Might and magic, Lords of the Contested Lands

Game Master Chyrone

Highly relieved to see her friends make it back safely, and with Sal as a captive no less, Estelle jumps up from sitting position on a nearby log and cheers for Daniel and Astella! Then, she blushes slightly, wondering if that was overdoing it. Especially after her earlier speech...

”He didn’t kill his human shield. And he threatened to keep me alive to have fun with me later, after he killed ye.” Brunhild said. ”Those are facts as well. There may be more than spite and bile in him. But that isn’t to say that there’s anything good in there either.”

"That, and he could just have been hedging his bets. Killing Sally would take time while he was already under attack. And if he lost, he could say he didn't physically harm her. I'm not inclined to forgive much over this alone." She comments afterwards, when the discussion on Sal's fate goes on. But she doesn't object to letting the Beard take him back to town.

"This sorry excuse for a human being had it coming. Your blonde friend over there summed it up right. Wouldn't have needed to hear it to do what needed to be done, but it's funny to hear regardless."

"I, uh, might have overdone it a bit, true..." Estelle replies, carefully looking away for a good three seconds. "Still, thank you for helping us. Really. A lesser man might have taken the money." She pointedly looks down on the bound soldier who did just that but doesn't comment.

If the other two soldiers are still there she acknowledges them as well. "And thanks to your other men too - if only for not joining him. I'm Estelle - it's good to meet you or you three , Markus. And... I'm sorry to hear this might get you in trouble. Who do you work for, and doesn't your organization have some leeway for cases like this? It seems siding with people like Sal in the face of what he did would damage their reputation if it got out."

Who is this 'Chad' person? :P

Still, thank you for helping us. Really. A lesser man might have taken the money." She pointedly looks down on the bound soldier who did just that but doesn't comment.

Though, I suppose to some, making coin is the right thing... One of the reasons mother always said mercenary work was only for those with cold hearts...

Markus gets the gist of where she is looking.

Of the other two sellswords who didn't participate, one left prior to combat, the guy with the dog has come to.

Who do you work for, and doesn't your organization have some leeway for cases like this? It seems siding with people like Sal in the face of what he did would damage their reputation if it got out."

"I am, until otherwise, a team leader, in employ of the Mercenaries Guild. I'm low on the ladder of ranks, so small time contracts get assigned to small teams like ours."

"The reputation? Heh, that's just it. You can get the right people for the job, we've got them all. A magnetic attitude, but rotten apples are the world around. Sal's actions would throw blame upon himself, not on the Guild."

Sorry we lost you back there, and THANK YOU so much for coming to help. Are you guys ready to head back?

Alexis: "You're welcome, but it seems we've missed most of the occasion."

Zoltan: "And by back you would mean the inn, to talk about things over a good ale." (grin)

Alexis looks sideways at him. "Goblins and their alcohol tolerance. They'd almost rival dwarves in that regard."

Astella says to Alexis

Don't worry. I'll catch you all up over dinner.

Looking around at the rest of the group she amends

...catch all of you up, I mean... you know. Daniel was super heroic actually. I didn't realize he could run that fast.

Daniel rubs the back of his head as he gives a small grin and responds to Markus.

I've no doubt, plenty of evidence of that here. Still, you have to be able to harden your heart in some regards sometimes I wager. To do it properly anyways. Though, mother was very harsh in her outlook on mercenaries I'll give you. She always muttered about how guard or solider work provided just fine if it ever got brought up. Ah, not that I am particularly of the same mindset.

At Astella's praise, his face turns a little red and he gives a sheepish smile.

Well, neither did I, honestly. I was just driven at that point I guess. He pauses and picks at his armor.

I was also always in much heavier armor before, perhaps I've that to thank, along with wearing this lighter stuff. And I was just doing the right thing, nothing particularly heroic there. Besides, if he hadn't tripped, I'm not sure if we would have had another chance to catch him.

He looks to Estelle and gives a smile.
If anyone was heroic, I'd say Estelle was as well. It takes a lot of bravery to call out like you did. Who knows, maybe it was the small push Markus here needed to decide to help us as quick as he did.

he gives a quick glance to Markus.

Hmmm, do we see a spark of couple # 2?
^^

Who knows, maybe it was the small push Markus here needed to decide to help us as quick as he did.

They always said I never had the proper awareness a true soldier needs though.

Wouldn't have needed to hear it to do what needed to be done, but it's funny to hear regardless

Are you confirming? ;)

Shhhhh. We have no proof he would have helped -us- if we had proved less than courageous, or maybe he -was- indecisive at first, and that was the final "push". Since he -was- walking away. Even if these aren't things Daniel would think, he would want to cheer up Estelle, while shifting some attention away form himself. :P Besides, Markus is -totally- in it.

Wait... Daniel x Markus!? Wow. I did *not* expect that one! :P Though, to be honest, I guess I'm too clueless about this sorta thing OOC to detect the hints/undertones even in the specifically highlighted lines up above :)

"You're welcome, but it seems we've missed most of the occasion."

"That doesn't change that you saved us. It was a three on three when you got here and I honestly wasn't sure if we were going to make it." She then glances at Markus and remembers how he punched out sword guy without taking a scratch, probably just to make a point. "Okay, maybe we would have. But still! I say we owe you a few drinks, at least. All of you."

Hearing the other team's friendly banter, knowing they could be trusted, was heartwarming in a way she hadn't felt in quite a while.

"If anyone was heroic, I'd say Estelle was as well. It takes a lot of bravery to call out like you did. Who knows, maybe it was the small push Markus here needed to decide to help us as quick as he did."

Caught off-guard by this sudden praise, Estelle blinks, then faintly blushes. "M-me? But... you were the one who beat Sal, and then captured him too, Daniel! You did almost everything by yourself. I don't think anyone can deny you're today's hero. Well, you and Markus both. And Brunhilde, for rescuing Sally."

She crosses her arms, seemingly considering something, then allows a small grin. "But you know? Thanks. That's nice of you to say. Just don't expect me to make another rousing speech any time soon. For the record, I'm, ah, not actually that melodramatic, okay? It was an emergency thing."

Daniel & Markus? No, i was hinting to Daniel and his flattering of Estelle, and you blushing. :)

Daniel & Markus? No, i was hinting to Daniel and his flattering of Estelle, and you blushing. :)

Well, that explains why I was so confused! :')

For the record, I'm, ah, not actually that melodramatic, okay? It was an emergency thing.

Markus slightly raises an eyebrow.

Unless anything else keeps them occupied, the groups head off to town.
Small talk goes back and forth between the three groups. The guy with the dog turns out to be a scout, named Bennett, and is more or less a regular of Markus' low ranked assignments. He's dragging The Nose along on the end of a rope.

Once back in town, Markus heads right over to the guard station, having a few words with the watch captain, pointing towards Brunhild, Sal hanging over his shoulder, and a girl who suddenly draws your attention.
As Marku and Bennett head into the guard station with their two carges, the girl comes up to you, looking both worried and relieved.

Sally: "Hey you, glad to see you're all alive. You are all alive, yes?", she does a second head count. She's wearing a light bandage on her neck for the time being. "Good news, i won't keep a scar. Other good news, i told the guards what happened, and they already have a set of solid manacles set for that sleazebag."

"And did i see that right, that bearded thug brought him to the guards?"

Markus slightly raises an eyebrow. "Riiight...i take it Daniel here isn't the only one with that particular background, is he."

"Are you referring to a specific part of what he said? But yes, in case it wasn't obvious, I was a soldier too. Though..." She seems to ponder what to say for a moment. "...Like Daniel, my actual combat experience is a bit limited."

Afterwards she joins in the discussions of the three 'allied' groups back to town - and wasted no time at all rushing Sally and hugging her tightly when they see her alive and well! "Sally! Oh, thanks goodness you're all right! I was afraid there was no way we'd be able to get you out safely... not with someone like Sal running the show."

She quickly looks the other girl up and down, checking for injuries, then sighs, relieved. "Yes, 'the Beard' helped us - his name is Markus. And the other two in his group didn't join Sal at least. It's good to see chivalry isn't fully dead!" she smiles.

After dropping Sal off to the prison, Estelle looks back to the other members of her team. "Okay... we should probably have something to eat first. But what should we do after that? Sell what we found and go shopping, hoping to find this 'wealthy hat'? Rest some more? Rush to this stranded ship and hope we find the last item before anyone else completes the list?"

What time is it now?

Daniel smiles when he sees sally.

I'm glad you are safe. Yes, all of us are alive and well and good. He will receive the punishment he deserves. Though, perhaps the worst blow today will be to his pride. He glances to Markus, before looking back to Sally.

And aye, one could say he was instrumental in Sal's capture.

At Estelle's question, Daniel replies.
I feel a good rest, and a hearty meal will do us all very well. I'd say, seeing what we can purchase after a big meal would be wise. To be entirely honest, I am, a bit tired after today.

Brunhild stayed quiet, hanging at the back of the group. While her physical injury had healed, not all wounds could be cured by magic. The experience of losing consciousness, lying in a pool of one’s own blood, with the promise of a horrid fate at the hands of an attack who had overpowered her? It was traumatic to say the least. And the fact that she had been saved and was now a living witness to a crime in which she was the victim? Somehow it made it worse. Her order taught the importance of being strong in body and mind. At the moment she felt strong in neither, and as such felt that she had failed her order and her God. All she could do was keep her emotions off her sleeve. It was too human to cry. To seek solace in the words of others. She couldn’t understand how humans could stand the shame of letting the world see their weakness and their hurt. She resolved that she would do better...

Astella hugs Sally and apologizes that her association with them put her in danger.

She says privately to Brunhild that she's sorry they didn't get a few more shots off at Sal, because he deserved more than he got.

Then she goes off to deliver the scavenger hunt items and to find out for sure whether either of the tiles would work or not.

Meet you guys back at the inn?

@Estelle, it's about late afternoon. About 16:30.

Judge Thomas would accept either tile, but takes the fancy smaller one.
He marks off what is given.
Scroll of items updated.

Did they tell me what tiles were acceptable? If both, I would have given them one of the huge ones.

Judge Thomas would count both as a tile for the purpose of the competition, but mentions the smaller one is most appropriate.

Meanwhile at the inn, Zoltan and Markus are having a chat about mercenary life. Those paying close attention, will notice Zoltan able to recognize a badge, Markus is showing him. Something both Markus and Bennett wear on the inside of their vests.

Taking liberty for this,

Brunhild deeply lost in contemplation, she snaps to as a tanker of ale is firmly placed on the table/counter in front of her nose.
Serena sits down with another.

"Come on girl, speak your mind. I's no' like you were a' a loss of words before. If you canno' share i' with the tall folk, i can lissen."

(Takes a firm chug of her own ale), places it down, and looks back at you.

While dinner is paid for, the innkeep gives you your first round of drinks free of charge, for saving Sally.

I still gave him one of the big ones instead. Maybe we can sell the smaller one.

Brunhild gave Serena a hard look. "Got gutted and knocked the fook out by a man who was gonna have his way with me. Had to be saved by that fooker over there." She tilted her head towards Daniel, a sour look on his face. "I was at Steadwick, ye know? When it fell. Me master, Thori Oretongue, he died there. Every one of his disciples died there, except me. Lost me bow. Lost me comrades. Didn't survive because I was strong." She said, bitterly. "Didn't survive because I was tough. Survived because I was lucky. Because I ended up in the right place at the wrong time, when they were in the wrong place, at the wrong time. I was too weak to save them. Was too weak to even save meself against a lout like that gods-damned..." She trailed off. "I've got to be better than this. Aint nobody else represetin' the Order of the Stone Heart. Me failures let down the order and our God." She took her mug and sipped from it. "Gonna do better." She said quietly, hating herself for letting some of her pain slip through.

Serena does not interrupt Brunhild, as she vents her frustrations.
Only when she was nipping her ale, did she reply.

"That was three years ago, alrigh'. Stone Ci'y was taken by surprise, you know, Nighon arses tore a hole through the defences. I' was us between Nighon and the res' of the con'inen'."

"I didn' see the records, bu' a large number of lives were los' there as well. I didn' see the humans' capi'al ci'y, but The King's proud ci'y suffered likely the wors', with Nighon forces a' full force back then. Minoes marauding our tunnels. Snake wenches turning people to stone. A good number of our clergy saved a lo' of people, bu' like you, we had taken losses of dear friends."

(chugs from the ale)

"I didn' survive cause i was the bigges' muscle, survived cause i was cautious, was too stubborn to die. Tha's in our blood, inni'?"

"Shi'e happens, even's, chances, tha' we have no grip on. Canno' predic' is going to happen.
Sure enough, i' hur's, we both know. Bu'....", and she holds an index finger up. "Way i see i', you wasn' weak, you were unprepared, no' ye' skilled enough, perhaps. I sure wasn' three years ago, Deep King knows i've a long way to go still. Who knows, the Forefather migh' have watched over you, because there was still a chance for your survival."

She sits back a moment, letting Brunhild take in the info.
"If things are beyond your knowing, beyond your control, then there's no failing. Failing is no' doing a darn arsed thing, when you -can-."[/i]

She grins. [b]"Recall the lines Cardinal Gorn Forgefist used to cite? No one dwarf alive hasn'."

[i]Like the grea' Deep King, our forefather of old,
Dwarves are the toughes', as true tales told.
They are forged through iron and blood, trial and determination.
The harder the trials, the stronger the dwarf tha' stands before you.
If one way of handling a problem doesn' work, take a new approach, win the nex' time. As long as one makes effor' in a task, one doesn' fail, one is only unsuccessful. Failing is the dwarf that turns away a' first sign of a se'back."[/b]

She taps her symbol.
"He watches over us. And he damn well plays his hand at providing second chances to those with a promising future and a clear head.
Maybe Curly over there, and she nudges at Daniel, got a few hits in because the Deep King steered i', so you are here now, and no' in the hands of some lowlife. You've survived a ci'y's fall, avoided possible capture, and if you hear your own words, you're on the righ' mindse' and track of becoming a badass dwarf the Deep King would be proud of."

"One badass dwarf to another, of course.", grins and swigs down the remainder of her ale.

She leans in, much less serious, and whispers.
"Curly's not too bad looking....for a human that is.
If he was able to figh' that Sal guy to fleeing, he can' be tha' bad a fooker."

Daniel goes in and orders enough food for two people once back at the inn.

As he is eating, he pauses for a moment before letting out a sneeze, shrugging, and continuing on with his meal.

Despite herself Brunhild chuckled. "With a beard like that? I've seen wee beardlings with more facial hair. He's all yers. Jus' be careful. He's a nice lad, ye wouldn't want to hurt him." She finished with a smirk. Truth be told she was thankful, for the talk had done wonders to lighten her mood. But she was never a fan of saying thank you. It felt cheap. Actions were all that mattered. "Next round's on me." She said, despite her own dwindling funds. Well, because of her dwindling funds. Actions were what mattered, and this was her way of giving thanks.

As he is eating, he pauses for a moment before letting out a sneeze, shrugging, and continuing on with his meal.

Ah, someone knows their cultural reference? :)

With a beard like that? I've seen wee beardlings with more facial hair. He's all yers. Jus' be careful. He's a nice lad, ye wouldn't want to hurt him.

She grins.

She tries keeping a firm face, but descends into *pfffrtt.....hahahaha!*

"Innkeep! Another ale please!"

Anything you guys would like to do this evening?

Once inside, Estelle hangs her cloak on the stand near the entrance and, noticing a good bit of foilage still clung to it, quickly pats it off. Realizing she probably looked like a mess too, she swiftly excuses herself and freshes up with a bit of water.

When she gets back, she notices Daniel and Brunhild have seperate tables, and with Astella being away to sell the tiles, she hesitates on where to go. Daniel was by far the most skilled warrior of the group, easily outperforming her five times over, if not more, and he was probably the most handsome guy in the room too. Going there by herself felt... daunting, sense of deja-vu not withstanding.

Brunhilde, on the other hand, looked... 'down', if she could correctly read the dwarf's different measures of scowling, and she had seemed quite reserved and withdrawn from the post-victory banther on the way back. Plus, out of all her team members, she seemed the most on-line with herself.

Making good on her earlier promise, she puts down a bit of money from the temple findings for the other groups to pay for their second drinks, then orders a mead for herself along with a bread basket and two plates of 'the house special mystery stew'.

Then, cautiously, she slowly approaches the now two seated dwarven women, somewhat surprised to see Serena there. "Hey! Am I... interrupting anything? If not, mind if I join you? I brought us some food, the bread smells incredible and I'm personally very interested to see what this stew is all about!" she says, holding onto earlier cheer, and watching the other two for a reaction first. Was it just her imagination or did Brunhild look a bit better already...?

Brunhild motioned to the empty chair for Estelle to sit down. "Good to see ye. Between the ale and the talk, chances are there'd be a mornin' to regret without someone to slow us down. I'll take some of the bread. 'aint smart to drink on an empty stomach." All things considered, it was good to have comrades, if not friends.

Aura of menace intensifies as he downs an entire bowl of soup and starts coughing as a result.

Brunhild motioned to the empty chair for Estelle to sit down. "Good to see ye. Between the ale and the talk, chances are there'd be a mornin' to regret without someone to slow us down. I'll take some of the bread. 'aint smart to drink on an empty stomach."

"Implying it is still smart to drink in general, consequences be damned?" Estelle replies, amused, as she sits herself down."But you know? Just this once, I believe I'll endulge in it. Cheers!"

She toasts and takes a good sip.

Then pronptly chokes on the beverage. "*cough* Ow! *cough* A little strong *cough*. Or maybe it's just me; not much alcohol to be found in the woods. Not that I used to drink much to begin with..."

The former smallish soldier shrugs, embarassed, then plucks off a piece of bread for herself. "By the way, I wanted to thank you, Brunhild, for doing what you did - even if it put you in harm's way. If you hadn't, Daniel couldn't have moved in as unhindered, and I'm not sure we could've gotten Sally out of there, then. I don't think I'd have ever been fast enough to pull it off myself, or even think about it. Best I could come up with is shooting Sally as a distraction... I'm not sure how she'd take that, or if I can even bring it up with her."

She momentarily glances to see if she could find the girl in the crowd. "Fortunately, it seems, I have team mates to cover for me. An entire second team perhaps, even," she adds to Serena.

A second sip of mead is taken much more carefully and she seems to consider something before speaking again. "'Fortunate'... You know, there was a time I worshipped Shaymara. In case you don't know her, she's the Dragon goddess of luck and magic, among other domains, and the protector of the forests of AvLee. I used to think that If I was devoted to her and lived by her tenets, my fortune would always be good. How could it not be, if she was benvolent, could shape reality and bend fate itself? But... something happened a few years ago that made me lose that faith , not just in her but a lot of things. I thought I was abandoned."

She pauses and briefly looks at Serena's holy symbol. "But you know, maybe, looking back at these last few days, I wasn't. I could have been placed in any other team, but for how bad the situations were, I got *exactly* the right one to get me out of them. Astella arranged for us to have backup when we most needed it, and you and Daniel were good enough to handle all of the fighting in between on your own. And maybe... when I lost Sal's trail and fell down the road, it wasn't me failing as much as it was someone gently nudging me aside, out of danger and not in the way of someone better suited to take him down. In the end, we still reached the best possible result."

"I prefer to focus on that rather than how I only managed to land a single hit across all our enemies in all of our combats combined, wouldn't you say? Helps keep me sane," she adds, chuckling.

Astella comes in from turning in the scavenger hunt items and sits beside Alexis.

Sorry I'm late to the party. Turned stuff in, and found out that both kinds of tile count for the contest, so we have extras, if you guys know anyone who might want to buy one. That might stretch our money enough so we can afford decent weapons.

(I specialize in archery and I only have a broken bow and a sling.) she confides to Alexis.

Also, can I see your bracelet?

Brunhild listened and then said "Ye were gonna shoot her? Huh...that's nay a bad idea. Would have shown him exactly how little he had goin' for him. Would have left him flat footed, unsure of what to do." When Serena finished, Brunhild responded by a toast and then a swing from her ale. "We're alive. Nay everyone can say that. It's worth drinkin' too."

Brunhild listened and then said "Ye were gonna shoot her? Huh...that's nay a bad idea. Would have shown him exactly how little he had goin' for him. Would have left him flat footed, unsure of what to do."

Hearing this, Estelle blinks and looks at her dwarf companion, confused. "You mean you don't remember...? I asked you to do it - I mean, I don't even have a -" She pauses and quickly glances at Brunhild's scalp. "Oh. Right... I'm sorry. He did hit you pretty hard. There's this condition called retrograde amnesia where you forget things that happened just before a trauma of sorts. Well... take it easy tonight, okay? You look fine now, and it should pass over time. Here's to a succesful day of adventuring!"

"Listen to me, Estelle. If a person suffers a major head injury, do one of two: either heal it magically, or set others to wake the person every two hours and evaluate. Some die to internal bleeding following that, and it is almost impossible to diagnose from the outside," came an old and droning voice from a lifetime ago.

She pushes it away and excuses herself from the dwarf's table following a final toast. "Sorry, there's something I have to do. Have fun drinking!" She continues, and walks to Daniel eating by himself. Pushing down her nerves, she pulls out the dagger she took from him earlier. "Hey, Daniel? I... just wanted to return this. I lost mine during the fight, and I took the closest one with me to chase Sal and Astella. That was yours, while you were down. I'm sorry. I... hope you don't mind, but I'd understand if you were upset."

Alexis is sitting at a table with Roderick, but the latter got up to get the two a drink. Given the number of other people near the bar, that might take some time.

She faintly smiles as Astella comes up.
"Good afternoon, snowflake. Have a seat."

Sorry I'm late to the party. Turned stuff in, and found out that both kinds of tile count for the contest, so we have extras, if you guys know anyone who might want to buy one. That might stretch our money enough so we can afford decent weapons.

(I specialize in archery and I only have a broken bow and a sling.) she confides to Alexis.

Also, can I see your bracelet?

"Selling one? Try one of the other teams, see if they are willing to pay or not. My suggestion, don't ask too much, some people are sparing on their expenses."

At mention of the bracelet, her expression turns neutral for the moment.
"You've been eyeing my wrist for it before, no point denying, i noticed." She seems to think, then Alexis puts her uncovered hand underneath her other sleeve, then reveals a Bronze colored bracelet, with a hazel colored cameo of a deer in the middle.

Ha ha, yeah, sorry. I know you caught me a couple of times. I was just curious, and now that we know each other a little better, I figured I could just ask straight out.

Astella takes a good look at the bracelet.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

You were a student, eh?

Astella smiles warmly.

That's really amazing. I wish I could have gone to one of the academies. My mother taught me some magic theory and basic spells, and I had hoped to become a sorceress like her, but that was before the war, and before she was kidnapped. I ended up singing in an inn to make ends meet, so I became a bard instead. Kind of a circumstantial choice rather than an aspirational one, but it works. It kind of combines the best memories of my parents before I lost them, or at least it does when I can afford a bow, so I feel a little bit like I am carrying them with me.

If it isn't a bad memory, tell me about the academy. What did you like most about it?

You were a student, eh?

"So, you recognize it. Not many outside the schools do.", she shoves her sleeve back over the bracelet.

"Thinking about them is a mixture of bad memories and decent ones alike. Since you recognize the design, you know of what meager remains of it. Ruins, disrepair."

"As far as liking. It's a lot like any 'normal school', but teachers are stricter, for the purpose of making the best of it. Any learned dedicated pupil can cast spells, but some take to mastering it faster than others. To make the most of that, the universities were there. Makes for the few mischief makers' pranks or 'mishaps' to be just that bit more entertaining. A pity. For all the strictness, idiocy, and boredom, for it to be devastated like that, was undeserving."

She shifts to a look of being dead serious, and her tone lowers somewhat.
"Call it paranoia, but ever since knowing there was a traitor who made it all possible, i wasn't keen to remain in Avlee anywhere for too long.
I was in a class of 30, on the average day. Almost two thirds were killed by the attacks, spread across a period of time. The last 12 of us, teachers excluded, we lost three just like that.", as she snaps her finger. "Gone, missing. Another three were found killed. Granted they were arrogant, but you feel a loss. So the remaining ones went into hiding.
I am fairly certain the students and teachers that remain, are targeted.
And i eventually met the other three. In a tavern, of all places. How cliché. They've proven able, and ironically share traits with likeable people i once knew. Traveling keeps one out of sight."

Astella lowers her voice as well.

Wow, I'm so sorry. I had no idea that students were being hunted. I'm glad you found people to travel with, to stay safe. ... I wonder if that has any relation to my mother's kidnapping, although why would they kidnap her rather than kill her in that case?

She reminds herself that this isn't about her tragedy and continues

I can understand your fear. The idea of there being a traitor among your own, and then seeing so many dead... in many ways it is worse than the trauma of the war, because at least that was an enemy, and supposedly there is a time limitation. Wars can be over. When you are hunted by an unknown that could be someone you should trust... that's like walking through the fire every day. It takes a strong person not to lose trust in everyone and everything in a situation like that.

Alexis silently nods, but your words draw some attention.

"Your mother got kidnapped?
Was she a teacher at one of the universities? If so, by what name?"

Does anyone have further plans that evening, or shall we advance to the next day?

I still have to do shopping, but will add that to the discussion tab when I have time, probably in the morning (real life time). Getting a bow, but not sure how good of one yet, but will have that before the morning (game time)... fine to move on otherwise.

Yeah, my mother was taken during the Nighon invasion, and my father was killed trying to prevent that from happening...

She taught me magic, and ran a potion shop in our town, but I'm honestly not sure what she did before that in Pierpont or earlier. I just wondered if it was related because of the similarity of "magic users," but honestly I have no idea.

She feels like she is babbling too much and realizes that other people are paying attention to the conversation, which is getting too personal for her to feel comfortable with in public. She is embarrassed and feeling vulnerable like this in front of so many people makes her want to retreat, so she adds

Well, I should go... uh, pick up a few things before tomorrow when we're back to the hunt. Nice to talk to you... all of you, and good luck.

After she gets up, she bows to Rodrick's team.

Thank you all again, sincerely, for the back up today. It was timely, and much needed. I am honored to know you.

Then she heads out to buy a bow.

Estelle is waiting on a response from Daniel, but in the interest of moving things along I have no objection to moving to the next day. Estelle would, however, buy her new gear this night. Before the money has a chance to be stolen :)

Daniel's player completely missed Estelle's post. I will say Daniel went into a very minor food coma for about 30 seconds.

Daniel places his drink down before looking down at the dagger, his brows furrow and he glances up with a serious look. He pauses for several seconds before he finally speaks.

Why are you apologizing? You took this so you could try to protect everyone right? So you could help? He pauses for a moment before smiling and slowly pushing her hand back towards her while gently forcing the fingers to close around the daggers hilt before letting go.

I can think of no better use for it than that.. Not like I was using it at the time anyway right? He subconsciously rubs the spot the arrow hit him. Still rather sore.

If you lost yours, then please keep it. Better you can easily get it if its ever needed... besides, I have more! He says as he pulls out and shows his two other daggers.

AH, just, try not to make it a habit to lose equipment, obviously.

Astella and Estelle do a little quick shopping, before the shops close at 18:00.

After that, the town goes quiet. Only the town watch are making their rounds outside.

Those that need it, and have not yet made use of the 1 time free heal at the healing post, can get a casting for 5 hit points restored.

The night proceeds uneventful.
Everyone heals 1 HP from resting.

Where will you be traveling today?

Daniel's player completely missed Estelle's post. I will say Daniel went into a very minor food coma for about 30 seconds.

"Why are you apologizing? You took this so you could try to protect everyone right? So you could help?" He pauses for a moment before smiling and slowly pushing her hand back towards her while gently forcing the fingers to close around the daggers hilt before letting go. "If you lost yours, then please keep it. Better you can easily get it if its ever needed... besides, I have more!" He says as he pulls out and shows his two other daggers. "Ah, just, try not to make it a habit to lose equipment, obviously."

No problem! Run into update bugs all time time myself :')

Estelle's deep blue eyes shoot to Daniel's hand as it closes round hers - and the dagger, but that hardly felt relevant! "Well. I. Ah... Didn't really lose it! Yes. I just dropped it to get to the two of you as fast as I could when I saw you go down. And I got it back later!" She first rambles, then quickly clarifies, producing said dagger of her own.

"Smooth, very smooth. Draw more knives in his face while you're at it," she thinks sarcastically, well aware her pulse was faster than it should be and that she might well be blushing when she definitely shouldn't.

She takes a deep breath to calm herself, then locks her eyes with him properly this time. "So... thank you for the gift, but I can't accept it without giving something back. You can have mine then. Think of it as heartfelt thanks for being so reliable, and taking down Sal." The former cleric gives him a warm smile as she takes the dagger with one hand and pushes her own towards him with the other. It was the most like her old priestess self she'd ever been on this island. "And... have a nice dinner. See you tomorrow."

She gently extracts herself and exits the tavern, fighting the urge to look back.

Well, the only item we still need is the hat. I'd prefer doing that asap so we have completed the tasks. We can try asking around town or go to the shipwrecked boat right away. I'd be interested in looking for the missing team that a dragon supposedly ate and the owner of the pendant, but only after completing the scavenger hunt.

Right away or doing something in town first. I'll go either way with 2 votes in favor of one.

I say right away, assuming we do buy one of those partially charged wands of cure light first. Don't want to die to lack of healing :) Unfortunately I can't afford one alone.

The next day, Estelle is one of the first to be up. "Look what I managed to get!" She happily exclaims, beaming. "New heavy armor - and a greatsword, even! They used to give these things only to paladins in the Erathian army. But... I think I can use one. Should definitely make it easier to fight in tight quarters than with my polearm."

Her other noteworthy purchases appear to be a set of Javelins and a holy symbol of Shaymara.

"So... what should we do? I saw they sold a wand with healing magic here for seventy five gold. Maybe we should all chip in to buy one and head for the ship right away? All we need still is the hat..."

I think head out to try to find the hat right away. Sally can lead us to that one too, right?

She likely can.

1d100 ⇒ 301d6 ⇒ 51d4 ⇒ 4

After breakfast and preparations, time is about 10:00, and the team leaves for the beach, hoping nobody else had explored the wreckage.

The other teams fan out to other places.
There is a slight humidity in the air, it had been raining last night.

About an hour into the western forest, you start hearing a faint buzzing sound, which grows stronger. The same buzzing you've heard yesterday when you got near a tree hive.

1d2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Three small sized serpent like insects are on the approach, some 40 ft away.

Round 1

Brunhild
------
Serpent flies
------
Everyone else.

No map. Serpent flies start 40ft away, and at 20ft altitude.

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Not my turn yet, but for the record, Estelle will resume walking at at front next to Daniel. If the flies pass through her reach, she attempts AoO's via combat reflexes. I'll roll them below just in case to save the GM the trouble:

Attack of Opportunity? #1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Attack of Opportunity? #2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

...I should have known better and let the GM roll for me :')

Brunhild steps 5ft away from behind Daniel, and shoots at a serpent fly.

Battle map now available.

Flurry shots: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 51d6 ⇒ 2
Flurry shots: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 31d6 ⇒ 5
Both shots miss by a wide margin, and she curses under her breath.

The serpent flies descend upon Daniel and Estelle.
Neither attack of opportunities hit, as Estelle swings her weapon.

Bite, height advantage: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 = 23Dmg: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3
Bite, height advantage: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13Dmg: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Bite, height advantage: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8Dmg: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Only the cyan insect gets a hit in on Daniel.

Astella, Daniel, Estelle

With a sinking feeling, Estelle drops her weapon to the ground. There really was no excuse for this - no tight hallway, no cover, and serpentflies weren't supposed to be that tough or smart. She'd had a perfect opportunity to take at least one of them out while they charged them straight on. But hadn't.

Her earlier suspicion that something was wrong with her, and had been for the entirety of this island expedition, was pretty much proven correct - or with this particular weapon at very least. Was Shaymara a mortal enemy of this unknown Moon Goddess from the temple ruins and had she been cursed somewhere on the way?

Well... Maybe the greatsword would do better?

She draws it and swings at the serpentfly in front of her...

Attack,PA: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 1) + 7 = 11

ow ow ow that stings. Daniel says, as the flying snake gets him. The stinging pain distracts him enough that his swing misses.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Well, thats me at 4 hp haha.

Daniel, you hadn't used up your freebie heal yet, so i reckon you used it the day before, leaving you at 9 instead now.

Estelle takes out the serpent fly before her, while Daniel has a bit more trouble hitting his own.

Astella