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Katia stares morosely at the chattering refugees, particularly at Oona and Denithil in close discussion. She could be wrong, but they seem to be hitting it off. She hasn't hit it off with anyone, including herself, since the caravan arrived, with the singular exception of the young man on the first night. He's not here, she realizes, and feels a deep pang of guilt when she also realizes it doesn't bother her much. You know what they are, Katia. You know what lurks inside them. Remember that. Remember what he did. He wasn't unique among them. They all have the capacity to be that. Do not weep for them. Women are better company, anyway. At least they never try to marry you afterward.
She's repeated the mantra before, but it doesn't help this time. It doesn't make her shelter feel any less empty. She picks lamely at her plate of food, and sets it aside. Mac almost instantly appears to lick it clean, grasping the bone left behind and trotting off to go sit by Oona and Denithil while he chews happily.
Katia scowls after him. "Typical." With a sigh, she slides into her bedroll and closes her eyes. Despite her fatigue and irritability, sleep takes a long time to come, and when it does, she dreams of fire.
It has started drizzling again and Freyja is thankful for the "roof" over her head, such as it is. She enjoyed her hunt with Tiani more than she expected she would, and the young woman was a quick study. In fact, many of the refugees seem to have taken to their life in the wilderness. There are mistakes and slip-ups and minor injuries here and there, but all in all, she is impressed at how they have banded together.
During dinner, she surreptitiously eyes Katia. Of all the people in the camp, she seems to be the one struggling most with their plight. I should talk to her. She briefly considers it, even begins to shift her weight to her feet to stand, then relaxes back on her seat. I have no idea what to say.
Freyja sighs, throws a rib bone to Mac, then lays back on her bedroll. After about two minutes, she sits bolt upright as if suddenly struck with an idea. She stands up and walks out of camp, returning about half an hour later with a bundle wrapped up in her cloak. She retires to her shelter.
The drizzle let up sometime in the night, but the humidity absolutely did not. It is unseasonably sticky and hot, even for dawn. The sun has already burned off the dew before most of the refugees have brewed their morning coffee.
Oona considers the day ahead while chewing on her breakfast. Between bites, she says, "I think our situation, while somewhat stable, is untenable. We need a more permanent home, and we need a steady source of food or we will slowly starve. Not so slowly, once winter rolls in. I think Freyja, Katia, and I need to continue exploring. Maybe a couple of the refugees could come with us to help us hunt as we go. The siblings, perhaps."
Oona glares at Katia but ignores the dig. "I'll speak to Taidel and Lirosa about coming with us."
She heads out to make preparations for their leaving, also speaking to Corbin and Leila, a young couple, about finding more herd animals for them. Corbin was training to be a farmhand, but so far his skills have failed him. Oona gives him a reassuring pat on the back and tells him she has full faith that the two will come through.
After putting everyone on their tasks for the day, she gathers at the camp's edge to await the others.
Taidel and Lirosa seem pleased to be asked to come along exploring, particularly Lirosa, who seems near to bursting with excitement. They gather their bows and travel gear and meet you on the edge of camp. Taidel looks up at Oona. "Where to, boss?"
Oona nods to the siblings with a smile. "We head west, first. Come."
Freyja spots deer scat and tracks leading off deeper into the wood. She holds her finger to her lips and gestures to Lirosa to follow her.
Mac pads along after the others, sniffing the sibling's hands and pestering them for ear scratches at regular intervals.
The party heads west from camp and towards the edge of the forest. The terrain flattens a bit as you approach the river and the Nesmian Plains. After about two hours of exploring, you come across a clearing surrounding a massive, ancient oak tree.
Oona and Freyja hear high-pitched yips and thin, growling laughter coming from near the oak tree. You get a little closer and see a group of small, hideously ugly creatures harassing a wolf. One of the creatures holds a wolf pup by the scruff. The wolf (which you presume is the mother) is angrily pursuing the creature that has her pup, while the other creatures attack the mother. You can hear more frightened yips coming from what looks like a den dug beneath the tree.
Two of the creatures look up as you approach and sneer.
Oona (29/29 hp)
Mac (24/24 hp)
Freyja (31/31 hp)
Wolf (0 damage)
Creatures (0 damage)
Katia (25/25 hp)
Bold may act.
Oona smirks at the sneering little beasts. "Mites. They are weak to cold iron. How fortunate." She draws her cold iron scythe as she approaches the nearest mite. She points at the mite holding the pup and says "Sic him."
Mac rushes up to the mite holding the pup and lashes out at the little monster.
Freyja rushes forward, pulling out a cold iron arrow as she reaches a point where she can get a clear shot.
Mac lunges to bite #2 but hits his head on the butt of its dagger. He sees stars and his vision starts to fade, but he shakes his head and regains his wits.
Freyja's arrow takes #4 through the throat and it falls.
Now that you are a bit closer, you can see the mother wolf is already injured and bleeding. She makes a weak attempt at a bite at the mite that holds her pup, but the mite easily moves his arm out of the way.
Mite #2 continues to harry the pup. Mites #3, 5, and 6 all attack the mother with their daggers. Two of them strike true and the mother howls in pain.
Oona (29/29 hp)
Mac (24/24 hp)
Freyja (31/31 hp)
Wolf (3 damage)
Mite 1 (0 damage)
Mite 2 (0 damage)
Mite 3 (0 damage)
Mite 4 (11 damage, unconscious and dying)
Mite 5 (0 damage)
Mite 6 (0 damage)
Katia (25/25 hp)
Bold may act.
Mite #2 notices Katia staring at it. It locks eyes with her and seems to try to tear its gaze away, but it cannot. It holds its free hand to its heads and shrieks, leaving itself open to attacks.
Oona (29/29 hp)
Mac (24/24 hp)
Freyja (31/31 hp)
Wolf (3 damage)
Mite 1 (0 damage)
Mite 2 (0 damage, -2 AC [7 rounds])
Mite 3 (0 damage)
Mite 4 (11 damage, unconscious and dying)
Mite 5 (0 damage)
Mite 6 (0 damage)
Katia (25/25 hp)
Bold may act.
Mac takes advantage of the opening to savage the mite.
Oona strides up to the nearest mite and brings her cold iron scythe down on it.
Freyja swiftly moves again, nocking another arrow and firing around Mac at #1.
Three more mites fall in quick succession. The wolf continues to snarl and rage, seemingly oblivious to the help she is receiving from the party. She manages to get her teeth over #6's arm, but they aren't able to penetrate the fey's tough skin.
Seeing their compatriots fall so quickly, the remaining mites drop their daggers and raise their hands. In broken Common, #6 yells "Stop! We sorry! We leave!"
Oona (29/29 hp)
Mac (24/24 hp)
Freyja (31/31 hp)
Wolf (3 damage)
Mite 3 (0 damage)
Mite 6 (0 damage)
Katia (25/25 hp)
Bold may act.
Oona steps back, sheathing her scythe. "I will not attack you, creature," she says coolly, "but the mother wolf's actions are her own." She looks over to McAnally, who appears ready to help the female wolf rip the mite apart. "Mac! Come!" He looks a little crestfallen, but pads quickly to Oona's side.
Freyja nocks another cold iron arrow and points it at the mites.
The wolf lashes out at #6 again, but she is too injured and weak to do any damage. Still, #6 screeches as the wolf attacks. "Please! Help! We know treasure house!"
Oona (29/29 hp)
Mac (24/24 hp)
Freyja (31/31 hp)
Wolf (3 damage)
Mite 3 (0 damage)
Mite 6 (0 damage)
Katia (25/25 hp)
Bold may act.
The wolf lets out a whimper. It takes a weak step towards its pup on the ground and then collapses. The pup also falls over asleep and the yipping and whimpering coming from the den stops. The mite looks up at Katia dumbly.
Oona waits until the mites have moved well away from the battle site and toward this "treasure house." Once they are well away from the area, she pauses by the mother wolf, leaning down to touch her wounded flank as gently as possible without waking her, and sends healing energy into her wounds.
She then hustles to catch up to the others.
Mac doesn't understand what just happened to the den mother, but he senses her wounds have stopped bleeding, and understands innately that it had something to do with his companion. He pads alongside the oread and leans his head gratefully against her thigh.
The mite tilts its head at Oona, not understanding, then holds up its hands again at Katia's threat. "No! Treasure house far! Go towards sunrise! Half day walk!" It is backing away as it is saying this, its friend following. It points to a bag on the ground. "There some treasure! You take! We leave!"
They turn and run.
Oona shakes her head. "We've been taking time to explore. I'm certain if we walk due east from camp, we can make much better time than if we were actively looking for things. That will perhaps be a trip for tomorrow."
She checks the bag the mites left behind.
Once done, she checks to see if the others are ready, then heads northeast.
The mites' bag is surprisingly rich for how stupid and weak they are. Perhaps they found this stuff at the 'treasure house'?
- 50' spider silk rope
- Bag of caltrops
- Healer's kit
- Clothing dyes
- 3 bolts of cotton cloth
- 8 sewing needles
- Scissors
- 4 spools of thread
- A dagger radiating magic
- One boot radiating magic
- +1 dagger
- The boot is one of a pair of boots of striding and springing. But where is the other one?
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Katia goes over the dagger and boot radiating magic.
She points to the dagger. "This is a basic enchanted dagger. Good for overcoming the defenses of some creatures. Magical weapons are wasted in my hands." She glances at Freyja. "Perhaps you could use it? In case you find yourself in melee unable to use your bow."
She holds up the boot. "These idiots ran off with only one of the pair. If we can find the other boot, the wearer will move with greater speed and will be better at jumping. No offense, Oona, but you're a bit sluggish. I suspect they would be better off on your feet than either of ours. Of course, we have to find the other one first. Perhaps at this 'treasure house' they mentioned."
She looks at all the sewing supplies, then turns to Taidel and Lirosa. "Do you know anyone in the camp who is a seamster or seamstress? We'll be sure to get these supplies to them."
You don't find much here. The woods are thinner here nearer the edge of the forest. You run across a bed of edible mushrooms that Freyja gathers .
It is nearing dusk when you discover a gruesome scene: the brutalized body of a human woman. Oona and Freyja are able to determine that the wounds are consistent with hobgoblin weapons. It seems that the hobgoblin patrols have begun.
Though the face is barely recognizable under the bruises and wounds, Freyja and Oona recognize the woman as Gilida Dravonich, a trapper who lived part-time in Phaendar.
On the body, you find a handy haversack containing:
- Bear trap
- Climber's kit
- 4 days' worth of rations
- 2 waterskins
- Animal skins (worth 150gp)
Oona takes the magical pack. "I'm happy to be our 'pack mule,' such as it is." She begins stowing items in the haversack, then glances at Freyja. "I've noticed you have had some issues with your gear slowing you down. Is there something heavy I can carry in the pack for you?"
After finishing with gathering up the supplies, she checks over Gilida's body for any further information she can glean.
Freyja smiles at Oona. "Thank you. I realized this morning I didn't actually have to carry my bedroll around and now I'm lighter on my feet." She makes a derp face and laughs.
Her face turns considerably more grim as she examines the body. "This was done by hobs. They tortured her. They beat her and beat her but didn't let her die. They didn't take her stuff; they just wanted her to suffer, and they wanted us to know that she suffered." She stands and walks away, wiping tears of anger from her eyes. "I'm going to kill every last one of them."
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Katia's face blanches at Freyja's words. "We... we should bury her. It isn't right to just leave her out in the elements like this." She turns to Taidel and Lirosa. "Will you help?"
She has no tools, but finds a flat rock that fits in her hands and begins to dig. Halfway through her task she realizes she's crying. She doesn't sob, but the tears flow steadily down her cheeks, making it difficult to see. She absently swipes at the tears, smearing dirt on her face, but she keeps going.
Oona joins in, using her scythe to help soften the soil enough to dig it up. It's not exactly efficient, but she has no pick or spade to help, so she does what she can.
Once their task is done, she stands over the marked mound, searching for something meaningful to say about a woman she'd only met a handful of times.
"Gilida Dravonich," she says finally, her voice echoing across the small clearing they'd chosen as the burial site, "was a strong woman. Hard as the earth and clever as the fox. She did not deserve the end that was wrought to her, but her spirit may rest easy knowing that Fate has a far less kind end in store for her murderers. Go in peace to the Boneyard, Gilida. We shall see you on the Other Side."
She waits to see if anyone wants to add anything else, stepping aside to let them do so.
Once everyone has said their piece, she begins the somber trek back to camp.