After a long evening of arguing with her parents, and a long night that alternated dozing off and being wide awake in anticipation, Torra's first trip is to Savah's armory, where she swaps her (slightly used) hide shirt for a sturdier and more reliable chain shirt. She hadn't been hurt much during their march adventures, but the others had, and it was only a matter of time until the dwarf would find herself in harm's way; she wanted well-crafted protection for that eventuality.
She then swings by Hannah Velerin to get some herbs, roots, bandages and tinctures, so that she can better treat wounds or afflictions. And lastly, because the bookish gnome was likely to sleep until late, she stops by Veznutt Parooh's shop for a map of the regions north of Sandpoint.
Hana woke up in a cold sweat having suffered one of the worst nightmares she's had in a long time. Despite the hours of rest she felt exhausted too, which made the idea setting out on an adventure a rather dubious prospect. Of course, that reality didn't stop the kitsune from grabbing her gear, supplies, and beloved shamisen with the intent of doing just that.
Using her bluff skills, and a healthy amount of makeup, she was able to get past her mother without letting on that she was suffering from a fever. Though it was an incredibly close thing, with Tamamo giving her trademark concerned look, in the end she gave her daughter a heartfelt "I love you," and wished her luck on her journey.
While feeling less than stellar about the lie, Hana still soldiered on and made her way to the local apocathery to grab some extra potions. Even with the ones they found in the cave, Hana preferred to have a few more just case something went wrong. Plus, she wanted to deal with her fever now sooner than latter.
After that went by to Sandpoint Boutique for some weather gear before finally heading to the Rusty Dragon to meet with the others.
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Teruko blinks, startled, before nodding to her newfound sister. "I see. That's not an enchantment I've ever come across before, but I'll remember it for the future."
She joins Yuto in his attempts to sell all the treasure they found. If no one takes her up on her earlier offer, she also splurges on a particular magic item she's been eyeing for a while.
"When we were debating over whether or not to investigate the Blossom, you stated your intentions quite confidently--even imperiously." Seishin folds his hands in his lap. "Yet moments afterward, you seemed afraid of what you had just said." His tone is not accusing--but it is curious.
Seishin arrives looking a touch under the weather. "...I think I've come down with something." He says with a sniffle. "A last memento from Brinestump, no doubt."
In the end her decision stems from one simple fact. If they all go to Brinewall together, there's a very good chance Lonjiku will at some point take over again. And Teruko is so very tired of lying.
She continues staring at the nonexistent fire, deliberately not looking at Seishin while she speaks. "You saved my life. You deserve to know who it was you saved. Me, obviously. But also...more."
"My father died four years ago. Murdered, by both goblins and my half-brother, Tsuto, who incited their attack." Her lips curl into a sad smile. "It seems he was unwilling to accept his death. Ever since then I have heard his voice in my head. Until recently, I thought I might be going mad. But in the marsh my father said things, told me things, that I didn't know. Had no way of knowing. What the Blossom was called, even before we found the nameplate." She swallows hard. "Who Tsutamu was in life."
"I don't know if he's a ghost, or phantom, or something else entirely. But sometimes, when he feels particularly strongly about something and I'm not acting as he might wish, he speaks through me. Mostly it happens around Ameiko. He views her as a disappointment, you see, and doesn't like that I still associate with her. That's part of why Hana doesn't like me; sometimes I was, am, very cruel to Ameiko, and she doesn't understand why.
"I did tell Ameiko what was happening, I didn't want her to think I truly meant the things I said, but I didn't tell anyone else. As I said, I thought I was going mad. I didn't want that to become the gossip of the town. But now..." She shrugs her shoulders, although it's clear she's trying to act more casual than she feels. "Now it seems I'm not going mad, and it's probably something you should know."
When Teruko is finished with her explanation--speaking of her father, murdered by her own half-brother, clinging to the mortal plane through her and compelling her to express cruel words to Ameiko--the samsaran raises his teacup and takes another sip from it.
"...well." He starts after setting the teacup down again. "I can tell this is a very distressing situation for you--and I thank you for trusting me enough to share it with me."
"What you have told me will not leave this room if you do not wish it."
She looks at Seishin for the first time since she started explaining. "Thank you. For listening."
"Miss Kaijitsu, my duties as a priest of Tsukiyo involve not only quelling the restless dead, but also providing comfort and support to those with... unwell minds." The samsaran takes up his teacup and finishes his drink. "If you wish, I will be happy to provide whatever aid I can."
After realizing that needed a few more items before she was truly ready to meet back up with the others, Hana spent a few more minutes shifting through the boutique ware before heading to the Dragon. She she gets there, she looks around for any sign of her friends. "Anyone else back yet?"
"If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. It may not seem it, given how I've spent this entire conversation talking about myself, but I can be a good listener." Almost shyly, she adds, "In the marsh there were a few times you also seemed...distracted. I believe you said you were remembering something?"
Once everything has been sold, (and she's made her own purchases), Teruko heads to the Rusty Dragon. She's unsurprised to see Hana already there. "Hello Hana." Always fashion conscious, her brow furrows as she looks at Hana's clothes. "Is that a new outfit? It looks good on you."
"Just old shards resurfacing in memory. They mean well, but sometimes..." He shrugs. "...have you ever had someone who really wanted to help, but just ended up getting in the way?"
"That happens sometimes. Mizuki was like that, but she usually helps more often than not."
The Rusty Dragon is relatively empty in the late afternoon, when the heroes arrive. Ameiko is present, of course, as are Shalelu and Koya. Ameiko inclines her head at the party members as they arrive.
"You do look a little ill." Koya remarks, eyeing Seishin. "At least, if your symptoms are similar to those of humans - I don't know much about how you would react to things."
Ameiko eyes Hana carefully, a dark brow arching. "You don't look well, either, Hana." She comments, concerned, before smiling at her sisters as they arrive. Amaya moves silently to the bar, as is her wont, settling in at a seat nearby to the others.
"Sandru's out recruiting." Koya says by way of explanation. "I think he said he'd be done tomorrow, and ready to set out around noon."
"That's quick." Shalelu comments. "I suppose I shouldn't underestimate him - he is quite experienced at this sort of thing."
"...probably the same as how anyone would react." Seishin starts before he covers up a cough escaping his mouth.
Hana gave a Teruko a genuine smile. The kunoichi was in her favorite kimono, a silky gown in her favorite shade of magenta, but underneath its softness was her new leather armor. "Thanks! I do try my best. Your not looking to bad yourself."
Unfortunately, her crush seemed to have sharper eyes and spotted her fatigued look despite her best efforts. "I'm a little under the weather, Ames." she admitted sheepishly, doing her best to suppress a renegade cough from escaping her lips as she kept talking. "Had a rough nightmare that kept me up last night. It's no big deal though."
She looks at Seishin curiously. "You speak of your past lives, excuse me, past shards, as if they were different people. Is that how you think of them?" She shakes her head a little. "Please forgive me if I'm being rude or overly invasive. It's simply difficult for me to imagine remembering more than one life."
Teruko had been too distracted by the outfit to look closely at Hana's face, but now that she does she sees the telltale sweat of a fever on the other woman's brow. Her mind quickly goes over what had happened in the swamp. Goblin snake, strange white creature, goblins, more goblins, rats...rats!
"Filth fever, most likely." She only realizes she's said that aloud after looking at the other's reactions. "Those rats we fought can carry many diseases, but that's the most common. Unfortunately I don't know how to cure it, but maybe Father Zantus would have some idea?" She shifts uneasily as she remembers getting bitten herself. Hopefully I didn't catch anything.
Ameiko nods slightly at Hana, though her expression remains concerned, an emotion that deepens when Teruko mentions the sickness by name. "That's awful. I remember catching that a few years ago." She shudders a little at the memory.
"I have a scroll that can get rid of a disease." Koya volunteers. "But I only have the one, and, well, there's two sick folks here." She looks between Hana and Seishin. "If I recall rightly, Father Zantus should have one or two himself... but neither of us is quite powerful enough to request that power from Desna directly."
Torra shows up at the Rusty Dragon wearing her shiny new chain shirt and carrying her loaded pack, a map case slung over one shoulder. "I got the maps! When are we leaving?"
Despite not a lot of sleep the previous night, the dwarf is practically bouncing with pent-up energy and anticipation. Unable to sit still, she paces through the front room, muttering to herself her gear list over and over, periodically stopping to double and triple check that she had actually packed one item or the other.
Shalelu greets her student with a smile. "Sandru says that the caravan will be ready by tomorrow around noon."
"And with Tsukiyo's leave, I can even share them with others." He looks down at his jade holy symbol. "Even if what they share are distractions from... other things."
"Give it to Hana." Seishin speaks, his voice hoarse as he looks at Koya. "Tsukiyo will provide for me."
"Perhaps Father Zantus will have one he can spare, and if the caravan isn't leaving until tomorrow we'll have time to ask. It might be more than we can afford though." Teruko doesn't know this particular spell, but she does know market prices, and a spell too powerful for Father Zantus to cast directly will likely be expensive. "Antiplagues are cheaper, although I think they just help you resist disease rather than cure it for certain. I'll still purchase one before we head out tomorrow. Just in case."
"Ameiko, have you already spoken to Velerie and Bethana? I believe I've done all I need to do to prepare."
Yuto listens and observes Seishin with curious eyes "Tha-that is very altruistic Seishin San"
Nodding approvingly he puts part of his own share over the table "I... I think I have all the equipment I need for this adventure. Please, take whatever you need to get the help needed from Father Zantus"
Yuto takes a light and a moderate cure wounds potion from the group and stashes them on his bandolier.
Depending on whether his coin is needed to heal Seishin, he will use his share to buy the scroll from Father Zantus, or he will use the coin to repair Whispering Shrike.
"You're a sturdy one, lad." Koya says before looking at Hana for permission to heal her.
Ameiko looks at Teruko, shaking her head slightly. "I've spoken with Bethana, but I'm going to talk to Valerie tonight."
Amaya shifts slightly in her chair, before looking up at Ameiko, who doesn't immediately notice. After a moment, the youngest Kaijitsu shrugs a bit, going back to her thoughts. Shalelu glances at her, but keeps her peace, instead speaking to Ameiko. "Did Sandru mention who he was recruiting?"
"He said that the head of his guards would be joining us, as would an associate from Riddleport - one that had 'willfully left that foul city,' he was quick to assure me." She grins. "Other than that, he said that he had a cook in mind, as well as a few drivers. I didn't get any names other than two of his guards - Lone-Pillar, which sounds Shoanti to me, and Romia, who I think is a Varisian woman."
Koya speaks up. "I've met Romia before. Lovely young lass, to be sure. A bit on the reticent side, but... well-traveled, I think."
Torra deflates at the news that they are not leaving immediately, and continues to vibrate her way back and forth through the tavern. Yuto placing money on the table draws her attention. "What's that for? Ah, people are sick? Here, I have a lot of coin left over, I had no idea what to do with it anyway." She tosses her entire coin pouch on the table, which jingles mutedly and heavily.
"'Lone-Pillar'? I like the sound of that. 'Pillar' like a rock formation. Rocks are cool. I hope we find some interesting ones up north. This area's mostly sandstone and limestone, I mean limestone's pretty interesting but that's only at Devil's Platter and my parents don't let me go there, too dangerous."
Hana turns to Seishin with a grateful look on her tired face. "Thanks, Seishin. I'll check in with Father Zanthus and see if I can grab another one of those scrolls. Would certainly come in handy."
As she signals for Koya to heal her, "I know we already have a couple potions from the chest, but I brought two more to spare Seishin and Teruko the need to heal us quite as often. Here," she drops one of the lesser healing potions on the table for anyone to take, "Hopefully we won't be encountering any more goblins, undead or rats as we make our way north, but better safe than sorry, ya."
"Shoanti guards? I heard they are great scouts but can get a bit violent. But I trust Shandru to pick the right men" comments Yuto "He said Losk will deal with the cooking"
"Thanks for buying some extra potions, although I'm also hoping we won't encounter anything that makes us need them." Teruko winces as she remembers just how close to death most of them had been at one time or another.
It still seems unreal that she's willingly setting out on another adventure. Particularly given that this one will last for months, not days.
"I'm going to go back to the manor and do some reading I think. It's going to be a while before I get another chance."
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Koya invokes the scroll's power, touching Hana's forehead with a light brush of her fingers. The young woman feels her fever receding, though she still feels a bit stiff and a little weak. "Hm... well, that was closer than I would have liked, but you should be fine now, Hana."
Ameiko speaks up about Lone-Pillar. "Lone-Pillar... he visited with Sandru a couple days ago. He seems to prefer spending time out on the Lost Coast to remaining in Sandpoint."
"He mentioned wanting to smash the mirror outside Sandpoint." Amaya adds. Ameiko gives her a glance, but the younger woman seems oblivious to that.
"Oh, almost forgot!" Torra dashes outside, heading to Sandpoint Cathedral to find Cyrus. He had said he would think about accompanying them north, he should have decided by now.
"And you would be correct about it being disorienting--depending on whose memories I impart, someone could find themselves with better combat skill, more aptitude for mundane skills or a stronger will to fend off illness... at the expense of other things." He looks up at Teruko.
"I didn't get a chance to show the others back in Brinestump... and I suspect it would have been a poor time to do so regardless."
Seishin sits at the Rusty Dragon's bar and tries to keep himself from coughing too much.
Hana sighs with relief as she feels the scroll do its work. Standing up, she takes a moment to stretch her arms. The kunoichi still didn't feel her best but she was certain she was on the path to recovery given some time. "Thanks again Koya," she says giving the old Desnan a warm smile. Looking towards the rest of the assembled group she says, "Well, if Sandru is going to spend the day looking for more people than I'll head out too to see if I can get that scroll from Father Zanthus. See ya when I ya."
It takes little time for Hana to make it to the Sandpoint Cathedral. It was the biggest building in Sandpoint and one that Hana had been in a great deal praying to the Lady of Chrysanthemums. It didn't mean she knew the head cleric of the church all that well, but she hoped what familiarity she did have with the man would make it easier to convince him to part with a scroll or two.
"Father Zanthus? Are you here? I have to ask you something."
"Ah, Miss Tenko, Miss Voliokerdam." The Desnan priest smiles at them both. "How can I help you?"
The next morning, the heavens open up and rain pours forth, drenching all who go out into the soaked streets. While Hana feels much better than she did the day before, Seishin and Teruko awaken from their sleep soaked and feverish, their joints swollen and stiff.
Cyrus, in turn, looks at Torra with a sigh, before nodding. "Alright. Let me get my equipment together. Just... I can't do this without payment from someone. I would happily hire on as a guard for a caravan, but I don't have any means of supporting myself out there." He rubs his face. "Not anymore, anyways."
She ponders for a moment. "I'll go over the exact calculations with the others, but for now here's an advance, in case you need to buy equipment." She digs into her coin pouch and takes out a hundred gold coins.
It takes a lot of effort for Seishin to force himself out of bed, but he manages. Somehow.
As he staggers about, grabbing what herbs and ointments he can find to soothe his fever (or at least stop his coughing), a memory swirls up from inside and floods his vision...
I find some herbs--echinacea, he called them--and set to work brewing a nice tea. A scant few minutes pass before the tea's smell fills the small room. It'll do, hopefully--it smells like something you'd find in your grandmother's garden.
He drinks it down. It doesn't stop it immediately, but at least he's breathing easier now...
As the memory continues, Seishin's body moves of its own accord--gathering up ingredients for a similar tea, brewing it and then quaffing the result.
Teruko leans forward a little. "Thank you for trusting me with this. And if the voices ever get too loud...as I said, I can be a good listener."
Teruko wakes up the next morning feeling a little under the weather, although she doesn't seem to be feverish. Still, not wanting to show any weakness before the journey even starts, she downs the antiplague she'd just bought. Better safe than sorry.
As she gathers up her things to leave, she makes sure to talk to each servant individually and thank them for all they've done. Two months is a long time, and depending on how long it takes to explore Brinewall she may be gone for even longer. (Perhaps forever, if something happens to her along the journey.) Last of all she seeks out Velerie. "My apologies, for not talking to you myself. It's all been a bit overwhelming. But I promise I'll be careful, and there are a plethora of good people going along with me."
Goodbyes said and supplies gathered, she makes her way to the Rusty Dragon shortly before noon. "Is everyone ready?"
Antiplague states that "If already infected, you may also make two saving throws (without the +5 bonus) that day and use the better result."
I think that means Teruko gets two saving throws now, in which case she's cured. However I could also see it not applying until tomorrow's saving throws, which you would roll yourself at the appropriate time. If there's an official ruling I couldn't find it in my two seconds of googling, so up to you how you want to interpret it.
Seishin coughs. "...aside from the fever getting worse, I am."
As Torra goes to chat with Cyrus, Hana comes right out and pops her question to Father Zanthus. "I hate be a bother Father, but I need to ask you favor. You've probably already heard about Sandru's caravan heading out tomorrow, right. Well, we're collecting supplies and could really make use of another healing scroll if your willing to part with one."
Regardless of what happens at the Cathedral, Hana comes to the Rusty Dragon the next day far more limber and energetic than she was yesterday. She spots Teruko and Seishin immediately and goes to greet the duo. "Hello there! Hope everyone's ready, she says to them both before turning to Seishin in particular, "How are you feeling Seishin? Any better?"
"...not really, to be honest." Seishin starts before letting out another cough. "I feel all stiff."
Zantus looks at Hana with a gentle smile. "While I do have a handful of such scrolls, you know as well as I that in this case, I cannot offer them to you freely." He looks a tad embarrassed. "As such, I must regretfully ask that you pay for any scrolls I can offer you. However, I am more than willing to help you as much as I can - a journey is a sacred thing to the Song of the Spheres, after all."
As the heroes filter into the Rusty Dragon, soaked to the bone by the torrential downpour that Gozreh has seen fit to send unto Sandpoint, they find that Ameiko, Amaya, and Shalelu are all already there, dressed in traveling gear. Ameiko has a rapier on her waist, while Amaya holds her staff in one hand and has a crossbow slung across her back. Her hood is up, despite still being inside. Shalelu's dress is rather more normal than the others - in that she rarely wears casual clothing to begin with.
"Good morning, everyone." Ameiko says, her expression bright. "Well," she chuckles, "morning, at any rate. I hope you don't mind the wet, though - Shalelu says that it's going to be pouring all day."
The elf ranger nods, before looking at Seishin with a frown. "You're looking the worse for wear. Are you sure you want to come with us today?"
Seishin leans on his spear as he looks at Shalelu. "I took something for it. I'm coming with you."
"I'm not about to let some stiffness and a fever keep me from going where I'm needed."
Yuto places the last remains of his father into the tomb Naffer Vosk, the local graveyard responsible, has opened for the occasion. Kneeling in front, the young man vows to him in respect, placing the hilt of his katana on his front "You have been a great samurai Tsutamu. I will make your sacrifice be worth father"
After a while of silent prayers, Yuto nods to Father Zantus who proceeds to give the last words while Naffer Vosk closes the tomb. Before leaving, the Tian leaves a lotto flower behind over the recently moved earth.
---
Back at the Rusty Dragon, Yuto enters the tavern full equipped with his armor, his weapons and a big bag, with rope and even a pot "Who was organizing a caravan to the North?" the young man smiles wide.
Teruko has a slightly guilty expression on her face until Seishin says he took something already. "Hopefully that will get you feeling better soon. I did some reading last night and I don't think filth fever is particularly dangerous. It's more like a bad flu than anything else." Flus can also kill people of course, but not usually healthy young adults. "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help."
"Good morning, everyone." Ameiko says, her expression bright. "Well," she chuckles, "morning, at any rate. I hope you don't mind the wet, though - Shalelu says that it's going to be pouring all day."
Teruko, who bought an umbrella on the way to the tavern specifically because she does mind the wet, coughs awkwardly. "Hopefully the weather tomorrow will be better. Although I suppose the rain does at least keep the heat in check." In addition to the umbrella she's bringing along a few other things she'd missed having in the swamp; most notably a collapsible bathtub she'd found in the basement.
All that gear does leave her noticeably sagging underneath its weight. "The caravan's ready, right? So we can go ahead and put our belongings in one of the wagons?"
Torra has repurposed the parasol as an umbrella, and as such does not suffer too much from the rain. Her large pack on her back, the map case wrapped in an extra layer of oiled leather, she makes a beeline for Shalelu, barely greeting her mentor before breathlessly announcing "I convinced Cyrus to come with us as a caravan guard!"
Yuto blinks surprised at Torra's statement, smiles wide and nods to her "That sounds like good news Torra San. The more strong arms we have, the most likely this journey will end good"
When Teruko appears with a mirror and even a bathtub, Yuto almost loses his breath "I... I am not sure I will be able to carry that for you Sama. You sure need all that? Oh, well, I guess a lady needs to smell to flowers everyday..." the man raises an eyebrow genuinely worried, but remembering the hard trip to the marsh and the scents endured.
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"Carrying things is what the wagons are for. Right?" Teruko looks around for confirmation. "I'm not going to carry a bathtub or extra changes of clothes when we explore Brinewall itself, I'm not that unreasonable, but I thought a proper tub might come in handy during the trip." 'Come in handy' is an understatement; she'd been about ready to scratch off her own skin in the marsh.
Having been under the distinct impression that the whole point of a caravan was to carry all the supplies you couldn't manage to haul on your backs, she begins to look worried. "The wagons...are for carrying things, correct?"