On the 3rd of Neth, night begins to fall on the town of Kassen on the shores of the Tourondel River. The harvest season is working its way toward a close. The air is beginning to feel the chill of winter coming on and 5 young adventurers gather their belongings and prepare themselves for the next day. The ceremony of the lighting of the Everflame will begin the next day at noon. Those of their number (and their families) have been given rooms in the Seven Silvers by Mayor Uptal so that morning travel is not a concern. The common room of Seven Silvers is a natural gathering place and any of the adventurers that arrive there are provided drinks by the other patrons.
Those of their number who don’t live in town...
A rustling of branches is all that remains where a golden eye watched. The crows of the field scatter in response. Travelers along the road turn at the motion, unaware of the diminutive young hermit observing them from the boughs.
Rakkaw settles into ker perch, unease at the presence of the outsiders mixing with trepidation at the upcoming task. Ke munches on the nuts and grain that Golfond had left for ker in the watchtower while a large family scurries by, bursting with excitement and anticipation for the morrow's festivities.
As a student of the wood, Rakkaw had sensed the changes that took the forest each year around the time of the festival. The magically-attuned Tengu of the Fangwood used the strength and timing of the Crypt's Thaumatic fields like an almanac. Last year's festival had begun with a disturbingly powerful surge of dark energy, but had quickly gone silent.
The quiet had lasted the entire year. At first it was pleasant having free range to grow and tend the forest, with less interference from the usual antagonists from outside the forest. Rakkaw had begun to feel uneasy after the first planting of spring though. Ke had seen goblins shy away from the forest after investing quite some time in stalking an easy quarry. The more ke watched, the more Rakkaw felt that all but the bravest marauders, orcs, and brigands were avoiding the Fangwood altogether.
Rakkaw was not eager to meet the other pilgrims, but ke knew that there was no way to survive the journey without assessing the usefulness of ker companions. Ke shifts in the tree and begins the ceremonial breathing, hoping that a bit of meditation will allow time for the road to clear so Rakkaw could make ker way quietly to the Tavern to observe the townsfolk from the shadows before joining the party.
Due to the fact that she didn't actually have a residence in town but was merely squatting in an abandoned building, she didn't complain when the Mayor offered to put her up in the inn for the evening. Ivanova sat in the back corner, her soft purple eyes looking around the familiar main room of the Seven Silvers. Her eyes glazed over for just a moment as memories of pulling her drunken father out of the tavern consumed her. She shook her head, tossing aside the memories of the past. As one of the chosen ones, several people had purchased drinks for the young adventurers. Ivanova grabbed one of her free drinks, taking a large swig of beer. She wasn't too interested in meeting her other companions. She never was much of a team player. So, she kept to herself in that corner, observing the others, learning about their strengths and weaknesses through their interactions.
Galin walks out of Baggert's shop after finishing his first masterwork as a side project with a sigh of relief. I sure am glad I finished that before the adventure, This chain shirt will serve me well on my travels.
Galin walks down to the tavern eager to meet with the others embarking on the journey.
Jing keeps her hood up as she enters the tavern, attempting to enter unnoticed, and looks for any other pilgrims. She is dressed in a dark uniform with foreign markings, heavy boots, and a salt-stained cloak, already outfitted for a journey that will not take place until the next day. The clothes are older than she is, and ill-fitted for a teenager.
Before she can get her bearings in the Seven Silvers, her mother Xian and five younger siblings fall through the door and destroy any thoughts Jing might have had about keeping her presence under wraps. She picks herself up and pulls her hood further over her blushing face.
"Come along, honey," Xian says.
"It's Jing. I'm a woman now," Jing says.
"Of course, honey," her mother says as she finds an empty table in the middle of the tavern. "This looks perfect. We'll eat here, and then you can go enjoy yourself afterwards."
Jing tries to find the seat with the least amount of open space behind it as she helps her mother wrangle the younger children into their seats. During the meal she assumes that not only are they early, but none of the other future adventurers have even arrived yet. The meal is hot and delicious, however, and before long Jing finds herself enjoying this last dinner with her family.
One more meal, and I'll be able cooking a fresh rabbit I caught myself over a fire I made with my own two hands.
To Jing's delight, her youngest brother throws a tantrum when his potatoes touch his cheese, and before she knows it her family retires to their upstairs room. Jing immediately heads for the bar.
"Give me a drink. An adult drink. The hardest, hairiest thing you have," she says.
Jing watches the front door for any fellow pilgrims while she waits for her drink.
Trelvar Silvers (Owner of Seven Silvers) personally welcomes the special guests as they gather, his apron stained from preparations. He's morose demeanor brights some when the Hu Li family comes in and he only gets warmer as his common room fills up. His daughter Asina and the halfling Jimes take care of most of the orders but he handles the Hu Lis himself and encourages them to order their best (and most expensive) meals. When it comes time to pay, he only says, "It's been taken care of already." with a smile (the same is said to any of the adventurers or their families also staying at the Inn.
As the dinner meal gets fully underway, Jocyn, the bard housed at Seven Silvers comes down from his room bringing a tambourine, and lyre and a small hand held harp. The guests from town know that this will be a special night because he rarely brings so many instruments. He plays for most of the evening (except for a quick break to have a meal) but almost always has a mug beside him which he drinks from the whole evening.
As most customers have finished their meals, the door opens and in walks Mayor Uptal. He makes an impressive entrance with his royal blue velvet cloak and immaculate blue and silver vest and trousers. Trelvar welcomes him personally, and the mayor walks back behind the bar and they have a quite conversation during which his face turns a little pale and he mumbles something but he nods and tries to wave his hand nonchalantly to dismiss what ever Trelvar is showing him.
Uptal comes around the bar, up to where Jocyn is performing and says to the room at large in a warm bass voice, "Young adventurers...(he makes eye contact with those going on the quest)...I'm pleased you are all here, stay a little longer, we are expecting one more and I have something to tell you as a group." With this, he smiles and sits down at the bar to wait.
Galin chuckles at the Mayor and looks around for the other young adventurers. Galin excitedly finds a table that looks like it could seat 5. Seeing Jimes busy, he helps clear the table and gives Jimes a nod, and enthusiastically invites those present to come and sit.
To whom ever comes to sit, "Hey there and do those of you I have not met, my name is Galin Thid. I may be short but I've been working hard to prepare for this journey. This should be fun!"
Jing smiles to herself. Sorry, Mr. Uptal, but mom was never one to pass up a free meal for seven.
She finds herself too close to Jocyn to hear much of anything but her music and gladly moves to Galin's table when she recognizes the gnome as a fellow pilgrim. She takes whatever drink was given her with her, still untouched.
"Greetings, Galin. My name's Jing," she says. She stares at her drink for a minute, unsure of what else to talk about. It's just small talk, nothing fancy. He probably thinks you've never seen a gnome before. I should tell him my teacher's a gnome! No, wait, that's probably speciesist...
"So have you seen one of these journeys before? I have no idea what to expect," she says, full of anxiety about whether this stranger will turn into a fast friend or not.
When the mayor gives his announcement, she raises her glass to him and says, "Cheers."
She takes half a swallow and immediately spits it back out. Her mouth burns and she feels as if she needs to vomit. People drink this willingly? It tastes like ten-day-old skunk carcass.
Ivanova looks up as she hears Trelvar speak, her lavender eyes gleaming in the firelight. She had known him before it all changed. He was nice, but she had no room for someone who was nice. As she looks down at her drink she audibly growls to herself, "He wouldn't want anything to do with you if he knew what you've become"
She looks over to where she saw the fellow pilgrims gathering. She walks over to the bar, "Please tell me you have something stronger..." She takes a deep breath and looks away while her drink is being poured. They will never understand, so I just need to play along long enough to get back to Kassen to destroy my enemy. As she whips her head back around, her almost white locks came loose, dangling around her heart-shaped face, softening her harsh expression slightly. She sees the drink and in one movement slammed it down. "I'm ready."
As she approaches the table of pilgrims, she gives a curt nod and sits down near them. "I am Ivanova. I'm just ready to play my part and get out as fast as possible" She looks away before any of them could react to her blunt statement, watching the people in the room, her eyes constantly scanning for her real person of interest.
After Ivanova joins them, Jing says, "Pleasure, I think." I haven't thought much about what I'll do after all this is over. Maybe I should get out of here too... No, no, a woman like that would have little use for someone like me.
"Ivanova, what skills will be tested?" Jing asks the elf. "As for myself, I have some experience in these woods, having tracked and hunted game, gathered herbs, and identified edible fungus with some regularity since moving here. It's not much, but it's better than most. My true talent, however, lies in 'the judicious application of non-industrial, personnel-sized alchemical ordnance (once all other avenues of goal-attainment have been exhausted),' as my father used to say."
If they are confused, she clarifies. "It means I blow things up."
Pondering only briefly, "Ivanova! I can appreciate that intensity. I might leave one of these days, but I still have quite a bit to learn about my trade before I leave Baggert behind. Blowing things up; I'd be interested to see how that is accomplished, maybe you could show me sometime."
Galin's food arrives and he starts eating, "so how long have you been looking forward to the quest for the flame? Myself, it's looked fun for quite a while, but work had been so busy, and I couldn't be spared."
Galin eats a hearty meal for a gnome of his size after the hard day's work.
The bug song rouses Rakkaw, and ke moves along the city edge to a tree bough that stretches over the wall. Coming in along the west gate, ke scurries along alleyways and up to a perch near the Seven Silvers, hood drawn. Travelers are piling in along the main road, but Rakkaw notes the gnome clad in fresh forged armor merrily plodding along. Before the little fellow was even through the door, the noise of the Hu Li brood crested the far wall. As they approached, the first to crest the ridge was the girl who was to be ker companion. Jink, was it? Human tongues were not the same as Tengu, it was hard to translate names.
Rakkaw waited to see if any other persons of interest were en route, but decided to make kerself scarce when ke saw Uptal preparing to make his puffin-chested entrance. When the music paused and the Mayor raised his voice, Rakkaw assumed that the official parts of the evening were starting.
Hu Li Xian starts when Rakkaw enters, but ke stops and bows respectfully.
I hope they don't expect to see my family ke scoffs grimly.
Xian nods curtly toward the table where the other pilgrims are gathering. Rakkaw's eyes dart back and forth, scanning the whole room, and then back to hers in acknowledgment.
Rakkaw approaches the table to Jing clarifying her passion.
"uuuuUUUUUUUP?" cawked Rakkaw, trying ker best to look amused, amusing, or at least not insane.
After a beat of silence, ke removes ker cloak and announces "Rakkaw!", putting fist to heart and looking at the others expectantly. Though ke knew them all by sight from observing their interactions in the Wood, ke only knew Hu Li Jink's name.
Ke sits and picks at the meal choices in front of ker, but not before checking the table for poisons.
Stewed meats and rich cheeses were not for the Tengu palate. Some fresh fruits and a jerky were to Rakkaw's liking though, and ke ate for pleasure for the first time since the last harvest. Cagey as ke is, Rakkaw interjects when ke feels emphatically about the conversation, and generally tries to fight ker reflex to mistrust and isolate, at least to their faces.
Jing shakes her head. "I hope there's no need for incendiary devices during our sojourn tomorrow. But I'll be sure to inform you, should the need arise."
With measured calmness, Jing says, "And I've been anticipating this quest since I first heard of it. We moved here after the previous pilgrimage, so I have no firsthand knowledge of the event."
Oh gosh oh gosh I'm so excited I can't contain it but also nervous and I'm probably shaking and I hope they don't notice why can't I calm down this is going to be so much fun. She buries her face in the mug again to hide her emotions, the smell shocking her into calmness.
Hearing the tengu's caw, Jing gives him a double take when she turns her head. Oh yes, the Tengu. From Tian Xia like myself! I remember having a feast at their village years ago... But that's the only time we've seen the tengu. Why would mother not trust them more...?
"Ruh-caw, is it? Rakkaw? You know I almost took Tengu in primary school, back in Tian Xia. I regret not learning more about your language and culture, now. It's good to see you again, after all this time. Do you know much about Tian Xia? We're from Quain." Was this the same tengu that killed that boar? Either way, I shouldn't ask leading questions too much. If mother didn't trust his flock, I shouldn't either.
"Tian Xia not Orroq home, Orroq come far because there was no home." Rakkaw fears ke's spoken too harshly. "Elders have stories, hard to tell with common speak, but I know of old land. Paintings, artifacts, have."
Ke feels overwhelmed with the unfamiliarity of the whole situation. Rakkaw just had the longest conversation with a peer in ker whole life. That was the most ke'd ever spoken to any non-Tengu about a subject other than the price of a well-made hide. Despite all the trepidation and paranoia, Rakkaw enjoys the feeling of making a connection. "Not too late learn Tengu" Rakkaw says with tilt of the head a gleam in ker eye.
In that moment, ke catches the eye of Uptal and quickly looks away. The seriousness of the situation snaps back into Rakkaw's awareness, and ke remembers that they will all be in a dangerous place on the following evening. Ke hunches over and quietly practices getting the names of ker companions to sound right. "Gaw-lin, Ji-ingk, EeeeeeHHH-vaaawn.....
Ehhhh-vaaAAw-no-vaaaah." in smooth practiced Tengu "Kar ar kraw ouaa Eeeeel-Vees oor roqqawdakaw."
"I might like to see those paintings. My family left... in a bit of a hurry, and we weren't able to take as much with us as we'd have liked. Perhaps I'll take lessons on Tengu when we return."
I want to practice my Elven or Gnomish, but my tones will be awful. I'd probably embarrass myself in the presence of a native speaker anyway.
Jing tries out another one of her languages instead.
I may have to learn Tengu, seems to be some difficulty with common.
Upon Jing commenting in Sylvan,
In common, "What are your preferred languages?"
Jing brightens when spoken to in Sylvan. She releases string of words in Sylvan, before rattling off a few more in Gnome and Elven to Galin and Ivanova, respectively.
Shutupshutupshutup! Get a hold of yourself. Jing takes a deep breath and orders some hot water for tea to calm her nerves from Jimes.
Rakkaw's head cocks sideways at the sound of the wood-tongue. Ke catches the terms for Sylvan and Fey.
In extremely broken Sylvan, ke says:
"My focus: understanding the Wood, creatures, water, sky..." ke pauses nervously "all speak to me. Always have. Tengu good at tongues, hear good, but I only speak with limbs. Limbs with leaf or claw, all tell stories."
Another reason I never fit in with Tengu either. Never could speak the foreign tongues, only hear. Fluency comes so easily for them, and I was always a swalking embarrassment.
Rakkaw resumes cagily surveying the room and listening to the companions banter in languages ke could only infer the translation.
Ke is daunted by the intelligence of the two polyglots, and finds kerself having to remember that any one of them could be working with Vetnar and Uptal to set ker up for disaster.
This Elf seems dark and treacherous, almost more anxious than I feel... best keep an eye on her. Keeping an eye on... Where's the Mayor?
Galin bounces in his seat.
"How delightful Jing, if you are interested in language I also speak Dwarven and orc as well. Orc, funny story about that actually... but I digress. Fear not Rakkaw, I would be interested to hear some of those stories sometime. "
This is going to be so much fun!
Mayor Uptal sits at his seat in the bar nursing his drink. He seems anxious, shifting around in his seat, but those of you that have had dealings with him know that he probably just has other things to do and doesn't want to be sitting around waiting.
Jimes brings Galin a bill for his meal as he is a resident of Kassen. The jovial halfling says, "Sorry, but the Mayor said, 'Only visitors Jimes, and no unauthorized tips.' What a sourpuss. All you owe is 2 silver pieces."
Galin IS a visitor, he pays for his bed with sweat and hours. These men, they only care about money. Where was Vetnar? Where was his manpower in the crowded city?
Rakkaw eyes the barkeep balefully, then addresses the gnome.
"GawLIn, I only sing when with the Wood. Stories are like weather, change and flow. I can sing with forest on road tomorrow. For now, let us hear your stories."
Ke shows a beaky grin to them all in turn, landing finally on Jing.
"We have met, your first year here. Orroqu's greatest feast in lifetime. Ties home are sacred, even though are exiles. Hope you have solace with us. Honored then, now too. Your family been good to Orroqu, trade more, give respect."
Rakkaw bows to Hu Li Jing and touches ker the small willow branch on ker chest, muttering a druid blessing.
"You study earth too, Jing, understand small change make big change, yes?"
Jing nods at Rakkaw, trying her hardest to understand his speech patterns.
"Thank you for the kind words," she says, tilting her head to him. "But there is still so much I do not know. Though I have spent countless days tracking game or foraging for mushrooms, I am no expert woodsman like yourself. But no matter what the subject, I have found that studying only enlightens me to my own ignorance."
And were not for a small, chance encounter with that inquisitor, we might still be in our quiet village in the shadow of the Wall of Heaven in Tian Xia. My family might never have been convicted on false charges of tax evasion and exiled from the village our family had lived in for centuries. My father might still be alive, not murdered like a wild beast in the night. I might not have to live every day hiding who the Hu Lis really are.
Galin yields 2 silver for the meal, "well worth it. Thank you Jimes."
Turning toward the table again, "I would love to hear any tales you all have to tell. We actually had a friendly orc pass through my family's village maybe 20 years ago, his name was Urknal. He had forsaken the ways of his kin and shed violence for peace. He spoke common like most, but shared his orc with me when I inquired."
Galin continues to tell stories of Urknal, and how he became friends with the gnome settlement Galin came from.
"Urknal still passes through once in a while, with some trade goods from his travels last I heard."
Galin notices that while Jimes takes the 2 coins, he only puts one in his change purse while the other goes in his pocket. Jimes sees Galin eyeing his hands and gives a cheeky grin and runs off.
. Galaxy n is too distracted by story time to pay any notice Jimes
As the Night deepens, Mayor Uptal stands up from his perch at the bar and walks over to the adventurer's table. "Well, it appears our 5th member, Geth, may be delayed. I will go ahead and explain the quest to you and I'll talk to him later. The quest for the Everflame is a deeply held traditon of this town. It reminds us of where we came from and the hardships we faced when the town was formed, and provides hope to us as winter comes upon us. It is a solemn duty for those who bear the Flame back to us from Kassen's Tomb, bless his memory.
This is the duty of a hand picked group of townspeople, Ivanova's father even participated a couple times if memory serves. Ah, but this year, I have chosen you to bring back the Everflame to us. Many young people have gone on the quest before you. It is my hope that you will gain some understanding of our history and grow closer to each other. I am still very good friends with some of those I went on the quest with my first time.
You will have time to discuss this duty with your families and teachers in the morning if you would like. Be at the town square just before noon. Bring only your personal weapons and tools. Basic supplies will be provided you including a backpack, food and camping equipment and some climbing gear in case its needed. You will be provided a map as well as a lamp to bring back the Everflame to us. It should only take you 4-5 days to find the tomb, light a lamp with the Flame and return. remember, be at the town square just before noon tomorrow. there will be a short ceremony to see you off. Rest well tonight. Do you have nay other questions?"
A soon as it appears you have no questions Uptal will head off toward his house and leave you to talk amongst yourselves.
Four to five *days*? Why didn't they bury this guy any closer?
Jing asks Uptal, "What exactly is this crypt like once we get there? The trek through the woods shouldn't be too much trouble, with Rakkaw having hunted in these parts before. But is this a simple shrine in a cliff wall or will we recognize it on sight alone?"
After questions, Jing speaks to the party.
"I'll be in charge of the campfire; these Neth nights can get chilly. Who wants the climbing gear? The map should go to our tracker . As for the lamp, it should go to someone not liable to mistake it for yet another disposable oil container and throw it at a swarm of grasshoppers feasting on our crops in the middle of the night, lighting our sorghum fields on fire. Uh, not that I've ever done that or anything."
Jing stays as long as any other members are willing to, but as the night wears on she yawns and yawns, barely able to stay awake. After midnight she retires to her room, but not before listening at the door to make sure her entire family is asleep before quietly going in.
Mayor Uptal gives Jing a kindly smile. ”Ah, even though I have been explaining this to you, i fogey you have not seen it. It is a substantial structure that has been built into a hill. It has large wooden doors that are difficult to miss. When the ceremony is done, head out the southern gate and the map will lead you from there.”
I think we'll be safe from most threats along the way. We're too poor to catch the eyes of bandits and too numerous for a pack of wolves to find us appealing.
"Sounds good, I look forward to starting. I think I'll call it a night."
Galin bids the party farewell and heads out back to the smithy.
Rakkaw's eyes widen when Jing addresses ker as an "expert woodsman".
These Occidentals focus on their accomplishments and rest on their laurels, but in the East we know that focusing on the unknown is the true adventure.
Ke feels reassured by finding a familiar mindset among the group, but is immediately unsettled by the approaching Mayor.
Taking in the quest, Rakkaw can't help but remember the foreboding sense that the Wood had been putting off lately. Ke began mentally planning what course would help them avoid the most vulnerable passes through the forest.
Can take map, but written land is old, wrong. Should not need, but I can show you, if curious.
Lamp is important, should give to our little friend? For safety?
Ke looks for other opinions.
Truly, the outcome of this little 'ritual' are meaningless. But I must do my best to help foster a good relationship between my village and these killers who run this town.
Rakkaw washed down ker bitterness with a swig of the Seven Silvers' thick ale, and continued focusing on the evening's meditation.
What secrets do you have, Great Forest Spirit? How can I best navigate this journey, both to the group's destination and to my own survival?
As the night winds down, the patrons of the Seven Silvers wish the adventurers good luck on their quest. The air of celebration slowly dissipates as the fire dies down. Jocyn stumbles back up to his room in a stupor. His playing had gradually gotten more and more erratic and Trelvar had decided to cut off his supply of ale but had waited to late. Trelvar eventually come over to the group and says, ”Well, I wish you all good luck in the coming days. I know you’ll do us proud, but I’ve got to shut down for the night, I’ve got an early morning tomorrow.” Trelvar gives you one more refill on your drinks and then shuts down the bar, sending Jimes and his daughter away and cleans up the last of the tasks for the day.
The adventurers wake up to a brisk early winter morning. Galin hears Braggar already working in the shop. The others come down into the common room to find Trelvar already at work getting breakfast prepared. Jing gets woken up at an ungodly hour by her younger siblings. In their excitement to be staying at the inn, they wake up at the drop of a hat and immediately start bouncing off the walls.
No stranger to early mornings, Jing gets her younger siblings dressed and makes sure the room is clear of anything dangerous to accidentally swallow before heading to the relative quiet of the main hall. She orders something quick and small to eat, greets any fellow adventurers courteously (but without invitation to a longer conversation), and heads south of town for a final word with Trunt Zecks.
After a brisk walk out of Kassen, she bangs on the gnome alchemist's door whether or not there are signs of life inside or even if the sun has risen yet. Trunt has sent me on enough inconveniencing herb-gathering trips to warrant an early-morning wake-up call.
Jing plans on bombarding him with too many questions about every possible contingency about their week-long journey.
A bleary eyed Zecks opens the door, ”Darn it Jing, I told you to just come in when you get here this early...Oh, have I still not given you a key? It’s been how long and I still haven’t done that? Always so much to do. Come in and get yourself a drink. I’ve been working on a new formulae...”. It’s a while before you can get a word in edgewise. The little Gnome is excitable and goes off on tangents until you interrupt and bring him around to the desired topic. When Jing finally asks about the quest he responds with, ”Bah, don’t worry, everything will be ready, I gave Uptal what he asked for.” As soon as he says this, he moves on and it becomes impossible to get anything more out of him on the subject.
As the night winds down, Rakkaw returns to the hollow where ke's been sleeping. With such proximity, ke could feel the healing influence of the town's Druid, Olmira Treesong.
I should seek her out and ask for her guidance. Her sense of these townspeople will be valuable.
Before dawn, Rakkaw rises and tends to the minor imbalances in the area. The perimeter of the town was often disturbed by the people therein. Rakkaw performs rituals to bring back indigenous plants in the fields, to strengthen the vines climbing the watchtower, and to speed the grass growing in the paved roads.
Ke skirts around Kassen and perches outside Olmira's, searching for signs of life.
Galin ponders, what might I need for this joirnay, ahh I know.
Galin sits to eat some fruit and bread.
Afterward he starts heading out the door, and pauses in the doorway.
Braggar, any final words before I depart on the quest?
Farewell!
Zecks only holds things back by accident, poor, forgetful gnome. This is... intriguing...
Jing opens her formulae book and finds the pages for heightened awareness and expeditious retreat to prepare as her two extracts for the day.
"I wouldn't want to get caught unawares in unfamiliar wilderness," she says to Zecks. "And plan B is, as always: run away."
If Zecks is ever busy and/or forgets Jing is there, she tries to peruse his desk or wherever he would keep his notes/mail/important papers. She is looking for any more information about the Crypt in general, and any letters from the Mayor specifically.
Will any of these shed some light on what Zecks is hiding?
If such an area doesn't exist or Jing can't get away from him (seeing as they are the only two in the house) she will leave without any further questions, save the one new, burning question at the forefront of her mind. What are Zecks and the mayor up to?
She heads off north back to Kassen, the sun almost at its zenith, leaving her shadowless on the dirt track.
Rakkaw waits for quite a while before anything happens. As he is waiting, he sees a raven fly right over his shoulder and into her house. A few moments later, Olmira comes walking out of her house saying, ”... you, I’ve been waiting for him.” Olmira invites Rakkaw into her house and says without preamble, ”I know that you do not trust easily, so this will be hard to take, but trust your companions on this trip. I am not free to say much, but all is not as it seems with this quest, but not necessarily worse. Please do not ask me more, I cannot tell you, just believe me, no one means you harm in this.” Olmira answers no questions but even if pushed hard, remains kind and offers food to the cagey Tengu.
Braggar doesn’t offer Galin much. He says in a gruff voice, ”not much to say, keep your head and you’ll do fine.” but as Galin leaves the shop...
Galin notices the weapon as similar to the ones at Ivonova’s side.
Jing shakes her head and sighs when she sees her mentor's notes. Zecks is so disgusting sometimes. I feel sorry for his test subjects.
She pauses and thinks about the concoction Zecks is working on a bit more. That *would* come in handy though.
Galin walks though the town, and waves a cheery farewell toward the temple. Around 11:00 he is the way to the town center and sees...
As the crowd starts to gather, a very tall human male wades his way toward the adventurers. He has a rough look about him, and carries a longsword on his belt and a steel sheild on his back. He looks a little older than the others and you might look at him questioningly. He says in a soft voice, ”Hello there, Uptal asked me to accompany you on your little trip this year. I was old enough to go last time the youth were asked but I was newly married and was spared the task so he thought it appropriate I join you, seeing as you lack some muscle.”. During his short introduction, his face goes a mixture of wistful and morose. Jing and Galin recognize him as a pupil of Arnama Lastrid but doesn’t know much about him except his young wife and child were killed by orcs about a year after the last Quest was undertaken by youths. Geth looks around and said, ”I was led to believe there would be one more going with us.”
Mayor Uptal appears at that moment at Geth’s side and says, ”Ah, he’s here! Good good. Ivanova will not be joining you sadly. She’s had some personal matters come up...So, you’re all here, we shall get started shortly.” With this, the busy mayor heads off.
Jing kicks the dirt and shuffles around nervously. All this waiting... what is the mayor doing? Just send us on our way already, old man.
"Why is Uptal making us leave at noon? We should have left while the sun was still below the horizon," Jing says, shading her head from the sun's rays.
Rakkaw heeds Olmira's summons and enters her hut for the first time.
It's FANTASTIC! ke thinks as ke takes in the wealth of dried herbs, tinctures, and Hai Feng! A wall housing several biomes!
Rakkaw takes note of the items ke does not recognize, and the equipment and methods Treesong uses.
Rakkaw tries to hide ker piqued suspicion at the words "I am not free".
I will trust in these allies as much as I can, but my defense of the forest is paramount. My oath is my life. I do not fear for my own sake, only for that of my mission.
What can you tell me of this tradition and the fate of previous pilgrims? I do wish to promote diplomacy between Orroq and Kassen.
Though ke ate while waiting, Rakkaw feels obliged to accept Olmira's hospitality. Ke samples a few exotic fruits and grains, making small talk about the lands of their origin, ever probing for insight into her travels the knowledge she's gained.
As the sun climbs higher in the sky, Rakkaw takes his leave of the older druid, thanking her ceremoniously and toying with the idea of being able to fully trust a human.
Ke checks the daggers strapped to the underside of ker feathered arms, tightens the loop around the sickle at her side, and departs to join the ceremony.