Vin continues to back away to get to Nef and keep them calm. The black hound immediately relaxed as soon as vin is away from the sword threatening. She seems content with the bird being killed or not as long as Vin isn't in danger. vin for his part is ready to support his friends if it comes to it but really doesn't want anymore fighting. He just waits to see if they can reach them or if his own words speak some reason into the situation. So he waits but now next to Nef so Elthana and others can focus on one fight and not more.
As Sam's grasp releases and Gewyn forces his way between the pair, Griff takes off vertically and sheathes his sword, "what will you doing green man? Talk and talk but your friends no want you to fight, I thinking fight is only thing you good at maybe? But girl is right, I not call her thief, only ask question, I thank her for come back and answer, am willing to continue questionings, yes? But decision is yours, what want you green man?" With his sword sheathed he instead takes his crystalline long bow from his back, but he does not string an arrow, merely holds the weapon down to his side, and waits...
“You’re the one who called out a challenge,” Sam reminds in a voice loud enough to carry to the bird. “Your the one attempting spellcraft and to harm… You’re the one come to our world and started the killing and the insults…”
Sam looks at his party all gathered around him. Some against him. Then Sam turns to Elthana and takes a deep breath… and then slowly lets it out. He kind of shakes his head slowly then looks up at the bird man again.
“Even now you are armed and ready as I stand here open handed,” Sam points out. “But whatever. The lady says she’s not insulted… and I could care less what a coward says about me… so fly away… or talk to the others. I’m past caring.”
Sam turns and starts walking over to the bodies and carcasses. They should be searched and piled and… maybe burned?
“…but I shall not forget you casting a spell against me though,” Sam ends with, leaving the others to chat.
—-
Sam does indeed go over and searches the corpses and piles them together. He’ll consider if this beast may be worth eating or not but likely decide not. He actively pays no attention to any conversation that may include the bird…
Gewyn turns toward Griff as Sam walks away, hoping to get his piece in before the bird reacts to Sam's parting words. "Now hold a moment. Before you do what you do next. Please know that he does not speak for all of this realm, nor does he wholly reflect our attitudes. That being said, he is good at heart. AND a fearsome fighter. The problem as I see it is that you and he are perhaps a little too similar, believe it or not. Now I may be wrong. Are you good at heart? Will we be able to end this thing on a bloodless note?"
Griff lands next to Gewyn stowing his bow once more, "bloodshed? maybe little, but only if fight to death is necessary, I have ability to lightning magics as a general of lord Akiin and also other tricks, but lightning is for stun and subdue, also to quiet mouthy underlings, yes? But I am the curious, you say not with direct word that you are not from this strange realm where down is only one way, where are you coming from? And what is plan from large grey man? Am I being directed to way back?"
As Sam walks off to investigate the bodies he pays no mind to the goings on behind him, but does notice that he is being followed as Elthana walks just behind him.
As Sam says his parting words, Elthana looks to her party and gives them a slight nod, knowing they are better with discussions than she is, she felt she said her peace. Then she adds, "I'll be right over there if you need me." pointing towards Sam.
She follows Sam, unsure if he wants space or not, but wants him to know he's got friends, they weren't going to hang him out to dry.
Gewyn shifts uncomfortably, having already divulged too much to too many people for his comfort. But he is also wary of making Griff feel like he is being evasive or deceptive. "It's complicated. I myself was born here, but we have had dealings with people from a world of faeries and magic. And some of their progeny walk these lands."
Sam, noticing Elthana behind him, eases his pace a tad - From angry and striding to just walking.
"Hey, are you ok? Let me help you with this."
"Sure, I was just going to drag them all together then search... Then maybe burn," Sam says as he begins dragging the first of the mounts over towards the tree. "With any luck it could take the tree down too, eh?"
Sam busies himself with the work for a bit, silently working side by side with Elthana knowing that she came for a reason but not immediately ready to deal with that. First Sam searches the dwarves, he takes one and indicates that Elthana should take the other with a grunt and a nod, then after tossing anything that may be worth anything, salvageable or give a clue to where they were from into a pile, he moves onto one of the mounts.
"What you suppose these things are called?" he asks with a grunt as he starts checking to see if it had any kind of saddle or reigns or anything that could be anything to anyone.
Eventually Sam is cutting into one of the beasts. The hide is thick. Armored. It takes a wedge and some effort, Sam asking Elthana to lend her weight to it, before pulling up part of the hide and getting to the muscle. "What you think? Edible?" Sam asks with a skeptical tone and squinted eyes. There is little fat under that thick hide, mostly just muscle and guts. "Probably tough as gristle, eh? Maybe if we were short on foodstuffs," he continues as he saws out a nice sized steak's worth of meat. "But who knows? Maybe Nef will like it, eh?" Sam tosses the raw, bloody hunk of meat off to the side. Maybe he'll offer it to the hound later. Maybe...
"So...What you think?" Sam finally asks, sitting down and being still for the first time, indicating a soft looking piece of ground for Elthana to do the same if she wishes. He rambles on for a bit after that to Elthana before finally quieting and letting her talk.
"Hmmm..."Gewyn thinks on how to respond. Then he blows into his bird pipes and plays a song. A sad song that conjures up memories of things lost, or opportunities missed. His magic weaves itself into colours in the air that take the shape of a female faerie standing on the ground beside him.
"This is a faerie. A person like you or me. But different perhaps. Oh well, it hardly matters. What's the plan, Muir?"
Muir continues to sit on his stump waiting for things to calm down. He is mad but not at Sam really....He's angry that he could not calm the situation. He's supposed to be an arbiter. A good judge of situations and character but he feels he failed. He comes out of his self loathing when he hears Gewyn call his name "Plan? Well it is getting late as Iver said....we should sleep for the night. If any of you wish to stay with me, you are welcome to, otherwise I will see you all in the morning once your camp is set up"
After calming down Nef Vin finally seems able to relax. He looks back to the pair that seemed ready to fight it out. The young man thinking for a moment Sam was going to kill them. However, Sam wasn't Nef. Despite her obvious enthusiasm for the birdman's death Sam wasn't going to kill them right? Vin was a bit concerned as he said to not kill the beasts either but here he was carving up the other one. Nef goes back to eating the first one she killed. Apparently content with it's flavor. When Vin had to shield Sam from the avian's spell he thought Griff was going to fight. Sam was going to fight and Nef was more then willing to tear the wings off it for drawing a weapon on Vin. Vin sits with Nef for a bit and just looks downtrodden. However, after taking a moment he takes a deep breath and goes over to Join Iver and help them setup camp as Muir suggests "I'll help him with the camp."
Vin is definitely hiding how he's feeling. However, having something to do helps him focus. He just throws himself in helping others. Nef can be seen watching him with concern. the black hound always seeming to be aware of how Vin is doing. However, she seems to be watching Griff even more. Not letting a single thing they do go without notice.
Griff looks over to Muir, "no, no, no sleeping? You have not said plan? Knowing how to get me back you say. I will answer questions also, yes? but please, not waiting until after sleep with plan and knowing."
Iver ties up several of the horses to the treeline and begins making a fire to the south side of the carriage, using the carriage itself as a windbreak, he looks over to vin as the boy begins helping, muttering "I believe him you know, I was listening. The bird I mean, he carries himself like a soldier but he seems young, arrogant, hardheaded... He'll get that worn out of him, Sam might have done him a favour butting heads with him like that."
"Yes, your portal is in Marblestead at its highest peak. There you will find your winds and your portal. We are headed that way. I would welcome your company to learn about your world, but I am only one of five making the decisions here." Muir looks to the others for their votes if Griff decides to travel with them. He shouts to them "What are your votes then? Are we taking him with us to the portal or are you sending him to his death?"
Elthana walks back with Sam, lugging some weapons and such they looted from the dwarves. She dumps what she is holding by everyone and lets Sam figure things out with the carriage.
She gets back in time to hear Griff wanting to hear about a plan and not sleeping until they do. She looks over at Gewyn and mouthes, We need to talk.
When Muir adds his part, she looks at him, a bit stunned. "First off, can we discuss things such as this as a team, without others listening and come to a concensus?" She eyes Griff wondering what he thinks of this, "And second off, you have such little faith in this flying fighter than if we don't escort him, he'll die?"
She turns to the Aaracokra, "Please, give us a moment? You have heard where a way is back to your home. We need to talk amongst ourselves."
If he does fly off, "Muir. What else did those bears tell you. We all need to know what is going on or we can't make sound decisions." If he doesn't, she glares at him until he does.
Muir sits on a stump away from Griff and begins to speak to his companions that follow.
"To answer your question no, he won't survive. You think the Clerics would treat him any better than us. No, I suspect worse with the "visions" being had by the little one called Ebb. There are bigger things happening than just Hokum. I don't know how many different ways I can put it, but perhaps what Yen told me will make it easier to follow. Our realm is the center of many different realms. These portals are like gates and our realm is the key....Think of us as a keymaster and the portals as gatekeepers. The giant white bear is Yen. She was a keeper once, specifically of the portal in Hokum. I did not get a chance to ask what happened to her because I did not realize it was Yen until she had left. Before she left she explained to me that these portals opening is inevitable. Power struggles for control of them will occur, danger and death will be the result. In the end balance will be brought as it was before. All of the worlds have aligned and the portals are opening like the coming of spring after a long winter. She is the one who told me where the portal home for Griff is. The highest peak in Marbelstead. As you all know there is a district that floats above the city...he needs to go there. Which is why I hoped we could put aside these petty differences, stop mistrusting each other, and work together. Stop this madness and do our best be damned what your guilds or companies want from you....."
Sam walks back with Elthana, lugging some weapons and such they looted from the dwarves. Sam carries the bulk of the goods to the carriage and sets it down to be organized later. There's nothing too fanciful, far as he can tell, but the dwarven plate armor is of an odd metal and it could possible fetch a sum if sold to the right smith or armorer... Sam helps Iver with the moving of some stuff and the organizing of the camp a bit allowing Elthana a bit of time to go to the others. He notes she has a few words with Muir but he doesn't quite make out what is being said.
Sam takes a gem out of a pouch and tosses it to Iver. "No complaining about it either," Sam says. "You may not have fought the dwarves but you been through plenty on this adventure where you deserve some spoils, eh?"
Hoping the bulk of the talking is over, Sam heads over to the knot of others. He hands a random gem from the pouch to Vin and taps the kids shoulder with his fist in a gesture of... being a gesture. Sam then looks to Neferox and shrugs before pulling out some rather foul smelling jerky and offering it to the hound. "Wouldn't blame you if you refuse it," he says to the beast. "It smells worse than you do."
Catching Elthana's eye at a bit of a distance Sam pulls out another random gem and tosses it to her. He knows she has the skills to catch it even if his aim is off. The next gem is tossed over to Gewyn, perhaps with reluctance and less care but it's not like he chucks it at him or anything, so there is that. Sam steps to Muir and hands him a gem as well. "Oh, wait, there is this as well..." Sam digs a bit for a moment and then pulls out a scroll. "I think it's a spell, yes? I can read it, more or less. It's in Dwarvish... Something about earth moving? Erupting? But magic isn't quite my thing, eh?" Sam hands over the Scroll of Erupting Earth if Muir thinks he could use it.
"And birdy?" Sam calls out to get the visitors attention. Sam tosses them a gem as well, carefully and underhanded so it doesn't seem violent or anything. "You deserve the spoils as much as any of us."
"Even if you are an ass," Sam can't help but add under his breath.
"Anyway, Muir... I've already given up all my secrets and told you all that I will be doing what I feel is right, damned all Marblestead faction nonsense," Sam says after playing the Spirit of Winter Giving and having caught the tale end of what Muir had to say. "I welcome one and all to my side of the fence... But I think old loyalties hold fast and bind some far more tightly than me..."
Griff catches the gem and looks down at his clawed talons, "this crystal odd, is from this realm? Maybe valuable in Thaeir yes? I thanking you and leave you to discussions, have plan and telling me of this marblestead yes? Also maybe introductions only person to tell me name is boy Vin." With that he flies up to a tree to above the carriage and wraps himself in his large wings, apparently unperturbed by the cold.
Iver takes the gem and gives Sam a nod, before stowing it away and following iver to the tree where Muir and the rest of the group move to discuss, "So, gatekeepers and portals, it still feels unbelievable to me, even after Hokum, and you say there's one in the treasury district too? Did you know about that Elthana? Look I know I have a duty to report everything to Judge Tibus, but I fought alongside you guys in Hokum, if there's anything I shouldn't report I got your back, what my supervisors don't know can't hurt them right, but I need to know that you got this... At the same time, relying on the marbled legion when we get back might be a sensible thing to do."
Nef takes one whiff of the sour foul jerky and turns her nose up at it, taking Sam up on the offer of refusal, she looks to Vin and seems to communicate something with him before turning away from the group and seeming to keep guard whilst they discuss, keeping a close eye on the bird in the tree over by the edge of the forest.
Vin listens to Iver and nods. "I didn't think he was a threat but... it just got so out of hand. Nef calling for their blood and Sam looking like he might. I guess it worked out? I don't really understand why being so... threatening was good. I guess that's just my inexperience showing." He seems contemplative as Iver's words. It's clear he never thought of such aggressive moves as a good thing. After a bit Vin hears Muir tell Griff where to go but having no sense of locations or direction Vin isn't sure what will happen if they just let them go. At least they can speak common, Vin wasn't sure they would die but they'd definately have a hard time. The advantage of flying would put him out of danger of most people.
He joins Elthana and Muir as they talk about the dangers to Griff. Vin seems to agree with Elthana and adds "I don't think they would attack him outright. Aarakocra used to exist in our world. They all disappear though. Most thought them extinct. I think it's pretty clear now there has been more of a connection to these other worlds then we thought. It just wasn't being noticed till now. If Yen knows of others it certainly seems that way. Maybe they were only able to keep them a secret till now. I guess we will find out soon. Anyway, Griff can obviously handle himself and being able to fly like that is a huge advantage against most common attackers. He'd probably be fine but I'd like to learn more about their world too."
As Sam comes over Vin accepts the gift and says "Sorry. I guess I shouldn't of shielded you with my magic? Iver says it was a good thing for you to fight Griff a bit... I don't really get it but... sorry for doubting you." Vin seems truly apologetic. He is also totally unsure about the situation but wise enough to realize that even if he doesn't understand, it doesn't mean it was wrong. Nef having already fed on the other one refuses the extra meal. It's clear the jerky isn't approved of as her nose crinkles at the foul smell. This is saying something considering some of the things folks have seen her eat. For a hound she certainly eats a lot. Vin nods to Nef as she seems to communicate then she goes to take watch. Her keen senses and sharp eyes keeping them safe from surprise.
As Griff takes their leave and Iver speaks up Vin can only nod in agreement. "It's really crazy. You're right about that. I trust Elthana though. I know if it was important she'd tell us. If she doesn't she has a good reason not to. Same with all of you. I would of course like to know more. I'm not sure what's best to hold back. I tend to lean on the idea sharing information with your allies is always a good thing."
“Huh? What? No…” Sam responds to Vin. “Nothing wrong at all with protecting an ally. Who said there was?”
“Some may feel different, but that’s all I was doing - Protecting us from this bird creature. We know nothing about them but they were in the middle of a fight and once we saved them they started attacking us with words and accusations,” he says with a shrug. “Sometimes you need to stand up for those you walk with, y’know?”
“Could be they just didn’t know how their words would be taken. Could be their people are just like that. Also, sometimes two just don’t get along and have to work things out. Who knows…”
As Griff mentions the odd crystal Sam considers mentioning that it’s an egg and suggesting the bird go sit on it. But he lets that one go unsaid… He also figures they should introduce their own damn self if they want names. Sam didn’t rightly care what he was called so didn’t bother. ((I *think* only Vin knows his name? Or did he maybe call it out to people? When flying? I’m sure Sam was still busy slaughtering things…))
Sam turns to Iver after he comments. “I’m not hiding anything and not asking any to do so. You do what you feel is right,” Sam assures him.
“And as for openness,” Sam starts as Vin chimes in that he’s all for it, but pauses. He considers everything he doesn’t know about the kid and their dog, that strange bond and relationship. He thinks maybe now would be the time to ask… maybe to ask everyone everything. Then Sam thinks about what he said to Elthana and he decides it’s pointless…
“Anyway,” Sam says instead with a shake of his head. “We’ll be to Marblestead soon enough, I suppose. Maybe best to just let the Council do their council thing and wash our hands if it…”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Vin continues to back away to get to Nef and keep them calm. The black hound immediately relaxed as soon as vin is away from the sword threatening. She seems content with the bird being killed or not as long as Vin isn't in danger. vin for his part is ready to support his friends if it comes to it but really doesn't want anymore fighting. He just waits to see if they can reach them or if his own words speak some reason into the situation. So he waits but now next to Nef so Elthana and others can focus on one fight and not more.
As Sam's grasp releases and Gewyn forces his way between the pair, Griff takes off vertically and sheathes his sword, "what will you doing green man? Talk and talk but your friends no want you to fight, I thinking fight is only thing you good at maybe? But girl is right, I not call her thief, only ask question, I thank her for come back and answer, am willing to continue questionings, yes? But decision is yours, what want you green man?" With his sword sheathed he instead takes his crystalline long bow from his back, but he does not string an arrow, merely holds the weapon down to his side, and waits...
“You’re the one who called out a challenge,” Sam reminds in a voice loud enough to carry to the bird. “Your the one attempting spellcraft and to harm… You’re the one come to our world and started the killing and the insults…”
Sam looks at his party all gathered around him. Some against him. Then Sam turns to Elthana and takes a deep breath… and then slowly lets it out. He kind of shakes his head slowly then looks up at the bird man again.
“Even now you are armed and ready as I stand here open handed,” Sam points out. “But whatever. The lady says she’s not insulted… and I could care less what a coward says about me… so fly away… or talk to the others. I’m past caring.”
Sam turns and starts walking over to the bodies and carcasses. They should be searched and piled and… maybe burned?
“…but I shall not forget you casting a spell against me though,” Sam ends with, leaving the others to chat.
—-
Sam does indeed go over and searches the corpses and piles them together. He’ll consider if this beast may be worth eating or not but likely decide not. He actively pays no attention to any conversation that may include the bird…
Gewyn turns toward Griff as Sam walks away, hoping to get his piece in before the bird reacts to Sam's parting words. "Now hold a moment. Before you do what you do next. Please know that he does not speak for all of this realm, nor does he wholly reflect our attitudes. That being said, he is good at heart. AND a fearsome fighter. The problem as I see it is that you and he are perhaps a little too similar, believe it or not. Now I may be wrong. Are you good at heart? Will we be able to end this thing on a bloodless note?"
Persuasion (15)
Griff lands next to Gewyn stowing his bow once more, "bloodshed? maybe little, but only if fight to death is necessary, I have ability to lightning magics as a general of lord Akiin and also other tricks, but lightning is for stun and subdue, also to quiet mouthy underlings, yes? But I am the curious, you say not with direct word that you are not from this strange realm where down is only one way, where are you coming from? And what is plan from large grey man? Am I being directed to way back?"
As Sam walks off to investigate the bodies he pays no mind to the goings on behind him, but does notice that he is being followed as Elthana walks just behind him.
As Sam says his parting words, Elthana looks to her party and gives them a slight nod, knowing they are better with discussions than she is, she felt she said her peace. Then she adds, "I'll be right over there if you need me." pointing towards Sam.
She follows Sam, unsure if he wants space or not, but wants him to know he's got friends, they weren't going to hang him out to dry.
"Hey, are you ok? Let me help you with this."
Gewyn shifts uncomfortably, having already divulged too much to too many people for his comfort. But he is also wary of making Griff feel like he is being evasive or deceptive. "It's complicated. I myself was born here, but we have had dealings with people from a world of faeries and magic. And some of their progeny walk these lands."
Griff raises a feathered brow, "faeries, I know not this word, is meaning?"
Sam, noticing Elthana behind him, eases his pace a tad - From angry and striding to just walking.
"Hey, are you ok? Let me help you with this."
"Sure, I was just going to drag them all together then search... Then maybe burn," Sam says as he begins dragging the first of the mounts over towards the tree. "With any luck it could take the tree down too, eh?"
Sam busies himself with the work for a bit, silently working side by side with Elthana knowing that she came for a reason but not immediately ready to deal with that. First Sam searches the dwarves, he takes one and indicates that Elthana should take the other with a grunt and a nod, then after tossing anything that may be worth anything, salvageable or give a clue to where they were from into a pile, he moves onto one of the mounts.
"What you suppose these things are called?" he asks with a grunt as he starts checking to see if it had any kind of saddle or reigns or anything that could be anything to anyone.
Eventually Sam is cutting into one of the beasts. The hide is thick. Armored. It takes a wedge and some effort, Sam asking Elthana to lend her weight to it, before pulling up part of the hide and getting to the muscle. "What you think? Edible?" Sam asks with a skeptical tone and squinted eyes. There is little fat under that thick hide, mostly just muscle and guts. "Probably tough as gristle, eh? Maybe if we were short on foodstuffs," he continues as he saws out a nice sized steak's worth of meat. "But who knows? Maybe Nef will like it, eh?" Sam tosses the raw, bloody hunk of meat off to the side. Maybe he'll offer it to the hound later. Maybe...
"So... What you think?" Sam finally asks, sitting down and being still for the first time, indicating a soft looking piece of ground for Elthana to do the same if she wishes. He rambles on for a bit after that to Elthana before finally quieting and letting her talk.
((That segment will be sent to Elthana...))
"Hmmm..." Gewyn thinks on how to respond. Then he blows into his bird pipes and plays a song. A sad song that conjures up memories of things lost, or opportunities missed. His magic weaves itself into colours in the air that take the shape of a female faerie standing on the ground beside him.
"This is a faerie. A person like you or me. But different perhaps. Oh well, it hardly matters. What's the plan, Muir?"
Muir continues to sit on his stump waiting for things to calm down. He is mad but not at Sam really....He's angry that he could not calm the situation. He's supposed to be an arbiter. A good judge of situations and character but he feels he failed. He comes out of his self loathing when he hears Gewyn call his name "Plan? Well it is getting late as Iver said....we should sleep for the night. If any of you wish to stay with me, you are welcome to, otherwise I will see you all in the morning once your camp is set up"
After calming down Nef Vin finally seems able to relax. He looks back to the pair that seemed ready to fight it out. The young man thinking for a moment Sam was going to kill them. However, Sam wasn't Nef. Despite her obvious enthusiasm for the birdman's death Sam wasn't going to kill them right? Vin was a bit concerned as he said to not kill the beasts either but here he was carving up the other one. Nef goes back to eating the first one she killed. Apparently content with it's flavor. When Vin had to shield Sam from the avian's spell he thought Griff was going to fight. Sam was going to fight and Nef was more then willing to tear the wings off it for drawing a weapon on Vin. Vin sits with Nef for a bit and just looks downtrodden. However, after taking a moment he takes a deep breath and goes over to Join Iver and help them setup camp as Muir suggests "I'll help him with the camp."
Vin is definitely hiding how he's feeling. However, having something to do helps him focus. He just throws himself in helping others. Nef can be seen watching him with concern. the black hound always seeming to be aware of how Vin is doing. However, she seems to be watching Griff even more. Not letting a single thing they do go without notice.
Griff looks over to Muir, "no, no, no sleeping? You have not said plan? Knowing how to get me back you say. I will answer questions also, yes? but please, not waiting until after sleep with plan and knowing."
Iver ties up several of the horses to the treeline and begins making a fire to the south side of the carriage, using the carriage itself as a windbreak, he looks over to vin as the boy begins helping, muttering "I believe him you know, I was listening. The bird I mean, he carries himself like a soldier but he seems young, arrogant, hardheaded... He'll get that worn out of him, Sam might have done him a favour butting heads with him like that."
"Yes, your portal is in Marblestead at its highest peak. There you will find your winds and your portal. We are headed that way. I would welcome your company to learn about your world, but I am only one of five making the decisions here." Muir looks to the others for their votes if Griff decides to travel with them. He shouts to them "What are your votes then? Are we taking him with us to the portal or are you sending him to his death?"
Elthana walks back with Sam, lugging some weapons and such they looted from the dwarves. She dumps what she is holding by everyone and lets Sam figure things out with the carriage.
She gets back in time to hear Griff wanting to hear about a plan and not sleeping until they do. She looks over at Gewyn and mouthes, We need to talk.
When Muir adds his part, she looks at him, a bit stunned. "First off, can we discuss things such as this as a team, without others listening and come to a concensus?" She eyes Griff wondering what he thinks of this, "And second off, you have such little faith in this flying fighter than if we don't escort him, he'll die?"
She turns to the Aaracokra, "Please, give us a moment? You have heard where a way is back to your home. We need to talk amongst ourselves."
If he does fly off, "Muir. What else did those bears tell you. We all need to know what is going on or we can't make sound decisions." If he doesn't, she glares at him until he does.
Muir sits on a stump away from Griff and begins to speak to his companions that follow.
"To answer your question no, he won't survive. You think the Clerics would treat him any better than us. No, I suspect worse with the "visions" being had by the little one called Ebb. There are bigger things happening than just Hokum. I don't know how many different ways I can put it, but perhaps what Yen told me will make it easier to follow. Our realm is the center of many different realms. These portals are like gates and our realm is the key....Think of us as a keymaster and the portals as gatekeepers. The giant white bear is Yen. She was a keeper once, specifically of the portal in Hokum. I did not get a chance to ask what happened to her because I did not realize it was Yen until she had left. Before she left she explained to me that these portals opening is inevitable. Power struggles for control of them will occur, danger and death will be the result. In the end balance will be brought as it was before. All of the worlds have aligned and the portals are opening like the coming of spring after a long winter. She is the one who told me where the portal home for Griff is. The highest peak in Marbelstead. As you all know there is a district that floats above the city...he needs to go there. Which is why I hoped we could put aside these petty differences, stop mistrusting each other, and work together. Stop this madness and do our best be damned what your guilds or companies want from you....."
Sam walks back with Elthana, lugging some weapons and such they looted from the dwarves. Sam carries the bulk of the goods to the carriage and sets it down to be organized later. There's nothing too fanciful, far as he can tell, but the dwarven plate armor is of an odd metal and it could possible fetch a sum if sold to the right smith or armorer... Sam helps Iver with the moving of some stuff and the organizing of the camp a bit allowing Elthana a bit of time to go to the others. He notes she has a few words with Muir but he doesn't quite make out what is being said.
Sam takes a gem out of a pouch and tosses it to Iver. "No complaining about it either," Sam says. "You may not have fought the dwarves but you been through plenty on this adventure where you deserve some spoils, eh?"
Hoping the bulk of the talking is over, Sam heads over to the knot of others. He hands a random gem from the pouch to Vin and taps the kids shoulder with his fist in a gesture of... being a gesture. Sam then looks to Neferox and shrugs before pulling out some rather foul smelling jerky and offering it to the hound. "Wouldn't blame you if you refuse it," he says to the beast. "It smells worse than you do."
Catching Elthana's eye at a bit of a distance Sam pulls out another random gem and tosses it to her. He knows she has the skills to catch it even if his aim is off. The next gem is tossed over to Gewyn, perhaps with reluctance and less care but it's not like he chucks it at him or anything, so there is that. Sam steps to Muir and hands him a gem as well. "Oh, wait, there is this as well..." Sam digs a bit for a moment and then pulls out a scroll. "I think it's a spell, yes? I can read it, more or less. It's in Dwarvish... Something about earth moving? Erupting? But magic isn't quite my thing, eh?" Sam hands over the Scroll of Erupting Earth if Muir thinks he could use it.
"And birdy?" Sam calls out to get the visitors attention. Sam tosses them a gem as well, carefully and underhanded so it doesn't seem violent or anything. "You deserve the spoils as much as any of us."
"Even if you are an ass," Sam can't help but add under his breath.
"Anyway, Muir... I've already given up all my secrets and told you all that I will be doing what I feel is right, damned all Marblestead faction nonsense," Sam says after playing the Spirit of Winter Giving and having caught the tale end of what Muir had to say. "I welcome one and all to my side of the fence... But I think old loyalties hold fast and bind some far more tightly than me..."
Griff catches the gem and looks down at his clawed talons, "this crystal odd, is from this realm? Maybe valuable in Thaeir yes? I thanking you and leave you to discussions, have plan and telling me of this marblestead yes? Also maybe introductions only person to tell me name is boy Vin." With that he flies up to a tree to above the carriage and wraps himself in his large wings, apparently unperturbed by the cold.
Iver takes the gem and gives Sam a nod, before stowing it away and following iver to the tree where Muir and the rest of the group move to discuss, "So, gatekeepers and portals, it still feels unbelievable to me, even after Hokum, and you say there's one in the treasury district too? Did you know about that Elthana? Look I know I have a duty to report everything to Judge Tibus, but I fought alongside you guys in Hokum, if there's anything I shouldn't report I got your back, what my supervisors don't know can't hurt them right, but I need to know that you got this... At the same time, relying on the marbled legion when we get back might be a sensible thing to do."
Nef takes one whiff of the sour foul jerky and turns her nose up at it, taking Sam up on the offer of refusal, she looks to Vin and seems to communicate something with him before turning away from the group and seeming to keep guard whilst they discuss, keeping a close eye on the bird in the tree over by the edge of the forest.
Vin listens to Iver and nods. "I didn't think he was a threat but... it just got so out of hand. Nef calling for their blood and Sam looking like he might. I guess it worked out? I don't really understand why being so... threatening was good. I guess that's just my inexperience showing." He seems contemplative as Iver's words. It's clear he never thought of such aggressive moves as a good thing. After a bit Vin hears Muir tell Griff where to go but having no sense of locations or direction Vin isn't sure what will happen if they just let them go. At least they can speak common, Vin wasn't sure they would die but they'd definately have a hard time. The advantage of flying would put him out of danger of most people.
He joins Elthana and Muir as they talk about the dangers to Griff. Vin seems to agree with Elthana and adds "I don't think they would attack him outright. Aarakocra used to exist in our world. They all disappear though. Most thought them extinct. I think it's pretty clear now there has been more of a connection to these other worlds then we thought. It just wasn't being noticed till now. If Yen knows of others it certainly seems that way. Maybe they were only able to keep them a secret till now. I guess we will find out soon. Anyway, Griff can obviously handle himself and being able to fly like that is a huge advantage against most common attackers. He'd probably be fine but I'd like to learn more about their world too."
As Sam comes over Vin accepts the gift and says "Sorry. I guess I shouldn't of shielded you with my magic? Iver says it was a good thing for you to fight Griff a bit... I don't really get it but... sorry for doubting you." Vin seems truly apologetic. He is also totally unsure about the situation but wise enough to realize that even if he doesn't understand, it doesn't mean it was wrong. Nef having already fed on the other one refuses the extra meal. It's clear the jerky isn't approved of as her nose crinkles at the foul smell. This is saying something considering some of the things folks have seen her eat. For a hound she certainly eats a lot. Vin nods to Nef as she seems to communicate then she goes to take watch. Her keen senses and sharp eyes keeping them safe from surprise.
As Griff takes their leave and Iver speaks up Vin can only nod in agreement. "It's really crazy. You're right about that. I trust Elthana though. I know if it was important she'd tell us. If she doesn't she has a good reason not to. Same with all of you. I would of course like to know more. I'm not sure what's best to hold back. I tend to lean on the idea sharing information with your allies is always a good thing."
“Huh? What? No…” Sam responds to Vin. “Nothing wrong at all with protecting an ally. Who said there was?”
“Some may feel different, but that’s all I was doing - Protecting us from this bird creature. We know nothing about them but they were in the middle of a fight and once we saved them they started attacking us with words and accusations,” he says with a shrug. “Sometimes you need to stand up for those you walk with, y’know?”
“Could be they just didn’t know how their words would be taken. Could be their people are just like that. Also, sometimes two just don’t get along and have to work things out. Who knows…”
As Griff mentions the odd crystal Sam considers mentioning that it’s an egg and suggesting the bird go sit on it. But he lets that one go unsaid… He also figures they should introduce their own damn self if they want names. Sam didn’t rightly care what he was called so didn’t bother. ((I *think* only Vin knows his name? Or did he maybe call it out to people? When flying? I’m sure Sam was still busy slaughtering things…))
Sam turns to Iver after he comments. “I’m not hiding anything and not asking any to do so. You do what you feel is right,” Sam assures him.
“And as for openness,” Sam starts as Vin chimes in that he’s all for it, but pauses. He considers everything he doesn’t know about the kid and their dog, that strange bond and relationship. He thinks maybe now would be the time to ask… maybe to ask everyone everything. Then Sam thinks about what he said to Elthana and he decides it’s pointless…
“Anyway,” Sam says instead with a shake of his head. “We’ll be to Marblestead soon enough, I suppose. Maybe best to just let the Council do their council thing and wash our hands if it…”