Hermia's expression becomes withdrawn at the mention of home, and family.
"Indeed," she says, picking up on Bingo's reply. "Like having so many taller than you to put up the plates when you do not wish to expend the effort yourself," she tries and lowers her eyes.
Hermia listens to Mornura's suggestion and nods. "It would be prudent to have at least one border mapped, and some notion of what manner of lands our neighbors are situated upon, in terms of trade at a later date," she adds and smiles nervously. "Would not like to invest heavily in apple orchards to find our neighbors have an abundance of fruit."
Hermia, being small and mostly unobtrusive, studies the wares in silence. Seeing that Drispeera has the right of such things, she will allow the elder woman to negotiate, and she tugs at Kaeso's wrist as she retreats.
"The hut does not seem any bigger on the inside, yes?" she says.
Hermia's eyes narrow at Drispeera's supposed counsel, and she tilts her head to the side. "I wonder, Mistress, if you have ever considered what tone you apply to your words before they leave your mouth? I say this as a courtesy to you, that you can make yourself out to be quite condescending, not only toward myself, but to Mistress Mornaura as well.
"I might be a novice priestess from a backwater community, and not the vaulted halls of your Kyonin, but I am not completely ignorant. As I said, this mine is beyond us at this time. It may come through study that I, or perhaps Mistress Mornaura might learn how to reap its benefits ourselves and thus eliminate any need to contact Restov at all. What we are unlikely to find, however, are the tools and the time required to train others to work this safely and efficiently."
Hermia pulls up her reigns. "Until that time, you can be sure that no word of this find will pass my lips in a language that Kobolds could understand, or to any of our enemies, lest they give up the easy life of raiding and pillaging to take up the difficult one of earning their keep through honest labor."
Hermia smiles warmly. "As I said, my arms are not strong. My strength is to bolster yours, and Norn's, to defend us. You need not thank me for having the foresight to provide you with the best protection I could," she says. "And soon, I think, to create curatives for the benefit of all."
I will get to leveling soon, just want to have a few hours to think on it.
Mostly where might be a better place to start looking. Do they have any favored terrain, like to be near water, or prefer caves or anything like that?
Seeing Kaeso examine the siege engines, Hermia joins him for a time.
"My arms are not incredibly strong, but my mind is sharper than most. Would you allow me to help with the defenses?"
Hermia's gaze moves over Kesten, Jhod, and the camp itself. "Maylike when we do, we will need to find folk willing to man them, yes? T would expect they are quite a bit more difficult to aim than crossbows."
Hermia has mostly kept to herself on the trail. She peers at the gold, but lacking any appreciable skill in the area, if asked, opines that working the area is beyond their abilities at this moment, and they should consider sending to Restov for experts in the field to assess the find. The map brings a brief frown to her face, being no mercenary she does not find the prospect of putting themselves in danger for something a bandit would consider treasure a particularly sound idea, but hers is just one voice.
Hermia does not notice anything out of order at the post. She proceeds with her business with Oleg.
Hermia's Order:
Hermia never spent her 300 gp from starting, so she would like to purchase
1 book on siege engines (I believe you said it would be 50gp)
1 book on mining
She also asks if Svetlana has a fair hand with stitching and might be able to design and create a bag for her from a drawing for her healing her healing herbs and banadages (essentially a healer's kit for another 50gp)
"An alchemist?" Hermia hums, her face brightening, shifting away from the conversation Dispeera is having with Jhod. "He's like to have any number of books! And some knowledge of herbs in the area, like..." she adds surreptitiously.
Sorry guys. After three years we finally finished an AP at table recently. Been a lot of going back and forth between home and table that kinda made me tired on most fronts. And my husband has recently kicked off another campaign as well. I'll get to where we should be soonish, sometime today at least.
Hermia flushes and stares after Bingo's exit, uncertain what her response should be. Teasing and flirting were well enough, but she has not been alone with a man who was not a priest in all her life. She realizes she must look a fright, immobile and perturbed, and picks herself up, smiling nervously at the party before she begins packing her meager few things back into her bag.
Still ill at ease with the animal in general, Hermia clambers atop her mount and spends several embarrassing moments sorting out her posture to avoid saddle sores and lower back aches. She is in no particular hurry to meet with Jhod again, but she remains silent on that point, content to be returning to a structure that facilitated community.
Sorry about my absence, temporary lack of higher/abstract cognitive function.
At camp, Hermia does her best to make herself accessible to the faithful, equally, and in the morning she rises early to do her chores and her prayers. Aside from healing and ministering, this seems to be her routine, if one can be established at camp, although the second morning she cheats somewhat, using her spells, her bowl and a cloth to wash her face, neck, arms and legs before the journey, and finally her hair before placing it in two thick plaits on either side of her head.
"Not like to be a comfortable place to rest in, this creature's den," Hermia muses as she tends to Norn's wounds. If she notices Dispeera's plight, she makes no effort to acknowledge the elven woman at all. "I would that we were in camp before I expend my healing for the day," she opines. "If we're to travel again, being without is ill advised."
Hermia Channels Energy (02) 1d6 ⇒ 6, and (03)1d6 ⇒ 2
Aye, I was hoping for the best probable outcome. But remember that Kaeso has +2 deflection AC, which accounts for his shield, so that might not hit him at all.
Having seen the devastation the boar visited upon Norn in a single hit, Hermia holds her action until after its and Kaeso's so that she can make the most of her healing abilities.
Hermia delays until after Kaeso, at which point she will Channel Energy to heal and Selectively exclude their foe.
Erastil prefers marriage. His view on Sarenrae, who some say may be either his daughter or his sister, is "she's a great gal, but her temper is too hot for her to ever get married."
Hermia is clearly more chaotic than lawful though, but if just standing near the dude silly enough to stand in front of the boar's den intending to get gored is making Bingo upset, maybe he's not ready for a sexual relationship :P
Hermia takes up a position beside Kaeso, returning his smile. "I've a spell that will bolster your defenses," she says, "but I need to remain close. For healing, too," she adds and flushes slightly.
"Might we have anything that can confuse our scent?" Hermia inquired. "I believe the scent of horse urine and shat is fairly powerful, but cannot see that putting our mounts in danger will earn us anything."
With her earlier nature roll of 27, would Hermia know of anything the boar would be particularly attracted to pursuing?
Hermia raises an eyebrow. "One kobold equals a village? I am unawares of a village of humans in this region. As I understood it, we are meant to found a community here, and I should think when we do, we will be careful to protect those who wish to build with us from stray boar attacks," Hermia answers diplomatically.
Seeing that the tide of the battle is clearly in their favor, Hermia takes a move action to mount her horse, and speaks to the others.
"There is already more meat on the ground than we are likely to have any use for," she says. "Kaeso, Norn, assist Bingo, and let us be away before those unfortunate creatures wake. Old Deadeye is Lord of the Hunt, not senseless slaughter."
No problem, been a bit under the weather all day. Hope I'm not getting a delayed reaction to something I caught on one of my flights
No hunter, Hermia is uncertain about the use of antagonizing a family of boars, but seeing their foul tempers, she is quick to react.
"Good Lord of the Hunt, Old Deadeye, lend your favor to these men and women whom look to you, in this our hour of need," Hermia prays, and casts Bless imbuing her allies with a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects.
And while we're at it, Knowledge Nature 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 vs. Boar CR
Hermia not unlike her jet lagged player seems to be staggered by the flurry of activity from her seemingly professional adventuring company. She tries to keep her horse between Dispeera and Mornaura for the most, and quiet while the others dictate their path. A leader of none, Hermia feels she has little to contribute to her more experienced party members, but if asked will offer advice.
Okie, folks. Tomorrow afternoon I'm on a jet-plane home and will not be posting till Monday. If combat happens, Hermia ensures that her allies are near and casts Bless in the first round. If she is near enough to a melee combatant, she will attempt to aide other against A/DC 10 for the +2, if not, she will just sit back and if anyone is taking a particularly hard whollup, she'll cast shield of Faith upon them to keep them up.
She prefers to save healing till post combat, but she does have selective channeling and can exclude 2 enemies from the effect if someone needs to be brought up to speed. And by NEEDS I mean halved HP.
Hermia tries to maintain a smile when Bingo's eyes appear empty. A priestess, she can't very well ignore a man in pain, but the act he has taken upon himself is lewd enough for her to politely decline.
"I scarcely believe that Dispeeera need monetary inducement to kiss one as lovely as me," Hermia opines loudly, and winks at the sorceress, "though the church, being me, would appreciate the proceeds," she says and laughs softly.
...
Hermia frowns at the corpse of the kobold, and dismounts from her horse, but does not reach it in time before Bingo kneels to study it injuries. She watches the others move across the field and remains close to Bingo, always keeping Kaeso and Norn in sight.
"If it is your intent to take these radishes now, my magics can keep them fresh for as long as it is required for us to follow the track you found, Miss Mornaura."
Eh, still working out who to follow in character, really. Kaeso seems agreeable to me, and it typically works out that the cleric SHOULD follow the party member that allows her to be most effective.
Coz support is what Hermia is built for at the moment. She'll be taking crafting feats. Almost wish I had read up Evangelist more, but Hermia is too bookish and green to really be that vocal a champion of good. Buffs a plenty, though. Maybe in some other campaign...
Hermia blushes and spares a glance for Dispeera and Mornaura. "I... am trying to recall what I know of siege engines," she answers honestly, "but Faun's gait is a bit of a hindrance," she admits.
Hermia pulls her lower lip between her teeth in an attempt to forestall answering Bingo's question. His leer is obvious, and though flattering, she is wary of how relations between party members, already strained, might suffer. But then, he could genuinely be asking to pray, in which case she would make a wanton snob of herself, and worse a scoundrel of him. "Certainly," she says, and offers a faint smile. "When I have completed any chores the others set for me."
"A-aye," Hermia stumbles in response to Mornaura. "It has been said before. The cat reference," she adds, apparently exasperated.
Truth, very few mothers would allow their boys near the stray cat Hermia. For years Hermia struggled to define their hesitance, if it were her position as an acolyte and recently a priestess, but she had heard it said that none were certain of her origins, that the only mother she had known was never full with her. It was whispered that her father, though none too devout, lay with another woman in his roaming and brought Hermia to home when he swallowed his shame. Though the Father discouraged gossips, Hermia could not dismiss the possibility. Hermia knew quite well that people could be cruel.
As Norn leads the charge, Hermia stays quietly, and assumes a place where she knows that her healing will be most effective, nearer the ladies and Bingo.
Not sure if you guys have an established marching order yet. Also, no offense to Norn, but I could not think of a way to work a response in without breaking the "let's move on" in the narrative.
Hermia untrained Knowledge Geography (Kyonin) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 things rarely go well when I roll with clerics.
Hermia settles herself atop Faun's back as she listens to Dispeeera, clearly not an experienced rider. "No, I cannot say as I am familiar," she says almost apologetically. She pauses and considers Dispeera's words. "It is difficult to know the intent of our elders, especially when it concerns our freedoms.
"My... family believed that the influence of the church would cool the hot and flighty nature of my soul," she tells Dispeera and looks ahead, eyes focused on something far in the distance. "Learning letters and magics interested, it is true, but I chafed under the scrutiny of my elders, and looked for every opportunity to be engaged away from the temple."
Hermia blushes at Bingo's proposal, and barely can meet his eyes before leaning forward and patting Faun's neck. "It must be the influence of my Faun," she returns with a faint smile, before biting her lower lip softly and shifting on her saddle for a more comfortable position.
Oh, this is nothing. First group Hermia was literally melted after she joined them. There was an existing faction of Sorc and Druid against the dwarven fighter, and they basically both sneered at him and called him names, and acted all superior when they were clearly in the wrong and enjoying each other's company there.
Hermia blushes and nods as she clambers atop her huge stallion. "I argued with my elders concerning our position on banditry," she admits as she hooks her slender leg over Faun's flank. "I wished to be more proactive. The Father did not agree. And I thought that my... extensive experience and patience with tedium could be of better use here," she almost jokes and smiles.
Hermia smiles at Kaeso's reply. "I like to read and I can mend small broken things with spells if I prepare them before hand," she says cheerfully. "I also like... to take walks," she pauses and looks to the ground again. It was easy enough to walk where the rangers patrolled and kept folk safe, but if Kaeso's words were any indication, there would be little call for such innocent adventures, here.
"Everyone knows that bandits serve their greed first, and a leader second," she says. "I also hope we can learn to work together. Effective communication and cooperation will lend to victory over our foes, in any guise."
Hermia nods and follows Bingo and Norn to the stables, where her proud stallion Faun waited among the stalls. She hears the argument swell between the two women, and decides that the best choice is to allow them to come to terms with themselves. Knowing literally nothing of either woman, her voice and any attempt at mediation would simply confuse their intent.
It does not even occur to her that Bingo has a disadvantage to help her saddle her horse until she sees Faun and their difference in height, when she giggles.
"That is, of course, very silly of me," she says aloud. Finding herself alone in the stables with three men, and recognizing that Norn is very handsome, Hermia blushes and keeps her eyes trained on her mount. "Might I ask what you do for entertainment?" she inquires. "Surely it can't all be watching your fellows disagree with each other."
Hermia, standing nearer the gentlemen, purses her lips. She has only just been introduced to the group, and this is not exactly the reception she had imagined.
"Sirs, does disagreements like these occur frequently?" she inquires softly. "I... am not unfamiliar with heirarchy, but..." she pauses and colors. "We are each signatories to the charter, correct? And subjects of Brevoy?"
Hermia observes the interactions between the senior female party members with her head bowed. The impression Hermia receives from the exchange is that this group is not in need of another opinionated female. Bingo and Kaeso seem genial enough, and the quiet Norn.
She orders the book from Oleg, and begs him to hold on to her remaining coin so that it does not burden the horse she rides further, and perhaps to make investments on items that he could not secure purchase for without advanced funds.
"If I may," she says to the group, "I am most interested in pursuing the bandits. These kobolds and others... surely they will keep until we have eliminated the greatest threat to us?" Hermia opines. "Exploration and rewards are not fleeing, and in the mean, this so called bandit lord is allowed to continue terrorizing the innocent. Surely they should be our priority?"
Anybody else wonder where they're getting those amulets? They're custom jobs, right?
Edit:
Also, GM I think you mentioned that we had 300gp to play with at starting. Hermia's gear costs less than 50 (I don't think she even has a heal kit) so should I make a shopping list for Oleg?
Hermia Knowledge Engineering (catapults) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 should have done this last night, but apparently was distracted by something.
"I have studied engines of war, yes, in theory and construction, but my village was very small, and..." Hermia pauses and her green eyes flick to Jhod. "The eldest were responsible for our defenses. Given adequate time to study them, perhaps?"
Hermia's smile is helpful as she turns her attention to Oleg. "Master Leveton, do you believe it will be difficult to procure a book about constructing siege engines?"
And while I'm at it, Knowledge Nature (Kobolds) 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Hermia wakes before the dawn, and with a bowl and a bar of soap, hides herself where none can see her and quickly washes in the cool morning air before ascending to the battlements to do her morning devotions where she will not disturb any who continue to sleep. She considers the ancient siege engines there and takes several minutes to observe one more closely before climbing down and making herself useful in some function, whether assisting with cleaning chores or Svetlana with the cooking.
When Kesten rises and puts the posters to the post, Hermia watches from a less than creepy vantage. She is delighted when he comes to their table, hoping for an opportunity to learn more of the man who appears to keep the Levetons safe, then disheartened at the prospect of fulfilling his vengeance.
"He must be exceptionally cunning to have fled this far south on his own," Hermia observes, her expression pensive. "Or exhibit exceptional cowardice. In either case, we should be careful when we meet him, he will likely be difficult to convince to come peaceably."
Hermia clears her throat. "I have little use for the weapons, but I can be relied upon to keep the man alive should it come to blows. And of course, I would never advocate ignoring an offensive solution if he is unwilling to be taken. If Kesten speaks truly, he is a bandit and a thief, and a threat to our community."
"Ah, certainly!" Hermia says, more than a little embarrassed that she did not recognize the wounded sooner. Of course, they had done little by way to distinguish themselves. "Um, I must confess that my abilities at a healer are limited..." she continues, then waves the thought away. "Still, there are those who suffer, and the Good Lord would not have me stand idle!"
Hermia touches her holy symbol and whispers a prayer in a language evoking flowers, sunshine and warm winds through the meadows, and the scent of rich earth seems to emanate from her, lifting her blonde curls in a rush of magics before all within thirty feet of her are consumed in a blinding healing light that lifts the spirits and makes one aware of fraternity.
Sylvan:
"Father, lend thy blessings upon these men and women, that they and I may continue to do Your will."
Hermia Channel Energy 01 1d6 ⇒ 1
Feeling that the magics have done relatively little, Hermia blushes again, and sighs. "Pray, pardon me, I will call upon His aide again."
Hermia Channel Energy 02 1d6 ⇒ 6
Hermia giggles, and her pupils are dilated from the expenditure of magics, lending to the appearance of one who has communicated with the divine on an intimate level.
"Might I be of any further assistance?" she inquires, swaying a bit on her feet.
Hermia blushes, but giggles at Bingo's introduction. "Then you are also aware our Lord is very fond of families," she replies and winks, then spares a quick glance for the elder priest she hopes is pointed enough an indication.
Her green eyes flick to Kaeso, still quite liquid with mirth. "The Good Lord favors hunters, farmers, and defenders of the community," she reports happily. "As I understand it, you were instrumental in protecting this community from bandits?"
Hermia blushes at the elder priest's brief introduction, and keeps her blonde head low while he speaks at the charter bearers. There is away among the elder priests that makes Hermia intensely uncomfortable. For the word 'humble' to accompany his introduction when he so easily dismisses her as a 'travel companion', and the oversight rankles. She pushes a rogue curl behind her ear and rises when he has ceased speaking, and dips her head in an awkward sort of salute, touching the stag antler longbow holy symbol she wears around her slim neck.
"Hermia Robin, devotee of Old Deadeye," she introduces herself, and holds out her hand. "Pleased to meet your acquaintance."
I'm going home to Norway for an extended visit on the 14th, and might also be slow and on a different time as I adjust to jet lag and there being light for 20 hours a day.
Hermia makes polite conversation with the elder priest when appropriate, but it is likely since she is not a liar and he is an elder priest that he can tell that she is reticent. As Erastil's is a lawful faith, she will readily admit his superiority and offers to assist him in his task, so long as it does not interfere with the commission of her duties enumerated in the charter.
Eep, seems like a cruddy thing to join and have plans with family for the weekend. I should have internet access and be able to post once a day, though.
