"Get it Kazmukh! You do this!" Revna cried out from the sidelines doing her best to cheer him on.
Brennadara relaxes some from her stance and keeps an eye on the reactions of the other Voretti as the fight progresses, confident in Kazmukh's ability to weather any attack Dewert might make.
|
Dewert snarls and says "Roinnt curadh! Beidh mo phiocadh de na hairm agam, agus caithfidh mé mise ag mo chrios cosúil le bréagán linbh."
Intimidation *automatic fail, no shared language.*
He throws a fist at Kazmukh, claw carefully folded in to avoid any real damage.
Fist for
Growling in frustration, he attempts to shove Kazmukh back.
Shove
The dwarf stands solid as a mountain against this attempt.
"Some champion! I'll have my pick of the weapons, and I shall wear yours at my belt like a child's toy."
Bouyed by encouragement from the team, Kazmukh continues to swing on the opposing champion.
for
for
for
He shakes his fist after connecting with the creature's muzzle.
I'm more used to striking with a hammer.
Anri clenches her teeth and grabs her jaw after Kazmukh's left hook connects. That look like it hurt...
...She leans to Revna "Ég vona að hann drepi hann ekki..."
I hope he doesn't kill him
"We are New Stetven United,
We always stand our ground.
The claret and the blue,
These colors never run!"
|
|
Dewert enters his frenzy when Kazmukh strikes him.
He attacks back for non-lethal swinging wildly without focus on anything except pummeling Kazmukh.
He takes a breath and tries again for nearly connecting with the dwarf with more controlled attempt.
Seeing his blows miss, he backs off a step (5') to regain his focus.
"Ó hann er nú helvíti!"
Revna chuckled at Anri's words. "Ég hef trú á manninum. Stóð hjá hliðum okkar og hélt sínum hópi gegn verst."
"Go Kazmukh!" Revna cried out as she kept playing a bit with Filtiarn to keep him busy while all this was going on. She didn't want him to run off while they where watching the fight after all.
"Not getting away that easily."
Kazmukh steps up and continues to pepper the opposing champion with swings.
for
for
"Torches out!"
|
|
Dewert falls into the dirt and dust of the road.
Some of the other Voretti grumble, but the female who first spoke to you stands tall, saying "'Tá siad onóir an margadh, agus mar sin ní mór dúinn. 'Tá a fhios againn siúd de na Ríocht outnumber dúinn. Caithfimid ár gcinn a úsáid chomh maith lenár gcroí. Ní mór dúinn a bheith níos láidre ná iad siúd a chaill muid. Éilíonn sé seo tiomantas, onóir. Tógfaidh sé am, agus chuige sin, ní mór dúinn maireachtáil. Dewert ag teastáil chun é seo a fhoghlaim ar an mbealach crua. Ná déan dom é a mhúineadh do gach duine agaibh féin."
She steps forward offering an open and empty paw. She speaks "Done well. My friendz will not threatenz your peoplez for some time now."
"They have honored the bargain, and so must we. We know those of the Kingdom outnumber us. We must use our heads as well as our hearts. We must be stronger than those we've lost. This requires dedication, honor. It will take time, and for that, we must live. Dewert needed to learn this the hard way. Do not make me teach it to each of you myself."
Revna motioned for Kazmukh to shake the Voretti's open hand.
"You won, knew would." Revna said with a smile as she got up, picking up the bag and returning it to her back, allowing Filtiarn to walk around a bit as they moved.
Elinil is quick to announce the results and congratulate the Kazmukh - "He didn't lay a paw on you! Nice!', but he also makes sure to nudge Brennadara to help out the fallen Dewert "Brennadara, check up on Dewert and make sure he's OK, let's not wreck our fisticuffs of diplomacy by not taking care of the little things... "
Kazmukh extends a hand to shake her paw. "I hoped it wouldn't come to that, but I'm glad no one was killed."
Anri retrieves her own weapon. She looks on expectantly, waiting for them to surrender their weapons now, eager to collect on them, trading later for goods and services.
She feels Brennadara's gaze upon her back shoulder, fully expecting the overly-peaceful monk to use the seizure of weapons as a bargaining chip towards some greater diplomacy, robbing these Voretti of losing with simple and uncomplicated grace.
"Tugaim onóir do ghaisce agus d’eagna trí d’arm a éileamh, mar a aontaíodh"
I honor your bravery and wisdom by claiming your arms, as agreed
Assuming they hold up their end, she straps the weapon cache onto Hestur.
Anri cuts Elinil a look!
She ties the weapons to Hestur, then strides back over to humbleboast.
"And we are called , although we have our sixth and seventh in training" indicating Hestur and Filtiarn "My name is Anri Winnowill Darkspur, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance." She bows appropriately for an exchange of stations "Perhaps the next time our paths cross, it will be You that will be taking Our weapons!? Strange the little ironies the world weaves in her perverse humor!"
Anri can't help but laugh a little at her own joke.
Remembering her mission now, she looks around at her comrades "It'll be getting dark soon, and we have been traveling for hours. I'm confident, at your discretion naturally, as we intend to set up camp soon, that my comrades here would be interested in hosting you and yours for some fireside chat? Elinil here is an excellent musician and storyteller, and I'm sure Brennadara would love to discuss with you the shifting politics of the region?"
"I'm always willing to sing for my supper ... But I think we can get another couple of hours travel in and we have immediate business at Dawnsglen. So perhaps another night?"
Stopping to clap Kazmukh on the shoulder for his victory, Brennadara then watches Anri procure the Voretti's weapons without comment. Before she has a chance to offer to look at Dewert's wounds the rest of the Voretti trundle him off into the woods, but as she saw the fight she isn't particularly worried that she's letting anything too serious away untended.
At Seldra's words about wanting to avoid war Brennadara nods. "It is good to meet you Seldra, my name is Brennadara. Since you are fluent in the language of the kingdom I will use that, so that all here my understand what is said. I thank you for your leadership in that encounter.
"I agree that war between the Voretti and Yggsdreth would be good for neither side, yes. As I said before the contest of champions I would like to work with you to secure your territory from outside threats. If you are willing to send a delegate to Yggsdreth or host one in your lands I would offer to speak for your people's case. I'm not dimplomat, but will pledge to do what I can to help should you seek an alliance, trade pact, or non-aggression agreement with the Kingdom. Should you want me to do so, this would have to take place after our current mission, but that might give you some time to talk with your people to see what their interests are."
Brennadara nods at the information. "That makes sense, thank you for working with us. Should you need to reach us before we return you can leave a message at the Dawnsglen Lodge which is down this road in the direction we've been heading. We'll make sure that Dugrir, the proprietor knows about you. When we are done with our mission is there a way to contact you without intruding on Clan Redhearts?"
Kazmukh makes a little show of brushing off his knuckles after the would-be bandits leave. "Well, now that's over with, let's get a move on. We're burning daylight."
He hefts his hammer over his shoulder and gives a little whistle as he starts walking.
Revna followed after Kazmukh with Filtiarn at her feet. "Why say, uha... 'burning daylight'?" She asked Kazmukh with a raised brow.
"Another bit of banditry suppressed for Yggsdreth. Onwards to Dawnsglen Lodge." Elinil rides shank's mare ...
Kazmukh chats with Revna as they walk along. "In Dwarvish, we would say, A ’ruith a’ cheàrnaidh, or 'running the forge' in Common. It means we are wasting time that could be put to good use."
"Ah, elta tvær kanínur." Revna said with a nod. "Chasing two rabbits. No show for day bu failed time." She explained as best she could.
Anri follows the group, keeping her eye out for additional bandits , while mostly keeping to herself, walking next to Hestur, guarding the company's stowed goods.
|
|
And so it is that the Deputies of Yggsdreth continue their march north and westward towards their destination, the sounds and sights of the tangled Narlmarches greeting them wherever they go.
The next few days prove to be quieter and less eventful, as mile after mile of trudging puts distance between them and settled lands. There are signs, of course, of the civilization being built by Yggsdreth's efforts, but each day's journey lessens those signs, road taken over by widened old trails not quite suitable to be called roadwork, markers becoming less frequent and more aged, and the tangle of the underbrush encroaching ever closer to both of these.
By the third day, what little milk Filtiarn has left has spoiled beyond his interest in consuming it, and his fussiness becomes a bit of a logistical problem overnight.
Mod-morning the next day brings a sight which may spell some relief, however, as a small settlement, not even quite the size of a hamlet, comes into view from the top of a hillock. Less than a half hours travel will bring you to this place, too young to be marked on any map.
This place is called Sweftin, and named after Janko Sweft, a knighted man who helped defeat the Staglord.
Janko married Yanna, the sister of Svetlanna, wife to Oleg of Olegtown. They have three children, all very young, and have founded Sweftin with a half dozen other families about a year ago.
Elinil puts on his best tour guide: "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to scenic Sweftin, founded be Janko Sweft, now a knight of Yggsdreth, who helped defeat the Staglord as part of the founding."
Continuing, "I think we need to make a quick stop to replinish Filtiarn's milk supply. Also, although I know nothing of raising such a beast, after the supply we gain here is done, should he be weaned onto solid food, it will makes our logistics easier. I don't know if there is enough of a market here to get a decent price for the Voretti's weapons, but I would rather have gold than carry a bunch of battleaxes we have no intention of using."
"Perhaps we should spend some time here, and see what the locals have to say."
It wouldn't hurt to rest my feet either.
"If can, Filtiarn pup still." Revna said as she looked to her pup, a smile hung on her lips as she pet him.
"If stay, can try wean. Milk now, small meat half milk, then meat only." She suggest. "No sure if work..."
The group having clearly reached a decision to visit Sweftin, Elinil takes charge, "Revna, find what you need for the pup. I will see if someone will give us a decent price for the weapons we collected? Kazmukh, find the local tavern - there'll only be one in a place this size - and get us a table for lunch. Anybody else got any business, take care of it. We meet back together with Kazmukh in an hour..."
Elinil leads Hestur off, looking for a merchant, or perhaps the local authorities (who might buy the weapons). Regardless of what deal he does or does not find, he will fish for information about local conditions, Akiros Ismort, and the Kingdom of Chosen...
As Anri arrives in the little village, she follows Kazmukh to look for accommodations, and tries to analyze what sort of commerce or agriculture this settlement is supported by, what the inhabitants might do for fun, as well as what sort of superstitions they may hold.
Revna nodded to Elinil and headed off to find the local gathering place, ie tavern. Carrying Faltiarn with her instead of letting him walk, mostly because she didn't want to risk him wondering off as she looked around. There she got the pup a hearty meal of milk and let him feast. She also offered him cuts of fresh meat in hopes he'd show more favor for it than the milk.
|
|
Elinil is quickly pointed towards Farbyrne, the local tanner/smith/gravedigger. Farbyrne is a muscle-corded man whose girth belies his speed. Farbyrne looks over the axes, noting several minor errors the Voretti crafters made in their construction. "It won't take much to make these better, and they're already serviceable." he admits, an honest man if nothing else. After a bit of haggling, Elinil gets a fair price of 5 silver pieces each axe.
Anri looks about a bit and chats with some of the locals, as well as observing the play of local children. It seems the village works on a combination of self-sufficiency (with people taking on multiple roles within the village's needs), commerce with local hunters and trappers (both purchasing game and crafting and selling goods needed by these folk), a particularly productive fishing spot on the Skunk River, and simplicity of lifestyle.
The children seem healthy and happy, and their games have a bit of complexity to them, requiring a variety of skills to be competitive- perception, speed, hand-eye coordination, rapid processing of information, and tactical thinking. They seem mostly outgoing, with little fear of strangers. That every adult nearby seems to keep an eye on the goings-on seems to factor into this. While watchful, the adults also seem friendly.
The only overtly religious or superstitious mark about is the largest building in the town, which is marked with Erastil's symbol. Called simply "The Hearth", this building serves not only as a temple to the god of community, but also as an Inn, trading post, and tavern/gathering hall. Aside from this, Anri notes that several citizens make a sign with their hands when entering. The left hand forms a bow shape with the thumb and index finger and the right index finger is drawn back over the center of the left like an arrow. This is an Erastilan hunter's blessing/prayer.
Revna is directed to either wait for one of the children to fetch milk or to follow said child to the outer edge of town and down a short road to the only farm nearby with milking animals (goats), as The Hearth doesn't make a general practice of stocking milk. Faltiarn is pretty fussy, but once he gets small enough chunks of meat, he eats those with an awkward mix of trying to chew and swallowing mostly whole.
A Occult
R Nature
You would say he is in the early socialization period, perhaps 26 to 30 days old.
RE: Rations. You should mark off rations unless your exploration activity was substisting, unless someone with forager skill feat was subsisting and feeding as many as they could, in which case half rations seems reasonable.
Anri wonders if Elinil - who had taken off with Hestur - will also endeavor to sell the barely-worked worgskin strapped to the horse, casually wondering if Saolmar had ever terrorized this community. Probably not judging by the casualness of how they allow their young to wander so. The games they play remind her of the elaborate play she used to engage in with her brother, in which the role of "hunter" and "prey" was a matter of voicing qualifications as a result of performing certain and varied tasks, shifting throughout phases of play, and typically terminating around dusk with whoever was in the "hunter" role having to "survive" a series of "environmental hazards" dictated by the second player, who ceased being "prey" and became the "weather"...
She continues walking with Kazmukh - and anyone else who may be following too - towards the Hearth, and, forming a bow and arrow shape with her left and right hands, honors the god of community before walking into his church to see about re-provisioning.
Elinil sells 5 of the battleaxes for 25 sp (. He keeps Seldra's axe in case we need to contact her again.
He then heads to the Hearth, and joins the table. There he splits the 25 sp ( 5 sp apiece ) among the group. "Ok everyone, he's your cut. Now lets get ourselves a good meal, and maybe an ale. Then we need to decide if we press on for Dawnsglen, or do we rest out feet for the night. "
"Aye" Anri gladly cheers with Elinil, pocketing the silvers gladly. She secretly hopes he will play more of his music, but would never in 1,000 years deign to ask outright!
Revna willingly follows the child to get the milk, as she wouldn't need a lot. Just enough to get through today and a bit tomorrow to wean Filtiarn off and onto solid food. Soon enough she'll have to take him hunting with her so that he would learn to take care of himself when she was gone.
She handed over the price for the milk and get Filtiarn, then even let him play with the children if he wanted. She needed to get him use to people after all. However she kept a hawk's eye upon him, making sure he didn't start playing too rough.
|
|
Revna finds the farmfolk a bit more wary then the in-towners, but they seem used to the child- named Reygle -- coming up for this or that bit the Hearth has run out of or the odd request here or there. The family, named Hurtoldes, speak briefly to Reygle about his parents and business, while they send one of their own children- a girl of maybe thirteen named Calledie - to milk the goat.
Sprad Hurtolde doesn't speak much, leaving his wife Gynnie to hold conversation with you and Reygle while the goat is milked. He seems occupied with mending a fence. Gynnie seems to be actively avoiding conversation of any personal business of yours, such as why you're in town or where you're headed, and focuses instead on talking about her animals, accommodations at the Hearth, or other small talk.
The Hearth is warm and inviting, with several wide tables meant for communal dinners, wide benches that pull triple service as pews, dinner seating, and makeshift beds come nightfall. The fireplace the building is named after is wide and well-built, and both a pot and spit have the makings for a delicious meal being prepared over its flames.
The Voretti are wearing hide armor and have battleaxes and several javelins apiece.
|
|
The dinner served is delicious and hearty, salted fish or pork that seems like it will keep for a few days if there are any leftovers to sell of turn into stew, fresh root vegetables, a tasty sweet bread, porridge, a variety of aged and soft cheeses, and a cinnamon-crusted sugared rhubarb pie for desert. It is served with a berry punch, ale, or mead.
The Hearth becomes packed during dinner, although there is room for plenty of people, it seems over half the population of the hamlet have shown up for the evening meal. The folk are friendly, talking freely about the events of the day, inquiring as to your health and travels while not asking anything about your business or where you're headed.
Revna speaks greatly on animals. Her knowledge of them seems to be great, though more towards those of the wild then farm animals but her knowledge is still there. Though her grasp on speaking the common tongue isn't great and she slips into Skald a few times. Apologizing if they didn't understand her, and trying to explain better. She also introduced Filtiarn as effectively her son. That she had taken him in and wanted him to get use to being around others.
She also offers advice on how to keep some wild predators from getting into their livestock. What they hate, and what they can get through easily.