In the evening, Yam doffs her armour. Caution can go so far, but sleeping in the thing is highly uncomfortable. Even without it, she doesn't appear much more vulnerable. Sure, a blade would cut better, but despite her age, she looks perfectly healthy.
When given the rations, Yam eats with no comments, verbal or body-languaged. They tried, and that's what matters. When the conversation shifts to watches, Yam offers: "We are six. We could each watch an hour. With your exception, Lelith, you could watch for a while more, if you truly do require less sleep. I could watch the one before last watch, or the second."
During her watch, Yam sits next to the fire they built. She could see without it, and it's warm anyway, but that's not why she's doing it. It's been a long while since she was in a place where she had to risk her life, and though she rathers it won't come to that, she acknowledges it might happen. Yam begins on body strengthening techniques she learned so many years ago. It will take time, but one had to start somewhere.
After dinner, Ro rests a while allowing the food to sit. He then heads to the river to an area not far from where Rum is practicing. Ro spends a a few minutes admiring the tabaxi's technique before taking out his longsword and practicing his own technique. Anyone who watches intently enough may come to realize that Ro is not as skilled with the sword as his outward appearance may make one believe. Nonetheless, Ro practices until his muscles grow sore and even further beyond that, pushing his body as far as it can physically go. (ooc: Ro is using his downtime to train for a feat).
Eventually, succumbing to the day's heat, Ro makes a fist and taps his plate armor on the chest twice thunk thunk. In an instant, the armor falls to the ground in organized pieces. The elf-dwarf then proceeds to disrobe down to his undergarments. After folding his clothes into a neat pile and placing Kazek on top of said pile, Ro enters the river for a quick rinse. Anyone who steals a glance or two notices the numerous scars that adorn Ro's body. The scars vary in length from a mere scratch to foot-long gashes. After the bath, Ro clothes himself and returns to the camp. Hearing the party talk about night watch Ro offers to take watch for a 1-2 hour period if necessary.
The night passes with the band sharing watch duties, Rum taking his turn along with the others. He rises early, tidies away his bedroll and heads into the trees a short way, climbing onto a branch and sitting in quiet contemplation. Morning meditation has been a big part of his life, and it centres him for the day to come.
After his meditation, he helps make breakfast then chats with his band mates as they eat.
“I noticed you practising with your sword yesterday evening Ro. If you would care to spar together some time, we can hone our skills in case such are needed? That goes for anyone else as well, all are welcome”.
“And what of you, Tuto?”, he asks of the gnome. “What brought you to the Ivory Tower?”
Over the course of the days ahead, Rum happily falls into his new routine. In the morning he meditates and then takes his turn sorting breakfast before he drives the cart. During any breaks from the road he forages for mushrooms and berries and anything else to make food more palatable. He takes his turn sorting lunch, drives the cart through the afternoon, then takes his turn with dinner. After food he does his evening exercises or spars with anyone from the band who are interested. Finally sleep mixed with a bit of watch duty.
"Ooo!?" What brought Tuto to the tower? A great question! But how to answer. Tuto has gotten by with gestures, but he cannot emote a whole tale, he's not that talented. But perhaps he can try something. Tuto jogs to the nearest bramble bush and picks out the sturdiest stick he could find. He then walks back over to Rum and sits down, drawing in the dirt.
The first drawing is that of a small person surrounded by bigger people. The second is of the small person again, but this time they are surrounded by trees, while the bigger people are together off to the side. With the third drawing, the people are being attacked by giant creatures, with the small person still in the forest. In the fourth, the tall people are gone, and the small one remains.
At that, Tuto stops drawing for a moment, just staring at the image he created. After a few seconds he shakes his head and erases the image for a new one
This is of the small person again, but he is walking through the trees. The next, the small person is at the foot of a cave, small notes of music coming out of it. The next image is of a giant mountain lion, sound asleep, with a floating flute.
The small person climbed on top of the lion to try and get the flute, and the lion woke up.
The lion attacked, and the flute fell to the ground.
The person played the flute, and the lion fell asleep.
The next series of images were of the small person putting large animals to sleep with his music, each getting a bit more complex than the last, all with the small person out of sight with from the tall people. Either up on trees, in bushes, or in caves. The final image is of the tall folk armed with swords and shields, with beasts surrounding them, and musical notes all around. And in the corners of the image, jagged, cruel lines of energy. The small person is nowhere to be seen.
With a huff, Tuto put down his drawing stick and began to message his hand. He had hoped that was at least somewhat understandable for the group.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Greko wakes early after a peaceful watch as a spider and heads down to the stream looking for different plants to aid in making breakfast more palatable with the rations. He figures while there, he would try to find a few small animals easy to catch and cook.
Nature 4
Survival 14
Greko returns with a little bit of everything for breakfast. He sees the rest of the group stirring and begins to prep the few small animals he caught.
"Good Morning. Greko went to the river and caught some food and flavorful plants for whoever would like to make breakfast."
The reason the one before last watch is the worst watch is that one is unlikely to sleep much during the last watch. Unfortunate, perhaps, but Yam took it for a reason. Let the young ones rest - they'll need that energy later. As for her? Yam spends the time for more body-strengthening training, or just providing company for Ro in his watch. In the days when it's her turn to cook, she spends the time to make the best she can with whatever ingredients are available.
Thus, the days passed quickly, in a rather monotoneous manner. Travel routine was a different routine she had not experienced for a while, but a routine nontheless. At least, as the days went by, they were slowly getting to know each other, and all seemed to get along. That is important, if they're going to docanything together, though she was ready to intervene and solve any conflict, shall one arrise.
Lelith had disappeared for a moment during the day, the absence would be barely felt as merely an hour later, she would come back from the forest dragging a large and healthy specimen of a white-tailed deer on a makeshift wooden plank. An arrow, still logged to its side, had perfectly pierced its heart going past the liver and lungs by a few centimetres. The deer died quickly. Lelith did not take it out yet. "We need to properly cure the meat, dry salts and spices are prefered. This should last us for several days."
The fifth day of their travel brought them to Riverwood.
The road was uneventful. It only rained once, and while they saw plenty of wildlife, they didn't meet anyone or anything that would do them violence.
They walked into Riverwood late in the afternoon. There were many people bustling about their lives, tending livestock, hoeing fields, picking food, walking by with racks of fish or hurrying mule teams hauling carts of goods. Roosters crowed in the farms, flying up and down off fences, fighting one another in the roads in silly little chicken turf wars.
A hen hurried across the road followed by a flock of chicks.
There was a windmill up ahead, past the fork in the road. The sails were turning in the breeze.
"The Scorpion is rowing in to port!" Someone shouted in town. Their voice carried remarkably well, and then a group of kids that had been busy putting cabbages on a wagon stopped what they were doing and ran as fast as they could into the city.
There is a sign near the intersection of the road. One section reads 'Riverwood'. Three more, all arrows, points toward the bridge beyond the fork. They say 'Soul Wood', 'Swamp of Sadness', and 'Old Riverwood'. It's obvious; across the river, in the direction the arrows are pointing, the band can see the vine laden trees and thickets of willows of the swamp. In the opposite direction, to the west, is a stand of enormous oak trees.
"So we can continue east across the bridge to God's Eye or stop in Riverwood for supplies and information. I'm in favor of stopping in Riverwood for a while. I'd like to gather information on how to best tackle the Swamp of Sadness." Ro watches as the children run excitedly into the city, "This Scorpion may also be an interesting topic to look into. Mayhaps their sailors could share some advice on how to best travel the seas to Hylia."
Rum takes in the hustle and bustle, the sights and sounds, that are in such contrast to the last 5 days of quiet travel. It had been relaxing in a way, following his routine and getting to know his companions on this quest. The sight of Riverwood, the first destination on their journey, reminded him that they did in fact have an important job to do.
He pulls the cart to a stop as he realises Greko has jumped off.
He looks at the position of the sun in the sky, "It is getting late, there is no reason to push on today. I am also in favour of stopping in Riverwood, there may be much to learn as you say Ro, and it wouldn't hurt to sleep indoors for a change", he says with a grin.
He waits for Greko to finish talking with the child, before carrying on towards the city, "Walk on Herbs, walk on Spice". He follows those running to see the Scorpion.
"Slow down, Gary, slow down," Yam asks of the snail, who in turn slows down to match a slower pace by the cart. "We can stay here for the night, but we should probably be off in the morning. The last five days were only a small part of the road we must take just to reach Hylia, shouldn't delay too much."
Yam studies the town as they pass. It seems peaceful, and that's always a good sign.
A young Satyr looked up at the old Lizardman, the buds of the kids horns barely showing through the hair on his head.
"The Scorpion!" The kid said, pointing off toward the river, toward the docks where a few short sails could be seen furled. "They catch fish! And those bug things! And bobsters!"
"Lobsters!" Another child corrected.
"Lobsters!" The Satyr boy shouted, leading off the correction. He had a stick in his hand, and then, paying little attention to the travelers, because travelers were so common in Riverwood, he took the stick, flipped up a loop that was laying on the ground, and then sending it rolling away. He chased after it.
There were many roads through Riverwood, all of them leading through the town and toward the river. The town is busy but relatively quiet, filled only with sounds of joy, people laughing and talking, animals braying, and the bells of a boat alarming its approach to the port.
Rum looks to the others after hearing the Satyr child talk about the Scorpion. "It sounds like this Scorpion has come back from the sea. But from which direction I wonder", he says as he navigates through the streets.
"I guess the first thing we need to do is find somewhere for the animals and the cart. Is anyone familiar with Riverwood, or do we need to ask around for an inn with a stable?", he asks those within earshot, whilst keeping an eye out himself.
Greko walks back to the cart and tells his new companions "The Scorpion seems to be a fishing vessel...fish and lobsters...perhaps they would take us to our destination?" Greko shakes the amulet given to him by the empress hoping it will help
Rum turns to Lelith briefly, his brow furrowed slightly. “Would you not like to stay at an inn? It would surely be more comfortable than staying in the street with the animals. Besides, boarding the mounts will allow us to explore more easily”. He turns back to watch the road but calls over his shoulder, “And as you say Greko, we need to talk to the captain of that boat, maybe buy them a drink. What say you all?”.
"It's a fishing boat, I doubt they'll go all the way to Hylia. That said, if they really do go to the sea, perhaps they pass through God's Eye. I think it is worth saying hello, at least." Yam sees nothing better to do at the moment anyway, and they could find an inn and stable later.
Ro agrees with speaking to those from the Scorpion, "I'm all for seeing the captain of the Scorpion. If they at least go as far as God's Eye then they may have information about the Swamp of Sadness."
In the evening, Yam doffs her armour. Caution can go so far, but sleeping in the thing is highly uncomfortable. Even without it, she doesn't appear much more vulnerable. Sure, a blade would cut better, but despite her age, she looks perfectly healthy.
When given the rations, Yam eats with no comments, verbal or body-languaged. They tried, and that's what matters. When the conversation shifts to watches, Yam offers: "We are six. We could each watch an hour. With your exception, Lelith, you could watch for a while more, if you truly do require less sleep. I could watch the one before last watch, or the second."
During her watch, Yam sits next to the fire they built. She could see without it, and it's warm anyway, but that's not why she's doing it. It's been a long while since she was in a place where she had to risk her life, and though she rathers it won't come to that, she acknowledges it might happen. Yam begins on body strengthening techniques she learned so many years ago. It will take time, but one had to start somewhere.
Varielky | Emma
After dinner, Ro rests a while allowing the food to sit. He then heads to the river to an area not far from where Rum is practicing. Ro spends a a few minutes admiring the tabaxi's technique before taking out his longsword and practicing his own technique. Anyone who watches intently enough may come to realize that Ro is not as skilled with the sword as his outward appearance may make one believe. Nonetheless, Ro practices until his muscles grow sore and even further beyond that, pushing his body as far as it can physically go. (ooc: Ro is using his downtime to train for a feat).
Eventually, succumbing to the day's heat, Ro makes a fist and taps his plate armor on the chest twice thunk thunk. In an instant, the armor falls to the ground in organized pieces. The elf-dwarf then proceeds to disrobe down to his undergarments. After folding his clothes into a neat pile and placing Kazek on top of said pile, Ro enters the river for a quick rinse. Anyone who steals a glance or two notices the numerous scars that adorn Ro's body. The scars vary in length from a mere scratch to foot-long gashes. After the bath, Ro clothes himself and returns to the camp. Hearing the party talk about night watch Ro offers to take watch for a 1-2 hour period if necessary.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
The night passes with the band sharing watch duties, Rum taking his turn along with the others. He rises early, tidies away his bedroll and heads into the trees a short way, climbing onto a branch and sitting in quiet contemplation. Morning meditation has been a big part of his life, and it centres him for the day to come.
After his meditation, he helps make breakfast then chats with his band mates as they eat.
“I noticed you practising with your sword yesterday evening Ro. If you would care to spar together some time, we can hone our skills in case such are needed? That goes for anyone else as well, all are welcome”.
“And what of you, Tuto?”, he asks of the gnome. “What brought you to the Ivory Tower?”
Over the course of the days ahead, Rum happily falls into his new routine. In the morning he meditates and then takes his turn sorting breakfast before he drives the cart. During any breaks from the road he forages for mushrooms and berries and anything else to make food more palatable. He takes his turn sorting lunch, drives the cart through the afternoon, then takes his turn with dinner. After food he does his evening exercises or spars with anyone from the band who are interested. Finally sleep mixed with a bit of watch duty.
"Ooo!?" What brought Tuto to the tower? A great question! But how to answer. Tuto has gotten by with gestures, but he cannot emote a whole tale, he's not that talented. But perhaps he can try something. Tuto jogs to the nearest bramble bush and picks out the sturdiest stick he could find. He then walks back over to Rum and sits down, drawing in the dirt.
The first drawing is that of a small person surrounded by bigger people. The second is of the small person again, but this time they are surrounded by trees, while the bigger people are together off to the side. With the third drawing, the people are being attacked by giant creatures, with the small person still in the forest. In the fourth, the tall people are gone, and the small one remains.
At that, Tuto stops drawing for a moment, just staring at the image he created. After a few seconds he shakes his head and erases the image for a new one
This is of the small person again, but he is walking through the trees. The next, the small person is at the foot of a cave, small notes of music coming out of it. The next image is of a giant mountain lion, sound asleep, with a floating flute.
The small person climbed on top of the lion to try and get the flute, and the lion woke up.
The lion attacked, and the flute fell to the ground.
The person played the flute, and the lion fell asleep.
The next series of images were of the small person putting large animals to sleep with his music, each getting a bit more complex than the last, all with the small person out of sight with from the tall people. Either up on trees, in bushes, or in caves. The final image is of the tall folk armed with swords and shields, with beasts surrounding them, and musical notes all around. And in the corners of the image, jagged, cruel lines of energy. The small person is nowhere to be seen.
With a huff, Tuto put down his drawing stick and began to message his hand. He had hoped that was at least somewhat understandable for the group.
Greko wakes early after a peaceful watch as a spider and heads down to the stream looking for different plants to aid in making breakfast more palatable with the rations. He figures while there, he would try to find a few small animals easy to catch and cook.
Nature 4
Survival 14
Greko returns with a little bit of everything for breakfast. He sees the rest of the group stirring and begins to prep the few small animals he caught.
"Good Morning. Greko went to the river and caught some food and flavorful plants for whoever would like to make breakfast."
The reason the one before last watch is the worst watch is that one is unlikely to sleep much during the last watch. Unfortunate, perhaps, but Yam took it for a reason. Let the young ones rest - they'll need that energy later. As for her? Yam spends the time for more body-strengthening training, or just providing company for Ro in his watch. In the days when it's her turn to cook, she spends the time to make the best she can with whatever ingredients are available.
Thus, the days passed quickly, in a rather monotoneous manner. Travel routine was a different routine she had not experienced for a while, but a routine nontheless. At least, as the days went by, they were slowly getting to know each other, and all seemed to get along. That is important, if they're going to docanything together, though she was ready to intervene and solve any conflict, shall one arrise.
Varielky | Emma
Lelith had disappeared for a moment during the day, the absence would be barely felt as merely an hour later, she would come back from the forest dragging a large and healthy specimen of a white-tailed deer on a makeshift wooden plank. An arrow, still logged to its side, had perfectly pierced its heart going past the liver and lungs by a few centimetres. The deer died quickly. Lelith did not take it out yet. "We need to properly cure the meat, dry salts and spices are prefered. This should last us for several days."
Survival: 21
The fifth day of their travel brought them to Riverwood.
The road was uneventful. It only rained once, and while they saw plenty of wildlife, they didn't meet anyone or anything that would do them violence.
They walked into Riverwood late in the afternoon. There were many people bustling about their lives, tending livestock, hoeing fields, picking food, walking by with racks of fish or hurrying mule teams hauling carts of goods. Roosters crowed in the farms, flying up and down off fences, fighting one another in the roads in silly little chicken turf wars.
A hen hurried across the road followed by a flock of chicks.
There was a windmill up ahead, past the fork in the road. The sails were turning in the breeze.
"The Scorpion is rowing in to port!" Someone shouted in town. Their voice carried remarkably well, and then a group of kids that had been busy putting cabbages on a wagon stopped what they were doing and ran as fast as they could into the city.
There is a sign near the intersection of the road. One section reads 'Riverwood'. Three more, all arrows, points toward the bridge beyond the fork. They say 'Soul Wood', 'Swamp of Sadness', and 'Old Riverwood'. It's obvious; across the river, in the direction the arrows are pointing, the band can see the vine laden trees and thickets of willows of the swamp. In the opposite direction, to the west, is a stand of enormous oak trees.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
Greko hops off the cart and stops one of the children to ask "Excuse me youngling but what is the Scorpion?"
"So we can continue east across the bridge to God's Eye or stop in Riverwood for supplies and information. I'm in favor of stopping in Riverwood for a while. I'd like to gather information on how to best tackle the Swamp of Sadness." Ro watches as the children run excitedly into the city, "This Scorpion may also be an interesting topic to look into. Mayhaps their sailors could share some advice on how to best travel the seas to Hylia."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Rum takes in the hustle and bustle, the sights and sounds, that are in such contrast to the last 5 days of quiet travel. It had been relaxing in a way, following his routine and getting to know his companions on this quest. The sight of Riverwood, the first destination on their journey, reminded him that they did in fact have an important job to do.
He pulls the cart to a stop as he realises Greko has jumped off.
He looks at the position of the sun in the sky, "It is getting late, there is no reason to push on today. I am also in favour of stopping in Riverwood, there may be much to learn as you say Ro, and it wouldn't hurt to sleep indoors for a change", he says with a grin.
He waits for Greko to finish talking with the child, before carrying on towards the city, "Walk on Herbs, walk on Spice". He follows those running to see the Scorpion.
"Slow down, Gary, slow down," Yam asks of the snail, who in turn slows down to match a slower pace by the cart. "We can stay here for the night, but we should probably be off in the morning. The last five days were only a small part of the road we must take just to reach Hylia, shouldn't delay too much."
Yam studies the town as they pass. It seems peaceful, and that's always a good sign.
Varielky | Emma
Lelith simply nodded to voice her support for staying the night. She did not offer any other words.
A young Satyr looked up at the old Lizardman, the buds of the kids horns barely showing through the hair on his head.
"The Scorpion!" The kid said, pointing off toward the river, toward the docks where a few short sails could be seen furled. "They catch fish! And those bug things! And bobsters!"
"Lobsters!" Another child corrected.
"Lobsters!" The Satyr boy shouted, leading off the correction. He had a stick in his hand, and then, paying little attention to the travelers, because travelers were so common in Riverwood, he took the stick, flipped up a loop that was laying on the ground, and then sending it rolling away. He chased after it.
There were many roads through Riverwood, all of them leading through the town and toward the river. The town is busy but relatively quiet, filled only with sounds of joy, people laughing and talking, animals braying, and the bells of a boat alarming its approach to the port.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
Rum looks to the others after hearing the Satyr child talk about the Scorpion. "It sounds like this Scorpion has come back from the sea. But from which direction I wonder", he says as he navigates through the streets.
"I guess the first thing we need to do is find somewhere for the animals and the cart. Is anyone familiar with Riverwood, or do we need to ask around for an inn with a stable?", he asks those within earshot, whilst keeping an eye out himself.
Greko walks back to the cart and tells his new companions "The Scorpion seems to be a fishing vessel...fish and lobsters...perhaps they would take us to our destination?" Greko shakes the amulet given to him by the empress hoping it will help
"There's no need for a stable. I can guard our belongings and mounts for the night." Lelith offered.
Rum turns to Lelith briefly, his brow furrowed slightly. “Would you not like to stay at an inn? It would surely be more comfortable than staying in the street with the animals. Besides, boarding the mounts will allow us to explore more easily”. He turns back to watch the road but calls over his shoulder, “And as you say Greko, we need to talk to the captain of that boat, maybe buy them a drink. What say you all?”.
"It's a fishing boat, I doubt they'll go all the way to Hylia. That said, if they really do go to the sea, perhaps they pass through God's Eye. I think it is worth saying hello, at least." Yam sees nothing better to do at the moment anyway, and they could find an inn and stable later.
Varielky | Emma
Ro agrees with speaking to those from the Scorpion, "I'm all for seeing the captain of the Scorpion. If they at least go as far as God's Eye then they may have information about the Swamp of Sadness."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN