Ereni thanks Judal for his help and begins to respond to Malenia's tale from the Hagiltree as they enter the erstwhile Jedi's home, but her voice chokes in her throat. A lump that had not been there before, and with it, the strangest emotion. One she almost cannot place, so foreign is it to her.
Ereni is... proud of Malenia? She shakes her head as if clearing cobwebs. Joy pads towards Malenia and curls up companionably not far from her feet, thumping the floor thrice with her tail before lowering her face to her paws and keeping a watchful eye on the now wounded but wiser Eladrin.
"When Joy and I were separated from Judal, which was right after you went to the tree, Malenia, the breathing that I have heard every night manifested into something more." Ereni faces her two companions and swallows, all quips and gallows humor about her past military life gone for now.
"It was Vader. Only... he lurked in the shadows at first, stalking from the gloom as I do in battle. It convinced me that it was not truly him but rather some figment of my own mind appearing as Vader. My own lifelong lust for revenge ever since his orcs slaughtered my parents in our forest cottage in Fantasia has consumed me, so it is only fitting. He threw it all in my face. Telling me peace is an illusion and there is only passion. Laughing that he has defined my whole life. Boasting shamelessly that he is a freedom fighter for orcs and hobgoblins and other races that may have been subjugated, when it is beyond clear that he cares nothing for them except as tools for conquest and dominion, never having sought peace or better conditions for them that I know of. And then, he emerged. And he fought you, Malenia. He slew you..."
Ereni's voice breaks. "I saw him drive his sword of light into your throat, Malenia, and watched a wisp of your red hair float away. There was nothing I could do for fear that by attacking him, I would make the part of me that was him more real than it actually was. So I focused instead on the thought that it was not real. That what I saw as Vader was instead something inside me to overcome. But I will never harm my companions. This I swear."
Her voice sounds almost pleading. She leans back against a wall and slowly sinks down into a sitting position, forearms on her knees, head downcast.
"We should leave this place as soon as you can travel safely. The Answer must have already reached King's Landing."
Judal stays in the doorway and listens to Malenia describe her experience. Was it real? Was she dreaming? Was his own experience just some kind of spillover from what she went through? This power she has... This Force... Just what exactly is it capable of, he wonders.
He considers arguing about the rightness of their journey here, in leaving the others, but is there a point? What is done is done and the issue seems intertwined with her view of her powers and herself. There will be no convincing her that their is strength in forging one's own destiny and that selfishness, like water, is essential so long as you do not drown in it.
Judal then cocks his head and listens to Ereni reveal her own experience. Yes, he decides. There is much spillover here. Somehow, in this place at least, this power Malenia has... taps into... Somehow it spills over here and gets into the head of all nearby. What the two of them experienced surely somehow wormed into his own head. Influenced his own thoughts. Is it this place, or the power itself? Suddenly Judal found himself wondering if his decision to accompany Malenia here was fully his own... Or his decision to jump from the basket. This was something he would need to guard against until he knew for sure.
Still, a power like that. Hard not to wonder what one could do with such a thing...
There was much to think about, listening had revealed much. Judal stayed in the doorway, just at the edge of everything, neither part or apart. Perhaps that distance was best maintained until he knew more about just what was going on. But as much as Judal had decided to just keep his mouth shut, there was one question he could not help but ask.
"If The Force is not itself good or evil... Not dark or light... Then what is the danger of wanting more of it? If the power to change every battle you fight is available to you, and that power is a neutral power, then should it not be in the right hands?" Judal asks a bit confused but also... something. It seems to be more than just a philosophical question to him.
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We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
"I....died?" Malenia looks over to Ereni, watching as her friend buried her face as she recounted what she had witnessed. Clearly whatever had transpired within the temple had an effect on those outside as well, Or perhaps it was due to the Haligtree and the vision she saw? It raised more questions about the Tree itself, Questions she never thought to ask.
"Well I can assure you, I am very much still alive Ereni. Alive and grateful to have companions like you and Judal here with me."
"I dont know your experience with Vader, But I know he has haunted you for a long time. Whatever the cause of your vision, I hope it brought you some closure after the Sith's death."She moves closer to her half-elven friend, Clasping her shoulder gently. "I never thought you would harm us, any of us. You have a good heart Ereni."
Looking to Judal, Malenia's face twists as she considers how to explain what it is she discovered in more detail. "The force.....has long been thought to be two sides of the same coin, One dark and one light. The Sith like Vader, choose to use the Darkside. To give in to raw passion to fuel the force, While it grants them immense power. It also burns away whoever they are."
"On the contrast, the Jedi believe the Force to be best when used with control. When one is at peace with themselves, they find serenity and through that serenity the Force is fueled."She pauses, watching Judals expressions to ensure he is following along.
"I now believe that the Force isnt a coin but rather a sphere where there is no sides, That it is all one in the same. There is no peace without the passion to create, There is no Passion without peace to guide. The Force is neither good nor evil, Dark nor light. It flows through all in a Perfect balance, it is solely upto it's wielder to determine what it is used for."
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Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
"As with any power," Judal says in a low voice, almost whispering to himself...
"Right, well... If it is all the same to everyone, I personally think I will rest outside of this village. I think even being just beyond and in the crack that led us her should be enough to allow me to set up camp and get some rest. Seems there are too many ghosts here, eh?" Judal says moving uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "I have my enchanted stones I can set up to awaken me if a perimeter is breached. I'm sure they won't help against these dreams you two have described... but I'm thinking nothing would, yes?"
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We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
Answering Judal regarding there being nothing wrong with wanting more of the Force, Ereni muses: "Might be nothing wrong. It all makes as little sense to me as the damn arcane magic of Litwack, our line wizard in the Infantry with his sparks and conjurations and relentless flatulence. Only... seems easy to slip into wanting more power for the wrong reasons. To murder innocents, lay waste and conquer as Vader has. As easy to slip into that it was for old Litwack to rip a real stinker in the mess tent. If it's up to the wielder, could be better for her to focus on reasons and purpose more than gaining power."
Ereni pauses recalling. "Vader, or whatever part of my mind formed him in my vision, did keep saying there is no peace, only passion. Like it was his mantra. If those are really opposite ends of the ah... sphere of Force, I wonder how that got into my head. Damned if I ever heard anything like that until he said it, and now you, Malenia. This place... I know it is your home, but do you feel you must rest here? If not, I think we should move as Judal says."
"I dont think we will experience anything like that again, Yet if you two-Three I mean." She scratches behind Joy's ears.
"If you would be more comfortable outside the Village, I would understand. I dont want to force any of you to sleep where your slumber would not come easy, Let us move to the outside of the Mirkwood and set up camp."She stands, albeit weakly and still grimacing in pain. "I only need a few hours of rest and I'll be right as rain, So if one of you could keep watch for four hours. I would gladly keep watch the rest of the night."
She limps to the door and waits for her companions.
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Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
Ereni helps support her companion, putting one of Malenia's arms around her shoulder and walking alongside. Joy trots ahead, wagging her tail and looking back to make sure her friends are following.
"Sorry, Malenia," Ereni mumbles sheepishly. "Just that I need our masked menace chuffing and whispering in my ear for another night like I need Big Borresquieu'sgreataxe through my skull. Least the axe would be quicker and not as creepy. I'll take first watch. Along with all of Judal's mumbling mouths, I'll have plenty of company either way."
Assuming they make it to a suitable campsite, Ereni'sPerception as needed for first watch: 23
Judal notes just how weak Malenia is and says “Sleep will likely be uneasy anywhere tonight. It appears you could use rest sooner than later so we may as well stay here…”
Judal abides by whatever the preference is. If sleep is taken in the village Judal will grab a separate hut from the others - Privacy is rare when traveling rough so he has no problem with allowing them such. He doesn’t think a watch would be needed here as it seems nothing but the tree finds the village…
But if instead the choice is to push on despite Malenia’s weakness and pain then Judal will nod and accept that decision. “From what the two of you say there is little good here and no point in exploring a long abandoned place as this… Best not to think on it much.”
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We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
If it seems too difficult to relocate to outside the area given Malenia's state (even with Ereni's help), then of course Ereni relents and agrees to stay the night near the Hagiltree. But she would certainly prefer not to.
The journey from the village is somber, quiet, and slow. They group moves away from the Haligtree, back down the crack they had entered through, and toward the edge of the Mirkwood.
Near the mouth of the pass, a pile of boulders near the edge of the mountains begins to move. Within moments, it becomes clear that this isn't just a loose pile of boulders coming down as a Rockbiter turns around and looks at the group going by.
"Hello little friends." The gargantuan pile of rock says as he leans forward, inspecting them. "My, one of you looks hurt. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Ereni has seen many strange things in her day, but never part of a mountain which talks. Stopping dead for a moment, her arm still supporting Malenia but ready to draw and loose if needed, she studies the rock pile which has just spoken to them.
As she tries to guess at the huge stony creature's intentions, she mumbles to herself in her usual drawl, "Talking trees, I'll give you. Seen one before. But talking rocks? What's next, talking sticks? Why not, I say. Sticks and stones may break my bones, so what's the harm in a few words? We soldiers have little but rocks in our heads to start with, and usually end up under a rock to finish anyway."
Insight to guess the Rockbiter's intentions and sincerity: 26
"Aye, she's hurt," she answers the mountain creature slowly. "Though it's a mite startling - you knowing about that and all. Begging your pardon for my ignorance. Can boulders even be hurt? I'm thinking I don't know enough to even guess whether you can help, but we could start with introductions and see where that takes us. I'm Ereni and these are Malenia and Judal. Half of The Answer."
Even as Ereni is talking, Judal lets out a low, slow whistle. “Well hello Big Fella,” he says mostly to himself.
Judal takes a couple steps sideways, subtly as he can, to put some distance between him and the others. Just in case. At the same time he hushedly Telly them “Never met one, but heard tell of something like… “
“Rock Chewer, ain’t it?” Judal asks loudly, looking to the creature now. “You’re one of them if the stories are true…?”
“Scary but good is the general gist of what I’ve heard,” Judal says softer again to Ereni and Malenia. “Heard they were big. Didn’t hear they were that big.”
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We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
The Rockbiter's face screws up as he listens to Ereni, and he looks concerned, before his eyes shift over to land on Judal. He listens, then leans back and laughs; a great, booming, hardy laugh.
"Rockchewer. Oh, but who has ever heard of such a thing?" He says, as if the next thing he says is so obvious. "No, my friend. I am a Rock Biter. We Rockbiter's aren't scary or...at least I don't think so, unless you're a rock. Ah, but yes, this one..."
He leans forward, his huge hands resting on his knees as he gets a look at Malenia.
"Ereni. Judal. Malenia." He says, the granite tongue in his mouth shifting from side to side. "I am Pyornchrakzark, though most just call me Pyorn. To answer your question, little Elf; yes, we can be hurt...so please, don't hurt me. I don't mean to hurt you or anyone else. And as for knowing that...you're supporting her. I'm sure she's not leaning on you just for fun. Aahhh...but who is this one?"
The big fellow reaches down with one huge finger and gently taps Joy's back with all the care something of that size can muster.
Ereni is almost certain that the huge, rocky creature means no harm and is genuinely friendly. But the clincher is when Pyornchrakzark "pets" Joy and the dog wags her tail furiously in greeting. The ranger's shoulders slump in relief, though she still keeps a close eye on the surroundings.
"Oh her? She is the best of us. Goes by the name of Joy. To balance out my gloom, could be. Good conversationalist too on the occasion I am able to Speak with Animals. Or when Judal here uses his Magic Mouth to make her say things..."
Ereni pauses. We could use an ally. Never been much of a negotiator. Just ask King Haggard. Though I did jabber with the Kruthiks near Jappiter...
"You live here, Pyorn? I think we could all use a friend these days. Truth is, things seem blacker than the hairs that used to grow out of the moles on old Sergeant Shadrick's back. I don't just mean the sky being dark. We all have seen some things the last few weeks that don't bear repeating. Though we'll repeat it if you like. Maybe you can tell us what you've seen. And if you can help, Malenia here, well... is there any way we can help you?"
Ereni is a bit breathless. Not accustomed to speaking so much at once, at least not louder than a mumble.
At the mention of his Magic Mouth tricks connected to Joy Judal wants to demonstrate but quickly realizes he needs to up the number of responses that can be gotten as none are quite applicable to this situation.
“We, uh… we were just visiting Malenia’s home. She used to live nearby,” Judal explains, for no apparent reason.
“We didn’t notice you as we came through on the way in. You just passing by or…?”
Friendly, sure, Judal thinks. Also huge. Judal can’t help but wonder if their meeting is just a coincidence…
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We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
"She sure looks like the best of you." The Rockbiter smiles as he continues to gently stroke the happy dog. "Joy. She is a lovely dog. And a lovely name, too. Sergeant Shadrick? I don't think I've met him yet. Is he nearby? Help me? No, little friend. I have all I need here, with these mountains. They are big, and they are strong, like me, and they have all the tasty rocks I like to eat."
Pyorn smiles at Judal as he shifts his gaze from Ereni, then Joy, then to the Prince.
"Just passing by, yes. I nap here, sometimes. But you know us Rockbiters. Sometimes we nap for very , very long times. As for helping her..."
The Rockbiter reaches down and very gently scoops Malenia into his hand.
"I like to help people...though I'm afraid I don't know much about medicine. Magic either. But I suppose I could help her rest for a bit."
"Just uh..." Judal says with a bit of a start. "You know, no offense intended... But be gentle?" Judal chucks a bit and shrugs. "Sorry, big fella, you seem to already know that... We been through a lot lately though and..." Another shrug seems to be all he can manage.
Did they walk by Pyorn and not even notice on their way here? We they so in their own minds that they did not hear him approach? Judal fight a shiver, his confidence a bit shaken it seems.
"If you are really looking to help, a Tarrasque devestated King's LandingArgos not long ago. It's a fair bit away from here though perhaps not for one of your size? It just occurs to me that there is a lot of rock and rubble that you could surely help them clear and move..." Judal says, unsure exactly why. Just because they want to help doesn't mean they want to go out of their way to do so. And who even knows if they can travel...
Pyorn laughs at this request; a great, booming, bassy laugh. It sounds like two massive boulders are thumping together in his chest.
"It is okay, little friend." Pyron says, still hoisting Malenia up so she can lay flat. "My people know well how to be gentle with the fleshlings."
The Rockbiter works his jaw from side to side as he considers what Judal says next, about what they've been through lately, and looks out toward the Mirkwood.
"The world has moved on." He says cryptically, his jovial nature squashed for the moment. "I am sure you have all seen some very, very strange things. A Tarrasque you say? I have not seen such a thing in a long, long time. It is known that we Rockbiters live for a long, long time. I have been here so long I don't even know how old I am anymore."
"How old do you want to be?" Judal asks. "The good thing about not remembering is you get to decide for yourself what you want your history to be..."
"The world has indeed moved on, it is the way of the things. Even the rocks must acknowledge time, though perhaps not as quickly as us fleshlings. But we can also decide what we want to allow to move on and what we want to hold on to. Not everything has to be let go... And sometimes we can reclaim what was lost."
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We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
Ereni is bemused by the massive stone creature, with his friendliness and talk of "fleshlings."
Emmett always told me when we would argue that I would never be happy until I was six feet under a rock. Strangely, with Pyornchrakzark looming well over six feet above her, Ereni feels strangely content.
"The world has moved on? Might be. But we are part of the world. Don't know about my friends here, but I don't feel like I've moved on. Are you saying we are fighting yesterday's battles? Like a cavalry charge one day too late, after the battle is over and done with nothing but corpses left?"
Ereni thanks Judal for his help and begins to respond to Malenia's tale from the Hagiltree as they enter the erstwhile Jedi's home, but her voice chokes in her throat. A lump that had not been there before, and with it, the strangest emotion. One she almost cannot place, so foreign is it to her.
Ereni is... proud of Malenia? She shakes her head as if clearing cobwebs. Joy pads towards Malenia and curls up companionably not far from her feet, thumping the floor thrice with her tail before lowering her face to her paws and keeping a watchful eye on the now wounded but wiser Eladrin.
"When Joy and I were separated from Judal, which was right after you went to the tree, Malenia, the breathing that I have heard every night manifested into something more." Ereni faces her two companions and swallows, all quips and gallows humor about her past military life gone for now.
"It was Vader. Only... he lurked in the shadows at first, stalking from the gloom as I do in battle. It convinced me that it was not truly him but rather some figment of my own mind appearing as Vader. My own lifelong lust for revenge ever since his orcs slaughtered my parents in our forest cottage in Fantasia has consumed me, so it is only fitting. He threw it all in my face. Telling me peace is an illusion and there is only passion. Laughing that he has defined my whole life. Boasting shamelessly that he is a freedom fighter for orcs and hobgoblins and other races that may have been subjugated, when it is beyond clear that he cares nothing for them except as tools for conquest and dominion, never having sought peace or better conditions for them that I know of. And then, he emerged. And he fought you, Malenia. He slew you..."
Ereni's voice breaks. "I saw him drive his sword of light into your throat, Malenia, and watched a wisp of your red hair float away. There was nothing I could do for fear that by attacking him, I would make the part of me that was him more real than it actually was. So I focused instead on the thought that it was not real. That what I saw as Vader was instead something inside me to overcome. But I will never harm my companions. This I swear."
Her voice sounds almost pleading. She leans back against a wall and slowly sinks down into a sitting position, forearms on her knees, head downcast.
"We should leave this place as soon as you can travel safely. The Answer must have already reached King's Landing."
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
Judal stays in the doorway and listens to Malenia describe her experience. Was it real? Was she dreaming? Was his own experience just some kind of spillover from what she went through? This power she has... This Force... Just what exactly is it capable of, he wonders.
He considers arguing about the rightness of their journey here, in leaving the others, but is there a point? What is done is done and the issue seems intertwined with her view of her powers and herself. There will be no convincing her that their is strength in forging one's own destiny and that selfishness, like water, is essential so long as you do not drown in it.
Judal then cocks his head and listens to Ereni reveal her own experience. Yes, he decides. There is much spillover here. Somehow, in this place at least, this power Malenia has... taps into... Somehow it spills over here and gets into the head of all nearby. What the two of them experienced surely somehow wormed into his own head. Influenced his own thoughts. Is it this place, or the power itself? Suddenly Judal found himself wondering if his decision to accompany Malenia here was fully his own... Or his decision to jump from the basket. This was something he would need to guard against until he knew for sure.
Still, a power like that. Hard not to wonder what one could do with such a thing...
There was much to think about, listening had revealed much. Judal stayed in the doorway, just at the edge of everything, neither part or apart. Perhaps that distance was best maintained until he knew more about just what was going on. But as much as Judal had decided to just keep his mouth shut, there was one question he could not help but ask.
"If The Force is not itself good or evil... Not dark or light... Then what is the danger of wanting more of it? If the power to change every battle you fight is available to you, and that power is a neutral power, then should it not be in the right hands?" Judal asks a bit confused but also... something. It seems to be more than just a philosophical question to him.
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
"I....died?" Malenia looks over to Ereni, watching as her friend buried her face as she recounted what she had witnessed. Clearly whatever had transpired within the temple had an effect on those outside as well, Or perhaps it was due to the Haligtree and the vision she saw? It raised more questions about the Tree itself, Questions she never thought to ask.
"Well I can assure you, I am very much still alive Ereni. Alive and grateful to have companions like you and Judal here with me."
"I dont know your experience with Vader, But I know he has haunted you for a long time. Whatever the cause of your vision, I hope it brought you some closure after the Sith's death." She moves closer to her half-elven friend, Clasping her shoulder gently. "I never thought you would harm us, any of us. You have a good heart Ereni."
Looking to Judal, Malenia's face twists as she considers how to explain what it is she discovered in more detail. "The force.....has long been thought to be two sides of the same coin, One dark and one light. The Sith like Vader, choose to use the Darkside. To give in to raw passion to fuel the force, While it grants them immense power. It also burns away whoever they are."
"On the contrast, the Jedi believe the Force to be best when used with control. When one is at peace with themselves, they find serenity and through that serenity the Force is fueled." She pauses, watching Judals expressions to ensure he is following along.
"I now believe that the Force isnt a coin but rather a sphere where there is no sides, That it is all one in the same. There is no peace without the passion to create, There is no Passion without peace to guide. The Force is neither good nor evil, Dark nor light. It flows through all in a Perfect balance, it is solely upto it's wielder to determine what it is used for."
Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
"As with any power," Judal says in a low voice, almost whispering to himself...
"Right, well... If it is all the same to everyone, I personally think I will rest outside of this village. I think even being just beyond and in the crack that led us her should be enough to allow me to set up camp and get some rest. Seems there are too many ghosts here, eh?" Judal says moving uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "I have my enchanted stones I can set up to awaken me if a perimeter is breached. I'm sure they won't help against these dreams you two have described... but I'm thinking nothing would, yes?"
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Answering Judal regarding there being nothing wrong with wanting more of the Force, Ereni muses: "Might be nothing wrong. It all makes as little sense to me as the damn arcane magic of Litwack, our line wizard in the Infantry with his sparks and conjurations and relentless flatulence. Only... seems easy to slip into wanting more power for the wrong reasons. To murder innocents, lay waste and conquer as Vader has. As easy to slip into that it was for old Litwack to rip a real stinker in the mess tent. If it's up to the wielder, could be better for her to focus on reasons and purpose more than gaining power."
Ereni pauses recalling. "Vader, or whatever part of my mind formed him in my vision, did keep saying there is no peace, only passion. Like it was his mantra. If those are really opposite ends of the ah... sphere of Force, I wonder how that got into my head. Damned if I ever heard anything like that until he said it, and now you, Malenia. This place... I know it is your home, but do you feel you must rest here? If not, I think we should move as Judal says."
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
"I dont think we will experience anything like that again, Yet if you two-Three I mean." She scratches behind Joy's ears.
"If you would be more comfortable outside the Village, I would understand. I dont want to force any of you to sleep where your slumber would not come easy, Let us move to the outside of the Mirkwood and set up camp." She stands, albeit weakly and still grimacing in pain. "I only need a few hours of rest and I'll be right as rain, So if one of you could keep watch for four hours. I would gladly keep watch the rest of the night."
She limps to the door and waits for her companions.
Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
Ereni helps support her companion, putting one of Malenia's arms around her shoulder and walking alongside. Joy trots ahead, wagging her tail and looking back to make sure her friends are following.
"Sorry, Malenia," Ereni mumbles sheepishly. "Just that I need our masked menace chuffing and whispering in my ear for another night like I need Big Borresquieu's greataxe through my skull. Least the axe would be quicker and not as creepy. I'll take first watch. Along with all of Judal's mumbling mouths, I'll have plenty of company either way."
Assuming they make it to a suitable campsite, Ereni's Perception as needed for first watch: 23
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
Judal notes just how weak Malenia is and says “Sleep will likely be uneasy anywhere tonight. It appears you could use rest sooner than later so we may as well stay here…”
Judal abides by whatever the preference is. If sleep is taken in the village Judal will grab a separate hut from the others - Privacy is rare when traveling rough so he has no problem with allowing them such. He doesn’t think a watch would be needed here as it seems nothing but the tree finds the village…
But if instead the choice is to push on despite Malenia’s weakness and pain then Judal will nod and accept that decision. “From what the two of you say there is little good here and no point in exploring a long abandoned place as this… Best not to think on it much.”
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
If it seems too difficult to relocate to outside the area given Malenia's state (even with Ereni's help), then of course Ereni relents and agrees to stay the night near the Hagiltree. But she would certainly prefer not to.
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
The journey from the village is somber, quiet, and slow. They group moves away from the Haligtree, back down the crack they had entered through, and toward the edge of the Mirkwood.
Near the mouth of the pass, a pile of boulders near the edge of the mountains begins to move. Within moments, it becomes clear that this isn't just a loose pile of boulders coming down as a Rockbiter turns around and looks at the group going by.
"Hello little friends." The gargantuan pile of rock says as he leans forward, inspecting them. "My, one of you looks hurt. Is there anything I can do to help?"
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
Ereni has seen many strange things in her day, but never part of a mountain which talks. Stopping dead for a moment, her arm still supporting Malenia but ready to draw and loose if needed, she studies the rock pile which has just spoken to them.
As she tries to guess at the huge stony creature's intentions, she mumbles to herself in her usual drawl, "Talking trees, I'll give you. Seen one before. But talking rocks? What's next, talking sticks? Why not, I say. Sticks and stones may break my bones, so what's the harm in a few words? We soldiers have little but rocks in our heads to start with, and usually end up under a rock to finish anyway."
Insight to guess the Rockbiter's intentions and sincerity: 26
"Aye, she's hurt," she answers the mountain creature slowly. "Though it's a mite startling - you knowing about that and all. Begging your pardon for my ignorance. Can boulders even be hurt? I'm thinking I don't know enough to even guess whether you can help, but we could start with introductions and see where that takes us. I'm Ereni and these are Malenia and Judal. Half of The Answer."
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
Even as Ereni is talking, Judal lets out a low, slow whistle. “Well hello Big Fella,” he says mostly to himself.
Judal takes a couple steps sideways, subtly as he can, to put some distance between him and the others. Just in case. At the same time he hushedly Telly them “Never met one, but heard tell of something like… “
“Rock Chewer, ain’t it?” Judal asks loudly, looking to the creature now. “You’re one of them if the stories are true…?”
“Scary but good is the general gist of what I’ve heard,” Judal says softer again to Ereni and Malenia. “Heard they were big. Didn’t hear they were that big.”
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
The Rockbiter's face screws up as he listens to Ereni, and he looks concerned, before his eyes shift over to land on Judal. He listens, then leans back and laughs; a great, booming, hardy laugh.
"Rockchewer. Oh, but who has ever heard of such a thing?" He says, as if the next thing he says is so obvious. "No, my friend. I am a Rock Biter. We Rockbiter's aren't scary or...at least I don't think so, unless you're a rock. Ah, but yes, this one..."
He leans forward, his huge hands resting on his knees as he gets a look at Malenia.
"Ereni. Judal. Malenia." He says, the granite tongue in his mouth shifting from side to side. "I am Pyornchrakzark, though most just call me Pyorn. To answer your question, little Elf; yes, we can be hurt...so please, don't hurt me. I don't mean to hurt you or anyone else. And as for knowing that...you're supporting her. I'm sure she's not leaning on you just for fun. Aahhh...but who is this one?"
The big fellow reaches down with one huge finger and gently taps Joy's back with all the care something of that size can muster.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
Ereni is almost certain that the huge, rocky creature means no harm and is genuinely friendly. But the clincher is when Pyornchrakzark "pets" Joy and the dog wags her tail furiously in greeting. The ranger's shoulders slump in relief, though she still keeps a close eye on the surroundings.
"Oh her? She is the best of us. Goes by the name of Joy. To balance out my gloom, could be. Good conversationalist too on the occasion I am able to Speak with Animals. Or when Judal here uses his Magic Mouth to make her say things..."
Ereni pauses. We could use an ally. Never been much of a negotiator. Just ask King Haggard. Though I did jabber with the Kruthiks near Jappiter...
"You live here, Pyorn? I think we could all use a friend these days. Truth is, things seem blacker than the hairs that used to grow out of the moles on old Sergeant Shadrick's back. I don't just mean the sky being dark. We all have seen some things the last few weeks that don't bear repeating. Though we'll repeat it if you like. Maybe you can tell us what you've seen. And if you can help, Malenia here, well... is there any way we can help you?"
Ereni is a bit breathless. Not accustomed to speaking so much at once, at least not louder than a mumble.
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
At the mention of his Magic Mouth tricks connected to Joy Judal wants to demonstrate but quickly realizes he needs to up the number of responses that can be gotten as none are quite applicable to this situation.
“We, uh… we were just visiting Malenia’s home. She used to live nearby,” Judal explains, for no apparent reason.
“We didn’t notice you as we came through on the way in. You just passing by or…?”
Friendly, sure, Judal thinks. Also huge. Judal can’t help but wonder if their meeting is just a coincidence…
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
"She sure looks like the best of you." The Rockbiter smiles as he continues to gently stroke the happy dog. "Joy. She is a lovely dog. And a lovely name, too. Sergeant Shadrick? I don't think I've met him yet. Is he nearby? Help me? No, little friend. I have all I need here, with these mountains. They are big, and they are strong, like me, and they have all the tasty rocks I like to eat."
Pyorn smiles at Judal as he shifts his gaze from Ereni, then Joy, then to the Prince.
"Just passing by, yes. I nap here, sometimes. But you know us Rockbiters. Sometimes we nap for very , very long times. As for helping her..."
The Rockbiter reaches down and very gently scoops Malenia into his hand.
"I like to help people...though I'm afraid I don't know much about medicine. Magic either. But I suppose I could help her rest for a bit."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
"Just uh..." Judal says with a bit of a start. "You know, no offense intended... But be gentle?" Judal chucks a bit and shrugs. "Sorry, big fella, you seem to already know that... We been through a lot lately though and..." Another shrug seems to be all he can manage.
Did they walk by Pyorn and not even notice on their way here? We they so in their own minds that they did not hear him approach? Judal fight a shiver, his confidence a bit shaken it seems.
"If you are really looking to help, a Tarrasque devestated
King's LandingArgos not long ago. It's a fair bit away from here though perhaps not for one of your size? It just occurs to me that there is a lot of rock and rubble that you could surely help them clear and move..." Judal says, unsure exactly why. Just because they want to help doesn't mean they want to go out of their way to do so. And who even knows if they can travel...We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Pyorn laughs at this request; a great, booming, bassy laugh. It sounds like two massive boulders are thumping together in his chest.
"It is okay, little friend." Pyron says, still hoisting Malenia up so she can lay flat. "My people know well how to be gentle with the fleshlings."
The Rockbiter works his jaw from side to side as he considers what Judal says next, about what they've been through lately, and looks out toward the Mirkwood.
"The world has moved on." He says cryptically, his jovial nature squashed for the moment. "I am sure you have all seen some very, very strange things. A Tarrasque you say? I have not seen such a thing in a long, long time. It is known that we Rockbiters live for a long, long time. I have been here so long I don't even know how old I am anymore."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
"How old do you want to be?" Judal asks. "The good thing about not remembering is you get to decide for yourself what you want your history to be..."
"The world has indeed moved on, it is the way of the things. Even the rocks must acknowledge time, though perhaps not as quickly as us fleshlings. But we can also decide what we want to allow to move on and what we want to hold on to. Not everything has to be let go... And sometimes we can reclaim what was lost."
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Ereni is bemused by the massive stone creature, with his friendliness and talk of "fleshlings."
Emmett always told me when we would argue that I would never be happy until I was six feet under a rock. Strangely, with Pyornchrakzark looming well over six feet above her, Ereni feels strangely content.
"The world has moved on? Might be. But we are part of the world. Don't know about my friends here, but I don't feel like I've moved on. Are you saying we are fighting yesterday's battles? Like a cavalry charge one day too late, after the battle is over and done with nothing but corpses left?"
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim