As the back door opens and the others start coming out as a group, Uragum is kneeling by his pack, his back turned to the group. There is a large circle laid out upon the ground by. Uragum spares a glance over his shoulder to confirm that the both target parties are there and then continues to rummage through his pack getting some items pulled out. As he does he says, "It's clear that there is some palpable tension between some of our party members and with a dangerous task ahead we cannot let grievances fester. We are going to clean this wound right here, right now, with a time honored Goliath tradition."
As he says finished saying that, he finally stands up and turns towards the group. In his hands are two sets of sparing gloves. He approaches and shoves one roughly into Auriel's chest and likewise one into Sylyra's chest. "When words fails, we communicate with our fists. Best to let that anger become an infection that taints the soul and leads one to truely regrettable actions. Now, into the circle and let the 'talking' commence."
(Oop I didn't see Uragum's post. just ignore the deleted one hahaha)
Hex jokingly rolls her eyes as Sylyra claims he will always be Waterdavian nobility before turning to walk out the room with him. Upon seeing Auriel, she stops and takes a step back to observe the interaction. She can't help but grin at Sylyra's attempt to act civil and simply shrugs when he addresses her. "Better than nothing I suppose." Her smile softens as Auriel hugs Sylyra and she nods as his eyes briefly crosses hers.
With everyone gathered and on much better terms, Hex follows Auriel out the back door to where Uragum is. She had expected to see the goliath standing around and is shocked to see him on the ground drawing some sort of circle. As he explains his intentions, she takes a step forward to reassure him that everything had already mostly been resolved but at the sight of the sparing gloves, she immediately becomes intrigued and steps back.
"Well, this will definitely be interesting," she says mostly grinning at Sylyra.
Auriel looks down at the gloves and then looks up again at Uragum with clear confusion on his face.
- What !? - His gaze shifts from Uragum to Sylyra, and back again to the goliath - But this is not really necessary. I mean ... I don't want to offend you nor your tradition, but I'd say the matter is resolved. - he looks again towards Sylyra, silently asking "It is resolved, right?" - I can't just go hurting him. I'm not going to hurt him. I swore an oath, literally, two days ago. And even if I hadn't, I can't just ... - turning back to Sylyra he adds - Not that I want to imply that you wouldn't be able to punch me. But, let's face it, I'm way more trained physically. Or are you going to wildshape into something to beat the sh- - he doesn't finish the word. He only uses that kind of expressions in his Summer form - to beat me? - He turns to Uragum - Would that be allowed? Am I even allowed to wear my armor? - He frowns at the idea - I've just put it on me! Do you know how long it takes to remove it? And then don it again? That is - he sighs - tiring, you know?
After saying all this, and still clutching the gloves, the eladrin takes a long and deep breath before speaking again.
- I can feel this is important for you, Uragum. And were it not for what happened just before we exited the inn, I would have been more eager to do this. On my terms, though. Having said that, if you - he says looking at Uragum - or you - he adds, looking at Sylyra - want us to proceed, I will remove my chainmail, I will put on these gloves and I will enter the ring. But I'm not going to punch him. Those are my terms.
As Auriel awaits the druid's reaction, he keeps thinking. Gods above! The main point of his oath was to protect, and hurt others only if that means protecting someone else. But, on top of that, the eladrin simply knows that the wood elf is in a particularly high position in the list of people he wouldn't want to hurt no matter what.
Leaving this here because it serves me as a reminder. Don't wanna go angering any god who can remove my powers...
Though the exact words and strictures of the Oath of Devotion vary, paladins of this oath share these tenets.
Honesty. Don’t lie or cheat. Let your word be your promise.
Courage. Never fear to act, though caution is wise.
Compassion. Aid others, protect the weak, and punish those who threaten them. Show mercy to your foes, but temper it with wisdom.
Honor. Treat others with fairness, and let your honorable deeds be an example to them. Do as much good as possible while causing the least amount of harm.
Duty. Be responsible for your actions and their consequences, protect those entrusted to your care, and obey those who have just authority over you.
Sylyra looks back from Hex to Auriel as he approaches. When the eladrin wraps his arms around him, Sylyra's eyes widen in alarm. Auriel can feel the wood elf stiffen (not in that way!) at his touch. But as the paladin's scent meets his nostrils, Sylyra can't help but close his eyes and inhale deeply. His eyes open again as Auriel steps back, and he attempts to regain his composure. He gives a couple of curt nods in response to Auriel's thanks, not trusting his voice. After being invited outside to meet Uragum, and Auriel turns away, Sylyra looks back at Hex once again, giving her another intense look before following.
Outside, as Uragum makes his intent clear, Sylyra is dumbfounded. He's also conflicted. The idea of physically fighting Auriel seems very ... well, barbaric. Then again, Uragum has become like a brother to him, and he doesn't want to disappoint him or cause him any embarrassment. Still, he's leaning toward trying to back out gracefully when Auriel has the audacity to imply that he would easily beat Sylyra. "I don't need to put on a wildshape to knock you down," he says, sounding very sure of himself. "But," he says, holding out the hand with the sparing gloves toward Uragum, "we need to put this on hold. We need to get to Kabel's Hill. Let's get this task behind us," he turns to stare at Auriel with a twinkle in his eye, "and then we'll see who can beat whom."
"Resolved? Put it on hold?" Uragum repeats a little confused looking at the two back and forth and then cocks an eye brow at Hex questioningly. "Well then, if you two have settled the matter already, then all the better. Though I enjoy watching a good test of skills, we can save it for later... We'll call it a team building exercise. Some fisty cuffs, some wresting, maybe some ranged target practice and heck maybe at the end of the night we can ice our bruises and nurse an ale for our bruised ego and laugh with a competiton to try poorly worded one liners on the Tavern patrons."
Carl stands there watching Uragum drawing his circles on the ground, getting everything ready and he starts to fidget. Hopping back and forth, one foot, then the other. Then both of them come down, and get gloves shoved into their chests. “No, no, no, no. This is not how civilized folk do. I don’t know what it is like among your people Uragum, but this is not how we do things, not if you want to solve anything. Just make each other madder than ever at the other, sullen, resentful, hurt and pissed off. I’ll not have it, mind you. Just leave em be!” Carl stands in the middle of the circle, holding one arm out toward Auriel, the other out toward Sylyra. “There’s gotta be another way. You two worked it out yet? I think a drinking contest would be much more telling than fisticuffs, Uragum. But put all of these foolish notions out of your heads and let’s get on now, Kabel Hill’s waitin. Maybe we can talk more on the road, for all the good it’ll do us.” Carl stomps off when he’s sure that the combatants have headed to their two corners of the ring, stuffing things into his backpack in preparation and muttering, glaring at both of them and occasionally at Uragum for his “darn fool” idea, ready to be on his way.
Auriel listens to the rest as he still holds the gloves. Well, it seems that leaving the fist fight behind and departing for Kabel's Hill is the favoured decision, and one he very much agrees with. Also, Uragum isn't mad about the Goliath honored tradition not taking place, so that is good too. The paladin smiles in particular upon hearing Carl:
- A drinking contest? Hey, that doesn't sound half bad! - he chuckles.
At Sylyra's words, the eladrin's eyebrows shoot up:
- You don't need to wildshape, huh? Okay. Challenge accepted. - he says. "Challenge accepted, Syl", he thinks. And he returns the wood elf's stare with a wide smile and his own stare, which he keeps for a little bit too long until the eladrin remembers there is people around and they that are actually preparing to leave - So! Kabel's Hill. Right. There we go, then.
He walks up to Uragum and hands him his set of gloves, as he says:
- Even if this hasn't happened, I deeply appreciate the intent - he pauses and puts a hand in the wizard's shoulder - Thank you, Uragum.
The paladin then turns to grab the backpack and weapons he had left against a wall. As he does so, he meets Hex's gaze once again and he just smiles lightly to her. Somehow, he feels he doesn't need to utter a single word for her to understand everything that's going on in his mind. Feeling invigorated, he places the backpack and javelins on his back and grabs his trusted halberd. Auriel is more than ready for the journey ahead.
When Uragum looks at her questioningly, Hex shrugs and gives him a cheeky wink. She silently mouths "I'll tell you later."
Once the party begins to make their way to Kabel Hill, Hex walks alongside Uragum to recap him on what happened. She also tells Carl if he wishes to listen. "I just knew that if Sylyra kept treating Auriel they way he was, things were going to end badly. I gave him an earful and he seems to have taken it to heart. I don't think we have much to worry about anymore, at least not when it comes to the two of them."
- It won't hurt to ask about renting. One day and a half till we reach Kabel's Hill sure is a lot to walk. And we can always leave the horses or wagon there in case we prefer to walk to the Forest border. If we have to make it to the Forest at all, that is.
(OOC: how long it is from K. Hill to the Forest? )
OOC: According to this post, it costs 15 gp per horse, plus an additional 60 gp per horse that is not returned. 15 gp will almost bankrupt Sylyra. Using two wildshapes, he can be an animal (a horse) for 4 hours per long rest. If he becomes a war horse, he could theoretically carry both Hex and Carl — up to the DM's approval. DM, if we use horses, will that save any travel time, or will it still be a day and a half?
Uragum rolls his eyes, "I suppose you shorter folk would be concerned with needing a horse. Your legs have to work twice as hard to keep up with my stride." He waves off his comment. "Get horses if you'd like but I'd prefer my own two feet under than that of an unfamiliar creature. Plus there is the care and feed it will need then the inevitable bonding only to either have to buy it or return it."
After he learns the price of renting the horse, Auriel mutters:
- ... you know what? Walking is not such a bad exercise after all. Let's move those muscles, they've been resting too much these past few days.
As he says this the eladrin remembers that he hasn't trained much with the halberd during the downtime. He really needed to refresh, at the very least, the basic forms when he had a spare moment. "While you rest your enemy is training", his father used to say. Auriel used to roll his eyes whenever he heard him say this, but the paladin couldn't deny that he was the fighter he was today thanks to the constant training he had gone through under his watch. The eladrin wondered if Galdor Fen'hareth would be proud when, or if, he learned that his son had become a paladin of Tyr. Or did he still resent him too much for that to happen?
“Aye, agree with that. Let’s get on with it then!” Carl walks along at his naturally faster pace in order to keep up with the big folk. He seems to be humming a little tune under his breath, he starts to make his hands move, tracing the patterns that he makes with applying his spells as he walks, lost in his thoughts as he heads along the road. “Anyone know any good traveling songs, or wish to regale us with their beautiful voice? A walkin song, traveling song like. Don’t make me start with 100 mugs of ale on the wall. I usually have to be pretty loaded to do that one…”. Carl keeps walking on, not quite, but almost a skip in his step.
- Come on! You can't just mention that song and then not sing it, Carl. Give it a try! - Auriel chuckles as he encourages the dwarf to sing. He'll even join him once he gets the idea of the lyrics.
“Ah dammit. Not even buzzed or nuthin. Well, here goes….and you asked for it. Mmmmm, 99 mugs of ale on the wall, 99 mugs of ale, you take one down, pass it around, 98 mugs of ale on the wall. 98 mugs of ale on the wall, 98 mugs of aleeeeee, ya take one down, pass it around, 97 mugs of ale on the wall. 97 mugs of ale on the wall, 97 mugs of aaaaale, ya take one down, pass it all around, 96 mugs of ale on the wall. 96 mugs of ale on the wall, 96 mugs of aaaaaale, ya take one down, pass it around, 95 mugs of ale on the wall.” And so forth. Carl starts weaving in and walking among them, trying to get Hex, Uragum and especially Sylyra into the spirit of the thing, then he winds up walking next to Auriel, bouncing off the side of the eladrin as he walks. When everyone is thoroughly disgusted with it and worn out, he stops, saying “Told ya. I need to be three sheets to the wind before I can do it right. And all of you need to be too. Whose next? Ole Carl isn’t a crooner I’ll tell ya, we probably just scared off all of the woodland animals….”
- Okay, that was ... interesting - Auriel laughs - I don't know that many travel songs, nor I have a trained voice, but I like this one. And it's in Common, not in Elvish, so no translation will be needed. Let's see - he says, and starts singing softly.
(OOC: The series had its issues but the OST is not one of them :D)
The sun is fast fallin' beneath trees of stone The light in the tower, no longer my home Past eyes of pale fire, black sand for my bed I trade all I've known for the unknown ahead
Call to me, call to me lands far away For I must now wander this wandering day Away I must wander this wandering day
Of drink I have little, and food I have less My strength tells me, "No", but the path demands, "Yes" My legs are so short and the way is so long I've no rest nor comfort, no comfort but song
Sing to me, sing to me lands far away Oh, rise up and guide me this wandering day Please, promise to find me this wandering day
At last comes their answer through cold and through frost That not all who wonder or wander are lost No matter the sorrow, no matter the cost That not all who wonder or wander are lost
(OOC: Can I roll performance just for fun? :D I got ... I don't believe this... a damned nat20 (23) . LOL. Which is fun because I did write in Auriel's sheet weeks ago that his mother is a bard. NOT LYING!)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After Auriel has finished, Sylyra hands Morisúrë's cage to Uragum. "One more time," he says to the eladrin, "but give me a second." The druid opens his pack, fishes out a viol and bow, and picks the strings a little in an attempt to tune them, which is tough while still walking. He finally rests the instrument below his chin. (I know viols and violins are different, and you don't play a viol like a violin, but we're going to suspend reality. We're in a world where every wound is completely cured after eight hours or rest, for goodness sake.) He gives Auriel a nod, and after a few words, Sylyra attempts to play along, sometimes in unison and sometimes creating a counter melody.
OOC: Let's see how well Sylyra does: 18 (it's a 12)
The wood elf's additions are only so-so. It isn't painful, but it sometimes leaves the listener wondering why. The caged raven croaks loudly several times. Uragum isn't sure whether she is happy with or disturbed by her master's playing. Luckily, it isn't bad enough to cause Auriel's performance to suffer. Sylyra, however, is extremely pleased with himself. When the two elves finish, he gives a tiny bow. "We'll have to do that again some time," he says. He quickly puts his instrument away and takes his bird back from Uragum.
- Will wonders ever cease... - the eladrin says, as he watches Sylyra put the viol away - It's funny - he adds - I never payed that much attention to music or singing back home, even though mother insisted a lot. She's really good at it. There was always some music in the background back then, mostly my mother's and sometimes with my sister following along. They would have enjoyed this improvised performance - he smiles and nods - Let's repeat it some time, yes.
Auriel then turns to Carl:
- Well, now you know another travelling song. Don't need to torment anyone else with "100 mugs of ale" - he jokes.
*Ahem* heh, “Mee mee me mee mee mee meeeee.” Carl clears his throat, thinking as they are walking, and something comes to him. “Ok, I can try again…. Might not be as pretty as your voice dear Auriel, but lemme give it a go.” He starts to sing, cautious at first, a song that begins down low, then it starts to grow. He makes wild hand gestures with his arms and hands as they are walking, in tune with the chorus, encouraging others to join in.
Dwarven women, are beautiful lovers Dwarven women, they understand I've been around some, and I have discovered That dwarven women know just how to please a man.
Everybody seems to love those human women Buck eighteen on up to twenty-five Well I love 'em too, but I'm tellin' you Dwarves know to really love, and boy it sure is fine
Dwarves women, are beautiful lovers Dwarven women, they understand I've been around some, and I have discovered That dwarven women know just how to please a man.
So baby don't you worry about growin' whiskers Those elven girls ain't got nothin' on you Cause it takes some whiskey, to get 'em frisky And frisky dwarves may just be the ones to teach 'em a thing or two.
Dwarven women, are beautiful lovers Dwarven women, they understand I've been around some, and I have discovered That dwarven women know just how to please a man.…
He finishes and says “Hah!” A smile on his face as he walks.
((OMG, Nat 1 performance, : 4. The dwarf is not gifted with a singing voice. Birds fly away…. 🤣))
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As the back door opens and the others start coming out as a group, Uragum is kneeling by his pack, his back turned to the group. There is a large circle laid out upon the ground by. Uragum spares a glance over his shoulder to confirm that the both target parties are there and then continues to rummage through his pack getting some items pulled out. As he does he says, "It's clear that there is some palpable tension between some of our party members and with a dangerous task ahead we cannot let grievances fester. We are going to clean this wound right here, right now, with a time honored Goliath tradition."
As he says finished saying that, he finally stands up and turns towards the group. In his hands are two sets of sparing gloves. He approaches and shoves one roughly into Auriel's chest and likewise one into Sylyra's chest. "When words fails, we communicate with our fists. Best to let that anger become an infection that taints the soul and leads one to truely regrettable actions. Now, into the circle and let the 'talking' commence."
(Oop I didn't see Uragum's post. just ignore the deleted one hahaha)
Hex jokingly rolls her eyes as Sylyra claims he will always be Waterdavian nobility before turning to walk out the room with him. Upon seeing Auriel, she stops and takes a step back to observe the interaction. She can't help but grin at Sylyra's attempt to act civil and simply shrugs when he addresses her. "Better than nothing I suppose." Her smile softens as Auriel hugs Sylyra and she nods as his eyes briefly crosses hers.
With everyone gathered and on much better terms, Hex follows Auriel out the back door to where Uragum is. She had expected to see the goliath standing around and is shocked to see him on the ground drawing some sort of circle. As he explains his intentions, she takes a step forward to reassure him that everything had already mostly been resolved but at the sight of the sparing gloves, she immediately becomes intrigued and steps back.
"Well, this will definitely be interesting," she says mostly grinning at Sylyra.
Auriel looks down at the gloves and then looks up again at Uragum with clear confusion on his face.
- What !? - His gaze shifts from Uragum to Sylyra, and back again to the goliath - But this is not really necessary. I mean ... I don't want to offend you nor your tradition, but I'd say the matter is resolved. - he looks again towards Sylyra, silently asking "It is resolved, right?" - I can't just go hurting him. I'm not going to hurt him. I swore an oath, literally, two days ago. And even if I hadn't, I can't just ... - turning back to Sylyra he adds - Not that I want to imply that you wouldn't be able to punch me. But, let's face it, I'm way more trained physically. Or are you going to wildshape into something to beat the sh- - he doesn't finish the word. He only uses that kind of expressions in his Summer form - to beat me? - He turns to Uragum - Would that be allowed? Am I even allowed to wear my armor? - He frowns at the idea - I've just put it on me! Do you know how long it takes to remove it? And then don it again? That is - he sighs - tiring, you know?
After saying all this, and still clutching the gloves, the eladrin takes a long and deep breath before speaking again.
- I can feel this is important for you, Uragum. And were it not for what happened just before we exited the inn, I would have been more eager to do this. On my terms, though. Having said that, if you - he says looking at Uragum - or you - he adds, looking at Sylyra - want us to proceed, I will remove my chainmail, I will put on these gloves and I will enter the ring. But I'm not going to punch him. Those are my terms.
As Auriel awaits the druid's reaction, he keeps thinking. Gods above! The main point of his oath was to protect, and hurt others only if that means protecting someone else. But, on top of that, the eladrin simply knows that the wood elf is in a particularly high position in the list of people he wouldn't want to hurt no matter what.
Leaving this here because it serves me as a reminder. Don't wanna go angering any god who can remove my powers...
TENETS OF DEVOTION
Though the exact words and strictures of the Oath of Devotion vary, paladins of this oath share these tenets.
Honesty. Don’t lie or cheat. Let your word be your promise.
Courage. Never fear to act, though caution is wise.
Compassion. Aid others, protect the weak, and punish those who threaten them. Show mercy to your foes, but temper it with wisdom.
Honor. Treat others with fairness, and let your honorable deeds be an example to them. Do as much good as possible while causing the least amount of harm.
Duty. Be responsible for your actions and their consequences, protect those entrusted to your care, and obey those who have just authority over you.
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
Sylyra looks back from Hex to Auriel as he approaches. When the eladrin wraps his arms around him, Sylyra's eyes widen in alarm. Auriel can feel the wood elf stiffen (not in that way!) at his touch. But as the paladin's scent meets his nostrils, Sylyra can't help but close his eyes and inhale deeply. His eyes open again as Auriel steps back, and he attempts to regain his composure. He gives a couple of curt nods in response to Auriel's thanks, not trusting his voice. After being invited outside to meet Uragum, and Auriel turns away, Sylyra looks back at Hex once again, giving her another intense look before following.
Outside, as Uragum makes his intent clear, Sylyra is dumbfounded. He's also conflicted. The idea of physically fighting Auriel seems very ... well, barbaric. Then again, Uragum has become like a brother to him, and he doesn't want to disappoint him or cause him any embarrassment. Still, he's leaning toward trying to back out gracefully when Auriel has the audacity to imply that he would easily beat Sylyra. "I don't need to put on a wildshape to knock you down," he says, sounding very sure of himself. "But," he says, holding out the hand with the sparing gloves toward Uragum, "we need to put this on hold. We need to get to Kabel's Hill. Let's get this task behind us," he turns to stare at Auriel with a twinkle in his eye, "and then we'll see who can beat whom."
"Resolved? Put it on hold?" Uragum repeats a little confused looking at the two back and forth and then cocks an eye brow at Hex questioningly. "Well then, if you two have settled the matter already, then all the better. Though I enjoy watching a good test of skills, we can save it for later... We'll call it a team building exercise. Some fisty cuffs, some wresting, maybe some ranged target practice and heck maybe at the end of the night we can ice our bruises and nurse an ale for our bruised ego and laugh with a competiton to try poorly worded one liners on the Tavern patrons."
Carl stands there watching Uragum drawing his circles on the ground, getting everything ready and he starts to fidget. Hopping back and forth, one foot, then the other. Then both of them come down, and get gloves shoved into their chests. “No, no, no, no. This is not how civilized folk do. I don’t know what it is like among your people Uragum, but this is not how we do things, not if you want to solve anything. Just make each other madder than ever at the other, sullen, resentful, hurt and pissed off. I’ll not have it, mind you. Just leave em be!” Carl stands in the middle of the circle, holding one arm out toward Auriel, the other out toward Sylyra. “There’s gotta be another way. You two worked it out yet? I think a drinking contest would be much more telling than fisticuffs, Uragum. But put all of these foolish notions out of your heads and let’s get on now, Kabel Hill’s waitin. Maybe we can talk more on the road, for all the good it’ll do us.” Carl stomps off when he’s sure that the combatants have headed to their two corners of the ring, stuffing things into his backpack in preparation and muttering, glaring at both of them and occasionally at Uragum for his “darn fool” idea, ready to be on his way.
Auriel listens to the rest as he still holds the gloves. Well, it seems that leaving the fist fight behind and departing for Kabel's Hill is the favoured decision, and one he very much agrees with. Also, Uragum isn't mad about the Goliath honored tradition not taking place, so that is good too. The paladin smiles in particular upon hearing Carl:
- A drinking contest? Hey, that doesn't sound half bad! - he chuckles.
At Sylyra's words, the eladrin's eyebrows shoot up:
- You don't need to wildshape, huh? Okay. Challenge accepted. - he says. "Challenge accepted, Syl", he thinks. And he returns the wood elf's stare with a wide smile and his own stare, which he keeps for a little bit too long until the eladrin remembers there is people around and they that are actually preparing to leave - So! Kabel's Hill. Right. There we go, then.
He walks up to Uragum and hands him his set of gloves, as he says:
- Even if this hasn't happened, I deeply appreciate the intent - he pauses and puts a hand in the wizard's shoulder - Thank you, Uragum.
The paladin then turns to grab the backpack and weapons he had left against a wall. As he does so, he meets Hex's gaze once again and he just smiles lightly to her. Somehow, he feels he doesn't need to utter a single word for her to understand everything that's going on in his mind. Feeling invigorated, he places the backpack and javelins on his back and grabs his trusted halberd. Auriel is more than ready for the journey ahead.
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
When Uragum looks at her questioningly, Hex shrugs and gives him a cheeky wink. She silently mouths "I'll tell you later."
Once the party begins to make their way to Kabel Hill, Hex walks alongside Uragum to recap him on what happened. She also tells Carl if he wishes to listen. "I just knew that if Sylyra kept treating Auriel they way he was, things were going to end badly. I gave him an earful and he seems to have taken it to heart. I don't think we have much to worry about anymore, at least not when it comes to the two of them."
Before they get too far away from the Laughing Goblin, Sylyra asks, "Are we walking to Kabel's Hill? Or do we want to rent a wagon or some horses?"
- It won't hurt to ask about renting. One day and a half till we reach Kabel's Hill sure is a lot to walk. And we can always leave the horses or wagon there in case we prefer to walk to the Forest border. If we have to make it to the Forest at all, that is.
(OOC: how long it is from K. Hill to the Forest? )
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
OOC: According to this post, it costs 15 gp per horse, plus an additional 60 gp per horse that is not returned. 15 gp will almost bankrupt Sylyra. Using two wildshapes, he can be an animal (a horse) for 4 hours per long rest. If he becomes a war horse, he could theoretically carry both Hex and Carl — up to the DM's approval. DM, if we use horses, will that save any travel time, or will it still be a day and a half?
Ooc (sure leave Uragum to walk lol)
Uragum rolls his eyes, "I suppose you shorter folk would be concerned with needing a horse. Your legs have to work twice as hard to keep up with my stride." He waves off his comment. "Get horses if you'd like but I'd prefer my own two feet under than that of an unfamiliar creature. Plus there is the care and feed it will need then the inevitable bonding only to either have to buy it or return it."
After he learns the price of renting the horse, Auriel mutters:
- ... you know what? Walking is not such a bad exercise after all. Let's move those muscles, they've been resting too much these past few days.
As he says this the eladrin remembers that he hasn't trained much with the halberd during the downtime. He really needed to refresh, at the very least, the basic forms when he had a spare moment. "While you rest your enemy is training", his father used to say. Auriel used to roll his eyes whenever he heard him say this, but the paladin couldn't deny that he was the fighter he was today thanks to the constant training he had gone through under his watch. The eladrin wondered if Galdor Fen'hareth would be proud when, or if, he learned that his son had become a paladin of Tyr. Or did he still resent him too much for that to happen?
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
“Aye, agree with that. Let’s get on with it then!” Carl walks along at his naturally faster pace in order to keep up with the big folk. He seems to be humming a little tune under his breath, he starts to make his hands move, tracing the patterns that he makes with applying his spells as he walks, lost in his thoughts as he heads along the road. “Anyone know any good traveling songs, or wish to regale us with their beautiful voice? A walkin song, traveling song like. Don’t make me start with 100 mugs of ale on the wall. I usually have to be pretty loaded to do that one…”. Carl keeps walking on, not quite, but almost a skip in his step.
- Come on! You can't just mention that song and then not sing it, Carl. Give it a try! - Auriel chuckles as he encourages the dwarf to sing. He'll even join him once he gets the idea of the lyrics.
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
“Ah dammit. Not even buzzed or nuthin. Well, here goes….and you asked for it. Mmmmm, 99 mugs of ale on the wall, 99 mugs of ale, you take one down, pass it around, 98 mugs of ale on the wall. 98 mugs of ale on the wall, 98 mugs of aleeeeee, ya take one down, pass it around, 97 mugs of ale on the wall. 97 mugs of ale on the wall, 97 mugs of aaaaale, ya take one down, pass it all around, 96 mugs of ale on the wall. 96 mugs of ale on the wall, 96 mugs of aaaaaale, ya take one down, pass it around, 95 mugs of ale on the wall.” And so forth. Carl starts weaving in and walking among them, trying to get Hex, Uragum and especially Sylyra into the spirit of the thing, then he winds up walking next to Auriel, bouncing off the side of the eladrin as he walks. When everyone is thoroughly disgusted with it and worn out, he stops, saying “Told ya. I need to be three sheets to the wind before I can do it right. And all of you need to be too. Whose next? Ole Carl isn’t a crooner I’ll tell ya, we probably just scared off all of the woodland animals….”
- Okay, that was ... interesting - Auriel laughs - I don't know that many travel songs, nor I have a trained voice, but I like this one. And it's in Common, not in Elvish, so no translation will be needed. Let's see - he says, and starts singing softly.
(OOC: The series had its issues but the OST is not one of them :D)
The light in the tower, no longer my home
Past eyes of pale fire, black sand for my bed
I trade all I've known for the unknown ahead
For I must now wander this wandering day
Away I must wander this wandering day
My strength tells me, "No", but the path demands, "Yes"
My legs are so short and the way is so long
I've no rest nor comfort, no comfort but song
Oh, rise up and guide me this wandering day
Please, promise to find me this wandering day
That not all who wonder or wander are lost
No matter the sorrow, no matter the cost
That not all who wonder or wander are lost
(OOC: Can I roll performance just for fun? :D I got ... I don't believe this... a damned nat20 (23) . LOL. Which is fun because I did write in Auriel's sheet weeks ago that his mother is a bard. NOT LYING!)
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
After Auriel has finished, Sylyra hands Morisúrë's cage to Uragum. "One more time," he says to the eladrin, "but give me a second." The druid opens his pack, fishes out a viol and bow, and picks the strings a little in an attempt to tune them, which is tough while still walking. He finally rests the instrument below his chin. (I know viols and violins are different, and you don't play a viol like a violin, but we're going to suspend reality. We're in a world where every wound is completely cured after eight hours or rest, for goodness sake.) He gives Auriel a nod, and after a few words, Sylyra attempts to play along, sometimes in unison and sometimes creating a counter melody.
OOC: Let's see how well Sylyra does: 18 (it's a 12)
The wood elf's additions are only so-so. It isn't painful, but it sometimes leaves the listener wondering why. The caged raven croaks loudly several times. Uragum isn't sure whether she is happy with or disturbed by her master's playing. Luckily, it isn't bad enough to cause Auriel's performance to suffer. Sylyra, however, is extremely pleased with himself. When the two elves finish, he gives a tiny bow. "We'll have to do that again some time," he says. He quickly puts his instrument away and takes his bird back from Uragum.
- Will wonders ever cease... - the eladrin says, as he watches Sylyra put the viol away - It's funny - he adds - I never payed that much attention to music or singing back home, even though mother insisted a lot. She's really good at it. There was always some music in the background back then, mostly my mother's and sometimes with my sister following along. They would have enjoyed this improvised performance - he smiles and nods - Let's repeat it some time, yes.
Auriel then turns to Carl:
- Well, now you know another travelling song. Don't need to torment anyone else with "100 mugs of ale" - he jokes.
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
*Ahem* heh, “Mee mee me mee mee mee meeeee.” Carl clears his throat, thinking as they are walking, and something comes to him. “Ok, I can try again…. Might not be as pretty as your voice dear Auriel, but lemme give it a go.” He starts to sing, cautious at first, a song that begins down low, then it starts to grow. He makes wild hand gestures with his arms and hands as they are walking, in tune with the chorus, encouraging others to join in.
Dwarven women, are beautiful lovers
Dwarven women, they understand
I've been around some, and I have discovered
That dwarven women know just how to please a man.
Everybody seems to love those human women
Buck eighteen on up to twenty-five
Well I love 'em too, but I'm tellin' you
Dwarves know to really love, and boy it sure is fine
Dwarves women, are beautiful lovers
Dwarven women, they understand
I've been around some, and I have discovered
That dwarven women know just how to please a man.
So baby don't you worry about growin' whiskers
Those elven girls ain't got nothin' on you
Cause it takes some whiskey, to get 'em frisky
And frisky dwarves may just be the ones to teach 'em a thing or two.
Dwarven women, are beautiful lovers
Dwarven women, they understand
I've been around some, and I have discovered
That dwarven women know just how to please a man.…
He finishes and says “Hah!” A smile on his face as he walks.
((OMG, Nat 1 performance, : 4. The dwarf is not gifted with a singing voice. Birds fly away…. 🤣))