Tekk busies himself by cleaning his weapons and armor (attempting in vain to get rid of the sweet smell of Chloe that lingers on his plate mail).
After finishing his work, he whistles to himself as he prepares his bedroll. Yawning and stretching his arms, he lays down and rolls so his back is to the fire, "Somebody kick me when it's my watch... and no kisses, Gellig!" Mere seconds later, loud snores erupt from the half-orc.
Chloe is stopped short before she gets the chance to clean Tekkis's armor by the fact he is cleaning it himself. Thus deprived of a task, she sets about making sure Dodi is brushed and happy before offering to sharpen weapons so some of her companions can get an earlier night.
She also uses her last channel for the day in order to make sure she is able to maintain lifelinks through the night.
Morin leaps down from Dodi's back and stretches his small frame until a series of loud-ish cracks and pops is heard from his joints. "A body's not meant to sit still so long, I tell ya! Especially with a great beast - sweet though you are, Miss Dodi - rocking and swayin' beneath yer hind parts. I wager I'll be used to it before this trip is done, but we're going to have to stop from time to time, like we did today, and see what other trouble we can get into, just to give my bones a rest!"
After the party eats rations supplemented by the fresh greens and - pleasant surprise - young strawberries that Sarusa has found, Morin feels the last of his wounds from the day's misadventures healing through Chloe's power, and he feels at peace with the world. "Ah," he says, "'tis a good way to end such a day, with a fine meal, provided by one friend and eaten with others, and feeling the sore parts knit back together. That'll let me put all thoughts of that snakey monstrosity behind me and get a good night's rest."
Karo goes about checking his gear and sharpening his blades with a whetstone. He pulls out a trail ration and eats it in silent contemplation. When finished he lays on the ground with his pack as a head rest, his spellbook on his knees. You know that creature back in the mausoleum was really extraordinary, beautiful one might say. The crafting it took to make such a thing..I considered trying to hire on at the Golemworks before this little adventure came up. I've always found magical constructs fascinating. Though I will admit being a little concerned when I first glimpsed it. Nearly shat myself when it reared up, is more like it, though I'll never admit to that. Let me know what watch you want me to take. In the mean time I'll just study my spellbook here. Karo quietly flips through his book for a while. That was quite a thrill wasn't it? Tek really let that thing have it. Reminds me of this time I was being chased by troll.... Karo trails off, falling asleep with his spellbook on his chest.
Twilight deepens into evening and the stars begin to make their evening appearance through the scattered clouds. The night sounds of the plains provide a soothing lullaby, punctuated by the hoots of owls, and the occasional scream of a small animal becoming a meal, and the dulcet tones of Tekkis' snores. Your campfire crackles merrily, and there was plenty of deadfall during the day to provide enough wood to pass the night. With full bellies and calm minds, you all drift in the peace of the evening, until a low voice calls out from beyond the circle of light of your camp.
Ho the camp! We are a pair of weary travelers. Might we share your fire, and a bit of company for the evening?
Chloe gives Morin a thumbs-up in response to his speech in between mouthfuls of food. She eats like a slob, as is her norm, but being that she can't quite tell where she drops things like crumbs, one can't quite fault her for forgetting about them entirely. Thankfully, strawberries are easier to keep track of.
She sneaks one off to Dodi when she gets the chance.
Returning back to the camp, she tries, unsuccessfully, to sharpen the tips of her morningstar and inclines her head up in confusion as Karozekas falls asleep mid-sentence. After listening to make sure he hadn't been shot with an arrow or she'd missed something, the oracle makes her way over to the sleeping magus and pulls a blanket from his pack.
"...Don't know if they're right when... when they say you'll catch cold, but just to be sure-," Chloe pulls the spellbook off of his chest and puts it aside, where it won't be crushed, and covers the elf up.
---
Chloe starts from her position curled up on the ground and wipes mud and drool off her face.
"M.... wha?! Did the bandit boy... run off again?! Tekkis?! Oh, wait..."
She scampers to the edge of camp, where she can still see the others, to try and make out the source of the voice.
"Visitors...?"
As his friends begin to doze off, Morin offers to take the first watch, to savor being alive after the day he’s had, and to get a nice run of uninterrupted sleep when his watch is done. He’s just beginning to wonder if it’s too soon to wake someone, when he hears the new arrivals call out.
Drawing two daggers, Morin responds, loudly enough to wake his friends, ”Ahoy, weary travelers! You can come a few steps closer, but only if ye hold yer hands where I can see ‘em, and move nice and slow. The last couple of travelers in need of aid we ran into had half a dozen friends in the bushes, turned out to be in need of stickin’ with a sword. So step into the light, handsomely now. If you’ve a mind to do anything stupid, I aim to get a dagger into each of ye before my large friend here can kill ya. But if you don’t want trouble, we don’t need any either, that’s sure.”
More quietly, he adds, "Chloe, ye see anything out there?"
More quietly still, he mutters, "Well that's a question I don't ask often, innit?"
Tekk wakes at Morin's loud voice. Rolling over, he puts his hands on his mattock before sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Peering into the gloom, he tries to determine who has provoked Morin into interrupting his rest.
"S-sorry for our slow response!" she calls out into the dark, still trying to make heads or tails of the situation before she replies to her halfling friend. "-but the last time... that we took a... a social call, they ended up being bandits...!"
Karo sits up groggily, awakened by his companions voices. Wha..Necrophidius...Troll..Paradox Box.. he mumbles in confusion. A sharp rap to the head from Corvus' beak brings him fully awake. Hey, what'd you do that fo... Hey guys what's going on ? he says while his hand simultaneously reaches for his curve blade.
"[i]If you be friendly, make a light and show your faces and your empty hands. Karo, can you send lights to illuminate them?"[/b]
Sarusa draws her sling and signals to Gellig to circle around them.
Gellig is not a quiet frog.
Well, which is it? a higher pitched voice calls out from the darkness. Make a light, or step into it? And please, there's no need for pointy daggers or attack frogs! We are humble entertainers, well perhaps not so humble, but entertainers nonetheless! And weary travelers to boot! We have food, and song, and news from the east, if any of those are of interest to you, and since this is your fire, we'll even give our names first! You have the good fortune to meet Turnaburkfast, Master of Mysticism and my gentle companion Allowyn Featherill, singer, dancer, minstrel, storyteller, herald, juggler, lutist, show archer, actor and generally genial sort! The words spill out of the night in rapid succession, high pitched and overly dramatic, but without malice or sinister aspect and the speaker barely pauses for breath. If you're not in the mood for companionship, say the word and we'll be on our way. Never ones to stay where we're not wanted, but it is cold on the road, and there are dangers in the dark, and we'll probably die by midnight if you send us off to meet cold fate, but still, it's your fire and your decision, so what shall it be? Hmmm? What was that? Did you say something?
The questions and chatter continue until interrupted by a response.
|
"Did you say Show Archer!?"
Corbyn turns back to the party and comments in a low voice:
"I think we should let them stick around for a while. Who knows what cool stuff they might be able to teach us. If we can ward off a pack of undead dogs and highway bandits a couple of showmen should be no problem at all should they turn out to be less favorable company."
"Make your light and then step into ours, and then we shall have songs, food, and news," says Sarusa. She does not relinquish her grip on her weapon.
Chloe seems perturbed by the gnome's insinuation of dying in the cold night. She hopes the gnome is kidding. Wait, wouldn't it be foolish for the performers to travel without their own camping things? They're probably just starved for company... Well, the gnome, at least.
"...Well, Morin, I really don't see anything, but the ...argument... is most compelling..."
She smiles at Corbyn's spiritedness, but says little else as Sarusa calls back out her instructions.
Karo stays quiet, hand on his blade and Corvus on his shoulder, peering into the darkness.
Seeing that his friends are now awake and alert, Morin moves away from the firelight, and blends into the darkness, moving cat-quiet on his small feet. Nearly blind in the darkness, he listens closely to the night, in order to hear anything else approaching and see if he can sense the intentions of the visitors.
Show archer indeed! Allowyn is a true deadeye, it's the elf blood! the higher pitched voice replies. Continuing, it adds Now, we're going to do a bit of magic here, all to make that light you so politely requested, so please, no pointy projectiles, or projectiles of any other sort for that matter once the chanting starts. We're just trying to comply with your more than reasonable requests after all!
After some brief chanting by both voices, four glowing torches appear, illuminating the pair, as hundreds of small, multi-colored, obviously magical ribbons appear with a pop, shimmering as they float downwards, and disappearing before they can reach the ground.
The light reveals a thin half-elf, perhaps five and a half feet tall with extremely androgynous features. This person is hooded and cloaked in fine maroon wool, and wearing a heavy traveler's pack. Allowyn holds a shortbow loosely in one hand, but there is no arrow nocked. Next to the half-elf is a gnome wearing lemon-yellow breeches, purple boots, a checkered tabard in green and gold, a crimson tricorn hat and a paisley greatcloak thrown back to display his finery. His nose is very long and straight, easily reaching six inches past his face.
Greetings friends! the gnome cries in delight. So kind of you to offer such a warm welcome to us, bedraggled things that we are, but wasn't there a halfling about? I could have sworn I heard a halfling... The gnome peers about quizzically while the half elf favors the rest of you with a shy grin.
The popping gets her attention, and makes Chloe jump, but she quickly shakes it off.
"D-does a halfling sound different from a human..?" Chloe remarks, unable to see color and therefore unimpressed by their visitors' attire. She still smiles at the newcomers, but is quite distracted by the implications of the gnome being able to distinguish Morin by sound. "I never noticed... but if you're cold, warming up is better done sooner than... later."
One would have to ask whether or not this is a diversionary tactic or Chloe being herself. She pulls a hand to her chin as she makes her way back towards the fire with an arm stretched outwards, warding against any surprises. Halfway there, she stops and beckons to their guests, though it might appear that she's beckoning to someone else.
Tekk watches as the newcomers enter the firelight.
Standing, he walks over (without his weapon). Holding his hand out in the traditional warrior's greeting, he gives them a bow, "Tekkis, called Smalltooth. Be welcome this evening. Not to be rude, but I'm on duty in a while and will be returning to sleep."
He returns to his bedroll, and listens to the chatter for a while before allowing himself to doze off again.
"What sort of people don't camp when it gets dark?" Sarusa nearly growls her question. "I am Sarusa Almanthis, a druid of Magnimar. Come and warm your bones already."
Her sling arm lowers--slightly.
Morin keeps his hidden position, outside the area illuminated by the fire, wishing to watch the newcomers a bit while he has the opportunity to do so. He also tries to listen closely to the surrounding darkness, particularly in those rare instants when the gnome stops talking.
Well, they're usually a bit higher pitched, it's true, Turnaburkfast replies to Chloe as he hunkers down next to the fire, nearly singeing his nose, then looking up to continue, Although I once knew a very deep-voiced halfling throat singer. He could do amazing things, three tones at once. He was quite... gifted in other areas as well he adds with a wink. But, back to your halfling, well, I saw him, at least, he sounded like a him, silhouetted against the fire before he slipped off into the night, and well, just curious I suppose, although, maybe he's shy?
The half-elf bows to Tekkis with hand over heart, while the gnome's eyes light up. My, you're a big one! I feel safer already, just look at those arms, and that chest!
Sarusa's question elicits a somewhat wounded look from the small performer though. What kind of people? Well, I told you, we're entertainers, and we were camped, at least we were last night, until those damned shriekers came rushing in and started throwing fire about. Oh, those poor ponies, their manes were on fire, and the screaming! Have you ever heard a pony scream? Heartbreaking sound, especially when you're running for your life!
As Turnaburkfast yammers on, Allowyn shrinks into the maroon cloak, and gives a light shiver as if in remembrance.
Allowyn's quiver is empty.
Karo rouses himself from studying the two new arrivals and speaks first to the gnome, in a different language. Mjög aðdáunarverður árangur. Ég gat nit viðurkenna incantations. Hvað voru þeir?
He turns to half-elf and speaks to him in Elven. Mae'n ymddangos eich dau i wedi teithio gyda'i gilydd am amser hir, na? Ble yr ydych yn hanu o?
Karo walks closer to the fire to hear their responses.
Chloe nods, eyes staring at nothing. "Well, at-at the very least, you've... nothing to fear from my hidden friend, u-unless, of course, you were pulling a knife or something..."
She smiles at the attention being placed on Tekkis, though she wonders if he's sleeping already. The story about the ponies, however, elicits a small whimper.
"What... what is a 'shrieker'...?"
Hearing his companions relax as they talk to the new arrivals, Morin makes his way back into the circle of light. As the gnome and half-elf notice him, he says, "'Tis true what my friends say, that we've have some rum run-ins on the road of late. Breeds a habit of caution into one, don't ya know? But the fact that your archer here is travelling with an empty quiver does give some weight to yer tale."
As he squats down by the fire, the warm light flickering off Morin's face reveals eyes that are not entirely willing to trust their guests. He continues, "So, you're entertainers. Hoping to put on a show for the beasts of the countryside? Or did you have a grander destination in mind?"
Goblins... Allowyn says, barely breaking a whisper. At least a score of them. They raided our camp last night and we've been running westward ever since. We haven't seen hide or hair of them since mid afternoon. Hopefully they got bored with the chase. These few words seem to exhaust the half-elf's store of communication, but there is still a wan smile for Karozekas' elven sally. Burkie yn dweud ei fod yn well nag y gallaf fi, ond ie, rydym wedi adnabod ei gilydd ers cryn amser.
With a hopeful look, Allowyn asks, I don't suppose you have any spare arrows for sale, do you?
For his own part, the gnome lights up when Morin returns to the campfire. Oh, there is a halfling here! And a handsome one at that! He bows to Morin with a flourish and a wink. Turnaburkfast, gnome extraordinaire, at your service! And no, we had no intention of entertaining the deer and the aurochs. Our troupe started out in Kaer Maga, and we were on our way to Magnimar, performing at the towns and inns along the Yondabakari. We were fine until we decided to head north along Ember Lake, take the show to the towns along the western shore, you know? Everything was going well until we got to Wolf's Ear. Some drunken tax collector from Magnimar didn't like our show and had us thrown in the stocks! We languished there for a month and a half before they practically whipped us out of town. And poor Ristle, he came down with the flux in those damp cells, and never lived to see daylight again. So here we are, with barely any coin to our name, fortunate that the innkeep was kind enough to keep our animals fed and stabled while we rotted in the dark, and not a week later, those damned goblins killed our ponies! He sighs in frustration. Honestly, it was my fault. Allowyn and I have been splitting the watches, and I fell asleep. He shakes his head, and his eyes glisten with tears barely held in check. We just need to get back to Magnimar. We have friends in Ordellia and Lowcleft who will help us get back on our feet if we can make it back there. Frankly, we're exhausted. If we could just spend the night in relative safety, it would make all the difference.
Karo leans in closer at the mention of the tax collector. You say a tax collector? What did he look like? How does a tax collector have the authority to get you thrown in jail? That really is a travesty, abuse of power if you ask me. Did you catch his name?
The tax collector? Turnaburkfast replies with a confused look. Well, not very handsome for starters. Red hair, smelled like a wine press, nose had been broken a few times. The gnome shrugs, All those towns are under the protection of Magnimar. I don't know if a tax collector from the city has authority to throw someone in jail, but they're certainly very persuasive. He started heckling us during a performance, so we had a bit of fun with him in return, and the next morning, the town guard hauled us off to the stocks!
We never heard his name, Allowyn chimes in. And he was long gone by the time they let us out. Wherever he is, I hope the gods see fit to repay him in kind, the half-elf adds with real venom.
Chloe chokes down another sympathetic sound or two and shakes her head at what could only be the wrongdoings of Elias. There had been so much faith placed in him, and his child... How could he just disregard everything and harm people for petty reasons? Still, it might not be wise to divulge his name, again for his family's sake. They were innocents in this affair.
"That... must have been terrible...," the healer murmurs, shivers running down her spine at the thought of reimprisonment. She is visibly upset, but hopefully not so much as to give away her association with the tax collector in question. "I-I am sorry for you, and... for your losses..."
There isn't much else she can think to glean from the two guests. Not that she wants to, really. She'd rather work on reviving their morale and increasing their chances of survival.
"-but the goddess of mercy led you here, did she not? Dawnflower willing... we shall all have the fortune to live until morning."
She clasps her hands together. "A-at which time I will be more than happy to fill your waterskins... Though I could do that right now, if you need..."
"Died of the flux? That's unthinkable in this day and age. And this tax collector...truly, that's an awful thing for him to do. ...what exactly is 'a bit of fun', though? I mean, to go to the stocks, that seems serious."
Sarusa thinks to herself for a moment. "Goblins are cowards, but stealthy, and good trackers. And nocturnal. There's a very good chance you were followed, and they'll come after us in the dark.
She glances around the fire.
[b]"Who's up for some goblin hunting?"
"...Sarusa, you know, I'm... I'm absolutely spent." Chloe admits, inwardly wincing as she recounts how many companions she'd nearly lost in the past day. "I doubt I will be of much help... but I will come if you believe they will."
Morin smiles sympathetically and says, "That's a sorry tale indeed, and I'm saddened to hear of the loss of your friend, and your ponies too. But at least you know a handsome halfling when you see one, eh? We're headed just the opposite direction, on our way to the lake and north - but you're welcome to sleep by our fire while we take our watches. And the way Corbyn's always counting his arrows, I don't know if he'd part with them or not, but he's got a passel of 'em. I've got some also, but I expect you'd find them a bit small for you."
On hearing Sarusa's suggestion that the party go after the goblins, Morin echoes Chloe's view, "I believe you only came close to dying once today, 'Rusa. I nearly got there two - no, wait, three - times, and I could use some rest. If we're worried about the goblins coming to us, we could do two of us on watch at a time. But if the rest of us are set on goblin-huntin' tonight, I'll pull my oar. How far from here did the goblins attack you? It's been over a day now, hasn't it?", he asks, turning to Turnaburkfast and Allowyn.
"Double watches were supposed to be standard from the last time we were attacked at night," growls Sarusa. "Very well. No hunting parties. But everyone prepare your contingencies. I'll take the next watch with Gellig."
She scowls into the fire, producing her scimitar and sharpening it in careful clean strokes.
"Well, go to sleep already!" she barks at everyone still up. "Arrows are useless in the dark if you can't see your quarry, Allowyn. And they'll hit us up close with dogslicers anyhow. If you don't have a weapon, borrow my club for now."
"Ma'am, yes, Ma'am...," Chloe responds, knocking her hand to her head in a clumsy salute that might make anyone who had ever actually been in any military institution feel weak. After refilling any empty waterskins and ensuring lifelinks are in place, she wanders just far enough away from the fire to not be considered in risk of immolation and curls into a Chloeball in a bedroll.
"-bt mk sure y wrp yrslvs up... n' n' tghrph. Dn't wn ninon ctchn cllds."
"But make sure you wrap yourselves up... nice and right. Don't want anyone catching colds."
Pleased to see that Sarusa is slightly grumpy, Morin feels the natural order of things has been restored. He says to her, "Well, I think I've done my watching for the night, and I'm happy to pass it off to you and your vigilant watch-reptile there. If any more entertainers stumble out of the dark, let 'em know we're fully booked, aright?"
Morin then lays out his bedroll, laying his swords on the ground close by, and crawls into it. After the day he has had, he falls asleep before he has drawn three breaths.
The night passes in fitful quiet. Buzzing insects are drawn to your campfire, and the warm blood in your veins, pestering watcher and sleeper alike. However, no goblins, nor any other threat molest you during the night.
When the sun rises, you wake refreshed. Turnaburkfast and Allowyn prove to be good cooks, and contribute some salt bacon and freshly cooked biscuits to everyone's breakfast. They speak of their plans to continue west, onto Sandpoint before turning south to Magnimar.
Chloe sits up, hair dishevelled and eyes as unclear as is per the norm and swats at a nearby mosquito. Her left arm itches madly, but a small bite is hardly anything to worry about, despite her newfound dislike for the creatures. She pulls her arms into a stretch and counts heads (though with some difficulty).
"..Karo, Corvus, Corbyn, Plod, T-tekkis, Morin, Sarusa, Gellig, guests, Dodi... Good... th-that's everyone." she murmurs before rolling out of her bedroll and awkwardly trying to jam it in its sleeve. She really, really fights with it until she realizes she isn't pushing against the open end. That done, she kneels and prays as breakfast emits a delicious smell through the air.
Sarenrae, did Desna call last night...? Was there a sign? Something I should be doing?
Finishing that, she joins in the meal, feeding her clothing as much as her face.
"...Delicious...!" she intones, unblinking.
Karo rises to the smell of breakfast cooking. That smells wonderful. Sure beats trail rations. I had the strangest dreams last night. He helps himself to some food and addresses their guests. The road was fairly clear to Magnimar. Be wary of brigands though. He glances to his companions. And I'd advise against stopping for lunch near any graveyards!
"Aye, a good meal to break the fast. In the future though, in case it comes up, I'm not much of a snuggler." He says while pointing at the gnome with a smile.
Tekk listens as Karo provides guidance about the road to Magnimar. Nodding, the half-orc makes his way to his sleeping area and begins gathering up his things. After everything is packed and stowed, he moves a several paces away from camp and begins a fast-paced workout that involves a variety of unarmed martial techniques. He continues for about ten minutes before ceasing his movement. Sweating and breathing heavy, Tekk lets out a bellow of excitement, "Friends, it's going to be a wonderful day, I can just feel it!"
The half-orc seems unusually happy this morning.
Sarusa awakens with a start, reaching to pat Gellig. "Portents of Desna, and in conflict with some plague of insects and other low creatures of decay and rot," she says with a spirit tinged voice. "though flies and worms are servants of nature like all others, they represent something malevolent in this dream. Did anyone else receive a sign?"
She tucks into breakfast with gusto, showing no further concern of her omens.
"I had dreams of a similar vein... yes." Chloe nods to Sarusa between bites, accidentally making more of a mess of breakfast. by letting some bits get into her hair. She would be more concerned, but the warmth in her belly helps to push her worries away.
"...Nonetheless, i-it's good to see everyone... in such fine spirits! Though I... I think I will challenge you on the snuggling line, Tekkis,"
She lets the words linger uncomfortably in the air for a moment.
"Snuggling... is a natural instinct everyone has from the day they are born... y-you simply lack a 'big spoon'."
"My dreams were normal enough, as I dreamt of the sea. Makes sense, given how far we'll be going from it." says Morin. Though his own dreams did not seem out of the ordinary, he is struck by the fact that several of his friends seem to have had dreams full of portent.
Shrugging it off, he thanks Allowyn and Turnaburkfast for breakfast, "'Tis a pleasure to eat so well to start the day. I'm sorry you'll be heading the opposite direction from us, but I wish you a safe journey, with the wind at your backs."
Morin chuckles as Karo gives advice about the road to Magnimar, his face turning a bit more serious as graveyards are mentioned. However, he returns to eating his breakfast with a will, thinking about the journey still to come. He does however, nearly choke on a biscuit when Chloe suggests that Tekkis is in need of a'big spoon'.
Our thanks for the hospitality and the water! Turnaburkfast calls out as they make their way from your camp heading west. We'll not forget your kindness or your handsome faces! If you find yourselves in Magnimar, look us up! We'll make a tale of your deeds and travels if we can! Farewell, and safe journey! With that, the gnome and half-elf make their way down the road, snapping flickers of light trailing their progress.
With camp broken, and daylight wasting, the group continues eastward on their quest for the missing tax collector and the town of Ravenmoor after taking the time for their morning devotions, spell study, and other toiletries.
The group makes good time, and aside from a grinning fox with a prairie hen clamped firmly within its jaws, the grasslands seem to be empty except for the six of you. Scattered standing stones, some almost on the road and small copses of trees dot the landscape. The breeze is cool and refreshing, and the large, silvery clouds are regularly broken by stretches of blue sky. The sun climbs higher, and soon the noon hour is upon you.
"I hope they get... to Magnimar safely... They seemed nice."
Chloe offers an orison shower to anyone who wants one, and takes a short but luxurious cold wash before she leaves camp. Her hair is still sopping when she mounts Dodi, but the oracle's humming indicates it doesn't really bother her overmuch.
"I know... some just use Pres...presdidigim-w-wutsitcalled to keep clean, but I think I'd miss the freezing daily baptismal, as it were."
She doesn't really try to take in the landscape, though she fights off midday drowsiness just in case the group runs into some form of goblinoid nonsense.
- use 174
After a brief lunch (there being no graveyards to picnic in) you continue on. Here in the lowlands, the Lost Coast Road is little more than a rutted track, where the grasses are not quite as high as the surrounding plants. The afternoon passes into dusk, and your tired mounts begin to flag. The land is mostly flat here, filled with knee-high grasses. A few trees and standing stones are outlined in the distance by the red and purple of the setting sun.
You can hear a distant buzzing of flies to the south of the trail.