As the weather gets colder, Gewyn reconsiders his decision to use the cape as a scabbard. Returning it to it's originall purpose of helping shelter him from the cold, he spends the next little bit using his belt and some of his spare clothes to fashion a makeshift harness so he can carry the sword on his back. When he is not doing that, he is playing music, or writing in his journal.
As the gnome and his guards approach, Gewyn likewise hops down and struts toward them. "Hail and well met. Worker's Faction, I assume? The road is calm. And so long as you can stomach a bit of old carnage, you should find yourselves undisturbed on your trek."He speaks with a confidence and machismo that implies he is undisturbed by the carnage himself, though the others of his troupe may know that to be demonstrably false.
Sam examines and fumbles around with the Dwarven Plate while Elthana takes a watch with him. He notes that he's worked a forge often enough in his life but that this metal is something he's not seen before. "I don't think it's magical," Sam notes as he unsuccessfully tries on the gloves. "Oddly enough, magic tends to have some give to it, yeah?" Sam then goes to put the helmet on his head and use it as an example of this armor having no give... But surprisingly the helmet does squash onto his thick Half Orc head relatively easily. Seems Dwarves are short and squat but still have big heads atop them...
A moment later Sam is scrambling to get the helmet off. There is a worrisome moment but then it plops off easily enough. "Well... weird," Sam succinctly states. "It almost felt like... I don't even rightly know. As if it was fitting too well, perhaps. Like it was like a second skin or something... Not unpleasantly but unexpected."
"I think I'll take the armors to my forge in the Tangles once we're back home. Perhaps me and Drawlin, the owner of the forge, can get our heads around this stuff and maybe make some use of it... If you've no objection, of course," Sam says to Elthana...
---
If / when Vin sits a spell with him Sam will again bring up the Cavalcade if the kid didn't answer it previously (Sam brought up just before DM post there.). Sam isn't prying so much as curious and giving Vin a chance to speak on the question if he so wishes. His not speaking on it will tell Sam things too...
Sam does his best to ignore Neferox during this spell. Sam had been trying to connect to the hound but... Yeah, no. Might as well give the thing feather and wings as far as Sam is concerned at the moment.
---
((Both spells can have more discussion and such if Elthana and Vin wish... Just flash on back...))
Speaking of feathers and wings, Sam grunts when Griff exits the tree and does his best to ignore him. At least at first. But the bird is a bit of a chatterbox and Sam decides giving them short, gruff answers is easier than killing him. For now. And the party will be less grumpy... They don't talk about much. In truth it is more question and answer than talk. The bird mostly asks about life here on this realm - the day and night cycle get discussed, seasons... The bird seems to consider just flying up and up and up until there is no more up and Sam isn't hating the idea, really. But, with a sigh, Sam does mention to Griff that in his experience everything that goes up comes down eventually. Usually in a crash if it doesn't come down willingly... Eventually the bird wanders off and bundles up, after it's fashion, near the fire. Sam is grateful for the silence... He does think for a bit that the bird seems to tire and sleep far more than people do. He wonders for a moment if that's just what his kind are like or if being here is doing something... But he also wonders if he cares.
Meanwhile, between (and some during) the visitors, Sam gets to thinking about the armors. It is a metal he has never seen before. As if it's from somewhere else... And here we have a giant hill. Is it a hill? Perhaps more of a mound? But either way, it's not precisely from here... Fetching his shovel, Sam does some digging. Literally.
Sam is no geologist or anything, Sam couldn't likely spell geologist or anything, but after digging several small but deepish holes in the mound Sam is thinking that there are indeed veins of this metal in the new rock here... Interesting. Sam mostly fills in the holes but makes no effort to disguise his digging. He can't very well mine the stuff himself but he does try to chisel out a small piece or two to bring home and discuss with people.
When the others come out of the tree in the morning Sam is all but alseep on his feet. He was basically a goner. He'd never fully recovered from that Dwarven jerky and then stayed up all night and he was definitely regretting both. He does what he can to help set up the carriage and the team but he is quick to take up a full bench in the carriage and fall dead asleep, sawing wood and oblivious to the world. Sam is out for most of the day. He takes an extra long rest the next day as well... But he should be back to his old self by the fourth day when they run across the band of workers heading to Hokum...
"Gneb?" Sam calls out from atop the carriage, for he is likely back to driving it by this point. "Gneb Dinglebuckle?" Sam hands over the reins to Iver and starts to climb down.
"No! It can't be Gneb Dinglebuckle," Sam calls out as if in astonishment. "Last I heard he was working for the tailor sorting buttons... No, no. That's not right. Last I heard he was working for the undertaker stealing coppers off eyes... No, no. That's no right either... Lesse, was it maybe the job with the carpenters pulling splinters? Or were you working for the masons doing... No, couldn't have been the masons. You may have had a job there but you certainly never worked!" With a laugh and a smile, Sam greets Gneb heartily and gives him a quick introduction to the crew.
"Everyone, this is Gneb Dinglebuckle, or so I claim since I can never pronounce that thing he calls his actual last name!" Sam gives the gnome a little shove and then indicates the group with a wave of his hand. "Gneb, that is Iver atop the carriage, the kid is Vin and his canine is Neferox. Steer clear of that one, he WILL use you as a chew toy. The fancy one there is Gewyn, Muir has the tusks and then of course there is the beautiful Elthana... Be nice, all of them have been through hell lately and could use you as a chew toy. They just have manners..."
Sam will give Gneb the run down of Hokum, or a slightly sanitized version anyway. Sam doesn't keep anything from Gneb regarding Hokum or the situation there but he does hold back on the more speculative issues and questions. He most definitely does tell Gneb about the portal in the mountain, about the Fey they encountered, the walking trees and the redcaps - Sam wouldn't let these workers go in unprepared for what happened! The tree portals and any possible portals back home and concerns about the Council and such though, these are the things that Sam doesn't bring up.
"I do need a favor of you though, Gneb," Sam brings up in all seriousness at some point. "I need you to carry a couple of messages and see that they get delivered, eh? I'll get them written out and such before we part. I wish I could go back and deliver them in person but Jimmy and the Council want us back by the winter festival..."
Gneb extends an arm up toward Sam and claps his forearm in an overly performatively masculine handshake, "its Dangbackle and ye know it, ye cheeky shite!" He jests at Sam and nods with a smile as he is introduced to the rest of the group, the guards thank Gewyn for the info and all three of the convoy ambassadors listen as Sam retells the news of Hokum, "hmm grave news indeed, but we are glad to hear that the main crisis is averted. Once we have conferred with Hokum's leaders there and observed the extent of the damage, there will be reports sent back and requests made of the council for further assistance if needed" one of the guard states blankly.
"I hadda guess that it were some kind of revolt, but I never woulda guessed a weird invasion, still, Drawlin had money on sea monsters so at least I don't owe 'im anythin'." Gneb says mostly to Sam than anyone else, "Still, we'll do what we can, I've been workin', and working hard mind you," glaring a little "with Drawlin mostly these days an when the request came in, well, I lost a bet and he sent me in his stead, our little convoy 'ere is technically headed by the guard, but most of the supervision and assesment is gonna get done by some o' the Oakhand family" Gneb asserts with a knowing nod.
Those in the know of how the workers faction functions, would know that the Oakhand family are a very large family of dwarves who have made it their business to be the best of the best where construction is concerned within marblestead, gaining appreciation for their work across factions.
"You just write down what you need me to deliver and I'll get it to the right people, as long as ye make it worth me effort" Gneb grins as he pokes out a greedy little hand toward Sam
“The guards and the Oakland’s are both likely to be welcome by the people of Hokum. They will be needing all the help rebuilding they can get and I’m sure many will be happy for a show of security that isn’t the clerics.. “ Sam responds. “Not that the clerics did any ill, mind ya. That I know of. It was just such a force that… Well I personally didn’t think it seemed entirely a peace mission…”
“Oh aya, and you’ll be waiting around for the recipients to tip us as well, won’t ya?” Sam says with a smile, mostly just giving the gnome a hard time. Mostly. “I’ll get those to you soon, why don’t we all take a breather and give me a chance to write them up, eh?”
Sam will shoot the shit with Gneb a little longer then he’ll consult with the others to see if there is anything they want included in the notes.
“Mostly I’m thinking just two notes. One to the leader of Hokum… what’s her name? Mostly just a bit of vouching for these guys here. The other to Ebb. I think it only fair to warn him about how we mostly all got something that opens portals before starting this journey… “ Sam says to the others and waits to see if they have more to add…
Elthana is amused as Sam tries on the dwarven armor and does ask when he looks concerned as he takes off the helmet, "Was something wrong with that? It seemed to fit you pretty well."
When there is mention of the fruit being diluted into Marblestead's system, she doesn't say anything but is alarmed by the thought, she hopes her friends are just speculating and are not anywhere close to the actual truth, though she does wonder what "special items" Hokum supplies.
Waking up after Sam stood vigil throughout the night, Elthana is agitated and gets up quite shaky. As the rest make breakfast, she goes off on her own a bit. When she comes back she appears to be back to normal. "Glad to see Griff back to his normal self. We ready to head on?" Seeing Sam in his state, "Why did you stay up all night? Vin and I were there to rotate watch with you. You keep saying these trees are your fault, they are not."
Elthana pulls out the small book that she stole from the bag earlier and shows it to the ones in the carriage as they travel. "I didn't show this to you earlier as well, we were pretty busy with fighting and all, but this is pretty interesting, its a small spellbook. It's written in elvish, talks about an adventurer than found an old ruin, might be something fun to check out once we're done with whatever the hell is going on." she shrugs and then continues, "Look, there are several spells, can anyone use them? Cantrips; Toll the dead, Chill touch, Sapping sting. 1st level; Ray of sickness, Inflict wounds." She quickly closes the book before getting to the inside of the back cover.
During the travel, she reads the book more thoroughly, trying to get a sense of the old adventurer, wishing it had included their name. The next night they sleep however, she wakes up sweating and grabs for her pole looking around wildly. Seeing no threats, she wills herself to calm down and rests her forehead on her knees. She sits there a bit, until her heart rate goes back to normal.
When they meet the group on the road, she sits back and lets the rest chat with them. When there is mention of getting notes back to Hokum, she whispers to Muir, "Did you want to send one to Master Gore in case your bird didn't make it?"
The morning after Elthana has her panicked awakening, Gewyn approaches her quietly. He is no longer hiding his wounds, though the one on his face seems to be healing up fairly well. "Trouble sleeping?"He asks, sympathetically. "If it's bad dreams, I can get you a medicine back in Marblestead that might help. Knocks you right out cold."
Muir listens to everyone talking about supplies and notes. He tries to choose his words carefully to the group. “I would caution telling any of the clerics about your tokens that open up rifts. Do you all while heartedly trust this Ebb with the information about your trinkets? If you do then do what you think is right. Leave my name out of this note or any mention about my sanctuary. Sam, is there someone you trust here that will deliver a message to Gore”
“What’cha mean about Griff?” Sam asks when Elthana brings him up. “I’m not sure what his normal self is. He seemed a bit… philosophical maybe? last night, til he finally was tuckered out again and dozed off by the fire…”
“I appreciated the company, sure,” Sam starts off with, answering her. “And I know it’s not my fault.But it also kind of is, you know? Like I didn’t know, I didn’t try to make the portals happen, and such as that so it’s not my fault. At the same time I am the one who used them, eh? And only the once for a real life and death kind of situation… I didn’t know but I wasn’t exactly overly cautious either now, was I?”
“And what about you? No concerns over your horse and portals? You didn’t seem as refreshed as usual this morning…?” Sam offers.
Sam does ride in the carriage but if he hears Elthana talk of the spell book he is likely halfway to dreamland and pays it no heed.
**racked on to respond to Muir…
“I’ll try to craft my note to Ebb carefully but he must be warned. If he, like some of us, got an item that opens portals then he could be the cause of the very doom her is predicting. I shall leave you out of it though, as you wish,” Sam promises.
“As for deliveries, any of the men should be trustworthy enough for such, specially for a few coin and promise of more when delivered. Gneb though, for sure… as long as there is no backbreaking work or risk of breaking a sweat. He’s a good man, just not always a hard workers. But to make easy money? Nobody more trustworthy,” Sam advises.
As the group decide how best to word their letters and what to do, the convoy from marblestead set up for lunch, sweeping aside what snow they can to make small fires and warm their bones. Gneb and the guard take time to gather as much info on the road ahead as possible and report nothing much from here to trundlesten apart from the chance of the odd bandit or two.
Once lunch is over, Gneb cheekily asks for a gold per letter, to 'make sure it gets to the eyes of the recipient and only the recipient' and with a smile he takes any letters headed back to Hokum.
Muir hands Gneb 5 gold pieces and stares at Gneb in a serious manner with his ear flapping slowly but hard "Master Gneb, this is a serious matter. I trust that you will go to the mayor and ask for Gore's whereabouts. Take the letter to him directly and right away. This is of upmost importance. I trust you can do this discreetly and as quickly as possible. If for some reason Gore is missing, I need you to make haste to me and tell me. 5GPs should cover your troubles."Muir stares down at Gneb waiting for his reply
Gneb raises an eyebrow as he weighs the coins in his hand, "done deal, but marblestead is large, where will I find you if'n this Gore guy can't be found eh? Also I been sent to Hokum to help rebuild, on the chance that the news ain't great and I gotta abandon Hokum to find ya any consequences I face for doin' that, I'll be diverting in your direction. Muir, was it?"
“Indeed it is Muir. If you are needed to help rebuild, send a Hokum resident that the mayor trusts. I will pay them. Perhaps the stone Sam used to communicate is a way to find me…Unless you have a better idea? I’m not overly familiar with this city”
"if you'll be with Sam then I should be able to find ya, he's Jimmy's man, so I'll get to you that way" Gneb winks as he pockets the coin and collects the other letters
After recruiting Elthana to help him write the letters he wanted to write Sam delivers then to Gned but holds fast to them as the gnome tries to take them. "I'll pay your gold per letter, though it's a rip off and you know it. I'll even throw in triple that again when you return to Marblestead, I'll leave it with Drawlin in case I get moved out before you return. Drawlin ain't never going anywhere, eh? But a bit of a warning..." Sam releases the letters as he says this and watched the gnome almost stumble at the lack of resistance. Sam smirks but continues solemnly.
"These letters are not to be peeked at. No, no! Don't take offense, I am not accusing just warning... These letters are Council business. They deal with matters I wish I knew nothing about and I am sure you don't want to get mixed up in. To notch up the danger a bit, these letters were sealed by a member of The Treasury. One learned in poisons and quick cuts, if you catch my drift. I'm not brave enough to unseal the letters to make sure I addressed them right, I would feel guilty if I didn't warn you... " Sam shrugs and hands over three gold to Gneb. "And an even ten will be held by Drawlin, if you give him your word they were all delivered..."
Other than playing Post Office with Gneb, Sam mingles with the workers (and guards) while the meal is being prepared. He greets those he knows, elbows those he recognizes but doesn't know by name, and makes small talk with any who wish. Sam will tell them all as much as he can, it's his was and he wants them all to know what they are getting into. Portals beyond the one in the mountain are never mentioned though, nor are the trees. Beyond omission and evasion though, Sam only tells one mistruth: He describes the hill with the lone tree atop it as a reference point for navigating but warns them off from going near it. "If you get that close you just go and get yourself into the woods. The winds come out of nowhere and whip around that tree and chill your nipples to diamonds and makes your berries crawl up inside your belly for two days and nights. Didn't seem there was no weather at all until I climbed the hill just to see the view... Worst damn mistake of the whole trip, and that's saying a helluva lot!"
Gewyn walks by and pats Sam on the belly. "He aint lying," Gewyn says to the workers Sam is addressing. "He's scarce had room left over in there for breakfast these last few days. Speaking of Marblestead, how go things on the homefront? Council still playing nice?"
Back in time before the convoy arrived, Vin indeed talked with Sam to answer his question.
"Truth be told... I'm not sure why they choose me. I mean, I'm not the highest ranked student. I'm not the oldest either. I mean, I'm barely over 18 and there are some that are older taking lessons and seem far more qualified then me." Nef seems to scoff at this idea. Vin gives a weak smile toward the hound who seemed to disagree with this statement. "Nef is amazing though. She's been supporting me through my classes, giving me lessons and more. A lot of my magic I learned from her. I just kind of assumed they wanted her and well.. she won't go anywhere without me." Vin smiles at Nef and pats the top of her head which seems to sooth the beast. "Nef says that I'm the best. I don't know..." Nef nips his side stopping him from brooding. She gives Vin a stern look and Vin says "I know I need to be more confident. I'm trying." Nef nods in satisfaction then goes back to getting scritches from Vin. Vin continues on talking with Sam "I'm glad I wasn't too much of a burden for you all. You all seem so much more confident then me that sometimes... I wonder if I'm the only one always second guessing myself." Vin gets a bit quiet and brooding. Nef seems to sigh and doesn't seem sure what to do to help lift Vin's spirits. The black hounds red eyes looking at Sam as if asking something. The normally always way too confident black hound seeming uncertain in situations like this.
When Sam struggles with the armor Vin offers "Weird huh? Want me to identify it? I seem to have a talent with that at least. Elthana is right, it's not really your fault. Not like you opened the portals on purpose. You just used an item to help folks... If anything it might of been a good thing you used them. Now I know at least a bit of what might happen if I use my item. I feel mine would be a lot worse then a few territorial creatures though."
When the convoy arrives Vin is so happy to see them. He waves and greets various folks while the group at large talks with the leaders. Vin always the kind one doesn't leave anyone out. He checks in on the workers convoy and fills them in on what Hokum is going to need and who/what to expect there. Vin avoids anything sensitive for topic like the portal. He wasn't sure how the natives of Hokum wanted to handle it and Vin figured they would tell them if they wanted. Vin just focused on giving them information about the damage he saw and the needs that he observed at Hokum. He also tries to find an apothecary or some kind of alchemist in the convoy if there is one. Wanting to give them additional information about the people that were affected by the charm fruit and seeing if they have heard of anything like that yet.
(I'm so sorry, dealing with major vertigo, but getting there)
To Gewyn and Sam over her trouble of sleeping, she shrugs, "I'm alright, just a few nightmares, I'm sure it'll pass."
She doesn't have anything to add about the letters being passed, just ready to move on to Trundlested and get moving. Heading over to Griff, "How are you doing? Would it be better for you to ride in the carriage instead of trying to fly? Our air seems to be tiring you out quickly, not sure if it is the density or what."
As vin greets the members of the convoy, the people he speaks to are grateful for the information. He dies indeed find one person who dabbles in herbalism and healing, though the description of what effected the soulless seems unheard of to them, Though they do have a few guesses for the boy.
Griff is dozing on top of the carriage when elthana approaches him, he looks down to where she stands and gives a grunt before dropping down and addressing her properly, "I will trying take you up on carriage offer, I do not know why I am getting so tired, air does not feel thicker, though pull of ground is definitely more, make me feel like heavy person, like Sam yes? But is strange, it feel like day here is just being too long, you are understanding? Anyway yes, I thanking you, more rest I will take."
With lunch handled and letters penned and handed over, the group begin once more and continue making their way towards trundlesten. Griff does indeed sit inside the carriage when he needs to sleep instead of just slowly descending and passing out upon the roof.
The next day and a half pass by, again without incident. The coldest and shortest nights of winter are fast approaching, making for unwelcoming conditions for the beasts and bandits who would sometimes interrupt such travel, there is much talking from Iver and Griff toward the group during this time, if not out of genuine interest in certain topics, then sometimes it is just simply to pass the time.
It is the evening of the fifth day on the road when Trundlesten comes into view, a welcome sight, the glow of fire, warmth and buildings, piercing the monotony of the desolate white blanket of winter under a darkened evening sky. The group's bones ache from the days on the road and yearn for a proper bed.
The night of meeting the workers on the road Sam would check in with Jimmy (I don't think he had yet that day) and give him a general information dump on the fact. Not much else to tell him except the men are on the way and have been briefed. Sam makes no effort to make sure everyone hears it but he also makes no effort to hide the update. The next couple briefings to Jimmy are just as boring, basically updates on the groups location and their estimated time of arrival. A day or two out Sam would make a point of asking what they should do when they are back - "Should we head right to the council chambers no matter what time we arrive? Or are we keeping normal working hours? I am sure most of us wouldn't mind a chance to get some proper rest and wash the road out of our cracks before addressing the council but maybe they feel things are pressing? And Jimmy, can the Council set up some accommodations for guests? Muir the druid who joined us in the battles and this Griff guy who has decided to tag along our way home?"
Having gotten caught up on rest and all, Sam would likely be driving the carriage in shifts with Iver once again. If Jimmy advises him to head straight for the Council no matter the time of day then that is where Sam will drive the carriage. If advised to rest and wash up first then, once the place is in view, Sam will start asking people where they want to be dropped off. He figures Drawlin's forge has someplace to park the carriage and tend to the horse for the night if need be and Sam's place is in walking distance for there so Sam will offer to drop everyone off and pick them up in the morning. If Jimmy set something up for Muir and Griff he will drop them off there and make sure they are settled before he leaves... Though they may opt for Muir's little doorhandle thing again.
With Trundlesten in view, Sam would aim for the Inn the stayed in when the party first came through this town, not being overly familiar with the rest of it anyway. "Quick night stay in decent beds and time to wash up and get a good meal, eh? We shouldn't dally much longer than that," Sam would call out to the others though he really couldn't stop them if they had other plans...
Muir pulls on the reigns and slows his old horse to a stop and looks around "So this is Trundelston. Not as bad as I imagined. What are the sights here? Any good places to poke about? Libraries? Gardens? Parks? Anyplace that hold old artifacts? A...oh the word slips me....."
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As the weather gets colder, Gewyn reconsiders his decision to use the cape as a scabbard. Returning it to it's originall purpose of helping shelter him from the cold, he spends the next little bit using his belt and some of his spare clothes to fashion a makeshift harness so he can carry the sword on his back. When he is not doing that, he is playing music, or writing in his journal.
As the gnome and his guards approach, Gewyn likewise hops down and struts toward them. "Hail and well met. Worker's Faction, I assume? The road is calm. And so long as you can stomach a bit of old carnage, you should find yourselves undisturbed on your trek." He speaks with a confidence and machismo that implies he is undisturbed by the carnage himself, though the others of his troupe may know that to be demonstrably false.
Sam examines and fumbles around with the Dwarven Plate while Elthana takes a watch with him. He notes that he's worked a forge often enough in his life but that this metal is something he's not seen before. "I don't think it's magical," Sam notes as he unsuccessfully tries on the gloves. "Oddly enough, magic tends to have some give to it, yeah?" Sam then goes to put the helmet on his head and use it as an example of this armor having no give... But surprisingly the helmet does squash onto his thick Half Orc head relatively easily. Seems Dwarves are short and squat but still have big heads atop them...
A moment later Sam is scrambling to get the helmet off. There is a worrisome moment but then it plops off easily enough. "Well... weird," Sam succinctly states. "It almost felt like... I don't even rightly know. As if it was fitting too well, perhaps. Like it was like a second skin or something... Not unpleasantly but unexpected."
"I think I'll take the armors to my forge in the Tangles once we're back home. Perhaps me and Drawlin, the owner of the forge, can get our heads around this stuff and maybe make some use of it... If you've no objection, of course," Sam says to Elthana...
---
If / when Vin sits a spell with him Sam will again bring up the Cavalcade if the kid didn't answer it previously (Sam brought up just before DM post there.). Sam isn't prying so much as curious and giving Vin a chance to speak on the question if he so wishes. His not speaking on it will tell Sam things too...
Sam does his best to ignore Neferox during this spell. Sam had been trying to connect to the hound but... Yeah, no. Might as well give the thing feather and wings as far as Sam is concerned at the moment.
---
((Both spells can have more discussion and such if Elthana and Vin wish... Just flash on back...))
Speaking of feathers and wings, Sam grunts when Griff exits the tree and does his best to ignore him. At least at first. But the bird is a bit of a chatterbox and Sam decides giving them short, gruff answers is easier than killing him. For now. And the party will be less grumpy... They don't talk about much. In truth it is more question and answer than talk. The bird mostly asks about life here on this realm - the day and night cycle get discussed, seasons... The bird seems to consider just flying up and up and up until there is no more up and Sam isn't hating the idea, really. But, with a sigh, Sam does mention to Griff that in his experience everything that goes up comes down eventually. Usually in a crash if it doesn't come down willingly... Eventually the bird wanders off and bundles up, after it's fashion, near the fire. Sam is grateful for the silence... He does think for a bit that the bird seems to tire and sleep far more than people do. He wonders for a moment if that's just what his kind are like or if being here is doing something... But he also wonders if he cares.
Meanwhile, between (and some during) the visitors, Sam gets to thinking about the armors. It is a metal he has never seen before. As if it's from somewhere else... And here we have a giant hill. Is it a hill? Perhaps more of a mound? But either way, it's not precisely from here... Fetching his shovel, Sam does some digging. Literally.
Sam is no geologist or anything, Sam couldn't likely spell geologist or anything, but after digging several small but deepish holes in the mound Sam is thinking that there are indeed veins of this metal in the new rock here... Interesting. Sam mostly fills in the holes but makes no effort to disguise his digging. He can't very well mine the stuff himself but he does try to chisel out a small piece or two to bring home and discuss with people.
When the others come out of the tree in the morning Sam is all but alseep on his feet. He was basically a goner. He'd never fully recovered from that Dwarven jerky and then stayed up all night and he was definitely regretting both. He does what he can to help set up the carriage and the team but he is quick to take up a full bench in the carriage and fall dead asleep, sawing wood and oblivious to the world. Sam is out for most of the day. He takes an extra long rest the next day as well... But he should be back to his old self by the fourth day when they run across the band of workers heading to Hokum...
"Gneb?" Sam calls out from atop the carriage, for he is likely back to driving it by this point. "Gneb Dinglebuckle?" Sam hands over the reins to Iver and starts to climb down.
"No! It can't be Gneb Dinglebuckle," Sam calls out as if in astonishment. "Last I heard he was working for the tailor sorting buttons... No, no. That's not right. Last I heard he was working for the undertaker stealing coppers off eyes... No, no. That's no right either... Lesse, was it maybe the job with the carpenters pulling splinters? Or were you working for the masons doing... No, couldn't have been the masons. You may have had a job there but you certainly never worked!" With a laugh and a smile, Sam greets Gneb heartily and gives him a quick introduction to the crew.
"Everyone, this is Gneb Dinglebuckle, or so I claim since I can never pronounce that thing he calls his actual last name!" Sam gives the gnome a little shove and then indicates the group with a wave of his hand. "Gneb, that is Iver atop the carriage, the kid is Vin and his canine is Neferox. Steer clear of that one, he WILL use you as a chew toy. The fancy one there is Gewyn, Muir has the tusks and then of course there is the beautiful Elthana... Be nice, all of them have been through hell lately and could use you as a chew toy. They just have manners..."
Sam will give Gneb the run down of Hokum, or a slightly sanitized version anyway. Sam doesn't keep anything from Gneb regarding Hokum or the situation there but he does hold back on the more speculative issues and questions. He most definitely does tell Gneb about the portal in the mountain, about the Fey they encountered, the walking trees and the redcaps - Sam wouldn't let these workers go in unprepared for what happened! The tree portals and any possible portals back home and concerns about the Council and such though, these are the things that Sam doesn't bring up.
"I do need a favor of you though, Gneb," Sam brings up in all seriousness at some point. "I need you to carry a couple of messages and see that they get delivered, eh? I'll get them written out and such before we part. I wish I could go back and deliver them in person but Jimmy and the Council want us back by the winter festival..."
Gneb extends an arm up toward Sam and claps his forearm in an overly performatively masculine handshake, "its Dangbackle and ye know it, ye cheeky shite!" He jests at Sam and nods with a smile as he is introduced to the rest of the group, the guards thank Gewyn for the info and all three of the convoy ambassadors listen as Sam retells the news of Hokum, "hmm grave news indeed, but we are glad to hear that the main crisis is averted. Once we have conferred with Hokum's leaders there and observed the extent of the damage, there will be reports sent back and requests made of the council for further assistance if needed" one of the guard states blankly.
"I hadda guess that it were some kind of revolt, but I never woulda guessed a weird invasion, still, Drawlin had money on sea monsters so at least I don't owe 'im anythin'." Gneb says mostly to Sam than anyone else, "Still, we'll do what we can, I've been workin', and working hard mind you," glaring a little "with Drawlin mostly these days an when the request came in, well, I lost a bet and he sent me in his stead, our little convoy 'ere is technically headed by the guard, but most of the supervision and assesment is gonna get done by some o' the Oakhand family" Gneb asserts with a knowing nod.
Those in the know of how the workers faction functions, would know that the Oakhand family are a very large family of dwarves who have made it their business to be the best of the best where construction is concerned within marblestead, gaining appreciation for their work across factions.
"You just write down what you need me to deliver and I'll get it to the right people, as long as ye make it worth me effort" Gneb grins as he pokes out a greedy little hand toward Sam
“The guards and the Oakland’s are both likely to be welcome by the people of Hokum. They will be needing all the help rebuilding they can get and I’m sure many will be happy for a show of security that isn’t the clerics.. “ Sam responds. “Not that the clerics did any ill, mind ya. That I know of. It was just such a force that… Well I personally didn’t think it seemed entirely a peace mission…”
“Oh aya, and you’ll be waiting around for the recipients to tip us as well, won’t ya?” Sam says with a smile, mostly just giving the gnome a hard time. Mostly. “I’ll get those to you soon, why don’t we all take a breather and give me a chance to write them up, eh?”
Sam will shoot the shit with Gneb a little longer then he’ll consult with the others to see if there is anything they want included in the notes.
“Mostly I’m thinking just two notes. One to the leader of Hokum… what’s her name? Mostly just a bit of vouching for these guys here. The other to Ebb. I think it only fair to warn him about how we mostly all got something that opens portals before starting this journey… “ Sam says to the others and waits to see if they have more to add…
Elthana is amused as Sam tries on the dwarven armor and does ask when he looks concerned as he takes off the helmet, "Was something wrong with that? It seemed to fit you pretty well."
When there is mention of the fruit being diluted into Marblestead's system, she doesn't say anything but is alarmed by the thought, she hopes her friends are just speculating and are not anywhere close to the actual truth, though she does wonder what "special items" Hokum supplies.
Waking up after Sam stood vigil throughout the night, Elthana is agitated and gets up quite shaky. As the rest make breakfast, she goes off on her own a bit. When she comes back she appears to be back to normal. "Glad to see Griff back to his normal self. We ready to head on?" Seeing Sam in his state, "Why did you stay up all night? Vin and I were there to rotate watch with you. You keep saying these trees are your fault, they are not."
Elthana pulls out the small book that she stole from the bag earlier and shows it to the ones in the carriage as they travel. "I didn't show this to you earlier as well, we were pretty busy with fighting and all, but this is pretty interesting, its a small spellbook. It's written in elvish, talks about an adventurer than found an old ruin, might be something fun to check out once we're done with whatever the hell is going on." she shrugs and then continues, "Look, there are several spells, can anyone use them? Cantrips; Toll the dead, Chill touch, Sapping sting. 1st level; Ray of sickness, Inflict wounds." She quickly closes the book before getting to the inside of the back cover.
During the travel, she reads the book more thoroughly, trying to get a sense of the old adventurer, wishing it had included their name. The next night they sleep however, she wakes up sweating and grabs for her pole looking around wildly. Seeing no threats, she wills herself to calm down and rests her forehead on her knees. She sits there a bit, until her heart rate goes back to normal.
When they meet the group on the road, she sits back and lets the rest chat with them. When there is mention of getting notes back to Hokum, she whispers to Muir, "Did you want to send one to Master Gore in case your bird didn't make it?"
The morning after Elthana has her panicked awakening, Gewyn approaches her quietly. He is no longer hiding his wounds, though the one on his face seems to be healing up fairly well. "Trouble sleeping?" He asks, sympathetically. "If it's bad dreams, I can get you a medicine back in Marblestead that might help. Knocks you right out cold."
Muir listens to everyone talking about supplies and notes. He tries to choose his words carefully to the group. “I would caution telling any of the clerics about your tokens that open up rifts. Do you all while heartedly trust this Ebb with the information about your trinkets? If you do then do what you think is right. Leave my name out of this note or any mention about my sanctuary. Sam, is there someone you trust here that will deliver a message to Gore”
“What’cha mean about Griff?” Sam asks when Elthana brings him up. “I’m not sure what his normal self is. He seemed a bit… philosophical maybe? last night, til he finally was tuckered out again and dozed off by the fire…”
“I appreciated the company, sure,” Sam starts off with, answering her. “And I know it’s not my fault.But it also kind of is, you know? Like I didn’t know, I didn’t try to make the portals happen, and such as that so it’s not my fault. At the same time I am the one who used them, eh? And only the once for a real life and death kind of situation… I didn’t know but I wasn’t exactly overly cautious either now, was I?”
“And what about you? No concerns over your horse and portals? You didn’t seem as refreshed as usual this morning…?” Sam offers.
Sam does ride in the carriage but if he hears Elthana talk of the spell book he is likely halfway to dreamland and pays it no heed.
**racked on to respond to Muir…
“I’ll try to craft my note to Ebb carefully but he must be warned. If he, like some of us, got an item that opens portals then he could be the cause of the very doom her is predicting. I shall leave you out of it though, as you wish,” Sam promises.
“As for deliveries, any of the men should be trustworthy enough for such, specially for a few coin and promise of more when delivered. Gneb though, for sure… as long as there is no backbreaking work or risk of breaking a sweat. He’s a good man, just not always a hard workers. But to make easy money? Nobody more trustworthy,” Sam advises.
As the group decide how best to word their letters and what to do, the convoy from marblestead set up for lunch, sweeping aside what snow they can to make small fires and warm their bones. Gneb and the guard take time to gather as much info on the road ahead as possible and report nothing much from here to trundlesten apart from the chance of the odd bandit or two.
Once lunch is over, Gneb cheekily asks for a gold per letter, to 'make sure it gets to the eyes of the recipient and only the recipient' and with a smile he takes any letters headed back to Hokum.
Muir hands Gneb 5 gold pieces and stares at Gneb in a serious manner with his ear flapping slowly but hard "Master Gneb, this is a serious matter. I trust that you will go to the mayor and ask for Gore's whereabouts. Take the letter to him directly and right away. This is of upmost importance. I trust you can do this discreetly and as quickly as possible. If for some reason Gore is missing, I need you to make haste to me and tell me. 5GPs should cover your troubles." Muir stares down at Gneb waiting for his reply
Gneb raises an eyebrow as he weighs the coins in his hand, "done deal, but marblestead is large, where will I find you if'n this Gore guy can't be found eh? Also I been sent to Hokum to help rebuild, on the chance that the news ain't great and I gotta abandon Hokum to find ya any consequences I face for doin' that, I'll be diverting in your direction. Muir, was it?"
“Indeed it is Muir. If you are needed to help rebuild, send a Hokum resident that the mayor trusts. I will pay them. Perhaps the stone Sam used to communicate is a way to find me…Unless you have a better idea? I’m not overly familiar with this city”
"if you'll be with Sam then I should be able to find ya, he's Jimmy's man, so I'll get to you that way" Gneb winks as he pockets the coin and collects the other letters
After recruiting Elthana to help him write the letters he wanted to write Sam delivers then to Gned but holds fast to them as the gnome tries to take them. "I'll pay your gold per letter, though it's a rip off and you know it. I'll even throw in triple that again when you return to Marblestead, I'll leave it with Drawlin in case I get moved out before you return. Drawlin ain't never going anywhere, eh? But a bit of a warning..." Sam releases the letters as he says this and watched the gnome almost stumble at the lack of resistance. Sam smirks but continues solemnly.
"These letters are not to be peeked at. No, no! Don't take offense, I am not accusing just warning... These letters are Council business. They deal with matters I wish I knew nothing about and I am sure you don't want to get mixed up in. To notch up the danger a bit, these letters were sealed by a member of The Treasury. One learned in poisons and quick cuts, if you catch my drift. I'm not brave enough to unseal the letters to make sure I addressed them right, I would feel guilty if I didn't warn you... " Sam shrugs and hands over three gold to Gneb. "And an even ten will be held by Drawlin, if you give him your word they were all delivered..."
Other than playing Post Office with Gneb, Sam mingles with the workers (and guards) while the meal is being prepared. He greets those he knows, elbows those he recognizes but doesn't know by name, and makes small talk with any who wish. Sam will tell them all as much as he can, it's his was and he wants them all to know what they are getting into. Portals beyond the one in the mountain are never mentioned though, nor are the trees. Beyond omission and evasion though, Sam only tells one mistruth: He describes the hill with the lone tree atop it as a reference point for navigating but warns them off from going near it. "If you get that close you just go and get yourself into the woods. The winds come out of nowhere and whip around that tree and chill your nipples to diamonds and makes your berries crawl up inside your belly for two days and nights. Didn't seem there was no weather at all until I climbed the hill just to see the view... Worst damn mistake of the whole trip, and that's saying a helluva lot!"
Gewyn walks by and pats Sam on the belly. "He aint lying," Gewyn says to the workers Sam is addressing. "He's scarce had room left over in there for breakfast these last few days. Speaking of Marblestead, how go things on the homefront? Council still playing nice?"
Back in time before the convoy arrived, Vin indeed talked with Sam to answer his question.
"Truth be told... I'm not sure why they choose me. I mean, I'm not the highest ranked student. I'm not the oldest either. I mean, I'm barely over 18 and there are some that are older taking lessons and seem far more qualified then me." Nef seems to scoff at this idea. Vin gives a weak smile toward the hound who seemed to disagree with this statement. "Nef is amazing though. She's been supporting me through my classes, giving me lessons and more. A lot of my magic I learned from her. I just kind of assumed they wanted her and well.. she won't go anywhere without me." Vin smiles at Nef and pats the top of her head which seems to sooth the beast. "Nef says that I'm the best. I don't know..." Nef nips his side stopping him from brooding. She gives Vin a stern look and Vin says "I know I need to be more confident. I'm trying." Nef nods in satisfaction then goes back to getting scritches from Vin. Vin continues on talking with Sam "I'm glad I wasn't too much of a burden for you all. You all seem so much more confident then me that sometimes... I wonder if I'm the only one always second guessing myself." Vin gets a bit quiet and brooding. Nef seems to sigh and doesn't seem sure what to do to help lift Vin's spirits. The black hounds red eyes looking at Sam as if asking something. The normally always way too confident black hound seeming uncertain in situations like this.
When Sam struggles with the armor Vin offers "Weird huh? Want me to identify it? I seem to have a talent with that at least. Elthana is right, it's not really your fault. Not like you opened the portals on purpose. You just used an item to help folks... If anything it might of been a good thing you used them. Now I know at least a bit of what might happen if I use my item. I feel mine would be a lot worse then a few territorial creatures though."
When the convoy arrives Vin is so happy to see them. He waves and greets various folks while the group at large talks with the leaders. Vin always the kind one doesn't leave anyone out. He checks in on the workers convoy and fills them in on what Hokum is going to need and who/what to expect there. Vin avoids anything sensitive for topic like the portal. He wasn't sure how the natives of Hokum wanted to handle it and Vin figured they would tell them if they wanted. Vin just focused on giving them information about the damage he saw and the needs that he observed at Hokum. He also tries to find an apothecary or some kind of alchemist in the convoy if there is one. Wanting to give them additional information about the people that were affected by the charm fruit and seeing if they have heard of anything like that yet.
(I'm so sorry, dealing with major vertigo, but getting there)
To Gewyn and Sam over her trouble of sleeping, she shrugs, "I'm alright, just a few nightmares, I'm sure it'll pass."
She doesn't have anything to add about the letters being passed, just ready to move on to Trundlested and get moving. Heading over to Griff, "How are you doing? Would it be better for you to ride in the carriage instead of trying to fly? Our air seems to be tiring you out quickly, not sure if it is the density or what."
As vin greets the members of the convoy, the people he speaks to are grateful for the information. He dies indeed find one person who dabbles in herbalism and healing, though the description of what effected the soulless seems unheard of to them, Though they do have a few guesses for the boy.
Griff is dozing on top of the carriage when elthana approaches him, he looks down to where she stands and gives a grunt before dropping down and addressing her properly, "I will trying take you up on carriage offer, I do not know why I am getting so tired, air does not feel thicker, though pull of ground is definitely more, make me feel like heavy person, like Sam yes? But is strange, it feel like day here is just being too long, you are understanding? Anyway yes, I thanking you, more rest I will take."
With lunch handled and letters penned and handed over, the group begin once more and continue making their way towards trundlesten. Griff does indeed sit inside the carriage when he needs to sleep instead of just slowly descending and passing out upon the roof.
The next day and a half pass by, again without incident. The coldest and shortest nights of winter are fast approaching, making for unwelcoming conditions for the beasts and bandits who would sometimes interrupt such travel, there is much talking from Iver and Griff toward the group during this time, if not out of genuine interest in certain topics, then sometimes it is just simply to pass the time.
It is the evening of the fifth day on the road when Trundlesten comes into view, a welcome sight, the glow of fire, warmth and buildings, piercing the monotony of the desolate white blanket of winter under a darkened evening sky. The group's bones ache from the days on the road and yearn for a proper bed.
The night of meeting the workers on the road Sam would check in with Jimmy (I don't think he had yet that day) and give him a general information dump on the fact. Not much else to tell him except the men are on the way and have been briefed. Sam makes no effort to make sure everyone hears it but he also makes no effort to hide the update. The next couple briefings to Jimmy are just as boring, basically updates on the groups location and their estimated time of arrival. A day or two out Sam would make a point of asking what they should do when they are back - "Should we head right to the council chambers no matter what time we arrive? Or are we keeping normal working hours? I am sure most of us wouldn't mind a chance to get some proper rest and wash the road out of our cracks before addressing the council but maybe they feel things are pressing? And Jimmy, can the Council set up some accommodations for guests? Muir the druid who joined us in the battles and this Griff guy who has decided to tag along our way home?"
Having gotten caught up on rest and all, Sam would likely be driving the carriage in shifts with Iver once again.
If Jimmy advises him to head straight for the Council no matter the time of day then that is where Sam will drive the carriage. If advised to rest and wash up first then, once the place is in view, Sam will start asking people where they want to be dropped off. He figures Drawlin's forge has someplace to park the carriage and tend to the horse for the night if need be and Sam's place is in walking distance for there so Sam will offer to drop everyone off and pick them up in the morning. If Jimmy set something up for Muir and Griff he will drop them off there and make sure they are settled before he leaves... Though they may opt for Muir's little doorhandle thing again.With Trundlesten in view, Sam would aim for the Inn the stayed in when the party first came through this town, not being overly familiar with the rest of it anyway. "Quick night stay in decent beds and time to wash up and get a good meal, eh? We shouldn't dally much longer than that," Sam would call out to the others though he really couldn't stop them if they had other plans...
Muir pulls on the reigns and slows his old horse to a stop and looks around "So this is Trundelston. Not as bad as I imagined. What are the sights here? Any good places to poke about? Libraries? Gardens? Parks? Anyplace that hold old artifacts? A...oh the word slips me....."