"I guess that settles it, we are going for a walk into town as we are. Be that heroes or not", Snow says smiling at Tamazaert, a little uncomfortable at her use of the word hero.
"If memory serves, there is a shrine in the town, which would likely be suitable for finding work. Let's go find out. I believe it was to Namawa", he adds.
He wanders over to the side of the ship and lowers the ladder.
"Shall we?", he says to the others, motioning to the now lowered ladder.
Varielky never stopped to consider what others might think about the fact that she was talking to a sword. She could hear it, so obviously it made sense, and even if not, her faith would be enough to convince her it is right. To others? She must seem crazy, at least a little. Moreover, she had no idea how she can explain any of this. Her old mentor turned into a sword, which is the same sword that was found by the son of the woman whose history they've been chasing for months now. They all knew she had a connection to this sword, she believed. Granophyre and Benita saw it first-hand when Varielky was drawn to the sword, so long ago. Maybe, after everything they've been through, it wouldn't be that unbelievable anymore. Maybe.
"It's uh, a bit complicated. If you don't already think I'm crazy, if I tried to explain, you'll surely do." Wait, that's not how she wanted to say that. Now it definitely sounds like she's just talking to a sword. "In short, Dreygaard is my connection to my old mentor." That didn't make it any better. "But you're right, not everything needs to be discussed with him. Already dragged you this far..." Varielky pauses and a short awkward silence fills the part she had no words to complete. "Thank you, for being here with me." She continues, a little embarrassed. "But you're not the same woman either. The first time we met you were almost as overconfident as I was. It may have been just luck that I won, but you were so disappointed." She laughs shortly, but in a light-hearted way, which might only confirm what Benita was saying.
"Now, are you coming with us, or do I meet you back here later?" Varielky asks, and perhaps waits a moment longer to listen for anything more Benita might say, before following Snow down the ladder.
(Understood that Varielky wasn’t trying to deceive. However, Benita knows her friend well enough to perceive that Varielky is not even remotely telling the whole truth about Dreygaard and its significance.)
During this quiet moment, removed from the others and prior to Snow’s invitation to leave the ship, Benita La Cass regards Varielky with an open expression as the shield-maiden answers her.
“Vee,” she says, eyes downcast for a moment, then looking more penetratingly at Varielky, “Look. I can tell, okay, that there’s something else happening.
“I’m sorry. That I left before. Knowing that I’ve got this little person inside me growing, and that I’m going to be its mom. Soon. I needed some time to myself. I didn’t even give you a chance to get used to the idea before I took off.
“But right before that. The night after we freed the Azhvuv Queen, I saw you. Something happened. And you’re still dealing with it. By yourself.
“I get it, bruiser. You’re strong and tough and you don’t need help. But I’m here now. So tell me. Why is your old mentor inside a sword you came across completely by chance back in Ishi Ammah?”
SNOW
“Thank you,” Tamazaert says. “I know I can never thank you enough, but thank you.” She leads the way down the ladder with Sura in a sling on her back.
Just as he steps off deck and onto the ladder himself, Snow sees Trivedi Das standing opposite him, in the doorway to the hold, quietly smoking his pipe. Apparently, he had quietly witnessed the exchange. When Snow finds his eyes, he sees his father looking right back at him, with great pride.
Snow assists Tamazaert in whatever way she needs, if it is a steadying hand or carrying something for her to keep her hands free.
As he locks eyes with his father from the top of the ladder, he gives him a quick grin and a tilt of the head, before descending himself.
"I am not sure if we mentioned who our acquaintances are from the village, but their names are Herru and Gwasila", he says to Tamazaert making conversation as they walk. "We helped them out with a spot of bother with the Amazighs on previous visit. I am not saying they owe us anything, but they are good people and will hopefully help you get settled. Oh, and they have a little girl too", he says, not going into the details of the giant snakes.
He turns back to the boat to make sure Auger, Varielky and whoever else was joining them was not too far behind.
(Huh, that makes sense. However, we're nearing the part where I'm not even sure I know/remember all that Benita wishes to know.)
"I must be like an open book to you now, am I not?" Varielky jests. "Well, truth is, he was far more than just my mentor. I'm sure I told you before that my parents died when I was very young. So young I only have a handful of memories of them, all so vague I can hardly tell whether they're memories or dreams I convinced myself were true. I had no other relatives, or so I was told, so instead, a priest took me in. He - Veleif was his name - was everything to me back then. Father, teacher, mentor... the man I feared the most and the man I wanted to make proud of me the most. He taught me how to fight, he taught me about the gods... I think you get it by now.
"When I left the village where we lived, he was still alive and well. A bit old, maybe, but I even thought I'll see him again someday." Varielky pauses for a moment. From here on, it was mostly trying to recall what Veleif told her. "But that village is long gone now, reduced to ashes by the empire, so I was told. The people with the houses and all. Do you remember what Granophyre's friend who found the sword said? He found it in the ruins of some house in an Indallian village, burnt for the worship of Dreyen gods. I didn't see the connection back then, but I wouldn't be surprised if that house was the very house my parents lived in. After all, he said it was burnt long ago.
"We knew I had some connection to the sword, but I didn't know its nature. During our journey to Kalahata I slowly discovered some of the sword's special properties, and in Kalahata, during a visit to the temple of Idiwala I was able to discover some of its history, or so I thought. In a scroll, I found a... painting, depicting a Dreyen king of old. His eyes were glowing, just like I can cause mine to do when I hold the sword, and he had the same mark on his forehead. He didn't hold any sword, but I was sure there had to be a connection. And on the night we freed the Azhvuv Queen, I suddenly heard Veleif's voice, from within the sword.
"He told me... well, a lot. And since then, occasionally, a whole lot more. Though I do not fully understand it, he turned himself into the sword, into Dreygard, to..." Varielky doesn't finish that sentence. At that moment, she decides not to reveal Veleif's claim that Varielky is some queen in exile of Drey. Even if Benita sees that Varielky still doesn't tell the whole truth, she won't tell her that, yet. Although she doubts it will, Varielky worries that information might change the nature of their relationship, somehow. There was no need to share it for now. "So now you know. But don't worry," she taps on the hilt of Dreygaard, "even if he is important to me, he'll never take your place."
Seeing the others step off the ship, Auger makes haste to join them, calling to Py to invisibly scout ahead as per usual.
Auger nods along at what Snow is suggesting for Tamazaert and Sura. While he would miss their presence, their safety was far from assured should they stick with the ship and so it was for the best that they find their own place.
Looking at Sura, Auger is once again mindful of how he was away from his own family and children. Perhaps soon it would be time to head home, after Granophyre finds his way into this underground place, perhaps.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
“That’s about as clear as Orracan mud," Benita says. "He turned himself into a sword? And an old Dreyen king used it before? That doesn’t make any sense. Unless.” She stops mid-thought. Turns away, re-doing her pony tail, looking pensively out of a porthole into the night.
“You’re Dreyen. That’s the language you… I’ve heard you speak it. When I was very young my parents took in refugees. Before they disappeared and I ended up on the streets of Kalahata. And the refugees, what they said sounded the same.”
She turns back to her friend, seeking confirmation in Varielky’s eyes.
AUGER
The southerner realizes it has been months since he last saw his wife and children, or his home in Anshin Prefecture. How old would the children now be?
ALL (present time)
Tamazaert with Sura, Snow, Varielky, and Auger with Py scouting, depart the Reaver’s Word and walk through the wood along the path they’ve trodden before, to Asni. It is shortly after dawn when you arrive to the edge of town. Among the rustling of small birds and animals in the underbrush and trees, you hear the call of a macaque from nearby.
From here, you can see to the town’s square, where farmers are already arriving with carts of things to sell.
(OOC: All, please roll Nature, DC 15. If you make it, you realize the macaque’s call was made by a human, not a monkey. A signal or an alarm.)
"Try not to react, but we are being watched", Snow says quietly as he continues walking towards the village with the others. "The monkey call was from a lookout".
It was actually encouraging that the villagers were taking precautions, but it did highlight an escalation in proceedings.
"It seems the villagers are taking precautions. That means they have something to hide, which in turn means they are preparing for what is to come", he says causally.
"Let us check out what they have done, and see what we spot as we head in. Maybe we can give them some advice on how to improve", he adds.
Varielky just shrugs. She knew it would be confusing since it is also confusing to her. It's like passing down letters, but rewriting everything every time. Some things ought to get lost in between. "I am Dreyen, I thought you knew. I used to hide it, out of fear of sharing the fate of all other Dreyen worshippers. But... I never thought I truly convinced anyone who knew me for even a little." She pauses. On second thought, there are plenty of languages spoken all over. If one doesn't speak it, it can be hard to tell which language they hear, sometimes. "I don't know exactly how we ended up in Indallia, since it happened either before I was born or before I could remember anything, but it's true that I grew up there, despite my kinship and my second language."
--
Present:
Nature: 15.
Although not very familiar with the sounds monkeys make, perhaps thanks to Snow's warning, or perhaps, having spent a short time as an ape not long ago, Varielky does get the feeling it is not a real call. Rather convincing, though. Not bad at all. She just hoped this wasn't a signal to prepare an ambush. Not that she was worried too much about facing villagers, but still it would be unpleasant. And, in addition, they had Tamazaert and Sura with them. She doesn't say anything about the matter, yet.
Auger listens to the sounds of the local fauna and thinks back briefly to the time in the Fey Wild which had all sorts of interesting things going on, even when trees were not walking and attacking. He still wondered about that lion who seemed like it had something to say right at the -- at this point Snow quietly states his warning and Auger refocuses on their surroundings, trying to pay better attention to what is going on around him.
Perception: 14 +0 = 14.
Py, there is someone keeping watch. The monkey call. Stay vigilant. Is it anything we need be concerned about?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Py is not in telepathic range at this moment, for it is invisibly scouting ahead in the village. Apparently it noticed nothing of note when it came this way a minute earlier.
As you approach, you hear a rustle among the trees but can’t attribute the sound to anything other than more forest creatures. (OOC: Snow & Auger, success in an Arcana DC 15 roll would mean that you recognize the use of Pass Without Trace to hide some number of persons who seem to keep pace with you.)
At the outskirts of the town, you find it is encircled by marshy grasses, in the shape a half-moat, which was not there before. This, in turn, outlines an eight-foot tall line of thorny vines, a sort of palisade. A cattle bridge crosses over the ersatz moat, which you notice could be pulled up using a winch.Two older folk sit in chairs to either side of an arched entry through the vines. One, an elderly human with a peg leg and a large round corona of tightly curled graying hair. The other, an elderly chimp woman wearing a red Tahesian toga, a matching bandana, and large hoop earrings.
You hear scattered whispers from the nearest trees, but do not make out their source. The elderly pair seem to break off a friendly conversation about the weather. (Roll Insight DC 15 to know that they have been carefully eying you since you came within view.)
As you approach, they appear wary at first, then, some note of recognition passes across the chimp woman’s features. “It’s them, Yimlul!,” she whispers, standing up as you near.
“Who?”
“The ones what saved Herru and Gwasila.”
You think you remember the pair from the town meeting in Asni those weeks ago. A man with a peg-leg definitely was there, though neither he nor a chimp woman spoke. (OOC: A perception check of 15 will allow you to know for certain.)
Arcana: 8+3=11 (Fails to notice the Pass Without Trace) Insight: 17+5=22 (Success to realise they are keeping a careful eye on us) Perception: 12+9=21 (Success in remembering the pair from the town meeting)
"Greetings, it is good to be back at Asni Village. It has been some time since we saw you at the town meeting, it seems much has changed", Snow says returning their greetings in a friendly manner and motioning towards the makeshift natural palisade.
"It seems you remember us. Are we still welcome to visit our friends in the village?", he says, offering them the choice of whether to invite them across the cattle bridge.
Varielky whistles in admiration when she first sees the village's new defences. It looks like they were aided by the Red Cypress' Druids, but it was impressive nonetheless.
Other than that, for now, Varielky keeps silent. She's seen those two before, so they've seen her, too. If they're welcome in the village, there's no need to say anything more than what Snow already said. Maybe she'll remark about their choice of topic for a pretended conversation. Weather? Nobody truly speaks about the weather, unless it's unbearable.
Auger allows Snow to greet the two Asni village members. He stand nearby and smiles at them while Snow speaks. He does recognize them from the town meeting those weeks ago and notes how carefully they watched their small company as they approached. Auger feels the use of magic nearby. Mmore are hidden. Good. Good. Quite a few defenses appear to have been established here. Safety for Asni would be good for Tamazaert and Sura as well as the villagers themselves. He allows those who follow magically to remain hidden for the moment. No need to create trouble when they expected to be let into Asni momentarily.
“Well,” says the older woman, her eyes bright, “you could say there have been changes. But for some old enough to remember, we’d say there is nothing new to be seen.” She winks at the man beside her, who nods sagely, though still warily.
“You’re welcome, alright,” a grainy voice interrupts from behind you.
You recognize the man who now steps out of concealment. He spoke at the town meeting, a boatman who bravely addressed the assembled townsfolk, ending with this statement:
“My pappi fought in the rebellion those 50 years ago. Yes! I say so, freely, even though we’re thrown in stockades for even mentioning the flockin’ rebellion. I say it all right! And I say… let us continue what they started!!”
You later learned his name to be Elmahdi Faras. Oraccan family but born and raised in the Vale. Now he wears studded leather armor and carries a long bow and sword at his hip. He carries himself firmly and his eyes are hooded and penetrating.
“I know you, allies of the people of the Vale” he says, offering a firm handshake to Snow and Varielky, and a nod to Auger. To his similarly accoutered second-in-command, who seems to materialize from thin air as he drops from a tree’s overhanging bough to land on the road behind you, Elmahdi utters a curt command. After a brief exchange, the second-in-command melts back into the woods.
“Where are you heading?,” Elmahdi asks as he leads you through the defenses and into town.
Snow takes the offered handshake and smiles warmly at Elmahdi.
"We remember you as well, it seems the people have listened to your words", he says motioning to the defences and the retreating second-in-command.
"As for ourselves, this is just a brief visit. A friend of ours is looking for a place to settle with her young child, and we told her of Asni. We know you are good welcoming folk here, to those who wish freedom for the Vale", he adds as they walk.
"Tell me, have you had much trouble in the village, or is this all precautionary for now?".
Auger politely feigns surprise when the people from Asni step out. He smiles and nods along with Snow, adding his own thought, "Asni was a very kind town to us and smart to listen to Snow and Varielky's counsel. I do hope there have been no attacks here."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Tamazaert follows you through the makeshift portcullis and into the village, and Elmahdi’s eye lingers on her for a long while, and on Sura.
(OOC: roll Insight DC20 to read his intent)
“Will the father be arriving soon too?,” Elmahdi asks the young mother.
“We go our own way. The father isn’t my concern”.
Elmahdi nods very slightly.
“And who have we here?”
“I’m I’m I’m Kotashin. Knight-defender of of… of them.”
To Tamazaert, Elmahdi, a corner of his lip turned up, says, “You won’t have nothin to fear from my like, Miss.”
Her eyes shoot to his, a warning.
Re: “…have you had much trouble in the village?” and “I do hope there have been no attacks here.”
“Only tryin to keep the garrison at bay, buy some time. Threw our dozen Khazaran (ooc: I.e., imperial garrison) in chains, they still there. It’s the Imperial Post that’s most worryin. We try to deflect, use tricks to keep what we doin secret, keep messengers from passin through. Won’t last forever.
”Heard any news from Kalahata?”
(OOC: you’re in the village. Where are you heading, the temple or the guild hall, or?)
"I guess that settles it, we are going for a walk into town as we are. Be that heroes or not", Snow says smiling at Tamazaert, a little uncomfortable at her use of the word hero.
"If memory serves, there is a shrine in the town, which would likely be suitable for finding work. Let's go find out. I believe it was to Namawa", he adds.
He wanders over to the side of the ship and lowers the ladder.
"Shall we?", he says to the others, motioning to the now lowered ladder.
Varielky never stopped to consider what others might think about the fact that she was talking to a sword. She could hear it, so obviously it made sense, and even if not, her faith would be enough to convince her it is right. To others? She must seem crazy, at least a little. Moreover, she had no idea how she can explain any of this. Her old mentor turned into a sword, which is the same sword that was found by the son of the woman whose history they've been chasing for months now. They all knew she had a connection to this sword, she believed. Granophyre and Benita saw it first-hand when Varielky was drawn to the sword, so long ago. Maybe, after everything they've been through, it wouldn't be that unbelievable anymore. Maybe.
"It's uh, a bit complicated. If you don't already think I'm crazy, if I tried to explain, you'll surely do." Wait, that's not how she wanted to say that. Now it definitely sounds like she's just talking to a sword. "In short, Dreygaard is my connection to my old mentor." That didn't make it any better. "But you're right, not everything needs to be discussed with him. Already dragged you this far..." Varielky pauses and a short awkward silence fills the part she had no words to complete. "Thank you, for being here with me." She continues, a little embarrassed. "But you're not the same woman either. The first time we met you were almost as overconfident as I was. It may have been just luck that I won, but you were so disappointed." She laughs shortly, but in a light-hearted way, which might only confirm what Benita was saying.
"Now, are you coming with us, or do I meet you back here later?" Varielky asks, and perhaps waits a moment longer to listen for anything more Benita might say, before following Snow down the ladder.
Varielky
(Varielky pls roll deception)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Varielky wasn't trying to deceive or anything but... 3+3=6.
Varielky
VARIELKY
(Understood that Varielky wasn’t trying to deceive. However, Benita knows her friend well enough to perceive that Varielky is not even remotely telling the whole truth about Dreygaard and its significance.)
During this quiet moment, removed from the others and prior to Snow’s invitation to leave the ship, Benita La Cass regards Varielky with an open expression as the shield-maiden answers her.
“Vee,” she says, eyes downcast for a moment, then looking more penetratingly at Varielky, “Look. I can tell, okay, that there’s something else happening.
“I’m sorry. That I left before. Knowing that I’ve got this little person inside me growing, and that I’m going to be its mom. Soon. I needed some time to myself. I didn’t even give you a chance to get used to the idea before I took off.
“But right before that. The night after we freed the Azhvuv Queen, I saw you. Something happened. And you’re still dealing with it. By yourself.
“I get it, bruiser. You’re strong and tough and you don’t need help. But I’m here now. So tell me. Why is your old mentor inside a sword you came across completely by chance back in Ishi Ammah?”
SNOW
“Thank you,” Tamazaert says. “I know I can never thank you enough, but thank you.” She leads the way down the ladder with Sura in a sling on her back.
Just as he steps off deck and onto the ladder himself, Snow sees Trivedi Das standing opposite him, in the doorway to the hold, quietly smoking his pipe. Apparently, he had quietly witnessed the exchange. When Snow finds his eyes, he sees his father looking right back at him, with great pride.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Snow assists Tamazaert in whatever way she needs, if it is a steadying hand or carrying something for her to keep her hands free.
As he locks eyes with his father from the top of the ladder, he gives him a quick grin and a tilt of the head, before descending himself.
"I am not sure if we mentioned who our acquaintances are from the village, but their names are Herru and Gwasila", he says to Tamazaert making conversation as they walk. "We helped them out with a spot of bother with the Amazighs on previous visit. I am not saying they owe us anything, but they are good people and will hopefully help you get settled. Oh, and they have a little girl too", he says, not going into the details of the giant snakes.
He turns back to the boat to make sure Auger, Varielky and whoever else was joining them was not too far behind.
(Huh, that makes sense. However, we're nearing the part where I'm not even sure I know/remember all that Benita wishes to know.)
"I must be like an open book to you now, am I not?" Varielky jests. "Well, truth is, he was far more than just my mentor. I'm sure I told you before that my parents died when I was very young. So young I only have a handful of memories of them, all so vague I can hardly tell whether they're memories or dreams I convinced myself were true. I had no other relatives, or so I was told, so instead, a priest took me in. He - Veleif was his name - was everything to me back then. Father, teacher, mentor... the man I feared the most and the man I wanted to make proud of me the most. He taught me how to fight, he taught me about the gods... I think you get it by now.
"When I left the village where we lived, he was still alive and well. A bit old, maybe, but I even thought I'll see him again someday." Varielky pauses for a moment. From here on, it was mostly trying to recall what Veleif told her. "But that village is long gone now, reduced to ashes by the empire, so I was told. The people with the houses and all. Do you remember what Granophyre's friend who found the sword said? He found it in the ruins of some house in an Indallian village, burnt for the worship of Dreyen gods. I didn't see the connection back then, but I wouldn't be surprised if that house was the very house my parents lived in. After all, he said it was burnt long ago.
"We knew I had some connection to the sword, but I didn't know its nature. During our journey to Kalahata I slowly discovered some of the sword's special properties, and in Kalahata, during a visit to the temple of Idiwala I was able to discover some of its history, or so I thought. In a scroll, I found a... painting, depicting a Dreyen king of old. His eyes were glowing, just like I can cause mine to do when I hold the sword, and he had the same mark on his forehead. He didn't hold any sword, but I was sure there had to be a connection. And on the night we freed the Azhvuv Queen, I suddenly heard Veleif's voice, from within the sword.
"He told me... well, a lot. And since then, occasionally, a whole lot more. Though I do not fully understand it, he turned himself into the sword, into Dreygard, to..." Varielky doesn't finish that sentence. At that moment, she decides not to reveal Veleif's claim that Varielky is some queen in exile of Drey. Even if Benita sees that Varielky still doesn't tell the whole truth, she won't tell her that, yet. Although she doubts it will, Varielky worries that information might change the nature of their relationship, somehow. There was no need to share it for now. "So now you know. But don't worry," she taps on the hilt of Dreygaard, "even if he is important to me, he'll never take your place."
Varielky
Seeing the others step off the ship, Auger makes haste to join them, calling to Py to invisibly scout ahead as per usual.
Auger nods along at what Snow is suggesting for Tamazaert and Sura. While he would miss their presence, their safety was far from assured should they stick with the ship and so it was for the best that they find their own place.
Looking at Sura, Auger is once again mindful of how he was away from his own family and children. Perhaps soon it would be time to head home, after Granophyre finds his way into this underground place, perhaps.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
VARIELKY (prior night)
“That’s about as clear as Orracan mud," Benita says. "He turned himself into a sword? And an old Dreyen king used it before? That doesn’t make any sense. Unless.” She stops mid-thought. Turns away, re-doing her pony tail, looking pensively out of a porthole into the night.
“You’re Dreyen. That’s the language you… I’ve heard you speak it. When I was very young my parents took in refugees. Before they disappeared and I ended up on the streets of Kalahata. And the refugees, what they said sounded the same.”
She turns back to her friend, seeking confirmation in Varielky’s eyes.
AUGER
The southerner realizes it has been months since he last saw his wife and children, or his home in Anshin Prefecture. How old would the children now be?
ALL (present time)
Tamazaert with Sura, Snow, Varielky, and Auger with Py scouting, depart the Reaver’s Word and walk through the wood along the path they’ve trodden before, to Asni. It is shortly after dawn when you arrive to the edge of town. Among the rustling of small birds and animals in the underbrush and trees, you hear the call of a macaque from nearby.
From here, you can see to the town’s square, where farmers are already arriving with carts of things to sell.
(OOC: All, please roll Nature, DC 15. If you make it, you realize the macaque’s call was made by a human, not a monkey. A signal or an alarm.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Nature: 14+3=17
"Try not to react, but we are being watched", Snow says quietly as he continues walking towards the village with the others. "The monkey call was from a lookout".
It was actually encouraging that the villagers were taking precautions, but it did highlight an escalation in proceedings.
"It seems the villagers are taking precautions. That means they have something to hide, which in turn means they are preparing for what is to come", he says causally.
"Let us check out what they have done, and see what we spot as we head in. Maybe we can give them some advice on how to improve", he adds.
Perception: 7+9=16 (Passive: 19)
Prior night:
Varielky just shrugs. She knew it would be confusing since it is also confusing to her. It's like passing down letters, but rewriting everything every time. Some things ought to get lost in between. "I am Dreyen, I thought you knew. I used to hide it, out of fear of sharing the fate of all other Dreyen worshippers. But... I never thought I truly convinced anyone who knew me for even a little." She pauses. On second thought, there are plenty of languages spoken all over. If one doesn't speak it, it can be hard to tell which language they hear, sometimes. "I don't know exactly how we ended up in Indallia, since it happened either before I was born or before I could remember anything, but it's true that I grew up there, despite my kinship and my second language."
--
Present:
Nature: 15.
Although not very familiar with the sounds monkeys make, perhaps thanks to Snow's warning, or perhaps, having spent a short time as an ape not long ago, Varielky does get the feeling it is not a real call. Rather convincing, though. Not bad at all. She just hoped this wasn't a signal to prepare an ambush. Not that she was worried too much about facing villagers, but still it would be unpleasant. And, in addition, they had Tamazaert and Sura with them. She doesn't say anything about the matter, yet.
Varielky
Nature: 8 +1 = 9
Auger listens to the sounds of the local fauna and thinks back briefly to the time in the Fey Wild which had all sorts of interesting things going on, even when trees were not walking and attacking. He still wondered about that lion who seemed like it had something to say right at the -- at this point Snow quietly states his warning and Auger refocuses on their surroundings, trying to pay better attention to what is going on around him.
Perception: 14 +0 = 14.
Py, there is someone keeping watch. The monkey call. Stay vigilant. Is it anything we need be concerned about?
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Py is not in telepathic range at this moment, for it is invisibly scouting ahead in the village. Apparently it noticed nothing of note when it came this way a minute earlier.
As you approach, you hear a rustle among the trees but can’t attribute the sound to anything other than more forest creatures. (OOC: Snow & Auger, success in an Arcana DC 15 roll would mean that you recognize the use of Pass Without Trace to hide some number of persons who seem to keep pace with you.)
At the outskirts of the town, you find it is encircled by marshy grasses, in the shape a half-moat, which was not there before. This, in turn, outlines an eight-foot tall line of thorny vines, a sort of palisade. A cattle bridge crosses over the ersatz moat, which you notice could be pulled up using a winch.Two older folk sit in chairs to either side of an arched entry through the vines. One, an elderly human with a peg leg and a large round corona of tightly curled graying hair. The other, an elderly chimp woman wearing a red Tahesian toga, a matching bandana, and large hoop earrings.
You hear scattered whispers from the nearest trees, but do not make out their source. The elderly pair seem to break off a friendly conversation about the weather. (Roll Insight DC 15 to know that they have been carefully eying you since you came within view.)
As you approach, they appear wary at first, then, some note of recognition passes across the chimp woman’s features. “It’s them, Yimlul!,” she whispers, standing up as you near.
“Who?”
“The ones what saved Herru and Gwasila.”
You think you remember the pair from the town meeting in Asni those weeks ago. A man with a peg-leg definitely was there, though neither he nor a chimp woman spoke. (OOC: A perception check of 15 will allow you to know for certain.)
They both stand and offer greetings.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Arcana: 8+3=11 (Fails to notice the Pass Without Trace)
Insight: 17+5=22 (Success to realise they are keeping a careful eye on us)
Perception: 12+9=21 (Success in remembering the pair from the town meeting)
"Greetings, it is good to be back at Asni Village. It has been some time since we saw you at the town meeting, it seems much has changed", Snow says returning their greetings in a friendly manner and motioning towards the makeshift natural palisade.
"It seems you remember us. Are we still welcome to visit our friends in the village?", he says, offering them the choice of whether to invite them across the cattle bridge.
Insight: 12+5=17.
Perception: 14+5=19.
Varielky whistles in admiration when she first sees the village's new defences. It looks like they were aided by the Red Cypress' Druids, but it was impressive nonetheless.
Other than that, for now, Varielky keeps silent. She's seen those two before, so they've seen her, too. If they're welcome in the village, there's no need to say anything more than what Snow already said. Maybe she'll remark about their choice of topic for a pretended conversation. Weather? Nobody truly speaks about the weather, unless it's unbearable.
Varielky
Auger allows Snow to greet the two Asni village members. He stand nearby and smiles at them while Snow speaks. He does recognize them from the town meeting those weeks ago and notes how carefully they watched their small company as they approached. Auger feels the use of magic nearby. Mmore are hidden. Good. Good. Quite a few defenses appear to have been established here. Safety for Asni would be good for Tamazaert and Sura as well as the villagers themselves. He allows those who follow magically to remain hidden for the moment. No need to create trouble when they expected to be let into Asni momentarily.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
“Well,” says the older woman, her eyes bright, “you could say there have been changes. But for some old enough to remember, we’d say there is nothing new to be seen.” She winks at the man beside her, who nods sagely, though still warily.
“You’re welcome, alright,” a grainy voice interrupts from behind you.
You recognize the man who now steps out of concealment. He spoke at the town meeting, a boatman who bravely addressed the assembled townsfolk, ending with this statement:
You later learned his name to be Elmahdi Faras. Oraccan family but born and raised in the Vale. Now he wears studded leather armor and carries a long bow and sword at his hip. He carries himself firmly and his eyes are hooded and penetrating.
“I know you, allies of the people of the Vale” he says, offering a firm handshake to Snow and Varielky, and a nod to Auger. To his similarly accoutered second-in-command, who seems to materialize from thin air as he drops from a tree’s overhanging bough to land on the road behind you, Elmahdi utters a curt command. After a brief exchange, the second-in-command melts back into the woods.
“Where are you heading?,” Elmahdi asks as he leads you through the defenses and into town.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Snow takes the offered handshake and smiles warmly at Elmahdi.
"We remember you as well, it seems the people have listened to your words", he says motioning to the defences and the retreating second-in-command.
"As for ourselves, this is just a brief visit. A friend of ours is looking for a place to settle with her young child, and we told her of Asni. We know you are good welcoming folk here, to those who wish freedom for the Vale", he adds as they walk.
"Tell me, have you had much trouble in the village, or is this all precautionary for now?".
Auger politely feigns surprise when the people from Asni step out. He smiles and nods along with Snow, adding his own thought, "Asni was a very kind town to us and smart to listen to Snow and Varielky's counsel. I do hope there have been no attacks here."
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Tamazaert follows you through the makeshift portcullis and into the village, and Elmahdi’s eye lingers on her for a long while, and on Sura.
(OOC: roll Insight DC20 to read his intent)
“Will the father be arriving soon too?,” Elmahdi asks the young mother.
“We go our own way. The father isn’t my concern”.
Elmahdi nods very slightly.
“And who have we here?”
“I’m I’m I’m Kotashin. Knight-defender of of… of them.”
To Tamazaert, Elmahdi, a corner of his lip turned up, says, “You won’t have nothin to fear from my like, Miss.”
Her eyes shoot to his, a warning.
Re: “…have you had much trouble in the village?” and “I do hope there have been no attacks here.”
“Only tryin to keep the garrison at bay, buy some time. Threw our dozen Khazaran (ooc: I.e., imperial garrison) in chains, they still there. It’s the Imperial Post that’s most worryin. We try to deflect, use tricks to keep what we doin secret, keep messengers from passin through. Won’t last forever.
”Heard any news from Kalahata?”
(OOC: you’re in the village. Where are you heading, the temple or the guild hall, or?)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer