To Jaxom...
"Oh, we went out there this morning Rabbit, Eochaidh, and I. Mama Kurg was less than helpful with stuff in the area but she did say her son carried alchemical agents on him. Hence my desire to search him if you did not snag the stuff already. Lead on my good man, to the battlefield." Kevan shares.
"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."
"It's not a LOT of forest," Rabbit admits. "Sort of a little-- strip of forest. But there's a stream. And trees. Better than nothing?"
For lack of something more pressing to do, Rabbit tags along with the others back to the battleground, to see if there's anything that can be seen. Once they are out of the bog again, he takes Mr. Whisper out of the stiff leather 'box' that holds him at Rabbit's side, and lets the white bunny down to sniff at twigs, grass, and to murder some innocent flowers with a quick chomp.
"It's not a LOT of forest," Rabbit admits. "Sort of a little-- strip of forest. But there's a stream. And trees. Better than nothing?"
"Indeed it is better than nothing."
Jaxom hears the comment about the 'strip of forest' and laughs. "Hears a query that I don't understand. When the world broke, how do the moving parts still work? Rivers flow. I assume the ice at the poles still freeze and melt with the seasons. How does that work?"
By the way his voice trails off at the end of his question it is obvious that he isn't expecting an answer. Possibly not even wanting one.
He leads the small group out to the battle site and to the area where the goblins lived. Maybe someone that knew something about alchemy could find something useful?
Alden busies himself with farm work, being mindful of the necessity of his labor and how it benefits the community at large. As he works, his mind wanders to his other goal, and he begins imagining what his life will be like with a wife, with children, and with his sword and armor stowed away in a crate, only brought out for the occasional cleaning and sharpening.
He hums a song to himself, and thinks on the words his mother used to sing to him as a child.
...and listen closely, to what I say. For if you do this, it will help you some sunny day. Take your time, don't live too fast. Troubles will come, and they will pass...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
As Rabbit talks to Deshrit in different languages he finds that the gem is able to understand and converse with him in nay tongue, though he finds many of them "Rather peculiar".
Rabbit's tailoring crafts turned out well. He had excellent tools, assistance, and the aid of subtle magics to help him. It didn't hurt that he wasn't trying to make anything complex.
Not only does the group traveling to the old battle site find several crates of dubious quality alchemy reagents (150 GP worth of supplies), but enough ready made materials to craft the alchemist fire Kevan was interested in. The goblin leader had crafted several vials of it for the assault on the village. Seemingly in the process of making more.
Kevan is like a little kid in a candy store. He also asks the kind big people to help him carry it all back. Then, not wanting to accidentally burn down anything too important he considers the accommodations around the tailor shop (any sheds with room to work?) and asks the others about an area he could work in that would be protected from the elements. With a target he sets to work.
Jaxom suggests that maybe Kevan could set up some workspace in the forge. ?? "We're set up for 'accidents' involving fire, just in case."
Knowledge: Planes or Arcana
Knowledge: Planes or Arcana
Rabbit peers at the substance with a certain wariness. He whispers a spell to check for the presence of magic, trying to think if anything in Mistress Morus's books was like this...
Rabbit has no idea what the material is, but it definately had a minor magical feel to it.
Kevan will go for 4x alchemist fire (200sp), 4 acid (100sp), and a star candle firework (50sp)
1500sp in raw materials
66.7sp
+33.5sp +66.7sp spent > 520sp of work (2 alchemist fires and half another)
+33.5
+33.5
+33.5
+33.5
+33.5
+33.5 + 66.7sp spent > 460sp of work (2 alchemist fires)
acid 133.3sp spent > 420sp of work (4 acids)
star candle 33.4sp spent > 500sp of work (2 star candles)
601.3 raw materials used then he decides to try for a tanglefoot bag (500sp)
166.7sp
+83.4sp > 650sp of work (1 tanglefoot bag)
851.4sp raw materials used
He will spend some time making more star candles of differing colors
166.7sp spent > 400sp of work (10 star candles)
Then he starts on paper candle fireworks (10sp)
100sp spent > 540sp of work (30 paper candles)
333.5sp spent > 675sp of work (5 alchemist fire)
33.5sp spent > 315sp of work (1 acid flask)
Are the fireworks ok?
Just to clarify you found 150 GP of materials and enough ready made materials for the alchemist's fire. Not just 150GP of material. I don't see any issue with the fireworks, but maybe I'm missing what they would be good for?
Is everyone happy with their downtime results now?
Kevan works diligently in his makeshift lab when he is not busy dodging 'boring' work. After four months of working with powders and liquids, singeing his eyebrows, burning his fingers, and sporting more than one soot mark on his face he finally emerges one evening to announce, "It's alive!!! Well, it works anyway." To those around him he says, "I need everyone just outside of the village, such as it is, by night fall. It should be fun." Then he hurries off to invite everyone else in the two small shards. He even hustles out to Mama Kurg's place even though he does not expect her to come.
That evening, once he confirms he's got everyone he says, "Thanks for coming. I've been working on something I think is absolutely marvelous and I thought I would share. Of course, I spent some time with a traveling circus before the whole world split and I was known as quite the entertainer and knife thrower but that's a different demonstration. Anyway, it looks like it is dark enough so without further ado." He takes a taper and going to a fuse line a good thirty feet from everyone he lights it and then skips away. What follows is a series of loud bangs as a group of a half dozen paper candles go off one after the other.
"Was that not fun?" the excited halfling shouts. "But wait, that's not all." Then he lights a star candle with four different colored balls. It takes a moment after he lights it before it begins to launch balls of fire into the night sky that explode up in the air. First, green, then white, followed by red, and a final burst of blue. "Tada!" He cries and then trying to get others involved he proceeds to shoot off about half of the fireworks. Afterward, "I hope you all enjoyed. I was thinking of doing this again a couple of nights before we see if you talking gem can connect us with more people. Thank you again and sleep well."
Just to clarify you found 150 GP of materials and enough ready made materials for the alchemist's fire. Not just 150GP of material. I don't see any issue with the fireworks, but maybe I'm missing what they would be good for?
Is everyone happy with their downtime results now?
I saved some of Eochaidh's available time for any checks needed by the community or other PCs like Knowledge (Nature), Survival, or a Profession check. I assume some of the time would be spent tending the animals available in the first shard?
Just to clarify you found 150 GP of materials and enough ready made materials for the alchemist's fire. Not just 150GP of material. I don't see any issue with the fireworks, but maybe I'm missing what they would be good for?
Is everyone happy with their downtime results now?
I saved some of Eochaidh's available time for any checks needed by the community or other PCs like Knowledge (Nature), Survival, or a Profession check. I assume some of the time would be spent tending the animals available in the first shard?
Your help would be appreciated. There is a variety of livestock maintained by the innkeeper Milana.
Your help would be appreciated. There is a variety of livestock maintained by the innkeeper Milana.Just to clarify you found 150 GP of materials and enough ready made materials for the alchemist's fire. Not just 150GP of material. I don't see any issue with the fireworks, but maybe I'm missing what they would be good for?
Is everyone happy with their downtime results now?
I saved some of Eochaidh's available time for any checks needed by the community or other PCs like Knowledge (Nature), Survival, or a Profession check. I assume some of the time would be spent tending the animals available in the first shard?
Then I'll consider the rest of his downtime split between the livestock and the crops/plants.
Rabbit is more than happy to introduce the livestock of Passbog to Eochaidh, and to tell him all about each chicken's issues, temperament, and past episodes of poultry lice... and then the goats, and how Winifred has that boil on her udder, and she kicks when you try to tend it... and so forth and so forth.
When there's no work beckoning, when Deshrit has been read to, and Kevan's stories listened to with wide eyes-- late at night, Rabbit does his best to piece fabric into a dress for Milana. The shiny blue fabric from Abronze's workshop will bring out her eyes... but it's not very practical... in the end he finds a rust-rest bolt of cotton to work with for her dress, knowing it is her favorite color. And it's something that will breathe during the manual labor that they must all still do. Especially when harvest season rolled around...
The onset of colder weather bears out the usefulness of the thick socks and scarves and cloaks that Rabbit has been working to make for anyone who wants one. At nights he can often be found at the common table of Milana's inn, some fabric in hand and a needle flashing in the fire's light as he practices new stitches Abronze has showed him. The wind roars outside, or rain patters on the roof (Tel's quarried stone has provided good new tiles), or snow piles thick against the windows... Sometimes he is even bold enough to ask Kevan for another story, to help pass the night.
It's the happiest Rabbit's ever been, and he almost dreads whatever must come next, even if the others seem eager to try to find new shards. Stitch, wait, stitch, wait... soon enough it will be time to run, he thinks. To run and fight and all the other things that must interrupt this peace.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The next six months are comfortable for the residents of the shard. Everyone works together and much progress is made. The shard bearers each seem to have their own plans, but some of them help the village as well...
Fogril and Siegfried work diligently at the forge. There is no end to their industrious work as they help Jaxom forge several weapons of high quality. Beyond that is a horde of other small items to repair and maintain. As well as a few fixtures and pipes for Tel Beys' own designs. The burns they have were never fully healed with magic, leaving both the dwarves with impressive looking scarring. Fogril had the far side of his face scarred in a way that went down to his neck and collar, but the dwarf often worked topless outside his heavy smithing smock. Seemingly unbothered by his appearance. Siegfried was much the same, but most of his scarring was along his torso. Normally only showing the scars along his bicep.
*************************************
Milana doesn't change her production much. Having a wide variety of produce and animal products to offer. She had gotten into the habit of sending lunches for Norian and Bart along with Rabbit. She also ended up spending many evenings chatting with the sorcerer. It was entirely platonic, with him walking home each evening. All she would say about it was that they had both been adventurers traveling the same areas of the inner sea, and so they enjoyed talking about their pasts. When Rabbit presents her the dress he had sewn for her she had scooped him up in her arms along with the dress. Overcome with emotion to the point of tears at the sweet gift. After getting a hold of herself again she set him down, wiping her eyes and thanking him for keeping her company these last few years.
*****************************************
Tel Beys also made use of Norian and Kevan if he was amicable to make alchemical cement. She had found marble and other stone to quarry. With the sorcerer's magic she was able to transport large amounts of shrunk down stone to the mill and fashion it into tile. Some slate tile for the roof of the inn, but also marble. Next to the spring fed stream a bathhouse was built with a water wheel that brought fresh water in. Piping and copper tubs were partitioned inside, with smooth marble tile lining the floor. It wasn't enough to serve the entire community, but four could bath together with privacy and enjoy each other's company. It became common for the women of the shard to bath together and talk.
***************************************************
The Tooms family had a prosperous crop, and the new clothing and comforts did much to improve the social status of the family as they would visit into the village more. The two children fancied Kevan greatly, wanting to listen to his stories or go exploring the woods after hearing his tall tales without the threat of goblins. Though Thomas had gotten the tanning of his life after Alberta had followed her brother into the swamp and nearly ruined her new dress when she got stuck. Yana enjoyed spending more time being able to freely visit the village and spend time with everyone. There was a great stump that Martin and Alden worked to free from the ground, and it ended up being a surprise present to Alden as he received a resin finished table made from it as a winter solstice gift.
********************************************************
Mama Kurg was visited often by Rabbit, with Kevan and others tagging along on occasion. Her mood softened toward them over time, but she seemed to be growing weaker as well. Rabbit was bringing her a bundle of firewood to help her keep warm in winter when he found she had passed in her sleep. Perhaps a far better fate than she had deserved, but a good one no less. He couldn't help but look around her hovel at the nice food he had brought her, the socks and blanket to help her keep warm. The comfy and tidy nature of her little den under the fallen tree. It might bring him comfort to know he had done her good.
**********************************************************
Norian and Bart proved industrious helpers. The fit monk willing and able to help with many projects. Helping to cut stone and clear field. He kept to himself a lot, but would occasionally prove sociable. It seemed as if some burden was taken from his shoulders at being useful. Norian, on the other hand, obsessed over helping Rabbit develop and making garments for everyone. A mix of practical and fashionable clothing that ensure there was always laundry to be done and stitching to do. Which seemed to please the tailor as well when he mended clothing with magic or needle.
*********************************************************
Deshrit was so thankful when the dark, silvery material was chipped away from his "body" to free him up. Though if it actually had any impact on the gem was hard to tell. He very much enjoyed reading, and politely conversing with any who would engage him. His polite and subservient attitude seemed deeply practiced and engrained rather than some kind of programming. Making Deshrit and others wonder at the source of his personality.
************************************************************
The material that had been removed from Deshrit seemed an improbable if not impossible source of research. The smiths and sorcerer spending a great deal of time looking into it's odd properties. It could be heated up and melted like metal, or blown like glass. It could be hammered, ground up, fused, stretched... it was as if it's properties changed based on the desire of the user. It even seemed like it could substitute for other materials in the crafting of magical items. One day, while tinkering with trying to make it take a crystalline form it was dropped, and yet it did not fall. Norian took to stacking items on it to see how much it could hold aloft.
I should add that making any item with etherium will require a relevant craft check. So making a cloak of protection with etherium will take a tailor. Making magical armor an armorer. Just in case anyone was wondering why I asked them to choose crafting skills.
Current Date is Oathday, 11 Abadius. The following Starday marks the Ruby Prince's birthday. The shards can now be merged again. Pleasure decide IC and OOC who you plan to have merge them this time.
The past half-year went by quickly, but with satisfaction. The crops were sown, grown and harvested with great success. Alden was pleased to know no one in their little corner of the world would go hungry.
He was pleasantly surprised by the gift of the sturdy yet beautiful table. He accepted it with gratitude, and it made a welcome addition to his little house.
When he got word that his new longsword was ready, he picked up his old blade and gave it once last cleaning.
It's a fine blade, made of sturdy steel. May it serve another's purpose, either in its present form, or as a pot, or plow, or some other useful implement.
Erastil must have been pleased with Alden. The paladins utter devotion to the well being of the community was rewarded with a better harvest than he had seen in the last few years. There was already a surplus of crops to pickle and can, but it was the sweetest crops in his garden that truly flourished. Strawberries and rhubarb came in flawlessly, and much in the way of sweet preserves were had. Perhaps the most stunning sign of old one eye's favor were two pumpkins that grew together early and ended up ripening to a massive size.
As the season ended Norian and Bart ploughed under most of their similar crops to focus on the more exotic offerings they had. Planting, among other things, sugar cane to replenish the village stocks after all the canning and pickling.
Alden makes his way to the forge, carrying his sheathed sword with him.
"Hello Friends," he says to Jaxom, Siegfried, and Fogril. "How does your work go today?"
Jaxom looks up at Alden's arrival, then sets his tools down and goes over to rinse the sweat off of himself. "Today's the day isn't it? The day you take the new rock and try to find another piece of the world to link our little piece with? Where are we gathering? Everyone should be together to discuss ideas, what they want."
"Personally I'd like to see more land and more people. Not a big city mind you. We've got food to spare now but not enough to feed a city. As much as I wonder about how the rivers flow in this new world, I can't imagine how a city full of people could be fed without a lot of good land around it! The biggest cities in the world survived on trade."
”I think a big city would be the way to go. If it has a lot of people then it has some means of sustaining itself otherwise everyone will be dead. Of course they could be undead but that could be exciting in and of itself. Don’t forget, a city likely had numerous non-edible resources that we could use since they are dead. So, my vote, city, preferably an undead city or maybe haunted castle. Something like that.”
"If the city looks sparsely populated or empty, I wouldn't disagree, but if the only option is streets packed with the hungry and desperate, then I won't agree with that course. Remember the rules of the magic necessary for joining, we have to conquer or make allies of the residents the shard in order to maintain control of the Stone. If someone else takes control, we're at their mercy."
Jaxom looks at Kevan, obviously studying him to see if he is serious. "Undead? I think the last thing we need is some lair of a necromancer, or some powerful undead spawning monster! Who would want to face an army of ghouls? Get paralyzed and eaten alive?" He nods to Alden's comment. "The first stone caused the conflict between us and the goblins, ultimately causing its own destruction. Looking for resources to help us is good, but not if we have to fight or give up control. Some other controller might look for a shard with a dragon's lair hoping that the dragon might have been away when the world shattered."
"Kevan gets bored easily and dreams of building up his fearsome reputation against powerful enemies. Hopefully his wish doesn't come true..."
"Deshrit," Alden says, giving the Stone a gentle shake as he removes it from his pouch. "The last time, Garnet showed me several nearby shards and then asked me to choose which one to join with ours. If I were to activate your magic, would I see the same shards, entirely new ones, or perhaps a random selection, some of which might be ones I saw before?"
"I'm afraid I cannot say with certainty sir," Deshrit explains hesitantly, "My understanding is you will be presented with a range of options. I believe the process is random, but that is just the information that exists in my mind. I have never joined a shard before. If only the little one had survived the first joining."
There is a brief pause before Deshrit continues in a contrite tone. "I do apologize. I did not mean to bring that up. Please forgive me."
"Fear not friend Eochaidh, I will protect you. Besides, you guys have no idea how bored I've been. I'm just looking to liven things up a bit. You know, like, a dragon. Albeit a tiny dragon. I'm just saying, if you find a beast and want to do battle with it, I'm there." Kevan says as earnest as he can be with a big mischievous grin on his face.
Jaxom thinks about the last time they used the stone.... "Alden. Ask if it can show you the places and then stop? Last time you weren't able to hear us. If you can see the places and then stop, we can discuss them so we all agree on which place to select."
"When I used Garnet's magic the last time, she told me that once the process started, it could not be interrupted, that I had to make a choice. She was vague on what would happen if I didn't choose, or tried to stop. Deshrit, are you under similar constraints with your power, once the joining begins, am I able to come out and discuss what I have seen, or do I have to make a choice?"
"I understand that to be the process sir." Deshrit answers, "Please understand that I will give you every opportunity I am able to help you achieve your desired result."
As Alden settles in to being the process of merging shards anew there is a gentle hum from Deshrit. "Very well sir, you know the process. Collect your thoughts..." Deshrit assures Alden as it begins to hover in the air before him. Turning in place the gem shines brighter, the hum growing to a drone, and then brighter still shines the emerald light. It's facets cast shadows as it spins, and the silhouette of a tall and thin man.
"Close your eyes." Deshrit instructs Alden. The blackness, the rolling and unnatural smoke bordering the shard became his vision. Before a familiar point of light appeared before him.
The point of light before him breaks off into eight points of light, but then four of them glow brightly. Two pairs of the brighter lights return to a single point, glowing somewhat brighter. "I am not sure what is happening sir." Deshrit explains, "I feel a strange energy from those points." Alden's vision flashes white, and he begins to see images of the shards.
First, he sees a familiar thick forest before him. The entire expanse of the shard in question being a thick canopy of trees. A singular hawk is spiraling up through the air on an updraft, and he can briefly spot a few breaks in the canopy where several small glens stand out. One of them is larger than the others, with the moss covered stump of a massive tree.
Second, he looks across a vast cavern. It was easily the size of the spring and the hills that flanked it. Loose rubble seemed to have collapsed about it, and several former exits had suffered collapse as well. But that was not the thing that caught his gaze. The chamber was filled with stacks of treasure. Mounds of gold and gems illuminated by torches. Gleaming metal armor and weapons. Various expensive relics and pieces of art.
Third, he see's what looks like the ruins of a tribal village atop some hills. Humanoid forms were laid out in various places throughout the village. Beasts of different kinds also dotted the village. The ground was dark and brown around them. Some of the structures were damaged, in disrepair or burned. A lone figure sits in the center of the village.
Fourth, he is again in the darkness of the underground. There is no distant light. As his vision adjusts though he spots several faint glows. Not enough to illuminate much other than what they directly contact, but it is enough for him to see splotches of color in the distance. Gold. Silver. Platinum. He recognizes this shard as well.
Fifth there appears to be a light so radiant he cannot make out any details. There does seem to be a form beyond the light though. Something obscured.
Sixth, he spots a landscape divided in two between rolling plain and overgrown wood. A group of animal darts about on the plains in irregular movement. It it almost static, sometimes the forms vanishing and other times seeming to appear from nothing. This was the shard they discussed previously.
Yes he can. My bad. I was in a hurry to post before bed and glossed over that.
"How close can you get to that treasure cave?" Alden asks Deshrit. "Can you see if there's anything living in there, guarding it?"
Alden's motivations are not for personal wealth, but trying to look at things in the long term. The treasure could be used to benefit the community as their living space increases with each added shard. Also, such wealth in the hands of another bent on conquering and subjugating the occupants of each shard would be disastrous.
If the treasure is unguarded, or can be obtained without great peril, it can be held in trust to support the growing population of our growing shard.
As he waits for Deshrit to reply, he begins considering which other shard he should give a closer look to.
You'll have to be specific Alden. There are two treasure caves. I assume you mean the well lit one and not the one dimly lit by soft glowing objects.
”Deshrit, forget about the treasure cave, let’s look at the two shards with the strange power surges. Maybe they will help us figure out a way to join the world together quicker and easier.”
"As you so desire." Deshrit's soothing voice responds, "I hope you are pleased by the result."
As Deshrit brings Alden's vision of the first shard closer Alden is brought in along the treeline. Passing over the canopy of the trees and to one of the three glens. He sees a lagre pond in the first one, much of it's water hidden by the canopy. A female form is sunning herself on a rock nestled in the center of the pond.
She appears to be tall and lithe, but he cannot make out any finer details, let along marvel at her indecency. His vision passes to another of the three glens, and he notices what looks like a small ruined hovel.
It appears long ruined, as if one of it's walled was caved in ages ago. Finally his vision goes to the third glen, and to the massive stump that rests there.
He is immediately in awe of what he sees as he looks closer. The land around the tree is carefully manicured and verdant. Wildflowers dot the treeline, and the great oaks ringing the clearing are impressive old bark with uniform bark and jutting well trimmed branches. Grass and moss within the glen swirl together into unnatural patterns as if someone had written glyphs using nature itself.
The tree stump that dominated the center was over a hundred feet across. It's trunk jagged and torn as if a hundred axes had whittled it away. It sat on higher ground. Not a proper hill, but it's huge roots snaked down to the level of the ground. Between two of it's roots was an open cave carved down into the soil. Sunlight shone into the slope down, and he could see that the thirty foot wide opening had roots trimmed back and the slope was perfectly smooth.
"Now, onto the other shard. Shield your eyes if you need to sir." Desrit explains. Darkness takes Alden again before his vision erupts into the blinding light of the fifth shard.
The light is too bright to make out detail, but as he draws closer the silhouette of whatever lied beyond it grew larger. Then, Alden was passing through the shape, beyond the light. He was passing low over rolling farmland. Approaching a small village. Houses sat in a neat row on a dirt road, and he saw an inn with a stable. As well as a smithy and general goods store.
He notices that the buildings appear to be in a state of disuse. Despite this, as he passes over he can see several of the people who live in the village shambling around. Their movements sluggish and unnatural.
*************************************
Milana doesn't change her production much. Having a wide variety of produce and animal products to offer. She had gotten into the habit of sending lunches for Norian and Bart along with Rabbit. She also ended up spending many evenings chatting with the sorcerer. It was entirely platonic, with him walking home each evening. All she would say about it was that they had both been adventurers traveling the same areas of the inner sea, and so they enjoyed talking about their pasts. When Rabbit presents her the dress he had sewn for her she had scooped him up in her arms along with the dress. Overcome with emotion to the point of tears at the sweet gift. After getting a hold of herself again she set him down, wiping her eyes and thanking him for keeping her company these last few years.
*****************************************
Mama Kurg was visited often by Rabbit, with Kevan and others tagging along on occasion. Her mood softened toward them over time, but she seemed to be growing weaker as well. Rabbit was bringing her a bundle of firewood to help her keep warm in winter when he found she had passed in her sleep. Perhaps a far better fate than she had deserved, but a good one no less. He couldn't help but look around her hovel at the nice food he had brought her, the socks and blanket to help her keep warm. The comfy and tidy nature of her little den under the fallen tree. It might bring him comfort to know he had done her good.
Rabbit blushes bright red at Milana's effusive gratitude for the gift (and squeaks a little as he is hoisted) but the smile doesn't leave his face for days..... a contrast to his melancholy air after the old goblin is found to have passed. It's not as if they'd ever truly been friends, even once she'd softened up towards them-- there is still too much blood that lay between the two disparate cultures-- but it's the haunting idea of what might have been, in a better, more peaceful world. Can such creatures as goblins really live peacefully next to other species? Can disparate shards co-exist? Or will joining a new shard mean that Deshrit goes the way of Garnet? It's a question that quietly haunts Rabbit, not that he speaks of it to the others.
Finally it is the day where that question will potentially be answered. Rabbit makes sure all his gear is ready, that Mr. Whisper is safely stowed in the animal-companion carrier that he so very much hates, that he has everything he needs for wherever they might wind up. Warm socks! Very important!
Despite the momentousness of the moment, Rabbit finds himself thinking about the strange substance they'd isolated from the crystal. The others talk of weapons often, or armor, but he thinks that you really would have a fantastic pair of socks if you could make them from that....
No, no, focus. In the moments before Alden loses the ability to hear them, Rabbit murmurs hopefully, "Libraries and books are nice," before he falls silent and watches Alden's expression, distant, seeming to be lit by Deshrit's hue.