Kevan steps away from the wolfman and pulls a flask from his belt. ”This going to be so much fun.” anyone near enough and paying attention could hear him say.
@Kevan Nimblefingers What are your actions?
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Not wanting to splash any of his friends he looks for a good angle to toss his new toy but can’t find any. With disappointment he puts the vial back and plans to jump back into the fray as a distraction.
Bit of a miscommunication on discord. It is Alden and then Eochaidh.
- Jaxom
- Rabbit
- Kevan
- Enemy2 (Very Dead)
- Alden *
- Eochaidh
- Enemy1 (-8, -3 STR)
Alden lashes out at the remaining wolf-man with righteous fury.
Eochaidh winds up and swings away!
Bit of a miscommunication on discord. It is Alden and then Eochaidh.
The first werewolf had been facing Alden squarely, realizing the paladin to be the main threat as he could cut through it's resistance. The little dragon's breath had shocked him, and in that moment of hesitation Alden hacked across at it. The blade shimmered along it's edge, flashing as the steel sliced through the air. Though Alden initially felt his blow might come in shallow, something changed in his movement at the last moment he could barely perceive.
The paladin's sword came in a downward, diagonal arch and met the hulking werewolf's arm just under the shoulder. Cleanly slicing through bicep and bone, and continuing down between ribs to slice through the torso unimpeded. As it came free a gout of blood spilled from both wounds. The werewolf slumped back... fighting to stay upright before it's knees gave out and it slumped to the ground. A few more shuddering breaths escaped before it lay still and it's eyes glassed over. It died in shock, mouth open and features frozen in an unbelieving stare. A moment later the body shrunk back to the form of a man and fell over in a heap.
The party's camp remained silent for several long moments, and the background noise of the forest remained stilled as well. Then, one by one, the wildlife that was active made itself known again. An owl hooted, birds of the night rustled branches, and a gentle wind swept through to remind everyone how cold the season now was. Even if the forest was untouched by the blanket of snow in the rest of the shard.
Then, four hazy blue lights appeared in the air around the group. Flickering blue flames that bobbed about at head level and softly illuminated the space. A woman stepped out of the shadows beyond that light a moment later. She was tall, standing around six feet in height, and draped over her form was a long cloak covered in pristine white feathers. A silvered shirt of chain caught the light between the drape of her cloak, and she pulled the hood back to reveal her face. Her features were angular and pretty, with a regal nose and bright blue eyes. Her shoulder length hair was platinum blonde, braided and tied off to one side of her head.
"You did well to defend yourselves against those two." she stated in a soft tone, "None had to fear them these last few years, so I left the wicked beasts alone. I am glad you are safe."
Rabbit lets out a shaky relieved exhale as both the wolfmen fall. He pats Mr. Whisper for reassurance, and then, absently, pats their draconic ally in much the same way he patted the rabbit. He is looking around to see if anyone is injured when the blue lights appear.
"Oh-- um-- hello, miss-- or-- ma'am?"
"Greetings to you. We're also quite glad to be safe. Where I come from such people are often a necessary evil to keep the forest safe."
Kevan turns to see the woman coming out of the shadows. "Hey pretty lady, how are you?" he said moving toward her, hand extended in friendship. "My name's Kevan."
Alden wipes the blood from his blade, and sheathes it, trying to appear non-threatening. He reaches out with his divine gift to sense any malice in the woman's heart.
As he does so, he gives the woman a respectful bow. Hello, m'Lady. I am Alden, disciple of Erastil, the Stagfather. You are welcome to share our food and fire, if you come in peace."
Just as amazed at Alden's incredible slice as he was over the breath weapon of.... whatever the 'Tailor' had supplied to assist them. Jaxom turns to check out the newcomer.
After a moment spent considering her looks, and her words, he remembers that he had his hand in his belt pouch digging for a flask of alchemists fire that obviously wasn't ? needed anymore. He pulls his hand out of the pouch, empty and looks around at the bodies. Since Alden is communicating with the new person he reaches for the bodies to drag them away from the camp. "Why'd they have to fight? I really don't like killing things, especially people." "Go ahead and talk. I'm just going to pull these.... guys away from our camp. Don't want to attract scavenger type animals into the camp." Unless directed otherwise he drags them away from the camp to a distance where they can't be seen.
The woman looks to each member of the group, tilting her head slightly to directly glance over each. Her expression is calm, and her voice even as she speaks. "My name is Sarana." she offers in greeting, "I watch over these woods, though I am not their master. Know that great peril will await the world of men if they disturb these lands overly much. How is it that you came to join together our... disparate places?"
After a pause, she glances down to Kevan before smiling faintly and bending at the knee to take the offered hand.
Eochaidh recalls, at the sight of her glorious cloak, that she must be a Swan Maiden. They are noble fey who can change shape and protect unspoiled wilds and live among lakes or large ponds. This is likely the woman that Alden spotted. They are known to avoid humanoid races and arm and armor themselves to keep safe.
As Alden looks over her he spots no trace of evil, and the woman glances up as she senses his gaze falling over her. "That is impolite paladin of Erastil." she says smoothly, "You should ask someone before you do such a thing."
”Oh, he’s not impolite, maybe a little grim sometimes. I’m sure he meant nothing by it. Do you have a home or do you just walk about the woods. Speaking of walking around the woods, were you out and about when a crazy light went streaking through the sky? Did you see a dragon in the area where it stopped? Maybe know where it lives? Is it friendly?”
The woman looks to each member of the group, tilting her head slightly to directly glance over each. Her expression is calm, and her voice even as she speaks. "My name is Sarana." she offers in greeting, "I watch over these woods, though I am not their master. Know that great peril will await the world of men if they disturb these lands overly much. How is it that you came to join together our... disparate places?"
After a pause, she glances down to Kevan before smiling faintly and bending at the knee to take the offered hand.
Eochaidh recalls, at the sight of her glorious cloak, that she must be a Swan Maiden. They are noble fey who can change shape and protect unspoiled wilds and live among lakes or large ponds. This is likely the woman that Alden spotted. They are known to avoid humanoid races and arm and armor themselves to keep safe.
As Alden looks over her he spots no trace of evil, and the woman glances up as she senses his gaze falling over her. "That is impolite paladin of Erastil." she says smoothly, "You should ask someone before you do such a thing."
Bowing deeply Eochaidh then says, "My name is Eochaidh Roidal and I'm most honored to meet you. I join you in hoping these lands are not disturbed overly much by any. Stories told by my people are that our homeland looked much like this once - long ago. It heartens me to see such beauty. I also ask that you forgive Alden; we're all a bit nervous. We recently learned an item that is pivotal in rejoining pieces of the world back together was recovered by a large dragon. I'll leave it to my associates more experienced with that magic to describe how the process works."
"Apologies, M'Lady Sarana." Alden pauses on the name, as if trying to commit it to memory. "I meant no disrespect, but as you saw, the last strangers to approach our camp showed a considerable lack of manners. My guard was up, and my concern was to protect the lives of my fellows."
Jaxom returns from dragging the bodies off and gets a skin of water to rinse the last of the blood from his hands. "We don't fight unless we have to, but Alden's abilities have been pretty useful in our defense. Surely if those.... 'wicked beasts' had tried to deceive us I feel that ability would have warned us before they were able to surprise us. Of course we still would have waited to determine what they really intended. With the world fractured there is better than normal reasons for reformation, cooperation for survival perhaps?"
Rabbit is busy gawking at the woman for at least a half a minute-- she is the prettiest thing he thinks he's ever seen-- and finally finds his voice after the others.
"I... what Mister Roidal said, mistress. We are just-- we are trying to fix things. There are these magic gems, one for each little bit of the world, and they're guiding us to put it back together so that people don't have to be alone forever in their little bit of the world. Please, can you help us at all? I'm Rabbit, mistress."
Rabbit is busy gawking at the woman for at least a half a minute-- she is the prettiest thing he thinks he's ever seen-- and finally finds his voice after the others.
"I... what Mister Roidal said, mistress. We are just-- we are trying to fix things. There are these magic gems, one for each little bit of the world, and they're guiding us to put it back together so that people don't have to be alone forever in their little bit of the world. Please, can you help us at all? I'm Rabbit, mistress."
[dice=Diplomacy?]d20+7
"We think the gem was taken by a dragon, we found claw marks in the dirt big enough to belong to one, and the wolf-men mentioned a dragon before they attacked us. Is there anything you can tell us about it, m'Lady? Can it be bargained with?" Alden asks the Swan Maiden.
Sarana listens to the group, looking on several occasions as if she meant to speak, and perhaps a bit overwhelmed at the level of socializing she was meeting. Her calm remained, but she seemed obviously less comfortable being around so many people this long. When she has a moment she considers what she has been told and then, with a look to each member of the group, she begins carefully.
"I greet you all... and I apologize for my demeanor. I do not often approach your kind openly." Sarana explained, "If this gem is so valuable then Talschornvox would surely have claimed it. This is her domain."
She remains quiet for a moment, apparently wanting that statement to be heeded before she would continue. "This is her domain." she repeats, "She guards this forest with more strength and wisdom than I do, and if you wish to settle and claim this land she will likely not be as... indulgent as she was with those two men. They lived as animals these last three years, for they were no threat to the lady or myself. Animals that had not needed to be culled. Until now."
With that said Sarana stepped back quietly into the gloom. Her glorious robe catching the light of the moon brilliantly. "She can be bargained with. On her terms." she cautions the group, "If you prove friend to the forest you may come and see me at the pond you were making your way to. I ask only that any visitors approach the shore alone. Talschornvox lairs under the central tree of the wood. There you will surely find she has your gem."
A final, slow nod brought the woman's head down. As she did her shoulders seemed to slump forward. At the same time her form diminished. Her cloak drew tight around her body and started to blend into her before wings sprouted from her sides. Her angular features smoothed into her neck, which thinned and elongated. The woman's body shifting into the form of a swan. With a plaintive cry she turned and hurried in the other direction, flapping her strong wings and lifting up through the canopy.
Eochaidh thanks the lady and offers a bow as she departs.
To the others he says, "A bargain eh? Let us hope we have something for which she will want to make a bargain. A price to be paid; hopefully one that is not unbearable."
"We should probably get some rest, and make our way to the dragon's stump in the daylight," Alden suggests.
Jaxom stayed back while the others communicated with.... the lady. He stayed back and just listened, and thought.
As the group settled down to sleep out the rest of the night he finally spoke his thoughts. "A price to be paid Eochaidh? She didn't mention a price. She said that we could bargain with Talschornvox, on her terms."
"In the morning we can continue toward the pond. However, she asked that whoever approach the shore do so alone. We can continue as a group, but once we approach the lake only one of us should actually approach. Definitely not me.... Maybe then she will be more comfortable speaking and she might advise us, that person, on the proper way to approach Talschornvox."
"Keep in mind that while we feel that we are no threat to this forest, Sarana and Talschornvox may feel differently. From this point on we definitely should do no harm. No hunting definitely, and any meals we eat here should probably be cold unless we are instructed otherwise. We have six months before the crystal can be used regardless of the plans or desires of anyone. Perhaps that fact alone would allay any immediate concerns of us being a threat. ?? If they can be convinced that we are not a threat, maybe they might consider coming to our 'shards' or the world? At the least perhaps we should offer an invitation for a peaceful visit."
Rabbit's heart soars as he watches Sarana take wing. Maybe, someday, if he studies magic very well, he too can fly against the starlit sky...
***
Rabbit bites his lip as he listens to the discussion-- more out of thoughtfulness than unease.
"Could we offer her something like ... this part of the merged worlds could remain wild, natural? Like-- a park? Or a preserve? I think Jaxom has the right idea about not doing any damage from here out. If I were her I would want to know that sharing the gem and joining wouldn't mean any disruption of how I was doing things. I don't really know what proving ourselves as 'friends of the forest' would really mean. But Mister Roidal seems really, um... foresty. Maybe he should be our speaker to the dragon? Or Mr. Cooperson, he's really eloquent."
Rabbit frowns as no bright ideas occur to him. In lieu of something clever, he lets Mr. Whisper out to be able to nibble at the grasses and moss around them.
"Are you hungry?" he asks their draconic ally. "Or do you not eat?"
Jaxom stayed back while the others communicated with.... the lady. He stayed back and just listened, and thought.
As the group settled down to sleep out the rest of the night he finally spoke his thoughts. "A price to be paid Eochaidh? She didn't mention a price. She said that we could bargain with Talschornvox, on her terms."
"In the morning we can continue toward the pond. However, she asked that whoever approach the shore do so alone. We can continue as a group, but once we approach the lake only one of us should actually approach. Definitely not me.... Maybe then she will be more comfortable speaking and she might advise us, that person, on the proper way to approach Talschornvox."
"Keep in mind that while we feel that we are no threat to this forest, Sarana and Talschornvox may feel differently. From this point on we definitely should do no harm. No hunting definitely, and any meals we eat here should probably be cold unless we are instructed otherwise. We have six months before the crystal can be used regardless of the plans or desires of anyone. Perhaps that fact alone would allay any immediate concerns of us being a threat. ?? If they can be convinced that we are not a threat, maybe they might consider coming to our 'shards' or the world? At the least perhaps we should offer an invitation for a peaceful visit."
"Something else to consider: Do we return to our previous shards to let them know not to travel to this shard for the time being? We have no way of knowing what might anger Talschornvox or Sarana."
Rabbit bites his lip as he listens to the discussion-- more out of thoughtfulness than unease."Could we offer her something like ... this part of the merged worlds could remain wild, natural? Like-- a park? Or a preserve? I think Jaxom has the right idea about not doing any damage from here out. If I were her I would want to know that sharing the gem and joining wouldn't mean any disruption of how I was doing things. I don't really know what proving ourselves as 'friends of the forest' would really mean. But Mister Roidal seems really, um... foresty. Maybe he should be our speaker to the dragon? Or Mr. Cooperson, he's really eloquent."
"Agreed we should be particularly careful about what we do and how we go about doing it. Unfortunately we don't know what Talschornvox wants until we speak with her. To me it seemed like Sarana was deferring to Talschornvox with regards to being proven a 'friend on the forest.'"
Eochaidh chuckles and continues, "'Foresty?' I've been called worse. I take your meaning however dragons are not among the creatures I've studied. All I know about them are myths and legends, stories told to children or to pass the time around a fire during a long, cold winter night."
Eochaidh chuckles and continues, "'Foresty?' I've been called worse. I take your meaning however dragons are not among the creatures I've studied. All I know about them are myths and legends, stories told to children or to pass the time around a fire during a long, cold winter night."
"Yes, but even if you don't know about dragons you know all about the woods and being... being part of it?" Rabbit says uncertainly. "I mean... I grew up mostly on just one estate until two years ago. I had never been in the deep woods at all until then. You know things about nature that I don't even know I don't know."
"Yes, but even if you don't know about dragons you know all about the woods and being... being part of it?" Rabbit says uncertainly. "I mean... I grew up mostly on just one estate until two years ago. I had never been in the deep woods at all until then. You know things about nature that I don't even know I don't know."Eochaidh chuckles and continues, "'Foresty?' I've been called worse. I take your meaning however dragons are not among the creatures I've studied. All I know about them are myths and legends, stories told to children or to pass the time around a fire during a long, cold winter night."
"Thank you for the kind words. I will do my best to guide us on our journey but some of what I know about nature may contradict what we think we need to do. For example when Jaxom said 'No hunting' yet hunting, the relationship between predators and prey, is a fundamental part of nature. Whether Talschornvox feels that way or not we shall see. I will need some time as I try to connect with this place, see what it can tell me."
Eochaidh takes a few deep breaths and extends his senses to the surrounding area.
"Sarana did defer to Talschornvox. She stated that this is her domain. Twice. Hmm.... She also stated that if the gem is valuable Talschornvox would have claimed it. So we also need to assure her that we don't want to claim it. Talschornvox is supposedly a dragon right? So she should understand a lot about magic? Maybe we can tell her what we know, and then six months from now she can use the stone to join another shard?"
"Sounds like some great ideas. When it comes to cutting the deal, I of course offer my services. I can be a shrewd negotiator. I was once the lead negotiator for a mule breeder. You would not believe the intricacies of mule trading. It was very interesting and earned me a very nice leather belt. Sadly it was eaten by sickly dog with a taste for leather. Who knew, right?" Kevan says pondering his opening remarks.
"Sarana did defer to Talschornvox. She stated that this is her domain. Twice. Hmm.... She also stated that if the gem is valuable Talschornvox would have claimed it. So we also need to assure her that we don't want to claim it. Talschornvox is supposedly a dragon right? So she should understand a lot about magic? Maybe we can tell her what we know, and then six months from now she can use the stone to join another shard?"
"Hopefully if we approach as ones seeking knowledge we won't aggravate Talschornvox and she will be willing to share what she knows or thinks about the shards."
As Rabbit considers the needs of the pseudodragon the thing looks at him and makes a light chittering sound. Despite it's ability to speak telepathically it didn't communicate with Rabbit, but scampered over and crawled around his body up to his shoulder. It nestled against him and took it's rest.
The party discusses their plans as they bed back down to rest. No more trouble interrupts them, and in the morning they awake cold but ready to continue.
Alden rises, rested, and begins his day with a prayer of thanks to Erastil. As the party agreed that hunting would be unwise until matters with the dragon were resolved, he eats some of the jerky and cheese from his ration pack, then busies himself with stowing his bedroll and then cleaning his armor and weapons.
"We should make our way to the dragon," he suggests. "We have already warned our friends and neighbors of her presence when we found her claw print, and advised them to be wary of strangers. We should try and broker a peace with her as soon as possible, and see if we can get the gem back."
"I agree. Everybody at home has been warned and knows that we're looking for the dragon."
"But I don't know if we should even mention possibly getting the gem ourselves. We can't do the next join for six months. I think we should just try to explain what we know of the gem that we had, and maybe suggest that the dragon communicate with the gem that she has. It might not be the same gem. Remember the first one we had was red. Then it was the green one. It might be any color now, and a completely different personality."
"Remember what Sarana said, 'Talschornvox would surely have claimed it'. If she's claimed it we won't be making friends by trying to claim it."
"We for sure need to visit the dragon. This is going to be so amazing. I can hardly wait. Perhaps I could warm her up to our way of thinking with a good story. What do you think?" Kevan asks as they pack up camp.
As they settle (back) in for the night, and the draconic ally gets comfortable, Rabbit tries to get comfortable-- only to squirm upright again, not happy with the way his pack is serving him as a pillow, apparently. He rummages inside it to try and reorganize things for better comfort, then says, "Oh! Idiot! Right-- everyone, Mr. Abronze gave us a package and said we shouldn't visit dragons without bringing gifts! Do you think we should open it to see what it is first, or just offer it up?"
Mr. Whisper tries to chew on said package as Rabbit pulls it out of the backpack, necessitating some shuffling-about of package and familiar and a distracted tsking.
"Anyway, I'd forgot all about it. Then it was almost like some voice in the sky was whispering to me! Ha. That would never happen. Anyway, yes, I think we should just go look for Tal... Tash... Talch... the dragon right away. I doubt the others could do too much hunting or offending... unless it takes us a really long time to find her, I suppose....
"I bet she'd love a story, Mr. Nimblefingers! You tell such great ones."
With the package out in case anyone else wants to examine it, Rabbit settles back down for needed rest-- with his white rabbit on on side, and the draconic ally on his shoulder. It might not be 'alive' but he had trouble thinking of it like that. It seemed so much like a creature.
Maybe someday when this was all over he could have... have... a wizard tower.... but a nice one... where all the animals would be his friends, and not have to be sacrificed...
On such pleasant dreams, Rabbit drifted off, all the hiking and fighting having exhausted him thoroughly.
Addressing Rabbit, Eochaidh says, "I'd prefer to let Talschornvox open the gift herself. I believe it's considered 'bad form' to inspect a gift intended for someone else unless you believe the giver intended harm to the recipient."
Turning to Jaxom: "I think we should first introduce ourselves to Talschornvox and inquire about the gem in terms of what she might know about it, how it works, etc. Dragons can live for years beyond mortal measure so she might have some insight. Perhaps tell her what we know about them and see if that starts a conversation? Then we can ask about the forest and how to 'prove ourselves friends of the forest' and not just for ourselves - for the people from our shards. So we will know what is and is not allowed in Talschornvox's realm."
"When the time comes to join another shard to these, it might be a good idea to be sure nothing there might be a threat to these woods. No city that might see these trees as construction material!"
"The sooner we introduce ourselves to her, the sooner we'll know how reasonable she might be," Alden says, pack secured on his back. He waits patiently for the rest of the group to pack and form up, moving to assist if anyone appears in need of help.
Alden will see if he can determine the most practical path to the gian stump, based on his recollections of its location and the terrain.
He will also do his best to keep any eye out for trouble as the goup moves along.
Eochaidh looks for what Sarana described as "the central tree of the wood", which he assumes will be quite sizeable as a dragon can build a lair underneath it.
Rabbit tries to be of use, but his knowledge of the natural world comes much more from books than from actual dwelling among the wilds, as is probably quickly obvious. Still, he points out the tallest trees, and runs his fingers through the soil to get a sense of the composition of the dirt, and a sense of where everything seems to lead.
If I were a dragon, I'd want to be somewhere with a really good view...
With everyone watching the ground and the trees around them Jaxom watches the skies for any aerial threats.
Kevan looks for any signs of a large creature moving nearby such as large broken branches, prints, etc. Then, seeing Jaxom looking to the skies he decides that's not such a bad idea and starts checking it periodically as well.