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Whether the man looks suspicious or not to Gronilda, she receives him with open arms "No worries. You are good now. This all has been a horror, but fortunately we have a chance now. Where did you see the bugbear?"
"Well, Edran, we are short of hand here, what can you do for us?" the dwarf asks, and also inquiries "Have you seen any caves around that could potentially be used as shelter?"
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Gronilda, Zarena, and Saélihn sense Edran's fear is genuine, and he seems to have been truthful in his explanation of what happened. The invasion must have really shaken him.
"The bugbear was near the stone tower that seemed to show up at the start of the whole thing," Edran replies. "I think I can help find us more food, or even build a shelter or two. Skilled with weapons, not so much. Oh - I hadn't yet asked. What about you? Are you travelers as well, or was Phaendar home?"
"Have you seen any caves around that could potentially be used as shelter?"
"Caves, no, but I did come across a tiny shack hidden in the brambles while I hid out. I dared not go near it; what manner of creature would actually call these woods home?" Edran shudders.
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Phaendar is, was, and will be home. Welcome to our camp Edran. Everyone needs to pull their own weight. Glad you're ok with that. Can you lead us to the "tiny shack"? Seems like something we should check out
"Definitely worth looking into. Even if it's abandoned, there might be supplies we can salvage." Saélihn adds.
"That stone tower is something weird. Definitely not a Phaendar's feature. How the hobgoblins put that there and how no one saw it coming, that is something we definitely need to solve" Gronilda agrees "But first things first. Let's find food and shelter. Then allies."
"Let's show us that place Edran, would you?" the dwarf inquiries "By the way, not really from Phaendar, but have passed there the last few years. I guess. Most of us are from here and there but called that village home" the idea somehow sorrows her somehow.
Zarena gathers her things to get ready to go find the shack Edran was talking about.
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"Very well, I think I can take us there," Edran nods. "I'll lead.. from behind, where it's safe," he says, calling out directions ahead.
By the way, not really from Phaendar, but have passed there the last few years. I guess. Most of us are from here and there but called that village home"
"Where did you originally come from? As I said, I'm from Taldor, and stopped upon Phaendar during my travels through Nirmathas. I'm a bit of a traveling performer, you see, though I'd lost my flute during the invasion. Phaendar seemed like a quiet spot, and the not the first place I'd expect to be invaded."
"We all believed it was a calm place. It's horror" Gronilda comments while following Edran "I am originally from Kraggodan, the dwarven Sky city"
The dwarf frowns and grows sullen, somehow like if the memories of her home brought something painful to mind.
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"Kraggodan, you say?" Edran's eyes widen. "Near Molthune, isn't it? I believe I recall the Molthuni laying siege to it for many years. Have its defenses become any better over time?" He probes.
Turning to Grymwold as you all continue through the thick foliage of the Fangwood, Edran looks the dwarf up and down. "Have you been to Kraggodan? It's one of the oldest, but most sparsely populated dwarven Sky Cities, I've heard, but still it remains unconquered."
Zarena speaks up
I was born in Tamran, but I don't remember it all that well. My parents still live there, but I have been living with my aunt since I was a kid. Have you been there?
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As the others engage Edran in conversation, Saélihn focuses on the path he directs them along toward the hut, he reported seeing, memorizing the way.
I've never been to Kraggodan, but I would love to see it sometime. Never been in a Sky City
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"I was born in Tamran, but I don't remember it all that well. My parents still live there, but I have been living with my aunt since I was a kid. Have you been there?"
"Tamran, hmm. A tragic tale. It's been invaded by the Molthune, liberated again by the Nirmathi, and rebuilt several times," Edran replies, stopping himself suddenly. "Oh. I, um.. I also like to study history. But I've never been to Tamran myself."
A short while later, you find yourselves outside the shack. It's very small, almost hard to notice in the thicket of brambles it lies in. There's the soft glow of light peeking out from a tiny window on one wall.
"Here it is, just as I mentioned," Edran whispers.
Well folks who wants to take the lead in saying hi to our neighbor?
Zarena volunteers, but she waits to see if anyone else wants to before acting.
If she is chosen, she picks her way through the brambles in order to approach the front door and knock.
"Defenses..." Gronilda stammers, touching the scar at her face, she adopts a circumspect face and altogether does not answer Edran at all "Kraggodan is way to far away. Even if they would accept a group of non dwarves, it is a long trip, and the hobgoblins are in the way. I do not advise it as an option for refuge."
It is clear Gronilda is touched by the question and hiding something she does not want to talk about.
As the group reaches their destination, she nods to Grymwold and Zarena "I will accompany you"
She will move into the brambles and keep a quite stance while observing everything around.
"Ghost and I might have the best chance of approaching unnoticed." Saélihn volunteers.
"Ghost and I might have the best chance of approaching unnoticed." Saélihn volunteers.
Lizzie smiles somewhat. She had spent a lot of time practicing going unseen, it was the bar for which she'd been admitted to her job.
"My chances are likely higher, being of my short posture. I just don't walk the same pace as you do."
Saélihn responds with a nod and a wry grin, acknowledging that Lizzie was quite likely even better at not being seen when she didn't want to be.
Okay, sneaky ones first if you want to do it that way. How much distance should we give you before following? ... I was just going to go up and knock.
"I suppose long enough to make sure there aren't any traps, or that it isn't the home of some baby-eating witch from a fairy tale." Saélihn replies.
Okay. Just don't get into a situation where we won't hear you call for help.
Lizzie quietly approaches the abode, sticking to whatever vegetation provides cover for her short person.
"Maybe you can stay hidden while we knock. Just in case there is a nasty surprise, you can catch them unprepared" offers Gronilda as a possible mixture of the plan.
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"Kraggodan is way to far away. Even if they would accept a group of non dwarves, it is a long trip, and the hobgoblins are in the way. I do not advise it as an option for refuge."
Edran nods, then leans over to whisper. "Too far. Yes. That seems reasonable, though I'd love to learn more about the city when time permits."
Lizzie quietly stalks along the side of the shack and peeks inside. She spots an elderly woman who holds a cane in one hand, and carefully pours liquid into a cup with the other. Taking her cup, she slowly moves over to sit at a desk, opens a scroll, and traces her finger along the words as she reads. Her mouth moves as if speaking, though it's hard to hear what she's saying from outside.
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While Lizzie heads to the window, Saélihn does a quick circuit of the hut, looking for signs of activity or any sort of traps.
Lizzie quietly returns to the group.
"There's this old lady reading a scroll, magic maybe, i think over a cup of tea. I couldn't say for sure whether magic or mundane, i couldn't hear her. She appears to walk with a cane."
Sounds like time to knock on the door.
Zarena looks around at everyone to make sure they are in agreement, and if they are, she proceeds to walk up to the door and knock (with whoever chooses to accompany her).
Edran nods, then leans over to whisper. "Too far. Yes. That seems reasonable, though I'd love to learn more about the city when time permits."
"Why?" Gronilda raises an eyebrow surprised by the affirmation.
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"Yes. Let's knock the door." Gronilda changes the axe for one of the pieces of cheese on her bag "Maybe we can offer them some food in exchange for help."
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"Why?" Gronilda raises an eyebrow surprised by the affirmation.
Edran shrugs. "Oh, I just like to learn about interesting places, and Kraggodan is one of them."
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Once Saelihn verifies the area is free of traps, Zarena steps forward and knocks on the door. After a moment, it creaks open, revealing a short, elderly woman with thick dreadlocks adorned with colorful beads. She wears a dark purple cloak, the ends tattered clearly from years of use. A musty smell only a hermit's shack might know wafts out.
The woman looks at each of you in turn before sighing loudly, annoyed. "No, no. I'm not interested in your wares. Please, leave me be."
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Hello, Ma'am. Sorry to disturb you. We're not selling anything, and we're not recruiting for a certain deity's order. We're helping a group of refugees from Phaendar. I'm not sure if you are aware, but it was sacked recently, and many people killed.
We're looking for a more permanent shelter, and heard a rumor of caves near here. We thought you might know where the caves are, or that you might have other ideas about good places to find resources in the area, for the good people who have been turned out of their homes by the Ironfang Legion.
"Excuse us woman. Indeed, any information about the caves, or where we can get some food, would be a blessing" Gronilda intervenes from behind Zarena "Of course, we might be of help in exchange if there is anything that might please you"
"If you know about the legion, or where are dangers, it would be valuable too"
Totally understand, Ma'am. Not many live in these woods, and those of us that do, like my aunt and I, well it's for a reason. We're not intending to intrude upon your generosity for long. Perhaps just an exchange of information? And as Gronilda says, if there is anything you need doing, we'd be glad to help you out in return if it is within our power and ethical obligations.
(plus one if she happens to be from Phaendar)
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Edran being genuinely interested in "interesting places," including Kroggodan, seems off. Something about what he's saying is untrustworthy.
The woman listens to Gronilda and Zarena, then turns to look back inside her shack. She sighs, and her expression changes, relief washing over her face. "Well, I'm nearly out of firewood, and I'm much too old to handle an axe, so if you want to help me, I would gladly accept it."
"I'm Veld, a wizard. This shack has been my home for quite some time. It's small, and quiet, and no one disturbs me, usually," she smirks. "I know the surrounding area well enough, so I can tell you what I know if you're willing to help me."
"If you know about the legion, or where are dangers, it would be valuable too"
"There's that big, clever, sneaky boar that roams the woods. Who knows how many people its eaten to get that big. I think the hunters call it Gashmaw. It's crafty and doesn't approach if you're in a large group, but it's out there, and it's dangerous," she replies.
"Well, I'm nearly out of firewood, and I'm much too old to handle an axe, so if you want to help me, I would gladly accept it."--Veld
That's my cue I guess. While you ladies talk I'll start choppin
Thank you Veld. I'm Zarena. We'd love information about a food source that sounds like it would also rid the area of a nuisance.
She laughs when Grymwold starts out to get firewood.
And yes, as you can see, we're happy to help with the firewood as well. I'll go help too, and we'll be back.
She pulls out her Anytool, configures it into an axe, and goes to join Grymwold, chopping.
"Gashmaw" Gronilda puts attention and takes mental note "Where is the lair of such a boar? Has it killed many people?" she inquiries.
Saélihn listens to the details of the boar with rapt attention, anticipating a challenging hunt.
Listening to the enthusiastic guy talk, does her detector ping?
With the stronger member and prepared team member starting to chop, Lizzie turns to the wizard.
"Is there something else i could help you with?"
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Indeed, something is off about Edran's curiosity and his interest in "interesting places".
"Is there something else i could help you with?"
"It's been a long time since I've let a visitor in, but if you're offering, my home is quite dusty," she replies, pointing to a broom.
"Where is the lair of such a boar? Has it killed many people?"
"It seems that way, that its hunting has gone well. I managed to take notice of it one evening while scanning for magic. I sensed an aura move past the window of my home, and when I looked out, I saw the beast, with something glowing attached to its jaw. I couldn't make out what it was," Veld replies, shaking her head. "If you're going to try and track it, or lure it out, it seems to only prey on what it sees as easy targets. Small groups."
Grymwold and Zarena start chopping down trees, forming a neat pile of wood at the side of Veld's home. She nods, appreciative as the work progresses. "The refugees, how many of them are there? I wonder how have you been staying alive in such a place, with no proper shelter. It's warm and bright as of late, but that's not always the case."
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"Yes... actually... we are looking for the Chernesardo Rangers, do you know how can we locate them?" Gronilda explains when she refers to the shelter "Also we heard there are caves nearby. That's another possibility, do you know of any large enough cave we could made use of while we find out a permanent place where to regroup and leave?"
The dwarf is also interested at the mention of a magical aura "Maybe the boar snatched some magical item. Erastil teaches to hunt, and I will join this hunt if others are interested as well"
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"Yes... actually... we are looking for the Chernesardo Rangers, do you know how can we locate them?" Gronilda explains when she refers to the shelter "Also we heard there are caves nearby. That's another possibility, do you know of any large enough cave we could made use of while we find out a permanent place where to regroup and leave?"
Veld lowers her head as if in deep thought. "I can't say I'm familiar with a cave system in the Fangwood, but I know that the Chernasardo frequent the southeastern parts of the Fangwood. Why, I believe they had a redoubt that way," she says, raising her head to point south. "I think it should be a few hours travel from here. Listen for the sound of water, and then you'll find a narrow river that you can follow."
Grymwold and Zarena have formed a nice pile of wood by this point. It was hard work, but well worth it. Lizzie emerges from the shack with dust in her hair.
Veld smiles, and reaches for some potatoes and carrots from a bin. "You have my sincere thanks, and I hope you and all of the villagers find safety."
Thank you so much for your help, Veld. We'll leave you in peace, but if your wood pile looks low, perhaps I'll knock again sometime, if you don't mind.
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Saélihn bids Veld farewell as they leave, thanking her for the addition to their stores.
While the prospect of hunting the great boar was rather exciting, finding proper shelter for the village's refugees took precedence. Besides, they could hunt Gashmaw after they found shelter, for a celebratory feast. That should do wonders for morale.
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"Thanks Vled" Gronilda accepts grateful the food before leaving the hut "It is going to take a few hours, maybe even a day or so to explore full that area to the south. We should at least send someone to let the others know where we are heading."
"Besides, maybe we find tracks of the boar or other hunt on our exploration" Gronilda will take careful look for hints as the group goes.
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Finally equipped with knowledge of where the Chernasardo typically have activity in the Fangwood, you all travel back to the camp. Aubrin is ecstatic to hear the news of your discovery, and agrees that the location Veld described sounds vaguely familiar to her.
You pull out your compasses and all head south in the direction that Veld indicated, making your way through the towering trees and muddied ground, keeping your eyes open for signs of a river.
Gronilda's pathfinding is excellent, and after two hours, you hear the sound of water, and find the river. No signs of an oversized boar though.
There are other animal signs, though. Unfortunately, small, canine-like creatures with very long curled horns seem drawn by the water, and turn to sound of rustling leaves and branches snapping as you approach.
Gronilda, Grymwold, Saélihn, Ghost, Lizzie
Green, Blue, Yellow, Red
Zarena
Gronilda makes a halt on the advance as she spots the horned beasts "Wait, there might be trouble ahead"
She steps forward, grasping her axe with a single hand and raising her shield while she calls Pawnies to guard her.
And shows the axe to the animals to let them know she will use it if needed "You better keep away. We just need to cross that river."
Unsure of what these long-horned canines are, Grym tries to not appear overly threatening but is ready in case they attack
Standing behind Grymwold, Lizzie attempts to sneak around, terrain and allies as distraction and cover.
She readies a bullet in case anything is charging, to fling it if it is close to her friends and within 30ft of herself.