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Abdara shifts uncomfortably at Janira’s classy response.
“Maybe I'm just easily impressed.”
“That, I very much doubt.”
Displeased with her own behavior, the bard attempts to quickly change the subject. “Felix, you mentioned game before? Is there good hunting on your commons? What kind of prey abounds?”
“In Southern Brevoy and across the border in the aptly named ‘Stolen Lands’ I have heard stories of a giant, hopping mammal called a ‘kangaroo’ that is supposed to taste like venison.”
“Have you ever come across such a beast?”
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"Is there good hunting on your commons?"
He looks at her for a moment, processing the question... then laughs and shakes his head.
"Ah, no, I think you might have me mistaken! I grew up on a battlefield, not an estate... my 'commons' were wherever the fighting was lightest and the game hadn't been frightened off by the screams and the smell of bloodshed. I do prefer venison when I can get my hands on it, though..."
“Have you ever come across such a beast?”
He shakes his head, a little ruefully.
"Father's company never went farther north than the southern River Kingdoms... we did some fighting there and in northern Galt, but that's as far outside of Taldor that I've been before joining the Society and coming to Absalom. I've not heard of this beast before, but I must admit you've piqued my interest in seeing - and tasting! - one someday!"
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"...share the recipe?"
"Gladly will I share. The transmission of knowledge is a sacred duty." Gnoda bows, his hands together, a fist touching an open palm.
"I have heard stories of a giant, hopping mammal called a ‘kangaroo’"
"The so-called 'kangaroo' is a fantastical creature, known by scholars to be the result of a mad wizard's experimentation. Highly dangerous pugilists, they are."
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“Are you saying kangaroos are inventions, Gnoda? Like alchemical golems or rust monsters?”
Abdara’s eyes narrow. “Our head gamekeeper swore they were natural beasts, and he was backed up by my brother Remilliard -- a paladin of Ragathiel.”
“And everyone knows paladins don’t lie. Though perhaps Heaven’s General makes exceptions for brothers who tease their little sisters?”
She shakes her head, preferring to believe the hopping herbivores are out there somewhere. Just waiting to be speared, cooked and eaten.
“Honestly Master Gnoda, next you’ll be telling me the world is round like a ball.”
“I do prefer venison when I can get my hands on it, though...”
“Mmm … venison’s not bad if the animal was young. Though it can get tiresome if eaten too frequently.”
Abdara recalls the more exotic fare she has consumed. “One variety that quite surprised me was crocodile! Papa imported a farmed reptile from Katapesh for the 50th anniversary of the Royal Navy’s blockade of Sothis.”
“It was slaughtered in secret and broiled like thick-cut pork. Papa told us it was river-turkey to ensure we tried it.”
She smiles. “It was surprisingly tasty! Like a cross between tuna and pork. Seriously, do try it if given the opportunity.”
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"Of course kangaroos are the invention of a mad wizard! What kind of animal would have giant rabbit legs, an integrated pouch for holding tools and weapons, large fists for punching, and a long face like a horse? And on top of that it stands upright and is the size of a human! The kangaroo has more in common with the manticore or chimera than it does with the cat or the cow, mmmmm."
Gnoda conjures an image of the fearsome and fantastical kangaroo to illustrate his exposition.
"As for killing: yes. Killed I have." Gnoda bows his head sadly. "Not with pleasure, but out of necessity. More common it is that I strengthen the ties between the living and the cosmic energy that penetrates and binds all things together. Guard yourself against hatred and anger, Solomon. These feelings are the path to darkness. Mmmmm."
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"Are we supposed to kill our foes?"
He lets out a little sigh at that, one of resignation.
"It's not something we should enjoy or anything... But sometimes it's necessary. Not everyone will change their mind after a good drubbing, unfortunately."
"Have you.. ever... ended a life?"
"I was raised in a mercenary company led by Father; I'm not proud of it, but I have indeed taken lives. I take comfort in knowing that they would have taken mine if I hadn't, but that comfort is a bit cold. It's something you have to do sometimes to stay alive."
He looks back to the fire, replaying some old battles in his mind: the close calls, the near misses, the blood on his hands and his spear.
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“I killed a man at close quarters that was threatening my party.”
Abdara speaks with a neutral tone. “The dead soil themselves, and the smell was horrific.”
“Two of my brothers are paladins. They told me if you spare an undoubtedly evil foe, who then kills one of your own, YOU are the one responsible.”
The sides of her mouth droop. “Looking into their eyes I could see how that haunted them.”
“I was raised in a mercenary company led by Father.”
“Just Joey! You’ve been a soldier for a long time, Felix. I assume the move to the Society’s ranks was out of necessity?”
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As the fire merrily crackles on, Pelagos rocks contentedly side to side, lost in the quiet of his own mind. Memories of his first kill briefly play through his mind. The fear of noticing his assailant, the desperation of their struggle, the release as it all came to a bloody, heaving end. Shame, fear, and paranoia follow, but all are quickly burned away by the campfire's enduring flame.
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“Just Joey! You’ve been a soldier for a long time, Felix. I assume the move to the Society’s ranks was out of necessity?”
He shrugs, then nods slightly.
"You could say that. I didn't get run off or anything, but that life wasn't really giving me a sense of... satisfaction, I guess? Father could sense it too and he gave his blessing for me to part ways with the company and seek my fortune elsewhere. I'd of course heard of the Society before and figured it was a good enough place to start my journey.
He grins, still gazing into the fire.
"Who knows? It might be where I finish it, too, someday. But that's not for here or now. This trip's only the beginning: for all of us, not just myself!"
"Have you.. ever... ended a life?"
"Well...I won't lie, I liked it better when we were talking about mystical kangaroos but the conversations can't all be pleasant, can they?" Janira sighs. "I've seen a share of bloodshed too. If you ask me, violence should always be a last resort, but...I'm not that naive. Sometimes you'll do your best to avoid a fight and your foes won't have it, for whatever reason. It might be due to zealotry or out of fear of someone or something else or even just due to plain old cruelty and malice."
Janira's gaze drops to the flickering flames.
"Then you have to do what you have to do to protect yourself and others. That's all there is to it."
"Who knows? It might be where I finish it, too, someday. But that's not for here or now. This trip's only the beginning: for all of us, not just myself!"
"That's right," the halfling agrees as she gives her head a small shake, as though to clear away unpleasant thoughts or memories. "There's room to be realistic and optimistic at the same time, right? Remember that things might not always turn out how we'd like but keep optimistic that they will!"
As the stew is consumed and the conversation begins to wind down Janira stretches and yawns. "Alrighty, it's about time to bed down, I think. We made good progress today but we've got another full day of walking and hiking tomorrow if we want to make the caves by nightfall. Time to figure out a watch rotation and then get some shut-eye!"
After working out a watch order everyone settles in for the night, which is blessedly and thankfully uneventful. Janira, who'd opted to take last watch, wakes the rest of you just before the first rays of light begin to peek over the horizon.
"There's not much better than camping out under the stars, is there?" Janira chatters as everyone finishes breakfast and begins packing up their gear for another day of travel. "I imagine tonight we'll be camping in the caves or just outside of them so we probably won't see many stars...but that's okay! There's always the trip back to Absalom, after all."
Once everyone is packed up and ready to go, Janira leads you further off of the road and into the nearby forest that surrounds the Kortos Mountains. "Sorry, I know this isn't the best kind of terrain to be walking in," she offers apologetically as you stamp through the undergrowth. "To be honest, it's part of the reason why I hadn't planned on using horses for the trip. Well that and the fact that we're passing through centaur territory and if we ran into any they'd see horses as an affront...and things would probably go downhill from there."
You continue to trek deeper and deeper into the forest as the sun rises higher and higher. The trees towering overhead begin to shield what remains of the day's sun and the vegetation grows denser. Janira finally calls for a brief pause and pulls out what looks to be a small, intricate silver compass. After consulting it a moment she smiles and holds it up for the rest of you to see: emblazoned on the outside is the Pathfinder Society logo - the Glyph of the Open Road.
"This is a wayfinder. I received it when I completed my own Confirmation and the inside carries my initials. If we're successful on this trip, then each of you will get your own as well." The halfling closes the lid with a snap. "At any rate, we're still on the right track. We just need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead."
But before you're able to continue your march, a rustling can be heard very close by...and then two large wolves emerge from the bushes. They look at the group and hungrily lick their chops.
Yep, these are wolves.
"Oh dear...I was hoping we'd be able to get to the caves without any trouble," Janira sighs as she glances from one wolf to the other and draws out a whip. "But don't worry, Pathfinders! I believe in you! You won't let a couple of wolves slow you down, will you?"
Though her words of encouragement may seem a little cheesy to some of you there's something strangely inspiring about the way in which Janira says them, filling you with courage!
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Janira
Abdara
Felix
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Wolf Red
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Gnoda
Solomon
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Wolf Blue
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Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1/+1
Environmental Conditions:
Abdara and Felix are UP!
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“Wolves. Doesn't seem like anything special about them. Excuse me please, Janira, Pelagos …”
Taking a moment to assess the tactical situation, Abdara draws her club and advances fifteen feet to defend the flat-footed members of the party from the red-eyed wolf.
She takes up a position behind a fallen tree stump, and readies an action to throw her club at a foe that comes within 10’ of her.
That should break up any charge lane.
Abdara takes a good look and confirms that yes, these two shaggy canines are wolves. Not dire wolves or undead wolves or any other kind of wolves, just regular-type wolves. She then draws out her club and moves to hopefully defend the squishier members of the group from Red Wolf, readying to throw the weapon if need be.
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Janira
Abdara
Felix
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Wolf Red
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Gnoda
Solomon
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Wolf Blue
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Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1/+1
Environmental Conditions:
Felix is UP!
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Grinning a little, he moves toward the other wolf, a little way down the path. He draws his spear as he goes, taking it into both hands with a few intricate spins before assuming a fighting stance.
"Solomon, would you care to assist Abdara with engaging the other wolf? I'll keep this one away from the group."
He can feel his blood coming up, even against so simple a foe. Despite not feeling good about taking life, he does love the thrill of a good fight.
Content to let Abdara and Solomon handle the Red Wolf Felix moves slightly to the west, drawing his spear as he does and entering into a fighting stance. He seems ready to tackle the Blue Wolf should it approach.
As Abdara expected - and hoped - that it would, the Red Wolf seems to set its sights on her and begins loping across the forest canopy, moving with frightening speed. When it closes to within 10 feet she brings her arm back and flings the club at the creature, but her aim is off and the club goes sailing away into some nearby bushes. Unperturbed, the wolf continues to close, now close enough that Abdara can smell the stench of its breath...
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Janira
Abdara
Felix
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Wolf Red
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Gnoda
Solomon
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Wolf Blue
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Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1/+1
Environmental Conditions:
Gnoda and Solomon are UP!
After making a rather witty quip Solomon does his best twinkle-toes attempt to get around the Red Wolf without incident...
...and actually manages to do it! Red snaps at him as he shimmies past but the wolf's teeth catch nothing but air. With the wolf now flanked between himself and Abdara Solomon gives it a powerful punch in the ribs, winding it!
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Janira
Abdara
Felix
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Wolf Red
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Gnoda
Solomon
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Wolf Blue
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Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1/+1
Environmental Conditions:
Gnoda is UP!
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"Mmmmm. You are brave" says Gnoda to Lucius as he shuffles over to stand behind the young human. "May the cosmic life energy flow through you and protect you."
The old gnome places a gentle hand on Lucius' leg, and nods serenely. With a glance towards the first wolf already engaged, Gnoda focuses his will upon the animal.
Impressed by Felix's bravery Gnoda moves in close and infuses the warrior with a bit of lifestream positive energy from the universe itself. At the same time he throws a rather stern, pointed look over at the Red Wolf, who seems to sense that something is amiss as its hackles go up.
It's at this point that the second wolf finally gets in on the action, moving in towards Felix with sharp teeth bared and ready to strike...
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Janira
Abdara
Felix
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Wolf Red
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Gnoda
Solomon
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Wolf Blue
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Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1/+1
Environmental Conditions:
Pelagos is UP at the bottom of Round 1 and Janira, Abdara, Felix are UP at the top of Round 2!
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He laughs, nodding at the bard's words as he sets his spear into motion. He lets it whirl in his hands for a moment before striking out at the wolf in front of him, both ends coming to bear in a blur of motion.
"Very well, I'll see you then! We'll call this our warm-up for the day, eh?"
He calls out good-naturedly, his mind deciding that now this was a bit of a sporting contest to see if he'd need that backup or if he and Pelagos would be the ones coming to the aid of the others!
Promising Felix that they'll be there to help in a minute Abdara attempts to shank the Red Wolf in front of her...but only seems to give the creature a small flesh wound. Even so, the wound inexplicably opens just a little further as Gnoda's strange hoodoo takes hold!
Meanwhile, Pelagos shuffles back a pace or so as he draws out a crossbow and fires it at Red - and hits, even with his comrades making the shot a challenge! All the damage combined with the winding blow that Solomon delivered earlier is too much for the Red Wolf and the creature collapses to the ground with a whine - unconscious but still alive.
Just a few feet away Felix continues to hold his own, twirling his spear around before striking at the Blue Wolf with both the point and then the haft. He manages to sink the tip of the spear into Blue's flank, eliciting a howl of pain in response, but the creature is quick to dodge the second strike.
"Oh, nice form!" Janira calls out, her words still a force of encouragement and inspiration. "And the rest of you, way to focus-fire!"
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Janira
Abdara
Felix
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Wolf Red
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Gnoda
Solomon
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Wolf Blue
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Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1/+1
Environmental Conditions:
Gnoda and Solomon are UP!
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Gnoda shifts his gaze, and concentration, to the remaining hostile lupine. The odd gnome uncoils a whip from his belt and lashes it towards the beast.
"Down, creature of the wild! Something less dangerous, you should hunt."
As Gnoda shifts his attention to the remaining wolf Solomon strides over and delivers another powerful, winding blow to the wolf that instantly drops it to the ground! Much like the first wolf, it appears to still be alive, but unconscious.
Combat Over!
"My...I think that's the first time I've seen someone punch a wolf into unconsciousness, much less two wolves," Janira remarks as she lowers her whip. "But it sure did solve the problem just the same!"
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“Well, that was most satisfactory. Nobody is hurt, correct?”
Abdara re-gathers her club, and prestidigitates the blood off her stiletto before replacing it in her boot. “Well done, Pelagos. One shot. One kill. You’ve sent yourself a high standard now, what?”
She kneels beside Solomon to check the casualties. “No expert, but I’d say they'll recover. I’ve seen hounds take tremendous tumbles into ravines and even off cliffs, and then get up to resume the chase.”
"While I’m here I may as well –– Pathfinder the bodies –– I believe is the colloquial expression. I suppose there’s always the chance of them being dismissed animal companions."
And after taking a few sips of water, there’s an announcement. “I am ready to depart.”
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Replacing his spear in its sling after cleaning off the bit of wolf's blood on it, he claps Solomon on the shoulder with a smile.
"Well-struck, man! I don't believe I've seen a punch thrown like that before, let alone in a fight with a wild animal!"
He stands back from Abdara inspecting the creatures, not saying anything about leaving them alive: he'd just as soon have dispatched them to leave one less threat for anyone else who happened along in the woods... but certainly there was also merit to the brawler's words.
"I'm ready to be off as well; I believe Janira said the caves were close?"
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“I’d wager these pups will think twice before approaching a two-leg camp, Good Felix.”
Abdara inclines her head respectfully to the spear-warrior. “Unless their quest is for belly-rubs.”
“And the ballad composed about Solomon Hardby’s first Mercy shall make no mention of a mace!”
She smiles. “I should know, because I’m writing it myself.”
Janira grins at Abdara. "Your prose needs a little work but you've already grasped an important fundamental - a little creative embellishment to the tale never hurts! Well, usually never hurts."
"Hmm...but as far as these wolves are concerned...if you want my two copper I'm happy to give it but this is your Confirmation and it won't be the last time you'll run into a difference of opinion on how to proceed with a mission," the halfling continues, her expression growing serious. "Figuring out how to handle these things is all part of being a Pathfinder too."
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Pelagos is entirely caught off-guard at Abdara's words. "Oh, I, uh, it was mostly done already, and I, uh," he stammers, pointing at his crossbow and your weapons.
H̷A̸H̴A̵A̶A̵A̴A̵A̸!̷ ̸Y̸o̵u̶ ̴c̶a̸n̶'̶t̵ ̶e̸v̵e̶n̸ ̴t̸a̷k̴e̶ ̵p̶r̴a̵i̶s̵e̶.̵ ̸H̵o̵w̴ ̴m̴a̵n̴y̶ ̶m̸o̷r̷e̴ ̶m̸i̵n̶u̶t̵e̸s̴ ̸b̶e̷f̸o̸r̵e̸ ̴y̵o̸u̶'̶r̸e̷ ̵f̸o̷d̷d̷e̷r̸ ̸f̶o̷r̶ ̸t̸h̸e̵ ̸p̷a̷c̵k̷?̶
"You're back?! So soon... grrr..." he mutters.
"Excuse me. I do my best to protect my allies... Ma'am," he declares. "I think the Wolves have made their mistake. If they wake up, they have a second chance. If they don't..." He shrugs his shoulders noncommittally.
"Okay, sounds like we've got an agreement," Janira nods. "I wish we had more time to catch our breath but we really need to get moving again if we want to reach the caves by nightfall."
She looks around at the group, expression thoughtful. "We might be able to shave a little time off the rest of the trip if we can find a better path to follow. Don't suppose any of you know a little woodcraft, do you?"
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