It takes a good 20 minutes before the door opens again, during which the children above point at you - you can't tell whether they're pointing at one of you specifically, or all of you - and chatter to each other until the bugbear druid tells them to reign it in. He does stare down at you himself, making no attempt to hide that he mostly stares at Lam. His face is more concerned than curious - a hint of the fear that many humans have shown when seeing Lam, though strange to see on another bugbear. The druid ushers the children back inside after a little while, the stargazing lesson ending as the coming dawn hides the last of the stars.
Aspen lights up a little when Hemlock finally addresses her, responding a little more slowly and directly, though seeming to have more trouble thinking of common vocabulary than she had been with the others. "Yes, we are not all being Firbolgs here gen-gant-jen... erfðafræðilega - in blood. The others are parents parents coming for almost 100 years ago, as... flóttamenn - people who must find new home. The flóttamenn who agreed to live in Firbolg náð - best life, were allowed to staying. They are firbolgs too, in kultur... menningu. But the goblins are living much shorter time than us, usually not more than 40 summers, and making many more babies. The goblins are not leaving Oakhome because most elves and others in Silfurdalur - Silver Valley - remember that their parents parents parents were very bad honour, killed many, and burned many trees when they came through valley so long ago. Bugbear are fewer, and Karla and her brothers have helped much to make them known and not scary in Village tree. Sometimes some say that Oakhome should only be for Firbolgs in blood, but this is not what most are thinking."
If Lam is listening to this, there is one point that may stick out to him - he's known many goblins who lived long past 40, and certainly never seen any goblin die of 'old age' so young. Sha would also recognize the oddness of that fact, having spent some time with goblinoids and learned their language.
Hickory emerges from the door, holding it open and gesturing towards your party. A large deer walks out behind him, and strides confidently up to your party until her form blurs into an older Firbolg woman. She puts out her hand as though reaching for a handshake, though the palm is pointed down. Aspen bows down, putting her forehead against the back of the older woman's hand. The elder addresses first Aspen, then the rest of you. "Bráðskona stelpa, af hverju komstu með þær hingað áður en þeim var boðið? Drífðu þig inn, ég tala við þig eftir morgunmat. Welcome to Oakhome, young journeyers. Sorry for approach as deer, my own body's knees ache. It was good of you, and very impressive, to deal with the Frogs and purify the lake. But you should not have come here. The tree-fellers killed an elder yesterday because you started a battle, instead of letting singers and negotiators handle it. Now, you may have showed them where Oakhome is, and they are very mad at you. We are for regrowing the Skyoaks, not for fighting tree-fellers or whatever elso your questing is. And more than this, you have brought a monster who hunts with enchantment magic, which is forbidden here since the Great War. I believe it is not the only monster with you, either."She looks pointedly at Hemlock, who is reminded of the bag of mimics at his side, and of their clinking excitement each time he stopped to talk to a small animal on the way to the village. "Stay for breakfast if you can keep control of your dangerous creatures, then go. Oh, and Hemlock, Foreldrar þínir og ættkvísl þín sakna þín. Þeir hafa skilaboð til þín.
Precocious girl, why did you bring them here before they were invited? Hurry inside, I will speak with you after breakfast.
---
Your parents and your tribe miss you. They have a message for you.
As they finally reach Oakhome, Saoirse’s mood shifts from her earlier talkative exchange with Aspen to a more silent demeanor. Though she had anticipated the stares and pointed fingers—it had been much the same at Village Tree when they first arrived—it still takes her a moment and several deep breaths to shake off the discomfort and find some semblance of peace.
When the Elder makes her appearance and Aspen salutes her by pressing his forehead to the woman’s hand, the fire genasi wonders if they should do the same or if that gesture is reserved for locals. Unsure of the proper etiquette, she opts for a polite bow, hoping it’s appropriate for this situation
Then, the older woman finishes speaking, Saoirse’s first instinct is to explain that the Elder who died on the battlefield didn’t do so because they started the fight, but rather because Viconia —and, consequently, Kieran— would have killed her regardless. However, she knows better than to begin the conversation by abruptly contradicting this woman, so instead, she glances at Hemlock, trusting him to handle the situation more diplomatically. For now, she decides to remain silent.
Lam had been staring at the goblins in the class, and particularly at the bugbear teacher- but when he registers the bugbear’s gaze back, he crosses his arms and looks away. He looks between his friends and the class, trying not to make eye contact with any one person. After a while, he begins to tap his pointer finger on his other arm while they are crossed. When Aspen begins talking about the lifespan of the Goblins here, he looks at her and raises his eyebrows. It seems like he wants to ask about it, but is figuring out what to say when Hickory emerges again.
He seems to barely pay attention to the new Firbolg woman, lost in his own thoughts and trying to piece things together. His breath gets more agitated and he continues to fidget, but says nothing. When she says to stay for breakfast then go, he looks up quickly as he remembers what he had wanted to come here for. Are they going to be able to help remove his brand? Or are they just going to send them away, and fix nothing? This place where most of the Goblins are, but they’re dying much earlier than they should be? Is it because they are not allowed to eat meat? Would that kill a Goblin? Or is something else wrong here? Why hasn’t anyone looked into this? Do they not know? And the Goblins aren’t allowed to leave because of not what they did, but what their ancestors did? Because outside of here, they would be treated poorly? Is that what she said? That is not fair! At this point his thoughts are harder to keep up with. His breathing gets a bit louder and a lot faster. He puts one hand on his abdomen- exactly where he’s been branded. He sits down right where he is at and looks away from everyone, not intentionally trying to draw attention to himself.
Sha would also recognize the oddness of that fact, having spent some time with goblinoids and learned their language.
Was ist hier los? In einer friedlichen Umgebung bin ich einem Koboldschamanen begegnet, der schon weit über vier Jahrzehnte alt ist. Findest du das nicht auch eine sehr merkwürdige Situation, Lam?
What is going on here? In a peaceful environment, I have crossed paths with goblin shaman of advanced age, well beyond four decades. Do you not also think this a very odd circumstance Lam?
Sha looks as closely as he can at the goblins here that he can see. With a practiced eye (medicine) 26
Lam stops breathing when Sha speaks. He closes his eyes and remains silent, listening to his friend speak in a familiar language and allowing Sha’s voice to be the only thing that reaches him. When he breathes again, it is slower- less ragged and more intentional. He opens his eyes and stands up to look at Sha.
He says, “Ja, es ist seltsam. Kobolde leben deutlich länger, sofern sie nicht getötet werden. Ich weiß nicht, warum sie hier so kurz leben.” As he speaks, he glances at the faces of the bugbear and the goblins (if any are still here) to see if any of them look like they know what he is saying.
“Yes, it is strange. Goblins live considerably longer than that, provided that they are not killed. I do not know why they live such short lives here.”
If you need an insight for figuring out if they can speak goblin at all (or what their reaction to hearing goblin is): 18
I am unclear on if the bugbear teacher is still here. I am pretty sure the students are gone. If everyone who he thinks might speak Goblin is gone, then he’s paying attention to the general reaction of the Firbolgs.
Hemlock nods along as Aspen speak, "I grew up suspicious of outsiders, because of my tribes isolation, but have learned to judge people on their own merit. All are born capable of goodness and wickedness. What they do will define them, but also how they are treated". He falls silent again, dwelling in that fact and how it relates to both himself and his friends.
When Hickory appears and the deer approaches, soon becoming the elder firbolg, he bows his head and looks at the floor until she addresses him. As she admonishes him and his friends, he feels a great sadness. A deed that was meant to be good, was indeed seen as wicked from another point of view. And creatures who merely followed their nature deemed monsters.
And a message from his tribe, his parents. A swell of emotions fill his heart. Excitement and happiness mixed with nervousness and a little shame.
"It fills me...us...with great sadness at the loss of your elder. We were perhaps arrogant, thinking we could save your elder and the young one. That sorceress was not the first of her kind we have come across. They wield enchantments of great power, take control of one's mind, and have no mercy. We heard what was being said, knew her patience had run out, and did not think any other help was close enough", he says, head once again bowed, only this time in shame rather than respect. "Our intentions were good, but we are sorry for your loss, and our part in bringing it about".
He slowly lifts his head to look at the elder again. "You know of my tribe? You communicate with them, with my family?", he says meekly, his hand going to the amulet around his neck.
While Hemlock and the Elder converse, Saoirse's eyes fall on Lam. She doesn't need to think hard to understand what the bugbear must be feeling. When the firbolgs finish speaking, she steps forward and addresses the Elder.
"I know we are in no position to ask for favors, but I would like to request your help. During the fight, one of us was marked with what my people call a Brand of Castigation. It fills me with shame to see that power, meant for the darkest creatures of the Great War, used on someone I am honored to call my friend. The brander can track him now, and we don't have the means to remove it. Would you be willing to help us?"
OOC - We'll just have Sha and and Lam's exchange happen slightly before the kids (goblin and Firbolg) are ushered inside by their teacher (the bugbear).
Hearing the goblin language spoken intensifies the goblin children's interest in Lam and Sha, though Lam can not see any sign that they understand the meaning of the words. Their teacher frowns for a fraction of a second - with what seems to be disapproval.
At a distance it is limited how much detail Sha can pick up, but he does notice some concerning signs. The goblin children seem slightly smaller, paler, and less physically coordinated than he thinks they should be at their age. Their instructor, as well, seems less muscular than an adult bugbear should be, and slightly paler than Kurt and Kristof. The difference is smaller for him than it is for the goblins. Still, these tendencies are what Sha would expect from children growing up in a time of poor harvests, being chronically underfed, except that they are not particularly thin, and their Firbolg classmates seem perfectly healthy. And there are clearly no bad harvests here.
"Your intentions mark you to friends, else I would not have be able to convince the other elders to allow you to even stay for breakfast. But you are rash and quick to acting, much like young Aspen here. In fact, young Hemlock, your rashness has made another thing to happen, for which I am grateful. That I would talk with you about without your friends listening, and it is to do with your home." Aspen, by this point, is as flushed as a young Firbolg can be, and quite overwhelmed by the attention.
The elder appraises Saoirse with interest and a hint of approval. "It has been many many summers since last I met one of the geni elfennol, the element-born. Not since in the early years after Lightbringer's war. You carry the life and energy of fire, bound to discipline and training - though you are not so restrained to stop you asking an elder for help direct. Sometimes I am think that here we have too little fire. Good to break too much politeness." She takes a surprisingly quick step forward and places a hand directly over the Mark on Lam's abdomen, whispering a few words of power. "dweud cyfrinachau." Then she looks directly into Lam's eyes. "Yes, youngling, I can to fix this, just needing a little help from a singer or two." She glances pointedly at Aspen, then back to Saoirse. "But tell me, will fixing of this make the tree-fellers more mad at us? Make us an enemy? We do not want to war, not even with them that killed one of our elders. How dangerous is it to help you?"
Finally she looks at Sha-Gravis. "When were you last to the obelisk in Weretown? We can not to having your cat form take over and you to hunting while here." She fixes her gaze on Sombra as well. "It looks like your little one has eaten recently, good. Please do not let her to sing here. There are elders who remember the war before the Lightbringer, and all know the stories. None would take kind to having their minds taken by magic, even from such a cute little thing and for little time."
OOC. Your responses to her might require persuasion checks. If it feels like it might, go ahead and make the roll.
Saoirsebows again after the Elder speaks her. "You honor me with your words. Please excuse my manners, as I have not yet introduced myself. My name is Saoirse, and these are my friends," she gestures towards Hemlock-whom the Elder already knows- and the rest, "Lam and Sha-Gravis. May we know your name?'"
"But tell me, will fixing of this make the tree-fellers more mad at us? Make us an enemy? We do not want to war, not even with them that killed one of our elders. How dangerous is it to help you?"
Saoirsepauses for a few moments, knowing her next words wil not sit well among those present. "I'm afraid there is no real choice here. Whether you remove that mark or not, you are already their enemy. The same is true for the people of Village Tree, or anyone else who crosses their path. Silvia Strixwell will stop at nothing to claim Silver Stream Valley and do with it as she pleases. You've already seen what her forces do in the face of even the slightest opposition: one of your trees was burned just to make two of your people talk. Before that, the bridge over the river was blown up, one of their guardians killed – and the other barely survived – just to reach your glade. If you need more examples to understand how dangerous these people are, and how quickly they turn everyone into their enemies, unfortunately, we can provide them, for we've witnessed more."
Lam tries to pretend he is not paying attention to the reaction of the Goblins and the bugbear teacher. The Druid in particular doesn’t seem to like him, which is uncanny since the Druid looks so much like the bugbear teenagers who had a very different reaction to him. How did he get here? If he is related to Karla and the others, why is he still here? Does he know Goblin- could he tell what Lam and Sha were saying? Lam does find himself staring at them all for a few moments, nothing but questions in his head. He starts paying attention to those with him again when Saoirse speaks. He comes to stand by her and stares at her with immense gratitude.
When the Elder steps forward and places a hand on his abdomen, he does his best to stay still and not let his surprise show. When she says she could fix his brand, he releases a breath of pure relief and his eyes begin to shimmer. Standing next to Saoirse and in conversation with the Elder, he thinks more about his manners and bows when Saoirse does, a little embarrassed for how he has acted in the conversation so far.
He tries to gauge from the Elder’s face if Saoirse’s words, which are all true, are landing well. Maybe nobody likes to hear that they have a foe who they could not make peace with, but maybe the Elder is beginning to be more concerned with her peoples’ safety, and less concerned with helping, once again. He tries to jump in without letting his voice betray too much emotion.
“They are going to destroy… if you help or not. They are not after us, but just…” he frowns, knowing “they are not after us” is false when worded just like that, but unsure how to say they are not Strixwell’s prime target, especially without alluding too closely to what is. Not finding the right words, he moves on. “We have stopped them. From destroying more. We stop them more, they will do more to stop us. But they want to hurt whole Valley. Not just us. Helping should not bring them to you, but… will you not help when you are able to?”
He feels his voice gaining a small accusatory note, so he changes course. He makes an effort to keep eye contact with the Elder and swallows before attempting to be even more truthful. “My friends do many things to help. They have stopped… we have seen much death, but they have stopped much more. I want to help them. If me being near them brings enemies, then I will not…” his voice breaks at this part. “I do not want to put my friends in danger.” Afraid to say more without losing control of his emotions in a different way than he usually does, he stops talking and looks at the Elder to see if his words have had an effect.
Persuasion with advantage, plus storyteller’s feat: 23
Hemlock listens to both Saoirse and Lam, sighing at the predicament they are all in.
"Saoirse and Lam are right, the woman who killed your elder laid claim to this forest, and would be satisfied with nothing less than your tribe acknowledging that and being led to the temple in the centre. Something the elder I assume would never have done, as she said it is sacred. The moment your tree-singers defied her by healing the skyoak she was burning you became her enemy", he says sadly.
"Lam here is our friend, and we will not abandon him. If you do not help, which is your choice, we will all leave. But I hope it does not come to that. And if we are to stay, I would very much like to talk to you about whatever you wish, and especially about my tribe and family. Elder Rhododendron I presume?".
“If me being near them brings enemies, then I will not…” his voice breaks at this part. “I do not want to put my friends in danger.”
Saoirse turns to look at Lam and dead serious she says, "That is completely out the question, Lam. You'll not face this alone. You may carry the mark itself, but the way I see it, Kieran branded us all."
Finally she looks at Sha-Gravis. "When were you last to the obelisk in Weretown? We can not to having your cat form take over and you to hunting while here." She fixes her gaze on Sombra as well. "It looks like your little one has eaten recently, good. Please do not let her to sing here. There are elders who remember the war before the Lightbringer, and all know the stories. None would take kind to having their minds taken by magic, even from such a cute little thing and for little time."
”I’m not sure I understand what does the obelisk have to do with anything? As for Sombra yes we just had a large meal. She is very special and will not sing unless we are defending ourselves. I assure you we are under self-control, you have nothing to be weary of.” Sha is intrigued by this mention of an obelisk and very curious about its influence over lycanthropes.
Rhododendron is appalled by the brief descriptions Saoirse gives of the coming enemy, and begins to respond to her with fear, haltingly, "We can not... I am sorry, but the risk is too - "
She is interrupted by Lam's plea and defense. His raw, earnest claim to have stopped them before, his willingess to leave and sacrifice himself, and the phrase 'will you not help when you are able' visibly shake her, her eyes welling with unwept tears. Hemlock's succinct report of the HMC's goals, and of the fact that they have already made themselves an enemy, push her over the edge and make her decision clear. She swallows, and sighs deeply. "I was convinced the other elders to let refugees in, almost 100 years ago. They were looking like you, and like you they were not fault for the valley's pain at that time. I can to argue again, that Oakhome means more than only nursing Skyoaks." She looks at Hemlock, "If we are already their enemy, then we must to have help, and plannings, to keep Oakhome and the trees safe;"she turns to Saoirse, "but if all you are saying is true, they are a very big threat to everything. I can with Aspen and Hemlock's help (how is your singing, young firbolg?) remove Lam's mark. But... will they already knowing where he is? Can they be seeing where the mark went away?"
She does not address Sombra, who is absently cleaning ther feathers in her armpit with her beak. Rhododendron is clearly still uncomfortable with the creature, but she realizes her mistake about Sha-Gravis'nature. "You do not know the obelisk, but you are still in control of self? I am sorry! You are not were-panther at all, are you? You are one of the feline folk? We have not seeing any of you here before. Maybe the healers can examine you, for learning about anatomy?"
"We need to solve this with the mark before anything else, here and nows. Then, you can coming inside for breakfast. Porridge is soon boiling."
"But... will they already knowing where he is? Can they be seeing where the mark went away?"
"The brand lasts until dismissed by the blood hunter, or until the link is forcibly broken. So, yes, I'm afraid Strixwell's lieutenant will notice as soon as the brand on Lam expires. In any case, he already knows where we are. And, on top of that, we spotted a Coldwater spy on the thorn wall. We tried to prevent her escape, but she bested us. I'm so very sorry, Elder Rhododendron, but it seems there's no way to prevent the enemy from learning Oakhome's location."She stops, sighs, and looks away. The weight of her words and the weariness of the day make the genasi's shoulders slump visibly. Even so, a spark of determination remains when she looks at the Elder again. "But we can prevent them from knowing our next steps. And I can assure you, the four of us are working towards Strixwell's demise."
With this, Saoirsesteps back a little to give Elder Rhododendron, Aspen, and Hemlockthe space they need to help Lam, but she doesn’t take her eyes off them for a single moment during the process. On one hand, she wants to witness the exact moment the Brand of Castigation disappears from their lives. On the other, the blood hunter wants to learn how others can break a power she will be able to wield in the near future.
Hemlock scratches at the back of his neck as Rhododendron enquires about his talent in singing.
"My tribe do not sing in the same manner that you do here. I can do my best, but it might be a little....pitchy", he says unsurely.
"As for knowing where the village is because of the mark, it is one thing knowing a direction, quite another navigating the forest to find it. We Firbolg's have for centuries if not millennia worked with the forest to keep our settlements hidden. Good luck to any who try and move through our forests unwelcome", he says with a determined smile.
Saoirse is getting off on the wrong foot with Elder Rhododendron, and it seems that everything she says just adds to her concern, or irritation. "A blood hunter is one like you, then, with curses burnt into them? And you could not use this magics to stop the spy? So they know where the thorn wall is thinnest, and have a compass to point to us now. I assume Strixwell is the latest to sit on a throne and say they own Silfurdalur? What is to stop another tree-feller from sitting on her throne and saying she owns us, after you make her 'demise'?" She huffs slightly after this, a very animalistic gesture, before turning to address Hemlock. Aspen makes eye contact with Saoirse from behind Rhododendron and mouths 'sorry,' shrugging and implying that old folks are just grumpy sometimes. At least, that's what she seems to be implying.
"Right, young Hemlock. I had forgotten that your tribe has been cut off from this part of our ways for so long. Yes, well, I will be the one singing the shaping words of power to remove the curse. Aspen will be gathering magical energy by singing some part of the harmony of nature - she is especially good at singing the movement of water through the world." (Aspen blushes again). "You should also gather magical energy by singing another part of nature's harmony - but you must make sure to harmonize with Aspen, and to match the rhythm of my words. Got all that?" (DC 18 performance[wisdom] check). "Or, you can provide magical energy the way you are used to."(Burn a 2nd or higher level spell slot)
Without further warning, the old firbolg places one hand on the Mark on Lam's belly, and the other on his lower back. She doesn't press hard, but the placement is sensitive, and would feel very intimate in another context. "Please, join in when you're ready." A deep, echoing throat sound (like mongolian throat singing) begins to reverberate through her, establishing a rhythm. Aspen joins in, her voice first evoking raindrops, and then water in a stream, and somehow matching perfectly with rhododendron's rhythm. She smiles, and looks playfully, expectantly towards Hemlock.
Lam is good about keeping the tears out of his eyes all the way up until his friends make it clear they will not let him run away to keep them safe. He looks at each one of them as they speak- Hemlock, then Saoirse, then Sha- and tears do appear in his eyes when Saoirse tells him it’s out of the question. He blinks his tears away and looks at each of his friends with gratitude. He does not want to leave them- but something in what Saoirse said is untrue. Kieran didn’t brand them all- he only branded Lam. He was only able to because Lam wasn’t cautious enough in the battle. If he remained with the brand and then the HMC found and hurt everyone, it would be Lam’s fault.
He doesn’t move or speak very much once the Elder agrees to help him, afraid that anything he does at this point might cause her to change her mind. He watches her until she mentions Hemlock joining in to help, then he watches Hemlock with gratitude. He has never heard Hemlock sing and is curious how that will go, but he is mostly grateful to have a friend to focus on during this ritual.
When the Elder lays her hands on Lam, she can feel him tense up and then deliberately breathe to relax. In any other context, he may have attacked someone who touched him there without warning. His breath is shaky, but deep- that is Lam’s mission right now, to keep himself still and relaxed so the Firbolgs can do their work best. He does not take his eyes off of Hemlock, unaware of any pressure already on his Firbolg friend in this moment and how he may be adding to it, but needing a familiar face to focus on.
Hemlock feels a sense of wonder and intrigue at the thought of accessing a power of his people that he didn't know existed, but also immense pressure as he had to get it right for Lam's sake. He tries not to let the pressure show as Lam stares him directly in the eyes, giving the bugbear a small smile.
He clears his throat audibly and forces a cough as if that would help his voice to sing with the right intensity.
When Rhododendron starts to sing, he gets goosebumps, and the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end as Aspen joins in. He tries to think of an aspect of nature to feed into the song, but as is usually the case when he invokes magic it is the stars he thinks of. And the soft light of the moon on a cloudless night, kissing his face and accentuating the curve of his cheekbones and nose.
And so he starts to sing, tentatively at first as he tries to understand what is required in terms of rhythm and harmony. But as the song continues his voice becomes stronger as he becomes more confident, especially as he remembers the storyteller's at Village Tree, and he even briefly glances at Aspen before returning his gaze to Lam.
Performance: 11+4=15 (He will add in the storyteller's bonus to add double proficiency to make it 21, assuming I have used it correctly)
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It takes a good 20 minutes before the door opens again, during which the children above point at you - you can't tell whether they're pointing at one of you specifically, or all of you - and chatter to each other until the bugbear druid tells them to reign it in. He does stare down at you himself, making no attempt to hide that he mostly stares at Lam. His face is more concerned than curious - a hint of the fear that many humans have shown when seeing Lam, though strange to see on another bugbear. The druid ushers the children back inside after a little while, the stargazing lesson ending as the coming dawn hides the last of the stars.
Aspen lights up a little when Hemlock finally addresses her, responding a little more slowly and directly, though seeming to have more trouble thinking of common vocabulary than she had been with the others. "Yes, we are not all being Firbolgs here gen-gant-jen... erfðafræðilega - in blood. The others are parents parents coming for almost 100 years ago, as... flóttamenn - people who must find new home. The flóttamenn who agreed to live in Firbolg náð - best life, were allowed to staying. They are firbolgs too, in kultur... menningu. But the goblins are living much shorter time than us, usually not more than 40 summers, and making many more babies. The goblins are not leaving Oakhome because most elves and others in Silfurdalur - Silver Valley - remember that their parents parents parents were very bad honour, killed many, and burned many trees when they came through valley so long ago. Bugbear are fewer, and Karla and her brothers have helped much to make them known and not scary in Village tree. Sometimes some say that Oakhome should only be for Firbolgs in blood, but this is not what most are thinking."
... genetically.... ... refugees... grace... culture... Silvervalley
If Lam is listening to this, there is one point that may stick out to him - he's known many goblins who lived long past 40, and certainly never seen any goblin die of 'old age' so young. Sha would also recognize the oddness of that fact, having spent some time with goblinoids and learned their language.
Hickory emerges from the door, holding it open and gesturing towards your party. A large deer walks out behind him, and strides confidently up to your party until her form blurs into an older Firbolg woman. She puts out her hand as though reaching for a handshake, though the palm is pointed down. Aspen bows down, putting her forehead against the back of the older woman's hand. The elder addresses first Aspen, then the rest of you. "Bráðskona stelpa, af hverju komstu með þær hingað áður en þeim var boðið? Drífðu þig inn, ég tala við þig eftir morgunmat. Welcome to Oakhome, young journeyers. Sorry for approach as deer, my own body's knees ache. It was good of you, and very impressive, to deal with the Frogs and purify the lake. But you should not have come here. The tree-fellers killed an elder yesterday because you started a battle, instead of letting singers and negotiators handle it. Now, you may have showed them where Oakhome is, and they are very mad at you. We are for regrowing the Skyoaks, not for fighting tree-fellers or whatever elso your questing is. And more than this, you have brought a monster who hunts with enchantment magic, which is forbidden here since the Great War. I believe it is not the only monster with you, either." She looks pointedly at Hemlock, who is reminded of the bag of mimics at his side, and of their clinking excitement each time he stopped to talk to a small animal on the way to the village. "Stay for breakfast if you can keep control of your dangerous creatures, then go. Oh, and Hemlock, Foreldrar þínir og ættkvísl þín sakna þín. Þeir hafa skilaboð til þín.
Precocious girl, why did you bring them here before they were invited? Hurry inside, I will speak with you after breakfast.
---
Your parents and your tribe miss you. They have a message for you.
DM: Heavy is the Head
As they finally reach Oakhome, Saoirse’s mood shifts from her earlier talkative exchange with Aspen to a more silent demeanor. Though she had anticipated the stares and pointed fingers—it had been much the same at Village Tree when they first arrived—it still takes her a moment and several deep breaths to shake off the discomfort and find some semblance of peace.
When the Elder makes her appearance and Aspen salutes her by pressing his forehead to the woman’s hand, the fire genasi wonders if they should do the same or if that gesture is reserved for locals. Unsure of the proper etiquette, she opts for a polite bow, hoping it’s appropriate for this situation
Then, the older woman finishes speaking, Saoirse’s first instinct is to explain that the Elder who died on the battlefield didn’t do so because they started the fight, but rather because Viconia —and, consequently, Kieran— would have killed her regardless. However, she knows better than to begin the conversation by abruptly contradicting this woman, so instead, she glances at Hemlock, trusting him to handle the situation more diplomatically. For now, she decides to remain silent.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Lam had been staring at the goblins in the class, and particularly at the bugbear teacher- but when he registers the bugbear’s gaze back, he crosses his arms and looks away. He looks between his friends and the class, trying not to make eye contact with any one person. After a while, he begins to tap his pointer finger on his other arm while they are crossed. When Aspen begins talking about the lifespan of the Goblins here, he looks at her and raises his eyebrows. It seems like he wants to ask about it, but is figuring out what to say when Hickory emerges again.
He seems to barely pay attention to the new Firbolg woman, lost in his own thoughts and trying to piece things together. His breath gets more agitated and he continues to fidget, but says nothing. When she says to stay for breakfast then go, he looks up quickly as he remembers what he had wanted to come here for. Are they going to be able to help remove his brand? Or are they just going to send them away, and fix nothing? This place where most of the Goblins are, but they’re dying much earlier than they should be? Is it because they are not allowed to eat meat? Would that kill a Goblin? Or is something else wrong here? Why hasn’t anyone looked into this? Do they not know? And the Goblins aren’t allowed to leave because of not what they did, but what their ancestors did? Because outside of here, they would be treated poorly? Is that what she said? That is not fair! At this point his thoughts are harder to keep up with. His breathing gets a bit louder and a lot faster. He puts one hand on his abdomen- exactly where he’s been branded. He sits down right where he is at and looks away from everyone, not intentionally trying to draw attention to himself.
Was ist hier los? In einer friedlichen Umgebung bin ich einem Koboldschamanen begegnet, der schon weit über vier Jahrzehnte alt ist. Findest du das nicht auch eine sehr merkwürdige Situation, Lam?
What is going on here? In a peaceful environment, I have crossed paths with goblin shaman of advanced age, well beyond four decades. Do you not also think this a very odd circumstance Lam?
Sha looks as closely as he can at the goblins here that he can see. With a practiced eye (medicine) 26
Lam stops breathing when Sha speaks. He closes his eyes and remains silent, listening to his friend speak in a familiar language and allowing Sha’s voice to be the only thing that reaches him. When he breathes again, it is slower- less ragged and more intentional. He opens his eyes and stands up to look at Sha.
He says, “Ja, es ist seltsam. Kobolde leben deutlich länger, sofern sie nicht getötet werden. Ich weiß nicht, warum sie hier so kurz leben.” As he speaks, he glances at the faces of the bugbear and the goblins (if any are still here) to see if any of them look like they know what he is saying.
“Yes, it is strange. Goblins live considerably longer than that, provided that they are not killed. I do not know why they live such short lives here.”
If you need an insight for figuring out if they can speak goblin at all (or what their reaction to hearing goblin is): 18
I am unclear on if the bugbear teacher is still here. I am pretty sure the students are gone. If everyone who he thinks might speak Goblin is gone, then he’s paying attention to the general reaction of the Firbolgs.
Hemlock nods along as Aspen speak, "I grew up suspicious of outsiders, because of my tribes isolation, but have learned to judge people on their own merit. All are born capable of goodness and wickedness. What they do will define them, but also how they are treated". He falls silent again, dwelling in that fact and how it relates to both himself and his friends.
When Hickory appears and the deer approaches, soon becoming the elder firbolg, he bows his head and looks at the floor until she addresses him. As she admonishes him and his friends, he feels a great sadness. A deed that was meant to be good, was indeed seen as wicked from another point of view. And creatures who merely followed their nature deemed monsters.
And a message from his tribe, his parents. A swell of emotions fill his heart. Excitement and happiness mixed with nervousness and a little shame.
"It fills me...us...with great sadness at the loss of your elder. We were perhaps arrogant, thinking we could save your elder and the young one. That sorceress was not the first of her kind we have come across. They wield enchantments of great power, take control of one's mind, and have no mercy. We heard what was being said, knew her patience had run out, and did not think any other help was close enough", he says, head once again bowed, only this time in shame rather than respect. "Our intentions were good, but we are sorry for your loss, and our part in bringing it about".
He slowly lifts his head to look at the elder again. "You know of my tribe? You communicate with them, with my family?", he says meekly, his hand going to the amulet around his neck.
While Hemlock and the Elder converse, Saoirse's eyes fall on Lam. She doesn't need to think hard to understand what the bugbear must be feeling. When the firbolgs finish speaking, she steps forward and addresses the Elder.
"I know we are in no position to ask for favors, but I would like to request your help. During the fight, one of us was marked with what my people call a Brand of Castigation. It fills me with shame to see that power, meant for the darkest creatures of the Great War, used on someone I am honored to call my friend. The brander can track him now, and we don't have the means to remove it. Would you be willing to help us?"
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
OOC - We'll just have Sha and and Lam's exchange happen slightly before the kids (goblin and Firbolg) are ushered inside by their teacher (the bugbear).
Hearing the goblin language spoken intensifies the goblin children's interest in Lam and Sha, though Lam can not see any sign that they understand the meaning of the words. Their teacher frowns for a fraction of a second - with what seems to be disapproval.
At a distance it is limited how much detail Sha can pick up, but he does notice some concerning signs. The goblin children seem slightly smaller, paler, and less physically coordinated than he thinks they should be at their age. Their instructor, as well, seems less muscular than an adult bugbear should be, and slightly paler than Kurt and Kristof. The difference is smaller for him than it is for the goblins. Still, these tendencies are what Sha would expect from children growing up in a time of poor harvests, being chronically underfed, except that they are not particularly thin, and their Firbolg classmates seem perfectly healthy. And there are clearly no bad harvests here.
"Your intentions mark you to friends, else I would not have be able to convince the other elders to allow you to even stay for breakfast. But you are rash and quick to acting, much like young Aspen here. In fact, young Hemlock, your rashness has made another thing to happen, for which I am grateful. That I would talk with you about without your friends listening, and it is to do with your home." Aspen, by this point, is as flushed as a young Firbolg can be, and quite overwhelmed by the attention.
The elder appraises Saoirse with interest and a hint of approval. "It has been many many summers since last I met one of the geni elfennol, the element-born. Not since in the early years after Lightbringer's war. You carry the life and energy of fire, bound to discipline and training - though you are not so restrained to stop you asking an elder for help direct. Sometimes I am think that here we have too little fire. Good to break too much politeness." She takes a surprisingly quick step forward and places a hand directly over the Mark on Lam's abdomen, whispering a few words of power. "dweud cyfrinachau." Then she looks directly into Lam's eyes. "Yes, youngling, I can to fix this, just needing a little help from a singer or two." She glances pointedly at Aspen, then back to Saoirse. "But tell me, will fixing of this make the tree-fellers more mad at us? Make us an enemy? We do not want to war, not even with them that killed one of our elders. How dangerous is it to help you?"
Finally she looks at Sha-Gravis. "When were you last to the obelisk in Weretown? We can not to having your cat form take over and you to hunting while here." She fixes her gaze on Sombra as well. "It looks like your little one has eaten recently, good. Please do not let her to sing here. There are elders who remember the war before the Lightbringer, and all know the stories. None would take kind to having their minds taken by magic, even from such a cute little thing and for little time."
OOC. Your responses to her might require persuasion checks. If it feels like it might, go ahead and make the roll.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Saoirse bows again after the Elder speaks her. "You honor me with your words. Please excuse my manners, as I have not yet introduced myself. My name is Saoirse, and these are my friends," she gestures towards Hemlock -whom the Elder already knows- and the rest, "Lam and Sha-Gravis. May we know your name?'"
Saoirse pauses for a few moments, knowing her next words wil not sit well among those present. "I'm afraid there is no real choice here. Whether you remove that mark or not, you are already their enemy. The same is true for the people of Village Tree, or anyone else who crosses their path. Silvia Strixwell will stop at nothing to claim Silver Stream Valley and do with it as she pleases. You've already seen what her forces do in the face of even the slightest opposition: one of your trees was burned just to make two of your people talk. Before that, the bridge over the river was blown up, one of their guardians killed – and the other barely survived – just to reach your glade. If you need more examples to understand how dangerous these people are, and how quickly they turn everyone into their enemies, unfortunately, we can provide them, for we've witnessed more."
(Persuasion: .... a 6).
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Lam tries to pretend he is not paying attention to the reaction of the Goblins and the bugbear teacher. The Druid in particular doesn’t seem to like him, which is uncanny since the Druid looks so much like the bugbear teenagers who had a very different reaction to him. How did he get here? If he is related to Karla and the others, why is he still here? Does he know Goblin- could he tell what Lam and Sha were saying? Lam does find himself staring at them all for a few moments, nothing but questions in his head. He starts paying attention to those with him again when Saoirse speaks. He comes to stand by her and stares at her with immense gratitude.
When the Elder steps forward and places a hand on his abdomen, he does his best to stay still and not let his surprise show. When she says she could fix his brand, he releases a breath of pure relief and his eyes begin to shimmer. Standing next to Saoirse and in conversation with the Elder, he thinks more about his manners and bows when Saoirse does, a little embarrassed for how he has acted in the conversation so far.
He tries to gauge from the Elder’s face if Saoirse’s words, which are all true, are landing well. Maybe nobody likes to hear that they have a foe who they could not make peace with, but maybe the Elder is beginning to be more concerned with her peoples’ safety, and less concerned with helping, once again. He tries to jump in without letting his voice betray too much emotion.
“They are going to destroy… if you help or not. They are not after us, but just…” he frowns, knowing “they are not after us” is false when worded just like that, but unsure how to say they are not Strixwell’s prime target, especially without alluding too closely to what is. Not finding the right words, he moves on. “We have stopped them. From destroying more. We stop them more, they will do more to stop us. But they want to hurt whole Valley. Not just us. Helping should not bring them to you, but… will you not help when you are able to?”
He feels his voice gaining a small accusatory note, so he changes course. He makes an effort to keep eye contact with the Elder and swallows before attempting to be even more truthful. “My friends do many things to help. They have stopped… we have seen much death, but they have stopped much more. I want to help them. If me being near them brings enemies, then I will not…” his voice breaks at this part. “I do not want to put my friends in danger.” Afraid to say more without losing control of his emotions in a different way than he usually does, he stops talking and looks at the Elder to see if his words have had an effect.
Persuasion with advantage, plus storyteller’s feat: 23
Hemlock listens to both Saoirse and Lam, sighing at the predicament they are all in.
"Saoirse and Lam are right, the woman who killed your elder laid claim to this forest, and would be satisfied with nothing less than your tribe acknowledging that and being led to the temple in the centre. Something the elder I assume would never have done, as she said it is sacred. The moment your tree-singers defied her by healing the skyoak she was burning you became her enemy", he says sadly.
"Lam here is our friend, and we will not abandon him. If you do not help, which is your choice, we will all leave. But I hope it does not come to that. And if we are to stay, I would very much like to talk to you about whatever you wish, and especially about my tribe and family. Elder Rhododendron I presume?".
Persuasion: 14+2=16
Saoirse turns to look at Lam and dead serious she says, "That is completely out the question, Lam. You'll not face this alone. You may carry the mark itself, but the way I see it, Kieran branded us all."
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Sha nods vigorously at every word Saoirse says, “I will not leave you Lam, whatever may come.”
”I’m not sure I understand what does the obelisk have to do with anything? As for Sombra yes we just had a large meal. She is very special and will not sing unless we are defending ourselves. I assure you we are under self-control, you have nothing to be weary of.” Sha is intrigued by this mention of an obelisk and very curious about its influence over lycanthropes.
Rhododendron is appalled by the brief descriptions Saoirse gives of the coming enemy, and begins to respond to her with fear, haltingly, "We can not... I am sorry, but the risk is too - "
She is interrupted by Lam's plea and defense. His raw, earnest claim to have stopped them before, his willingess to leave and sacrifice himself, and the phrase 'will you not help when you are able' visibly shake her, her eyes welling with unwept tears. Hemlock's succinct report of the HMC's goals, and of the fact that they have already made themselves an enemy, push her over the edge and make her decision clear. She swallows, and sighs deeply. "I was convinced the other elders to let refugees in, almost 100 years ago. They were looking like you, and like you they were not fault for the valley's pain at that time. I can to argue again, that Oakhome means more than only nursing Skyoaks." She looks at Hemlock, "If we are already their enemy, then we must to have help, and plannings, to keep Oakhome and the trees safe;" she turns to Saoirse, "but if all you are saying is true, they are a very big threat to everything. I can with Aspen and Hemlock's help (how is your singing, young firbolg?) remove Lam's mark. But... will they already knowing where he is? Can they be seeing where the mark went away?"
She does not address Sombra, who is absently cleaning ther feathers in her armpit with her beak. Rhododendron is clearly still uncomfortable with the creature, but she realizes her mistake about Sha-Gravis' nature. "You do not know the obelisk, but you are still in control of self? I am sorry! You are not were-panther at all, are you? You are one of the feline folk? We have not seeing any of you here before. Maybe the healers can examine you, for learning about anatomy?"
"We need to solve this with the mark before anything else, here and nows. Then, you can coming inside for breakfast. Porridge is soon boiling."
DM: Heavy is the Head
"The brand lasts until dismissed by the blood hunter, or until the link is forcibly broken. So, yes, I'm afraid Strixwell's lieutenant will notice as soon as the brand on Lam expires. In any case, he already knows where we are. And, on top of that, we spotted a Coldwater spy on the thorn wall. We tried to prevent her escape, but she bested us. I'm so very sorry, Elder Rhododendron, but it seems there's no way to prevent the enemy from learning Oakhome's location." She stops, sighs, and looks away. The weight of her words and the weariness of the day make the genasi's shoulders slump visibly. Even so, a spark of determination remains when she looks at the Elder again. "But we can prevent them from knowing our next steps. And I can assure you, the four of us are working towards Strixwell's demise."
With this, Saoirse steps back a little to give Elder Rhododendron, Aspen, and Hemlock the space they need to help Lam, but she doesn’t take her eyes off them for a single moment during the process. On one hand, she wants to witness the exact moment the Brand of Castigation disappears from their lives. On the other, the blood hunter wants to learn how others can break a power she will be able to wield in the near future.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Hemlock scratches at the back of his neck as Rhododendron enquires about his talent in singing.
"My tribe do not sing in the same manner that you do here. I can do my best, but it might be a little....pitchy", he says unsurely.
"As for knowing where the village is because of the mark, it is one thing knowing a direction, quite another navigating the forest to find it. We Firbolg's have for centuries if not millennia worked with the forest to keep our settlements hidden. Good luck to any who try and move through our forests unwelcome", he says with a determined smile.
"But for now, what do you need me to do?".
Saoirse is getting off on the wrong foot with Elder Rhododendron, and it seems that everything she says just adds to her concern, or irritation. "A blood hunter is one like you, then, with curses burnt into them? And you could not use this magics to stop the spy? So they know where the thorn wall is thinnest, and have a compass to point to us now. I assume Strixwell is the latest to sit on a throne and say they own Silfurdalur? What is to stop another tree-feller from sitting on her throne and saying she owns us, after you make her 'demise'?" She huffs slightly after this, a very animalistic gesture, before turning to address Hemlock. Aspen makes eye contact with Saoirse from behind Rhododendron and mouths 'sorry,' shrugging and implying that old folks are just grumpy sometimes. At least, that's what she seems to be implying.
"Right, young Hemlock. I had forgotten that your tribe has been cut off from this part of our ways for so long. Yes, well, I will be the one singing the shaping words of power to remove the curse. Aspen will be gathering magical energy by singing some part of the harmony of nature - she is especially good at singing the movement of water through the world." (Aspen blushes again). "You should also gather magical energy by singing another part of nature's harmony - but you must make sure to harmonize with Aspen, and to match the rhythm of my words. Got all that?" (DC 18 performance[wisdom] check). "Or, you can provide magical energy the way you are used to." (Burn a 2nd or higher level spell slot)
Without further warning, the old firbolg places one hand on the Mark on Lam's belly, and the other on his lower back. She doesn't press hard, but the placement is sensitive, and would feel very intimate in another context. "Please, join in when you're ready." A deep, echoing throat sound (like mongolian throat singing) begins to reverberate through her, establishing a rhythm. Aspen joins in, her voice first evoking raindrops, and then water in a stream, and somehow matching perfectly with rhododendron's rhythm. She smiles, and looks playfully, expectantly towards Hemlock.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Lam is good about keeping the tears out of his eyes all the way up until his friends make it clear they will not let him run away to keep them safe. He looks at each one of them as they speak- Hemlock, then Saoirse, then Sha- and tears do appear in his eyes when Saoirse tells him it’s out of the question. He blinks his tears away and looks at each of his friends with gratitude. He does not want to leave them- but something in what Saoirse said is untrue. Kieran didn’t brand them all- he only branded Lam. He was only able to because Lam wasn’t cautious enough in the battle. If he remained with the brand and then the HMC found and hurt everyone, it would be Lam’s fault.
He doesn’t move or speak very much once the Elder agrees to help him, afraid that anything he does at this point might cause her to change her mind. He watches her until she mentions Hemlock joining in to help, then he watches Hemlock with gratitude. He has never heard Hemlock sing and is curious how that will go, but he is mostly grateful to have a friend to focus on during this ritual.
When the Elder lays her hands on Lam, she can feel him tense up and then deliberately breathe to relax. In any other context, he may have attacked someone who touched him there without warning. His breath is shaky, but deep- that is Lam’s mission right now, to keep himself still and relaxed so the Firbolgs can do their work best. He does not take his eyes off of Hemlock, unaware of any pressure already on his Firbolg friend in this moment and how he may be adding to it, but needing a familiar face to focus on.
Hemlock feels a sense of wonder and intrigue at the thought of accessing a power of his people that he didn't know existed, but also immense pressure as he had to get it right for Lam's sake. He tries not to let the pressure show as Lam stares him directly in the eyes, giving the bugbear a small smile.
He clears his throat audibly and forces a cough as if that would help his voice to sing with the right intensity.
When Rhododendron starts to sing, he gets goosebumps, and the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end as Aspen joins in. He tries to think of an aspect of nature to feed into the song, but as is usually the case when he invokes magic it is the stars he thinks of. And the soft light of the moon on a cloudless night, kissing his face and accentuating the curve of his cheekbones and nose.
And so he starts to sing, tentatively at first as he tries to understand what is required in terms of rhythm and harmony. But as the song continues his voice becomes stronger as he becomes more confident, especially as he remembers the storyteller's at Village Tree, and he even briefly glances at Aspen before returning his gaze to Lam.
Performance: 11+4=15 (He will add in the storyteller's bonus to add double proficiency to make it 21, assuming I have used it correctly)