Maria takes the time to lead up on a few more multipurpose spells that could aide that of a party. Her mistress had taught her certain one that would help them in a situation like this. She'd read her book preparing the spells and memorizing the proper incantations. Combative spells, ones that could that were more applicable for their needs. She may dislike the idea of working with those around her but she still saw it as proper muscle.
"I have little money to give, my mistress gives me room and board and I care for her home and cook. That tree speaker would be fine to talk with," she says, keeping closer to the Paladin of the group.
|
As they walk back toward the village Gunnar says to Maria I think the teachings of Abadar might strongly assist you in your issues. Abadar teaches that we must consider what value something has in truth and no in our flawed perception. Reaching for something with no truth and no intrinsic value becomes a waste of time. Time is the most valuable of commodities.
Gunnar continues as they walk without confidence in justice, honor, and truth people lose sight of being able to love one another, lose sight of the love of community, and ultimately lose sight of self. You are a good woman Maria. Take the opportunities that prove you are.
Maria seems to listen, only nodding her head to him as the two walked together. Even if she was the one that lived here she was just as much a stranger to an extent as he was and walking through town always gave her some sense of unease. It felt good that she could finally have someone to back her up and look far tougher than she was but it still wasn't much.
"Thank you for your teachings Mr. Vryce," she says knowing exactly what he was talking about. It was out of her hands anyway and she quickly threw it out, "Sadly however when it comes to religion I take after those in Rahadoum," she says in reference to the atheistic state that was far south east straddling the Inner Sea.
So to whom exactly are you going for this healing? It seems the majority votes for Leeka, but there was also mention of Mistress Numidia.
So to whom exactly are you going for this healing? It seems the majority votes for Leeka, but there was also mention of Mistress Numidia.
I think Leeka then Numidia
Leeka can be found at her usual table on the patio of Everbloom Tea House, nibbling a scone. Eudamonia might think she had simply never left, but the flavour of scone is different than yesterday.
She looks visibly relieved to see your group make your way over, though purses her lips in amusement at the sight of so many wounds. She turns to Eudamonia and says, ”Sir Eustus is quite beside himself with worry over you, Euda. He’ll be glad to see you back safe and sound. As for the rest of you, safe maybe, but sound, maybe not. Did you decide to hug those boats I see in your wagon before you killed them?”
Robert nods to Leeka. He looks a bit sheepish as he says "Unfortunately they came while I was sleeping and didn't have my armor on. They got him first. Any chance of you patching us up for the boars?"
Leeka looks over the meat and nods. ”More than fair. I’ll owe you for the next time you come back a little gaping in the wound department.”
Both Robert and Elipho are now fully healed and both smell strangely of fresh berries. It’s probably the nicest Elipho has ever smelled in his life.
”Would you mind dropping these off with Clemis? Tell him they’re for me and he’ll know exactly what to do.”
As you are heading off with the meat, she calls out, ”Oh! Four days ago, Weeping Willow Farm lost a sheepdog. Fabrides tried to track it, but there was that big downpour that night and washed away the trail. Nobody else has lost dogs that I’ve been able to find out.”
Euda frowns at Leeka’s words. “I know,” she answers with some frustration, “I tried to get back last night but… we were too far out. I’ll go talk to him as soon as we’re done in town.”
"Interesting, seems like someone has a love for dogs. Whisking them away so easily," she says making it obvious she thought it was a person when far more so she didn't know at all what could be behind these thefts, "We thank you for your healing prowess. I shall let my mistress know of your aide."
"I don't have a wand of curing, though Mistress Numidia is known to have such things. Best of luck." Leeka returns to her tea and scone as you head off. Taking the meat to Clemis is an easy task, as is finding Mistress Numidia at her hospital. The long-haired woman smells of lavender today, and she smiles warmly at you all, even Maria.
"A partially-drained wand of curing? Why, bless me, I had such a thing, not two weeks ago, but well," she turns to Maria, "your mistress did buy it from me herself. It had 14 charges left. Not sure what she wanted with it, since I didn't think her magic ran that way, but that's really none of my business now, is it?"
"Mr. Fezzen, if you may accompany me to my mistress's tower. I believe we can find a wand that would be of some use for our little endeavors," she spoke, tapping her staff down and turning away to go get it. She didn't care wither she came or not but still had asked for some reason.
Euda contemplates insisting on going to check in with Sir Eustus, but as accustomed as she is to being a wallflower she balks at such assertiveness and instead follows along towards the wizard's tower.
As they travel she gradually gets closer and closer to Maria until she works up the courage to quietly asks, "I know Robert and a lot of people in town don't trust you... is that just because of whatever happened with that fire, or do they distrust everyone who can do magic?"
Maria looks at Edamonia with a unhappy look upon her face. Not one of contempt at the question being asked or the person, but having to find an answer she may not like to give. Her eyes look for others before speaking as she goes towards her tower home, "Come to join me, if Fezzen doesn't wish to join? Simple minds just dealing with that of the unknown... though somethings are far more complicated than what permissible to be discussed."
Fezzan gives a start at being called upon. "Ok. I can accompany you."
He stands awkwardly nearby, fidgeting and looking at his shoes.
Maria makes her way home, with Fezzen and Eudamonia in tow. You climb the long, winding path up to the tower base, speak the command word to unlock the door and make your way inside. Fezzen has seen this tower everyday for years, but never before seen inside.
At first blush, it’s oddly normal. A normal-looking foyer with a short hall leading straight ahead to a kitchen, while a cozy sitting room opens up on the right and curved stairs climb along the left wall.
The main living space is on the second floor, with Elrith’s lab and study on the third, a library and store rooms on the fourth, and then the roof beyond that.
The partially-charged wand could be in the lab, if she was in the process of using it, or in her study. If she has used it, there could be completed curing wands in the storeroom.
Robert looks about the group and says "We should find out if there is any information on the criminal. While we wait for them let's check in with the sheriff if we can find him. If any of you need to do more in town now is the time. Meet back in the green."
"Mr. Valdemar I'll have you know that I am far from the witch that some may call me in town, and no offense to the local one that does wonderful work for the community," she says as they went on their little side adventure. It wouldn't be too long, couldn't have another dog go missing again she supposed, "Just make sure not too touch anything I promise you wont be turned into a newt or some other farm animal."
Once inside she let Jervis flutter about as she hung up her hat, "My mistress will understand if we take such a thing. It might cause an issue down the road but I am sure if it is all for a good cause she'd understand," she says bringing them into the home of her's for the past several years. She'd immediately have them follow her to the floor where the study and lab was.
Robert learns that all the groups are still out searching, so the sheriff is nowhere to be found.
Gunnar finds his father at the inn, readying his coach to move out in the morning. ”Still on the trail? That means you’ll be staying here a bit more? I can pick you up on my way back from Crossbridge. Just keep your head down in this town.”
On the second floor, the furnishings become much nicer, the woods richer, the upholstery more luxuriant. In the third floor study, the magnificent mahogany desk and plush leather chair would probably cost more than all the furnishings of the Public House combined. There’s no wand to be found there, however, not in the lab.
In a storeroom on the fourth floor, Maria finds a bundle of identical willow wands, clearly labelled cure light wounds. The leather cord binding them together is loose, suggesting one wand has already been removed after it was tied.
”Robert!” a familiar voice calls to him as he exits the burgomeister’s office. ”I hear you decided to get fresh with a forest pig and took a tusk for your trouble. What would Rebecca say if she knew you were stepping out on her?”
Randal Thorius gives Robert a playful jab to the shoulder. Two pieces of dried straw fall from his head as he laughs at his own barb.
Maria smiled, "There we are, Elrithrathiel must have taken one in case of an emergency. It should be of no issue for us to do so as well," she says looking around the store room for anything else of use.
Euda is, once again, perplexed by the answer Maria gives her but she says nothing of it and follows along towards the tower.
I didn’t realize we were splitting up… I should have just gone to Sir Eustus… trying to talk to this mage is a waste of time anyways, she’s always trying to be cryptic and mysterious… I thought she might be someone I could talk to about how the flowers answer me but I guess not…
Fezzan looks around, somewhat disappointed at the normalcy of the entrance. "Oh of course Miss Maria. You wont catch me with my fingers where they don't belong." He sticks his hands in his pockets to show how serious he is.
As they climb, his eyes grow wider and wider at the extravagance and unusualness that fills the tower. In the lab, his hands some how find their out of his pockets are are halfway to some glittering bauble before a sharp look from Maria causes him to put them back with a sigh.
His fingers practically itching at the sight of the store room filled with so many mysterious bundles and packages, he says, "Is that it then? We should probably head back."
”If we’re leaving,” Euda venturers trepidatiously, “I really do need to go explain where I’ve been to Sir Eustus.”
"It is a shame we sont have time to study your latent powers, something like that of a sorceress maybe, blood in the family tainted by some magical creature no doubt," she says pocketing the wand before taking one last look around.
"What?!? Why would you say such a thing?" Euda asks with hints of fear and accusation. "My blood is not tainted, and that's the kind of thinking that gets superstitious villagers to fear and hate people."
Robert turns toward Randal and laughs "That wasn't exactly my idea of a good time and I had no choice in the matter. I've heard even more dogs disappeared. If this keeps up it will really hurt the towns shepherds. I intend to head back out but I must see Rebecca first. Have you seen her about town? If not I will head to her house."
Maria seem end taken back by Eudamonia's apprehension, "Really, you'd think that when you tell someone they have amazing magical powers, though considering the basis maybe that of a kineticist potentially and not sorceress, they'd think it rather incredible. Am I correct Mr. Valdemar?"
She gave an inquisitive stern look, triying to hold back a grin. If anything she seemed to act more stereotypically like a witch than the town's resident witch, "You could be part Fey, a great great great granddaughter of a beautiful dryad for all we know. Maybe part chrysanthemum too. Revel in your uniqueness and damn the rest. Only those jealous or foolish would have an issue with such."
|
|
Gunnar stands quiet a bit and says bravery and honor and loyalty to others in battle is hardly like having hay in your hair after rolling in it, and being charged by a two hundred pound boar and standing to take the charge for those weaker is a greatness. I am proud to have been with Robert and Elipho
Fezzan gives a start at being put on the spot, "Uhhh, I really wouldn't know. I guess all magic has to come from somewhere. I get that Banker Triarius' powers are gifts from Abadar, which makes sense I guess, but the rest is a bit out of my depth."
There are many useful things in the wizard’s storeroom, mostly objects she has crafted for sale, so it really depends on just how much theft Maria is comfortable committing. There are 8 other wands of cure light, along with wands of magic missile, burning hands, silent image, mage armour, obscuring mist, and shield. There are also scrolls of those spells (except the cure light wounds), and potions of mage armour. Also in the storeroom are some of her mistress’ own magical treasures, including a delicate crystalline snapleaf, two whip feather tokens, and a mummified hand that lets you use mage hand at will. In the back of the room, leaning in a corner, is the blackened and charred malfunctioning staff of fire that Maria hasn’t been allowed to see for awhile…
Randal waves his hands frantically at Gunnar.
”No, no! Don’t say those things, especially where Rob can hear you! Do you have any idea how big this loser’s head will get when he hears things like that? We’re talking complete explosion!” Randal winces and grabs his own forehead, walking with you towards the inn in silence. ”Speaking of…you’ll need to excuse me. Heading to Mistress Numidia. My head’s been killing me for three days now. Nice to meet you, uhhh, don’t think I caught your name. Gunnar, right. Remember what I said. Humility is the medicine this boy needs. Keep his head small.” Randal winces again and heads toward the bridge to cross over to the hospital.
Gunnar’s father is up on his stagecoach in the innyard, checking everything over. He waves as Gunnar and Robert approach. ”I hear you still have some investigating to do. Still on the trail? That means you’ll be staying here a bit more? I can pick you up on my way back from Crossbridge. Just keep your head down in this town… whoa!”
Gunnar’s father cries out as the block holding the coach in place suddenly slips and the horseless conveyance quickly lurches out of control down hill towards the Brook and bridge.
And Randal.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”I am not a fey, you take that back,” Euda snaps sounding even younger than her fifteen years. “Leeka can’t hardly use her magic in town because people whisper that she’s friends with the fey in Verduran- what do you think would happen if word got around that the girl from out of town had fey blood? Don’t you dare start a rumor like that!”
"I'm assuming that you are in the second then," Maria says with a sour look after Eudamonia snapped. She'd look over to the old staff, walking towards it before dusting it off a little almost fondly before turning back and grabbing a scroll of obscuring mist and burning hands. There was no time to worry about the past, only the ongoing present. She didn't need such reminders, especially bad ones.
She'd turn to look at both Fezzan and Eudamonia, "Time to go, get out. Your secret is safe with me regardless. Not enough room for another pariah in this town let alone one that wont accept their gift for what it is."
Robert dashes to the coach and tries to grab it as he digs his feet in to try and stop it as he yells at Randal "Get out of the way Randal!"
No, but it will roll past the jail.
Robert grabs the coach and tries to use brute strength to stop it. The coach does slow ever so slightly but he doesn’t have enough mass to anchor it by himself.
Randal, for his part, turns to see what the commotion is about. His jaw drops as he sees the coach slowly gaining speed and barrelling down on him.
Gunnar slows the coach a bit more. His father picks himself up and jumps off the roof of the coach. You hear a sick snapping sound and his father crumples to the ground, grabbing at his right leg and hollering in pain.
Randal puts his hands up, ready to add his strength to stopping the coach, albeit from the front, when the coach suddenly lurches up on two wheels, as if it clipped a large rock. The vehicle totters briefly, then falls over on its side, quickly sliding to a halt a few feet from the terrified shepherd.
"I didn't say it wasn't a gift..." Euda grumbles under her breath as she follows Maria back out of the tower. She doesn't initiate any conversations on the road, although she isn't rude enough to ignore anyone who might speak to her. What she does do, however, is position herself at the front of the group and follow the roads directly back to Sir Eustus' house.
Coming out of the tower, the three thieves borrowers have a wonderful view of the town below. From their vantage point, they can see Robert and Gunnar struggling with the slow-rolling coach, though there's nothing they can do but watch from that distance. They too see the coach topple over and come crashing down.
Gunnar's father clearly has broken his ankle.
Robert dashes across the bridge towards the hospital and soon returns with Mistress Numidia. She gives instructions to the innkeeper's husband, who has come out to see what all the commotion is about, to produce a stretcher and take Gunnar's father up to his room.
Soon enough, the healer is concocting various treatments and the injured man finds himself trussed up in bed and not able to get around very much.
The coach itself has sustained significant damage from its fall over, and will require some time to repair. Tomos, the town carpenter, would be the closest thing this tiny hamlet has to a wainwright.
”Wow, I hope nobody got hurt,” Euda remarks as the scene with the wagon plays out in the distance, “I really need to go talk to Sir Eustus, but if you two want to take the wand over there just in case, I can meet up with you over there in a little while.” Then she makes her way down to the path and heads for her guardian’s estate.
|
|
Gunnar cannot almost believe what he sees but his mind locks in place and files that for later after his father's pain is managed he says we are going to have to get the coach fixed up at the carpenter Father while you rest and put the horses up until you are better and I will try to make enough coin to help pay for such costs
Maria somewhat hurriedly rushes over to the scene, making her way over to where Gunnar's father was layed out, "Magic might not be able to so the trick as needed with this, unless you'd like to try? I have brought a wand if need be," she says as she knelt down beside them.
Robert approaches Gunnar, claps him on the back and says "I'm sorry your father is injured. Looks like you will be staying around for a while. If you want to stay here in town I will understand. I will be going back out looking for what is taking those dogs.
Making her way up the drive, Euda arrives at home to find Halvers tending the topiaries that flank the main entrance.
”Good morning, Miss Euda. His Lordship is in the library. He’ll be happy to see you home safe.”
Inside the spacious library, Sir Eustus is sitting at his writing desk, penning a letter. He looks up and sighs in relief at seeing her.
”My dear, I’m so pleased to see you well. You’ve been having quite an adventure.”