Hurik mutters something about not being able to sleep at night at the sorceress' joke. But it's hard to stay gloomy at such a cute little creature.
For the first time since before the ambush at Rockloom, the group is able to feel a little joy as the sun shines down and the wind blows across the tall grass, and a new member of the group (even if a ghostweasel) joins. Everyone takes a moment to soak in the the good feelings, but then a runner from the encampment breaks the reverie.
"Return as soon as you can!" he cries breathlessly, oblivious to Shilah's presence. "It's Grandfather Eiwa! He has taken a turn for the worse, and asks for you. Hurry now. The shaman says his time may be very short now."
Securing the pup, you rush back to where the following is camped, and are led quickly to the Mammoth Lord's tent. Outside, nearby mourners repeat the same simple chant: "By Fandarra's blood you were born; into the Blood Mother's womb you return."
Argakaoa the Songsinger is already at Eiwa's side, repeating the same chant. She lowers her voice so Eiwa can speak and be heard, but she doesnt' stop chanting. The Grandfather motions for your group to draw near.
"Young Tusks" whispers the dying man, his deeply lined face and wavering voice so brittle and ancient. "It's time I told you the rest of the legend fo the Primordial Flame. I have already told Songsinger Argakoa. Her mind is like soft wood. She carves my ramblings into stories, so she can help you on your quest," -- he takes a deep, ragged breath -- "when I am gone."
Argakoa gently places her strong hand on Eiwa's frail shoulder. The old man tells his tale in halting gasps, desperate to finish before time runs out. "My mother, Sidke. She and the others -- the ones who would become the first Broken Tusks -- they took the flame to the Red Cat Cave. East of here. They hid it there, under the protection of a noble beast named Syarstik. Every year after, we would go to make sure it was safe."
But," Eiwa wheezes. "It was not. A handful of winters, and then it was gone. My mother saw with her own eyes. The terrible, tormented spirit of Syarstik. The empty dais, where the Flame once rested. Syarstik's enraged spirit attacked her, and she fled with the other Tusks. We never went back."
He lets out a sickening cough before finishing. "Go there. We do not know who took the Flame. But Syarstik, angry as he is, might still remember. Calm his spirit, and find the Flame. We have waited far too long. It is time to use the Primordial Flame to reunite our people."
Exhausted from the retelling, Eiwa falls unconscious. Argakoa nods and shows you out, and tends to the dying leader. A few minutes later, she comes to the tent opening and says simply, "He has gone to run with his ancestors." A single tear streaking the dark makeup around her eyes.
Satu Varis, the dancing performer and pupil of the Songsinger, who started with you, is also there at the bedside, and included in Eiwa's dying words.
"Why would Father Eiwa entrust us with this task? We are the young ones, the pups" - he grunted, sadly looking at Shilah - "What can we do without his guidance?" - the ranger seems a little lost, moving away to stand with Shilah in the dark. After a few moments, you can hear him howling at the nightsky.
Exhausted from the retelling, Eiwa falls unconscious. Argakoa nods and shows you out, and tends to the dying leader. A few minutes later, she comes to the tent opening and says simply, "He has gone to run with his ancestors." A single tear streaking the dark makeup around her eyes.
The news is sobering. Hurik feels a lump in his throat. Prayers, howls of anguish... each of them will have their own reaction.
He looks at Argakoa, and says "We have been given a task. Tharskh is right that we are without his guidance now. That we are young. But he told us to turn to you for the lore we would need. I ask you share what you know... when you are ready. This is a blow to all Broken Tusk, but Father Eiwa has earned his rest."
Miriani is curled in a ball, softly shaking in her grief. With her head tucked inside, her voice is muffled. "Because we're young. We see things with new eyes We might find something that others have missed."
Argakoa weeps silent tears as she tries to answer your questions. "Grandfather saw much promise in your group. He would not idly task you so, and if you look, who else is there to take on this quest for the Flame? The following is in some trouble with the Burning Mammoths behind us. We must make hard decisions, and things that might have needed more time to become fully fertile, must be rushed into service now."
She hugs each of you, giving slight consolation to the grief the entire camp is feeling. "The Mammoth Lords meet tonight to discuss our direction. You should attend this meeting to listen, and perhaps to learn something. Come to my tent after supper is served. Meantime, we must attend to Eiwa's mortal remains."
In ancient times, you learn, the Broken Tusks cremated their dead using the magical fire of the Primordial Flame. Since the disappearance of the artifact, the following now adheres to the more common practice of excarnating their dead -- laying out bodies for carrion feeders to strip clean so the decomposing remains can fertilize the land. Now, however, with the Burning Mammoths war party possibly in pursuit, the Broken Tusks have no other option but to try and burn Eiwa's body in a large bonfire, then scatter whatever remains. This is done the day of his death, and the occasion is a somber one. Everyone, including the scouts, is invited to speak or tell stories about the fallen elder.
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"Grandfather always made me feel welcome to the Following" - the usually silent half-orc stepped forward to speak - "When I was no more than a wildling, he was the first one able to calm me down, and allow others to take care of me. From afar, he was always there, offering advice through the trials and challenges of understanding life with the Mammoth Lords. He taught me the ways of our people, and the importance of honor and respect" - he looked to the ground.
"I came many times to him for advice and guidance. He always listened, and his words have always been a source of strength. I am honored to have been able to call Eiwa my elder" - then he finished, and sat down in the dirt with Shilah.
As final touching tribute after everyone speaks, Wipa, your former mentor, declares she is naming the oldest of her two boys Eiwa and her newborn daughter Sidke, for Eiwa's mother. She also accepts the traditional addition to her name signifying birthmother, and is known henceforth as Wipakoa.
Eventually the sun sets on the ceremony and the Mammoth Lords gather in Argakoa's tent were harpists outside play a gentle tune to settle the mood. You are allowed to join the meeting, which is quite unusual.
The remaining Mammoth Lords all seem more burdened and weary after Eiwa's death. They discuss for a long time the risks of diverting the following to Red Cat Cave and searching for the Primordial Flame once again. Or of taking the shortest route into the mountains, where they following can hide or avoid the warlike pursuers. None of the 4 remaining Mammoth Lords -- Argakoa, Letsua, Merthig, or Nakta -- know why Eiwa selected your group for this mission, but eventually they all agree it would be best to at least try and fulfill Eiwa's final request.
Argakoa finally address your group directly. "You will lead the following to Red Cat Cave. It is the same migratory route we have trodden since time immemorial. Once there, you will search for the Primordial Flame. If you cannot learn anything quickly, the following will head north, keeping the Tusk Mountains to our east. Prepare yourselves, for tomorrow we must move on from this place of sorrow, and begin our long journey once again. Speak to Letsua in the morning, and he will give final instructions."
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Miriani is devastated by this loss, but she is there for the others, holding those that need touch to express their grief. She especially spends time with the children of the tribe. Being a big furry toy to cling to and cry on.
At the memorial, she takes one step forward at a pause, then stops, unable to express herself.
In the morning she is red-eyed, but prepared to move onward.
Hurik's eulogy was brief, "May the lands beyond welcome him for they gain much wisdom and respect this day. We among the living are the poorer for it. He was always a steady rock in the storm. He told me that I was more than my curse, and while I still struggle to believe, it gives me hope."
And he steps aside.
Later, when given instructions, he readies to go, making sure they have rations and more to be prepared.
Tharskh restocks his supplies , then joins his companions.
Satu, apparantly already some time there, greets the companions after she listened to their words and goodbyes.
It is good to see you again, friends! Even in such dark and dire times! I will join you once more, hopefully adding my flame to yours will make the light shine brighter!
But how have you been!
She gives everyone a hug or a pat on the shoulder up to their taste.
Hurik accepts the pat with a nod, "We are sorely in need of warriors like you, Satu."
In the morning, as the following is packing up to start the long trek eastward, you speak with Letsua about the journey ahead.
"For good or ill, we seek the path to Red Cat Cave. The following has taken this route as long as anyone can remember, so we are familiar with the waypoints and the terrain. This time, however, we must move more quickly than the mammoths may wish to graze. With the others at our heels, we must seek the Primordial Flame before interact with the Burning Mammoths again. It is your task to lead us, and lead us quickly. "
He searches each of you in turn, making sure the weight of this responsibility is not lost on you, before nodding slightly. "The route is to head for Gleaming Sun Lake, then to the Grandparents -- which are a pair of twin mountains to the east, and then between them to Red Cat Cave." He bends and draws a crude version of a map in the dirt at you feet. "May Sister Cinder guide you and your decisions, the fate of all the Broken Tusks is in your hands. Lead us well!"
He stops to give each of you a simple embrace before leaving to get his own affairs in order for the departure.
"Tharskh, you know the wild ways best . What path would you suggest?"
"Well," says Letsua as you still haven't set out. "Aren't you going to lead us? You know the way, right? Just get us started, and we will trust in Sister Cinder for the rest."
Are you sure the direct way is best?
Satu is a bit thoughtful.
Probably we should set out scouts to avoid an ambush or other unwanted surprises.
Leaving the area around Rockloom, with fears of the Burning Mammoths attacking again, the scouts lead the Broken Tusks southeast, into open grassland which waves chaotically in the wind. Moving across the space, you don't see any threats and move the encampment forward, making as good a speed as the following can manage. As the day winds down, and you rejoin the camp, you can see the lights from hundreds of torches or campfires where the Burning Mammoths encamp to the north of Rockloom. It does not appear your pursuers have moved at all, or at least not much. The much bigger size of their following might be slowing them down...you hope.
Hurik will often scout ahead even of the others when he can, then return, but he has opinions "The grass lands make for faster travel, but eventually we must hit hill country. Perhaps we should head South East, and then South East again to the Hill country, then quickly head South once more where we may move straight west for a time on grass lands with hills as a cover until we curve north towards the like? what say all of you?"
"Agreed" - Tharskh replied to Hurik.
"We can avoid the hills entirely by going northeast, crossing the river, then turning southeast." she points this out on the map.
Hurik ponders this "True." he says to Miriani, "I had worried the Burning Mammoth might be using the same path. But I am a hunter not a guide by nature. Maybe I overestimate how fast the enemy will move once they get going. I am all right with either plan, but we must pick and soon."
After an anxious night with all eyes trained on the nearby Burning Mammoths, the Broken Tusks are somewhat relieved to see their foes have not moved to engage them. In the morning, the scouts follow Miriani's plan and move the following towards the northeast, looking for the fastest route to Gleaming Sun Lake.
As the scouts lead the rest of the following, the 5 of you are together discussing minor variations in travel, when you see something moving across a low dell. A single hadrosaurid grazes in the grass below you, occasionally, it stops and bleats out a mournful cry, obviously separated from its pack.
You also recall from one of Imek's rambling monologues that hadrosaurids are good to have with pack animals like the following's mammoths, as they are keenly watchful and trumpet long sonorous rolling calls when predators are near.
"That would make an amazing addition to our Following" - Tharskh's eyes go wide at the sight of the amazing hadrosaurid - "We must try and avoid it stepping in that trap, and perhaps we could tame it" - he nods resolute.
He pats Shilah, who seems to be slightly spooked by the massive creature - "No need for fear. Come now" - then he waits for his companions to move off.
Once again, Hurik is impressed just how much Tharskh knows and sees, "I missed the snare entirely. Do you think the creature would run if I just cut the snare prematurely?"
Miriani will head down and assist Tharshk in trying to calm the animal.
Hurik moves closer to the animal. Big creatures do not frighten him, but he respects them, "Easy there. You don't want to get near that snare. It's nasty. Thraskh is getting you good food."
Once again, Hurik is impressed just how much Tharskh knows and sees, "I missed the snare entirely. Do you think the creature would run if I just cut the snare prematurely?"
"They spook easily, but we may have no other option" - Tharskh nods.
The group picks their way carefully down the escarpment where they can see down into the dale. You haven't gotten very far, when you hear a distinct sound coming from near where the snares are laid. It sounds like a whimper, followed by a series of "shushing" sounds. It appears someone (or something) is lying in wait near where the dinosaur wanders unawares.
Looking closely, you can see a trio of small shapes hiding in the depression. Two of the creatures are small-sized with humanoid bodies, but dog-like faces, while the third is also small but hunchbacked with a strange features including what looks like a third eye.
So far, they seem to not notice you, intent as they are on the hadrosaurid and the snare.
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The group picks their way carefully down the escarpment where they can see down into the dale. You haven't gotten very far, when you hear a distinct sound coming from near where the snares are laid. It sounds like a whimper, followed by a series of "shushing" sounds. It appears someone (or something) is lying in wait near where the dinosaur wanders unawares.
Looking closely, you can see a trio of small shapes hiding in the depression. Two of the creatures are small-sized with humanoid bodies, but dog-like faces, while the third is also small but hunchbacked with a strange features including what looks like a third eye.
So far, they seem to not notice you, intent as they are on the hadrosaurid and the snare.
** spoiler omitted **
Kheyji has seen the smaller creatures, pugwampi. They are an evil gremlin type of fey that is cruel and mischievous. Bad things seem to happen to people who are around them also. They are often found with gnolls or other superior creatures who they follow worshipfully.
The other creature, Kheyji has never seen, but has heard of nuglub gremlins before. They are known to be crafty and set traps or ambush the unwary, including tribesmen who wander too far from the path. They cast minor magic, and are known for knocking foes prone, and then leaping on them to finish them off.
These, like most fey, are weak vs cold iron.
Miriani will look to the others, and her eyes show that she is ready to deal with the fey.
Not going to let Miriani face these alone, he nods back
He..pauses.
Gremlins - Round 1
25 Kheyji
25 Hurik
24 Red Pugwampi
23 Miriani
19 Tharskh
14 Satu
12 Green Pugwampi
8 Nuglub
Seeing the gremlin foes lying in wait for the hapless herbivore, the party leaps into action. Kheyji casts Magic Weapon on Hurik's maul, enchanting it for a limited time as corona of blue flame curls around it for a split second. The verbal component of the spellcasting seems to alert the foes, who are still slow to react.
With the blessing of Sister Cinder placed upon his trusty maul by Kheyji, Hurik rushes forward to strike. He does not whoop or boast, no, he wants to strike as much by surprise as possible!