"Edgar seams pretty sneaky, and with Cas being so small, maybe they can go on a little scouting mission through town when it's dark. Maybe go to our homes and gather whatever supplies they can. Maybe Fray could fly over head and keep an eye on them. Signal the rest of us if something goes wrong. We can come to the rescue if things get bad?"
(DC 10)
That sounds like a great idea, Sarrissa
"I don't see why don't just walk into town and explain that we were turned into monsters by a swamp witch." Fray says casually. "It's likely that my father trades with over half of the businesses here. I'll merely mention my name and use my wealth to find a way to get back into my body."
Fray pauses for a moment to accept praise that is must assuredly about to wah over him. ...Then realises. "...I mean get /us/ into /our/ bodies, of course."
Nice save
Lets try and rest ourselves for a bit before we go charging into pitchfork territory, shall we? After all, torches are bad for your complexion.
...So do we all know what we are at least? I'm something called a Tavi.
"I am a strix. A foul avian beast that was wiped long ago." Fray inspects himself again. "Disgusting...
Long ago...? The last known Strix was killed only five years ago. Not anymore, I guess.
”I think I'm with the Tavi on this one, let's get some rest first, then we can talk about scouting it out. For now, let's make sure to give crossroads a wide berth.”
”I have no idea what I am, though I appear to be some kind of reptile... person.”
”I think I'm with the Tavi on this one, let's get some rest first, then we can talk about scouting it out. For now, let's make sure to give crossroads a wide berth.”
”I have no idea what I am, though I appear to be some kind of reptile... person.”
I can help you and Merek with that one in case he's unaware still, you are Lizardfolk. The name seems to leave a poor taste in his mouth. Looks like repopulating isn't going to be an option. What is going on? I don't have any quarrel with the Lizard people, why do I get this twinge when I think about them now?
I'm right there with you, Edgar. I have no idea what I am. But we seem to be the same. Likewise with Z. I recognize the Strix, the Hobgoblin, and the Bugbear, but I'm at a loss for the rest of us.
Anyone know what I am? Or what happened to us or why? Have we been cursed by the gods? Have we been punished for wrongdoings? Have I strayed from my path?
Are all monsters - for that is what we've become - just cursed humans? Have I been wrong all this time hunting them down?
This must be a lesson from Sarenrae. But to teach us what?
"Time is relative. The point is the beasts are dead. I believe it would be more than obvious that we are not truly beasts if everyone minds their manners, the mongoose keeps his teeth to himself, and you leave the speaking to me."
"Time is relative. The point is the beasts are dead. I believe it would be more than obvious that we are not truly beasts if everyone minds their manners, the mongoose keeps his teeth to himself, and you leave the speaking to me."
"This may be a new concept for you, but try to put yourself in the guard's position. You are standing watch for your home town, where your wife and children are from, and one day, from afar, you see a group of monsters wandering towards the town. Do you stand there and wait for them to come up and talk to you, or do you call the alarm and start firing arrows at the monsters, trying to get them to go away?
EDIT: No, I think the best course of action is to either slip in at an oppertune moment, or to disguise one or more of us."Edgar starts digging around in his backpack
"I seem to have misplaced my kit, but this silk rope to tie down your wings and cloak to cover your body may be enough to pass you off as human."
This must be a lesson from Sarenrae. But to teach us what?
I have to admit, I'm still not entirely sure this is real. But if there's a lesson to be learned, it might be that genocidal crusades are bad. Why did I say that?! I've been avoiding mentioning my thoughts on this for so long, why would I pick now to bring up a sore spot between us?
I can help you and Merek with that one in case he's unaware still, you are Lizardfolk. The name seems to leave a poor taste in his mouth. Looks like repopulating isn't going to be an option. What is going on? I don't have any quarrel with the Lizard people, why do I get this twinge when I think about them now?”I think I'm with the Tavi on this one, let's get some rest first, then we can talk about scouting it out. For now, let's make sure to give crossroads a wide berth.”
”I have no idea what I am, though I appear to be some kind of reptile... person.”
"'Lizardfolk' eh? What do you know about 'Lizardfolk'? These claws and teeth seem like capable weapons, and I feel stronger, but I know little else about this body."
"'Lizardfolk' eh? What do you know about 'Lizardfolk'? These claws and teeth seem like capable weapons, and I feel stronger, but I know little else about this body."I can help you and Merek with that one in case he's unaware still, you are Lizardfolk. The name seems to leave a poor taste in his mouth. Looks like repopulating isn't going to be an option. What is going on? I don't have any quarrel with the Lizard people, why do I get this twinge when I think about them now?”I think I'm with the Tavi on this one, let's get some rest first, then we can talk about scouting it out. For now, let's make sure to give crossroads a wide berth.”
”I have no idea what I am, though I appear to be some kind of reptile... person.”
They're rather strong and built to survive harsh elements of nature. Surprisingly light on their feet too. They also were considered extinct as of last week. Good. What?! what is wrong with me? Castell looks straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with the curious lizard, visibly unnerved by something. If that's all you need for now, I'd like a bit of time to think on this whole mess. He says a bit abruptly. Almost nervous.
They're rather strong and built to survive harsh elements of nature. Surprisingly light on their feet too. They also were considered extinct as of last week. Good. What?! what is wrong with me? Castell looks straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with the curious lizard, visibly unnerved by something. If that's all you need for now, I'd like a bit of time to think on this whole mess. He says a bit abruptly. Almost nervous.
Oh, okay, um, thank you...
Edgar slows down to let Castell get ahead of him, leave him with his thoughts.
He's probably still a bit shaken up from all that has happened. Can't blame him for that.
Lets try and rest ourselves for a bit before we go charging into pitchfork territory, shall we? After all, torches are bad for your complexion.
"*Tch* Fine. I suppose at the very least some rest would do us some good. But my tent and bedroll were on my horse, and if you expect me to sleep on the ground in some mud hut with a troglodyte, you can go straight to the seven hells." Fray says, clearly annoyed.
He turns to Zveris. "I trust there is some form of bath where you reside, or is that smell not attributed to your new form?"
"This may be a new concept for you, but try to put yourself in the guard's position. You are standing watch for your home town, where your wife and children are from, and one day, from afar, you see a group of monsters wandering towards the town. Do you stand there and wait for them to come up and talk to you, or do you call the alarm and start firing arrows at the monsters, trying to get them to go away?
"You have a point. You /are/ all quite ugly. I'm half tempted to start firing upon you /myself/. Fray steps away from Edgar and begins taking inventory of his bag and equipment, as if his comment reminded him to check his supply of bombs.
"As to tavi,they were an engineered race, magically created to hunt Inphidians and other reptilian people, many of whom I believe were allied with them, they're a rather facinating race, but there's only about, a hundred, maybe a hundread and twenty of them left, and to get proper long term survival you need at least 500, though short term survival can be managed, apparently elves can get by in smaller numbers, and humans can manage so long as there are other races that are compatible, but anything else you need more. Anyone else at a lost for what they are? I remember most of you from my studies"
He turns to Frey "I'm pretty sure there are nine hells, not seven, you might be thinking of heven"
"As to tavi,they were an engineered race, magically created to hunt Inphidians and other reptilian people, many of whom I believe were allied with them, they're a rather facinating race, but there's only about, a hundred, maybe a hundread and twenty of them left, and to get proper long term survival you need at least 500, though short term survival can be managed, apparently elves can get by in smaller numbers, and humans can manage so long as there are other races that are compatible, but anything else you need more. Anyone else at a lost for what they are? I remember most of you from my studies"
He turns to Frey "I'm pretty sure there are nine hells, not seven, you might be thinking of heven"
”Reptilian people eh?”
”Hey Castell!”
Edgar runs to catch up with him, gets in front of him, then kneels so they are eye-to-eye.
”Looking at me, what are you feeling right now?”
"As to tavi,they were an engineered race, magically created to hunt Inphidians and other reptilian people, many of whom I believe were allied with them, they're a rather facinating race, but there's only about, a hundred, maybe a hundread and twenty of them left, and to get proper long term survival you need at least 500, though short term survival can be managed, apparently elves can get by in smaller numbers, and humans can manage so long as there are other races that are compatible, but anything else you need more. Anyone else at a lost for what they are? I remember most of you from my studies"
He turns to Frey "I'm pretty sure there are nine hells, not seven, you might be thinking of heven"
"Details. Fray waves his hand dismissively in Chris' direction without looking up from his bag. "Religion was never my strong suit."
"Details." Fray waves his hand dismissively in Chris' direction without looking up from his bag. "Religion was never my strong suit.""As to tavi,they were an engineered race, magically created to hunt Inphidians and other reptilian people, many of whom I believe were allied with them, they're a rather facinating race, but there's only about, a hundred, maybe a hundread and twenty of them left, and to get proper long term survival you need at least 500, though short term survival can be managed, apparently elves can get by in smaller numbers, and humans can manage so long as there are other races that are compatible, but anything else you need more. Anyone else at a lost for what they are? I remember most of you from my studies"
He turns to Frey "I'm pretty sure there are nine hells, not seven, you might be thinking of heven"
Merek doesn't really know what to say. He is confused about his predicament, and for once in his life unsure of his Path. He feels uncomfortable with all this.
As the rest of the group converses, he falls a bit behind to allow his mind to clear.
I... I just need to think he tells himself. I just need some time to myself.
With this passing thought, Merek just follows along with the crowd, several paces behind, just watching them and watching their surroundings. He feels better when he's protecting everyone than trying to figure out what all this means.
Then something occurs to him; Ladies and Gentlemen, he speaks up, We need to be quiet. We need to be stealthy. By skirting the town, we may run into farmers, hunters, or any number of folk out in the woods. We should keep quiet until we get to Z's house.
Merek shuffles his way up to Z, We are going to need a more circuitous path than simply skirting the town.
"As to tavi,they were an engineered race, magically created to hunt Inphidians and other reptilian people, many of whom I believe were allied with them, they're a rather facinating race, but there's only about, a hundred, maybe a hundread and twenty of them left, and to get proper long term survival you need at least 500, though short term survival can be managed, apparently elves can get by in smaller numbers, and humans can manage so long as there are other races that are compatible, but anything else you need more. Anyone else at a lost for what they are? I remember most of you from my studies"
He turns to Frey "I'm pretty sure there are nine hells, not seven, you might be thinking of heven"”Reptilian people eh?”
”Hey Castell!”
Edgar runs to catch up with him, gets in front of him, then kneels so they are eye-to-eye.
”Looking at me, what are you feeling right now?”
I'm not sure. I don't like it though. Or you. But, I know you haven't done anything to cause that. He pauses, speaking more quietly after Merek's statements. I'm sorry about that, I don't really know what else to say.
"Probably instinct... The fact that you feel tavi instinct is troublesome though, espically given what it implies about us..."
"Next person that says mud sleeps on the ground," He growls.
Not literally, but he probably could if he wanted to.
"I was a person like you all until an hour or two ago, believe it or not. It wasn't fancy, and you all might not have agreed with my level of comfort, but I got by. Now the means I live by happen to be what we need now, so you can thank me or whoever you worship for that, but I would like to stop being referred to as an animal, if you would all be so kind. I wasn't an animal before and I'm not now either."
He starts a wider path around the town.
"Bout an hour out now. There's a pond a stone's throw away from my house. My stone's throw at least. Not sure about anyone else's."
Castell looks down as he proceeds and thinks to himself. The further he goes on, the more his ears begin to droop. Instinct? It's an instinct to have a grudge now? Against three people here too? At least the feeling is mutual for one of us now, but Merek and that fellow Edgar... strange, I still don't think of a lizard when I think of them. For now. But what happens when that changes? What happens when just trying to think about them makes me angry?
Still not looking at anyone. You're right, sorry about that. None of us are in a position to look down on anyone else. I know he has a house already, I shouldn't have said that to begin with. Realizing he set himself up for it. And anyone who wants to turn that into a short joke be my guest. I'm sure I've heard more clever lines before.
Ive been to your house, Z. It will be more than fine, Merek growls that last sentence more towards the rest of the group than he does at Zveris.
And I, for one, am looking forward to a dip in the pond.
With Merek's mind on what's ahead and protecting the group, he becomes more relaxed; less stressed out about what has happened to him. He seems more calm when there's potential for danger or when he can set his mind to battle tactics.
"No worries."
He pats the Tavi on the head with a paw bigger than his face.
"No smell jokes from you, no short jokes from me. Alright?"
He looks at him, smiling with the corners of his mouth, no teeth.
Castell looks down as he proceeds and thinks to himself. The further he goes on, the more his ears begin to droop. Instinct? It's an instinct to have a grudge now? Against three people here too? At least the feeling is mutual for one of us now, but Merek and that fellow Edgar... strange, I still don't think of a lizard when I think of them. For now. But what happens when that changes? What happens when just trying to think about them makes me angry?
Still not looking at anyone. You're right, sorry about that. None of us are in a position to look down on anyone else. I know he has a house already, I shouldn't have said that to begin with. Realizing he set himself up for it. And anyone who wants to turn that into a short joke be my guest. I'm sure I've heard more clever lines before.
Fray flies up a few feet above everyone's heads. "But how can I not?" Fray shouts down, an uncharacteristic smile creeping across his face.
Fray flies up a few feet above everyone's heads. "But how can I not?" Fray shouts down, an uncharacteristic smile creeping across his face.
"Fray, keep your voice down please, Merek is right, we have to try not to attract any attention."
Edgar scans the surroundings, looking for any sign of movement or life that isn't the group."I know the way to Teacher's home from here, I'll scout ahead, make sure we aren't walking into any hunters or other travelers."
With that, Edgar races ahead of the group, keeping an eye out for people or hostile creatures.
So he instinctively hates me. Hope that doesn't get any worse, or this whole experience may get much worse.
luckily, there doesn't seem to be people within sight of you.
Sarrissa trudges along in the midst of her new companions, unsure of what to make of all this. She quietly recounts her prayers to Sarrissa while trying to make sense of everything. Could Merek be right? Could this be how monsters come to be? None of this makes any sense. Could they be intelligent creatures and not just mindless beasts? Had she killed, no...murdered countless innocents? No, they were not innocent...she was never the aggressor. Sarenrae taught her to defend herself and protect the innocent. She never sought out violence. That comforted her, slightly. Would they regress? Lose their free will, their identities... Fray's shouting breaks her from her train of thought. She chuckles to herself. For a stuck-up, pompous, rich boy, at least he's got a sense of humor.
the cloudy skies begin to grow thicker, blacker as you walk. It starts to rain softly. The chinchilla retreats it's head back into the pouch.
And rain. Of course. Heh heh heh, you know what? This is starting to loop back around from mortifying right into funny. I mean, what are the chances all of this happens to the same group of people in 24 hours? Castell takes the time to start making himself a makeshift toga out of his scarf, doing his best to keep it off of the ground.
I disagree, Castell. The rain feels oddly comforting.
As the rain starts to slides down Merek's scales, he seems much more visibly relaxed. Less tense; less worried.
I used to hate the rain; it meant hours of polishing my armor and cleaning my gear; but this... This feels right.
Fray makes for the ground when he feels the rain begin to come down.
I'm barely comfortable with flight now, I can only imagine how difficult it would be in the rain.
Edgar keeps ahead of the group a good distance. He keeps his hand on the hilt of his blade, his sight cutting through the downpour. He felt a bit more sluggish, but oddly at ease. It was the first time he felt relaxed since leaving Crossroads for that thrice damned swamp. He continued to scan ahead and around, making sure the group didn't stumble across anything unexpected.
Huh, we never even got that flower Fray wanted. Maybe I'll bring that up later, might be useful.
Chris leaves his sword outside of his sheath to provide light, using the other hand he casts a few cantrips to clean his outfit.
after a while of walking, the rain has grown to a downpour, and the sky dark. Some of you are only able to see by the magical light some people produce. Some of you get to notice your new ability to see in the dark. Either way, you all eventually find yourslf at Zevris's house, the downpour quite heavy st this point. You can hear thunder.
So this is home sweet home, huh? Castell raises his voice over the pounding rain, thoroughly soaked all over. It's... cozy looking.
So this is home sweet home, huh? Castell raises his voice over the pounding rain, thoroughly soaked all over. It's... cozy looking.
"You have quite the way with words,sir" Fray comments off- hardly as he goes to enter Zveris' house, shaking the water off is wings.
"Where are your guest beds located? "
So this is home sweet home, huh? Castell raises his voice over the pounding rain, thoroughly soaked all over. It's... cozy looking."You have quite the way with words,sir" Fray comments off- hardly as he goes to enter Zveris' house, shaking the water off is wings.
Wouldst thou lord prefer in thy wisdom discourse such that I may obfuscate my terminology to the masses? Fighting a powerful urge to shake himself off, Castell Prestidigitates the water from himself and what few items he has leaving the excess water outside.
On the trip there, Zveris would've let the Tavi use his Armored Coat as an umbrella. It was leather, so it kept the rain off fairly well. Maybe the lizard likes him more now that he's fuzzy. Maybe he just doesn't want his house to smell like wet fur, as he requests Stinson also be able to use the coat as well. Who knows.
"You'd be surprised..."
People get a slight break from the pounding rain before they even enter his house, and they can actually stand under it while he goes to open it.
Zveris' house is actually a rather large tree house sprawling across four trees next to each other. He climbs up one of them and uses his knife to open the bolt of the trap door at the top. He goes up inside and a moment later a knotted rope drops down from the hole. People may have noticed that his tail and muscles thinned out and his hand and foot claws become more... graspy before he climbed up.
"C'mon up. Just shake off what you can first. Let me know if anyone needs help."
No one has trouble fitting through the door. Once inside people may figure that it might be because he needed to pull large animals through the hole for cleaning or etc. He cast Light in the center of the room so people can see the whole house well.
The great tree house is no less impressive inside than out. You enter into a roomy area with a pair of boots near the door for the winter and a larger coat hung on a peg nearby.
"Welcome, I guess. Uh."
He looks around, thinking of where to start the "tour."
'Tour' isn't the best word on account of the layout of the house. There are no rooms. It's all one big space with a different layout of the wood floor sort of making sections.
He starts in one corner and goes clockwise explaining what things are.
"That's my bed."
He points to a pile of tanned animal furs.
"Table, kitchen."
An oval wooden table with three chairs and a wooden table with knives and a cabinet underneath. Meats are hanging next to them, drying to become jerky.
"That's water."
A barrel with a lid and a cup on top.
"That's my firepit."
This is one of the only metal things in the house, a large metal bowl set in the floor with a raised edge and a grill of metal on top. There are ashes in the bowl and a black area around a trapdoor above it where smoke goes out. There door is to keep animals out, as there is a smaller roof above it to keep rain out while using the fire in the rain.
"Nother chair there. Usually a work space."
There's a chair in the corner.
"Bathroom there."
There's only a smaller trap door in the floor there, but ya know, no one has indoor plumbing for decades after now. That's pretty good.
"Work table."
A table almost as big as the kitchen one. It has various knives and things for turning animals into food.
"Then the door and back to my bed. Make yourself at home."
Everything is made of wood and sealed with some kind of rubbery plant resin. There are no leaks and a tree trunk cuts into each of four corners. Most everywhere there are animal pelts of varying species. Horns and tusks are also here and there. Closed wood portices serve as windows, one or two to a wall.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping in a nest or something?" Sarrissa asks with a grin.
How are you holding up my love? I think we should post watch tonight? I don't feel safe here. Maybe it's this new body, or maybe it's that Zveris knew the witch...what do you think?
"Sorry I don't have an altar for you to sleep on."
He returns, deadpan. He often responds like that. It's his way of continuing her joke. She knows he's joking.