"That's good. I'd hate to have to kill you guys. You seem like a pretty good bunch." Kevan says offhandedly. "how do we do this joining thing again?
"To be honest, the goblins were decidedly not interested in peace, and Garnet had indicated that conquest did not necessarily mean resorting to violence. So, we have done what is necessary to add another piece to our little part of the world, or is there another contender hiding somewhere?"
"I think before anyone tries to join another shard with ours we should let everyone know. We've got our friends back there. And you've got your tailor and his big friend. They might be interested."
"Alden? You did the joining with Garnet. Maybe you could explain to everyone what you saw, felt, heard? so they'd know what to expect? Once you start, could you stop? So maybe we can all discuss which shard we to join?"
"The last time, with Garnet, I couldn't see or hear anyone else. I could only see the nearest shards and glimpse them as if I were flying high above the ground. I will certainly explain as much as I can about the process to everyone, if they wish to know," Alden replies.
"No one seems to be willing or able to contest you sir." Deshrit explains, "However, I am afraid you must wait for a while. Once shards have been joined there needs to be time before they can join again. Half a year to be specific."
"Well then, that gives us time for our new friends to become acquainted with us and their new neighbors in Passbog," Alden replies. "Unfortunately, it delays my own quest, but there is no helping that. Master Norian wanted us to see his shop. Now would be as good a time as any, and after that we can buy you all a round of drinks at Passbog's local watering hole."
"They might seem nice to people whose ancestors they didn't exterminate. You'll have to forgive me for holding that against them."
Rabbit flushes quite pink to know he was overheard. He gulps a swallow then makes sure to nod quickly and agreeably with the man. "Oh, yessir, I'm sorry, I meant no offense, that's, um, that's terrible...."
During the conversation with Deshrit, Rabbit's eyes do a good impression of a ping-pong ball, if anyone present knew what that was. His wide eyes dart back and forth between Jaxom, Alden, the gem....
Rabbit lets out a tiny gasp, his hand flying to his mouth at the revelation Garnet was dead. She had seemed nice, Rabbit had thought. It would have been interesting to keep talking to a gem, to learn what it was like to BE a gem...
Neither Alden nor Jaxom seem sad or anything, though Mr. Jaxom hasn't liked the gem since they met it, of course. The halfling tucks his hands under opposing armpits as the conversation continues to fly about, but then comes to a halt after a fashion at the mention that half a year will be going by before anyone does any more shard merging at all. Like the wind gone out of a ship's sails, Rabbit muses, based on more literature that he's read than actual ships he's seen over his lifetime.
He bites his lip as he absorbs all the information, shifting his weight from bare foot to bare foot and scrunching his toes deep into the grass.
"I've got lots of questions, Mr. Deshrit, sir. Um, are you a sir? I mean, a man-- er-- boy-gem-- um-- okay that's not relevant."
Rabbit clears his throat, perhaps imagining everyone's eyes are on him, and reaches one hand down into his satchel to soak up a little comforting touch from Mr. Whisper's soft fur.
"I..." deep breath, "I'm sorry to hear that about Garnet. It makes me have more questions, though. Um. For one thing does that maybe mean we have to agree about our goals or we'll be killing a gem each time?"
The thought makes Rabbit curl his fingers with tension into the literal rabbits body; the rabbit promptly nips at his hand and he snatches it back. "The other-- the other thing is- if she had been along with us, would you two.... would you have had to-- like? Fight? For... for domination of the shard? Do shards know each other at all? Are you like-- friends? Or innately trying to um, uh-- survive against the other shards?"
"Also I have a billion more questions but-- I think we are going to have time."
Jaxom listens carefully to the conversation. So possibly his distrust of the rock, Garnet, had caused it to destroy itself when it merged these shards together? He wasn't opposed to joining the pieces of the world back together, and he pretty well knew it would take powerful magic to do it. Not from him of course! He had no interest in learning how to wield that kind of power!
Rabbit starts questioning the new rock and Jaxom turns to leave that conversation. They'd have half of a year before the new rock could be used? Fine. That meant there was other work to be done. He heads back to the cottage and the two men there. The big guy looked like he might be trained in bare-knuckle fighting and might be willing to spar? He could use some proper training sessions. but the main thing was the land.
Knocking at the door Jaxom looks into the cottage. "Looks like we can't do the next join for several months. The magic needs a half year for something. Anyway, I was thinking of working with farmer Tooms to expand fields over this way. You've got meadow land that could be plowed and planted. Unless you've got some reason why we shouldn't I'd like to get started? Also, have you scouted all of the land around your perimeter? Are there other resources here? We've got a smithy but lack the ore needed. We've been melting and re-working what metals we had to make basic tools, but would really like to have a better source of supplies for that."
"I would like to help with the expansion of Tooms' farmland," Alden replies to Jaxom, "that is, if he is interested in doing so. Otherwise, I will just keep helping where I can, and keep myself busy until our half-year wait is over."
Jaxom agrees with Alden. "As far as I know, the hardest part of establishing a field is breaking the ground with the plow and clearing any rocks. I'll check with Martin and see if he's interested. And keep it in mind for the next merge. Maybe find a small town that might have some extra people that might consider work as a farm hand?"
He heads back to the Tooms farm. "Martin? Have you considered expanding your fields? That new area has some grass land that Alden and I would be willing to help with the initial plowing and planting. Seems like we've got a half year before we can try the magic again and expand things farther. But, neither of us are actual farmers so I figured I'd ask you to take a look and see if the land will work. ??"
After grumbling about waiting six months and then hearing the goblins attacked with alchemist fire, Kevan gets and idea. "Would any of you fine big folk be willing to show me where these goblins resided? I'd like to see if they left any of their alchemical supplies behind. I'm sure it is savage but I can make it work if only I can find it. To that end, anyone willing to help me search their abode once I'm shown the way?" Hoping for assistance, Kevan looks forward to something interesting to do.
After grumbling about waiting six months and then hearing the goblins attacked with alchemist fire, Kevan gets and idea. "Would any of you fine big folk be willing to show me where these goblins resided? I'd like to see if they left any of their alchemical supplies behind. I'm sure it is savage but I can make it work if only I can find it. To that end, anyone willing to help me search their abode once I'm shown the way?" Hoping for assistance, Kevan looks forward to something interesting to do.
"Alden and Jaxom talked about expanding the farming and you immediately want to go out exploring. See, I told you he's allergic to hard work. I'll go with you if only to keep you from finding more trouble for us to worry about."
"If I find the right stuff perhaps I could make something fun. That's what I do, entertain others. I can't help my allergies, I was born with them."
"The goblins occupied the swamp just outside of town. They're all dead now, killed by us, except for Mama Kurg. She's a very old and cantankerous goblin shaman or witch of some sort. She might talk to you, she might not, but she asked to be left alone to die in peace. If anyone knows where to find the herbs and such that you might find in the swamp, it'd be her," Alden replies to Kevan.
To Kevan, Rabbit says, "If you're going to see Mama Kurg, maybe I should go with you?"[/b] Rabbit says tentatively. "She's not really all that friendly and when we go to see her she'll put together that her son's dead now too... but maybe I can take her something for her cough. It might help."
"If I find the right stuff perhaps I could make something fun. That's what I do, entertain others. I can't help my allergies, I was born with them."
Eochaidh can't help but chuckle.
"I tell you what Rabbit, when I was working with Sir Galavant, we dealt with goblins all the time. Of course he was always chopping off their heads but I did learn a thing or two. Number one, don't put your fingers in their mouth, no matter what they say. Anyway, I'm sure me and Mama Uhggg will get along just fine." Kevan says and then skips off to pack his bags.
Deshrit spoke briefly with Rabbit at his questions.
"I... believe I am a sir, or was?" Deshrit answers Rabbit, "But pay that no mind. As to why the other gem was destroyed, well I think that was only because of the displeasure brought to the shard bearers. At least, I don't know why one of us may be shattered. That's actually rather disconcerting... I will have to give it my best."
Deshrit grew quiet at that, clearly given something to think about.
"As to what would have happened, I'm afraid I do not know. Much like you, I am learning much as things progress. I had never met your Garnet before, not was I aware of her even existing."
Alden and Jaxom went to the Toom's farm to speak to Martin Tooms.
The dark haired farmer leaned on a pitchfork as he spoke with the two, having been baling hay in the barn when he found them. "I mean, we could break more ground, sure..." he reasoned, "But I already have my land. Alden, you have your field as well. We've had more food than we could eat and preserve for winter. Just how many people new people are we looking to feed? They got nothing of their own to eat?"
Turning to work on weaponry.
When Jaxom returned to the forge to work on his wraps he found that Fogril and Siegfried were both eager for more work. The former was bullied to recover properly by Milana, but he joined soon enough. Given the plentiful supplies of ingots and tools, the men could make masterwork weapons for the group in six months. Not just Jaxom. Though if you would want armor as well we can get into rolls and time.
A trip into the swamp, and potentially the spring beyond.
Rabbit was able to guide Eochaidh and Kevan into the swamp to where mama Kurg's under stump hovel lay. Just as she had been previously, the goblin was sleeping laid back in her chair. Motionless and making no sound. She didn't appear to be breathing at a glance.
Rabbit's silence is skeptical, but he doesn't argue with the confident Kevan. On the way, he tries to think what could be useful in easing Mama Kurg's cough-- and asking the tall man with him if he sees any herbs that will help. Willow bark tea? Marshmallow root? Ginger?
Alden and Jaxom went to the Toom's farm to speak to Martin Tooms.
The dark haired farmer leaned on a pitchfork as he spoke with the two, having been baling hay in the barn when he found them. "I mean, we could break more ground, sure..." he reasoned, "But I already have my land. Alden, you have your field as well. We've had more food than we could eat and preserve for winter. Just how many people new people are we looking to feed? They got nothing of their own to eat?"
"There are only five more people that we know of," Alden replies. "and three of them intend to continue our quest to rejoin our shard of the world with other pieces. If we currently have a surplus, even with these additional mouths, then we should expend our efforts on more urgent matters. As it stands, I will need to plant and harvest my own field before the time comes in half-a-year for us to attempt to join with another shard."
Once matters with the farmland is settled, Alden retires to his home, removes and stows his armor, weapons, and other gear. Once settled, he takes out his copy of the Parables of Erastil and reads a few pasaages. Once he feels his mind is focused on his deity's purpose, he silently asks with trepidation:
Did Garnet possess a soul? If she did, was I the cause of her death? If so, what must I do to atone?
Rabbit and Eochaidh don't really have enough time to make anything complex on a simple walk out to Mama Kurg's hovel, but they can make a quick tonic with some crushed herbs, root, mint, and a draft of tincture. Hooch, courtesy of Fogril. As Rabbit moves in to check on the goblin she is thankfully not dead. Just sleeping very still and silent.
As he stirs her awake he finds her eyes open wide. A mix of fear and panic at not realizing what her situation was, and seeing a non-goblin looking at her. She brings her arm halfway up to try and shield herself, but can't actually bring them up that high.
"Cursed fur foot." she grouches at Rabbit, "What are you here for? To finish me off?" She was gasping for breath, trying to recover from the fright. She slowly turned her gaze over to the newcomer. "S-shard, you merged the shards." she reasoned.
************************************************
As Alden asks his god for an answer there is quiet. No response seeming to come. Yet, as he reached out he could feel his divine power still there. If anything it was stronger now. Feeling his body more resilient since the shards joined. Whatever the situation with Garnet, he had not incurred his god's displeasure.
"Thank you for your answer," Alden says into the stillness.
After a few more moments of contemplative silence, he rises to his feet and decides to converse with their new gemstone companion.
"Deshrit, do you possess any other abilities besides joining our shard with another in half-a-year? Are you, for instance, an expert in magic, philosphy, or any other fields of knowledge?"
"Madam, my name is Kevan, and I am a burgeoning alchemical genius and you quite frankly may have skills and resources I could benefit from. I was hoping you may find it entertaining and worthwhile to share you knowledge and teach me how you make things such as alchemist fire, I have an idea but pointers would be appreciated, or maybe tanglefoot bags and other sundry things. And of course your friend Rabbit here could rub your bunyons and get you tea and stuff. What do you think?" Kevan asks.
"Erm--"
Rabbit throws an askance look at Kevan's volunteering of him, but doesn't actually contradict the other halfling. Kevan has found a patsy.
"Er, yes, I'd like to help you if I can, not finish you off, Mama Kurg. I... I wish things had gone differently. We brought something for your cough."
Deshrit's light sparkles a bit brighter and a slightly audible tinkling sound, like a glass windchime, could be heard by Alden. "I'm certain I have a few talents, or had a few." Deshrit muses, "Though at the moment I am loathe to remember what they might be. I have a proper understanding of court etiquette. That much I could aid you with."
Mama Kurg gives a wary look to Kevan, and to Rabbits draught before she holds a hand out and accepts it. She has to drink it slowly, more sipping it than anything else. After a few tastes of it she gives an easy smile. Her withered lips turning up and a large mole on her upper lip showing a few strands of hair glistening from a bit that escaped her mouth.
"Hmmm, not bad for something thrown together in the moment." she admitted before glancing at Kevan, "Hmph, another would be apprentice looking to get themselves into trouble is it? Looking to blow yourself up lad? Pfft, I'll not help you with anything. But I wouldn't mind watching you burn yourself to a crisp."
"That's a start. Actually, Dr Zhivigo taught me the initial rudimentary parts of alchemy. I'm hoping to develop a good alchemist fire recipe. To be honest, I hope to blow other people up, not myself but that would be a beginning. So, since you are willing to help me blow myself up, that's a step forward. So where do you normally gather the stuff and I'll grab some so you can watch me burn myself to a crisp." Kevan says in response to Momma Kurg. "Perhaps I can learn to make tea as well."
"I don't gather, and I said I'm not helping you." Mama Kurg rasped as Kevan, "I haven't gathered in over a decade. That was my little shit of a son. You should go check his belongings... assuming he didn't burn them up in your scuffle."
"I'll do that. Can I grab anything for you while I'm out?" Kevan asks as he gets ready to leave.
Kevan has become newly motivated and with or without the aid of Mama Kurg he intends to track down ingredients for his alchemy.
With 6 months to work on his and whatever other Masterwork weapons are wanted Jaxom gets into the rhythm of the work....
Mama Kurg grumbles at the excitable halflings. "It's like there's two of you. I don't want anything. Except maybe some easy to eat food. Cheese... yes cheese would be nice. I once stole a slice of cheese! From right under your inn ladies nose! That was so long ago... hmph. Never mind."
So that totals 878 GP of progress toward masterwork weapons. Should be plenty for two weapons and change. Of course, with both Siegfried and Fogril helping you... your roll should be a +14 rather than a +12. Meaning more successes and higher totals as well. Rather than calculate all that a second time though, how about we go with handwaving it like I mentioned?
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 15 + 14 + 5 = 34 Week 1 34 * 20 = 680
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 20 + 14 + 5 = 39 Week 2 39 * 20 = 780
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 20 + 14 + 5 = 39 Week 3 39 * 20 = 780
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 6 + 14 + 5 = 25 Week 4 25 * 20 = 500
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 6 + 14 + 5 = 25 Week 5 25 * 20 = 500
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 8 + 14 + 5 = 27 Week 6 27 * 20 = 540
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 16 + 14 + 5 = 35 Week 7 35 * 20 = 700
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 1 + 14 + 5 = 20 Week 8 20 * 20 = 400
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 15 + 14 + 5 = 34 Week 9 34 * 20 = 680
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 5 + 14 + 5 = 24 Week 10 24 * 20 = 480
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 18 + 14 + 5 = 37 Week 11 37 * 20 = 740
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 15 + 14 + 5 = 34 Week 12 34 * 20 = 680
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 14 + 14 + 5 = 33 Week 13 33 * 20 = 660
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 16 + 14 + 5 = 35 Week 14 35 * 20 = 700
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 19 + 14 + 5 = 38 Week 15 38 * 20 = 760
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 8 + 14 + 5 = 27 Week 16 27 * 20 = 540
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 1 + 14 + 5 = 20 Week 17 20 * 20 = 400
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 2 + 14 + 5 = 21 Week 18 21 * 20 = 420
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 3 + 14 + 5 = 22 Week 19 22 * 20 = 440
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 12 + 14 + 5 = 31 Week 20 31 * 20 = 620
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 4 + 14 + 5 = 23 Week 21 23 * 20 = 460
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 20 + 14 + 5 = 39 Week 22 39 * 20 = 780
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 3 + 14 + 5 = 22 Week 23 22 * 20 = 440
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 16 + 14 + 5 = 35 Week 24 35 * 20 = 700
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 20 + 14 + 5 = 39 Week 25 39 * 20 = 780
Craft Weapon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ 7 + 14 + 5 = 26 Week 26 26 * 20 = 520
Total work value = 15,680 SP. Plus the previous 85 = 15,765. Minus 3,001 for my wraps leaves 12,764 SP value of crafting for other weapons. ?? Might get 3 with that!
Bump the digit back and that makes 1,276 GP and 4 SP. The MW cost of three weapons (Not counting the original GP cost of the weapon.) would be 900 GP so it should be more than enough. You could even do etching or filigree on them.
So that is three MW weapons that can be made for other members of the party.
"We should be able to do cheese," Rabbit blurts. "I mean, we have animals that make milk, so-- yes. Okay. Cheese. Thank you, Mama Kurg, I hope your cough gets better...."
As Kevan and Rabbit plod back through the swamp towards the rest of this settlement, the shy halfling is quiet and pensive. It is probable that Kevan will have no trouble filling the silence. Rabbit does brighten somewhat as he realizes that now he can go see Mr. Abronze's tailoring supplies-- and he immediately sets off to do that.
****
For the next six months, Rabbit does similar to what he did before the joining-- he tends diligently to the small number of animals that their community has, and does his best to be helpful with any small chores that need doing, never once complaining. But he adds new dimensions to his workday-- for one thing, working with Norian in his shop. He defers to the tailor in a manner that some might find cringingly obsequious, but looks at it as a chance to acquire a broader understanding of how to make clothes. Stitching up tears in robes for Mistress Malus, or mending the clothes of the other halfling servants, is different than learning how to make heavy cloaks that are proofed against rain, or a quilted gambeson so that the warriors of their group can more comfortably wear armor-- but Rabbit is an eager sponge for all of this knowledge, willing and ready to learn and to work with needle and thread into the wee hours. At the very least, everyone is coming out of this six month period with warm and sturdy new woolen socks.
When he's not with the tailor, Rabbit is often hanging around Kevan, drawn to the other halfling's outsized and confident personality, so the opposite of his own. Like a child hanging around the older, cooler kid, he is a wide-eyed audience for any of Kevan's tales-- exaggerated or otherwise.
And when he's not doing that, he's with Deshrit. Beyond the cringing nerves, Rabbit has a deep natural curiosity that slowly asserts itself as days bleed into weeks.
Were you created? By who? Did you exist before the world broke up, or were you just made then? What's your first memory-- were you aware of anything before just existing here, where we found you?
Do you know why the world broke? Or how?
How many shards do you think there are?
What if you'd shown up in a shard where nobody speaks Common, would you be able to speak to a bunch of orcs, or people from Tien Xia?
What if a gem appears in the middle of the ocean and nobody can ever find it? Or in a volcano, would it get destroyed? Would that shard cease to exist? And everyone in it?
Do you have any abilities other than the zipping off to merge shards? Do you 'see' things, or just sense them? What are your senses like?
Do you have a favorite color? Would you like me to read to you?
And.... so forth.
As the bodies are gathered and combed over Jaxom is quick to take the dagger from the goblin leader. It had an impressive balance to it, and in the evening's gloom it shed light like a torch when he wielded it. He also found a vial of poison among the extracts and alchemical supplies the leader carried. The rest of the goblins sported no armor, and all their weapons were crude and sized for small creatures. The crossbow was serviceable, likely stolen some years back. Some of it's wood was rotted and damp.The various stolen tent supplies the goblins had used to make their leans could be cleaned and pieced back together into a proper camping tent for two people of Alden's size. Underneath one was a wood cutting axe the goblins had used to create their stack of firewood. If the group wanted to burn the goblin's bodies it would be simple enough to make a pyre.
Inside the leader's tent there were various knickknacks and dubious alchemical supplies. Though tucked into a pack was a thumb sized uncut ruby.
Rabbit was welcome to take some cheese from Milana. There was even some leftover from their lunch the day before. Honestly, it had been a busy two days.
**************************
Rabbit found Norian a bit of a different taskmaster than Mistress Malus or even Milana. He did not harshly, or softly, assign Rabbit to tasks. Instead, he treated his shop as if it was the halfling's playground. He was always interested in what Rabbit might want to learn, or if he might want to try out the loom or some of his other tools. Did he have any interest in farming silk thread? The man seemed to have a singular love for tailoring, and he was all too happy to foster Rabbit's interest.
Rabbit quickly learned that Norian didn't need his help with the mundane either. The sorcerer had a habit of summoning unseen servants to do such busy work. He also kept special rolls of fabric that were sorted by days of the week, and as Rabbit learned this was because they were actually much larger rolls! The man had an interesting spell that could shrink down objects to a much smaller size, and since it lasted the man a week at a time he had rotated it's use between his inventory.
The only ask Norian ever had for Rabbit, was if he wanted to design a set of clothes for anyone? Norian himself had taken to trying to craft an outfit for everyone on the shard, and had been tasked by Milana to make several dresses as well. "Maybe you should make her one as well." the tailor observed while watching Rabbit stitch one day, "I have a feeling she would like a dress from you more than anyone else."
****************************
Deshrit was happy to answer any questions, though his tone did suggest he sometimes grew tired of his interrogation sessions with Rabbit. Of course, the ever polite gem never did say as much.
Were you created? By who? Did you exist before the world broke up, or were you just made then? What's your first memory-- were you aware of anything before just existing here, where we found you?
I imagine I was dear Rabbit, but by who I could not guess. I believe I existed before the world was sundered, though I have no memory. It is more... well I suppose you could call it a hunch. My first memory was waking up in a clump of tall weeds.
Do you know why the world broke? Or how?
From the experience at the time I would wager a wizard did it.
How many shards do you think there are?
That is very hard to speculate on my dear halfling. Both your shard and my original one took years to merge. Perhaps other shards were faster, or slower for that matter. Maybe there are no other shards than those we are aware of. Maybe it is not only our world that broke, but an endless combination of worlds. Oh, but now I'm indulging in wild fantasy. I do apologize.
What if you'd shown up in a shard where nobody speaks Common, would you be able to speak to a bunch of orcs, or people from Tien Xia?
I wasn't aware I was speaking common. Perhaps I can simply reply in whatever language I hear. Do you know any other languages you would wish to try sir?
What if a gem appears in the middle of the ocean and nobody can ever find it? Or in a volcano, would it get destroyed? Would that shard cease to exist? And everyone in it?
I would guess the same thing that happens when no one found me. Eventually some other shard would merge with it. I would not want to be inside a volcano. I ask that you please leave that question unanswered. Not to bring up a potentially sensitive subject master Rabbit, but you have already seen a shard destroyed. You are all still here.
Do you have any abilities other than the zipping off to merge shards? Do you 'see' things, or just sense them? What are your senses like?
Well, I seem to know things I am supposed to know about how to fulfill my purpose. So there is that. I can feel things. Like this odd material covering my gemstone body. Or your hands when you touch me. That said, I appreciate your cleanliness master Rabbit. I can look out at the world in all directions, and sometimes it is dizzying. I hear fine, but sadly I don't seem to have a sense of smell. It's odd, because for some reason I know what things smell like.
Do you have a favorite color? Would you like me to read to you?
Emerald green, if that's not too pretentious. I believe I would like that, but you could spare yourself such trouble. I think I could manage if you set a book out before me. Though I might have to ask you to turn the page if it's not too much trouble.
As he and Rabbit return...
"Well, I was looking forward to finding some alchemical supplies to see what I could develop. But, if that does not pan out I'm sure I'll find something to do while we wait. I have a whole new piece of ground to look around to see what I can see. Anything around here fun to explore?" Kevan asks the quiet Rabbit.
As he and Rabbit return...
"Well, I was looking forward to finding some alchemical supplies to see what I could develop. But, if that does not pan out I'm sure I'll find something to do while we wait. I have a whole new piece of ground to look around to see what I can see. Anything around here fun to explore?" Kevan asks the quiet Rabbit.
"I believe Mama Kurg said you should check her son's belongings since he was their resident arsonist. Not that I should encourage you to experiment with flammable items but they may come in handy."
"I figured I go through the pockets of the dead if they haven't been buried yet. Maybe check with the others to see if they put any such alchemical items away or know where they went. What about you Rabbit, do you remember seeing anything of that sort?" Kevan rambles on as they walk back.
Alden spends the intervening months working the land, cutting wood, gathering water, and anything else necessary to keep things running in Passbog. If anyone asks his help with a task, he readily assists them.
In the evenings, he oils and cleans his armor and weapons, and checks his traveling gear occasionally to make sure nothing is torn or mouldering. He reads a few passages from the Parables of Erastil and says his daily devotional prayers before turning in.
In the spare moments of free time, when there is no work left to do, he drops in to the tavern, and enjoys an hour or so of drink and conversation with his companions and the other residents present.
"Maybe you should make her one as well." the tailor observed while watching Rabbit stitch one day, "I have a feeling she would like a dress from you more than anyone else."
"Do you really think so? I can try. I never made a pretty dress from scratch before... but I'm so enjoying getting to see all the tools and fabrics you have, very much!" Rabbit is the proverbial kid in a candy factory, given free rein in the tailor's workshop. He is hesitant at first, cautious to the point of pathology, but Abronze's continued encouragements gradually get Rabbit to a space of comfort in the shop, and he begins to try things out. Among the projects he attempts to create-- socks for everyone, warm cloaks, mended blankets, the dress for Milana-- Rabbit also uses some spare cloth to make a sort of strap/carrying nest for Deshrit-- a web of strips of fabric that the gem can be nestled securely into, and the wearer can wear around their neck. Maybe that'll stop a gem-zipping-away when they next meet a shard, he thinks. Or hopes.
"...Do you know any other languages you would wish to try sir?"
"Oh, yes!" Rabbit says with a half-laugh, and tests out Deshrit's abilities in the tongues of elves, halflings, and gnomes. Then, he hurriedly apologizes for bringing up bad thoughts and the prospect of gem destruction, and scampers off to find a book for Deshrit. Rabbit also makes very sure to wash his hands before handling Deshrit again, and to make a point of doing so every time.
The dagger they discovered at the goblin camp is of some interest. Rabbit has never been called on to identify an object's magical properties before, but he spends days looking at it, with Mr. Whisper perched on his lap-- one hand on the animal's white fur and the other gently touching the knife.... how had Mistress Malus done it, to check for magic....? Whispered syllables come from his lips until suddenly he can see the radiating lines of magic that trace across the blade like ripples on a pond. But can he understand them?
***
"Anything around here fun to explore?"
"Ummm.... by fun do you mean 'dangerous'? I think you have-- I mean, your shard has-- more space than ours. We're just a few buildings left of a town, and also the swamp. I mean, where we're at. I guess you could explore the swamp aside from just this bit near Mama Kurg's hut." Rabbit offers this reluctantly, as all the tromping around in the swamp has made it obvious to him that laundry day is going to be a lot of work, what with all the algae and muck and mud now decorating their garments. "Beyond that, we just have some farmland, a little bit of forest. I'm sorry-- we're boring."
An apologetic smile and shrug, Rabbit twisting his hands together. "Where were you when things broke up? You mentioned Absalom, but your bit of world looks very... pastoral. And nice. I like it."
An apologetic smile and shrug, Rabbit twisting his hands together. "Where were you when things broke up? You mentioned Absalom, but your bit of world looks very... pastoral. And nice. I like it."
"I was passing through to the next town looking for a grand adventure but never made it. Perhaps this is the beginning of one but it is starting ever so slowly. I may have to go look around the swamp to see if there are any dragons that need slaying." Kevan muses.
Once back around the others he asks the new people, Alden and Jaxom, if they had found any alchemical supplies on one of the goblins or if not, could they direct him to the bodies so he could check. He does inform them Mama Kurg suggested as much.
Hearing Kevan's interest in alchemical supplies makes Jaxom think about the goblins. "Nobody thought to search the goblin's area for stuff like that. Their leader had created some chemical bombs so he must have found something."
"Sure. I'll take you out there, show you where the battle happened. Might have been something useful dropped there that we didn't know to look for. Then we'll go to where they lived. Let's ask and see if anyone else wants to come along, preferably anyone that knows what alchemical supplies look like!"
"Beyond that, we just have some farmland, a little bit of forest. I'm sorry-- we're boring."
"Forest you say? I would very much like to visit the forest. It's been far too long since I've been inside one."