Totally understandable, I was there just a little bit ago.
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If light is called for, Oliver readily and eagerly offers to provide it, in the form of casting his light spell on the tip of his spear.
Qliver cocks his head at the bold prediction, "Are you certain? All it means is fire. It could be anyone that needed warmth or a cook fire, much like we will soon. So, if you think it may be hobgoblins, I would ask that you be certain."
I'm terribly sorry. The malaise is a mix of my ability to post at work being more limited than before, and sharing a single computer at home. When I get the chance to post, all the updates I need to make begin to feel daunting. I truly intend to return to my previous level of posting.
I just wanted to apologize to all my games, especially the ones I'm running. I have been going through a bit of posting malaise, and don't want to burn out, or even worse quit. As such, I've just been trying to build up to posting. Just wanted to let you all know, I'm not gone, not leaving, just less than motivated at the moment. So, please bear with me. For my games, I expect to have a post up today.
Oliver just shakes his head at the two men, "Shall we take it as a sign from the gods of good, that maybe we should leave this plant to its peace? It has made no move to threaten or harm us, maybe we should follow its example and continue on our way."
Oliver tries to follow the plan, combat not being his forte as much as he assumes it is for Eljoy. Heading west, he tries to keep up with Adalwin in going west, and do it quietly.
Oliver is growing more curious the longer they speak to the girl, "So, all by yourself, you have faced lizard people, these needle people plants, icy fey, and 'bad men' all with just that non-magical dagger? I'm not entirely certain you need our help young lady. How else have you survived out here so long, and more importantly, why didn't you seek refuge in Falcon's Hollow so nearby?" Oliver is uncertain what he believes now, either her successes, or her saying who she is? He hates to admit it, but he might just be beginning to agree with Reekis.
Oliver is somewhat following the exchange, but something the girl says gets his attention. "Wait. Who are the 'needle people' or the 'cold-ones'. I'm unfamiliar with this terminology or species, and would love to hear more about them."
Oliver, sitting quietly most of the discussion, adds his thoughts. "Reekis, is this poor child was some creature of ill-meaning, or a forest spirit, wouldn't it be wiser to be the one to offer aid or show mercy? If she had some great power, should you not worry also that she may take it out on whosoever treated her harshly?" All the same, given the man's insistence, he casts a quick cantrip to be sure. "If she had some duplicitous power, I could possibly spot it by looking for magical auras about her." Turning to Jeva, he offers, "Do not fret child, it is merely a detection spell, and won't hurt a bit. We just want to ease the mind of our nervous companion."
Oliver stays mostly quiet and out of the way. Anor seems to have eased the girl, and the other men have handled spotting the trail. He doesn't want to be either a bother or obstacle, so he sits back until such a time as he feels his assistance is needed.
Oliver's decision is a simple one. Jasper was hurt badly, but he can't allow it to get the others worried. "Stay strong, we will end them in no time, just stand your ground." He quickly focuses his connection to the gods of good, and pushes that energy into the halfling.
Oliver slowly makes his way forward to the an open spot where he can see the fight better, all the while continuing to call out his words of encouragement. "That's great, guys, you are making great strides. Just keep working together and you will bring them down on no time."
Oliver doesn't want to call out any words of aid or motivation too early, and ruin the element of surprise by the others. So, instead, he decides to draw and load his rarely used crossbow while waiting for a sign that it's time to act.
Oliver looks worried at the mention of them having been attacked and abducted, "We must hurry. If they are hurt or in danger, we have no time to waste."
Even after their little tension earlier, Oliver finds himself agreeing with Eljoy. The kids cannot have gotten past the lock, entered, and then locked it again behind them. They have to be around the area. He too reverts back to looking for signs of the children's passing or presence in the area. As soon as Adalwin starts banging on the lock, Oliver waves his hands in an effort to stop him, "No, no, no. We didn't call out to the kids in case we drew unwanted attention. With that banging, we can't hear if the kids are trying to call out themselves."
Oliver, consistently bothered by Eljoy's negative attitude, replies in the affirmative, before turning his gaze toward the surly logger. "True, some of the children do have it rough, but that's not really what's important. The key is that they ARE children, and should not be treated as if they are responsible for either the successes or failures of their parents. They should be treated as children, children that have been missing, children who have parents worried about them regardless of station." Forgetting himself a little, he adds under his breath passive-aggressively, "Not every parent despises their children, like some people's parents must have done." Having been put in a bad mood, by the man's bad mood, he returns to the task of finding the children, looking for clues of where to find them. He visually scours what he can see, before turning to the arcane to look for signs.
Oliver adds to Anor's knowledge by sharing all that he knows of the orphanage in question. "It doesn't sound all that dangerous in its current state, but there's no reason to brush off any rumors until we've investigated. It could very well be either haunted, infested with fey, or even worse both."
The longer Oliver has been in town, the more he has spent listening to all the tales of the region. Disturbed by the notion of a burnt orphanage, where kids had died, he thanks the girl nonetheless. "Yes, that sounds mighty daring. I can only hope that we get there in time to see them safely through the dare."
Oliver returns a different thought to Anor, "Maybe you misinterpret their intentions. Perhaps it was Mikra that wanted to do something 'daring', and the other kids decided to help him the best they could, given his.... hindrances." He looks down at his crooked leg, lost in thought for a moment. Turning back to the young girl, he adopts his sweetest tone, "A 'Secret Dare'? That sounds adventuresome. I could only imagine what type of exciting things that could lead the other children into." He fakes pondering for a moment, "It could be dangerous, as my friend said, and they could be in danger, but just think how great it could be if I could witness it myself and tell the tale. Surely you've heard the tales of adventure I have told since I've been in town. If you tell me where I could find this 'Secret Dare' I could actually see it with my own two eyes, and tell the most wonderful story about how they did it. Doesn't it sound like it could be so exciting?"
Having spent some of his downtime sharing tales with the kids and parents, Oliver has a little more luck in getting them to open up to him. He directs his inquiries primarily around Savram and Jurin, where they may go inside or out of the town, other kids that may hang out with them, or even worse, other children that are missing.
I just want to apologize for my inactivity these last two days, as it appears that the site itself is completely unreachable only during the entire 8-12 hour chunk of time that I was available to post, while they deal with whatever issues they are having.
Oliver quickly responds, for the sake of truthfulness, "We will do whatever is within our power to find the missing children, just as we did in our search for the cure to the Taint." He lifts an eyebrow questioningly, "Now, if you will share with us whatever information you have, that we may use it in our search? Like, your son's appearance, when and where he was last seen, or anything personal like his likes and dislikes, or any falling outs that may have occurred between you both."
Oliver holds up a single finger in correction, "Actually, Madam, I do not want to bear false hope. We come seeking information about young Master Savram, that we may solve the problem of the disappearance any and all the missing children." His face is one of sympathy and hope.
Oliver opens his mouth, a quizzical look on his face, but decides to not comment on the seemingly unexpected aspects of the conversation between Anor and Reekis. He almost expected the roles to be more reversed.
Everyone Else: Oliver is so taken aback by the question, that no matter how hard he tries, he cannot hide his surprise. "What? Missing kids? Oh, I mean, yes that would be the best reason to be here." He bites his lower lip, brows furrowed quizzically, "While we're talking about it, why don't you tell us what you know about the missing kids?" It is too late for him to recover, as his words pour unbidden in such a pathetic display.
Oliver hobbles forward, nodding respectfully at each man, "You'll have to excuse my rather brusque companion. We are the group that helped deliver the ingredients for the cure to the taint. We have come seeking wisdom from the wizard Vade, and request entry to confer with him."
Oliver returns to the others with what he had learned, retelling the tale with aplomb. He takes to it like a duck to water, finding his voice in regaling the group with the wonderful story. By the end, he just as easily agrees to join them in visiting the wizard, as he is more interested in the tale of the ruins than he is in chasing down either ghosts or treasure.
Learning the way he does, Oliver spends as much time as he can reading and sharing stories with the locals. He uses these tales to learn all he can about the region, and what all they have to offer. While Adalwin and Jasper drink and enjoy some of the accolades, Oliver is more than eager to try and find what he can about ancient ruins, he and Adalwin being of one mind on the subject. Research still not his style of learning, it is getting out and connecting with the people that finds him better off. While he's out, he decides that these fights would see him better off with better armor. As such, he spends his newfound money on a nicer suit.
Oliver's tone takes on a much stricter timbre, as he steps up close to Eljoy with a stern index finger pointed at the man's nose in admonishment. You will not continue to put this man's health at risk just to fill the loneliness you have drinking alone. We are not back at the logging camp. If you and Reekis intend on returning to those wolves, you will both be better served by his getting healthy now... NOT after drinking!" This is the most bossy and curt Oliver has ever acted among the group, taking this particular aspect of his tending the wounded seriously.
Oliver almost takes on the tone of reprimanding parent, "You two are not going to do anything until you recover from our last trip. I demand you get plenty of bed rest." He starts fussing over the two men, looking at either side of Reekis' face to examine his lymph nodes, before turning to Adalwin's bite marks.
Appraise fey gem (if Reekis lets me) Also, considering going Bard from this point forward, interestingly enough thinking Dance as a perform would be fun considering his stunted leg. I may just go Oratory as it's more fitting, though.
Appraise assist
Level up HP I had fun, despite my frequent absences, and Oliver is willing to help Reekis and Eljoy in getting the Worg's gold, as he said he would after the cure.
Oliver starts at Eljoy's cries of pain as the heat sears his skin. He rushes over to the man and asks the Gods for their aid in healing him.
Oliver is reluctant to fire into the fight, knowing all too well that he is less than adequate with the crossbow he carries. He instead hobbles forward, offering little assistance to Adalwin where he can.
With no injury to tend, Oliver reluctantly pulls around his crossbow. He has no better recourse for where the creature stands.
Oliver breathes a sigh of relief. He too had noticed the loop of rope, but finds he spend too much time finding the right words, when 'stop' would work just fine. "So, Reekis, is it a game trap, or a person trap? That could tell us whether we should be on the lookout for any particular threats. Also, if it's a person trap, could you disarm it? Not a game trap, though, as that could be taking food out of some hunter's mouth, or that of his family."
Oliver looks to Reekis with a bit of a scolding 'I told you so' look on his face. "It's a good thing we are making haste back to the town, if you continue on with this illness, it could be dire. Then where would your gold get you?" |