On the Beach...
Mama Cookie ensures that Yash's wounds aren't infected and his bleeding subsides as it should. She takes a moment to appreciate the swift breeze coming off the water. She, along with a few watchers in the caravan, note the boat suddenly breaks free of its previous position sending figures skidding across the deck. The sails catch the northerly wind and the lithe little craft races free... right towards them.
Cookie says something decidedly unladylike.
Xing lashes out with another kick as she falls from its grasp.
Iro-Shu’s training takes over. Despite the struggle to take even a single ragged breath, her mind focuses, seeking out the joints in this thing’s carapace. Relentlessly, she steps forward. Left hook. Pivot. Right knee slam.
Seeing a new opportunity Sabelina jumps straight up into the air in order to avoid the effects of the rolling and lurching deck to keep her hand steady. At the same time she lunges at the crabman with her blade.
It's a toss up if Xing is more injured or angry... Captain Joas thinks she is angry, really really angry, as he watches the giant cat literally take apart the crabman with three precise and savage blows that separate both claws and then caves in the creature's chest.
Sabelina, for good measure, stabs the beast in the face, performing a coup-de-grace.
Joas starts barking orders even as he pushes the rudder over, slowly turning the boat away from a direct collision with the beach and the small group of wagons that are doing Gods-know-what. "Full sails, boys! Let's get as close as we can to the village before we land her." He glances at the roiling water which isn't keeping up with the 'wife but is still too close for his comfort. "I'm hoping those basterds have had run-ins with the folks in that village and they aren't friends."
He glances at Sabelina, "Cheer up, Miss. You wanted to visit the village? Now, you get your chance." He barks to no one in particular, "Yell to those wagons. Tell them to get their asses moving, there's danger in the water and it's coming this way!"
Xing collapses to a knee, bracing herself against the deck as she holds her damages throat. She forces long, slow breaths as she looks over at everyone present.
"Well fought," she rasps.
She closes her eyes, presses her fists together, and whispers a few words in Tian. The black markings on the back of her left paw (which you now realize resemble the hand of Irori) glow briefly, then pulse outward. As the power recedes, her breathing seems more easy.
As the boat rushes shoreward, she stands to her full height. As she does so, her white fur and claws recede. She gives a quick bow to the Taldan, Joas, and the first mate.
"I am called Xingxun Zhe. I am glad you were here with me today."
Then, heeding the captain's instructions, she jogs to the prow, standing tall as she waves her arms for those on the beach. "MOVE!" she yells, waving towards the disturbance in the water. "DANGER COMES!"
Mama hears the call. She's not sure if the warning meant more crabs or the boat itself, but either way. Everyone back, that boat's coming in! Incoming Travellers! Move back!
She waves everyone back towards more firm ground.
Sabelina bows deeply to Xing.
"I am Sabelina Kinbrace-Valognes of Oppara, and it is my great pleasure and good fortune to make your acquaintance Xingxun Zhe."
"You were magnificent! You fought like a... well, a tiger. Literally."
"With your permission I can assist further with your wounds."
His chest still heaving even after the enormous crab had stopped moving, Yash let the anger flow out of him as he dropped down to one knee, one hand on the sand and the other still grasping his axe, it's head resting in the sand. As the shouts of celebration went up, he whispered a hushed thank you.
"I am in your debt grandfather, as always."
He nodded as Mama Cookie began to inspect his wound and remained kneeling so the small halfling could get a good view. As she worked, he stared at what was left of the crab, his stomach beginning to rumble. His hand came out of the sand and pointed at the crab.
"Food."
He stood, and winced at the pain in his chest. He rubbed the wound, chanting a few divine words as healing energy flowed into the wound.
He then continued on his way to the remains of the crab, pulling a bone dagger out of a bandolier crisscrossed across his chest. He kneeled down and ripped off of a large piece of carapace, setting it down in the sand before he started cutting out large chunks of crab meat and piling the meat on top of the carapace.
With the ’Wife still rushing towards shore, Xing looks back over her shoulder at Sabelina’s greeting. There’s an awkward pause of a few breaths as the Minantan woman watches her, face unreadable. Sabelina gets the distinct impression that Xingxun is searching for deceit.
Finally, she gives a small half-grin — barely a crook of her mouth — and an equally quick bow of her head. ”Well met, Sabelina Kinbrace-Valognes … taker of boots.”
"You were magnificent! You fought like a... well, a tiger. Literally."
The compliment wipes Xing’s smile away quickly, and her golden eyes flash briefly to the crew, lingering guardedly on the cowering married couple. ”Thank you,” she says, obviously uncomfortable with this topic discussion. ”My nature usually gets a reaction more like theirs … when it doesn’t get me run out of town or attacked.”
At the offer of further healing, Xing’s eyes return to Sabelina’s. ”Yes. Thanks. For the healing and for joining that fight. I’d be dead without your help.”
The urgency of the moment reasserts itself. Xingxun swings her eyes back at the disturbance in the water, then to the captain.
”Are we crashing?” she yells over the rushing wind as she looks for ways to be helpful.
"Of course, of course, here we go."
"Strange you mention such reactions as common. As for me, I always knew, even from the youngest age, that one day I would encounter the magical and fantastical out in the world. You have confirmed my faith in myself."
Sabelina adds a bit more magic to Xing's healing progress.
Afterward Sabelina steps back to take hold of the mast again. She watches the approaching shore, seemingly as pleased they are rapidly closing in on it as she has been about almost everything since the chaos erupted a few minutes ago.
When Joas comments on her desire to go to the village being fulfilled, she replies "I'm delighted". Sabelina is not above thinking about adding a 'told you so' to Joas in reference to the disturbance in the water. But she doesn't, feeling sorry for him because his ship is presently being completely wrecked.
Sabeline does look back at the couple to give them some advice though.
"You'd best stay back in the stern and get down on the deck. We may have a big jolt coming!"
Xing's eyes widen in surprise at the power of Sabelina's healing. "Thank you. She gives another half-grin, "You are useful in a fight."
My new best friend turns into a tiger and together we have defeated a weird crab-person in combat. Soon we are off to visit a strange disappearing hamlet. This is the best day of my life!
Sabelina grins widely and grips the mast tighter.
Joas scowls at the pursuing column of roiling water and at the caravan that hasn’t put spurs to their horses. He growls to his passengers, ”Brace yourselves! This is about the get novel.”
He banks the ’wife hard toward shore. Water sprays across the crew. The ’wife quickly closes with the shore before he throws the rudder hard over to parallel the shore again, now from a considerably closer distance. More water soaks the crew.
At 5 yards off of the shore, figures become distinct and communication is far easier. He bellows and makes a forward chopping gesture over and over again aimed toward the village. ”Go to the village, NOW! NOW! NOW! Get your asses moving! There is danger following us! RUN!”
The ’wife bucks hard as she slams across a log that wallows in the shallow waters. More water pours into the prow from the holed, and now probably more damaged, hull. Joas winces and apologizes to his doughty little vessel. ”Sorry, girl.”
On the Beach…
The celebration on the beach turns to confusion as the boat zigs and zags in their direction. The first set of warnings were hard to hear but some of the more cautious caravaners began to pack up at that point just in case. Mama Cookie’s warning got even more of them ready to roll. But the yelling from the boat’s captain spurs the remaining people into action…
People, goods, epic crab claws, and even Yash’s carapace-shield full of select crab meat are hastily thrown into the carts. As each cart is loaded, the caravan mistress shouts, ”Go! Don’t wait on us and don’t spare the horses! Get to the village!” then she slaps the lead horse on the ass to get the rig rolling.
In a couple minutes every wagon is racing along the rocky flats toward the village. Only when the last cart (with Cookie and Yash) is rolling, does the caravan mistress hop on the back. Her sword is out and she watches the roiling water that follows the boat… and hopefully doesn’t pay them any mind.
She glances at Yash briefly, trying to not think about whatever might be in the water, ”You’re good with that axe… Want a job?”
As the little boat rushes towards the shore, Xing takes a moment to grab up her pack and sling it over her shoulder. She ties it in place, checks how secure it is, and grabs up her staff as well.
She looks over at the captain. "Thank you for the job, but this is my stop."
She gives a quick glance back at the pair of cowering newly-weds, then back at the captain. Her tone is reluctant, "Do you need help with them?"
Right before impact, she closes her eyes, focuses her breathing, and whispers a mantra.
As soon as the ship finds a purchase on the beach, Sabelina leaves the mast and runs to the rear. She grabs her hat and bag, then rousts the married couple into action.
"We're beached! Up and off the ship! GO GO GO! MOVE!"
CHAPTER 2: On the Threshold…
As the flooding Fishwife races into the inlet and the caravan rounds the narrow headland, both groups see the village from a distance. First, it isn’t a village at all. It’s a town, a good-sized town at that, built within a sheltering ring of steep hills. The town itself is bordered by a perfectly circular stone wall, no more than ten feet in height with a number of arched entrances through it. The ring wall is contiguous, heedless of the terrain. In some places it sits comfortably on flat land, such as near the docks. In other spots, it climbs and falls with the undulations of the hills. In still other, impossibly steep sections of hill, how the wall continues to maintain its steady curve is a wonder of engineering. Only where the wall meets the water of the inlet does the wall end… and there the edge of the wall looks staggered, like someone pulled a whole section of wall out but left the uneven ends so the missing section could be replaced at some point. You’ve never seen anything like it.
The town itself seems an organic, loosely planned affair, at least from this distance. There appears to be a central paved roadway that winds lazily through the town. The town reminds you of a pile of blocks stacked by a toddler (albeit a giant toddler) with each stack being between two and five stories (or blocks) high.
The stacks nearest the water were clearly dropped by a child in a tantrum. They are stacked unevenly, leaning against other barely-standing stacks. If there is a plumb building anywhere along the docks you'd be surprised. Tight alleys carve through the disordered pile of buildings.
Further inland the child was clearly a bit calmer - the stacks are more organized, laid out in a somewhat ordered (but still far from straight) rows. Wider cobblestone lanes crisscross the area and a large amount of traffic can be observed - on foot, animal-back, and cart.
Still further inland, the blocks were placed carefully by an older child. The buildings are neatly stacked, with straight lanes separating them all. You spy a hint of fresh paint and the green of gardens there. And somewhere near the center of the town, your view blocked by rows of buildings that rest atop a couple low hills, is the tall and reasonably slender bell tower. It seems somehow out of place here. Its construction is of a style you’ve never seen, with long indents in the stone walls. The whole building is whitewashed and the gently sloped roof appears to be covered in curiously shaped red-brown tiles.
Somewhere after the Fishwife passes the headland – in full sight of the town – the roiling water that had been chasing the boat pauses then retreats back towards the sea. The chase, it seems, is over. With the bow dipping heavily from the leak, as water laps at the base of the center mast, the Fishwife won’t make it to the town’s modest dock or stay floating there for long. The crew steps the sails, slows their wounded vessel, and guides her until she grinds up onto the strand moments before the caravan trundles up and stops. The horses are allowed to breathe and the boat’s crew anchor her. The nearest of the town’s archways stand before you. By silent agreement, you all enter the town together.
Proceeding through the arch, you can see that the buildings and alleys are set back roughly 50’ feet from the ring wall and the docks, leaving a long open plaza for commerce and transactions whether arriving by land or sea… And business is booming. There are dozens of people talking, carousing, transacting business, eating at shabby vendor stalls, moving goods, etc. It is a riot of color, noises, smells, and energy.
Up close, the wharf and plaza are much as you observed from afar. Cramped multi-story buildings lean like drunkards against each other while a warren of narrow alleys wind in and out between them. The buildings are a mish-mash of colors and styles. Further in, the alleys become wider roads and building appear more uniform and organized. More surprising are the people. They are just as varied as the buildings. Humans, elves, gnomes, halflings, dwarves, and half-orcs are everywhere. Sprinkled among them are more exotic races – gnolls, goblins, kobolds, orcs, nagaji, lizardmen, and even more unusual creatures. If the typical race hatreds exist here, they are well controlled… as you see a group of goblins smiling (as much as they can) and joking with a pair of gnomes. While you are taking all this strangeness in, one of the locals, a dwarf notices you and saunters over, one thumb hitched in his belt and armed with nothing more than a pipe in his free hand and a smile.
”Newcomers?” He says in a way that sounds like 70% statement and 30% question. ”I’m McRae. You are welcome in Threshold.”
He casts a discerning eye, under a very bushy brow, at your entire company, noting the many poleaxed looks. Acknowledging Yash with a significant nod, he addresses his comment to everyone else in the company, ”If you’ve got a problem rubbing elbows with folks not like you, best you leave those opinions outside the wall. Everyone here knows how to behave themselves.” There is an implicit warning is his statement, which he immediately counters with a smile. ”But you’ll find us a hospitable crew mostly – friendly as friendly can be. Now, are you here for trade or has happenstance brought you to our door? Is there something I can help you with or some advice you need?”
Mama takes a moment after the commotion of the boat's arrival to see to the children. They are her wards, after all. Thankfully everyone's fine, if a little shaken/riled up. Even the more brave of them is firmly wedged into a safe place. After checking them over, she notices a splinter has wedged itself pretty deeply into little Betsy's little finger. It's a big one too. Probably from holding too tightly onto the rough side of the wagon as it raced down the beach. She makes quick work of pulling the thing out, but then it starts to bleed a little and Betsy starts to loose it. Mama shushes her and kisses the wound which immidiately heals. She winks. Mamma's kisses make everything better.
After this she'll say, We gots a town up ahead so youall stay put. The adults need to do some talking before youall go and make a fuss. We don't know if we'll be staying yet, but we'll be trading a bit at least. So keep here and I'll be back.
Opon seeing the dwarf she'll hang back a bit and let the leaders do the talking. This wasn't her show to take. Though this place seemed more than a little odd, ok a lot odd, they were in short supply of a lot of different items and she hopes the Leaders will take that into account in their opening bargaining.
Xing knew long before she stepped off the ’Wife she was finished with their little crew. She made no fuss; it was one of a million bridges burned behind her.
And she eyed the caravan’s members warily, especially the large, well-muscled orc in primitive leathers and totems. She caught Sabelina’s eye — whom she’d been remaining close to, the woman was the literal only person Xing knew for the time being — and nodded seriously at the orc-blood. ”Watch him. Weapons” she mouthed.
But as she approached this new town, any thoughts of what they just experienced began to fade.
Xing had been to a lot of port towns next to a lot of oceans and rivers. All were different, and many were unique and exotic. She had to admit there was something … well, just something about this one that arrested her attention a bit.
While her feet ached to dart ahead and explore, Xing stuck close to Sabeline as they passed through the arch. She eyed the milling crowds, the ramshackle structures nearby, and let let her golden eyes climb into the interior of this town. New places brought new experiences, but they also brought new dangers. So Xing unconsciously checked her weapons and gear.
At the dwarf’s warm welcome, she stopped, looking down at him for a moment before pressing her palms together and giving a small bow of greeting. ”Thank you, McRae. I'm just a traveller. Called Xing.”
She paused, considering the wild noise and activity around the square. She hated small talk nearly as much as she hated busy towns. Too many people. Too many unknowns. She looks back down at the dwarf, her feature remaining somewhat reserved.
”I could use a drink. Cheap, cool, and strong, if it’s available.”
Yash nodded to the caravan mistress as she mentioned his axe, and then again when she mentioned a job. He made his way onto the last wagon, and offered the caravan mistress a hand as she made to board as well.
As he sat in the back of the wagon, half looking around for danger, half picking tiny bits of shell out of the pile of crab meat. His axe strapped across his back again, and bone knife sheathed, he rested the make-shift platter on his lap. The expedited ride was jarring, and more than once Yash scooped up a piece of crab that had tumbled to the wagon floor, dusted it off, and plopped it into his mouth with a muted smile.
As they rushed across the sand, Yash kept on eye on the ship that seemed to be heading towards the beach, and had almost forgotten about the approaching village. Once they came to a stop, he clambered out of the wagon, still holding his carapace-platter. He looked to the structures with a wary eye. Structures meant people, and people made him nervous.
He followed the others, taking up a position in the rear. He silently hoped that this village would be open to him. Too many times he had been shut out and shoo'd away, for no true fault of his own.
It didn't seem like this was the caravan's expected destination, but a few had mentioned trade so he wasn't really sure what was to happen next. Now confronted with the town, he kept his eyes and ears open, often looking to the caravan mistress for direction. He took in the large structures, the multitude of people, and even the lone dwarf as he approached, and he marveled at all of it.
As introductions were made, Yash smacked his chest three times with his free hand and uttered "Yash."
Sabelina nods to acknowledge Xing's indication the half-orc should be watched, but she more focused on getting a read on the town. It seems fairly clear to her now that it isn't simply a smuggler's haven, but that only makes the captain and crew's lack of knowledge of it more puzzling. It's not so well hidden actually, and abuts the shore with docks. Magic and fey shenanigans come to mind.
She also begins to rethink the watery disturbance. Was something hunting us, or herding us here?
And the walls... They end on both sides as if they continue on unseen,
She gives the docks a careful perusal, checking to see if the berths are full or empty, how many ships are about, if there are any signs of cargos being loaded or unloaded, if there are stevedores about. These are the things she thinks would indicate a waterfront that doesn't change radically, as in be here sometimes or not. Ships come and go and need to be assured the places they travel to and from will be there as they plan routes and navigate.
As is her habit, Sabelina bows courteously to the dwarf when he approaches to converse with them.
"Sabelina Kinbrace-Valognes at your service Sir. Your town looks charming. Its name is 'Threshold' you say? That's an intriguing choice in a name. A door or entryway between two places. The point at which one thing changes to another. The residents of this town must think very highly of it, no? To name it something so weighted with significance I mean."
With the initial shock over, Xing’s innocent question opens up the floodgates as the wagoners, the boatsmen, the merchants, and even a couple of the kids who defied Mama Cookie and tagged along, fire off their questions in rapid fire succession… ”Where can we buy supplies for our caravan?” ”What is this place?” ”We need to fix our boat. Who do I see about that?” ”Is there someplace to eat?” ”Is there someplace I won’t be eaten?” ”I have goods to sell. Where should I go?” ”Is it safe to walk around?” ”Who should I see about…?” ”My bride and I just fought off a sea-serpent! I’m a hero. Where can we get a room with a romantic view?” ”Where can we water and grain or horses?” ”Where’s a cheap Inn?” ”Ya got some Crabmen lurking just beyond the point with a ballista. Ya know about that?” ”Where’s the ?”
McRae weathers the gale of questions with a smile, tries to throw in a quick “Yes” or “No” edgewise, and finally holds up a surrendering hand, ”Alright, let me order my thoughts and set you all on the right paths, so you don’t trip.” He thinks for a moment.
As introductions were made, Yash smacked his chest three times with his free hand and uttered "Yash."
McRae hitches a thumb towards his chest, ”McRae… You are welcome here.”
Introductions done, the dwarf takes a deep breath and dives in. ”Alright. You folks are in Threshold and this area of town is called ‘Dockside’… for obvious reasons. Threshold can be a pretty expensive place to stay. The best values in town – whether it is food, drink, lodging, supplies, or entertainment is right here. And while it looks a bit woolly, it is mostly safe. Safer than most wharf areas in any town you know, I expect.”
”We got one main road that winds all through town. We call it the High Street. You are free to go anywhere along it. We got no locked gates or anything silly like that. But the further you go up the High Street, the more expensive everything gets. So, best ask about prices before you buy something too far up. If you are short on coin, pack a lunch.”
”For stabling and feeding animals, go past this first row of buildings, turn right and keep walking til you hit the wall. Stables are right there. Tell them you are newcomers, they’ll give you the best rate they can. For boat fixes…” McRae points to the left, through the teeming plaza and docks, ”Go to the far end of the docks. At the Near-Sighted Slattern take a right, go down the widest alley, and you’ll end up at our boatsmiths. Lumber is there too if anyone needs wood. Again, tell them you are newcomers and they’ll treat you as best they can… but repairs can get expensive here.”
”For selling goods, you can set a stall here in the plaza, no charge. Setting up a stall elsewhere will cost you a bit. If you want to sell your goods in bulk, take the High Street up to ‘Market Square’ probably a 15-minute walk. You can’t miss it. Once you hit a big rectangle of grass with shade trees, you are there. If you take a wagon with your goods, one of the merchants will find you. Mention you are newcomers and they’ll be obliged to introduce you to the other town merchants. You might get lucky and there could be a war of bids on whatever you’re selling.”
”Looking for the cheapest Inn, try Rustic… it’s well named. Ask around in the plaza and someone will direct you to the right alley.”
Finally getting down to a subject McRae appreciates… ”Drinks?” He scratches his beard at Xing’s question. ”For the cheapest drinks, go to Rustic. For cheap drinks, head to Caterwaul, it’s about halfway up the dock and facing the plaza. The booze is decent as are the fights. But, if you don’t mind paying a bit more and have varied ah… interests, I’d suggest the Near-Sighted Slattern. It is the heart of Dockside.”
As an afterthought, the dwarf meets Little Jameson eye-to-eye, ”Sorry, son, the Cyclopser left two days ago.” He gives the boy a wink.
The caravan and boat crew disbands. The merchants take three wagons to Market Square. The caravan mistress, children, remaining wagoners, and laborers see about getting supplies, stabling their livestock, and finding lodgings… while giving thanks to Yash and Mama Cookie for all their help. ”Got jobs for both of you if you want them!”
Joas offers Xing his hand, ”Thanks for the help and good sailing to you. You ever need a ride, you look us up. Happy to have you aboard any time.” He gives Sabelina a nod. ”Enjoy your stay, Miss. If you wanna go further up the coast, I expect we’ll be here for a couple days.” He and his son head off to the shipwrights to see about repairs.
With their travelling companions gone, our heroes find themselves standing in a small group in the plaza… with nowhere they particularly need to go.
“…That's an intriguing choice in a name. A door or entryway between two places. The point at which one thing changes to another. The residents of this town must think very highly of it, no? To name it something so weighted with significance I mean."
McRae blinks, his smile never falters and only deepens, amusement written all over his face. ”I’m not sure I get half of what you mean… but we are fond of our little corner of the world and it is a special place. Stick around and you’ll likely find that out for yourself. As for why they named it exactly as they did, you’d have to ask one of the citizens. I wasn’t here anywhere near its founding. Piece of advice from a fellow traveler… have a care in asking questions like that. Some people take it poor when you walk into their house and immediately start poking around the medicine cabinet.” McRae’s last comment doesn’t come across as a veiled threat or even a warning so much as it sounds like fatherly advice.
Sabelina casts her eyes around, her investigative senses itching at something below the surface. From her current position, at the entry to the long plaza, she can’t see much of the docks. They are relatively modest, holding room for no more than five boats comfortably. Currently, there are two boats that look to be small merchant vessels and one boat that looks to be a fishing boat. You don’t see any loading or unloading activities at the moment. There is a group of idle stevedors (judging by their clothing and gear) deeply involved in a game of dice near one of the boats. The docks themselves are made of common wood at the end nearest you, and it seems like there may be a stone jetty at the far end of the docks but the view is blocked by an overturned galley that appears to have been hoisted onto the jetty and converted into some sort of building. Lights shine out from multiple windows cut into the hull, and smoke rises from a chimney (one of several) emerging from the hull as well. Without going closer, you can’t tell much more than that.
In the distance, you see what appears to be a group of merchants with laden donkeys cresting one of the encircling hills leaving the town. They must have left through one of the other archways in the wall. Near at hand, there are laborers just beginning to load up a cart with lumpy canvas bags filled with some sort of fruit, you’d guess, judging by the sweet/tangy smell coming from their goods. All things being equal, you suspect they plan to leave by the archway you just came through.
Yash took two steps to follow after the caravan mistress, but paused when she mentioned a job again. He stood perplexed, as the caravan travelers made their way off, his head tilted to one side, a confused look on his face. He stood a bit longer, watching all of the people coming and going, half-listening to the dwarf as he answered questions. Once again, Yash was left without a clear purpose, his destiny hidden from him. He turned his attention back to the dwarf, and the others near him. Seeing Momma Cookie as the only familiar face, he slowly approached the group and took up a spot near the old halfling woman. He stood silently, still clutching the shell full of crab meat and occasionally popped a morsel into his mouth. When anyone looked at him, he muttered one word.
"Crab?" as he held up the carapace plate in offering.
On the occasion that Yas offers Mama some crab, she conciders carefully the raw meat. Seafood eaten raw was the custom in some parts of the world, she knew, but her traditions were not that. She glances around at the peace and coexistence happening around her and decides to go for it. The worst that could happen is she dies, and the fear of death was long past her by this point.
She takes a morsel and pops it in her mouth. Hmm. Not the worst she's ever had, but not the best.
She suddenly realizes that the two haven't been introduced. She pats her chest and nods. Mama Cookie. Seconds later a dark red fox with lighter patches at the nose, feet, and tip of the tail that look like fire sits up on the far side of Mama and looks at Yas. HI! I'm Lady!
Xing gets lost in the experience of a new town, smiling at McRae’s exchange with the boy (until she realizes he wasn’t really joking), and simply letting the sights and sounds of this place wash over her senses. After the threat and danger of the last hour, it was nice to just let herself drift.
… until she realizes that it’s only herself and three others remaining. The tall Minatan womna’s eyes swing quickly back to you. It’s like her golden-brown eyes are trying to take everything in about your as quickly as possible. She is very tall, over six feet, and powerfully built in a long-limbed way. She is heavily-scarred and expansively tattooed (including one for Irori on the back of her left fist which now holds her bulging duffel pack in place). Her wild array of traveler’s clothes look like they were bought in ports from Absolom to Minatan and thrown together slap-dash, but all of them are now salt-stiffened and a little blood-spattered.
”I am called Xingxun Zhe.” You see the hint of a smile touch her eyes as she gestures over to Sabelina. ”And this is Sabelina Kinbrace-Valognes. Watch her close. She might steal your boots and look better in them than they did on you.”
Her eyes range across the busy, stall-filled square with a certain curious hunger. She addresses Sabelina, but politely includes you all. ”I want to see a little of this plaza as I find the nearest drink. That dwarf said the Slattern was the second-cheapest place to drink.” Her small, shy smile returns, ”I have very high standards.”
Sabelina smiles at McRae the dwarf in a way she intends to be disarming.
"I apologize Master Dwarf. I am a lover of books and words. I meant to play rather than pry with them." Except I absolutely did intend to pry. "Don't take what I said in any other way."
"And now, shall we find those drinks I think we're all looking forward to?" she asks her fellow new arrivals.
The dwarf shrugs, clearly taking no offense at anything that's been said, "No need to apologize! When I first got here, I had the same sorts of questions as you. What I'm saying is... sometimes, keeping your eyes and ears open just might net you some answers without upsetting anyone." The dwarf appears to be trying to tell you something important. Abruptly, he claps his hands as if concluding a matter. "Well! I'll leave you folks to your wanderings... All sorts of interesting people and places to see in Threshold. Likely I'll be seeing you around. If not, enjoy the town." With a polite bow, McRae moves off into the crowd.
Xing gives her own small bow in return as McCrae departs. The moment is interrupted by an abnormally loud rumble from the Minatan’s stomach. She gives it a pat, ”I must feed the beast. Feel free to come with me. Drinks are enjoyed best with food in the belly.”
Not waiting for this strange group to respond, she sets off through the bizarre plaza, sniffing the air for cooked meats.
Xing has just begun her quest for food when you all hear a tumult from the far side of the plaza. There are many alternately confused then alarmed voices with one woman’s voice rising above the din, ”Oi! Hey! Let him go! Stop! HEY! F@<ker! Let go of my placard!” There are more confused shouts followed by the sounds of crashing stalls, growing panic, and people running.
The cause of the chaos becomes clear as it bulldozes through the stalls blocking your view…
Coming toward you is a strange beast that is sort of ‘flying’ through the plaza while dragging a sizeable and squealing pig. The creature is… unbelievable. It looks like the hideous result of a gangrenous vulture mating with a jellyfish during a hot air balloon trip. The body of the beast is a glowing, bile-colored, jellyfish with dozens of tendrils dragging the ground. Many of them are wrapped around and dragging the struggling pig. The jellyfish’s bell-like undulating ‘top’ is crowned with three mangy and bent-necked vulture heads, each facing in different directions. The heads screech when they aren’t pecking bloody welts in the entrapped pig’s flesh. Even looking at the bizarre abomination makes the gorge rise in your throats.
The creature flies much as a jellyfish would swim… pushing thick air by the compressing motion of its ‘bell’. Fortunately, the pig’s weight is taxing the monstrosity’s ability to fly, so it is roughly ‘floating’ at head height through the plaza, smashing through everything in its path while the pig acts as both an anchor and a battering ram.
Behind the abomination you see its pursuer, a young woman who is struggling to catch up because she has to weave through the confused crowd, dodge the wreckage left in the creature's wake, and knock a few laggards aside with her unstrung bow. Angrily, she alternately pleads and yells. ”Get out of the way! Excuse me! Hey, STOP! Someone SAVE MY PIG!”
She only briefly halts in her pursuit to hastily string her bow and makes one final appeal to the revolted and confused crowd. ”Help, please!”
It only takes a moment for Sabelina to piece things together after hearing about saving a pig, and seeing the thing with the pig.
Her blade is out in only a moment, and she closes the distance to the thing in not much more time.
"Drop the pig beast!" she cries as she strikes.
Yash stood somewhat transfixed by the talking fox. Never had he encountered such a thing. Then again, he had never encountered a town like Threshold either. It was turning out to be quite the wondrous day. He reached out a meaty hand to pat the little fox but halted a few inches shy. In his travels, he had seen plenty of people pat and pet animals, and they all seamed to enjoy it, but he had never witnessed one talking so he just wasn't sure.
He noticed one of the other woman begin to head off with talks of food and drinks, and the idea seemed like a good one as he stood with his hand still floating near Momma Cookie and her Lady friend. His mouth opened as a question formed in his mind, only to be interrupted by the commotion of some kind of ugly, floating octopus thing, apparently trying to steal someone's pig-beast.
Yash's floating hand quickly pointed at the pig-thief. "Help" was all that he said before moving past Momma, pulling the greataxe free as he moved forward.
"Grandfather, lend me your axe" Yash demanded.
A ghostly battle axe appeared a ways off, just behind the tentacled-thief and began to hack and slash at the thing.
Food must wait. The sight of the creature takes Xing back. A crabman and now this thing?! Twice in one day she’s encountered something horrible and completely new to her. It takes her a moment to recover, but when she does, she bolts after Sabelina, unwilling to let the Taldan woman face it alone.
With surprising speed, Xing bursts across the plaza. She quickly outpaces Sabelina, and using her extraordinary speed to dodge past the creature and box it in between herself and Sabelina. Rolling to her feet on its other side, she continues her momentum upward, spinning to bring a Irori-tattooed backhand at the nearest vulture-head. If she can momentarily stun it, maybe it would drop the pig.
The fox doesn't seem to flinch as Yas's hand approaches. She even tilts her head for it.
But then an octopus thing interrupts the pets.
THE NERVE!
Lady growls. Mama stands. A firm scowl on her face.
So NAUGHTY! Take this!
Mama casts a spell.
Without a moment of hesitation, Sabelina the bladeswoman rushes the creature and attacks. Her rapier pierces the foul beast’s hood but misses its vitals.
The beast lets out a disconcerting chicken-like ”SKWAUK!” and drops the pig. Then all three vulture heads swivel and lash out, two slice into Sabelina's arms and the third puts the pig down with a decisive blow to the back of its skull.
Xing dexterously tumbles past the creature but brushes against one of its flowing tendrils, alerting it. One of the vulture heads immediately reacts with a skull-cracking headbutt to the monk . Xing sees stars briefly then times her backfist strike well, catching the head as it retreats. She delivers a solid but glancing blow that fails to stun the creature.
The unconscious pig continues to bleed out, inching closer to death.
With Xing flanking the creature, the archer is at her back. The Varisian woman closes to point blank range and sends a pair of arrows streaking toward the monster. The first misses but the second sticks in the monster’s neck.
Cookie croons a lullaby at the creature hoping to make it sleep. She threads the needle on the area of effect and avoids affecting her allies. Unfortunately, the beast shrugs off the granny’s attempts.
Yash closes with the monster and draws his greataxe even as the ghostly axe forms and strikes. The blow goes wide.
ORDER:
Sabelina
Monster
Xing
Pig
Senna
Cookie
Yash
CURRENT HP:
Cookie 24/24
Sabel 17/26
Senna 18/18
Xing 15/20
Yash 20/22
Pig -4/9
The floating thingy is quicker than Sabelina had given it credit for, and her arms have paid the price. She doesn't back down, but she does begin to employ more caution. After a new thrust it it, she follows up by preparing to fend off a counterattack.
Things aren't looking too good for the pig. Hang on piggy... Should this be about a pig when I write it up? Do people care that much about pigs? Maybe a lamb would be better...
Sabelina presses her advantage while wary of counter-attack. Her blow again sinks deeply into the monster but the flapping motion of the bell knocks her blade aside as it threatens to tear into a crucial organ. The abomination’s heads cluck frantically in response to the bladeswoman’s painful stroke. Instinct drives it to deploy a disgusting defense measure…
From a sac deep within its body and propelled by a sharp contraction of the bell, the creature farts a noxious seawater stink amid a cloud of sticking, eye-irritating, sparkly particles. The cloud rolls outward coating everyone and everything within 30’.
ORDER:
Sabelina
Monster
Xing
Pig
Senna
Cookie
Yash
CURRENT HP:
Cookie 24/24
Sabel 17/26
Senna 18/18
Xing 15/20
Yash 20/22
Pig -4/9