Bell snickers, and then takes a swig from her jug. "Fella... the orcs are gone. You said you were worried about looters, in which case I don't know why you'd leave someone alone at the most likely place for looters to go, that's all I was sayin'. If you think sayin' something as simple as that is me judging you, well..." She takes another swig. "To me it sounds more like you're judging yourself." She stretches her arms above her head and sighs, then leans her head to the opposite side she'd had it cocked to earlier. "Anyways, if you just need help carrying some food back, I can help ya."
Rose steps in before the arguement gets any worse, giving both Bell and Mr. Alderleaf a nasty look. Both of you cut it out! Bell, if Mr. Alderleaf needed to scavenge it makes sense to leave Carp somewhere safe. He knows the best places to hide in their farm if he needs to. And Mr. Alderleaf, we've been here for days. You should've seen us. But even if you didn't Bell still has a point. Leaving him in the untouched house is still risky. I know taking him with you isn't the best idea but still. Now both of you but it out. Mr. Alderleaf sir can you please take me to Carp, I'd like to see him and to make sure you both are fed. I'm sure this entire experience has been hard on you both. Rose then lets Mr. Alderleaf lead the way. When not in his sight he gives Bell an apologetic head nod to show if anything, Rose agreed more with Bells assessment of the situation than anything but wanted to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Root will place his hand on Bell's shoulder "Alright, there's no need to get all upset friend. Now Bell, help me position the wagon and tend to Dorthy. She is quite tired I am sure."
"Cannnn do!" Bell chirps, twirling so her ponytail and her cloak swing around with a swish. She looks over her shoulder and raises her jug to Rose with a wink, accepting her apologetic nod, and then skips off towards the wagon to assist Root.
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"Mulkrip" -Hobgoblin Barbarian, Path of the Totem Warrior -Libertalia
"Ummmm, the fire? Someone gonna light this thing so these orcs are sent on to wherever and turned into ashes that can't cause anyone any problems?"Fallan calls out, specifically looking to Gwen, to ensure she wasn't still in a funk over the banshee question. Though she is pretty sure someone else will tell HER to light it, she has no intention of being that close to the bodies when they are demolished. "Don't look at me to do it. I'm not into fire, smoke, mist, fog, fumes, vapors, gasses, or souls leaving bodies. I just brought the wood. Once this is lit, I'm all for heading to that LUSCIOUS meal of salt pork and rations. Ugh."
The farmers lips were quivering both with fury and admonishment at Bells words. And the little mans eyes struck playdough daggers at the Satyr. You're completely missing the point! I was... he said as he once more stuck his finger towards the fey when Rose stepped in between them both, playing the mediator. Most of what Rose said rung true with him, and perhaps the fact that Rose was a known quantity helped. I didn't come out to scavenge... Nor did I know if the orcs were alive or not, or if there were looters.. What I'm saying is.. it had been quiet for a day, so we thought they may have moved on... so I came out to check, but I didn't want to leave my son in that cave by himself, where he couldn't hear me shout if he needed to run... But yes, yes... I can take you to him, Uh.. Rose, was it? the mans body clearly shaking and quivering, like someone who had been on high alert for an extended period of time, and the stress had finally caught up with him.
As Bell and Root go to make sure that Dorothy doesn't find any yellow brick roads, Rose and Quelline (alderleaf) move off towards the farm several hundred feet away. Root finds a spot that looks like it used to be part of an outdoor blacksmiths forge, with enough roof to provide semi decent cover from the elements though the rest of the forge, aside from the forge itself is burnt to the ground.
Back with Gwen and Fallan, Gwen smiles and laughs just a bit Well there's still one more body to toss on the pile, but after that, Yes, I can do it. You're a bit super-superstitious huh. But that's fine, we all have our ticks... she said, seemingly over the moment before, as more of a passing wave than a full on dam. So if you're gonna find a place to hide, I'll give ya thirty-seconds, before I light it. she says, bringing the last body to the pile, and setting it as close to the others as she could, as the pile had gotten too high, and the orc weighed too much for her to lift over it. Thirty...
Quelline, walked casually but shakily with Rose, heading towards the farmhouse, having just hit the nearly pristine fields, when he began to call out, just loud enough for everyone within the town to hear Carp, the hens have come to roost! and initially, nothing happens. But after a moment or two, the front door is seen opening, and out comes a little boy, one that only a halfling could tell, or someone who studied halflings long enough, could tell was a child Pa! Pa! So.. is it safe? is it safe to come out? Are the bad guys gone? the little halfling child said in a hopeful tone, that belied his underlying fear. Yeah, apparently Rose and her folk took care of em while we were hiding. I don't know whats going on with the rest of the town, though.. apparently son, some of em died. I dunno whom though. Rose didn't know many of them, though Gundren had been among the bodies, as well as the priestess, an Aasamir Scholar, and a few other standouts.
Roses nerves didn't fully settle until she saw Carp emerge from the home. Once she saw he was unhurt she finally let herself breath a sigh of relief and kneeled down to greet him. Hey Carp, remember me? You did a good job of protecting your dad, Im very proud of how brave you must have been. The town is safe now so you don't have to hide. Rose would stand back up and look to Quelline. I'm glad your both safe, I had been worried. Tomorrow the rest of the townsfolk should be returning. Hopefully then you've all seen the last of this kind of excitement. Roses smile turns to a frown and her eyes fall to her feet. I'm sorry we weren't here sooner. I failed you all.
Carps eyes grew wide upon seeing Rose, and he smiled, albeit just a little. Quelline didn't seem to change in intensity but he did walk over to carp to pull the boy into a hug. Is it really safe now? oh... good.... carp seemed to lose tension almost immediately, as if the weight of fear had been lifted fro mhis shoulders, much as it had his father minutes before. Quelline saying as he looked to Rose You have nothing to apologize for... We all knew you and your friends were out of town on your own business, Gundren never told us what it was but he did tlak about it a lot.. if that makes sense... a lot of "Oh they're out there, very busy" sort of stuff... never got specific. My comments towards... whoever and whatever that woman was earlier were.. just defensive reflexes... he said, averting his eyes. But if what you say is.. So the town will be back tomorrow? Carp butted in... asking. That's what Rose said, isn't it? Now.. Now Carp. In any case, there should be plenty of vegetables left to eat... he says, looking around at the abundance of Corn, Potatoes, and other varied vegetables.
Ooh Ooh! We can have some stew! I'm tired of eating raw corn already pa! Shhh Carp. Quelline says knocking Carp on the noggin once, relatively softly. But yes... we hope its the last bit of excitement we see for a lifetime. Adventuring isn't for everyone, as I was saying earlier. And without folk like me, what would adventurers eat! Ha. Anyways, lets gather some food here, but i'd suggest wherever you've been camping as a better location for a stewing. My house can't... accomodate that many... larger folk... But as a fellow Halfling, I'm sure you knew that already.
Back with Gwen and Fallan, Gwen's countdown had begin, to give Fallan time to leave, Twenty five...
Rose's smile returns as Carp speaks. The kid was certainly not the type to be phased by all the excitement it seems. Between being kidnapped by the Redbrands and having the town he lives in get more or less destroyed he still manage to keep his spirits high. It was a trait Rose admired and gave her hope for the towns survival. Yes, most of the people made it out to Neverwinter. The rest of my friends went to collect them. Should be back by tomorrow. We've been staying in the basement of the inn. Its not the coziest spot but it serves. And yeah I understand. I used to live with my Aunt as a child but when she sent me away to the temple ever since then its been living in places built for big folk. So I guess you could say I'm used to it. Besides it's easier for us to adjust to the extra space than it is for them anyway right? Rose would help the pair collect food and prepare a place to cook. She would stick around to help with the cooking as well.
Fallan laughs at Gwen - a sound that hadn't been heard from her in quite a while. "No, no, if you are here, I don't have to go and hide. Being with... ok, BEHIND you when you light this is good enough. Just like being with Root and Bell, I just feel better with 'bigger numbers' than just little old me facing.... whatever. Light 'em up!"
Then despite her comments of bravado, the halfling does, indeed, continue to take slow steps backward, looking for a large rock or bush or tree that she could leap behind if things didn't go smoothly.
Carp certainly was special in some way, how exactly, Rose couldn't tell though. The father seemed more grounded but still good, all things considered. Carp almost immediately going to gather the items closer to the ground, before it had even been decided. Aye, well it's better than nothing or being cramped. And that's good to hear, Maybe now we can petition Neverwinter for some guards or something. Now that that we actually were attacked despite all their comments that it would "never happen." he says, spitting into the dirt. Though at the last comment, the farmer turned beet red, for a different reason, before going even redder as he realized his mistake. A-Ahh.. yes, it is indeed easier for us than them! Just uh, grab whatever you feel would be good in a stew, and don't worry how much you take. It'll grow back. he says as he begins leaning over corn stalks to pull some corn down, as well as potatoes, tomatoes, and other such things.
Gwen snorted, jumping slightly in humor. True, better to face a dragon with an army than by yourself eh? Don't worry, I'm not judging you, it just may take me a bit to get used to your quirks. Either way, here goes.... she said, as power gathers in her palm. it takes only a moment, but soon, an orange glow can be seen at the core of the pile. Gwen continues to concentrate, repeating the spell in several places until the wood finally catches alight. The multiple bonfires meeting until finally the entire pile is on fire. Wisps of smoke already starting to curl up, and the scent of searing flesh begins to fill the air. Gwen curling her nose as it mixes in with the partially decaying flesh, as well as the otherwise unclean bodies of these orcs.
Within the glow though, Fallan could swear, she can just make out a pair of horns and a spear, or glaive of some kind within the fire, smiling wickedly before it ripples and fades into the natural appearance of fire, and everything she had seen in that flashing moment could be explained away by a piece of wood, or the fire in certain places.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After Bell attends to the cart, she makes her way over towards Rose and the other halflings, presuming the angry one may have had time to cool off at least, if not relax. She takes a seat within earshot, but gives them their space. After taking a rather long guzzle from her jug, she takes out a lyre. While plucking at it swiftly to check the tuning, she speaks up. "If you're gearing up to make a meal... Root over there is quite a decent cook if you're lookin for one."
Check: Perfomance 6
She then begins strumming a soft melody, warm and soothing, but with a hint of a haunting 7th every few chords. It's audible but quiet enough to speak over.
"Dammit, I knew this thing wasn't tuned right," the Satyr grumbles as she rolls an F-ing nat 1 goes back to fiddling with the tuning, though whether it was actually the tuning or the amount she had drank from her jug that was causing the problem is unclear... she doesn’t appear inebriated.
"Um, ok. So we can go join the others? Even if it's for bad food?" Fallan asks. "And, um, yeah, my 'quirks', I can't do much about - at least not that I would know HOW to do what's needed at this point."
She starts in the direction of the inn but doesn't go far until she has seen Gwen heading in the same direction - as if there were some fixed distance where she couldn't be further away from a companion without dire consequences. While waiting for Gwen to catch up, she does ask another 'quirky' question: "Say, um, there wasn't a LEADER for those orcs, that you know of, was there? Someone... or someTHING that might not have been an orc, or even of this world? Nah, I must be dreamin... RIGHT?"
Rose collects several vegetables from the farm to be used in the stew as she listens to Bell struggle to play an out of tune instrument. Finally while Bell is trying to fix it Rose approaches and says Maybe you and Gwen can play us some music over dinner. I'd love to hear what the two of you can do together once that thing is in tune. Can you go see where Gwen and your other friend are? We should prepare a place to cook at the inn.
Bell gives up on playing, but her face only betrays her frustration for a moment or two. “Sorry, didn’t mean to be a bother! I’ll have this thing tuned up properly before I go at it again.” She hops up to her hooves. “What does Gwen play?”
After Rose’s answer, Bell traipses off to find Gwen and Fallan and summon them to help.
“Yes, I am great cook. If you have any spare food and ingredients I can start preparing.” Root will start to prepare a spot to cook, turning to Rose "Is there a river or stream with fish near by?"
Bell, for one reason or another, while attempting initially to strum softly a note with haunting chords strewn periodically, her mind is just too caught up in the fact that not only did she miss the fight here, but that so many people had died as a result - whether any of that truly weighed on her was another thing but atleast for now she just couldn't perform to save her life - or perhaps she had been swindled on the instrument when she had received it, or perhaps something else entirely - Regardless her intended tone and the cacophony that actually manifested were truly painful to the ears.
Gwen couldn't get over the halflings reactions, Gwen had her own fears, so it's not as if she didn't understand, but this poor little thing was like a caffeinated hamster jumping at every shadow, but even behind the humor she felt, she found a bit of understanding as well. It was then that Fallan asked her second question and Gwen came out of her stupor of thought. Shaking her head quickly to dispel the lingering motes of thought before she says as she begins to move towards their destination Huh? Oh oh.. a leader? Well yes... They had a warcheif among them... she says, cupping her chin in thoughtfulness as she moved. That bastard was tough.... We had a Druid named Appa with us, and I'm honestly not sure if we would have won without him. The druid created an actual miniature sun in the middle of the battlefield and it incinerated half of the orcs that were still alive, but the warchief barely seemed phased... It took that, and all of us ganging up on the bastard to actually bring him down though Appa used some sort of weird spell to finish him off after we returned his staff to him in the midst of battle. But I don't think he was some supernatural thing, I think he was just a very unusually strong orc. I mean its not like its impossible.... Look at Humans like Elminster, or even Drow like .. what was his name? Ah yes. yes, Dritz, Drizzit? Somehting like that... They're just like you and me but they face dangers most would run in terror from. That and the warchiefs body didn't transform, or anything when he died...
Gwen pauses, remembering the events of that day, when they walked into the town, mostly abandoned, still on fire, and the small pile of unfortunate villagers...... that were being eaten.... And for a moment, Gwen stops in her tracks and covers her mouth to keep from retching at the thought....A shiver courses through her body and she closes her eyes, taking a deep breath, calming herself, if only so she wouldn't puke at the memory... Mhmmmm Ahem... Hhh... she mouths, clearing her throat. Sorry.. bad thoughts.... Ahem.. but Appa.. the druid that was with us also didn't really let his body settle.. now that I think about it... the roots or vines or whatever he was controlling pulled the orcs body under the earth moments after he died. Rose assisting with the vegetable collection and soon a fine amount is had between all of them.
Eventually, everyone is gathered within the inn, Root unfortunately finding out that there isn't any nearby water sources aside from the well in town, and a very small stream on the outskirts that is too small for any life to be sustained within it, and Root also gets reminded that Rose and company already had a cookpot setup within the cellar, which was just barely large enough to comfortably house all the gathered, while the pot and the fire beneath it kept the room comfortably warm, and the scents rising up from the mixed vegetables and the scent of the salted pork made sure that the smell of burning flesh outside never made it inside.
And while the food is still cooking, Bell and Gwen get together in a corner of the room, Gwen with her Viol, and she begins to Help Bell with the tuning since their instruments weren't all that different...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Ah, thanks," Bell says to Gwen as she gets her Lyre tuned nicely. "It's been a while since I've met anyone else who plays, so I haven't really have anything to tune off of in a while, ya know? My ears are pretty good but..." The Satyrs smile flickers away for a moment, but returns quickly. "This has all been a lot to take in. Mm. Aherm, well, take two!"
Performance: 14
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"Mulkrip" -Hobgoblin Barbarian, Path of the Totem Warrior -Libertalia
Fallan hovers over and continuously ducks between Root and Rose and the cooking pot, sniffing here and there, and making side comments. "Mmmmm, yes. Maybe a bit of thyme? What, no thyme, you've gotta have thyme, or you have no TIME for cooking! What about honeysuckle essence? Ohhh, you might want to stir a bit more to keep the root vegetables from sinking and burning. No, no, ALL the vegetables aren't YOURS, Root, you know what I mean. Oh, ok, I'll stop, just keep cooking, some of us are starving without having had second breakfast OR lunch!"
Glad that Gwen said there were no "otherworldly" leaders of the orc attack, Fallan just keeps to herself what she thought she saw in the flames of the pyre and focuses on potentially good food, and improving musical entertainment.
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Bell snickers, and then takes a swig from her jug. "Fella... the orcs are gone. You said you were worried about looters, in which case I don't know why you'd leave someone alone at the most likely place for looters to go, that's all I was sayin'. If you think sayin' something as simple as that is me judging you, well..." She takes another swig. "To me it sounds more like you're judging yourself." She stretches her arms above her head and sighs, then leans her head to the opposite side she'd had it cocked to earlier. "Anyways, if you just need help carrying some food back, I can help ya."
Rose steps in before the arguement gets any worse, giving both Bell and Mr. Alderleaf a nasty look. Both of you cut it out! Bell, if Mr. Alderleaf needed to scavenge it makes sense to leave Carp somewhere safe. He knows the best places to hide in their farm if he needs to. And Mr. Alderleaf, we've been here for days. You should've seen us. But even if you didn't Bell still has a point. Leaving him in the untouched house is still risky. I know taking him with you isn't the best idea but still. Now both of you but it out. Mr. Alderleaf sir can you please take me to Carp, I'd like to see him and to make sure you both are fed. I'm sure this entire experience has been hard on you both. Rose then lets Mr. Alderleaf lead the way. When not in his sight he gives Bell an apologetic head nod to show if anything, Rose agreed more with Bells assessment of the situation than anything but wanted to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Root will place his hand on Bell's shoulder "Alright, there's no need to get all upset friend. Now Bell, help me position the wagon and tend to Dorthy. She is quite tired I am sure."
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiA"Cannnn do!" Bell chirps, twirling so her ponytail and her cloak swing around with a swish. She looks over her shoulder and raises her jug to Rose with a wink, accepting her apologetic nod, and then skips off towards the wagon to assist Root.
"Ummmm, the fire? Someone gonna light this thing so these orcs are sent on to wherever and turned into ashes that can't cause anyone any problems?" Fallan calls out, specifically looking to Gwen, to ensure she wasn't still in a funk over the banshee question. Though she is pretty sure someone else will tell HER to light it, she has no intention of being that close to the bodies when they are demolished. "Don't look at me to do it. I'm not into fire, smoke, mist, fog, fumes, vapors, gasses, or souls leaving bodies. I just brought the wood. Once this is lit, I'm all for heading to that LUSCIOUS meal of salt pork and rations. Ugh."
The farmers lips were quivering both with fury and admonishment at Bells words. And the little mans eyes struck playdough daggers at the Satyr. You're completely missing the point! I was... he said as he once more stuck his finger towards the fey when Rose stepped in between them both, playing the mediator. Most of what Rose said rung true with him, and perhaps the fact that Rose was a known quantity helped. I didn't come out to scavenge... Nor did I know if the orcs were alive or not, or if there were looters.. What I'm saying is.. it had been quiet for a day, so we thought they may have moved on... so I came out to check, but I didn't want to leave my son in that cave by himself, where he couldn't hear me shout if he needed to run... But yes, yes... I can take you to him, Uh.. Rose, was it? the mans body clearly shaking and quivering, like someone who had been on high alert for an extended period of time, and the stress had finally caught up with him.
As Bell and Root go to make sure that Dorothy doesn't find any yellow brick roads, Rose and Quelline (alderleaf) move off towards the farm several hundred feet away. Root finds a spot that looks like it used to be part of an outdoor blacksmiths forge, with enough roof to provide semi decent cover from the elements though the rest of the forge, aside from the forge itself is burnt to the ground.
Back with Gwen and Fallan, Gwen smiles and laughs just a bit Well there's still one more body to toss on the pile, but after that, Yes, I can do it. You're a bit super-superstitious huh. But that's fine, we all have our ticks... she said, seemingly over the moment before, as more of a passing wave than a full on dam. So if you're gonna find a place to hide, I'll give ya thirty-seconds, before I light it. she says, bringing the last body to the pile, and setting it as close to the others as she could, as the pile had gotten too high, and the orc weighed too much for her to lift over it. Thirty...
Quelline, walked casually but shakily with Rose, heading towards the farmhouse, having just hit the nearly pristine fields, when he began to call out, just loud enough for everyone within the town to hear Carp, the hens have come to roost! and initially, nothing happens. But after a moment or two, the front door is seen opening, and out comes a little boy, one that only a halfling could tell, or someone who studied halflings long enough, could tell was a child Pa! Pa! So.. is it safe? is it safe to come out? Are the bad guys gone? the little halfling child said in a hopeful tone, that belied his underlying fear. Yeah, apparently Rose and her folk took care of em while we were hiding. I don't know whats going on with the rest of the town, though.. apparently son, some of em died. I dunno whom though. Rose didn't know many of them, though Gundren had been among the bodies, as well as the priestess, an Aasamir Scholar, and a few other standouts.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Roses nerves didn't fully settle until she saw Carp emerge from the home. Once she saw he was unhurt she finally let herself breath a sigh of relief and kneeled down to greet him. Hey Carp, remember me? You did a good job of protecting your dad, Im very proud of how brave you must have been. The town is safe now so you don't have to hide. Rose would stand back up and look to Quelline. I'm glad your both safe, I had been worried. Tomorrow the rest of the townsfolk should be returning. Hopefully then you've all seen the last of this kind of excitement. Roses smile turns to a frown and her eyes fall to her feet. I'm sorry we weren't here sooner. I failed you all.
Carps eyes grew wide upon seeing Rose, and he smiled, albeit just a little. Quelline didn't seem to change in intensity but he did walk over to carp to pull the boy into a hug. Is it really safe now? oh... good.... carp seemed to lose tension almost immediately, as if the weight of fear had been lifted fro mhis shoulders, much as it had his father minutes before. Quelline saying as he looked to Rose You have nothing to apologize for... We all knew you and your friends were out of town on your own business, Gundren never told us what it was but he did tlak about it a lot.. if that makes sense... a lot of "Oh they're out there, very busy" sort of stuff... never got specific. My comments towards... whoever and whatever that woman was earlier were.. just defensive reflexes... he said, averting his eyes. But if what you say is.. So the town will be back tomorrow? Carp butted in... asking. That's what Rose said, isn't it? Now.. Now Carp. In any case, there should be plenty of vegetables left to eat... he says, looking around at the abundance of Corn, Potatoes, and other varied vegetables.
Ooh Ooh! We can have some stew! I'm tired of eating raw corn already pa! Shhh Carp. Quelline says knocking Carp on the noggin once, relatively softly. But yes... we hope its the last bit of excitement we see for a lifetime. Adventuring isn't for everyone, as I was saying earlier. And without folk like me, what would adventurers eat! Ha. Anyways, lets gather some food here, but i'd suggest wherever you've been camping as a better location for a stewing. My house can't... accomodate that many... larger folk... But as a fellow Halfling, I'm sure you knew that already.
Back with Gwen and Fallan, Gwen's countdown had begin, to give Fallan time to leave, Twenty five...
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Rose's smile returns as Carp speaks. The kid was certainly not the type to be phased by all the excitement it seems. Between being kidnapped by the Redbrands and having the town he lives in get more or less destroyed he still manage to keep his spirits high. It was a trait Rose admired and gave her hope for the towns survival. Yes, most of the people made it out to Neverwinter. The rest of my friends went to collect them. Should be back by tomorrow. We've been staying in the basement of the inn. Its not the coziest spot but it serves. And yeah I understand. I used to live with my Aunt as a child but when she sent me away to the temple ever since then its been living in places built for big folk. So I guess you could say I'm used to it. Besides it's easier for us to adjust to the extra space than it is for them anyway right? Rose would help the pair collect food and prepare a place to cook. She would stick around to help with the cooking as well.
Fallan laughs at Gwen - a sound that hadn't been heard from her in quite a while. "No, no, if you are here, I don't have to go and hide. Being with... ok, BEHIND you when you light this is good enough. Just like being with Root and Bell, I just feel better with 'bigger numbers' than just little old me facing.... whatever. Light 'em up!"
Then despite her comments of bravado, the halfling does, indeed, continue to take slow steps backward, looking for a large rock or bush or tree that she could leap behind if things didn't go smoothly.
Carp certainly was special in some way, how exactly, Rose couldn't tell though. The father seemed more grounded but still good, all things considered. Carp almost immediately going to gather the items closer to the ground, before it had even been decided. Aye, well it's better than nothing or being cramped. And that's good to hear, Maybe now we can petition Neverwinter for some guards or something. Now that that we actually were attacked despite all their comments that it would "never happen." he says, spitting into the dirt. Though at the last comment, the farmer turned beet red, for a different reason, before going even redder as he realized his mistake. A-Ahh.. yes, it is indeed easier for us than them! Just uh, grab whatever you feel would be good in a stew, and don't worry how much you take. It'll grow back. he says as he begins leaning over corn stalks to pull some corn down, as well as potatoes, tomatoes, and other such things.
Gwen snorted, jumping slightly in humor. True, better to face a dragon with an army than by yourself eh? Don't worry, I'm not judging you, it just may take me a bit to get used to your quirks. Either way, here goes.... she said, as power gathers in her palm. it takes only a moment, but soon, an orange glow can be seen at the core of the pile. Gwen continues to concentrate, repeating the spell in several places until the wood finally catches alight. The multiple bonfires meeting until finally the entire pile is on fire. Wisps of smoke already starting to curl up, and the scent of searing flesh begins to fill the air. Gwen curling her nose as it mixes in with the partially decaying flesh, as well as the otherwise unclean bodies of these orcs.
Within the glow though, Fallan could swear, she can just make out a pair of horns and a spear, or glaive of some kind within the fire, smiling wickedly before it ripples and fades into the natural appearance of fire, and everything she had seen in that flashing moment could be explained away by a piece of wood, or the fire in certain places.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
After Bell attends to the cart, she makes her way over towards Rose and the other halflings, presuming the angry one may have had time to cool off at least, if not relax. She takes a seat within earshot, but gives them their space. After taking a rather long guzzle from her jug, she takes out a lyre. While plucking at it swiftly to check the tuning, she speaks up. "If you're gearing up to make a meal... Root over there is quite a decent cook if you're lookin for one."
Check: Perfomance 6
She then begins strumming a soft melody, warm and soothing, but with a hint of a haunting 7th every few chords. It's audible but quiet enough to speak over.
"Dammit, I knew this thing wasn't tuned right," the Satyr grumbles as she
rolls an F-ing nat 1goes back to fiddling with the tuning, though whether it was actually the tuning or the amount she had drank from her jug that was causing the problem is unclear... she doesn’t appear inebriated."Um, ok. So we can go join the others? Even if it's for bad food?" Fallan asks. "And, um, yeah, my 'quirks', I can't do much about - at least not that I would know HOW to do what's needed at this point."
She starts in the direction of the inn but doesn't go far until she has seen Gwen heading in the same direction - as if there were some fixed distance where she couldn't be further away from a companion without dire consequences. While waiting for Gwen to catch up, she does ask another 'quirky' question: "Say, um, there wasn't a LEADER for those orcs, that you know of, was there? Someone... or someTHING that might not have been an orc, or even of this world? Nah, I must be dreamin... RIGHT?"
Rose collects several vegetables from the farm to be used in the stew as she listens to Bell struggle to play an out of tune instrument. Finally while Bell is trying to fix it Rose approaches and says Maybe you and Gwen can play us some music over dinner. I'd love to hear what the two of you can do together once that thing is in tune. Can you go see where Gwen and your other friend are? We should prepare a place to cook at the inn.
Bell gives up on playing, but her face only betrays her frustration for a moment or two. “Sorry, didn’t mean to be a bother! I’ll have this thing tuned up properly before I go at it again.” She hops up to her hooves. “What does Gwen play?”
After Rose’s answer, Bell traipses off to find Gwen and Fallan and summon them to help.
“Yes, I am great cook. If you have any spare food and ingredients I can start preparing.” Root will start to prepare a spot to cook, turning to Rose "Is there a river or stream with fish near by?"
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiABell, for one reason or another, while attempting initially to strum softly a note with haunting chords strewn periodically, her mind is just too caught up in the fact that not only did she miss the fight here, but that so many people had died as a result - whether any of that truly weighed on her was another thing but atleast for now she just couldn't perform to save her life - or perhaps she had been swindled on the instrument when she had received it, or perhaps something else entirely - Regardless her intended tone and the cacophony that actually manifested were truly painful to the ears.
Gwen couldn't get over the halflings reactions, Gwen had her own fears, so it's not as if she didn't understand, but this poor little thing was like a caffeinated hamster jumping at every shadow, but even behind the humor she felt, she found a bit of understanding as well. It was then that Fallan asked her second question and Gwen came out of her stupor of thought. Shaking her head quickly to dispel the lingering motes of thought before she says as she begins to move towards their destination Huh? Oh oh.. a leader? Well yes... They had a warcheif among them... she says, cupping her chin in thoughtfulness as she moved. That bastard was tough.... We had a Druid named Appa with us, and I'm honestly not sure if we would have won without him. The druid created an actual miniature sun in the middle of the battlefield and it incinerated half of the orcs that were still alive, but the warchief barely seemed phased... It took that, and all of us ganging up on the bastard to actually bring him down though Appa used some sort of weird spell to finish him off after we returned his staff to him in the midst of battle. But I don't think he was some supernatural thing, I think he was just a very unusually strong orc. I mean its not like its impossible.... Look at Humans like Elminster, or even Drow like .. what was his name? Ah yes. yes, Dritz, Drizzit? Somehting like that... They're just like you and me but they face dangers most would run in terror from. That and the warchiefs body didn't transform, or anything when he died...
Gwen pauses, remembering the events of that day, when they walked into the town, mostly abandoned, still on fire, and the small pile of unfortunate villagers...... that were being eaten.... And for a moment, Gwen stops in her tracks and covers her mouth to keep from retching at the thought....A shiver courses through her body and she closes her eyes, taking a deep breath, calming herself, if only so she wouldn't puke at the memory... Mhmmmm Ahem... Hhh... she mouths, clearing her throat. Sorry.. bad thoughts.... Ahem.. but Appa.. the druid that was with us also didn't really let his body settle.. now that I think about it... the roots or vines or whatever he was controlling pulled the orcs body under the earth moments after he died. Rose assisting with the vegetable collection and soon a fine amount is had between all of them.
Eventually, everyone is gathered within the inn, Root unfortunately finding out that there isn't any nearby water sources aside from the well in town, and a very small stream on the outskirts that is too small for any life to be sustained within it, and Root also gets reminded that Rose and company already had a cookpot setup within the cellar, which was just barely large enough to comfortably house all the gathered, while the pot and the fire beneath it kept the room comfortably warm, and the scents rising up from the mixed vegetables and the scent of the salted pork made sure that the smell of burning flesh outside never made it inside.
And while the food is still cooking, Bell and Gwen get together in a corner of the room, Gwen with her Viol, and she begins to Help Bell with the tuning since their instruments weren't all that different...
Occassional Dungeon Master.
"Ah, thanks," Bell says to Gwen as she gets her Lyre tuned nicely. "It's been a while since I've met anyone else who plays, so I haven't really have anything to tune off of in a while, ya know? My ears are pretty good but..." The Satyrs smile flickers away for a moment, but returns quickly. "This has all been a lot to take in. Mm. Aherm, well, take two!"
Performance: 14
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Fallan hovers over and continuously ducks between Root and Rose and the cooking pot, sniffing here and there, and making side comments. "Mmmmm, yes. Maybe a bit of thyme? What, no thyme, you've gotta have thyme, or you have no TIME for cooking! What about honeysuckle essence? Ohhh, you might want to stir a bit more to keep the root vegetables from sinking and burning. No, no, ALL the vegetables aren't YOURS, Root, you know what I mean. Oh, ok, I'll stop, just keep cooking, some of us are starving without having had second breakfast OR lunch!"
Glad that Gwen said there were no "otherworldly" leaders of the orc attack, Fallan just keeps to herself what she thought she saw in the flames of the pyre and focuses on potentially good food, and improving musical entertainment.