"I was talking to big bird there alter boy. Actually, your place is quite impressive. Tell me, did you do all this work yourself?"
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.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.
"As you were." Fray looks around a bit, almost impressed,though he'd never let Zveris know it.
He sets his backpack on the ground. "This shall have to do. I don't suppose you have a... monkey or something, to attend to my personal affects?" Fray asks, only half kidding.
"Oh. Sorry. Thanks. And no. I didnt. I just got the wood. Met a guy on the way into town. A boar was going to charge him, but I stopped it. He built this as thanks for saving him, so long as I got the supplies. Very well built. The boar is..."
He looks around for a moment.
"There."
He points a claw at the wall near the door, the pegs that hold coats are actually tusks.
"He thought that was funny."
"Shouldn't you be sleeping in a nest or something?" Sarrissa asks with a grin.
** spoiler omitted **
Fray 's eyes narrow as he glares at Sarrissa. "Hilarious."
"You might as well just set it somewhere. Not like it's an inn. You can all collect a decent bed with all these loose furs. I don't like selling them, so I just get them tanned. We can divide some from my bed up, just leave me a couple."
He sits in the side of the room, leaning against the wall as people get comfortable.
I agree that taking first watch may help. Get some rest; I will wake you a bit after midnight. We will talk some more then.
After speaking privately with Sarrissa, Merek speaks to the group, I will take first watch. Please, everyone, get some food and some rest.
With that, Merek turns out into the rain.
Castell decides to make do with the largest, decently smelling pelt he can find, due to his size one should be enough. He settles down, as far from Zveris as he can get, near a window if available. Anybody need cleaning? I have a cantrip just for it.
"Can your magic dry me off? I'm afraid otherwise, it's the wet dog routine...
"Can your magic dry me off? I'm afraid otherwise, it's the wet dog routine...
Yep, got myself didn't I? He says this happily in an effort to lighten the mood. Castell begins his casting. It's a simple spell, but it saves me so much prep time before a performance. Huh. He states flatly, unthinking. Should be all set now. Let me know if I missed a spot. His voice picks back up.
"Very nice. Thank you. I must get some rest before my watch tonight, but I'm starving." She rummages through her pack and pull out some rations. "Hard to believe, but these are even less appealing now. Do we have any meat that we can cook?, or maybe some vegetables to make a stew?"
Sarrissa will try to cook dinner for everyone. Once she throws enough things together to make a half-decent meal, she will take a plate outside to Merek.
"People should always question their faith from time to time. I have never seen you raise your weapon against those unable to defend themselves. I have never seen you resort to violence unless to defend yourself or others. I have never seen you violate your oath and I have never seen you break your vow. You are still my husband and you are still the man I married. Now eat."
"Very nice. Thank you. I must get some rest before my watch tonight, but I'm starving." She rummages through her pack and pull out some rations. "Hard to believe, but these are even less appealing now."
Oh, I have- Castell remembers he never grabbed his bag, and by extention any food. -nothing. He sits against the wall, slouching. Gonna have to get used to that. Zveris? Anything you can spare? He has trouble getting the question out, as if he doesn't want the help, while at the same time knowing otherwise.
And I didn't even get hair in it. Er, fur, I guess.
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Before Merek walks out, he notices that Edgar is still injured. Here; this will help, Merek says as he touches the towering Lizard.
Once outside on watch... Sarrissa brings him dinner. Thank you, my love. And you are right. Merek eats his dinner. After he has eaten, he walks out into the rain.
He is confused and afraid. Fear seems odd. Fear is not something he is used to experiencing. This isn't true fear, though. This is fear of oneself, fear of an unknown.
So what do I have to do to make myself not afraid? Not uncertain. What did I use to do? I prayed. I prayed to Sarenrae and all the rest of the Good Gods above. I drew strength from the Dawnflower, I followed the Everlight wherever it guided me. This is what I must do again.
As he thought, he walked. He started with walking around the house, down below on the ground. His circle slowly widened until he was out from underneath the house and into the downpour. The water slid off his scales as if it refused to wet him. He didn't even notice.
What has the guiding flame of the Everlight led me to do before? It has had me practice my weaponry, gaining surety in the strength of my blows, the quickness of my blades. But this is not where I am weak today.
It has led me to the books of the library, to study the ancient texts and the modern words of priests and monks before me and around me. But this, I cannot do. I cannot return to the libraries of the temple - the guards and watchmen of Crossroads would take my life as quickly as I would have not two days ago, were I in their shoes.
It has led me through the streets, to help my fellow men and women. To assist with the construction of a stairwell in an old man's home, or rebuild a school house, or work the kitchens in a soup house for the poor. These I cannot do. The poor would run in fear of me. Mothers would hide their children behind their skirts while their husbands would confront me with blades and bolts. For me to help them best, I must stay away.
It has led me to catalog my thoughts, to organize my mind and meditate on myself. To spend hours focused inwards, for one must focus on themselves as much as they focus on others if they are to better the world around them. This is what I shall do.
————————
As Merek walks, he absentmindedly makes his way to the pond near the house. He doesn't consciously notice it, but he is drawn to the waters. He stops at the shoreline, and stares out over the waters, listening to the rain splash against the surface.
Let's start with what I am. I am human. I... was human. I was a Paladin of Sarenrae. I was killed. I saw my body. The witch did it, and she did it because she hates Zveris, and associated her hate against him with me. I was collateral damage. She was evil; I could sense it. She killed me and forced me to become what I am.
But am I me? Is my mind still my own; or did I die back in my body and my memories just combined with this creature whose body I am now in? Well, I know of one way I can find out.
Merek looks down at his left bicep, to the stretch of red silk tied around his arm. He focuses on it for a fraction of a second, and instantly knows where his wife, his love, Sarrissa, is. She is due south 500 meters and is in good health.
Sarrissa died as well. She came back as a giant beast - a bugbear. One of the most viscious of goblin kind. Yet, if she were dead to the world, her mind melded with that beast, I would not be able to sense her. I would not know where she is. So inside that beast is where she lays, just like inside this beast is where I am. So I must be me; and this is my new self.
So what am I. Castell called me a Lizardfolk. This makes sense. I have greenish-brown scales covering my body. I have claws on my fingers. I have a snout with sharp teeth. I'm sure I have a viscious bite. I will have to study more about these Lizardfolk; perhaps I shall find a library somewhere. No; I cannot. Not anymore. Maybe at night.
Am I still a Paladin? Am I still a good man? I think yes. I could sense the evil of the undead back in the clearing. I could not sense evil in my companions - whom I know to be good people. Sarenrae is still with me. I can still feel the warmth of her light inside my soul. If I were no longer a Paladin, if I had fallen upon gaining this new body, then I would not have been able to do that. And I would not have been able to heal the other lizard, Edgar I think his name was. No, Sarenrae is still with me, even in this form.
What does that mean? Does it mean that even the monsters can be worshipers of Sarenrae? Does is mean that the Council's eradication efforts have been wrong? Was Castell right? How could the Council have been wrong? We were bringing light to the world be removing it of evil. But we never asked ourselves if they truly were evil. What if they were not? What if they were only fighting us because we were fighting them? I know some of them were evil; I could sense it. But some of them were not; not all of them glowed with the darkness within. In fact; most of them did not. Only some of the more powerful ones; the leaders. And the same has been true with mankind; most folk do not pop up with my special vision, but occasionally one does. Those dedicated to the worship of evil gods, or those who have been at it for so long that their soul became blackened.
You would occasionally get folks like that in town. And sure, they were bad; but being evil isn't illegal, and you can't just imprison someone because some Paladin says so. Yeah, we're honorable, but you need proof. This is by Council Decree, ever since that visiting Prince (what was his name?) was arrested after he healed himself with a Wand of Infernal Healing and was mistaken by Sir Je'Dak. That got the Order in a bit of trouble. But he was just trying to protect our home.
Our home. My home. Our home. It's gone. It's gone to us. We can never return to it; not like this. Not when our very presence will frighten the townsfolk and bring the full might of the Order and the Council upon us; hunting us until we are dead without ever hearing a word we may say. Like they would believe us; I wouldn't have, why should they? They're just trying to protect their home. And my home. My home is gone to me.
But I still have my love; I still have Sarrissa. Wherever she is; that shall be my home. It matters not that we cannot return to some building of wood and stone. We have each other.
And this is what I shall do. I shall focus on us. I shall focus on all of us - Sarrisaa and Castell - my family. Zveris - my friend. And these new folk, Fray, Edgar, and Chris. And the little one; I never did get his name - the Chinchilla. I shall focus on protecting them until we find our Path - together. And together, we shall overcome.
Merek looks about; the cloud-cover and downpour making it nearly impossible to see. He focuses on where Sarrissa is and uses his connection to her to guide himself back to the house. Slowly, he makes his way back home. It has been a few hours, and it is almost time for him to wake Sarrissa.
He feels better about himself. More sure of his position. He still does not know where to go, but he knows what to do. And for now, that will be enough.
Thank you, Sarenrae, for guiding my thoughts and providing me with a Path.
Once Merek makes his way back to Z's house, he will enter and wake Sarrissa.
the chinchilla peeks out of the sachel at some point, and looks about the place, happy not to be in the rain. It, unsurprisingly, doesn't have much to say.
He takes a deep breath, and starts to look outside the window.
Ete-He starts to sing quietly to himself, but thinks better of it.
As the Chinchilla moves up to him, he shifts a bit to make room with the warm part of the floor.
No, don't bother the others. They're dealing with as much as I am. What am I saying? The only damn snake that even looks worried is Merek, and he can still bring himself to volunteer to take watch. Edgar seems to like this, and Zveris probably doesn't even care. What use would he have to go into towns? He doesn't need to see the smiling faces of the merchants, or that beautiful barmaid, or the dozens of people watching him on stage, or- no. Stop that. You aren't vengeful Cas. You don't need to hate anyone. They haven't done anything to you. You're still you. And Sarenrae didn't do this to us. No, it's that damn witch. I guess I don't have to keep my vow not to kill anyone if I'm supposed to be a monster now, right? The stereotype has to come from somewhere. Castell notices his thoughts shift to anger.
No, no that's no excuse, there's never a good enough excuse to break my word. I will just need to focus on learning about "Margret." Everyone has secrets they don't want someone to know, I'll learn hers. This I swear.
Oh, He doesn't hold the wistful sigh in as he wishes he did. I'll miss the stage for what little good it did me. I mean what would I do? Join a carnival sideshow? I was an idiot to think I was doing anything but wasting my time with the stage. What do I tell Chuck anyway? He must be losing his mind, I should be at the Pristine Scepter right now, showing the rich and prosperous I should be let into their number. Heh, not happening now.
the chinchilla evnetuslly hops out of the satchel, and looks about for a while. Of all the creaures here, Castell seems welcoming. Probobly just becuase of them both being furry animals that are smaller then anyone else. He wanders up to Castell, and rests nearby him.
Could be worse. Just remind yourself that. The people I went with were willing to help me get out. Didn't leave me there. Not like I have anything to go back to. I got what I wanted, and I woudl've done it eventuslly. I guess it's good things happened like this... I probobly woudl've met this fate anyway, but... I feel a little lucky that I was with them when I did. Not like I've got anything left to do... Perhaps helping here as best I can is what I should do next. There... isn't much i can do like this, but I'll try. it's the least I can do... Don't want to just be a burden.
"Ya, I should have some onions and potatoes- and carrots I think, under the cabinet. Meat is drying there next to it."
He considers something for a moment.
"Weasels eat, uh..."
He covers half his face with a paw, as if trying to remember something.
"Meat usually. And insects. Snakes too. You should be OK eating most of the stuff I have. Here, let me get a fire started."
Zveris sets up a fire in the metal bowl and lights it with a Spark.
"There ya go. Thanks for offering. I was just gonna eat some jerky. This would be a big improvement."
He says this to both of them, while he pats the Tavi on the head and smiles when he looks up at him, something he seems to have taken to doing.
When they get to the building Chris finds a seet near a table and opens up his bag to grab a book on magic and to let the chinchilla out, he then casts a prestigitation spell to cleen and dry it's fur, and to improve it's smell. He then calmly begins speaking to the small animal, "for now this is home I guess, and for now it's safety, tomorrow we need to set about becoming stronger and reversing this effect on us, I want to find some way to send for my father and brother, make sure they don't worry and make sure they have some kind of lie prepared, maybe give some kind of help, advice maybe"
The chinchilla, before it heads over to cas, sqeaks softly at Chris's words, then walks over.
I pet him.
The chinchilla jumps a bit at first, then starts to relax.
"Hey Zveris, with your connections to nature and animals and what not, is it possible that you can, you know, talk to the chinchilla? Maybe confirm our assumptions that it's the man seeking the locket that we met in the swamp, and not like, the witch's familiar or something else...
Also, would you lizard boys be up for doing some hunting later tonight, or maybe closer to dawn? We're likely to eat Zveris out of house and home if we don't stock up on some food. We should probably save the rations for traveling...if we decide where to go..."
She trails off for a minute before continuing.
"Also, walking back I realized that I can see in the dark now. Anybody else notice that? I mean, not me seeing in the dark, but can any of you see in the dark now?"
Chris looks disapointed at the rodent's departure but shrugs and goes to his spell book to study it while he mulls over what his letter should say
"Oh! Ya. I can do that. Give me a sec. Only works for a couple minutes at a time. And ya, I could do some hunting later. Dawn would be better. Not much is out in the dead of night. Dawn and dusk might get us a herd of deer out. And ya. I can see in the dark too, I could do that before with the right wolge, but now I don't need to."
He sits down cross legged next to Castell and addresses the chinchilla he holds.
"I'm gonna cast a spell that'll let me understand you, and I'll tell them what you tell me, but we only have a couple minutes, so I'll give you a tic to think about what you want to say. Nod when you're ready, alright?"
Chris raises his hand to nonverbally indicate that he could now see in the dark,
When they go over to the former denizin of his satchel he looks on in intrest, getting up from his book to come over.
Before Merek walks out, he notices that Edgar is still injured. Here; this will help, Merek says as he touches the towering Lizard.
[dice=Lay on Hands]2d6
"Thank you sir, those corpses banged me up quite a bit. I can take watch at some point tonight, just wake me up when you need me." He says, mustering a smile with an unfamiliar face.
Edgar retrieves a bedroll and a blanket from his pack and sets himself up in a corner, away from Castell as he can get.
Best to give him his space, we've all been through a lot, and on top of that he is dealing with some subconscious hatred, even toward his friends.
He wasn't really hungry, but he knew he should eat, having not eaten since the day before. He pulls one of his trail rations out of his bag and munches quietly, having a hard time of as he was used to having lips.
That damn hag... how the hells did she see through my shadow clones? I pulled the best trick out of my bag and she still swatted me away like a bothersome fly. Hell, she killed all of us without breaking a sweat! We all saw our bodies! How... how could such a powerful being live in that swamp, and no one knew about it? No one except Zveris.
He glances up at him, watching him briefly, going about his cooking.
Why did he not mention her? Not even to his own student, or his friends? What is he hiding?
A thought then hits him like a hammer to the stomach.
Gods help me, she killed us all without so much as even trying, how many others has she done this to? How... how are we to kill her and break this curse?
Then, the first time since he was a child, the first time since his beatings at the hands of his 'father,' the first time in what's felt like a lifetime, he was afraid.
I've stared death in the face. I've beaten insurmountable odds. I've faced what I thought was the worst this world had for me, and this... this damned hag tops it all? Gods be good...
He now realizes he had stopped eating, and had just been sitting there with his mouth hanging open. More than a little embarrased, hoping no one noticed, he goes back to eating.
What would my master say? Probably something wise as hell that I wouldn't be able to understand at the moment, then it would click when the lesson was wrapping up. Damn him, vanishing like he did, leaving no goodbye or parting words of wisdom. Just this sword. Gods I wish he were here now. Oh well, irrelevant, this is Fate, and if Fate deems that we kill that b+&!~ of a hag, then we will. If Fate deems that we die trying, then I will die sword in hand. If Fate deems that we stay in this these forms for the rest of our lives, then so be it. But Gods dammit, I will do anything in my power to take the head off that b+!&#!
With renewed fire in his belly and eyes, he wolfs down the rest of his ration. He can barely contain himself at this point.
I can't wait till tomorrow!
"I'm gonna cast a spell that'll let me understand you, and I'll tell them what you tell me, but we only have a couple minutes, so I'll give you a tic to think about what you want to say. Nod when you're ready, alright?"
Edgar stands at this point and strides towards Zveris.
"Before you do that, I believe you owe us an explanation."Edgar can't quite keep the anger out of his voice, though he tries.
"Who is this... Miranda? Who is she to you, and why in the hells did you not tell us of her when we were heading into the swamp?"
The anger in his voice is now rising.
"I thought it was weird how you show up at the edge of the swamp out of the blue like that. Tell us why she did this!"
At this point, he slams both of his fists on the table between them , glaring into his teacher's eyes, fury burning in his own.
"Now that that's mentioned, I'd also like to know what everyone else was doing there, pardon me if you've already said, the trauma involved in dieing kinda plays merry hell on your memory" by contrast he seems much calmer, almost bored.
"Oh. Her. Sorry. I said I'd tell you all about her. I can't remember things."
He puts his hand over his face like he did when he was trying to remember what Ferrets ate.
"Margaret. Short answer: she's a b!+€#. I knew her when we were kids. We learned magic from the same master. She was always smarter and learned faster than me. But, she was learning really quickly and she was getting into things people shouldn't be able to do. She was transfixed with the idea of the soul, making zombies and stuff, and how to push a soul back into a body even if they didn't want to. She was making pacts with things. Powerful things. When master and I confronted her about it, she freaked out. She killed our master and ran off into the swamp. She told me that she only let me go because she was waiting. Biding her time. That she had something worse than death for me. I guess this is what she meant. I had thought she was dead. This was almost a decade ago. I never heard from her. I never heard anything about her even. The swamp was deadly before she got there and I figured it would be after I thought she was dead. I just wanted to keep you safe, Pup..."
He sighs, exhaling through his nostrils.
"Odds are, whatever was talking to her made her crazy enough to do this to anyone. Wouldn't be surprised if we weren't the first. And as far as squeaky goes, I don't think he's hers. She always wanted something with pointier teeth."
"Oh. Her. Sorry. I said I'd tell you all about her. I can't remember things."
He puts his hand over his face like he did when he was trying to remember what Ferrets ate.
"Margaret. Short answer: she's a b!+€#. I knew her when we were kids. We learned magic from the same master. She was always smarter and learned faster than me. But, she was learning really quickly and she was getting into things people shouldn't be able to do. She was transfixed with the idea of the soul, making zombies and stuff, and how to push a soul back into a body even if they didn't want to. She was making pacts with things. Powerful things. When master and I confronted her about it, she freaked out. She killed our master and ran off into the swamp. She told me that she only let me go because she was waiting. Biding her time. That she had something worse than death for me. I guess this is what she meant. I had thought she was dead. This was almost a decade ago. I never heard from her. I never heard anything about her even. The swamp was deadly before she got there and I figured it would be after I thought she was dead. I just wanted to keep you safe, Pup..."
He sighs, exhaling through his nostrils.
"Odds are, whatever was talking to her made her crazy enough to do this to anyone. Wouldn't be surprised if we weren't the first. And as far as squeaky goes, I don't think he's hers. She always wanted something with pointier teeth."
"Gods be good... those zombies... are they her creation? Is that what's going to happen to our bodies? All those poor people..."
"If the mood takes her, probably. Who knows. She's nuts."
He shrugs, not out of lack of caring, but more of lack of an ability to do anything about it.
"Besides, a body is just a body, it'll go back to the earth eventually, whether it spends time as a zombie or not. The important part of you is still here."
He says wisely, refering to the mind and/or soul as the important part.
"Maybe this is something special whoever is running things up there has in store for us. Maybe this is where we need to be."
"Also, walking back I realized that I can see in the dark now. Anybody else notice that? I mean, not me seeing in the dark, but can any of you see in the dark now?"
"It's dark out? Hmmm... I thought today was lasting unusually long. I had just attributed it to the fact that we're beasts now." Fray ponders to himself a moment.
"Any road, if I am to come up with a solution to our predicament here, I'll need a quiet, secluded place to research. A library or study would be preferred. I seem to have a few tools in my pack that I may be able to put to good use.."
Fray is sorting through papers at the table when Sarrissa hands him a plate of food. He stops shuffling for a moment and stares at the plate for a very long and very silent 5 seconds.
Dear Gods I am famished. All of my rations were with my horse. Should I accept this? They may be attempting to poison me... At this rate I'm likely to die of starvation anyway.
"Why... um. T-thank you? It smells. .. quite passable I suppose." Fray's face contorts, as if even getting that close to a compliment is physically paining him.
"Now that that's mentioned, I'd also like to know what everyone else was doing there, pardon me if you've already said, the trauma involved in dieing kinda plays merry hell on your memory" by contrast he seems much calmer, almost bored.
"Well, as you should know, I was there to collect a rare herb for my research on... " Fray pauses. "Well... nothing you'd be interested in, I'm sure. Though in a cruel twist of irony, I had earlier declined an offer for the plant from a merchant because I had believed the price he was asking was too steep. I figured that I could just hire a few 'competent' guards and be in and out in a flash. 2000 gold a stalk seems rather insignificant a price tag considering what I ended up paying for i-" Fray stops mid sentence, realizing that he never did actually collect the herb. A cool fury envelops him as he begins nibbling at the food Sarrissa had prepared for him.
"as I'm sure you know, was trained in magic by some of the finest minds in the country* and my father is the court wizard of the jarl** if you don't want to tell me because you feel it's none of my business, then say so, but don't insult my intelligance" in all your dealings with him, this is the first time he's spoken back to you... It's probably just stress
"Why... um. T-thank you? It smells. .. quite passable I suppose."
"You are most welcome master Fray."
"We all went to the swamps for our own various reasons and as such this is not the fault of Zveris, or anyone else for that matter but that cursed witch. We will accomplish nothing by blaming each other. Problems are not solved by finger pointing. We're all in this mess together. Zveris has done more for us than anyone else since we...awoke, leading us out of the swamp, sheltering us, and sharing his food with us. Thank you for your hospitality during these difficult times."
"I believe we each have a part to play in what comes next, although I have no idea what that may be. I do know that we must think clearly if we have any hope of fixing...this. We're gong to need food, new clothes and armor it would seem. Components for magic and alchemy, and probably access to knowledge. I can pray for knowledge, but we should also seek out books, maybe a library of some kind."
"Chris, your father is a court wizard? Maybe he knows of a cure, or of someone who might. You should write him, but be careful what you put to paper. We don't need him to come looking for you."
"And given our new appearances, we can't just stroll into most shops. We may have no safer alternative than to break in while people are sleeping and take what we need. We can always leave money so it's not really stealing and the more confrontations we avoid, the safer it is for everyone, townsfolk included."
Sarrissa will channel positive energy and use up any remaining spells before she goes to sleep to make sure everyone is fully healed.
the chinchilla looks to Zveris, and the other people. He nods softly to zevris.
"He might know something, or know someone that knows something, but transmutation isn't exactly his strong suit, that would be divination."
I get the feeling I could get back into town without being noticed. Sarrissa, I like your plan from earlier, but I'm still not entirely sure I'm comfortable stealing from people. Of course, we may not have a choice will we?Castell stops to wait for the chinchilla to speak.
"Uhm. Does this work? I guess so. I really just wanna say thanks for taking me out of the swamp. Not much else to be said or done. Don't worry about me, ok? I've got nobody to go back to, and I've got my locket back. I'll be fine, even if... Not the most useful person. If you can call me a person, anymore. Either way, thanks for the help. Sorry to be a burden."
"We all went to the swamps for our own various reasons and as such this is not the fault of Zveris, or anyone else for that matter but that cursed witch. We will accomplish nothing by blaming each other. Problems are not solved by finger pointing. We're all in this mess together. Zveris has done more for us than anyone else since we...awoke, leading us out of the swamp, sheltering us, and sharing his food with us. Thank you for your hospitality during these difficult times."
"You're right, I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry for my outburst, this whole situation has been stressful, and I'm sorry I let it get the better of me."
He looks towards Zveris, too ashamed to even look him in the eye."I'm sorry teacher, you can't have known she was still around after so long. I... I'm sorry."
Edgar goes back to his corner and sits down, leaning his back on the wall.
"Hey, pup. It's ok. Happens to the best of us."
He puts his paw on the other lizard man's shoulder before pulling him into a hug. An awkward, pants-less hug.
After releasing him he sits back down and magics, then translates for the Chinchilla.
He says what he says to the rest of the group before asking.
"You got a name?"
"My name is Barid... Sorry I didn't mention that earler.
"My name is Barid... Sorry I didn't mention that earler.
Good evening Barid, should we reintroduce ourselves?
"I've been listening to everyone for a while. I know your names."
"as I'm sure you know, was trained in magic by some of the finest minds in the country* and my father is the court wizard of the jarl** if you don't want to tell me because you feel it's none of my business, then say so, but don't insult my intelligance" in all your dealings with him, this is the first time he's spoken back to you... It's probably just stress
Fray scoffs. "The art of alchemy is a science, not magic." Fray retrieves a pen, some ink, and a folded piece of paper from his bag. He jots down some notes, struggling slightly with the new weight of his arm. After a few moments, he folds the paper back down and slides it over to Chris.
"My name is Barid... Sorry I didn't mention that earler.Good evening Barid, should we reintroduce ourselves?
"If we are to be spending much more time in each other's company, I believe a formal reintroduction is in order. Besides, I didn't catch any of your names from before, other than Eddard and Krinsh of course, and am still perplexed as to whom most of you are after the change in form. I shall go first. My name is Fray Ansel, only son of merchant lord Hector Ansel, and future heir to the Ansel trading company. I am a mathematical and alchemical genius who is unmatched in my field of study." Fray bows, a smug grin on his face.
Fair enough, I didn't happen to get your name earlier myself. Castell gets up from where he sat. I am Castell Danza, and I am a performer. He starts to gesticulate, waving his hands in the air for effect. Also, formerly a rising star locally, but I'll admit I'm at a loss for how to proceed from here in that regard. I spent my fair share of time at the Church of Sarenrae, and we had been making our rounds in the forest to "keep the tide of darkness at bay" as some would say.
Zveris translates for the rodent and introduces himself.
"Uh. I'm Zveris. Don't use my surname much, but it's Pilvo. Uh... you're in my house? And... I use nature magic. My raccoon's name is Stinson. We go hunting a lot. It's kind of my job, I guess. Never really thought of it as a job, but I guess you could say it's how I got by."
"I am Sarrissa Montague, wife of Merek Montague, daughter of Jorran, half-blood to Castell, cleric of Seranrae, and hunter of witches. We have spilt blood together, you have my shield, whenever it is needed."