rather than later."
_______________________________________
Morythine bristles slightly as Riley takes a seat next to him in the shadow of the barge’s small sail. He senses the druid’s distrust, and fears its implications on his friendship with Zoli and Eugeni.
"Can I ask you something? I think you lied to us back there after the fight with the Galtans. Is there any plan for you to ultimately tell the truth to your friends, or are you simply hoping that it will forever stay hidden? Because if it doesn't, and it doesn't come from you, the truth will likely be coming from the worst possible source."
The dhampir shifts uncomfortably, and sits in silence for a while, his hands fiddling with a small object in a velvet sack. Eventually he speaks;
“I told all there was to tell. I killed two men in Galt. I was defending myself . . . they would have killed me if I had not acted. I’ve seen you on our adventures together. Sometimes it’s necessary. I’m surprised their deaths warranted the pursuit of the Grey Gardeners,” Morythine shrugs, and trying not to make his words sound like a challenge, continues “If you’re worried more will come . . . if you’re worried for your skin, perhaps it’s best to find different travelling companions.”
Hoping to fend off further questions, Morythine slips the object in his hands out of its pouch, revealing a serpentine carving of an owl
“I bought this in Magnimar. You know about nature. What kind of owl is this?” [ooc] (it’s a scops owl).
On their arrival to Turtleback Ferry, Morythine wanders idly in a brooding mood, his tricorn pulled low over his brow, trying to get a sense of the frontier settlement. Eventually he ends up at the temple of Erastil, alongside his companions and some newcomers. He lurks at the back of the group, taking little part in the conversation – at least no more than tipping his hat to the armoured man and Maelin Shreed.
Zoli squints. I'm not sure what's going on under that helmet...but I'm pretty sure I don't like it. At best he's a rude one: not even shaking Riley's hand.
"OK, you can come with us. We wouldn't want you to be out there by yourself." Especially if your intentions are less honorable than you admit. "And of course you'll have your share of any loot, provided you help in defeating this Kreeg clan or whatever evildoers we encounter. Fair's fair."
As they head out, she tries to subtly get Shalelu alone, whispering. "You know something about him, or his cousin. What? I don't know how much to trust him."
Riley smiles genuinely, his eyes twinkling in the starlight. Its clear he is very amused by Mory's attempts to divert and distract him.
He waves away the concerns about his own skin. "My boy, I have much less to be concerned with my own skin than most. The Galtans don't worry me. Dying doesn't either, since I'll just ride the wheel and try out a new life. Speaking of, if you want to truly throw them off your scent, let them take your head back to Galt, and with the rest of you I can bring you back much like your friend Eugeni. No telling what you'll be, but alive, certainly." He lets that hang for a moment before changing the subject back to the original topic.
"But that wasn't the lie I was referring to." He leans in conspiratorially, whispering, "I mean the spellcasting."
He pulls back and stares off into the night. "Lots of sources of magic in this world. Most are nothing to be ashamed of. Some, though, might be. I didn't see you cast, so I have no idea what you did. And, truthfully, I don't really care. In fact, I'm not even bothered by you lying to me."
Folding his arms, he looks at Mory out of the corner of his eye. "But the others might. I'd hate to see the hurt on Zoli's face; I've grown quite find of her."
Riley's smile returns, gentle, reassuring, as he looks at the figurine. "I think it's stone."
Shalelu pauses alongside Zoli, and waits until it is just the two of them to speak. "It...it's a long story, but I'll try to keep it brief. Years ago, when I was just a child, my mother and I lived in a small elven community within the Mierani Forest, called...well...in Common it roughly translates to Crying Leaf. She was a priestess of Desna, her name was Seanthia. It was a peaceful place, full of joy and laughter, by Calistria Zoli you'd have loved it. But then, the town came under regular siege by a group of ettercaps, led by a green dragon. We fought hard against them, but every loss we suffered was a tragedy. I'm sure you are aware how slowly we elves age, and it takes decades for one of our true-blood children to reach adulthood. It was a battle of attrition our people just couldn't maintain. Then, a group of adventurers passed through, and lended their aid."
"They managed to kill the dragon and drive off the ettercaps, but they were all slain, all but one. My mother nursed him back to health, and the two fell in love. I don't know what mother saw in him, but he was always there for her. His name was Jakardos Sovark. He was a kind man, and was a good father, or so I thought."
"Someone resurrected the damned dragon, and it attacked Crying Leaf again in vengeance. We managed to defeat the dragon once more, but my mother was killed. Jakardos packed his things and left without any explanation. He...clearly he didn't love my mother. He was just there for the..." she stops herself, her fists clenched into tight fists, a tear welling up in the corner of her emerald eyes. "I had recently heard that the prick had taken up with the Black Arrows, and I am damned sure going to get an explanation out of him, one way or another. And if he was just taking advantage of my mother...then I intend to even the score."
Zoli reaches up to squeeze the ranger's hand. "I'm sorry. Thanks for telling me."
She walks beside Shalelu for a minute, not saying anything. Then she picks up her pace until she's walking beside this new sellsword. OK. Lets see if we can figure out a bit about this guy.
"So," Zoli asks, "Tell me about your brother. How long has it been since you've seen him? What makes you seek him out now?"
Eugeni watches the heavily armored man like a hawk, his hand never far from an arrow. For now, he decides the to let Zoli do the talking and do what he does best - observe,
[dice=Sense motive on "Marcellano"]1d20+9[/dice]
Morythine isn’t sure how to take Riley. The druid’s friendly demeanour seems at odds with his threats to sabotage the dhampir’s ties with the rest of the group.
His mind reels as he considers the implications of Riley’s strange comments on death and reincarnation. “Eugeni’s my friend, but he’s also a coward. An easy exit was offered to him, and he took it, rather than face what he is.” For a moment he lapses into silence, contemplating the reality of his identity. “Some things step off the wheel altogether. I’m not sure Pharasma let’s them get back on. I must live with what I am, with the help of whoever will listen to me.”
"Lots of sources of magic in this world. Most are nothing to be ashamed of. Some, though, might be. I didn't see you cast, so I have no idea what you did. And, truthfully, I don't really care. In fact, I'm not even bothered by you lying to me."
“By the judgement of most, my very existence is a source of shame. A creature not to be trusted. Always hunted, always shunned, always suspected.”
“I’ve no interest in your magic. I don’t care where it comes from – from the fey, from the leaves of the trees, some toadstool under a rock, the blood of creatures you prey upon . . . whatever. Leave me to my own path and be content to know I’ll guard your back in battle, as you have done mine.”
"I think it's stone."
“Not so. Behold.” Morythine whispers a word, and mist forms around the statuette cradled in his hands. Moments later, a small horned owl with emerald green eyes perches there. The bird twists its head to glare at Riley for a moment, then flutters off into the night.
Morythine isn’t sure how to take Riley. The druid’s friendly demeanour seems at odds with his threats to sabotage the dhampir’s ties with the rest of the group.
His mind reels as he considers the implications of Riley’s strange comments on death and reincarnation. “Eugeni’s my friend, but he’s also a coward. An easy exit was offered to him, and he took it, rather than face what he is.” For a moment he lapses into silence, contemplating the reality of his identity. “Some things step off the wheel altogether. I’m not sure Pharasma let’s them get back on. I must live with what I am, with the help of whoever will listen to me.”
Riley shrugs at Mory's comments about Eugeni. "I don't know Pharasma, so I don't know if she's responsible for the wheel. I just know it exists, which is good enough for me. As for you, and what you might be, I'm happy to listen."
“By the judgement of most, my very existence is a source of shame. A creature not to be trusted. Always hunted, always shunned, always suspected.”
Riley brightens. "Aha!" he exclaims, turning to face him. "So, you're afraid they won't believe you? Then lying is an excellent way to solve that." He pauses and thinks. "No, wait. That might not be right."
After he watches the owl fly off into the night, Riley looks at him flatly. "It appears your trinket has flown away."
On the journey to find the Black Arrows, Riley walks along with the group, instructing Olympus to circle overhead, staying low and in sight.
"So, you're afraid they won't believe you? Then lying is an excellent way to solve that." He pauses and thinks. "No, wait. That might not be right."
“Making threats might not be right either. Keep your beak out of our friendships.”
Morythine whistles and his owl returns to perch on his shoulder, a tiny vole clutched in its talons. He leaves his spot beneath the sail to Riley and goes in search of Eugeni. Perhaps the ranger knows what kind of owl he’s got.
Once the group states they are ready to depart, Shalelu is eager to begin their travels to Fort Rannick. The head north along an old road leading up the banks of the Skull River. It is a quiet trip, Shalelu growing more quiet than usual. After about an hour and a half, the road crosses an old wooden bridge to the western shore about three miles north of Turtleback Ferry.
Riley considers the type of animal that may have made the sound. "Hold a moment, everyone," he states, sounding concerned. "I believe there is something nearby."
The druid moves in the direction of the sound, the thick grasses and weeds parting for him as if they weren't there.
From the bushes, softly, Riley's voice floats back to the group, "It's a hunting cat of some kind. Wounded. I'll try to calm it."
He takes it slow, deliberate, and makes soothing sounds as he approaches. When he comes upon the animal, he attempts to establish a rapport.
Zoli (not wanting to let Riley get into trouble with whatever wounded the cat) stalks behind the druid with her scimitar in hand. The tall grasses slap her in the face as she wades through them, but she manages to conceal herself from sight, staying far enough back so as not to spook whatever animal Riley is stalking.
This entire encounter might ultimately be nothing, but Setsuna does not want to take such a risk. The Oracle furrows her brows and then vanishes from sight. From the safety of her invisible shroud, the Half-Elf conjures her cloak of shadows for extra protection and then slowly creeps into a safe vintage point.
Morythine drifts along silently, slightly behind Zoli so as not to sabotage the halfling's stalking. Mean-spiritedly, he rather hopes the cat will maul Riley.
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Theodric sighs, "Why do you all care so much about an animal? They live and die out here in the wilderness - its just what they do. Does this really require our attention?" Theodric hangs back as a result, watching as everyone gets riled up over some injured animal. He signs again and folds his arms to wait out what he thinks is a waste of time. "We really do have better things to be worrying about - such as the missing Black Arrows."
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Riley's voice responds softly from the underbrush. "Son, when an apex predator is wounded, it can be a sign that something is disrupting the natural order. Now be quiet and you might learn something."
As you step into a small clearing, you see beneath a tree up ahead a firepelt cougar. It turns its attention towards the group as it approaches, and excitedly stands and begins to move toward you.
However, it is stopped in its tracks by a bear trap clasping its hind leg, drawing a pained growl from it.
Riley tsks in sympathy as he sees the trap. "Well, hello fire-pelt. Quite the bind you find yourself in. Where's your friend?" he asks in a soothing voice to the cougar.
He moves up close to the trapped cougar and crouches next to it. He glances around and sees that most of his companions are staying out of sight. He calls out to them, "This poor fellow is in a bear trap. What's more, he shows signs of having been trained. Likely a companion to a ranger or druid, much in the same way I've trained and befriended Olympus."
Placing a calming hand on the cougar's head, he turns his attention to the trap. "I wonder, is your friend a Black Arrow?" he voices as he studies the contraption and the wounded leg. "If someone with some strength would lend their assistance, that would be appreciated here. After which, I'll shift into a cat myself. Then I'll see what he knows."
He applies his own strength to opening the jaws of the bear trap.
"I can lend you a hand," Eugeni says.
Morythine hangs back and keeps an eye out, content to let his two nature-orientated companions handle the wild animal.
Although bored by the events, Theodric nevertheless watches the group do its thing and save the poor, injured kitty. At the mention of shapeshifting he perks up a bit, curious if nothing else.
Zoli stays concealed in the weeds with her scimitar readied.
Zoli sheathes the scimitar Baern made her and steps forward to lend a hand.
"Of course, your Cousin. Sorry to hear about your brothers. What was it you heard that lead you to seek Jakardos out? Are you here looking for a job with the Black Arrows?"
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The three of them strain against the bear trap, but are unable to dislodge the cat's paw.
Ahead in the distance, the sound of excited barking can be heard approaching, as well as the low, distant sound of someone singing an off key tune...
"Kitty Kitty, run all day,
run from me, you gonna pay.
Kitty Kitty, taste so good,
as I make ya into food.
Kitty Kitty, where you hide?
When I find ya yer gonna die!"
Shalelu steps up and lends a hand trying to help pry open the bear trap, but it doesn't seem to move any further, and she steps back out of the way.
__________
"Hmmmm, let me try a different tactic." Zoli pulls out her thieve's tools and sets about unscrewing the trap.
"You're sure this kitty's not going to bite me, right Riley?"
As Zoli sets into work on the trap, it becomes clear that the source of the ruckus will be upon you all before she can complete her work...
__________
Morytine ceases bothering to hide. He gets to his feet and wanders back to where Theodric Marcellano stands. "It looks like thing are about to get a whole lot more interesting. I don't suppose our fellows here will have the good sense to the leave Kitty to her fate. Might be time to start swinging that big sword of yours."
The dhampir gives his quarterstaff a twirl, cricks his neck, straightens his tricorn and prepares for battle.