"good to meat you, Valzrie. I'm Krieos. I'm also new to this adventuring, but I need to spread peace, and it seems adventure is one of the few ways it can be done."
As you make your way out of the Stonehill Inn, you pass the town map that Tolben had laid out on the table, now laid against the wall near the door.
Once outside, you are met with a quaint town that matches the map's description well. From the inn doorway you turn right and immediately see the path to Triboar Trial running around the right side of the inn. Near the path, you can also see the Shrine you passed on the way in is still vacant.
The sun is shining, yet there is much water and mud about from the harsh weather of days passed.
Merah doesn't even bother trying to avoid all the water and mud about. Her boots have seen far worse, and they'll probably only see the same. She does take a moment outside the inn to raise her face up to the sky, closing her eyes and soaking in the sunlight. Then she squares her shoulders and heads toward the road out of here.
But she stops as she nears the shrine and looks back at the others. With a wave of her hand, she says, "I'm, uh, gonna make a quick stop for a mo'. I'll catch up if ya wanna keep moving down the road."
Valzrie follows behind Merah at a respectful distance, recognizing the shrine for what it is, but more interested to get on the road than stop and pray. The Stormlord values action over piety and strong swords over sung words.
Impatient, the hulking Dragonborn's hand drifts to the hilt of his sword as his head keeps up a near-constant scan of the street around them, looking for trouble or a reason to smite someone.
Heading into the temple, Merah takes note of the rather empty looking place. The 'luck' on the door makes her gives a low chuckle. "Yeah, alright, that kinda fits," she mutters under her breath. Standing almost awkwardly just inside the door, it's pretty clear she doesn't quite know what to do in a place of worship. But she strides toward the altar, brushes her fingers against it, and gives a silent little prayer of thanks. Then she nods her head and turns on her heel, heading back out of the door.
"Ain't there always supposed to be someone in a holy place or somethin'?" she asks as she rejoins the group. She jerks a thumb over her shoulder at the shrine behind her. "Cause that one's all empty. Looks like it might've been for a while, too."
Merah widens her stride as well, keeping up the brisk pace with the dragonborn. "You, ah, you got some interestin' perception of the gods," she says. "I mean, not that I'm complainin'. I definitely prefer action, too. Just not what I'm used to when people talk 'bout the gods."
North of the Shrine of luck, there's a large red house, its windows shuttered from the storm. Just passed it lies a road to more homes and from the nearby brown, yellow, and orange ones, you can tell that they're all probably closed up as well.
Though it is early, many of the residents have not yet come to unlock them, or they simply have chosen to leave them closed for the season.
Still further North, the final building before the Triboar Trial is an enormous red building with a sign that reads:
"Barthen’s Provisions"
bright and proud in the morning sun. Its shutters noticeably have been opened up and this place is open for business. From the street, you can see two young clerks moving inside through the windows.
'The Gods require us to act on their behalf on this plane. Far too many think entreaties and supplications are sufficient to meet the demands of faith. Those of us who walk the ridge of the world do so in the sight and light of the gods. We should carry ourselves accordingly and not look for opportunities to draw their attention with fragrant smoke or silly rituals.'
The Dragonborn's soliloquy gets increasingly strident as he goes on, until he suddenly catches himself, aware that he was speaking too loudly and too forcefully. Ducking his head in an apology he speaks up in a more measured tone. 'Or at least, that's the path I have been called to walk. Others must make their own choices in this world.' and then quieter, almost to himself 'and suffer the consequences....'
Looking up as they pass Barthen's he calls out 'Anyone need any last minute supplies? I have all I need and I'm eager to keep moving, but some of you may not be prepared for our journey....;
Merah listens bemusedly to Valzrie as they walk, a crooked grin on her face. Her eyes catch on the shuttered up houses, something that doesn't necessarily seem normal. But she shrugs it off and focuses back on her party. She does a quick pat-down of her coat's pockets, making sure everything is still there. Then she shrugs at Valzrie. "Could be worth stoppin' and seein' what they've got, but it ain't necessary on my part. Anyone else?"
Electing not to visit the provisions store, north of the town the Triboar trail seems like a long road through smooth plains. Far to the South and East are the foothills of the Sword Mountains, and in the distance they cross your path. The path is sunny yet from the highest peak of Icespire, you can feel a cool breeze pass you all as you set out.
Merah strides easily down the path. The sun is out, and she is soaking in the sunshine. She takes to the lead alongside Valzire presumably, just as eager to run headlong into danger as him. She does start to hum under her breath as they continue, a jaunty little sailing tune that always gets stuck in her head. Overall, a fairly cheery and confident persona, especially now that she's thanked the gods.
Walking at a normal pace, by noon you've made a good headway into the path.
Over the hours, the most active sights have come from the forest. Deer and badger have crossed out into eyesight then back into the trees. There are hundreds of bushes that have grown between the road and it which carry few small inedible berries. The budding yet-to-be-berry flowers, however, have exploded across every bush from the powerful watering and sunlight they've recently received.
On the right side of the road coming up, for the first time in the entire trip, a small outcropping from the mountain range stretched out and broke the monotony of the undeveloped plains. Upon the hillside you can see goats that graze without any care in the world, confident in their ability to ascend the difficult terrain if needed.
As the afternoon sun lowered towards evening, the flowers slowly began to curl inward and the goats returned to the higher areas where they slept under stars.
Curiously, the momentary stillness is just that. The disappearance of life has brought awareness to something new. Something that's been running between the bushes that is definitely not a badger.
You've each caught glimpses of it since the sun started to dip, jumping between the shadows of shrubs.
Taking everything in with an almost childlike wonder, Merah spends quite a bit of time studying their surroundings as they walk onwards. It's quite a change from the seas she's known for most of her life, anyway. She's only really stepped off the path once, and that was to grab a few of the pretty flowers they've seen. She's tucked them into her braids now and seems satisfied.
However, as the group continues to move, she spots something out of the corner of her eye. Some type of movement, and it sets her a little on edge. "Y'all see that, right?" she asks quietly, trying to appear nonchalant as she rolls the cuffs of her sleeves up. "That thing over there in the bushes?"
"good to meat you, Valzrie. I'm Krieos. I'm also new to this adventuring, but I need to spread peace, and it seems adventure is one of the few ways it can be done."
I totally advise riding an animated castle.
As you make your way out of the Stonehill Inn, you pass the town map that Tolben had laid out on the table, now laid against the wall near the door.
Once outside, you are met with a quaint town that matches the map's description well. From the inn doorway you turn right and immediately see the path to Triboar Trial running around the right side of the inn. Near the path, you can also see the Shrine you passed on the way in is still vacant.
The sun is shining, yet there is much water and mud about from the harsh weather of days passed.
Merah doesn't even bother trying to avoid all the water and mud about. Her boots have seen far worse, and they'll probably only see the same. She does take a moment outside the inn to raise her face up to the sky, closing her eyes and soaking in the sunlight. Then she squares her shoulders and heads toward the road out of here.
But she stops as she nears the shrine and looks back at the others. With a wave of her hand, she says, "I'm, uh, gonna make a quick stop for a mo'. I'll catch up if ya wanna keep moving down the road."
Valzrie follows Merah and rest of the crew out of the tavern, eager to get underway.
Ricster stops as Merah runs off. "I think we should wait for her."
Merah reaches the Shrine and views the symbol for "luck" pressed into a metal plate hanging from the top like a welcome sign.
Yet nobody is there and the incense holders are empty, without any old ash.
The attending monk seems to be absent...
Valzrie follows behind Merah at a respectful distance, recognizing the shrine for what it is, but more interested to get on the road than stop and pray. The Stormlord values action over piety and strong swords over sung words.
Impatient, the hulking Dragonborn's hand drifts to the hilt of his sword as his head keeps up a near-constant scan of the street around them, looking for trouble or a reason to smite someone.
Heading into the temple, Merah takes note of the rather empty looking place. The 'luck' on the door makes her gives a low chuckle. "Yeah, alright, that kinda fits," she mutters under her breath. Standing almost awkwardly just inside the door, it's pretty clear she doesn't quite know what to do in a place of worship. But she strides toward the altar, brushes her fingers against it, and gives a silent little prayer of thanks. Then she nods her head and turns on her heel, heading back out of the door.
"Ain't there always supposed to be someone in a holy place or somethin'?" she asks as she rejoins the group. She jerks a thumb over her shoulder at the shrine behind her. "Cause that one's all empty. Looks like it might've been for a while, too."
Empty temples are a good sign. Hopefully, it means the Monks tending it are out there doing something - gods prefer action over insense.'
Valzrie opens his stride to get the party moving more quickly towards danger.
Merah widens her stride as well, keeping up the brisk pace with the dragonborn. "You, ah, you got some interestin' perception of the gods," she says. "I mean, not that I'm complainin'. I definitely prefer action, too. Just not what I'm used to when people talk 'bout the gods."
North of the Shrine of luck, there's a large red house, its windows shuttered from the storm. Just passed it lies a road to more homes and from the nearby brown, yellow, and orange ones, you can tell that they're all probably closed up as well.
Though it is early, many of the residents have not yet come to unlock them, or they simply have chosen to leave them closed for the season.
Still further North, the final building before the Triboar Trial is an enormous red building with a sign that reads:
"Barthen’s Provisions"
bright and proud in the morning sun. Its shutters noticeably have been opened up and this place is open for business. From the street, you can see two young clerks moving inside through the windows.
'The Gods require us to act on their behalf on this plane. Far too many think entreaties and supplications are sufficient to meet the demands of faith. Those of us who walk the ridge of the world do so in the sight and light of the gods. We should carry ourselves accordingly and not look for opportunities to draw their attention with fragrant smoke or silly rituals.'
The Dragonborn's soliloquy gets increasingly strident as he goes on, until he suddenly catches himself, aware that he was speaking too loudly and too forcefully. Ducking his head in an apology he speaks up in a more measured tone. 'Or at least, that's the path I have been called to walk. Others must make their own choices in this world.' and then quieter, almost to himself 'and suffer the consequences....'
Looking up as they pass Barthen's he calls out 'Anyone need any last minute supplies? I have all I need and I'm eager to keep moving, but some of you may not be prepared for our journey....;
Merah listens bemusedly to Valzrie as they walk, a crooked grin on her face. Her eyes catch on the shuttered up houses, something that doesn't necessarily seem normal. But she shrugs it off and focuses back on her party. She does a quick pat-down of her coat's pockets, making sure everything is still there. Then she shrugs at Valzrie. "Could be worth stoppin' and seein' what they've got, but it ain't necessary on my part. Anyone else?"
Ricster runs through his mental notes for the things he has. "I think I have everything I need... but I can wait if someone need to get something."
Electing not to visit the provisions store, north of the town the Triboar trail seems like a long road through smooth plains. Far to the South and East are the foothills of the Sword Mountains, and in the distance they cross your path. The path is sunny yet from the highest peak of Icespire, you can feel a cool breeze pass you all as you set out.
Merah strides easily down the path. The sun is out, and she is soaking in the sunshine. She takes to the lead alongside Valzire presumably, just as eager to run headlong into danger as him. She does start to hum under her breath as they continue, a jaunty little sailing tune that always gets stuck in her head. Overall, a fairly cheery and confident persona, especially now that she's thanked the gods.
Walking at a normal pace, by noon you've made a good headway into the path.
Over the hours, the most active sights have come from the forest. Deer and badger have crossed out into eyesight then back into the trees. There are hundreds of bushes that have grown between the road and it which carry few small inedible berries. The budding yet-to-be-berry flowers, however, have exploded across every bush from the powerful watering and sunlight they've recently received.
On the right side of the road coming up, for the first time in the entire trip, a small outcropping from the mountain range stretched out and broke the monotony of the undeveloped plains. Upon the hillside you can see goats that graze without any care in the world, confident in their ability to ascend the difficult terrain if needed.
[1PM]
As the afternoon sun lowered towards evening, the flowers slowly began to curl inward and the goats returned to the higher areas where they slept under stars.
Curiously, the momentary stillness is just that. The disappearance of life has brought awareness to something new. Something that's been running between the bushes that is definitely not a badger.
You've each caught glimpses of it since the sun started to dip, jumping between the shadows of shrubs.
[4PM]
Taking everything in with an almost childlike wonder, Merah spends quite a bit of time studying their surroundings as they walk onwards. It's quite a change from the seas she's known for most of her life, anyway. She's only really stepped off the path once, and that was to grab a few of the pretty flowers they've seen. She's tucked them into her braids now and seems satisfied.
However, as the group continues to move, she spots something out of the corner of her eye. Some type of movement, and it sets her a little on edge. "Y'all see that, right?" she asks quietly, trying to appear nonchalant as she rolls the cuffs of her sleeves up. "That thing over there in the bushes?"
Ricster nods and trains his eyes at the direction. "I think I saw movement. We should check it out." He takes out his daggers while he is speaking.