Vin is still sitting and looking worried as he pets Nef but he adds into the conversation, "Muir, How well do they need to know us? If they have a shared sense with those not-deer perhaps that's how they do it? I guess I just really don't like the idea someone here is doing this. Although... if anyone would pick up on funny business in the camp it would be Nef. She was on high alert most the night before finally settling down to rest with me. There is a portal though right? If we go through there maybe we can strike at whatever is working on the otherside? That seems really dangerous without some major support but..." They look at Nef. "...we might need to depending. How long does this tend to last?" Vin directs his question to the other druid hoping to get an idea. They boy getting more and more nervous the longer Neferox remains in this state.
Órga stirs and walks over to Sam at much the same time al Gewyn and Elthana do. As Gewyn gives his theory the lion sits and is attentive, turning their head this way or that, cocking an ear at one point, as if in rapt attention... Sam listens to what Gewyn with what appears to be less attention and even less understanding. To Sam it is like when he once heard a physician explain the use of leeches to ward off lethargy and the vapors - It sounded like it made sense but Sam just didn't really understand the how's or the why's. Still, there was one part that just didn't sit right with Sam...
"Shionne put you to sleep?" Sam asks. "Like with a spell?"
Gewyn snaps his fingers in front of Sam's face. "Hey, focus up here. We're talking about interplanar threats to our lives and souls, not what happened privately between two consenting adults." Gewyn sighs, realizing that may not be enough for Sam to drop the issue. "She used a bit of magic to help me calm my thoughts. I was tired enough that my body did the rest. Get it? ... Rest?" Gewyn grins.
"What in a dog's eye are you talking about?" Sam asks, confused. "Consenting? So it wasn't an attack or a diversion? Why didn't you just say consenting from the get go?"
"So to sum up," Sam says, climbing to his feet. Órga follows his lead, probably hoping for a treat. "Neferox is suffering nightmares and we can't wake him up, you took a nap and now have a theory where the Faeries aren't to blame at all, and I am awake and being of no use at all. That about right? Ok then, wake me up when you need something hit or there is breakfast to be ate..." Sam slaps Órga on the side a couple times companionably and then they wander off back to their original sleeping spot, hoping the ground didn't lose all the warmth they had built up.
As Sam and the lion settle back in and hope to get whatever sleep is left to be had, Sam lets out a sigh. This whole mission has gotten screwier and screwier and nobody seems focused on just completing it and being done with it. Find out what is going on in Hokum, Sam thought. Well, we done did that. He shrugs and shifts and tries to get comfortable...
"And correct it," the Tortle had said. "Help out where you can and act in the best interests of Northmorrah..."
Sam groans at the memory and rolls over with a grunt. Ok, so we help how we can... But we still need to figure out how, he thinks and finds himself restless for a long time before any more sleep comes.
The cleric perks their interest back up in the conversation as talk of interplanar attacks may be the cause, also Sam removing himself from the situation eases the cleric a little. "It usually only lasts around an hour" they reassure Vin in response. "Other planes as a concept isn't a new thing, we believe Hermes himself comes from a plane beyond our own, and.. well.. stories of myth and legend have to also come from somewhere right, these Fae things are proof of concept there.." the cleric isn't really speaking to anyone in particular with this statement, simply musing to themselves.
Vin looks to the cleric and says "Okay... thank you." Then goes back to petting Nef. One gets the sense they are doing far more then just petting but it seems the young man isn't doing anything drastic at this time. Just petting her and watching for signs if what they are doing is helping at all. As talk continues around other worlds and such, Vin says "The... place I saw wasn't nice like what the stories of fey would make me think. It was more... hellish." They look a bit sheepishly at Sam as they seem to think there is something bad going on. Gewyn clears it up quick explaining to Sam. Vin looks at the bard and seems to smile a bit as theey managed to diffuse the situation. Nef's struggling doesn't allow it to last but the boy looks to Gewyn and asks "Do you think music could reach her? The cleric says we need to wait it out but maybe there is a way to send her a signal in there? Let her know she's not alone? It might not stop it.... but let her know she isn't forgotten." Vin looks a bit hopeful at the bard.
Elthana listens on to the discussion, still reeling from the planar parts of the story. This was something completely new to her and she didn't like that she didn't have a hold on it. This was new territory and it disturbed her more than what was happening to Nef.
As Sam heads back to sleep, she shrugs and looks to see what the others are planning. She looks around to see if Shionne is still around or if she's disappeared to another tree.
Muir listens and watches Sam go back to sleep. "I am not sure what we can do unless someone knows of a way to go to this plane. If not we staying awake won't do us any good. I will go back to sleep and rest for tomorrow. We have much to do and this just adds to the growing list."
Gewyn, hardly on positive terms with Nef, looks at first like he might turn Vin down. But as he looks down at the concerned young man, Gewyn earnestly considers. "Alright Nef,"Gewyn says, sitting down and crossing his legs a few feet away from the dog. "Let's see if we can find you that song I was talking about earlier."
He pulls out his birdpipes and looks to Vin again. "Now, I do not expect I'll be able to break her out. But if my music can reach her where she is right now, then maybe as you say, she may find some small measure of comfort." Then Gewyn puts lips to his instrument and begins to play. A basic soothing melody, at first, though he carefully watches Nef's ears, eyelids, and breathing, adjusting the flow of his music to try to map out what sounds and melodies might be pleasing.
As Gewyn plays Vin nods to them and says "Thank you." They also watch and feel how Nef does with this. It might not be pleasant int hat dreamscape of torment but hopefully they are letting her know isn't real. As Gewyn adjusts the tune to fit Nef and her tastes it's probably hard to tell as she herself might not be sure what she likes. Vin for their part seems to relax a bit just from the sense of the music playing. They have no idea how Neferox will respond to the music.
Gewyn plays for around ten minutes, watching Neferox closely as he does. He can tell from her bodily responses that she can hear his melody, it goes some way to soothing her panic, but does nothing for the pain and physical anguish she is in.
After a short while Neferox stops writhing, she gets up with a bark and checks on Vin, however her movements are sluggish, and she nearly falls on top of the young half-elf.
Vin supports the large black hound, which is no easy feat for the young man, as she stumbles a bit. Vin examines her over and says "are you OK Nef? I... I was so worried about you!" They hug the hound as she nuzzles into him. She seems almost as relieved to see Vin as Vin is to see her up. The young boy seems to finally relax as she struggles to get to. He looks at her and she back at him an exchange of sorts as Vin point to Gewyn and she looks from Vin to Gewyn then looks back to Vin, who nods his head, then back to gewyn a second time. She cocks her head sideways looking at the bard then approaches him.
She seems to force herself to stand through whatever effects the nightmare had on her. Her red eyes looking at Gewyn intently as her head straightens out and she seems entirely focused on the bard. She'll get within a few inches of the bard looking directly in their eyes if Gewyn doesn't look away or move. She stands there just staring at him like she's waiting for him to say something.
Gewyn remains cross legged as the dog approaches, and with great effort and stage training, keeps his face composed in a mask of calm as he finishes the last few notes of his song. Then without breaking eye contact, he hangs the pipes back around his neck and continues exchanging a look with Nef for a few moments longer.
Finally he says casually, "Just doing what your human asked of me. Could hardly turn him down."Then he slaps his knees and starts to stand. The hair on the back of his neck stands at attention as he waits for the beast to lunge at his throat.
The hound seems to stare at Gewyn for a time. She doesn't growl or make any sudden moves but definitely seems to have something on their mind. Eventually, she turns their head away from the bard and just goes back to a more comfortable sitting as she looks around in alert and seems to scrutinize everyone in the camp.
Vin is looking at Gewyn and seems a bit confused as well. As Nef begins looking around, seemingly satisfied with the reply Gewyn gave, Vin just says "Umm, I think... you're okay... she said to call me Vin." The half-elf is currently watching her with a look of concern.
Inevitably everyone resumes their sleep, with the vision of these foretold nightmares now fresh and real in their minds, the night gets no warmer, no more comfortable than before.
Due to the late rising if the sun, another symptom of the oncoming winter, everyone receives a full long rest, everyone apart from Neferox, who's eyes droop and lul sleepily as she is found to be awake before everyone else, or perhaps never resumed her sleep at all. She perks up ever so slightly when she is actively observed, but nevertheless, the hound is suffering, and it is begrudgingly apparent for them.
Elthana stretches her muscles as she wakes, trying to warm them up after the long, cold night. She watches as Muir heads off into the woods again, and decides a cool walk would do her good and runs up to join him.
Vin finishes their rest next to Neferox as she stays up and watches the camp. She yawn's several times showing off rows of razor sharp teeth. When/if someone approaches Vin as he sleeps she glares at them and if they get too close she growls and scares them away from the sleeping young man. Vin wakes up well rested and ready to help the people get tot he safety of the cave that was mentioned before. He pets Nef and the two take a jog together around the camp. Vin gets her some food (he skips himself) and then he goes around helping people pack up and get ready for moving the camp to the caves. He is extremely helpful, lifting things for people that can't getting food for those who struggle to get up and he even looks after the souless a bit as he comes up with very detailed instructions on how to take care of themselves. He writes it all down on several pieces of paper from a notebook of his and then takes turns going to each of the souless then hands the papers to them with instructions of "Read this, then after reading it, hand the papers back to me and then follow the instructions on the paper step by step from top to bottom in order." The paper has a list of daily tasks to take care of themselves. Having saw the owlin boy fail to even understand to pull their pants down to use the bathroom it is a very detailed list of instructions for them to take care of themselves. He isn't sure if it will work but it covers everything they can do right here in the camp. Use the bathroom, eat, making sure they are dressed and everything. It even has room to add more instructions between each one in case anything is forgotten. If the souless cannot read it Vin reads it out for them and then has them do all the instructions. Vin then hands one of the instructions sheets to one of the people that has been looking over the souless for them to use. "Here. I hope this helps. I was thinking about it before when we ran into the Owlin boy. This should make things easier for you all. I wrote it a bit quickly this morning. I hope I didn't forget anything."
Vin spends around an hour walking around, coming up with his checklist, and introducing it to the soulless and their carers, the people who have been looking after the soulless regard the checklist made by Vin as a wonderful gift, although others look slightly shamed that they had not thought of this earlier, many of them being completely exhausted or without access to writing materials.
Most of the encampment begins taking down their tarps after a decent breakfast, decking makeshift tents and gathering things under the careful instruction and oversight of both Master Gore and Mayor Goldsheaf.
It appears that the movement of the survivors will take most of the day, giving the party more than enough time to scout ahead and clear any hazards or hostiles along the way. Muir is given a clear indication of where the cave is and realises quickly that the blighted trees seen last night are in the path, giving the group ample opportunity to investigate and deal with the source of such dessication on the way.
Muir and Elthana leave the encampment for done time, leaving only Sam and Gewyn left to busy themselves with preparing for the day, Órga is noticeably missing.
Sam momentarily wakens at the first blush of dawn, cracking one eye open and looking around. Everything is as it should be. Except Órga… G th he lion is gone.
Not wandered off. Not run off. Just gone.
Sam frown a bit and then reaches down to his belt. There, securely tied to it, is the rust colored bag. Sam can feel it’s as full as ever and so he closes his eye and tried to scratch his way back to sleep knowing Órga is safe and ready to be summoned again.
When Sam actually awakens for the day he goes through his standard routine. He wanders into the foliage and takes care of business, he washes and readies himself for the day. He tends to and manages his gear, taking great care to re-etch the runes upon them. And eventually he is up and stirring and as ready as he ever gets to mingle and be sociable.
Sam it’s the others wandering off during this time and trusts they too are just taking care of their morning routine. He’s certainly not going to get up in anyone else’s social life… instead Sam focuses on the refugees and looks to see where he can be helpful. Sam sees Vin assisting the soulless and gives him a friendly nod. I should apologize again, he thinks and considers walking over to where the kid is… but he doesn’t. Sam is not one to deal with the touchy feely stuff…
So instead Sam helps take down make shift tents or lift heavy things or do things he may actually be needed for. He finds it difficult to help with the minor tasks anyone can do but is more than ready to put his back into anything that takes some strength or determination… And this he does until it’s time for the group to gather and forge the way…yhe Lion, for now, left sleeping in the pouch.
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Vin is still sitting and looking worried as he pets Nef but he adds into the conversation, "Muir, How well do they need to know us? If they have a shared sense with those not-deer perhaps that's how they do it? I guess I just really don't like the idea someone here is doing this. Although... if anyone would pick up on funny business in the camp it would be Nef. She was on high alert most the night before finally settling down to rest with me. There is a portal though right? If we go through there maybe we can strike at whatever is working on the otherside? That seems really dangerous without some major support but..." They look at Nef. "...we might need to depending. How long does this tend to last?" Vin directs his question to the other druid hoping to get an idea. They boy getting more and more nervous the longer Neferox remains in this state.
Órga stirs and walks over to Sam at much the same time al Gewyn and Elthana do. As Gewyn gives his theory the lion sits and is attentive, turning their head this way or that, cocking an ear at one point, as if in rapt attention... Sam listens to what Gewyn with what appears to be less attention and even less understanding. To Sam it is like when he once heard a physician explain the use of leeches to ward off lethargy and the vapors - It sounded like it made sense but Sam just didn't really understand the how's or the why's. Still, there was one part that just didn't sit right with Sam...
"Shionne put you to sleep?" Sam asks. "Like with a spell?"
Gewyn snaps his fingers in front of Sam's face. "Hey, focus up here. We're talking about interplanar threats to our lives and souls, not what happened privately between two consenting adults." Gewyn sighs, realizing that may not be enough for Sam to drop the issue. "She used a bit of magic to help me calm my thoughts. I was tired enough that my body did the rest. Get it? ... Rest?" Gewyn grins.
"What in a dog's eye are you talking about?" Sam asks, confused. "Consenting? So it wasn't an attack or a diversion? Why didn't you just say consenting from the get go?"
"So to sum up," Sam says, climbing to his feet. Órga follows his lead, probably hoping for a treat. "Neferox is suffering nightmares and we can't wake him up, you took a nap and now have a theory where the Faeries aren't to blame at all, and I am awake and being of no use at all. That about right? Ok then, wake me up when you need something hit or there is breakfast to be ate..." Sam slaps Órga on the side a couple times companionably and then they wander off back to their original sleeping spot, hoping the ground didn't lose all the warmth they had built up.
As Sam and the lion settle back in and hope to get whatever sleep is left to be had, Sam lets out a sigh. This whole mission has gotten screwier and screwier and nobody seems focused on just completing it and being done with it. Find out what is going on in Hokum, Sam thought. Well, we done did that. He shrugs and shifts and tries to get comfortable...
"And correct it," the Tortle had said. "Help out where you can and act in the best interests of Northmorrah..."
Sam groans at the memory and rolls over with a grunt. Ok, so we help how we can... But we still need to figure out how, he thinks and finds himself restless for a long time before any more sleep comes.
The cleric perks their interest back up in the conversation as talk of interplanar attacks may be the cause, also Sam removing himself from the situation eases the cleric a little. "It usually only lasts around an hour" they reassure Vin in response. "Other planes as a concept isn't a new thing, we believe Hermes himself comes from a plane beyond our own, and.. well.. stories of myth and legend have to also come from somewhere right, these Fae things are proof of concept there.." the cleric isn't really speaking to anyone in particular with this statement, simply musing to themselves.
Vin looks to the cleric and says "Okay... thank you." Then goes back to petting Nef. One gets the sense they are doing far more then just petting but it seems the young man isn't doing anything drastic at this time. Just petting her and watching for signs if what they are doing is helping at all. As talk continues around other worlds and such, Vin says "The... place I saw wasn't nice like what the stories of fey would make me think. It was more... hellish." They look a bit sheepishly at Sam as they seem to think there is something bad going on. Gewyn clears it up quick explaining to Sam. Vin looks at the bard and seems to smile a bit as theey managed to diffuse the situation. Nef's struggling doesn't allow it to last but the boy looks to Gewyn and asks "Do you think music could reach her? The cleric says we need to wait it out but maybe there is a way to send her a signal in there? Let her know she's not alone? It might not stop it.... but let her know she isn't forgotten." Vin looks a bit hopeful at the bard.
Elthana listens on to the discussion, still reeling from the planar parts of the story. This was something completely new to her and she didn't like that she didn't have a hold on it. This was new territory and it disturbed her more than what was happening to Nef.
As Sam heads back to sleep, she shrugs and looks to see what the others are planning. She looks around to see if Shionne is still around or if she's disappeared to another tree.
Muir listens and watches Sam go back to sleep. "I am not sure what we can do unless someone knows of a way to go to this plane. If not we staying awake won't do us any good. I will go back to sleep and rest for tomorrow. We have much to do and this just adds to the growing list."
Gewyn, hardly on positive terms with Nef, looks at first like he might turn Vin down. But as he looks down at the concerned young man, Gewyn earnestly considers. "Alright Nef," Gewyn says, sitting down and crossing his legs a few feet away from the dog. "Let's see if we can find you that song I was talking about earlier."
He pulls out his birdpipes and looks to Vin again. "Now, I do not expect I'll be able to break her out. But if my music can reach her where she is right now, then maybe as you say, she may find some small measure of comfort." Then Gewyn puts lips to his instrument and begins to play. A basic soothing melody, at first, though he carefully watches Nef's ears, eyelids, and breathing, adjusting the flow of his music to try to map out what sounds and melodies might be pleasing.
Insight: 10
Performance: 20
As Gewyn plays Vin nods to them and says "Thank you." They also watch and feel how Nef does with this. It might not be pleasant int hat dreamscape of torment but hopefully they are letting her know isn't real. As Gewyn adjusts the tune to fit Nef and her tastes it's probably hard to tell as she herself might not be sure what she likes. Vin for their part seems to relax a bit just from the sense of the music playing. They have no idea how Neferox will respond to the music.
Gewyn plays for around ten minutes, watching Neferox closely as he does. He can tell from her bodily responses that she can hear his melody, it goes some way to soothing her panic, but does nothing for the pain and physical anguish she is in.
After a short while Neferox stops writhing, she gets up with a bark and checks on Vin, however her movements are sluggish, and she nearly falls on top of the young half-elf.
Vin supports the large black hound, which is no easy feat for the young man, as she stumbles a bit. Vin examines her over and says "are you OK Nef? I... I was so worried about you!" They hug the hound as she nuzzles into him. She seems almost as relieved to see Vin as Vin is to see her up. The young boy seems to finally relax as she struggles to get to. He looks at her and she back at him an exchange of sorts as Vin point to Gewyn and she looks from Vin to Gewyn then looks back to Vin, who nods his head, then back to gewyn a second time. She cocks her head sideways looking at the bard then approaches him.
She seems to force herself to stand through whatever effects the nightmare had on her. Her red eyes looking at Gewyn intently as her head straightens out and she seems entirely focused on the bard. She'll get within a few inches of the bard looking directly in their eyes if Gewyn doesn't look away or move. She stands there just staring at him like she's waiting for him to say something.
Gewyn remains cross legged as the dog approaches, and with great effort and stage training, keeps his face composed in a mask of calm as he finishes the last few notes of his song. Then without breaking eye contact, he hangs the pipes back around his neck and continues exchanging a look with Nef for a few moments longer.
Finally he says casually, "Just doing what your human asked of me. Could hardly turn him down." Then he slaps his knees and starts to stand. The hair on the back of his neck stands at attention as he waits for the beast to lunge at his throat.
The hound seems to stare at Gewyn for a time. She doesn't growl or make any sudden moves but definitely seems to have something on their mind. Eventually, she turns their head away from the bard and just goes back to a more comfortable sitting as she looks around in alert and seems to scrutinize everyone in the camp.
Vin is looking at Gewyn and seems a bit confused as well. As Nef begins looking around, seemingly satisfied with the reply Gewyn gave, Vin just says "Umm, I think... you're okay... she said to call me Vin." The half-elf is currently watching her with a look of concern.
Inevitably everyone resumes their sleep, with the vision of these foretold nightmares now fresh and real in their minds, the night gets no warmer, no more comfortable than before.
Due to the late rising if the sun, another symptom of the oncoming winter, everyone receives a full long rest, everyone apart from Neferox, who's eyes droop and lul sleepily as she is found to be awake before everyone else, or perhaps never resumed her sleep at all. She perks up ever so slightly when she is actively observed, but nevertheless, the hound is suffering, and it is begrudgingly apparent for them.
Muir wakes at the first sign of light and goes off into the woods a little distance from the rest of the group
Elthana stretches her muscles as she wakes, trying to warm them up after the long, cold night. She watches as Muir heads off into the woods again, and decides a cool walk would do her good and runs up to join him.
Vin finishes their rest next to Neferox as she stays up and watches the camp. She yawn's several times showing off rows of razor sharp teeth. When/if someone approaches Vin as he sleeps she glares at them and if they get too close she growls and scares them away from the sleeping young man. Vin wakes up well rested and ready to help the people get tot he safety of the cave that was mentioned before. He pets Nef and the two take a jog together around the camp. Vin gets her some food (he skips himself) and then he goes around helping people pack up and get ready for moving the camp to the caves. He is extremely helpful, lifting things for people that can't getting food for those who struggle to get up and he even looks after the souless a bit as he comes up with very detailed instructions on how to take care of themselves. He writes it all down on several pieces of paper from a notebook of his and then takes turns going to each of the souless then hands the papers to them with instructions of "Read this, then after reading it, hand the papers back to me and then follow the instructions on the paper step by step from top to bottom in order." The paper has a list of daily tasks to take care of themselves. Having saw the owlin boy fail to even understand to pull their pants down to use the bathroom it is a very detailed list of instructions for them to take care of themselves. He isn't sure if it will work but it covers everything they can do right here in the camp. Use the bathroom, eat, making sure they are dressed and everything. It even has room to add more instructions between each one in case anything is forgotten. If the souless cannot read it Vin reads it out for them and then has them do all the instructions. Vin then hands one of the instructions sheets to one of the people that has been looking over the souless for them to use. "Here. I hope this helps. I was thinking about it before when we ran into the Owlin boy. This should make things easier for you all. I wrote it a bit quickly this morning. I hope I didn't forget anything."
Vin spends around an hour walking around, coming up with his checklist, and introducing it to the soulless and their carers, the people who have been looking after the soulless regard the checklist made by Vin as a wonderful gift, although others look slightly shamed that they had not thought of this earlier, many of them being completely exhausted or without access to writing materials.
Most of the encampment begins taking down their tarps after a decent breakfast, decking makeshift tents and gathering things under the careful instruction and oversight of both Master Gore and Mayor Goldsheaf.
It appears that the movement of the survivors will take most of the day, giving the party more than enough time to scout ahead and clear any hazards or hostiles along the way. Muir is given a clear indication of where the cave is and realises quickly that the blighted trees seen last night are in the path, giving the group ample opportunity to investigate and deal with the source of such dessication on the way.
Muir and Elthana leave the encampment for done time, leaving only Sam and Gewyn left to busy themselves with preparing for the day, Órga is noticeably missing.
Sam momentarily wakens at the first blush of dawn, cracking one eye open and looking around. Everything is as it should be. Except Órga… G th he lion is gone.
Not wandered off. Not run off. Just gone.
Sam frown a bit and then reaches down to his belt. There, securely tied to it, is the rust colored bag. Sam can feel it’s as full as ever and so he closes his eye and tried to scratch his way back to sleep knowing Órga is safe and ready to be summoned again.
When Sam actually awakens for the day he goes through his standard routine. He wanders into the foliage and takes care of business, he washes and readies himself for the day. He tends to and manages his gear, taking great care to re-etch the runes upon them. And eventually he is up and stirring and as ready as he ever gets to mingle and be sociable.
Sam it’s the others wandering off during this time and trusts they too are just taking care of their morning routine. He’s certainly not going to get up in anyone else’s social life… instead Sam focuses on the refugees and looks to see where he can be helpful. Sam sees Vin assisting the soulless and gives him a friendly nod. I should apologize again, he thinks and considers walking over to where the kid is… but he doesn’t. Sam is not one to deal with the touchy feely stuff…
So instead Sam helps take down make shift tents or lift heavy things or do things he may actually be needed for. He finds it difficult to help with the minor tasks anyone can do but is more than ready to put his back into anything that takes some strength or determination… And this he does until it’s time for the group to gather and forge the way…yhe Lion, for now, left sleeping in the pouch.