Yuto quickly flips through the damaged journal, reading aloud for the party and translating to Common. Once finished, he pauses, letting the unsettling words sink in, then continues speaking, his mind racing to piece together the mystery "I-it seems like this caravan was tormented by so-something sinister. A howl... perhaps it was a beast of so-some sort, or maybe something more su-supernatural. And the mention of a gn-nawed corpse... it could imply cannibalism, but it could also be so-some kind of creature preying on them"
The Tian attempts to remember if something like this was mentioned on the books of his father relative to the journey they did from Tian-Xia to Avistan.
The search of the caravan and the contents of the journal put Atsuko in a glum mood. Although there are a few things that could be salvageable, she doesn't bring the subject up. Her feeling is some things are best left undisturbed.
"We should go back. We're burning daylight better used for travel."
Ritti listens to Yuto's translation as she glances through the wagon's contents. "They made it across the high ice only to die here. That's a shame." She tosses the remains of a shredded garment. In agreement with Atsuko, she says, "Yeah, we can't help these folks or ourselves. Let's go."
The heroes, somewhat healed and ready to return, head back to the caravan, where they are greeted by Lone-Pillar, Romia, Sandru, and the Kaijitsu sisters. "You look worse for wear." Romia observes.
"Romia, go fetch Koya, please." Ameiko says before the dark-skinned woman can continue. "What happened?" She asks, looking over the party carefully. "Riftun said something about some sort of icy wraiths."
Ritti retrieves her backpack and quickly throws on her (largely unneeded) winter clothing. ”They were solid, not ghostly, so not wraiths exactly… Maybe they smelled our lives or our warmth so we couldn’t sneak up on them. They got the jump on us, just came right up out of the ground, seven of ‘em. Shalelu and I retreated and it became a brawl. They were breathing frost and had claws that can suck the heat right out of your body. But they don’t like fire, so that’s a weakness.”
"I'm afraid there also wasn't much we gained from this expedition on the material end, either. Perhaps if we had the entire caravan stop there, we could salvage some useable material from the wreckage. Whether that is worth the risk and loss of time doing is a very valid question," Andochtuir adds, glancing at Shalelu. He figured that the elf probably knew better whether that was the case or not than he did.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Torra is quiet on the walk back to the caravan. Disappointed and sad that there were no survivors, worried about the ominous entries in the journal, aching from the attacks of the ice creatures - even with Andochtuir's healing, it was like a deep cold had settled into her bones and would not leave. She felt sluggish and sore all over.
When they return, she lets the others do the talking, but shakes her head at the suggestion of salvaging the remains of the other caravan. "Unless we are in dire need, we should not. Just a feeling." She had looked through the things of the unfortunate travellers, searching for names or any hints about their identity. There was nothing they could do for those who had perished, but perhaps they had families who could be notified. Any such names or hints she finds she inscribes into her own journal.
Shalelu nods her agreement with her apprentice. "I think it's best not to waste time nearby." She says. "While I don't think there're any other hoarfrost spirits, there might be." She glances at the sky, but Zaiobe has already flown past and landed in the caravan proper.
"Erm, Andochtuir, I don't mean to be rude..." Sandru interjects. "But you seem to have grown wings. Is that normal?" Ameiko smiles crookedly at this, while Amaya simply watches silently and Teruko tilts her head, a frown furrowing her brow.
Soon, Koya and Spivey arrive and heal those in need of it together. "You've been through hell, haven't you?" She asks Shalelu, sounding disappointed. "You should be more careful, my dear. These hills are hostile."
"I got unlucky." Shalelu says bluntly, then sighs. "But you're right. I've never seen anything like those spirits, let alone fought anything like them."
The caravan leadership guides the party back to the main caravan, and the group prepares to set off. When Ulf comes to investigate himself, he grimaces. "Hoarfrost spirits, this far south? That's... unusual. They're some sort of demonically tainted thing - the wizard never really told me much. But they're not usually around here..."
Atsuko offers an idea in a tentative voice.
"We found no bodies. Did the caravaners become hoarfrost spirits?"
The encounter with the doomed caravan prompts Atsuko to start getting more serious about her self-imposed obligations. As soon as she has the time later in the day, she sits down and writes a detailed account of the event in her journal.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"Erm, Andochtuir, I don't mean to be rude..." Sandru interjects. "But you seem to have grown wings. Is that normal?"
The thief can't help herself, observing with a smile, "Pooberty hits some kids harder'n others."
Considering the information Ulf shares as they recount the fight, Ritti frowns. She looks to Sandru and Lone-Pillar earnestly. "D'ya mind if I act as a scout and guard on the regular? Seems like more eyes and more blades may be good since things are getting unusual an' we ain't even on the ice yet."
Yuto listens carefully to his companions and Ulf, contemplating Atsuko's unsettling theory "It's possible... If the caravaners were turned into hoarfrost spirits, it would explain why we found no bodies. The demonic influence could have transformed them after they perished or even while they were alive."
He looks at the journal again, his brows furrowing in thought "Given what we know, the howl they heard might have been from the creature responsible for their transformation. This aligns with the paranoia and fear they experienced. It could be a demon related to cannibalism, as I recalled earlier, but without more information, it's difficult to be certain."
Yuto agrees with reinforcing the guard and scouting of the caravan and will do as much as possible to help in that regard.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Erm, Andochtuir, I don't mean to be rude..." Sandru interjects. "But you seem to have grown wings. Is that normal?" Ameiko smiles crookedly at this, while Amaya simply watches silently and Teruko tilts her head, a frown furrowing her brow.
There is a moment of hesitation as the alchemist's attention is drawn back to his new appendages and he seems unsure of what to say, after all, it was very new and unexpected to him as well. But with so many of his allies -and Ameiko- present, he tried to give it a positive spin. "'Normal?' No, my friend. In fact, I would say it is extroadinary! Truly, the possibilities of science are endless. And to think all I wished for was to invent a potion of fleeting effect, only to receive an actual set of wings to be used on a moment's notice. "
Then he blushes as he reaches for his back. "Though I believe my next invention will have to be an anti-prurity salve. As I can confirm that growing a pair of wings does, in fact, itch like crazy."
"Pooberty hits some kids harder'n others."
"Indeed. Some it seems to skip entirely." He says in good sport, winking at the short, very young thief. "In truth, they should have fallen off by now... but if they don't, I'll put them to good use. We've had a lot of trouble dealing with flying or wall-climbing foes in the past. If it makes us just a little bit safer, I'll take that over never sleeping on my back again." Thinking, he glances at the harpy. "Actually, I don't suppose you would have any tips for that?"
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Ulf nods at Atsuko's suggestion. "Probably. Either that or someone else took the bodies. 'sfar as I know, hoarfrost spirits don't actually eat or do anything to corpses - they're not hot enough to interest them. That does leave us with the question of what actually killed 'em, though."
Sandru looks thoughtfully at Ritti, then looks to the other major scout. "Shalelu?" The elf woman considers.
"I think she's better at sneaking than I am. DIdn't help us much with these hoarfrost spirits, but against other things, she'll do as well as me." Shalelu says.
"Alright, then." Sandru says. "Consider yourself a scout, then, Ritti."
Ameiko chuckles softly at Andochtuir's enthusiasm, then speaks. "Sounds like you should probably avoid experimenting on yourself like that in the future. Who knows if you might grow an extra head or something."
Zaiobe looks at Andochtuir steadily, then sighs and walks over to touch his shoulder, folding her wings around herself.
She looks at his wings carefully, silently judging and examining, then frowns.
"Alright, then." Sandru says. "Consider yourself a scout, then, Ritti."
Ritti throws him a jaunty salute comprised from a mish-mash of naval traditions from around the Inner Sea. "Aye aye, Caravan Master."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Yuto looks at Andochtuir's beard and wings and shrugs "W-we should not judge others by th-their aspect. Sir Andochtuir has been a boon f-for us, and has demonstrated a strong lo-loyalty to our goals. Without him, we would be already dead. I pledge you accept his ways, even if sometimes m-might look a bit w-wicked"
As for the rest of the day, Yuto will pass looking through his books about his spirits, until the exhaustion of the day takes him and he falls sleep.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
With the meeting adjourned, the caravan sets out once more, traveling through the Stormspear Hills. There's some dark muttering at the sight of the ruined caravan, but morale is relatively steady.
The next few days exhibit increasing chill, and even a brief snowstorm. Ulf guides the group masterfully into the higher and higher elevations. Each day becomes a little bit tougher, but the caravan perseveres. Blessedly, they don't encounter any monsters or the like in the meantime.
Four days after the encounter with hoarfrost spirits, the dawn is still - an unnerving silence is cast over the caravan. "We're in the Rimethirst Mountains now." Ulf grunts at breakfast. "Welcome to the Outer Rim of the Crown of the World."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ritti knows the road is long and changing the caravanners’ minds is a war of attrition. So, she doesn’t push herself on anyone or try to overtly influence opinions. She continues to report to Amaya her schedule even when it becomes largely obvious. Where is she going to sneak off to and who could she rob in these frigid and desolate mountains?
When she isn’t scouting ahead of the caravan or skulking around it keeping an eye open for nasty surprises on the flanks, Ritti is often chatting with Romia, or trying to learn more about Zaiobe or Torra (both of whom she finds curious). Her expanded duties also bring her into contact with Shalelu quite often. But mostly she lets others come to her in their own time, or not.
As a Varisian, the young thief follows the rules of hospitality. When she isn’t on duty – just riding in one wagon or another wrapped in blankets – she lends out her Winterland boots to other scouts, guards, or anyone dealing with the bitter cold. Being comfortable was good for morale… and it might make a few people think better of her.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The journey to the Rimethirst Mountains begins to weigh heavily on Yuto. The chill bites through his armor, and the constant vigilance takes its toll. Seeking comfort and wisdom, Yuto approaches Koya, his foster mother and spiritual guide.
"Mo-mother..." Yuto begins, his voice trembling slightly with fatigue and concern, "I... I am troubled. The sight of that abandoned caravan, and the thought of those poor souls becoming something as vile as hoarfrost spirits—it gnaws at me. I fear what fate might await us, should we fall in these cursed lands."
He pauses, looking into her wise, caring eyes for reassurance "How can we protect ourselves from such a dreadful fate? How can we ensure that our spirits rest peacefully, even if our bodies do not? Is there a way to call upon Desna's blessing to safeguard our souls?"
Over the next few days, Yuto follows Koya's teachings diligently. Each morning, he joins her in prayer, lighting incense and offering small tokens—a feather, a pebble, a flower—symbols of their journey and their hope.
---
As Ulf announces the caravan arrival to the mountains, Yuto tries to draw strength from his faith, his companions, and the daily rituals in order to keep going on this dire and fearful environment "W-will we fi-find anything to eat here?"
"Sounds like you should probably avoid experimenting on yourself like that in the future. Who knows if you might grow an extra head or something."
Andochtuir, thankful for Yuto's endorsement, chuckles at Ameiko's teasing. "Oh, my glorious plan to retire in the nearest circus, ruined! And here I was, so looking forward to having animated discussions with myself." He sobers afterward. "Don't worry, I'll take that advice to heart. Now, If you'll excuse me, I need to figure out how to alter my clothes so they're still donnable with these wings. Which, ah, honestly seems anatomically impossible at a glance..."
Consulting with his fellow alchemist, Losk, Andochtuir ponders the significance of the wings and whether they truly were permanent. Unfortunately, it seemed they were - possibly only short of dismemberment. Which he wasn't planning to try any time soon. Having established that, he next spends time with Riftun and Zaiobe. The feminime bard as he had promised to make him a salve for his scars, and his love interest (?) as he didn't have anyone else to turn to to truly learn how to fly. Even if they weren't as good as actual wings, he'd have to do his best with what he had. At the very least, it did make his duties of scouting for the caravan a lot easier.
"What was it like growing up in Sandpoint, Ameiko? Did truly no one in your family or its servants ever imply you were a major noble, nor try to prepare you for a time like this?" He asks the Kaijitsu heiress at some point during the next leg of the journey.
During one of the breaks, Andochtuir decides to approach the newly minded friendly neighborhood thief to ask a question that had been burning on his mind for a while now. "Say, Ritti? I was wondering, this... 'strangle maneuver' you do, how do you manage to do that and where did you learn it? From a glance, you don't seem to have the raw physical strength required to choke out a giant, yet you somehow manage it anyway. It's just not a fighting style I would associate with a back-alley thief, though I am very aware my own isn't exactly standard either."
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Romia is quite an unusual woman - hailing from Riddleport, one of her parents was Mwangi, while the other was a local Varisian. She notes that she's practiced both weaponry and rune spells for most of her life - the latter from an uncle who's a Pathfinder.
Zaiobe, meanwhile, is much snarkier than the other two, though she stops just short of hostility. She requires touch to communicate telepathically with Ritti, and during their conversations, Ritti discovers that she's a (somewhat reluctant, if the Varisian is any judge) follower of the demon lord Pazuzu. Said demon also cursed her to steal her voice, thus explaining the telepathic contact she needs to use.
"I shall certainly strive to destroy any undead you rise as to put you to rest." Helgarval interjects. "Although," the angel pauses, "I might require aid from others."
Suishen grunts. "The young woman," Koya snorts at her description, but the sword forges onwards regardless, "is right. The best way to stop it is to grow more skilled. We must work together, better, young yojimbo."
Koya sighs, shaking her head. "Honorable and upright, but not a lick of sense between them." She smiles at Yuto. "I can't promise you that everything will be alright, Yuto, but if you trust yourself, your friends and family, and the Song of the Spheres, I think you'll make it through."
Her expression darkens slightly. "After mother died, my half-brother Tsuto made a big fuss at the funeral. He blamed Lonjiku, and disappeared. I ran away when I was sixteen... left Teruko behind." She shakes her head, a smile returning to her face. "But after I came back, I bought the Rusty Dragon and started running it. It was a good life for awhile, but I'm glad to be on the road again." She casts her dark eyes up at the grey skies. "Well, I could some different weather, but..."
Ulf nods. "Well, we have enough to sustain us for another..." He looks at Losk.
"Almost four weeks." The dwarf brewer says. "'though if I had my druthers, I'd've bought more hops and honey. Try my hand at some mead-making."
"That's more than enough time to get to the next settlement I know - but we'll want to make sure we hunt to get more food as well." Ulf continues.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Although the discovery of the doomed caravan is a gloomy affair, Atsuko's spirits aren't as affected like those of some others. She's certainly not new in the north, so the climate and weather is exactly what she expected. She is also quite aware of the dangers involved in making the journey. Considering her full knowledge of what could lie ahead, and that she has still been working toward finding a way to go anyway, being a member of the caravan is very much a lucky break that has saved her a lot of time in Atsuko's view.
Besides, Atsuko has plenty of things to occupy herself with. There are always small things to do to ensure the caravan's wagons are in good condition. She inspects each one every day looking for signs of wear or damage that could become a bigger problem if not addressed early. She also volunteers to work with the draft animals, learning how to handle and care for them.
When she has spare time, Atsuko gets to work investigating Ameiko's past. She is terribly curious about her earlier life since a knowledge of Ameiko's origins will be foundational to understanding, and telling, her story. There are fascinating mysteries involved for Atsuko. Why would a person of such extreme importance as the Empress of Minkai be living down in Varisia? Such a thing seems completely crazy and reckless and reckless to Atsuko, like storing the family jewels in a pig sty because it isn't a place thieves would think to look. The basic logic is sound only as long as one ignores how storage in a pig sty will degrade and damage the precious and delicate things protected there.
It is also clear that Ameiko's ascension is being violently contested by some others. Who are they? Why do they want so badly to keep her off the throne?
The mysteries are potentially weighty ones; Atsuko understands this. She feels that approaching Ameiko immediately might not be the best way to go about things. After all, it is in the nature of people to protect themselves, to alter or omit things that are embarrassing or painful, or do not cast them in the best light. Atsuko doesn't consider this a flaw or sign of bad intent (though in some cases it is), but rather simply due to the fact that everyone wants to be liked, including by themselves.
Atsuko decides to triangulate a little. Her daily routine keeps her around Sandru, Livia, and the caravan drivers most frequently. There is a progression that is best followed when speaking with people over time about personal things. General and more impersonal topics come first. So, Atsuko asks all of them about the Varisian style of caravan living first. As she understands it, many Varisians live truly nomadic lives in teh south. Later Atsuko moves on to asking about their own pasts, and why they chose caravans as a career or lifestyle.
In Sandru's case she eventually branches out to include his earlier relationship with Ameiko. Atsuko knows Sandru has a considerably longer past with Ameiko than just this trip, so she asks about when they first met and how they came to know each other well. What is their history together?
She also brings Shalelu into her conversations with Sandru. There are several reasons for this. The elf is a bit of a puzzle on her own. She also knows Ameiko well, which means Atsuko would like to talk to her about many of the same things as Sandru. She also doesn't cross paths all that much with Shalelu, so she needs to figure out an approach that might work to establish sustained communication between them.
Of course Atsuko readily answers any questions asked about herself without hesitation and in detail. Gathering stories is always a reciprocal exchange.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
”This 'strangle maneuver' you do, how do you manage to do that and where did you learn it? … you don't seem to have the raw physical strength required to choke out a giant… It's just not a fighting style I would associate with a back-alley thief.”
Ritti smiles, ”Well, you’re right there! I’m not weak but I don’t have that kind of brute strength. And, after losing a lot of fights to big men, I needed to change my game… So, I hired this tiny monk to train me up. Instead of relying on strength, I use dexterity, leverage, know-how, and ‘mechanical advantages’ as engineers like to say. And when I need more strength… that’s when I use my legs instead of my arms. Plus, it leaves my hands free.”
”Big or small, most creatures’ necks are a weak spot – relatively narrow, provides blood to their brain, not too well muscled, and generally not armored by bone.” The thief becomes almost clinical. ”Take your run-of-the-mill human. Wanna break the bone in their arm? You need to hit it with about 100 pounds of pressure. But to break their windpipe? 35 pounds of pressure. To close their windpipe? 33 pounds… But press on their carotid arteries with just 11 pounds of pressure, you can knock’em out in half a minute. If you know how to squeeze a jugular vein the right way… four and a half pounds is all you need to put them down. A child could do it. Choking out a giant is more a matter of dealing with their scale and pressing on the right spots than needing a lot more strength. Fortunately, I’m flexible enough to make it work.”
Romia is quite an unusual woman - hailing from Riddleport, one of her parents was Mwangi, while the other was a local Varisian.
Ritti bubbles a bit, ”Small world! I was living in Riddleport just a few years back! I doubt we ever crossed paths. I was living on the streets... you know, learnin’ the trade and dodgin’ Scazarni, press gangs, and the guards.”
With Zaiobe
Zaiobe, meanwhile, is much snarkier than the other two, though she stops just short of hostility. She requires touch to communicate telepathically with Ritti, and during their conversations, Ritti discovers that she's a (somewhat reluctant, if the Varisian is any judge) follower of the demon lord Pazuzu. Said demon also cursed her to steal her voice, thus explaining the telepathic contact she needs to use.
Ritti delights in the harpy’s snarkiniess even when it borders on being mean. Zaiobe’s curse bothers her a lot and she cautiously offers a suggestion, ”I like talking with you and it’d be great if you didn’t have to touch someone all the time to share your thoughts. So, I was thinking… How about if we learn sign language? We could chat and it would make scouting easier. And maybe, if you like it, we could teach other people afterwards?”
Unsettled by Shalelu getting hurt, Torra shadows the elf closely for the first few days after their encounter with the hoarfrost spirits - both out of concern for her mentor and for Torra themselves; for all the dwarf's life, Shalelu had been a heroic, untouchable protector, so whatever it was that could hurt her must be formidable indeed. The thought drives home the keen awareness of just how dangerous this place and this journey were, but this only makes Torra more determined to see it through.
Every day the dwarf sheds more of their layers of protective furs, trying to inure themselves to the bitter cold little by little. It's difficult and painful and uncomfortable; still, Torra perseveres, trying to keep moving all the time and keep the blood flowing. When Ulf mentions hunting, they volunteer to go with Shalelu or one of the other hunting parties. All the better if Lone-Pillar comes with them, but Torra is mostly focused on Shalelu these days, fussing over her in a way that probably drives the elf to exasperation.
When Ritti comes around, Torra indulges her curiosity. Born in Sandpoint, Torra found refuge in books from an early age as an awkward child that grew much slower than their human or half-human peers and felt othered not just in the small town, but inside their own family as well. Torra tried and failed to follow in their father's footsteps as a locksmith, then similarly tried and failed at a dozen or so professions, all the while struggling to understand their innate powers with earth and stone. It wasn't until they apprenticed with the monk Sabyl Sorn that the dwarf finally figured out how to channel their gift through precisely controlled movements and katas.
"Harvengal, Suishen, Koya," Yuto begins, bowing his head respectfully, "tha-thank you. Your assurances and guidance give me great comfort. Harvengal, knowing you will ensure that a-any u-undead I-I might become will be dealt with brings me peace."
With his spirit re-strengthened, Yuto brings himself to the fore-front of the caravan exploration and line of defense.
At night, he looks after his friends who their own tasks bring them apart on the morning "H-how are you de-ealing with the cold? T-this Path of Aganhei is tru-turly a hardship. I-I hope we are able to endure it..."
Atsuko gets the sense that a lot of the caravaners are on the road because it's the way of life for them.
For some, however, it's a bit more complex. Sandru mentions having grown up in Sandpoint before he came of age, at which point he jumped at the chance to join a caravan, though he is somewhat evasive as to why he felt the need to do so. After a brief stint as an adventurer, he ended up taking up the role of caravan master, which he keeps ahold (obviously) even now.
Probing into his relationship with Ameiko is a bit harder. They've been friends, he says, for about five years - they met each other during their time as adventurers, and grew closer after a disastrous expedition left the two the only survivors of a battle. He does rather easily admit that he didn't see her as often as he'd have liked back before this journey, but always spent time at the inn she owned when he was in Sandpoint.
Shalelu's a bit harder to get a grasp on - he doesn't know her very well at all, as she's been a fixture in Sandpoint for almost as long as he can remember. She never really explained why she was so invested in the town, but he knows she's reliable and has a deep grudge against goblinoid creatures. Supposedly, she's occasionally gone out of her way to do some task or another that took her away from Sandpoint - a couple times in the past few years, but she's never really gone into much detail as to what she was doing. Atsuko would be better off asking Ameiko about her, he adds.
Livia, by contrast, has always lived her life in one caravan or another - at first it was her family's, but after she got an urge to see new faces, she took the chance to join up with Sandru and his caravan a few years back.
For Koya, it's a mixture of religious devotion to Desna and an intense wanderlust - ever since she was a child who saw an old (inaccurate) map in her mother's vast collection of oddities, she's desired to see as much of the world as possible. "My responsibilities kept me tied down in Varisia for most of my life," she confesses, "and I want to see as much of the world as I can in the time I have left."
Romia nods. "Plenty of folks living in Riddleport. Not a lot of friendly faces, either - even if we did cross paths, I doubt either of us would've talked much. Not exactly the sort of place you want to reach out to others."
The harpy looks at Ritti, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Perhaps. It would take some time to learn." She looks away for a moment. "I think I'll be able to form new bonds as I grew in power... but that might take some time."
The caravan continues along the Path of Aganhei through the mountainous trails - there are a few close calls where the road (such as it is) narrows sharply, but with quick thinking and quicker reflexes, nothing's lost over the edges of the mountains.
In the early afternoon, however, the scouts spy something alarming - a shadowy flying creature in the distance, soaring between mountains.
The sun reflecting off snow and ice blinds Torra, so the shadow is difficult to examine through tears caused by the intense light.
Regretfully, Yuto is not scouting today as it seems, he is though upon one of the forward carts and has his bow nearby, in addition to his blade "Do you th-think so-something is amiss? Why is To-torra San looking up straight at the sun?"
The harpy looks at Ritti, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Perhaps. It would take some time to learn." She looks away for a moment. "I think I'll be able to form new bonds as I grew in power... but that might take some time."
The thief’s eyes roam across the inhospitable landscape, ”We’ve got months of high ice and not a lot else we can do while making the crossing. I think it’d be a good distraction when we’re camping… but only if you want to do it. Just give it a bit of thought.”
Ritti shades her eyes and looks at the creature in the sky but can’t identify it.
Zaiobe smirks after a moment. "I suppose so." She casts a glance towards the rear of the caravan, where Ritti knows Riftun is helping out. "He will make a fuss if we don't include him."
Shalelu utters a quiet curse. "That's..." Before she can finish the sentence, however, the shadow swoops closer, growing rapidly clearer - a vast four-legged reptile with a pair of tremendous wings, a long neck, and a majestic aura that the heroes can feel even from the thousands of feet between them.
Zaiobe drops from the sky like a hawk, diving as quickly as she is able.
"A dragon." Shalelu finishes.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Zaiobe smirks after a moment. "I suppose so." She casts a glance towards the rear of the caravan, where Ritti knows Riftun is helping out. "He will make a fuss if we don't include him."
Ritti quirks an eyebrow at that news and follows the harpy’s eyes. She probably hadn’t exchanged more than three words with the androgynous and periodically moody bard. ”Riftun? Ohhhh…” she teases, ”Is he sweet on you? How is this the first time I’m hearing about you breaking hearts in the caravan? I don’t mind learning sign together, but if he uses it to woo you with love poems – I’m out.”
When ‘dragon’ is said, Ritti slides against the nearest rock outcropping and keeps both eyes on the silhouette in the sky. ”You just keep flying, pal… far far away.”
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”To close their windpipe? 33 pounds… But press on their carotid arteries with just 11 pounds of pressure, you can knock’em out in half a minute.”
"Giants, perhaps. More like ten seconds for most humanoids. That's supposedly the average for staying conscious when the blood flow to the brain is suddenly halted. Odd how uniformal that is between species. We can thank the research on suffocation spells for such details." The half-elf says, nodding thoughtfully. "Your teacher sounds like a true master of their field. I'm sorry to hear your troubles growing up - but I'm glad to have you with us now."
"Maybe if I ever truly lose myself, I can count on her to subdue me..." He thinks as they eventually part ways.
"After I came back, I bought the Rusty Dragon and started running it. It was a good life for awhile, but I'm glad to be on the road again." She casts her dark eyes up at the grey skies. "Well, I could some different weather, but..."
Andocthuir laughs softly. "Don't we all. As much as I've come to appreciate the questionable taste of Tundra Rose mixed with Arctic Willow, I'd rather just not have to worry about freezing entirely."
He decided to pass on the more painful topics for now. "You left home at sixteen? You must have been on the road for quite a while, then, I take it? Where did you go? There must have been plenty of interesting places to explore around Varisia."
"She's right," the alchemist adds in support of Shalelu as he too peers into the distance. "...And it seems to be heading in our direction." He follows, stiffening in alarm.
"We need to find some cover! Zaiobe! Did you spot anything where we could seek shelter nearby!" he calls out to the harpy.
The scouts return hastily with their reports, and the entire caravan falls into silence. As the scouts predicted, the dragon soars closer and closer to the caravan, then, as it seems nearly directly above them, the sun flashes off of its scales, revealing them to be a sparkling silver, radiant in beauty and majesty.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
By the time Atsuko hears about the dragon, she can easily see it for herself. Her first impulse is to look about, hoping there might be a chance to steer the caravan toward a stand of trees or an overhang where they might have some small chance of going unnoticed.
But, when she sees the dragon's scales flash silver, she relaxes. She even dares to wave to it as it passes overhead.
"It's not a white dragon, but a silver one. I think we're safer at the moment than we have been for a while now."
The sight of the dragon still lingers in Yuto's mind as he sits quietly, grim and shocked by the sight. The caravan's progress has been steady, but the looming threat of the dragon overhead has everyone on edge.
He turns surprised when Atsuko waves at the dragon, but breaths relieved when she explains herself "Le-let's hope so it is. Still, w-we might want to keep the caravan sa-safe. W-why don't we advance ourselves and si-signal the dragon so h-he can t-tell us w-what does he wants?"
The Tian cannot avoid shaking hard on the thought, but the need to protect the caravan from the massive creature, even if only from unintentional harm, is high.
However, metallic dragons in general don't usually interfere with humanoid affairs, preferring to leave them to themselves, with some notable exceptions - such as bronze dragons, who tend to work with travelers from time to time.
The caravan remains still and quiet, but Ameiko nods her agreement with Atsuko. "Silver dragons are paragons of virtue," she says, "though I'm not sure we should invite its attention - even if we can, it's probably not going to make anyone calmer." Despite her caution, most of the caravaners look more awed than afraid at this point.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
More like ten seconds for most humanoids.
”I'm sorry to hear your troubles growing up - but I'm glad to have you with us now.
She shrugs, seeming unbothered. ”Just the reality of being a small woman in a profession with a lot of bigger and stronger men. I had to find a way to beat’em.” A thought crosses her mind. ”If you ever wanna spar to see my technique up close, let me know. It could be fun.”
"I don't break hearts - except for Kikonu's, I suppose."
Ritti doesn’t recall hearing that name among the travelers. ”Kikonu? Did you join the caravan and leave’em behind?”
For all the assurances about the goodness of silver dragons, Ritti stays under cover and almost hisses when people look to draw the creature’s attention. She says, almost to herself, ”Can we NOT draw the attention of a beast that can swallow an oxen in one bite, please.”
Torra looks at Atsuko with a newfound respect - and fascination. "You know about dragons? What does it mean that this is a silver one? What are they like?"
The dwarf shades their eyes as they look skywards again, trying to track the majestic dragon.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"No, I helped Riftun, Yuto, Torra, and s few others kill him." Zaiobe says casually. "He deserved it, though."
Despite the murmured agreement with Ritti's words, the caravaners remain awestruck, staring up at the shining draconic majesty above them for another minute before it soars out of sight.
"A good omen." Koya breaks the silence, a smile broad on her face. "To see such a creature on our path, Lady Desna truly favors us." Spivey doesn't add anything, but doesn't disagree, either.
Helgarval, however, speaks. "Silver dragons are not often direct servants of our Lady." It points out, prompting its fellow celestial to sigh and say something to him in the tongue of the heavens.
There's silence for another few moments before Ulf speaks. "Right. I've never seen a silver dragon on any of my journeys before, so Desna's clearly keeping an eye on us. We should keep going while our luck holds."
"No, I helped Riftun, Yuto, Torra, and s few others kill him." Zaiobe says casually. "He deserved it, though."
The young thief takes a moment to process that information. No stranger to betrayal, she concludes, ”Yeah… some people have it coming.”
Ritti releases the breath she didn’t realise she’d been holding. She’s less certain the silver dragon was a good omen rather than dumb luck… but she is willing to take any luck that appears. She moves away from the rock face and resumes her duties for the day.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Yuto watches in awe as the silver dragon soars away, its majestic form glistening in the sunlight "Such a magnificent creature" he murmurs, feeling a mix of reverence and inspiration "I-its presence reminds us of the greater forces at play in this world and the virtues we must uphold."
Turning back to the caravan, he raises his voice to address everyone "Let us take this sighting as a sign of hope and protection. We are on the right path. Onward, friends! Let us continue our journey with renewed vigor and unwavering resolve."
As the movement resumes, he approaches Atsuko with interest "W-where did you learn so much about dragons?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Atsuko becomes a little fidgety from embarrassment at the sudden attention from Torra and Yuto.
"I don't know that much really... I've never seen a dragon or anything like that until just now. From what I've read and heard from others, silver dragons are very good and gallant. I suppose you could say they are like paladins in that way. Not only do they hold themselves to high moral and ethical standards, but they fight against evil to upon them... Like in crusade in Mendev, there are many silver dragons there I have heard it said."
"That's all I guess..."
Yuto smiles, perhaps understanding Atsuko does not feel comfortable to speak about her life right now "Maybe you can tell us more with a c-cup tonight by the fire"
With the good blessing of the silver dragon sighting and the mood in the caravan, Yuto resumes his vigilance, making signs to the cart owners to advance once again.
"Let's not lower our guard any time soon. If such a creature came here to fight an evil worth its time anywhere near us, we're in danger by proximity to whatever that might be. I would advise the highest of cautions as we proceed," Andochtuir adds, following the beast until it went into the horizon.
"Like a paladin on a crusade... does that make us kindred in a way? It and each of us as we try to reclaim Ameiko's throne?" His bat-like wing twitched at the thought and he snorted, amused. "Just not quite as glamerous, right, Ancuradh?"
Its morale bolstered by the good omen of the silver dragon flying overhead, the caravan makes good time. Once, Losk even breaks out in a cheery song, but Ulf swiftly hushes him - although avalanches are unusual at this time of year, they are hardly unheard of, and it's better to be safe in such matters.
The day passes quickly, as does the following one, as they travel along mountain paths and through chilly valleys.
However, that night, the alarm goes up as the earth rumbles beneath the caravan. "Monster!" One of the sentries (Romia, probably) shouts. "A bulette!"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The heroes act quickly, jumping to battle with the bulette alongside the guards - the Visage and Romia are both in the forefront of the battle, and both take minor (but painful) injuries before the landshark is driven off. So, too, does one of the pack animals, which will slow the caravan considerably for the next day or two.
"Damnation. I wouldn't have thought one of these'd show up at this high an elevation." Ulf grumbles as the caravan settles back into rest. "I'm sorry, I should've kept a better eye out for markers of its territory."
Sandru shakes his head. "There weren't any great losses, fortunately. But I do expect you to do a better job in the future."
"Sure thing, caravan master." The guide says, clearly abashed.
The next morning, the caravan sets out again, trundling slowly through the Rimethirst Mountains. Ulf muses that if the current speed keeps up, they'll be out of the mountains in four more days. "But..." He grunts. "I think it'll start snowing soon. The weather's starting to turn."
True to his word, snow soon begins swiftly falling from the skies, and the winds pick up sharply, and throws thick gouts of the frozen flakes towards the caravan. Sandru rapidly calls a halt, and urges the caravaners to make themselves as warm and fortified as possible.
As the snow begins to fall heavily and the winds pick up, Yuto steps forward, his expression calm but determined "W-we must remain vi-vigilant and united," he says, his voice not carrying enough conviction over the howling wind "Our jo-journey will test us, but together we can overcome any obstacle"
Used to the Varisian pleasant weather though, the snow pays its toll on the Tian and he suffers a lot in this environment.
As such, the best use he can do of himself is using his strength to help move rocks and create makeshift shelters "Let us use the land to our advantage," he advises, guiding others to secure the caravan against the storm "Stay close and keep warm. We will endure this together."
Ritti isn't really skilled at 'caravan stuff' but she keeps her eyes sharp for threats.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Sure thing, caravan master." The guide says, clearly abashed.
"It happens to the best of us. You've led us well thusfar - don't let this one event dampen your spirit and sharpness," Andochtuir says to their guide afterwards, then refoing the scouts.
Looking around the camp and its surrounding later that day, the warrior alchemist wonders how best to help. While he could of course join the scouts again, and that it was likely what he was best at, perhaps a feat of great physical strength would impress Am- er, lift everyone's spirits and make them feel a bit safer in this land. Yes, that was definitely the thing to do.
Drinking a number of his extracts, he excuses himself and heads for the nearest cropping of pine trees.
A few minutes later, an enlarged Andy walks back into camp carrying two whole trees, one under each arm. "All right. Say, Sandru? Ameiko? Would these help fortifying the camp against the storm? I can probably break them into smaller pieces and get more if needed."
From what Torra had heard of the Cinderlands, they were sometimes swept by great firestorms - not so different from a blizzard, the dwarf thinks, so they go to consult with Lone-Pillar on how to best organize the caravan against the wind and the whipping snow. Using the wagons themselves as cover would be a start, setting them up in a semicircle and gathering the animals in the middle to protect them from attacks. Even better if there was a rock face somewhere they could use as the base of the semicircle and create an enclosure this way. The wind was their enemy here, and they needed windbreaks and something they could shelter against.