|
A rosy-cheeked halfling girl with bright red hair wades ashore with the others. She wears an exotic, brightly colored vest, white with red trim, and decorated with tiny bells. She carries a large backpack almost bursting at the seams from being too overloaded. A well-worn Taldan rapier is sheathed at her hip and a farmer's threshing flail studded with iron to make it a more effective weapon hangs from her belt. A hunter's bow & quiver, both of Ekujae design, are strapped to her backpack.
Oh! Burnt buttered biscuits! I'm all wet.
She scoffs as she shakes water from her trousers and slips out of her shoes to empty the water within, then quickly slips her shoes back on.
Looking lost and confused, she hustles with the others as they're led away from the beach to gather in groups.
Her eyes light up and a big smile crosses her face when she sees a familiar person in the distance. She calls out to the orange haired halfling while jumping and waving her arms to get his attention.
Symeon! Over here! It's me, Redd!!
She runs up to her friend and gives him a big halfling hug.
Blueberry blintzes! Am I glad to see you, Symeon. Let's pair up and find the others in our group.
|
A very thin, tall, and dark gray skinned hobgoblin wades through the crowd. He stands at least a foot taller than most. A scourge, shield and blowgun all remain attached at his hip within reach. He feels a bit uncomfortable among all of these humans but his Commander is making them incorporate among the Pathfinder ranks so he will remain helpful and continue to learn. These days were much different than those in the Legion at the Fangwood Forest.
He looks around for his assigned team and sees where he can help when he notices a rosy-cheeked halfling girl jumping and waving. He clears his throat. "You must be with me it seems. I am Krek."
|
|
Just the the leaders begin to ask for help in preparing the expedition. Krek heads over to Urwal and begins looking over the quickly depleting supply list. "Going to be hard to track all of this, without knowing where we will be going but I would split it here and here. Keep some back for emergencies."
|
|
That sure is a big list, Mister Urwal. I'll see what I can gather.
I do like cookin', bakin', and makin' stuff, Miss Fola. This will be fun.
I spent a lot of time mapping and drawing pictures of artifacts at an archaeological site on my last mission, Mister Bjersig.
I'll tell these new recruits some inspiring tales of my previous adventures, Miss Calisro.
Redd spends time repairing tarps and tents and anything else that needs repair with a needle and thread.
Redd finds a book about local cultures. She quickly, yet carefully, scans each page for any useful information.
|
A Kobold steps onto shore. His scales are a silvery steel color, more dull than shiny. He wears studded leather armor with sturdy boots, gloves and a hooded cloak covering much of his scales except for his face. He bears a staff, has a dagger at his side, two more in his boots and a hand crossbow and bolts across his lower back. As he gets closer a symbol that looks like a silver dragon flying out of a pool of water or possibly a portal on a pendant hanging off his neck and fastened to his armor.
"Greetings. I am called Eltis. It is nice to be working with you.May Apsu bless us on this venture."
Urwal is glad to have your team's help. Krek takes the lead, with Redd and Eltis both doing their part.
The group quickly sorts and organizes the supplies. Fortunately there are no shortages, but it seems there were a couple of extra crates of supplies.
"An auspicious start indeed." Urwal says as he looks over your results. "Seems we have an overstock of alchemical gear."
"You may take some of the overstock. I will be distributing the rest of it to other groups."
Redd and Eltis are able to help Fola mix her potions. "We are making excellent progress. Keep it up at this rate and we should be able to supply some healing to every team!"
Redd finds her experiences at the archeology site pay off here. Eltis is also able to contribute to the task.
They are so efficient that they have time to make a copy of Torrsen's information, with his blessing.
Eltis is able to cheer up some of the neophyte Pathfinders. He manages to make a few new friends and they all promise to help watch out for their fellow agents.
One of them asks about his dragon heritage. "Are all kobolds really related to dragons?"
It is clear that Krek, Redd and Eltis have all spent time in the past either researching or using the skills being researched. The materials that Valais provides gives details about the local environment.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Symeon gives a small sigh as the boats drop the pathfinders off a few meters from dry land, and grumbles some as he grabs all of his medical supplies and bow piling them on top of his head to keep them dry. He wades onto shore, ensures he didn't drop anything and then takes account of his surroundings. He catches sight of a familiar red haired halfling and gives her a wave back, the exasperation from earlier evaporating in a moment. "REDD! It's good to see you!"
He moves to shake her hand, but stops moving when he gets wrapped up in a hug. A deep red flush covers his face as the halfling does a great imitation of a stone statue, only barely reacting to what Redd then says and only moving enough to stay close. He gives everyone in the group a very robotic, "Symeon Isafira, surgeon and junior professor." in greeting.
He finally seems to start to re emerge emotionally when he sees what Fola and her aides are doing with the magical potions. "Hrmm, you could possibly try doing that with some more efficiency, but it'd probably take more time to find the correct way than what you are doing now."
He watches the performance of Redd with a fervor that it might not deserve, and then Elthis curious as to what the kobold would say or do.
He tries taking the stage himself, but trips as he sees Redd wave to him from the audience and has to excuse himself due to a bloody nose.
A few moments later, having gotten his bloodied nose to stop bleeding, Symeon gives a small start as a cart breaks apart near him. He gives the hobgoblin holding it up a nod and quickly starts to work at getting something to prop it up or a spare wheel. "If you can hold that for another 30 seconds, we should have it supported by then."
After getting the cart back on its way, Symeon finds the rest of the group around a large stack of papers and files and gives a broad smile. "Now THIS is my preferred way to prepare. I've probably spent more hours with my nose in some book or scroll than I've spent sleeping!"
Although the others hadn't any luck with the tasks, Symeon has a clever way to get the cart working again. His nimble hands and small size allows him to get in there and temporarily patch the cart.
Symeon is able to help with the tasks.
It comes as no surprise that someone who calls themselves a junior professor is good at research. He does a creditable job at reviewing the materials at hand.
Meadow makes herself useful in several of the tasks. She makes some new friends amongst the neophyte Pathfinders, helps in the repair tasks and does a good job sifting through the research materials.
|
"By the gods, the Pathfinder Society truly does not dilly-dally! Here was I, barely half my suit on, and everyone else is already hard at work. You must sharpen your discipline, Darlann!"
The half-elf rushes off the ferry, still adjusting his gauntlets and helmet, trying to quickly take in the various tasks in which he may assist. Seeing that Urwal and Venture-Captain Torrsen are receiving sufficient help, he approaches Captain Benarry to help her get the new Pathfinders fired up.
"Worry not, fellow adventurers! Today marks but the first of many achievements that will make your names remembered in legend!"
Turning back toward the center of operations, Darlann nearly immediately finds himself hoisting piles of weapons, armor, and metal, distributing them among the Pathfinders and following Venture-Captain Blackthane's orders.
Even as he aids the craftsmen with equipment repairs, the champion's left hand grasps an open bestiary of local fauna, and he attempts to memorize as much useful information as possible between weapon deliveries.
When he's done making deliveries for Venture-Captain Blackthane, Darlann looks for a less physically straining job to take (just to preserve my strength, he assures himself). The appropriate task seems to be helping with the brewing of medicine and supplies - not his primary way to heal people, but something he might help in nonetheless.
Darlann is able to help out with all of the tasks he joins in!
|
|
Well that was nice.
Redd says to her companions as they take a break for lunch.
We sure did earn some nice items for our mission.
Nice to meetcha, Meadow. I hear you're a very good archer. Well, I have a spell that can teleport a small item to one of my friends. I was thinkin', if I don't need this cold-iron arrow, I can send it to you in case you need it in battle.
She turns to the others.
That goes for the rest of you, as well. If we're in certain danger, I'm more than happy to teleport one of my potions, or whatever, to you. It's also quite handy if your weapon ever gets flung out of your hand and lands too far out of reach.
I can just point a finger and "bink!" send it back to your hand.
I'll be sure to do my best to keep your spirits up with inspiring tales if we're in battle. It will help make your attacks strike true.
I can also make a weapon more powerful with a blessing from Chaldira. It will make your weapon more balanced making it easier to hit your target and also giving it one heck of a punch.
|
|
By lunch time, after a few hours of reading about the various local things he can find in the Expanse, Symeon finally seems to have calmed down from the Redd Hug earlier. "We did get quite a few things together there. Might need to spend some more time helping research..."
He pulls out a large sandwich of smoked meats, thick slices of a hearty grain bread and some crisp vegetables with a tiny bit of mustard spread inside. He watches Redd talk about her spell with some interest, before swallowing and commenting, "Sounds like a useful spell!"
He polishes off his meal before pulling out a med kit and adding, "I've got some considerable medical training of my own. I can patch up most things or apply a pain blocker in near record time. I do need to see about getting a few more potions, though, as it's been pointed out the instantaneous healing is sometimes required."
"Other wise I have a good knowledge of most things societally and in general."
|
|
Krek uncomfortably joins the others. "You are able to teleport object? How do you do it so easily?" He asks Redd as his stomach growls at the smell of the smoked meats. "I may not be a good healer but I have been trained in the use of poisons and am a decent fighter." He looks proud, though a few may cringe at the use of poison.
|
|
"We're not so different, then," Darlann replies to Eltis as he dips an apple slice in a small jar of honey. "my power comes to me from my faith in Iomedae, and in Torag and Sarenrae, but defeating their enemies is less of a concern for me. I fight for my friends; my strength lies not in my sword, but in my shield."
The champions offers each of the present a slice of his apple, then leans back on his hands.
"You appear to be a fine crew. It will be an honour to explore this place alongside everyone."
|
|
Krek uncomfortably joins the others. "You are able to teleport object? How do you do it so easily?"
Don't be so nervous, Krek. Come. Sit here by me and Symeon. We're all friends here, dontcha know.
Redd offers a warm smile and pats the small crate next to her inviting Krek to sit.It's really neat, Krek. It's called thoughtful gift. I just speak a little incantation and waggle a finger and send it right to ya. Right now, I can only do small things like daggers, potions, and the like, and I need to be within about a few dozen paces. Aram Zay said that when my spellcasting ability improves, I'll be able to do heavier items and from further away.
Redd digs through her pack while enjoying the food shared by the others.
I have a strawberry rhubarb pie and a bottle of spiced cider to share. Can't go on a mission with an empty tummy now, right?
|
|
Eltis gives a little bow to Darlann, "I like your outlook, friend!"
He takes a bite of the apple, munches it down and makes agreeable noises.
When Redd offers a bit of pie and cider his eyes light up a little but he humbly and calmly accepts, making more agreeable noises while doing so.
"We do seem to have a competent, skilled group. I feel better about this mission now that I have gotten to know you a little."
|
Earlier, when teams were assigned...
A young half elf woman in leather armor with a shortbow strapped to her back steps up. She is closely followed by a snowy owl that she seems to be very pointedly ignoring.
"Hello. I'm Meadow. I'm an archer."
She frowns and gestures at the owl behind her.
"That's Silence. He's an owl."
She raises her voice and continues. It is clear that although she is facing the party she is really talking to the owl.
"He's an owl that I was my best friend but he's really just a "
Silence hoots softly and attempts to rubs his head against Meadow's hand.
Silence flaps his wings and hisses.
|
|
Symeon recognizes the look on Eltis's face and realizes he should probably share. Digging into his pack he pulls out a wrapped hunk of smoked meat, the rest of the hearty bread, a pot of mustard and a some fresh vegetables. "We have some time, feel free to make your own sandwich."
He slices off a hunk of meat and looks towards Meadow and Silence. "Mind if I give Silence a treat? If he behaves, I'll make sure to give him bits of the other meats I have in my pack." If he gets the go ahead, Symeon balances the meat on the end of his unstrung bow and extends it toward the owl.