Muir listens to his companions and Griff say their piece. He is eager to head into his tree and talk to Goodall but decides to linger a little longer. He tells Griff before he flies off. "I am Muir. I am a druid in this world, a Keeper of the Woods. I specifically am not tied to one woods like my friends in the Keepers but that's not to say I don't have a home. I travel around and try to assist as many people as I can. I tend to sick animals and people, help grow food, aid in fighting off blights and diseases, and other various tasks for Arch Druid Goodall, our leader." He watches Griff fly away before returning his attention to everyone else, specifically Iver. "Iver do what you think is right. I only ask this....Would this Judge Tibus be looking to make peace with this information and keep the calm or would they use it for their own personal gain? Would they report it to a superior who would use it for their own personal gain?" Muir turns to the rest of the group "We as a group need to be careful. You see what the clerics are doing. What do you suppose they will do if one of the other factions stands in the way of their grand plan? If you wish to wash your hands of this, fine, but I cannot. If we are not careful and convincing to our factions a war is inevitable. Although Sam won't say it, I will. As for openness it would be nice if we were truthful to each other. I have told you all that I know freely. If you wish to ask something then ask, I only wish you would all do the same."
Hardly looking, Gewyn catches the gem before it hits his head, takes a quick look at it, and pops it in his mouth (Sleight of Hand: 18)
Though to anyone looking close enough, it's obvious it is just a trick of his nimble fingers, and he is actually subtly pocketing it.
He chews for a few thoughtful moments while Muir talks, and then swallows and chimes in, "I am Gewyn, chosen representative of the Jasmina Free-Association. My role is largely diplomatic, though I am an entertainer at heart."He does a little spin, clicks his heels, and then makes a gesture with his hand that causes the illusion of a faerie beside him to start clapping enthusiastically. He waves his hand again, and she vanishes into mist. "Insofar as we are able, we are here to keep the peace for the humble citizens of our land."
After introductions are done, he walks over to Elthana and tries to engage her in hushed conversation.
Sam side-eyes Gewyn as he approaches and is a bit surprised as he comes up to him. When they ask to talk Sam gives a brief nod of his head. “But don’t be blaming me about how that gem tasted. Gods knows I didn’t tell you to eat the damn thing…”
Elthana listens to Muir and gazes out to the bear remaining, a bit in wonder what all this means, but at his last sentiment, she turns to him, "Easy to say when you don't report to a guild or faction..."
When Sam pulls out the scroll he found, she produces the one in her hands. "This is also written in dwarvish, I believe it to be a scroll of invisibility? Would any of you like it?" Then deftly catches the gem he throws her, giving it a look over before letting it disappear in her pack.
As they all look to her about the portal located in the treasury as Muir stated, she looks down and sighs. "Look, yes I have heard there is a portal there? But honestly I don't know anything about it and didn't think it had anything to do with us, so why mention it? And honestly, I think it's pretty hush hush since I have just been told about it recently so if we could just keep it between us?" She looks towards Iver as she says this, "Unless something else comes up about it that we need to reconsider?"
She gives Muir a questioning look, "Did Yen tell you of any more portals located in Northmorrah?"
Muir tries not to be annoyed but his ears flap a little more earnestly at hearing that Elthana hear about the portal. Muir already has one scroll and decides to pass on this one before answering "From this point forward if anyone hears about portals or thinks they know where one is please don't keep this information from the rest of us. I cannot seem to make this any clearer, but will try again.....All of these portals are opening. We are the center" At this point Muir starts drawing in the dirt for the visual learners "All of the other realms are now in alignment with ours. This happens once in a millennia and we are now lucky to be experiencing it. We cannot keep this information away from each other. Do with it what you will with your factions and guilds but understand that those you tell may choose to use this information for their own good or cause. Again I point to the Clerics of Hermes who are already mobilizing. If we assume that Ebb's "vision" is indeed correct then there may be a portal in Lyvander, we know these is one in Hokum, another in Marbelstead. That's 3 portals out of the 5 "kingdoms", which means there are 2 left somewhere." Muir takes out his star maps and begins to make marks where portals are "One here, here, and here. If we are to follow the pattern there seems to be one in each corner of our realm. So maybe down here by the Almaterox Ruins and possibly one in the center of our world?" Muir stops himself and comes back full circle "The worlds are colliding, figuratively speaking. We need to either stop the war and battles to come by being arbiters of peace....Peacekeepers of Northmorrah I think someone said, or you can report what we've found to your guilds and factions and begin lining up for the power struggle that is to come."
“I’m sorry Muir but are you applying for the job of Grand Pubah Decider of All That is Right and Just Regarding Portals?” Sam asks sarcastically.
“You seem to be arguing we cannot trust any of our leaders with knowledge and information unless they abuse it, but also insisting we share all our information with you? Are you somehow immune to self interest and magically know the best course to take in all things portals?” Sam continues, on a bit of a roll now.
“You seem afraid that the clerics are, these the council might prepare for war against these worlds beyond the portals… Can you promise us those worlds are not preparing to invade us? You ask us to try to ensure our world is peaceful when other worlds may be preparing for conquest! About the most benign creature from another world we met is beaker over there and he was slaughtering dwarves when we met him then moved on to i silting us.. “
“Who are we to decide if this world has a chance to prepare for the opening portals or not? Who are we to keep the rulers and leaders from ruling and leading? Who are we to keep the poor and the meek from having a chance to move out of harms way, if they wish? To get away from the portals and the strife that may come through them? Or to deny their right to rise up and defend what little they have?”
“You talk as if we’re the guardians of this world… Mostly we’re those our factions were willing to sacrifice to an experiment they expected to fail.”
“I’m not deciding the course of this world… it’s beyond my pay scale. The people’s of this world have an inherent right to dictate their own future… be that choosing war or striving for peace. I’m not grand pubah of right and wrong and refuse to claim I’m smart enough to be. Peacekeepers, maybe. Not that I’ve noticed you officially join us or anything. But to keep the peace there needs to be peace to be kept. Nothing that’s come through the portals has seemed peaceful to me…”
Rant over, Sam folds his arms and waits for the inevitable pushback with wary eyes and a skeptical view. Arrow fodder are on the front lines for a reason… and it’s not to solve the worlds problems.
Muir takes a deep breath and tries again “I’m saying you know your people best. Just be sure that those you tell are going to help prevent an all out war that will ravage the land and the poor you speak of. Do what you want with the info I’ve shared with you. Hopefully I won’t have to say that I told you so. Good night to you all” Muir having said enough in his mind goes to a tree, but before he inserts his knob and heads in he reminds everyone they are welcome to join him inside for the night.
As Muir heads to the treeline and inserts his knob, Griff comes swooping down to talk.
Back with the group, Iver shivers a little "shall we take this over to the fire? Maybe bed down for the night, set up a watch?" Looking to Elthana he gives a nod to her "I'll keep this hush if that's what you want, but both Muir and Sam have good points, these portals could be a threat, but if they used to be open and that's the 'natural way of things' with regards to Northmorrah being a connecting factor like a hub, then I don't know... The people deserve to know and to prepare if what happened in Hokum might happen again. I just hope there are more like Shionne and Terry out there." He begins walking back to the carriage and to the fire close by.
Vin gives a small smile to Sam as they explain he did nothing wrong. "Thanks Sam. Nef keeps saying I should learn a few things from you... ways to be more confident and what. Oh, speaking of which... ummm..." Vin looks to Nef keeping watch at this time then whispers to Sam "Next time, don't offer pet food. She was quite upset about you offering her that instead of food as an equal. Maybe share some steak with her in the future."
As the question is brought up on who to tell Vin seems to have some folks in mind, "I mean... I'll be telling the heroes of the cavalcade. Who better to fix stuff then a bunch of proven heroes, right? I want to believe we can make a difference too but I'm not sure where that would be. We are definitely very good at stopping the bad guys. Also we are great at helping folks that need it, just not... super great at diplomacy. Perhaps we will be sent somewhere else to help out before things get out of hand. I think the big problem would be those who corrupted Rinwell or have a similar goal to her. Maybe I'm just optimistic but I feel like most folks from other realms we have found are just lost, confused or just creatures scared. The only direct ill intent I felt was from the realm Rinwell was trying to connect to. That realm is the dangerous one. I think anyone trying to open that is what we need to look out for. Which... does that mean its going to open naturally somewhere? ...I mean... if it was going to happen anywhere it would probably be those ruins."
Gewyn paces back and forth, arms crossed. "I actually agree with Sam on this one, though I'd say Shionne and Terry were benign enough themselves. But he's right that we are here with a job to do, and it's not to take the fate of the world secretly into our own hands. Is there corruption and greed in Marblestead's leadership? Sure, maybe. Who knows. But they shouldn't be left completely in the dark. Now, as some have suggested in private, perhaps it behooves us to make sure we keep our own perspective on things. And I think that's wise. And we can exercise our own discretion when deciding how to deal with the crises that face us. The front lines will always have information that the leaders don't. But just as WE are prone to making ill-advised decisions when we keep each other in the dark about certain things, those with power are just as likely to do dumb shit if they are left ignorant.
So in summation, I think we should work together with each other, and we should work together with the council. And I think part of our working together can be... exercising our field-discretion to figure out the best version of the truth to share with the council"
As the dusk turns to the darkness of the winter night, those who do not find refuge in Muir's tree, huddle around the campfire, Vin utilising the extra cloak that Muir lent him and nestling into nefs naturally warm fur, the others find that the blankets and such they were offered by the clerics and Hokum townspeople are enough to keep out the frost. Turns taken to watch over the camp go by uneventfully, and the band eventually wake to continue their journey westward just before the late winters dawn.
Iver checks over the carriage before hitching two of the horses to the harness and bridles, he asks for help mending some of the straps and a large crack in one wheel, cautiously eyeing a dried copper stain upon the drivers box.
As day breaks, Elthana removes herself from the rest and goes through her exercises that she will never take for granted again after the curse she had been through. She thinks through a lot of the conversation from the day before and wonders if Griff was going to join them on their way back. She was curious about the connection between the birdman and the portal apparently in her district, though she didn't even know the questions to ask. She thought about summoning Gust and riding ahead of the group, but decides to ride in the carriage to satiate her curiosity.
By the time she returns back to the group, if the carriage still needs some attending to in order to make it road ready, she begrudgingly helps. "So what's the plan for today, other than getting as close to Marblestead as possible?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
((Where did the bird sleep? In the tree or outside? Don't think it'll matter but it may be mentioned here or there? And did we get an answer on if the doorknob leaves a door outline after Muir enters or anything? Or does all trace of the entrance disappear once he closes his door? Again, not mattering except, for now at least, rp.))
"Pet food?" Sam quietly asks Vin in response to his suggestion. "Just jerky. Foul-smelling jerky for Dwarves I guess but not 'pet' food." Sam pulls out a bit and reluctantly takes a bite to prove his point.
"Was cutting her a steak off, actually," Sam says around the chewing. "But watching her tear into the other's leg meat it was pretty obvious she didn't need me cutting her food..."
(Con save vs Dwarven Jerky? 26 just for fun... Hopefully DM doesn't actually require one.)
"Shionne and Terry benign?" Sam will pipe in a bit later as the Gewyn is speaking. "At best let's say they are no better or worse than our own leadership, eh? They may - MAY - have been helping at the time but even our own most corrupt politicians can pull off that act from time to time when it suits them."
After stepping aside with Gewyn at some point and having a short but perhaps intense conversation, Sam helps with the carriage and camp as needed that evening and sleeps outside the tree. He hears he had been invited but he sees no need to intrude... In the morning, after doing his own routine of checking over his armor and weapons, etching on his runes, etc, Sam continues helping with the carriage. Having spied Iver's looks at the copper stain (died blood, we talking about) Sam will try to use the painter's supplies he picked up (somewhere? I added to inventory but didn't note where obtained.) to perhaps try to sand it off or cover it with paint, if he can.
"Agenda? Well... ((Is this the second tree location? We still haven't checked out the first? First was the lone fairy in a more of less open field then not too long after the pile of fairy bodies after the fought a not-deer? I think this is the latter locale and we still need to check the first? If so, Sam mentions that as the first item on the agenda. Otherwise...)) Yes, largely straight on for Marblestead quick as we can. Via Trundlesten so if we see the Council men heading to Hokum we can report but that is the most direct route anyway..."
Muir's tree expelled those within it, including Gruff, just before breakfast, the group eat and ready themselves.
After consuming a small amount of jerky the regret in Sam's face is instant and the colour of his skin goes a little greener in the cheeks as he tries to figure out if he should really swallow what he had tried to eat. Neferox barks, apparently highly amused at this.
Once the horses are hitched, and the stain covered by Sam's paints, Iver begins directing the horses to drag out the carriage, it takes a while in the snow but the mended wheels and straps hold fine, "if there's anything else you guys wanna investigate here then now is your last chance, we should get going... Is the bird coming with too?" Iver calls out, directing the question more to Muir than anyone else.
When emerging from the tree, Gewyn heads quietly straight for the carriage and sits quietly in the back, forgoing breakfast as usual. His pipes are tucked away this time, and instead he holds the knife that Rynwell had stabbed him with. He idly twirls and spins the dagger between his fingers while looking into his mirror. By the time the others join him, his horns have disappeared and his skin has paled. He puts away his mirror, fully in his fae form, though his scars are not showing at the moment.
Elthana had emerged from the tree as well, seeking shelter from the cold and wondering what else Griff was going to say. When Sam mentions the next tree she nods then helps get things ready to go in the carriage. She does not bring Gust out and instead decides to ride in the carriage.
Noticing Gewyn's change of skin she asks, "Are you alright? This is not your typical traveling outfit."
Sam spends the evening outside of the tree. Alone if he must. It isn't so much his Half-Orc pigheadedness that insists upon this as it is his unsettled innards. A Half-Orc with indigestion and the runs is not a thing that should be stuck inside of a tree with respectable folks. There are... smells... and noises... and quick runs to get behind a tree and drop unspeakable foulnesses... The less said the better, actually.
Sam was still not fully settled come morning and was perhaps a bit less talkative and gruff than normal. It had been a bad night but he thought the worst was over... Still, despite the chill in the air Sam decided it best to ride atop the carriage. There still may be some gas best not trapped inside. He offers to give Iver the chance to ride inside for a while, if he wishes, while Sam drives the carriage but doesn't press the matter if Iver prefers to stay at his position. Some guys see such as a point of pride, injured or not.
Sam replays the prior night's conversation with Gewyn and gives half a thought to if his gruffness had anything to do with the look on their face this morning. That led Sam to wondering if his roiling stomach had anything to do with his gruffness. That led Sam to a sudden momentary pause when he though his stomach was going to do cartwheels again and he stopped thinking altogether just to hold himself together.
"Investigate?" Sam asks Iver when the soldier makes the last offer. "What's there to investigate?" Last thing Sam wanted was to go look at some of the deposits he made behind some of the trees near the campsite.
"We've searched the corpses. Checked out the tree. Not sure what else there would be to investigate around here," Sam responds. "You have something in mind we missed?"
Sam tries to use his brain for a moment and finds it even harder than usual... But a thought does occur to him. "I did plant this one as a memorial to a shit ton of dead faeries. You think we should check the corpses? Seems kind of morbid and gross but..." Sam will flag down Elthana and pose the same question to her pretty much no matter Iver's reply.
((To skip back to when Sam did check the bodies and the tree... I think some mention has been made of runes or some kind of markings on the trees? Have we been keeping track of these? Making sketches or such? Or am I misremembering them being there? If they are there, are they all the same or all different? If different do they look similar enough to come from the same language or font type?))
Before Elthana gets settled, she mentions to those that did not sleep in the tree... "Griff didn't come through the tree, he came through a portal in the sky. Which is so much more worrisome. How many other random portals are opening and closing around here? He said he came through but then couldn't go back, right Griff?"
"And yeah, I agree with Sam, I'm ready to head out. Let's check out the next tree... probably will have more creatures to deal with."
Muir nods along "Yes let's get moving to the next tree....Hopefully they won't be as antagonistic as the dwarves. Griff is coming along with us." Muir gets in the back with Gewyn. He sits across from him and wonders.....of course Muir can't help himself and asks
"Gewyn would you mind indulging my curiosity for a moment? Your mirror...can you tell me the story about this mirror? When did you get it, from who, when did you notice its abilities?"
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Muir listens to his companions and Griff say their piece. He is eager to head into his tree and talk to Goodall but decides to linger a little longer. He tells Griff before he flies off. "I am Muir. I am a druid in this world, a Keeper of the Woods. I specifically am not tied to one woods like my friends in the Keepers but that's not to say I don't have a home. I travel around and try to assist as many people as I can. I tend to sick animals and people, help grow food, aid in fighting off blights and diseases, and other various tasks for Arch Druid Goodall, our leader." He watches Griff fly away before returning his attention to everyone else, specifically Iver. "Iver do what you think is right. I only ask this....Would this Judge Tibus be looking to make peace with this information and keep the calm or would they use it for their own personal gain? Would they report it to a superior who would use it for their own personal gain?" Muir turns to the rest of the group "We as a group need to be careful. You see what the clerics are doing. What do you suppose they will do if one of the other factions stands in the way of their grand plan? If you wish to wash your hands of this, fine, but I cannot. If we are not careful and convincing to our factions a war is inevitable. Although Sam won't say it, I will. As for openness it would be nice if we were truthful to each other. I have told you all that I know freely. If you wish to ask something then ask, I only wish you would all do the same."
Hardly looking, Gewyn catches the gem before it hits his head, takes a quick look at it, and pops it in his mouth (Sleight of Hand: 18)
Though to anyone looking close enough, it's obvious it is just a trick of his nimble fingers, and he is actually subtly pocketing it.
He chews for a few thoughtful moments while Muir talks, and then swallows and chimes in, "I am Gewyn, chosen representative of the Jasmina Free-Association. My role is largely diplomatic, though I am an entertainer at heart." He does a little spin, clicks his heels, and then makes a gesture with his hand that causes the illusion of a faerie beside him to start clapping enthusiastically. He waves his hand again, and she vanishes into mist. "Insofar as we are able, we are here to keep the peace for the humble citizens of our land."
After introductions are done, he walks over to Elthana and tries to engage her in hushed conversation.
Concluding his conversation with Elthana, Gewyn starts walking reluctantly towards Sam. "Hey, Sam. Can we talk?"
Sam side-eyes Gewyn as he approaches and is a bit surprised as he comes up to him. When they ask to talk Sam gives a brief nod of his head. “But don’t be blaming me about how that gem tasted. Gods knows I didn’t tell you to eat the damn thing…”
Elthana listens to Muir and gazes out to the bear remaining, a bit in wonder what all this means, but at his last sentiment, she turns to him, "Easy to say when you don't report to a guild or faction..."
When Sam pulls out the scroll he found, she produces the one in her hands. "This is also written in dwarvish, I believe it to be a scroll of invisibility? Would any of you like it?" Then deftly catches the gem he throws her, giving it a look over before letting it disappear in her pack.
As they all look to her about the portal located in the treasury as Muir stated, she looks down and sighs. "Look, yes I have heard there is a portal there? But honestly I don't know anything about it and didn't think it had anything to do with us, so why mention it? And honestly, I think it's pretty hush hush since I have just been told about it recently so if we could just keep it between us?" She looks towards Iver as she says this, "Unless something else comes up about it that we need to reconsider?"
She gives Muir a questioning look, "Did Yen tell you of any more portals located in Northmorrah?"
Muir tries not to be annoyed but his ears flap a little more earnestly at hearing that Elthana hear about the portal. Muir already has one scroll and decides to pass on this one before answering "From this point forward if anyone hears about portals or thinks they know where one is please don't keep this information from the rest of us. I cannot seem to make this any clearer, but will try again.....All of these portals are opening. We are the center" At this point Muir starts drawing in the dirt for the visual learners "All of the other realms are now in alignment with ours. This happens once in a millennia and we are now lucky to be experiencing it. We cannot keep this information away from each other. Do with it what you will with your factions and guilds but understand that those you tell may choose to use this information for their own good or cause. Again I point to the Clerics of Hermes who are already mobilizing. If we assume that Ebb's "vision" is indeed correct then there may be a portal in Lyvander, we know these is one in Hokum, another in Marbelstead. That's 3 portals out of the 5 "kingdoms", which means there are 2 left somewhere." Muir takes out his star maps and begins to make marks where portals are "One here, here, and here. If we are to follow the pattern there seems to be one in each corner of our realm. So maybe down here by the Almaterox Ruins and possibly one in the center of our world?" Muir stops himself and comes back full circle "The worlds are colliding, figuratively speaking. We need to either stop the war and battles to come by being arbiters of peace....Peacekeepers of Northmorrah I think someone said, or you can report what we've found to your guilds and factions and begin lining up for the power struggle that is to come."
“I’m sorry Muir but are you applying for the job of Grand Pubah Decider of All That is Right and Just Regarding Portals?” Sam asks sarcastically.
“You seem to be arguing we cannot trust any of our leaders with knowledge and information unless they abuse it, but also insisting we share all our information with you? Are you somehow immune to self interest and magically know the best course to take in all things portals?” Sam continues, on a bit of a roll now.
“You seem afraid that the clerics are, these the council might prepare for war against these worlds beyond the portals… Can you promise us those worlds are not preparing to invade us? You ask us to try to ensure our world is peaceful when other worlds may be preparing for conquest! About the most benign creature from another world we met is beaker over there and he was slaughtering dwarves when we met him then moved on to i silting us.. “
“Who are we to decide if this world has a chance to prepare for the opening portals or not? Who are we to keep the rulers and leaders from ruling and leading? Who are we to keep the poor and the meek from having a chance to move out of harms way, if they wish? To get away from the portals and the strife that may come through them? Or to deny their right to rise up and defend what little they have?”
“You talk as if we’re the guardians of this world… Mostly we’re those our factions were willing to sacrifice to an experiment they expected to fail.”
“I’m not deciding the course of this world… it’s beyond my pay scale. The people’s of this world have an inherent right to dictate their own future… be that choosing war or striving for peace. I’m not grand pubah of right and wrong and refuse to claim I’m smart enough to be. Peacekeepers, maybe. Not that I’ve noticed you officially join us or anything. But to keep the peace there needs to be peace to be kept. Nothing that’s come through the portals has seemed peaceful to me…”
Rant over, Sam folds his arms and waits for the inevitable pushback with wary eyes and a skeptical view. Arrow fodder are on the front lines for a reason… and it’s not to solve the worlds problems.
Muir takes a deep breath and tries again “I’m saying you know your people best. Just be sure that those you tell are going to help prevent an all out war that will ravage the land and the poor you speak of. Do what you want with the info I’ve shared with you. Hopefully I won’t have to say that I told you so. Good night to you all” Muir having said enough in his mind goes to a tree, but before he inserts his knob and heads in he reminds everyone they are welcome to join him inside for the night.
As Muir heads to the treeline and inserts his knob, Griff comes swooping down to talk.
Back with the group, Iver shivers a little "shall we take this over to the fire? Maybe bed down for the night, set up a watch?" Looking to Elthana he gives a nod to her "I'll keep this hush if that's what you want, but both Muir and Sam have good points, these portals could be a threat, but if they used to be open and that's the 'natural way of things' with regards to Northmorrah being a connecting factor like a hub, then I don't know... The people deserve to know and to prepare if what happened in Hokum might happen again. I just hope there are more like Shionne and Terry out there." He begins walking back to the carriage and to the fire close by.
Vin gives a small smile to Sam as they explain he did nothing wrong. "Thanks Sam. Nef keeps saying I should learn a few things from you... ways to be more confident and what. Oh, speaking of which... ummm..." Vin looks to Nef keeping watch at this time then whispers to Sam "Next time, don't offer pet food. She was quite upset about you offering her that instead of food as an equal. Maybe share some steak with her in the future."
As the question is brought up on who to tell Vin seems to have some folks in mind, "I mean... I'll be telling the heroes of the cavalcade. Who better to fix stuff then a bunch of proven heroes, right? I want to believe we can make a difference too but I'm not sure where that would be. We are definitely very good at stopping the bad guys. Also we are great at helping folks that need it, just not... super great at diplomacy. Perhaps we will be sent somewhere else to help out before things get out of hand. I think the big problem would be those who corrupted Rinwell or have a similar goal to her. Maybe I'm just optimistic but I feel like most folks from other realms we have found are just lost, confused or just creatures scared. The only direct ill intent I felt was from the realm Rinwell was trying to connect to. That realm is the dangerous one. I think anyone trying to open that is what we need to look out for. Which... does that mean its going to open naturally somewhere? ...I mean... if it was going to happen anywhere it would probably be those ruins."
Gewyn paces back and forth, arms crossed. "I actually agree with Sam on this one, though I'd say Shionne and Terry were benign enough themselves. But he's right that we are here with a job to do, and it's not to take the fate of the world secretly into our own hands. Is there corruption and greed in Marblestead's leadership? Sure, maybe. Who knows. But they shouldn't be left completely in the dark. Now, as some have suggested in private, perhaps it behooves us to make sure we keep our own perspective on things. And I think that's wise. And we can exercise our own discretion when deciding how to deal with the crises that face us. The front lines will always have information that the leaders don't. But just as WE are prone to making ill-advised decisions when we keep each other in the dark about certain things, those with power are just as likely to do dumb shit if they are left ignorant.
So in summation, I think we should work together with each other, and we should work together with the council. And I think part of our working together can be... exercising our field-discretion to figure out the best version of the truth to share with the council"
As the dusk turns to the darkness of the winter night, those who do not find refuge in Muir's tree, huddle around the campfire, Vin utilising the extra cloak that Muir lent him and nestling into nefs naturally warm fur, the others find that the blankets and such they were offered by the clerics and Hokum townspeople are enough to keep out the frost. Turns taken to watch over the camp go by uneventfully, and the band eventually wake to continue their journey westward just before the late winters dawn.
Iver checks over the carriage before hitching two of the horses to the harness and bridles, he asks for help mending some of the straps and a large crack in one wheel, cautiously eyeing a dried copper stain upon the drivers box.
As day breaks, Elthana removes herself from the rest and goes through her exercises that she will never take for granted again after the curse she had been through. She thinks through a lot of the conversation from the day before and wonders if Griff was going to join them on their way back. She was curious about the connection between the birdman and the portal apparently in her district, though she didn't even know the questions to ask. She thought about summoning Gust and riding ahead of the group, but decides to ride in the carriage to satiate her curiosity.
By the time she returns back to the group, if the carriage still needs some attending to in order to make it road ready, she begrudgingly helps. "So what's the plan for today, other than getting as close to Marblestead as possible?"
((Where did the bird sleep? In the tree or outside? Don't think it'll matter but it may be mentioned here or there? And did we get an answer on if the doorknob leaves a door outline after Muir enters or anything? Or does all trace of the entrance disappear once he closes his door? Again, not mattering except, for now at least, rp.))
"Pet food?" Sam quietly asks Vin in response to his suggestion. "Just jerky. Foul-smelling jerky for Dwarves I guess but not 'pet' food." Sam pulls out a bit and reluctantly takes a bite to prove his point.
"Was cutting her a steak off, actually," Sam says around the chewing. "But watching her tear into the other's leg meat it was pretty obvious she didn't need me cutting her food..."
(Con save vs Dwarven Jerky? 26 just for fun... Hopefully DM doesn't actually require one.)
"Shionne and Terry benign?" Sam will pipe in a bit later as the Gewyn is speaking. "At best let's say they are no better or worse than our own leadership, eh? They may - MAY - have been helping at the time but even our own most corrupt politicians can pull off that act from time to time when it suits them."
After stepping aside with Gewyn at some point and having a short but perhaps intense conversation, Sam helps with the carriage and camp as needed that evening and sleeps outside the tree. He hears he had been invited but he sees no need to intrude... In the morning, after doing his own routine of checking over his armor and weapons, etching on his runes, etc, Sam continues helping with the carriage. Having spied Iver's looks at the copper stain (died blood, we talking about) Sam will try to use the painter's supplies he picked up (somewhere? I added to inventory but didn't note where obtained.) to perhaps try to sand it off or cover it with paint, if he can.
"Agenda? Well... ((Is this the second tree location? We still haven't checked out the first? First was the lone fairy in a more of less open field then not too long after the pile of fairy bodies after the fought a not-deer? I think this is the latter locale and we still need to check the first? If so, Sam mentions that as the first item on the agenda. Otherwise...)) Yes, largely straight on for Marblestead quick as we can. Via Trundlesten so if we see the Council men heading to Hokum we can report but that is the most direct route anyway..."
Muir's tree expelled those within it, including Gruff, just before breakfast, the group eat and ready themselves.
After consuming a small amount of jerky the regret in Sam's face is instant and the colour of his skin goes a little greener in the cheeks as he tries to figure out if he should really swallow what he had tried to eat. Neferox barks, apparently highly amused at this.
Once the horses are hitched, and the stain covered by Sam's paints, Iver begins directing the horses to drag out the carriage, it takes a while in the snow but the mended wheels and straps hold fine, "if there's anything else you guys wanna investigate here then now is your last chance, we should get going... Is the bird coming with too?" Iver calls out, directing the question more to Muir than anyone else.
When emerging from the tree, Gewyn heads quietly straight for the carriage and sits quietly in the back, forgoing breakfast as usual. His pipes are tucked away this time, and instead he holds the knife that Rynwell had stabbed him with. He idly twirls and spins the dagger between his fingers while looking into his mirror. By the time the others join him, his horns have disappeared and his skin has paled. He puts away his mirror, fully in his fae form, though his scars are not showing at the moment.
Elthana had emerged from the tree as well, seeking shelter from the cold and wondering what else Griff was going to say. When Sam mentions the next tree she nods then helps get things ready to go in the carriage. She does not bring Gust out and instead decides to ride in the carriage.
Noticing Gewyn's change of skin she asks, "Are you alright? This is not your typical traveling outfit."
Sam spends the evening outside of the tree. Alone if he must. It isn't so much his Half-Orc pigheadedness that insists upon this as it is his unsettled innards. A Half-Orc with indigestion and the runs is not a thing that should be stuck inside of a tree with respectable folks. There are... smells... and noises... and quick runs to get behind a tree and drop unspeakable foulnesses... The less said the better, actually.
Sam was still not fully settled come morning and was perhaps a bit less talkative and gruff than normal. It had been a bad night but he thought the worst was over... Still, despite the chill in the air Sam decided it best to ride atop the carriage. There still may be some gas best not trapped inside. He offers to give Iver the chance to ride inside for a while, if he wishes, while Sam drives the carriage but doesn't press the matter if Iver prefers to stay at his position. Some guys see such as a point of pride, injured or not.
Sam replays the prior night's conversation with Gewyn and gives half a thought to if his gruffness had anything to do with the look on their face this morning. That led Sam to wondering if his roiling stomach had anything to do with his gruffness. That led Sam to a sudden momentary pause when he though his stomach was going to do cartwheels again and he stopped thinking altogether just to hold himself together.
"Investigate?" Sam asks Iver when the soldier makes the last offer. "What's there to investigate?" Last thing Sam wanted was to go look at some of the deposits he made behind some of the trees near the campsite.
"We've searched the corpses. Checked out the tree. Not sure what else there would be to investigate around here," Sam responds. "You have something in mind we missed?"
Sam tries to use his brain for a moment and finds it even harder than usual... But a thought does occur to him. "I did plant this one as a memorial to a shit ton of dead faeries. You think we should check the corpses? Seems kind of morbid and gross but..." Sam will flag down Elthana and pose the same question to her pretty much no matter Iver's reply.
((To skip back to when Sam did check the bodies and the tree... I think some mention has been made of runes or some kind of markings on the trees? Have we been keeping track of these? Making sketches or such? Or am I misremembering them being there? If they are there, are they all the same or all different? If different do they look similar enough to come from the same language or font type?))
Before Elthana gets settled, she mentions to those that did not sleep in the tree... "Griff didn't come through the tree, he came through a portal in the sky. Which is so much more worrisome. How many other random portals are opening and closing around here? He said he came through but then couldn't go back, right Griff?"
"And yeah, I agree with Sam, I'm ready to head out. Let's check out the next tree... probably will have more creatures to deal with."
Muir nods along "Yes let's get moving to the next tree....Hopefully they won't be as antagonistic as the dwarves. Griff is coming along with us." Muir gets in the back with Gewyn. He sits across from him and wonders.....of course Muir can't help himself and asks
"Gewyn would you mind indulging my curiosity for a moment? Your mirror...can you tell me the story about this mirror? When did you get it, from who, when did you notice its abilities?"