"Heya," Chrys nods in greeting at the dragonborn. She slides with a wince off of her goat-mount and manages to land on her feet, mostly intact. [Con save: 15]
Coughing to cover her discomfort, she performs an awkward bow of greeting to Dauric. "Yer girl Nym's got the right o' it. We took out a will-o-the-wisp that was probably Velarken himself, on accountin' that he was possessin' a troll. An' chatty-like. Anyway, I don't think ye'll be havin' ta worry much more 'bout strange rottin' creatures doin' strange rottin' things in the forest here for a bit, at least. Us Dawnbringers, we brought a lil' light in here, didn't we?" She beams, satisfied, before her stomach lets out a loud rumble and her smile drops into something more embarrassed and she rubs the back of her neck. "All in a day's hard work, that is."
"Should we ask about the hag?" Lumen says to the group, after introductions are finished. He's not sure how things stand with Nym's former captor. (And wasn't there some red rock or gemstone we sought? I'm forgetting if that was a thing.)
Dauric smiles as he listens to Nym and Chrys, seemingly excited, and perhaps a bit amused by their enthusiastic recounting of your episodes at Ravenglade.
"You brought a great deal of light into here, my dwarven friend. I had indeed heard of your success in ridding the forest of that foul wyrm... no relative of mine, I can assure you, and of saving Aelar and what remains of his kin," he says with a grin. "However, it disturbs me to hear that she was being controlled by the undead spirit of this Velarken you speak of. I have never heard that name before, but for the sake and health of the forest, it is probably good that you were able to dispatch of that entity as well, for we do not need anything that will further provoke the various creatures that plod around in the darkness looking for prey. Trolls are difficult enough without having the influence of some foul undead creature."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Alae," he says with a bow, "I am glad that the spirits of the forest allowed you to find these fine folk, for it sounds like you played an important role in this task. And as for your new name... The Dawnbringers is a fine and fitting description for a group of such accomplishments and good stature. Much more noble a name than the Pie Pals, although perhaps I am a bit biased, for I admit that I do not have much of a taste for pie."
Lumen grins. "So what is the news around here? Anything about that hag? Or other threats or allies in this area? We're on our way back to Yartar eventually, and then to try to dispose of the shards of that mask we told you about."
And speaking of which. Nym glances at the only other person who wasn't staring up at the songbird and slows her pace to match the other elf's. "Ph'dos tenu Kess?" She asks in Undercommon quietly with gentle concern, not trying to draw the attention of the others unnecessarily. "Dos kluth kyone."
"Ka dos ph'si xuil ol, Nym, shlu'ta udos wuzul nindol gajak?" Kess says softly, taking a moment to collect herself. "Usstan... F'sarn naut zhaunus ka Usstan ssinssrin ulu wuzul nindol ditronw nin."
For Nym:
"If you are okay with it, Nym, can we discuss this later?" Kess says, taking a moment to collect herself; while she was clearly better than days previous, it was clearly evident to Nym that something was very much on her surface-dwelling friend's mind. "I... I'm not sure if I want to discuss this right now."
-----------------
((and now to the present))
"I'm glad to see you are safe as well, Dauric," Kess says with genuine warmth, joining the others in wishing the dragonborn well. The travel through the wilderness would be easy for none, though it felt good to see a *friendly* draconic face for a change. Dauric would likely notice Kess subconsiously resting a hand on the scabbard of one of the blades at her side, though her demeanor remained pleasant and unhostile.
When Dauric remarked about the foul spirit the party had vanquished and their apparent new name, Kess giggled a bit, smiling. "True, I imagine that a name like 'Dawnbringers' tends to garner a bit more sincerity than a name about confections, but I think the Pie Pals will always be a fun name we keep among ourselves. Sweet or savory, we're here to... um... save... the... day???" Kess continued that line of thought for a moment before looking over at the party's wordsmith (Lumen) and staring at her boots from embarrassment; sure, she was pretty, but she was no good at this sort of thing!
She had tried, at least! Maybe. Ugh.
Kess quietly sunk back into herself and pretended that she was dead for the moment before Lumen spoke up about concerns of local threats... and the more pressing concern that had the band's attention; that pile of mask shards. Kess remembered what happened with Krackle... the sooner they could deal with these foul things, the better.
"I concur with Lumen... is there anything that needs pressing assistance here? These mask fragments are something that have been troubling me as well."
Nym nods slowly and seriously at Kess before they continued on.
Smiling at Duaric as she and the rest of the Dawnbringers recounted their achievements, even letting out a gentle snicker at the elven warrior's adorable awkwardness. But the brightness in her expression dims as Lumen brings up the hag. "The fragments of a mask and this stone along with the hag have been weighing on us abbil. Though the latter on me most of all." The drow's brow furrows as she reaches up and catches the red stone orbiting the top of her head, pulling it down and offering it to Duaric to either look at or examine. "I can't remember if I had a chance to tell you when last we were here what with all the chaos with the injured elves, but when I was investigating the source of the ettercaps, I was captured by a hag. We're not sure if her name is Olga or Braida, but she's clearly not a benevolent person. The only reason I'm alive today is thanks to them." Nodding to the rest of the group before looking back to the druid.
"She said that one of the orcs that had been marching through the forests, Grumbar, had a red stone that gave him strength. But she also said that it would be dangerous if we tried to use it. I think that was a lie to dissuade us from taking and using it ourselves. But the deal she laid out was that she would tell us where we could find these orcs and then we would bring her the stone." Nym's mouth twists and expression shifts into one of distrust, "And that maybe she would tell us where to find other treasures." She could practically feel the creature's foul breath on her face and cruel words in her ear as the cleric shudders, closing her eyes as she tries to collect herself. Looking up to the black dragonborn, Nym says, "I trust that hag about as much as I trust the noble houses of Menzoberranzan. But I do trust you Duaric. Do you think I should take the stone to the hag? Braida or Olga or whomever she claims to be next."
Chrys scratches her nose. "Now, look here, that stone, it sure be useful. An' I know you ain't askin' my opinion, but I been thinkin' 'bout this a bit. An' I'm thinkin', it ain't so great to catch the attention of a hag out there. Yeah, Braida... or Olga... mighta had a split personality problem, but the thing is, no matter what her issues were, she was obsessed. An' for a while there, obsessed with you, Nym. From her partin' words, it sounded like she's also obsessed with that pretty lil' red stone we got now. If it 'twere me, I'd give it back an' be done with the whole dealin' with hags business once an' fer all. Otherwise, ya never know when she might crawl outta her swamp ta find ya and ask after her stone. And the Duin be helpin' us all if she did find ya in the future, and ye still had it about yer person. No doubt it'd boil down to another fight. 'Course, that's just my two coppers on the matter."
She smiles at Dauric. "You've got a bit more wisdom 'bout ye than I got. And mayhap a bit more experience dealin' with wild things like them hags than I do. I'll support Nym whatever she decides ta do with that stone, but I'd like ta hear your opinion 'bout it, too."
Dauric listens to Nym, clearly showing great interest and visible concern to what she has to say, and then he takes the red stone in his hand when she offers it. After turning it over to in his scaled hands a few times, he look up at her and says,
"I am so very grateful that you survived your encounter with those wicked sisters by the lake, Nym. I'm sure that was a trulyhorrific experience. I cannot imagine the terror you must have faced. Many thanks to the rest of you, and for the fate wound by Mielikki to have brought you to her at that most crucial time."
"I have never had personal dealings with those vile creatures, although I have indeed ventured out to the region where they live. I do keep tabs on them, and I take an active interest in keeping them in check so that they do not defoul this part of the forest too excessively. I myself am not powerful enough to defeat them, especially when all three are together. They are even more dangerous than when each of them is alone, although they are never truly alone. As I'm sure you discovered, they often use other evil creatures and magic to protect themselves, such as the eattercaps you found. Those were very likely minions of the hags."
"This stone... On its own, it grants powers that can be of great benefit to whoever attunes to it, but I am concerned by the nature of its existence in your possession. Normally, an item like this would be a boon, and it may still be to you, but the fact that it is tied to a deal you made with one of them is potentially troubling."
"it is said that making a bargain with a hag will end badly. I do know know whether that is entirely true or not, but one most always beware when making a bargain with a hag. They are affairs fraught with dangers. On one hand, I cannot say whether you should bring the stone to her, because I shudder to think of a creature like that made even more powerful with an item like this. However, I also shudder to think of what may happen if you do not. Hags have untold ways to enforce their bargains, or punish those who do not hold up their end of the deal."
"As for other news in and around this part of the forest, things in the immediate vicinity seem to have held as they were when you were here last. The ettercap infestation has not returned, and there are far fewer orcs marching through the forest of late. And, of course you have vanquished the dragon that had made its way down here from the north, so overall, I'd say that things seem stable at the moment. At least for me, although it sounds like you have your own trouble to deal with."
"I'm sorry I could not give you a better, more direct answer to your question, Nym, but your well being and safety is very much a concern to me, so let me know how I can be of help in this matter."
Nym listens to Chrys with pinched brow, nodding before shuddering slightly with a grimace as the hag's brief obsession with her was mentioned. Duaric's advice while not extremely helpful, was insightful. Shoulders slumping in mild defeat, Nym looks to the other Dawnbringers, meeting the eyes of the dwarf she saw as their unofficial leader and said, "I think I'd rather fight another dragon than go back to her, but perhaps it's for the best."Inhaling deeply, the cleric thought a moment and broached, "I suppose that means we should probably take care of that before going into the Underdark? Or no, we were supposed to stop by somewhere before that to get supplies, yes?"
"Such matters be best taken care o' first," Chrys agrees, surprised at Nym's close attention to her words. Gruffly, as if embarrassed, she elaborates on her thoughts: "I don't rightly know what awaits us in the Underdark, but I can't help thinkin' that whatever horrors are there ain't gonna dissuade a coven o' hags from visitin'. I'd rather deal with one problem at a time." She grimaces. "Much as I'd like ta be rid o' this shard, it's an ancient problem, an' I think it'll keep... fer now."
Scratching her head, she asks Dauric, "You know the lay o' the land. Seems we got three places ta be right now. Back at the bog where Nym met them hags first, all the heck o' the way back ta Yartar to tell our patron 'bout the success of our mission, an' ta the Underdark by way o' the Middledark. Eventually we'd be aimin' to reach Gracklstugh. You got any advice 'bout which course we would set to get this much work done with the least possible amount o' grief fer our... boots?"
As she says it, she twitches, thinking about how much 'grief' bareback goat riding this entire journey might involve. Huh, at the least I'll be an expert by the time we're done travelin', she thinks wryly to herself. Though it does prompt her to ask, "An', uh... you know the nearest settlement from here that's got itself a good set o' stables?"
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Alae," he says with a bow, "I am glad that the spirits of the forest allowed you to find these fine folk, for it sounds like you played an important role in this task.
"And you as well,"Alae responds with a deep bow. "It is an honour to meet one with such a bond with nature. There are many among my people, though I... never had the knack."
She looks at Duaric with something almost like longing in her eyes. Not for the man himself, but for what he represents - Dragon and humanoid, in one body. Like her but more so, much more. Her thought of the other day returned to her - if she continued tapping into the power granted by her Draconic ancestry, what would she become? Something like Duaric? That seemed too far a change to be feasible, but who was to say. She decided that once they were settled, she would try to speak to Duaric privately about her... fears? Is that what they were? Perhaps speaking them aloud would bring clarity.
She listens to the discussion around the red stone, and the deal with the Hag, trying to absorb all of this information about events that preceded her meeting with the Dawnbringers. "I have found that it is never wise to leave a deal half-way completed. If I have a say, as this matter began before our fortunate meeting, I would take the stone to the Hag, and rid yourself of this obligation. What happens after that is a new issue, to be dealt with separately. And if, as Chrysoberyl says, the Hag is the closest of our destinations, we should focus on that first."
Dauric gives Alae a courteous nod at her greeting, and then says,
"I would agree with Alae. The last thing I would want for anyone is to live in debt to a hag. As much as Nym could do good in the world with that stone, I fear for the possible consequences that may befall her, or the rest of you, if you do not honor the terms of this deal you made with her."
"As for your question," he says, turning to Chrys, "It sounds like you all may need new boots after all the traveling you have ahead of you! With all the items on your agenda, I'm afraid that you have a bit of back and forth ahead of you. If you intend to return to Yartar, then you'll be turning right around and heading back this way again. From what Nym has told me, I know that she emerged from beneath not far from here."
"Fortunately, Calling Horns is on the way to Yartar, and they have stables. You will pass through there again when you return to the Evermoor Way.
((OOC Recap - You stopped at Calling Horns on the way here. That's where you fought the trolls that attacked the village in the middle of the night. For that, Madame Zoar, who runs the inn, promised you free room and board if you ever returned. Also, Lumen performed at the inn the night you were there.))
(What time of day is it? Should we stay here before moving on to Yartar? Lumen has really no strong opinions on the travel schematics of the next things on our to do lists. He's in checklist mode, and tying up loose ends. So feel free to spend as much or as little time as you like on us staying here or moving along...)
Lumen nods with a grin to confirm Nym's telling, and strides forward to greet Dauric.
"Heya," Chrys nods in greeting at the dragonborn. She slides with a wince off of her goat-mount and manages to land on her feet, mostly intact. [Con save: 15]
Coughing to cover her discomfort, she performs an awkward bow of greeting to Dauric. "Yer girl Nym's got the right o' it. We took out a will-o-the-wisp that was probably Velarken himself, on accountin' that he was possessin' a troll. An' chatty-like. Anyway, I don't think ye'll be havin' ta worry much more 'bout strange rottin' creatures doin' strange rottin' things in the forest here for a bit, at least. Us Dawnbringers, we brought a lil' light in here, didn't we?" She beams, satisfied, before her stomach lets out a loud rumble and her smile drops into something more embarrassed and she rubs the back of her neck. "All in a day's hard work, that is."
"Should we ask about the hag?" Lumen says to the group, after introductions are finished. He's not sure how things stand with Nym's former captor. (And wasn't there some red rock or gemstone we sought? I'm forgetting if that was a thing.)
Dauric smiles as he listens to Nym and Chrys, seemingly excited, and perhaps a bit amused by their enthusiastic recounting of your episodes at Ravenglade.
"You brought a great deal of light into here, my dwarven friend. I had indeed heard of your success in ridding the forest of that foul wyrm... no relative of mine, I can assure you, and of saving Aelar and what remains of his kin," he says with a grin. "However, it disturbs me to hear that she was being controlled by the undead spirit of this Velarken you speak of. I have never heard that name before, but for the sake and health of the forest, it is probably good that you were able to dispatch of that entity as well, for we do not need anything that will further provoke the various creatures that plod around in the darkness looking for prey. Trolls are difficult enough without having the influence of some foul undead creature."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Alae," he says with a bow, "I am glad that the spirits of the forest allowed you to find these fine folk, for it sounds like you played an important role in this task. And as for your new name... The Dawnbringers is a fine and fitting description for a group of such accomplishments and good stature. Much more noble a name than the Pie Pals, although perhaps I am a bit biased, for I admit that I do not have much of a taste for pie."
Lumen grins. "So what is the news around here? Anything about that hag? Or other threats or allies in this area? We're on our way back to Yartar eventually, and then to try to dispose of the shards of that mask we told you about."
"Ka dos ph'si xuil ol, Nym, shlu'ta udos wuzul nindol gajak?" Kess says softly, taking a moment to collect herself. "Usstan... F'sarn naut zhaunus ka Usstan ssinssrin ulu wuzul nindol ditronw nin."
For Nym:
"If you are okay with it, Nym, can we discuss this later?" Kess says, taking a moment to collect herself; while she was clearly better than days previous, it was clearly evident to Nym that something was very much on her surface-dwelling friend's mind. "I... I'm not sure if I want to discuss this right now."
-----------------
((and now to the present))
"I'm glad to see you are safe as well, Dauric," Kess says with genuine warmth, joining the others in wishing the dragonborn well. The travel through the wilderness would be easy for none, though it felt good to see a *friendly* draconic face for a change. Dauric would likely notice Kess subconsiously resting a hand on the scabbard of one of the blades at her side, though her demeanor remained pleasant and unhostile.
When Dauric remarked about the foul spirit the party had vanquished and their apparent new name, Kess giggled a bit, smiling. "True, I imagine that a name like 'Dawnbringers' tends to garner a bit more sincerity than a name about confections, but I think the Pie Pals will always be a fun name we keep among ourselves. Sweet or savory, we're here to... um... save... the... day???" Kess continued that line of thought for a moment before looking over at the party's wordsmith (Lumen) and staring at her boots from embarrassment; sure, she was pretty, but she was no good at this sort of thing!
She had tried, at least! Maybe. Ugh.
Kess quietly sunk back into herself and pretended that she was dead for the moment before Lumen spoke up about concerns of local threats... and the more pressing concern that had the band's attention; that pile of mask shards. Kess remembered what happened with Krackle... the sooner they could deal with these foul things, the better.
"I concur with Lumen... is there anything that needs pressing assistance here? These mask fragments are something that have been troubling me as well."
Nym nods slowly and seriously at Kess before they continued on.
Smiling at Duaric as she and the rest of the Dawnbringers recounted their achievements, even letting out a gentle snicker at the elven warrior's adorable awkwardness. But the brightness in her expression dims as Lumen brings up the hag. "The fragments of a mask and this stone along with the hag have been weighing on us abbil. Though the latter on me most of all." The drow's brow furrows as she reaches up and catches the red stone orbiting the top of her head, pulling it down and offering it to Duaric to either look at or examine. "I can't remember if I had a chance to tell you when last we were here what with all the chaos with the injured elves, but when I was investigating the source of the ettercaps, I was captured by a hag. We're not sure if her name is Olga or Braida, but she's clearly not a benevolent person. The only reason I'm alive today is thanks to them." Nodding to the rest of the group before looking back to the druid.
"She said that one of the orcs that had been marching through the forests, Grumbar, had a red stone that gave him strength. But she also said that it would be dangerous if we tried to use it. I think that was a lie to dissuade us from taking and using it ourselves. But the deal she laid out was that she would tell us where we could find these orcs and then we would bring her the stone." Nym's mouth twists and expression shifts into one of distrust, "And that maybe she would tell us where to find other treasures." She could practically feel the creature's foul breath on her face and cruel words in her ear as the cleric shudders, closing her eyes as she tries to collect herself. Looking up to the black dragonborn, Nym says, "I trust that hag about as much as I trust the noble houses of Menzoberranzan. But I do trust you Duaric. Do you think I should take the stone to the hag? Braida or Olga or whomever she claims to be next."
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
Chrys scratches her nose. "Now, look here, that stone, it sure be useful. An' I know you ain't askin' my opinion, but I been thinkin' 'bout this a bit. An' I'm thinkin', it ain't so great to catch the attention of a hag out there. Yeah, Braida... or Olga... mighta had a split personality problem, but the thing is, no matter what her issues were, she was obsessed. An' for a while there, obsessed with you, Nym. From her partin' words, it sounded like she's also obsessed with that pretty lil' red stone we got now. If it 'twere me, I'd give it back an' be done with the whole dealin' with hags business once an' fer all. Otherwise, ya never know when she might crawl outta her swamp ta find ya and ask after her stone. And the Duin be helpin' us all if she did find ya in the future, and ye still had it about yer person. No doubt it'd boil down to another fight. 'Course, that's just my two coppers on the matter."
She smiles at Dauric. "You've got a bit more wisdom 'bout ye than I got. And mayhap a bit more experience dealin' with wild things like them hags than I do. I'll support Nym whatever she decides ta do with that stone, but I'd like ta hear your opinion 'bout it, too."
Dauric listens to Nym, clearly showing great interest and visible concern to what she has to say, and then he takes the red stone in his hand when she offers it. After turning it over to in his scaled hands a few times, he look up at her and says,
"I am so very grateful that you survived your encounter with those wicked sisters by the lake, Nym. I'm sure that was a truly horrific experience. I cannot imagine the terror you must have faced. Many thanks to the rest of you, and for the fate wound by Mielikki to have brought you to her at that most crucial time."
"I have never had personal dealings with those vile creatures, although I have indeed ventured out to the region where they live. I do keep tabs on them, and I take an active interest in keeping them in check so that they do not defoul this part of the forest too excessively. I myself am not powerful enough to defeat them, especially when all three are together. They are even more dangerous than when each of them is alone, although they are never truly alone. As I'm sure you discovered, they often use other evil creatures and magic to protect themselves, such as the eattercaps you found. Those were very likely minions of the hags."
"This stone... On its own, it grants powers that can be of great benefit to whoever attunes to it, but I am concerned by the nature of its existence in your possession. Normally, an item like this would be a boon, and it may still be to you, but the fact that it is tied to a deal you made with one of them is potentially troubling."
"it is said that making a bargain with a hag will end badly. I do know know whether that is entirely true or not, but one most always beware when making a bargain with a hag. They are affairs fraught with dangers. On one hand, I cannot say whether you should bring the stone to her, because I shudder to think of a creature like that made even more powerful with an item like this. However, I also shudder to think of what may happen if you do not. Hags have untold ways to enforce their bargains, or punish those who do not hold up their end of the deal."
"As for other news in and around this part of the forest, things in the immediate vicinity seem to have held as they were when you were here last. The ettercap infestation has not returned, and there are far fewer orcs marching through the forest of late. And, of course you have vanquished the dragon that had made its way down here from the north, so overall, I'd say that things seem stable at the moment. At least for me, although it sounds like you have your own trouble to deal with."
"I'm sorry I could not give you a better, more direct answer to your question, Nym, but your well being and safety is very much a concern to me, so let me know how I can be of help in this matter."
Nym listens to Chrys with pinched brow, nodding before shuddering slightly with a grimace as the hag's brief obsession with her was mentioned. Duaric's advice while not extremely helpful, was insightful. Shoulders slumping in mild defeat, Nym looks to the other Dawnbringers, meeting the eyes of the dwarf she saw as their unofficial leader and said, "I think I'd rather fight another dragon than go back to her, but perhaps it's for the best." Inhaling deeply, the cleric thought a moment and broached, "I suppose that means we should probably take care of that before going into the Underdark? Or no, we were supposed to stop by somewhere before that to get supplies, yes?"
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
"Such matters be best taken care o' first," Chrys agrees, surprised at Nym's close attention to her words. Gruffly, as if embarrassed, she elaborates on her thoughts: "I don't rightly know what awaits us in the Underdark, but I can't help thinkin' that whatever horrors are there ain't gonna dissuade a coven o' hags from visitin'. I'd rather deal with one problem at a time." She grimaces. "Much as I'd like ta be rid o' this shard, it's an ancient problem, an' I think it'll keep... fer now."
Scratching her head, she asks Dauric, "You know the lay o' the land. Seems we got three places ta be right now. Back at the bog where Nym met them hags first, all the heck o' the way back ta Yartar to tell our patron 'bout the success of our mission, an' ta the Underdark by way o' the Middledark. Eventually we'd be aimin' to reach Gracklstugh. You got any advice 'bout which course we would set to get this much work done with the least possible amount o' grief fer our... boots?"
As she says it, she twitches, thinking about how much 'grief' bareback goat riding this entire journey might involve. Huh, at the least I'll be an expert by the time we're done travelin', she thinks wryly to herself. Though it does prompt her to ask, "An', uh... you know the nearest settlement from here that's got itself a good set o' stables?"
"And you as well," Alae responds with a deep bow. "It is an honour to meet one with such a bond with nature. There are many among my people, though I... never had the knack."
She looks at Duaric with something almost like longing in her eyes. Not for the man himself, but for what he represents - Dragon and humanoid, in one body. Like her but more so, much more. Her thought of the other day returned to her - if she continued tapping into the power granted by her Draconic ancestry, what would she become? Something like Duaric? That seemed too far a change to be feasible, but who was to say. She decided that once they were settled, she would try to speak to Duaric privately about her... fears? Is that what they were? Perhaps speaking them aloud would bring clarity.
She listens to the discussion around the red stone, and the deal with the Hag, trying to absorb all of this information about events that preceded her meeting with the Dawnbringers. "I have found that it is never wise to leave a deal half-way completed. If I have a say, as this matter began before our fortunate meeting, I would take the stone to the Hag, and rid yourself of this obligation. What happens after that is a new issue, to be dealt with separately. And if, as Chrysoberyl says, the Hag is the closest of our destinations, we should focus on that first."
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
Dauric gives Alae a courteous nod at her greeting, and then says,
"I would agree with Alae. The last thing I would want for anyone is to live in debt to a hag. As much as Nym could do good in the world with that stone, I fear for the possible consequences that may befall her, or the rest of you, if you do not honor the terms of this deal you made with her."
"As for your question," he says, turning to Chrys, "It sounds like you all may need new boots after all the traveling you have ahead of you! With all the items on your agenda, I'm afraid that you have a bit of back and forth ahead of you. If you intend to return to Yartar, then you'll be turning right around and heading back this way again. From what Nym has told me, I know that she emerged from beneath not far from here."
"Fortunately, Calling Horns is on the way to Yartar, and they have stables. You will pass through there again when you return to the Evermoor Way.
((OOC Recap - You stopped at Calling Horns on the way here. That's where you fought the trolls that attacked the village in the middle of the night. For that, Madame Zoar, who runs the inn, promised you free room and board if you ever returned. Also, Lumen performed at the inn the night you were there.))
(What time of day is it? Should we stay here before moving on to Yartar? Lumen has really no strong opinions on the travel schematics of the next things on our to do lists. He's in checklist mode, and tying up loose ends. So feel free to spend as much or as little time as you like on us staying here or moving along...)
((It’s early afternoon right now. From here, it’s half a day’s walk to the hag’s lake, and a full days walk from here back to the main road.))