"In the meantime, as I said...we can do some business. If you're still interested in gear and the like."
"Certainly. Finish breakfast and get things set up. I'll come check out what you brought."
Niss finds a moment to herself, not to wander far -- not with the recent bounty hunter tangle and the one who delivered the collar still undiscovered. She sits on the porch of the Feedmill, still in sight of the door and windows. She falls into private musings -- with so much going on lately, there hadn't been much time for idle thought.
When Drake approaches her, she smiles, knowing he would before long. He was like her shadow, never far from her side. In a different life, that might be annoying -- but in a different life, she wouldn't be a runaway slave feeling as though she was being watched every moment since that night with the wretched metal loop on her pillow. In this life, she wanted him close. The closer, the better.
"I was just thinking, about the future. About what happens when this is all dealt with." She smiled wryly.
Niss finds a moment to herself, not to wander far -- not with the recent bounty hunter tangle and the one who delivered the collar still undiscovered. She sits on the porch of the Feedmill, still in sight of the door and windows. She falls into private musings -- with so much going on lately, there hadn't been much time for idle thought.
When Drake approaches her, she smiles, knowing he would before long. He was like her shadow, never far from her side. In a different life, that might be annoying -- but in a different life, she wouldn't be a runaway slave feeling as though she was being watched every moment since that night with the wretched metal loop on her pillow. In this life, she wanted him close. The closer, the better.
"I was just thinking, about the future. About what happens when this is all dealt with." She smiled wryly.
Giving a half-smile in return, he looks at her curiously. "Really? The future, huh?" Drake's heartbeat picks up its pace as he finds himself anxious about which direction she might take. This is a 'good' future, right? Not one where you feel you have to leave me behind and all that? Please say it's a good one. The one that, you know, has both of us in it. Together. In the same place. And, you know, I was thinking somewhere along the lines of 'forever' and all that. Hopefully, that's where you're headed with this conversation. Gods, I hope that's where she's going with this. Stroking his eyebrow tensely, he quickly stops when he realizes what he's doing. Clearing his throat, he takes her hand in between both of his. "So, um, what are your thoughts about the future for when we're done here, Niss?" He asks, smiling somewhat nervously, yet, keeping his eyes trained on hers.
She grins brightly at his recent eyebrow fixation, but refrains from poking fun. The smile fades a bit as she answers him.
"I don't know who I am. Well, that's not entirely true. I know who I am now. But I don't know who I want to be, you know?
"I've never had choices. Ever. So I never really thought about the future. Every day was the same, more or less. Now that I'm free…I don't know. I don't know what to do with my life. What am I good at? Hurling rocks about?". She chuckled with a snort. "I can heal but not as well as Fin, in the long run. I can clean, but I've done so much of that ..I don't think I could work cleaning other people's homes again. I'm great at manipulating people…"
Niss got quiet for a moment and Drake could feel shame radiating from her. "I helped her. For years. Helped one of the biggest slavers in the region save money on her deals. How many more slaves did she buy and funnel back to Cheliax, because I helped her? How many people did I doom to the same fate I was trapped in? It's easy to say she forced me to help, but I could have said no. She might have killed me, but so what? Was my life worth all those other people's freedom?". She sighed and shook her head and waved away the momentary branch of thought, returning to her main point. "I cannot change the past. What's done is done. But the question remains of what to do with my future.
"I have no idea. No answers. Except one.". She smiled at him, taking his hand in hers. "The only thing I am certain of is you. I know we've only known each other, what…a week? Gods. It doesn't matter. With our connection, I know you as if I always had. And you know me. I cannot imagine a happy future without you in it."
Her eyes bore into his. He felt a twinge of nervousness from her. "I know this normally works the other way. But nothing about any of this has been normal so why start now? Drake…when all of this is dealt with … when we're both safe …I thought, maybe we could, you know … get married? If you wanted to. And we could figure the rest out together?"
"If we are lucky, it should not. It all rests in the Gravelands now." Baradim mutters, his dourness quickly interrupted by Tamli's probing finger that makes him wince and mumble in Orcish. His attention turns towards Gil as the man mentions that they have the chance to move along with them further into Andoran and away from the horrors of the past.
"Business sounds good. We have a hunt to finish." Baradim said softly, his brow furrowing as he looked back at Tamli. Unconsciously, his hand moved to his many talismans and amulets. He had a promise to keep to them and to her.
As the others begin to get ready, Baradim's eyes catch the sight of Sir Lawren once more. He moves over beside the man, saddling up onto the seat before looking at him.
"Lawren. How do you fare?" Baradim asks, grunting for a moment as Tamli takes that moment to begin doing up another bandage upon him. The cuts, scrapes, and slices he had since his ventures had begun here had left another long assortment of stories upon his being. "Do not mind her. She won't let me bleed a little, it seems." The orc says with a little smirk that descends into a grumble when she slaps him in the back of the head.
Unless anyone moves to stop him, Gil will leave hurriedly to help his remaining workers and family set up shop in the center of town.
Lawren nods to Baradim as the fellow soldier sits, holding a cup of steaming, bitter coffee in his hand. The knight's eyes are bloodshot, and he looks as though he hasn't had a full night's sleep in several days. "Not well," He replies honestly, voice hoarse. The man glances at Tamli as she begins patching up her mate, nodding respectfully at the woman. She returns the nod briefly, barely looking up from her silent work. Sir Lawren looks back at Baradim, taking a careful sip of the hot, energizing beverage. "Hard to sleep without being completely obliterated with drink."
"Hard to sleep without being completely obliterated with drink."
Wouldn't that be a luxury. Perhaps it is best that it is one that is not available to me.
Fin overhears the conversation, but doesn't join in. He instead heads outside to watch the caravaners set out their wares - from a respectful distance of course.
"That is a better drink." Baradim says, nodding at the hot cup of black liquid in his hand. The aroma wafts from him and Baradim notes that the stench of alcohol seems to be slowly passing away. He stays still, letting Tamli do her work for a moment before he speaks again.
"It is hard, the first few nights. I remember that I refused to sleep. I walked for what felt like days but must have only been a day or two. I just had to...get away." The orc vividly remembers the nightmares that came to him even to this night; the horrors of that undead horde and the screams of a dying city. Worst of all was the perfect, silent stillness that covered over all afterwards.
"You were...are still...a great man. This is your challenge, your battle now. It is yourself." Baradim sits for a moment, thinking hard before looking back at Tamli.
"Törött. Kell neki egy hely, ahol meggyógyulhat." He would wait for her permission, only turning to speak with the crestfallen knight with her support behind him.
"What you need...is refuge. When our work is done, we will be leaving towards Absalom. We could use another guard. Do you wish to join us, Lawren?"
At Baradim's statement, Tamli glances over Sir Lawren, another knight of Lastwall. A broken man seeking a purpose. She looks back to Baradim, and nods sharply, tightening the bandage she had just finished on his shoulder. "Igen. Összegyűjthetjük az összes törött holmit. Segíts nekik teljessé válni." She smiles wryly and then nods to Sir Lawren, crossing her arms over her chest and standing behind the orc.
Sir Lawren looks a tad shocked at the question, holding his mug in both hands and staring into the brown liquid as if searching for an answer in its depths. "Yes. But...I don't want to be a bother. My nightmares...they're...vivid." He frowns and takes another drink of the coffee. "If that's a problem, I can just...sleep away from the caravan."
She grins brightly at his recent eyebrow fixation, but refrains from poking fun. The smile fades a bit as she answers him.
"I don't know who I am. Well, that's not entirely true. I know who I am now. But I don't know who I want to be, you know?
"I've never had choices. Ever. So I never really thought about the future. Every day was the same, more or less. Now that I'm free…I don't know. I don't know what to do with my life. What am I good at? Hurling rocks about?". She chuckled with a snort. "I can heal but not as well as Fin, in the long run. I can clean, but I've done so much of that ..I don't think I could work cleaning other people's homes again. I'm great at manipulating people…"
Niss got quiet for a moment and Drake could feel shame radiating from her. "I helped her. For years. Helped one of the biggest slavers in the region save money on her deals. How many more slaves did she buy and funnel back to Cheliax, because I helped her? How many people did I doom to the same fate I was trapped in? It's easy to say she forced me to help, but I could have said no. She might have killed me, but so what? Was my life worth all those other people's freedom?". She sighed and shook her head and waved away the momentary branch of thought, returning to her main point. "I cannot change the past. What's done is done. But the question remains of what to do with my future.
"I have no idea. No answers. Except one.". She smiled at him, taking his hand in hers. "The only thing I am certain of is you. I know we've only known each other, what…a week? Gods. It doesn't matter. With our connection, I know you as if I always had. And you know me. I cannot imagine a happy future without you in it."
Her eyes bore into his. He felt a twinge of nervousness from her. "I know this normally works the other way. But nothing about any of this has been normal so why start now? Drake…when all of this is dealt with … when we're both safe …I thought, maybe we could, you know … get married? If you wanted to. And we could figure the rest out together?"
Taken COMPLETELY aback and standing there in stunned silence for a moment, Drake eventually chuckles. Chuckles at the irony of it all. Shaking his head and smiling as he looks right into her eyes, "You know, Niss, I can honestly say I did not see that coming. Of course, I should've! Because that's my girl, always full of surprises. And all this time I thought it was going to be me asking you." He grins big, giving her a wink. Placing his hands upon her hips, "Of course I want to marry you, Niss! Are you kidding me?! There is nothing I want more than to be with you always, my love. You know, trying to picture what my life would look like without you just gives me such a horrible feeling of dread and emptiness. I can't live without you, Niss. My life would absolutely be empty." Then, as a beaming smile forms, "But thanks to you... it's not." Cupping her face in his hands, he kisses her deeply.
Eventually, after a time, he separates his lips from hers and says, "And figuring the rest of it out together sounds like a great idea, my dear sweet Niss."
Niss was smiling radiantly by the time Drake pulled back. Her arms were still locked around his waist as she spoke. "Well, then, soon-to-be husband. Let's hurry up and save this awful little town, tell Lydia to go stuff herself, and somehow bring down one of Cheliax's noble houses, so we can get on with it. I don't like waiting."
After Gil and the others get their booths set up, Finoan comes over to take a look at what they have.
"Hmm... lots of good stuff here. Any weapon damage runes? How about other magic casting equipment like wands, spellhearts, or cantrip decks?"
"I don't think I will be able to afford everything I want though. I'll have to get the others over here to discuss things."
Gil leans against the counter of the market stall, considering Finoan’s questions carefully. "'We’ve got a little bit of everything you’re looking for, I think.” He says slowly, pulling a few items out onto the counter. ”A couple of those striking runes, yes. A wand that heals, some cantrip cards for the light spell…this fiery spellheart. We got our hands on some good stuff before we left…some adventurers offloading things they said were just ‘floating around in their bags.’ Can you believe that? Anyway…Might have other things, if you’d like me to look...”
”some adventurers offloading things they said were just ‘floating around in their bags.’ Can you believe that?”
"Oh, I can absolutely believe that. We have quite a pile of junk ourselves that we would be interested in offloading. Though a good deal of it we will have to figure out how to get back here to town with at some point."
"Anyway, I'll take these Light cantrip cards for now. But don't go putting everything away just yet. I'll go get the others."
Fin pays for the cards and goes to find the others.
Finding Baradim: "Hey, Baradim. Sorry to interrupt. These guys have a damage rune that I think you should get."
Finding Niss and Drake: "Hey you two. There is some good stuff over here that you should take a look at. Especially you Niss. They have a wand that I am hoping you can use."
Niss was smiling radiantly by the time Drake pulled back. Her arms were still locked around his waist as she spoke. "Well, then, soon-to-be husband. Let's hurry up and save this awful little town, tell Lydia to go stuff herself, and somehow bring down one of Cheliax's noble houses, so we can get on with it. I don't like waiting."
Smiling wide, "Yes! The sooner the better. And even that won't be fast enough as far as I'm concerned." He winks.
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Finding Niss and Drake: "Hey you two. There is some good stuff over here that you should take a look at. Especially you Niss. They have a wand that I am hoping you can use."
With his interest piqued, "Excellent! I believe Fin has the right of it. C'mon, sweetheart, let's go see what our friend Gil has got for you. It'll be fun. 'Wands' and all that." He winks, taking her by the hand and whisking her away to the caravan.
Making his way to Gil, "Okay, Gil, my man. We are looking for some quality stuff, okay? Niss here has a problem with all her dresses burning or tearing or just flat-out being destroyed in one fashion or another. Well, the last time she bought three dresses and I think she's down to one of those now. What I want from you is TWELVE dresses. Or outfits of any kind that she might like. Money is NO object." After he says that, he reaches out and places his hand on the back of the man's collar and pulls him in to where Drake can whisper. "Okay, that's a lie. Money is really an object. I have a pretty good amount but not if you're going to rob us blind by overcharging us. All I'm asking for here, Gil, is simply a fair deal, nothing more. Just wanted to be clear and upfront with you, good sir. Thanks."
Leaning back out, "Okay, twelve outfits and something to hold them in. A case of some form. Possibly a clothes case. A dress case, maybe?" He looks to Niss, placing a hand on her upper arm near her shoulder, "You might pick out other clothes besides dresses, right, sweetheart? Maybe? You know, we'll figure that out here in a minute." Giving her a pat, he turns his attention back to Gil. "Okay, Gil, we're going to find twelve outfits, if you've got them, and a case to carry them in. Wait... suit case? Naaah. You don't wear suits, that's just stupid. Anyway, can you make it happen?" he asks, looking at him curiously and hopefully.
Another thought then hits him, pulling him in close again by the back of his collar, "You wouldn't happen to have any stuffed animal dolls, would you? I'm thinking...," his thoughts turn to their feline friend, and a smile forms before continuing with, "something along the lines of a cat. A cute and cuddly-looking stuffed cat doll. You do have one of those on hand, don't you, Gil? Because that'd be great." He smiles, directing him back out before quickly pulling him back in again. "Also, what about chocolate? Do have any chocolate? I really need you to have chocolate, Gil. If you do have both the stuffed cat doll and the chocolate, put them in a separate bag and keep them hidden. I'll pay for it all at the same time. Thank you, sir." He gives him a nod and smiles, directing him back out again, this time releasing the hold on the back of his neck.
"Seeing how I'm confident you have said outfits, Gil, please show us the way, my good man."
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Niss's eyes go wide. "Twelve!" she squeaked. "I do not need TWELVE dresses. I can't imagine anyone needing so many, and I wouldn't want to have to lug them around in a case. If I ruin eleven more dresses I'll just give up and start going about nude." She looked at Gil and smiled pleasantly. "I would like to peruse you dresses, if I might, but I will only be needing two or three more."
Niss went to browse said outfits while Drake whispered to the merchant, and ended up selecting three. She was learning about what sorts of fashion she liked, so they were of wildly differing styles.
Finoan goes back to the caravan with the others.
He grabs the healing wand that Gil mentioned having and holds it out to Niss. "Here, check this out too. I know I can't use the thing - it doesn't resonate with me and the magic that I use. But if you can use it, I definitely think it would be a good investment."
Fin chuckles a bit when Niss mentions going around nude. "Speaking of being naked..." He turns back to Gil. "You have basic scrolls too, yes? Let me check through them here... mmmmhmmmhmmm... Mage Armor. Here we are." Fin hands a couple of the scrolls over to Niss as well. "Check if you can use those too. Every little bit of protection helps. Maybe it will even save your clothing."
Niss had never used such things before, but piled them atop the dresses she was already holding, balancing the scrolls atop the fabric and holding the wand somewhat awkwardly in one hand. "How do they...ohhh..." she trailed off with a sound of understanding, and her mind somehow formed a connection with the wand. Whatever magic was behind her abilities, this wand seemed to act like a focus for them. She'd be able to heal just as well as she could naturally, but without wearing herself out in the process. She suspected the scrolls worked in a similar, albeit more limited fashion. "I hadn't considered such a possibility before."
She frowned suddenly and looked to Fin. "Can we afford all this?"
She frowned suddenly and looked to Fin. "Can we afford all this?"
"Well, we can't be buying their entire stock of stuff. I may have to pass on this fiery spellheart, for example. But we should be able to get some of the most useful things."
"We might also go back and collect some of the other things that we left behind. It's no good worrying about money while fighting for your life. But dealing with money and equipment definitely helps the fight go better in the future."
”some adventurers offloading things they said were just ‘floating around in their bags.’ Can you believe that?”"Oh, I can absolutely believe that. We have quite a pile of junk ourselves that we would be interested in offloading. Though a good deal of it we will have to figure out how to get back here to town with at some point."
"Anyway, I'll take these Light cantrip cards for now. But don't go putting everything away just yet. I'll go get the others."
Gil exchanges the cards for Finoan's gold, looking thoughtful. "What is it you need to haul back?" He asks, leaning forward on the counter again, obviously quite interested in whatever there was to be collected.
Another thought then hits him, pulling him in close again by the back of his collar, "You wouldn't happen to have any stuffed animal dolls, would you? I'm thinking...," his thoughts turn to their feline friend, and a smile forms before continuing with, "something along the lines of a cat. A cute and cuddly-looking stuffed cat doll. You do have one of those on hand, don't you, Gil? Because that'd be great." He smiles, directing him back out before quickly pulling him back in again. "Also, what about chocolate? Do have any chocolate? I really need you to have chocolate, Gil. If you do have both the stuffed cat doll and the chocolate, put them in a separate bag and keep them hidden. I'll pay for it all at the same time. Thank you, sir." He gives him a nod and smiles, directing him back out again, this time releasing the hold on the back of his neck.
"Please stop yanking me around," The merchant grumbles, backing away from the earnest man's reach. "Yes, we have stuffed cats...didn't expect to sell them here, but... Unfortunately, not a lot of food items. Doesn't this town have a baker...?"
Gil exchanges the cards for Finoan's gold, looking thoughtful. "What is it you need to haul back?" He asks, leaning forward on the counter again, obviously quite interested in whatever there was to be collected.
"Lab equipment," Fin replies. He pulls out and holds up one of the bomb flasks. "Some genius decided to build a full mad scientist's alchemy lab out in the middle of nowhere in the forest. We shut down the operation - which was likely the source of a lot of the strange plants and creatures in the area. But we can't carry all of that equipment."
At Tamli's words, Baradim smiles through the tightened bandage and lets his hands drift back towards the amulets that all hung around his neck. Symbols of Iomedae, Pharasma, Irori, and others that watched on from wherever they were in the great seas that were the Inner and Outer Planes. At the man's protest, Baradim will snort for a moment and nod.
"You will sleep near our tent. If your dreams seize you, I will hit you. Hard." The orc would reach out, clasping the man on the shoulder tightly. "Long ago, the knights of Lastwall came out into the Hold hunting orcs. What they found was a ruined and slaughtered home and a young orc with a dagger in hand. They rescued me that day, took me back, and taught me discipline, loyalty, and honor. They complemented the honesty of my tribe, the fierceness of my people, and I have had little chance to honor them. Let me help you, help me honor them." His attention turns towards Tamli, an arm slipping around her for a moment.
"Thank you. Take him when he is done to the caravan and put him to work. Busy hands stop a busy mind. I must prepare with the others for the last part of the hunt." Just then, Finoan comes in through the door and calls out to the orc. He finishes his drink of warmed apple cider, standing up and pressing his head against hers before following the automaton out the door.
Joining the others by Gil and his stand, the orc looks over the runes quietly. He speaks up after Finoan speaks of money and battle.
"War is won by logistics. No matter how great you are, you must be fed and prepared. Even a goblin can kill you if you are caught offguard." Baradim says with a practiced ease, a quote he heard given to him time and time again. "The rune will be good. I have some of the alchemical goods from the Sculptor and still from our battle with Hallod, I do not think we'll have enough for me to purchase the rune and Tamli's armor."
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Niss's eyes go wide. "Twelve!" she squeaked. "I do not need TWELVE dresses. I can't imagine anyone needing so many, and I wouldn't want to have to lug them around in a case. If I ruin eleven more dresses I'll just give up and start going about nude." She looked at Gil and smiled pleasantly. "I would like to peruse you dresses, if I might, but I will only be needing two or three more."
Niss went to browse said outfits while Drake whispered to the merchant, and ended up selecting three. She was learning about what sorts of fashion she liked, so they were of wildly differing styles.
Drake raises an eyebrow in stunned silence as she walks off to go look at outfits. Looking over at Gil, he narrows his eyes at the man watching her leave. "Turn your mind off, Gil. Don't even go there, friend." He tells him flatly.
Glancing in Niss's direction to make sure she's far enough away, he leans back in, "Okay, Gil, we're going to need nine more dresses. I'm going to trust you, or whoever is in charge of that area, to make the right choices. Respectable, lovely, a bit of 'cute', and maybe one or two with some flair to them, but nothing trashy, okay? If you've got a case, just put them in there. When she sees me with it, she'll probably ask about it - hopefully she won't - and I'll simply tell her I want the case for myself. And what'll happen next is, I'll panic due to my lying - because I'm a terrible liar - which will lead me to go ahead and open the case, and then when she sees what I've done, she'll probably kill me. But don't worry, Gil, eventually she'll thank me later...," his eyes shoot off to the side in thought before he cuts them back to Gil and finishes with, "I hope." The ranger smiles happily. "Ain't love grand, Gil?!" He gives him a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"Please stop yanking me around," The merchant grumbles, backing away from the earnest man's reach. "Yes, we have stuffed cats...didn't expect to sell them here, but... Unfortunately, not a lot of food items. Doesn't this town have a baker...?"
With a look of surprise on his face, "Oh! Sorry! Sorry about that, Gil." He reaches over and brushes him off a bit with his hands. "There, good as new." Looking around again, "And yes, I do believe they have a baker. I'll check with them, thanks. You just handle the rest. Can you do that for me, Gil? Remember, money is no object. But, yes it is. Thanks. Oh! And if you would, probably best you deliver it to the Feedmill. Obviously, I can't very well wait for you to go pick them out while we're still standing here. Ask for "Delma". She'll hold them for me. Remember, dresses in the case. Thanks. Also, you got a cost for all this? I can settle up now if you do." He nods, hoping he can get all this quickly squared away before Niss gets back.
Tamli will make a soft noise of assent and sit with Sir Lawren as Baradim leaves, leaning forward in her seat to begin speaking with the knight, giving him the rundown of the caravan duties and questioning him to find out what he knows of this type of job. To her credit, she manages to sound more pleasant than gruff--an attempt to put the damaged human at ease.
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Caravan Shop
* A +1 Breastplate, 175g
* A couple of Armored Coats, 20g
* Various +1 armor and weapon potency runes
* 4 moderate healing potions, 50gp
* 2 potions of retaliation, lesser, 12gp each
---
"Lab equipment," Fin replies. He pulls out and holds up one of the bomb flasks. "Some genius decided to build a full mad scientist's alchemy lab out in the middle of nowhere in the forest. We shut down the operation - which was likely the source of a lot of the strange plants and creatures in the area. But we can't carry all of that equipment."
Gil inspects the bomb flask and makes a curious sound, brows raising with interest. "Could easily find buyers for that. See if there's anything else worth scrounging up while we're there, too."
Niss's eyes go wide. "Twelve!" she squeaked. "I do not need TWELVE dresses. I can't imagine anyone needing so many, and I wouldn't want to have to lug them around in a case. If I ruin eleven more dresses I'll just give up and start going about nude." She looked at Gil and smiled pleasantly. "I would like to peruse you dresses, if I might, but I will only be needing two or three more."
Niss went to browse said outfits while Drake whispered to the merchant, and ended up selecting three. She was learning about what sorts of fashion she liked, so they were of wildly differing styles.
Drake raises an eyebrow in stunned silence as she walks off to go look at outfits. Looking over at Gil, he narrows his eyes at the man watching her leave. "Turn your mind off, Gil. Don't even go there, friend." He tells him flatly.
Glancing in Niss's direction to make sure she's far enough away, he leans back in, "Okay, Gil, we're going to need nine more dresses. I'm going to trust you, or whoever is in charge of that area, to make the right choices. Respectable, lovely, a bit of 'cute', and maybe one or two with some flair to them, but nothing trashy, okay? If you've got a case, just put them in there. When she sees me with it, she'll probably ask about it - hopefully she won't - and I'll simply tell her I want the case for myself. And what'll happen next is, I'll panic due to my lying - because I'm a terrible liar - which will lead me to go ahead and open the case, and then when she sees what I've done, she'll probably kill me. But don't worry, Gil, eventually she'll thank me later...," his eyes shoot off to the side in thought before he cuts them back to Gil and finishes with, "I hope." The ranger smiles happily. "Ain't love grand, Gil?!" He gives him a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"The lady said she didn't want twelve. Seemed pretty firm. But, sure. I can do that." The man gave a bemused grin, shaking his head at the overenthusiastic ranger. "I'll have it all delivered. 5 gold for the whole order."
"The lady said she didn't want twelve. Seemed pretty firm. But, sure. I can do that." The man gave a bemused grin, shaking his head at the overenthusiastic ranger. "I'll have it all delivered. 5 gold for the whole order."
"You don't worry about that. I'll deal with those repercussions if I must." Pulling out the requested coin and a couple more, "Here. Here is seven gold for the extra effort. Thanks, Gil." Relieved to have that taken care of, Drake smiles and gives a nod to the stuffy caravan owner.
Gil inspects the bomb flask and makes a curious sound, brows raising with interest. "Could easily find buyers for that. See if there's anything else worth scrounging up while we're there, too."
"Not sure you would want to go up there alone though. We cleared out the dangerous wildlife that we saw, but that doesn't mean that we didn't miss some that didn't want to play. And there is Fireball that you might have to watch out for. But yeah, if you think it is worth going back for, we will have to do that at some point."
"For now, I'll settle up for the wand, the two scrolls, and one of those damage runes for Baradim." Fin hands over 108 GP for the goods mentioned.
Fin also pulls out the Cold Iron dagger that he found and shows it to Gil. "How about this. It looks like a fairly basic dagger to me, but it also looks like it is made out of something a bit strange. How much do you think this would sell for?"
"Not sure you would want to go up there alone though. We cleared out the dangerous wildlife that we saw, but that doesn't mean that we didn't miss some that didn't want to play. And there is Fireball that you might have to watch out for. But yeah, if you think it is worth going back for, we will have to do that at some point."
"For now, I'll settle up for the wand, the two scrolls, and one of those damage runes for Baradim." Fin hands over 108 GP for the goods mentioned.
Fin also pulls out the Cold Iron dagger that he found and shows it to Gil. "How about this. It looks like a fairly basic dagger to me, but it also looks like it is made out of something a bit strange. How much do you think this would sell for?"
"Ah, never had plans to go up alone anyway." Gil grins at Finoan, starting to dig through one of his pouches to pull out a small set of spectacles, ones that sat on the tip of his nose to help him see smaller details better. "You all want the money for it, yeah? A couple of you will need to come with us. We don't have any protection anymore, and we don't know where it is, so..." Gil shrugs, taking the cold iron dagger from Finoan and holding it up to inspect it.
"Ah, cold iron. I can get you around 22 gold for it." Gil says, turning the dagger over in his hands before offering it back to Finoan. "Let me finish business for the day, then we can arrange heading pick up that alchemical equipment. Sound good?"
Finoan and Tamli take the time to study the remaining documents, trying to pick out anything that was missed during the first reading.
Fin and Tamli manage to pull out an entry that was overlooked last time:
About three years ago, Vilree commanded the orcs to capture a human. This person was placed in a covered pit in the woods and exposed to something that The Sculptor refers to as "the viridian vapor." The last note on this experiment reads, "The human died in agony in less than a day. We burned his body and filled the pit as instructed."
Finoan also notices several references to symptoms of addiction in The Sculptor, particularly when he starts noting his own ingestion of the altered mutagens that Vilree had been ordering them to use in experimentation on the animals. It seems both The Sculptor and Hallod had been addicted to these mutagens, and it would be reasonable to assume that many of her minions also grapple with this mutagen addiction.
"Oh! One more thing, Gil. I need two sets of armor. One of them breastplate and the other studded leather. Do you have them?"
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Baradim helps bring in the supplies from the pit, carrying a decent portion of the weight while being willing to guard the porters as they bring the supplies back. Most of the day is lost in that treacherous part of the woods, so silent like the grave. When he had returned, he would be returning to the encampment where Tamli had been waiting for him. She had her hands on her hips, staring him down with a furrowed brow.
"...what?" Baradim asked, confused. Tamli stared for a moment before giving him a simple command.
"Strip." The word earned a raised brow from the warrior and a few grins around the campfire. Yet only after a moment, Baradim would begin to pull the chainmail off of his body. Yet once he reached the padding underneath to protect his body from his own armor, she would stop him.
The magical breastplate was then taken and secured upon his form, tested and tried to secure it so it would fit his burly form.
"I cannot afford this Tamli. I will not steal from you." Baradim said, starting to undress it. He did not need pity or gifts to fight well. The half-orc who had caught his eye would scoff, stopping him.
"It is an investment. Bennünk." The words were enough to stop Baradim, who would huff at the gift. His arms folded and he would shake his head, murmuring softly.
"Fine. I will pay you back on my honor." At his acquiescence, Tamli would smirk and get back to securing the breastplate armor upon him.
After a couple of days of rest, gathering supplies, and shopping, The Princess Guard finds themselves gathered at Tamli's caravan, enjoying the company of all the caravaners around the fire, including a healing Erda, who has slipped away from the Feedmill to spend some time with Grunda rather than the other way around. It is only early afternoon, the sun high in the sky still.
Sir Lawren is with them now, having moved his meager possessions from the Dead Home he had been squatting in to a tent with the caravan. He had only been there a couple of days but already looked a little healthier. Not quite happy, perhaps--but purposeful. He seemed grateful to have something to keep occupied, whether it be moving inventory around or learning the ins and outs of driving a wagon from the twins.
As the afternoon progresses, the caravaners split off into their own groups around the fire, everyone chatting and carrying on. The twins and Gregor are sitting with Cooky, doing their best to annoy the older elf gentleman...and by the annoyed look on the elf's face, they were succeeding handily.
Tamli would be sitting with Baradim and Sir Lawren; the half-orc woman wearing a small, contented smile--something that was rare since Bort's death.
In the golden light of the fading afternoon sun, a young man in leather armor approaches at a run, barrelling into the center of the camp in a rather dramatic fashion. The Princess Guard, especially Finoan, would recognize him as one of the guards who had watched The Feedmill on their first night in Etran's Folly. "Rolth...requests your presence...at the Feedmill..." The boy pants out, pausing briefly to catch his breath before continuing. "Kolnral's boy was hurt...wandered near the Old Shrine, agitated all the Bloodseekers. The swarm almost killed him." The young man's face was grim. "Rolth can tell you more, if you're willing to help."
At the campfire of the caravan, Baradim sat on a box with Tamli before him. It was a rare moment to see the surprisingly lush and luxurious mane of black hair coming from the top of her head. With a blade in hand, Baradim carefully had shaved the hair from her sides and was now working on tying her hair in a knot. Sir Lawren sat with them quietly in a comfortable silence; the two orc-blooded ones were surprisingly more peaceful than the rest of the caravan despite the aggressive nature that each of them gave. Baradim's fingers, thick and calloused from hard work and swordplay, worked with surprising dexterity to braid her hair.
As the sun began to fade though, a young man came barrelling into the middle of camp. Standing up and grabbing his blade, he waited for him to explain himself before nodding. He turned towards his mate, her hair half-finished.
"Help me with my armor. Lawren, finish her braid. Keep your hands busy while I'm gone." He would ask and then tell, getting his armor secured before readying up with the others.
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Niss had been sitting next to Drake, nestled under his arm which was draped over her shoulders, the plush cat he'd gifted her in her lap. They'd told Fin and Baradim about their intended future marriage, giving the two plenty of ammunition to tease Drake with, and she'd offered to share the chocolates with all of them over the last couple days.
He hadn't worked up the nerve to present her with the case of dresses yet. The one she now wore was a shoulderless affair, and she was greatly entertained by the lengths Drake went to in order to hide how often he was sneaking a peek.
When the young man ran up she rose at once, drawing out her new wand. "Take me there, I can help him."
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Cantrips
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"Rolth can tell you more, if you're willing to help."
Finoan mumbles something under his breath that the rest of the people there wouldn't understand. "Rolth is at the Feedmill, yes?" He looks to the others. "Catch me there when you are ready." Fin streaks off towards town.
Finding himself entranced by how gorgeous Niss looks in her newest dress, Drake's eyes tend to shift in her direction a lot, as he works to be as subtle as he can about where he looks and he feels quite confident that he's failing miserably.
Rubbing his forehead for a moment, "Gods, Niss, that dress is... well... wow. Just... wow. You look, wow, you look absolutely stunning." He compliments, smiling as his eyes once again drift down a bit before nonchalantly looking away and scratching an eyebrow. Unable to keep from grinning at his own ridiculousness, Smooth, Drake, real smooth. About as smooth as broken glass, buddy. Yeah.
He looks back to Niss and smiles. Not a moment later, a guard comes crashing into camp.
Quickly rising with the others, "Feedmill it is. Let's move." Drake heads in that direction, following after their cat friend.
After Tamli assists Baradim with his armor, the Princess Guard hurries to the Feedmill. The half-orc woman watches them leave for a moment before turning back to Lawren and instructing him on how to finish the braid, showing him the proper way to weave the plait. The man, to his credit, takes to the task without much complaint, and Tamli seems amused by the knight's nervousness at touching her.
As the Princess Guard arrives, Finoan is already there, waiting alongside Rolth on the porch of the Inn. The town's Captain gestures for them to follow him inside, grim-faced. "Kolnral's child is in one of the rooms. It was quicker to take him here to rest. He needs a medic, though..." He glances around at them, covering his face with a hand. "Forgot to ask after Gregor... unless one of you has the capability."
Rolth leads them upstairs to one of the unused rooms where Kolnral, one of two of the Feedmill's servers, is sitting alongside a pale, emaciated young boy. The boy is covered in red, angry bite marks, his skin pale and clammy--he is alive, but has lost a lot of blood. Another boy, presumably a friend, is standing nervously off to the side.
Rolth turns to The Princess Guard and frowns, crossing his arms. "The boys were playing over by the Old Shrine," Rolth begins before Kolnral interrupts.
"As they were told not to," The server says, staring pointedly at the other boy with a frown. Rolth sighs and waves his hand, nodding.
"In any case, they were playing over by the Old Shrine dedicated to Gozreh and agitated a massive swarm of bloodseekers. We were hoping you could help with clearing them out. The swarm has gotten much more aggressive, it seems. Emmett was very near death."
Rolth gestures to the other child, who cowers slightly behind Kolnral. "Danny might be able to answer any questions you have about the details."
Niss knows Fin has skill at treating wounds, but with the blood loss, and the state the boy was in, she thought it better to take no chances waiting. She drew her new wand, which she'd been practicing channeling her power through, and touched the end of it to Emmett's chest.
She closed her eyes and reached within, letting her emotions run free. The Princess Guard had known about the stirges since arriving, but had become distracted by the Sculptor, Vilree, and their own problems. If they'd taken care of the creatures sooner, this may not have happened.
There was more than guilt, though. The poor child... his father looked stricken. Niss was struck with empathy. What would she feel, if it were her child? Her child. There was a thought she'd never entertained before. Did she want to have one? Did Drake?
The answers were irrelevant at the moment, all that mattered was the feelings they stirred within her. The wand began to glow as her power gathered, and the warmth spread into the boy.
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Fin nods in approval as Niss uses the wand on the little one. He does murmur to her, "Good idea. Do be careful with the wand though. It will melt if you use it too frequently. Once a day is fine. More than that and you can run into problems."
Finoan also inspects the child for signs of elemental damage as well as poison or disease that could cause additional problems. "Now, don't mind me. I'm just a standard oversized animatronic talking housecat. Nothing unexpected here."
At the wand's soothing touch, the boy seems to regain some of his color, although he stays asleep - even with healing, the blood loss and the shock seem to have knocked the boy out. Kolnral scoots back to give Finoan some room to inspect the boy, nervously hovering a little bit over the oversized animatronic talking housecat.
Finoan finds nothing like elemental damage or signs of poison and disease - just a plethora of nasty bug bites, many of which calmed down from their swelling thanks to Niss's healing.
Fin finishes up his examination of the young victim. To Kolnral he says, "It looks like he will be fine in a few days. Rest, lots of water, plenty of food. Try to keep him from scratching the sores too much."
He then turns to Inniska and mumbles, "Can you see what you can learn from the other little one. I'm no good at questioning people - especially children."
Niss nodded to Fin, and looked to the other boy. "You're Emmett's brother? What's your name?" she asked gently. Once he told her she smiled and repeated it. " We're going to go kill the things that did this. Could you tell us anything that might help? How big is this temple? And how many of the creatures were there? Did they seem strange at all, like they were made of fire, ice, acid, or something?". She didn't bombard him, but asked one question at a time.
Niss nodded to Fin, and looked to the other boy. "You're Emmett's brother? What's your name?" she asked gently. Once he told her she smiled and repeated it.
Danny stays standing near Kolnral, but seems to relax when he realizes that it will just be Niss asking him questions rather than her entourage of intimidating men. He shakes his head at the first question, speaking in a timid tone. "I'm Danny. Not his brother, though." He listens carefully to each question and responds politely, to the best of his ability.
" We're going to go kill the things that did this. Could you tell us anything that might help? How big is this temple?"
"Um, the shrine is...big? It's all outside, though."
"And how many of the creatures were there? Did they seem strange at all, like they were made of fire, ice, acid, or something?". She didn't bombard him, but asked one question at a time.
"There are..." Danny pauses and chews on his bottom lip, holding up his hand to count on his fingers. "...six of them, I think?" Danny frowns at the last question, looking confused. "Um, no...I don't think they're anything weird like that? They're really big and scary, though..."
Niss wasn't super clear on how big bloodseekers were supposed to be, but she held her hands apart so they were as wide as her shoulders. "This big? Bigger?"
Rolth interjects, as Danny is starting to look upset that he doesn't have answers to her question. "A little bigger than usual, I'd say," Rolth states, holding his hands out to the appropriate size. "Chased them off when we retrieved the boy, but we aren't really equipped for that many."
"If you'll take care of the swarm, there'll be reward in it." Rolth adds.
Drake looks at Emmett sleeping soundly as Niss's magic appears to help him. As she steps away to go talk to Danny, Drake steps up and bends at the knees, looking closely at the boy's wounds. Feeling sorry for the poor child, "Don't you worry, little man, we'll take care of those bugs. We'll make sure they don't harm you or anyone else ever again, I promise you." He places a gentle hand on the unconscious boy's shoulder before rising and moving over to listen in on the conversation.
At Rolth's last statement, "We'll take care of these bugs, Rolth, you have my word." He says, the determination in his voice clear. "You can keep your reward. I'm not having any more of these children being stung to near death." Looking to the others, "I'm ready when you all are."