Saoirse's slight smile turns into a wide one when Hemlock says they will be there for her. This brightens her mood so much that even her hair and eyes flare, matching her spirits.
“Yes, of course, let's ask the druids too. Regarding the ring, I’m okay with you keeping it, Lam. I just wish the voice on the other side were a bit kinder, but being connected to Viconia, that doesn’t seem likely.”
She takes a look at the amulet, wondering what kind of abilities it granted the deceased warlock.
The amulet's magic is not immediately obvious, but you can tell that it would require attunement. Arcana check.
Lam's pain also begins to lessen, but the raised rune in his skin becomes no less ugly, and no less threatening. A brand for monsters...
The forest remains peaceful in the time you rest, and the dappled light that reaches the forest floor slowly shifts. You are able to treat your wounds and have these important conversations. The mimics stir in Hemlock's bag. They're getting hungry. Sha'sharpy egg quivers with the movement of the creature within, almost ready to emerge.
The firbolgs do not reveal themselves yet, but Hemlock notices some of the forest's birds and squirrels paying odd attention to the group. Either the wildlife has been asked to spy on them, or there is a druid in disguise.
Hemlock puts his hand on the satchel of mimics in what he hopes is a comforting gesture, as he spots the wildlife taking an interest in them.
"Maybe we should wait to use the ring this time. Let the one on the other side reach out to us? We don't want them to know Viconia is gone for as long as possible", he suggests, before going back to staring at one particular creature he thinks most likely to be a wildshaped druid.
He reaches into its mind and says in drudic, "Rydym yn golygu dim niwed i chi. Rydym yn ffrindiau. Mae'n ddiogel i ddangos eich hun".
"We mean you no harm. We are friends. It is safe to show yourself"
Saoirse nods, there was definitely no rush to wear the ring just yet. Regarding the amulet, despite studying it with Hemlock's help, the genasi doesn't have a clue as to what it does. "Mmm, we could attune to it to find out, but I don't feel particularly brave right now. Maybe it's better to let it rest for now?", she says, returning the amulet to the firbolg.
An older squirrel, with flecks of grey in its muzzle and fluffy tail, who had been looking intently at the party, leaps in shock as words appear in its mind. It looks around frantically while in the air, trying to find the source of the sound, but calms quickly and spreads the skin between its legs to glide to the ground a ways away from the party.
Hemlock might feel a little embarrassed at startling the fellow, who apparently was not a druid, but you hear it chattering from the other side of the next great trunk, and a firbolg woman about Hemlock's age steps out and walks towards you all. She speaks in a slow, patient pace, and though she has a strong giantish accent, she addresses you all in common. "You have startled little cuddiwr anghof, but he saying that you mean well. We see you try to help earlier, but you should have let us handling it. We lost an elder. (Her voice catches, and she is silent for a moment before continuing.) And that one burned a horse. (She points atSaoirse.) The elders are talking on if they want to meet with you. If you coming to our home before they decide, the singers will trying stop you. Beating the singers, no killings, would make Elders listen and impressed, but maybe not so friendly start to talking with you. I am thinking that we should talk to you, and that Elders can be too slow. You can calling me Aspen."
The squirrel's name, which she said in druidic, means 'forgetful hider.'
Aspen looks at Lam, and notices the brand. She frowns for a moment, but relaxes again. "That is bad magic. But singers can fix, or elder Rhododenron can fix. What it doing?"
“Bad magic,” Lam repeats. He looks to his friends for help explaining what the brand does, but then he tries to explain himself. “It makes… bad guys know where I am.” He does not like the clumsy way to refer to Kieran or to the HMC in general, but he does not know what else to call them. He looks back at the brand. “I want it fixed.”
“Not if it is gone…!” Lam starts, but stops himself before raising his voice too loud. He feels a panic rising in himself at the idea that the brand brings a risk to anyone he is around, and a rage at the idea that the Firbolgs would know how to help, but just wouldn’t. After everything they had just been through- they weren’t perfect, but they tried to help! “That…!” He starts again, but it isn’t working. Everything he is going to say will come out too loud and too angry. He wants to punch a rock. He forgets he had wanted to apologize to them for the loss of their elder, stomps his foot and turns away from everyone, too ashamed of his rising temper to look at any of his friends.
Persuasion: 7. I’ve tried to accurately portray a 7 persuasion.
When Aspenmade her appearance, Saoirsequickly stood up with the intention of greeting her. However, at the mention of the horse, the genasi thought twice and decided to remain silent, letting the rest — especially, Hemlock— do the talking. She felt it was a little unfair that the issue with the horse issue was being pointed out, while her helping the young girl escapeViconia's hunger was being overlooked. Nevertheless, she thought it best to not say anything about it.
This changed the moment Lam's brand was pointed out. Stepping to stand next to the bugbear, she placed a hand on his forearm, hoping this would calm him down a bit. "Surely, there must be other options", she told Aspen, "Could the elder meet us here so Lam's brand can be removed without putting anyone at risk? Or, if you prefer that the elders meet some of us beforehand, Hemlock and Sha could accompany you to meet them, while I stay here with Lam."
Saoirsedidn't feel particularly good about the magic she specialized in being called "bad magic", but she decided to remain silent about that too.
"You speak reason. I will asking if Rhododendron to come away from home and meet you carefully. She is in council with the other elders, so I must wait until they talk finished. I can meet you here again after nightfall, or tomorrow in the morning?"She looks to Lam again. "You are hurting, and very upset. Your friend will help you think reason."
She looks at Sha-Gravisa for a little while, sizing him up. "You bear the sign of the dark goddess, but also of the light. Are the priests of these two not enemies?"
Hemlock she looks at, clearly very curious and interested, but she does not ask him a direct question, instead just waiting for him to speak for himself.
Hemlock's eyes go a little wide at the appearance of Aspen, especially after he realised he had startled the squirrel.
He crouches down and uses his innate Firbolg ability to convey simple messages to animals to apologise to cuddiwr anghof. He listens as Lam and Saoirse speak to Aspen, and only when his fellow Firbolg looks directly at him does he join in the conversation.
"I am pleased you found us, Aspen. Are you the one I reached out to? I guess it does not matter. I am indeed Hemlock, and these are my companions, Saoirse, Lam and Sha-Gravis", he says formalising the introductions. "I am sorry for the loss of your Elder, it was truly unfortunate and something we wanted to avoid, but we know the type of person you were dealing with. She was about to give the order to the child we helped escape, that was why we intervened. We were doing our best to help your people", he continues.
"As for coming to your home uninvited, and beating your treesingers to gain access, you misunderstand. That is not what we are about. Fighting is a last resort, to protect ourselves and the innocent folk of this valley. That is why we left the fighting, to avoid spilling the blood of innocents. Even the one with the great sword and javelin, we believe by some measure to be innocent", he does not elaborate on this last part.
"If strangers came to my clan, the elders would be suspicious. They would be cautious, as your elders are being. We cannot blame them for that. But if you think Elder Rhododendron would meet with us, help my friend, who despite his temper is truly one of the gentlest souls I know. Well, I would be most humbled", he says inclining his head to Aspen.
When Hemlock gets close to the squirrel, he can feel the bag of mimics squirm in anticipation. There's food right nearby! Anghof does not notice this, and is calmed by Hemlock's apology. He runs up the firbolg's arm and neck, leaping from Hemlock's head to glide back to Aspen.
"No, you made contact with Cedar. He thinks you are scary - but his bark has always been thin. You know telepathy is not common, well? He also said that you shine like a clear night sky, and that you smited the cruel... er.. dewin with starfire. This power I have read about in old birchbark scrolls. I much wanted to meet you. You are younger than I guessing." (Is that a hint of a blush on her cheek?)
"Yes, you gave our elder the time to push young Bluestem out of the dewin's dark void, but it was also you who scared dewin into using this magic. Some of the singers are say that they would have saved everyone if you had not to helped. I think they are wrong. I think we be needing help from Hemlock, Saoirse, Sha-Gravis, and even angry Lam. You telling your purpose makes me more sure, and explains why you not fighting their strongest warrior. I will trying to convince Rhododendron, but first I can after they are finished in council. Maybe late tonight. Maybe first in morning. If you fighting singers, they would coming out early - even though you are not 'about this.'"
She seems ready to turn and leave, but she is still curious for Sha's answer, and something else. She blurts out a question to Hemlock in giant, in a tone that implies a little bit of youthful mischeviousness. "Hvernig sannfærðir þú öldunga þína um að leyfa þér að fara í ævintýri á eigin spýtur, svona ungur?"
How did you convince your elders to let you adventure on your own, so young?
Hemlock shifts his hand to the flap of the satchel, ensuring it remains closed as the mimics shift about.
As Aspen asks about his starlight, he scratches a little nervously at the back of his neck, a little embarrassed to be the subject of such interest.
"I follow the stars, they guide me and lend me a portion of their power when I need it. I have not heard it called Starfire before, it is more of a radiance, but that is just one of the ways the stars empower me", he tries to explain.
He ponders what she says about causing a scene to bring the Elders out of their meeting.
"Perhaps you are right, that we cannot wait for your Elders to be done on their own. If the soldiers decide to come after us straight away, they will find us too soon", he adds, holding the amulet he took from Viconia in his hand. That was perhaps a reason they might want to follow, as is the ring.
"Would it work the same if we simply walked towards the village, and were stopped by your tree singer. If we peacefully approached?", he asks of Aspen.
When she speaks in giant, he looks to the others, not wanting to seem like he is keeping secrets. He first replies in common for the others.
"She asks about my leaving my village".
He then replies to Aspen in Giant.
"Það er óvenjulegt að einhver yfirgefi þorpið mitt, ungur sem gamall. Það hefur ekki gerst áður á minni ævi og það eru engar sögur af sögu ættingja minna um einhvern annan svo ungan á ferð. En Stjörnurnar sýndu mér leið mína og öldungar mínir hlustuðu á þá", he says, and she can likely tell that he also feels it is a bit of a mystery. She might pick up that he is holding something back as well.
"It is unusual for anyone to leave my village, young or old. It has not happened before in my lifetime, and there are no stories of my clans history about someone else so young travelling. But the Stars showed me my path, and my Elders listened to them"
Saoirse nods gratefully when Hemlock translates Aspen's question and agrees that it might be better to "force" the elders to meet them sooner, though not in a violent way. They have all experienced seen more than enough violence for one day. The peaceful approach Hemlock has suggested earns a clear approval from the fire genasi, and she hopes Aspen will approve too.
Beyond that, the blood hunter remains silent, observing the interaction between the two firbolgs, and smiles softly when she notices what looks to be a blush on Aspen's cheeks. It is a welcome change amidst all the danger and violence the party is experiencing lately.
She looks at Sha-Gravis a for a little while, sizing him up. "You bear the sign of the dark goddess, but also of the light. Are the priests of these two not enemies?"
“They are enemies and unknown siblings as they serve two sides of the same goddess. I worship her whole nature not just one aspect.”There is so much more in Sha’s heart and it would be good to share his faith but first Lam must be cared for and time is of the essence.
Aspen is clearly interested by Sha's answer, though it only raises more questions. "Why is there two churches if she is really one goddess?" She doesn't dwell long on that though, turning to the practical questions.
"The singers will stop you far from the village, if they can, and they will not bring you closer. It is meaned to be a secret place - even though you have one with you who can reading our signs and finding the way. Maybe if you are show that you have fix something the singers can not, they will change their meaning about that. Two things can i think of that would be impressing:"
"There are... bad frogs..." She becomes frustrated with trying to explain in common, and turns to Hemlock"Það er myrkur kraftur í vatninu og stundum koma brengluð, voðaleg dýr úr því. Froskarnir eru mjög slæmir í ár." She shifts back to common. "If you can killing the bad frogs, singers maybe impressed."
There is a dark power in the lake, and sometimes, twisted, monstrous animals come out of it. The frogs are very bad this year.
"Or... this is being very harder, but, the temple at forests heart has been closed from us and forbidden for much long time, since the high elves leaved. If you can going there, and open the way, that will being very impressive, but very dangerous. Maybe the stars are leading you there?"
Saoirse shares a concerned glance with Hemlock, one that seems to say, "We are in no shape to fight anymore today, are we?" She sighs slightly, as she didn't expect that getting to meet these people would be so difficult.
"I saw the sign, and admit I was curious as to what you meant by bad frogs", Hemlock replies. "I would rather look into a dark power in the lake than pick a fight with people we want to be friends with. Or clear a path to a temple".
He notices Saoirse's look. "We are a little battered and beaten though, as you can see", he says uncertainly.
He looks to Lam, Saoirse and Sha-Gravis, "It might be our best chance. Even if we wait for the Elders, they might still send us away and refuse to meet with us. It will be difficult to change their mind once they have decided. If they are like my clan Elders anyway".
Saoirse can feel that Lam’s forearm is very tense and that he is huffing and puffing- but her voice seems to pacify the bugbear. He isn’t willing to look at anyone again until Hemlock refers to him, at which point he tunes back into the conversation with an embarrassed look on his face. At the prospect of fighting, despite the very obvious wound on his abdomen, Lam seems to get a small surge of energy. He listens to the conversation, and his eyes light up particularly at the part about killing “bad frogs.” Fighting the treesingers would likely involve having to keep control, but fighting the frogs might allow for a no-holds-barred match. He offers to his friends, “I am better than I was. Rest was good.” He doesn’t say anything else, but watches his friends expectantly to see what they decide to do.
Hemlock glances briefly at Aspen, before his form suddenly starts to glow, as the twinkling constellation of the Chalice starts to appear across his body.
"Adfywio", he says in druidic and a wave of rejuvenating energy washes over Saoirse. At the same time, the constellation of the chalice glows slightly brighter across his body, the twinkling mirrored around Saoirse herself as more healing energy suffuses her being. A gift from the Stars.
"Rejuvenate"
Hemlock uses Wild Shape for Starry Form (Chalice) Casts Healing Word on Saoirse - 4+4=8 Hit Points restored. Extra healing from Chalice form - 7+4=11
Saoirse's slight smile turns into a wide one when Hemlock says they will be there for her. This brightens her mood so much that even her hair and eyes flare, matching her spirits.
“Yes, of course, let's ask the druids too. Regarding the ring, I’m okay with you keeping it, Lam. I just wish the voice on the other side were a bit kinder, but being connected to Viconia, that doesn’t seem likely.”
She takes a look at the amulet, wondering what kind of abilities it granted the deceased warlock.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
The amulet's magic is not immediately obvious, but you can tell that it would require attunement. Arcana check.
Lam's pain also begins to lessen, but the raised rune in his skin becomes no less ugly, and no less threatening. A brand for monsters...
The forest remains peaceful in the time you rest, and the dappled light that reaches the forest floor slowly shifts. You are able to treat your wounds and have these important conversations. The mimics stir in Hemlock's bag. They're getting hungry. Sha's harpy egg quivers with the movement of the creature within, almost ready to emerge.
The firbolgs do not reveal themselves yet, but Hemlock notices some of the forest's birds and squirrels paying odd attention to the group. Either the wildlife has been asked to spy on them, or there is a druid in disguise.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock puts his hand on the satchel of mimics in what he hopes is a comforting gesture, as he spots the wildlife taking an interest in them.
"Maybe we should wait to use the ring this time. Let the one on the other side reach out to us? We don't want them to know Viconia is gone for as long as possible", he suggests, before going back to staring at one particular creature he thinks most likely to be a wildshaped druid.
He reaches into its mind and says in drudic, "Rydym yn golygu dim niwed i chi. Rydym yn ffrindiau. Mae'n ddiogel i ddangos eich hun".
"We mean you no harm. We are friends. It is safe to show yourself"
Saoirse nods, there was definitely no rush to wear the ring just yet. Regarding the amulet, despite studying it with Hemlock's help, the genasi doesn't have a clue as to what it does. "Mmm, we could attune to it to find out, but I don't feel particularly brave right now. Maybe it's better to let it rest for now?", she says, returning the amulet to the firbolg.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
An older squirrel, with flecks of grey in its muzzle and fluffy tail, who had been looking intently at the party, leaps in shock as words appear in its mind. It looks around frantically while in the air, trying to find the source of the sound, but calms quickly and spreads the skin between its legs to glide to the ground a ways away from the party.
Hemlock might feel a little embarrassed at startling the fellow, who apparently was not a druid, but you hear it chattering from the other side of the next great trunk, and a firbolg woman about Hemlock's age steps out and walks towards you all. She speaks in a slow, patient pace, and though she has a strong giantish accent, she addresses you all in common. "You have startled little cuddiwr anghof, but he saying that you mean well. We see you try to help earlier, but you should have let us handling it. We lost an elder. (Her voice catches, and she is silent for a moment before continuing.) And that one burned a horse. (She points at Saoirse.) The elders are talking on if they want to meet with you. If you coming to our home before they decide, the singers will trying stop you. Beating the singers, no killings, would make Elders listen and impressed, but maybe not so friendly start to talking with you. I am thinking that we should talk to you, and that Elders can be too slow. You can calling me Aspen."
The squirrel's name, which she said in druidic, means 'forgetful hider.'
Aspen looks at Lam, and notices the brand. She frowns for a moment, but relaxes again. "That is bad magic. But singers can fix, or elder Rhododenron can fix. What it doing?"
DM: Heavy is the Head
“Bad magic,” Lam repeats. He looks to his friends for help explaining what the brand does, but then he tries to explain himself. “It makes… bad guys know where I am.” He does not like the clumsy way to refer to Kieran or to the HMC in general, but he does not know what else to call them. He looks back at the brand. “I want it fixed.”
"Those men can find you? Then it is very risky for you to coming we home, after all."
DM: Heavy is the Head
“Not if it is gone…!” Lam starts, but stops himself before raising his voice too loud. He feels a panic rising in himself at the idea that the brand brings a risk to anyone he is around, and a rage at the idea that the Firbolgs would know how to help, but just wouldn’t. After everything they had just been through- they weren’t perfect, but they tried to help! “That…!” He starts again, but it isn’t working. Everything he is going to say will come out too loud and too angry. He wants to punch a rock. He forgets he had wanted to apologize to them for the loss of their elder, stomps his foot and turns away from everyone, too ashamed of his rising temper to look at any of his friends.
Persuasion: 7. I’ve tried to accurately portray a 7 persuasion.
When Aspen made her appearance, Saoirse quickly stood up with the intention of greeting her. However, at the mention of the horse, the genasi thought twice and decided to remain silent, letting the rest — especially, Hemlock— do the talking. She felt it was a little unfair that the issue with the horse issue was being pointed out, while her helping the young girl escape Viconia's hunger was being overlooked. Nevertheless, she thought it best to not say anything about it.
This changed the moment Lam's brand was pointed out. Stepping to stand next to the bugbear, she placed a hand on his forearm, hoping this would calm him down a bit. "Surely, there must be other options", she told Aspen, "Could the elder meet us here so Lam's brand can be removed without putting anyone at risk? Or, if you prefer that the elders meet some of us beforehand, Hemlock and Sha could accompany you to meet them, while I stay here with Lam."
Saoirse didn't feel particularly good about the magic she specialized in being called "bad magic", but she decided to remain silent about that too.
(OOC: Persuasion 20)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"You speak reason. I will asking if Rhododendron to come away from home and meet you carefully. She is in council with the other elders, so I must wait until they talk finished. I can meet you here again after nightfall, or tomorrow in the morning?" She looks to Lam again. "You are hurting, and very upset. Your friend will help you think reason."
She looks at Sha-Gravis a for a little while, sizing him up. "You bear the sign of the dark goddess, but also of the light. Are the priests of these two not enemies?"
Hemlock she looks at, clearly very curious and interested, but she does not ask him a direct question, instead just waiting for him to speak for himself.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock's eyes go a little wide at the appearance of Aspen, especially after he realised he had startled the squirrel.
He crouches down and uses his innate Firbolg ability to convey simple messages to animals to apologise to cuddiwr anghof. He listens as Lam and Saoirse speak to Aspen, and only when his fellow Firbolg looks directly at him does he join in the conversation.
"I am pleased you found us, Aspen. Are you the one I reached out to? I guess it does not matter. I am indeed Hemlock, and these are my companions, Saoirse, Lam and Sha-Gravis", he says formalising the introductions. "I am sorry for the loss of your Elder, it was truly unfortunate and something we wanted to avoid, but we know the type of person you were dealing with. She was about to give the order to the child we helped escape, that was why we intervened. We were doing our best to help your people", he continues.
"As for coming to your home uninvited, and beating your treesingers to gain access, you misunderstand. That is not what we are about. Fighting is a last resort, to protect ourselves and the innocent folk of this valley. That is why we left the fighting, to avoid spilling the blood of innocents. Even the one with the great sword and javelin, we believe by some measure to be innocent", he does not elaborate on this last part.
"If strangers came to my clan, the elders would be suspicious. They would be cautious, as your elders are being. We cannot blame them for that. But if you think Elder Rhododendron would meet with us, help my friend, who despite his temper is truly one of the gentlest souls I know. Well, I would be most humbled", he says inclining his head to Aspen.
When Hemlock gets close to the squirrel, he can feel the bag of mimics squirm in anticipation. There's food right nearby! Anghof does not notice this, and is calmed by Hemlock's apology. He runs up the firbolg's arm and neck, leaping from Hemlock's head to glide back to Aspen.
"No, you made contact with Cedar. He thinks you are scary - but his bark has always been thin. You know telepathy is not common, well? He also said that you shine like a clear night sky, and that you smited the cruel... er.. dewin with starfire. This power I have read about in old birchbark scrolls. I much wanted to meet you. You are younger than I guessing." (Is that a hint of a blush on her cheek?)
"Yes, you gave our elder the time to push young Bluestem out of the dewin's dark void, but it was also you who scared dewin into using this magic. Some of the singers are say that they would have saved everyone if you had not to helped. I think they are wrong. I think we be needing help from Hemlock, Saoirse, Sha-Gravis, and even angry Lam. You telling your purpose makes me more sure, and explains why you not fighting their strongest warrior. I will trying to convince Rhododendron, but first I can after they are finished in council. Maybe late tonight. Maybe first in morning. If you fighting singers, they would coming out early - even though you are not 'about this.'"
She seems ready to turn and leave, but she is still curious for Sha's answer, and something else. She blurts out a question to Hemlock in giant, in a tone that implies a little bit of youthful mischeviousness. "Hvernig sannfærðir þú öldunga þína um að leyfa þér að fara í ævintýri á eigin spýtur, svona ungur?"
How did you convince your elders to let you adventure on your own, so young?
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock shifts his hand to the flap of the satchel, ensuring it remains closed as the mimics shift about.
As Aspen asks about his starlight, he scratches a little nervously at the back of his neck, a little embarrassed to be the subject of such interest.
"I follow the stars, they guide me and lend me a portion of their power when I need it. I have not heard it called Starfire before, it is more of a radiance, but that is just one of the ways the stars empower me", he tries to explain.
He ponders what she says about causing a scene to bring the Elders out of their meeting.
"Perhaps you are right, that we cannot wait for your Elders to be done on their own. If the soldiers decide to come after us straight away, they will find us too soon", he adds, holding the amulet he took from Viconia in his hand. That was perhaps a reason they might want to follow, as is the ring.
"Would it work the same if we simply walked towards the village, and were stopped by your tree singer. If we peacefully approached?", he asks of Aspen.
When she speaks in giant, he looks to the others, not wanting to seem like he is keeping secrets. He first replies in common for the others.
"She asks about my leaving my village".
He then replies to Aspen in Giant.
"Það er óvenjulegt að einhver yfirgefi þorpið mitt, ungur sem gamall. Það hefur ekki gerst áður á minni ævi og það eru engar sögur af sögu ættingja minna um einhvern annan svo ungan á ferð. En Stjörnurnar sýndu mér leið mína og öldungar mínir hlustuðu á þá", he says, and she can likely tell that he also feels it is a bit of a mystery. She might pick up that he is holding something back as well.
"It is unusual for anyone to leave my village, young or old. It has not happened before in my lifetime, and there are no stories of my clans history about someone else so young travelling. But the Stars showed me my path, and my Elders listened to them"
Saoirse nods gratefully when Hemlock translates Aspen's question and agrees that it might be better to "force" the elders to meet them sooner, though not in a violent way. They have all experienced seen more than enough violence for one day. The peaceful approach Hemlock has suggested earns a clear approval from the fire genasi, and she hopes Aspen will approve too.
Beyond that, the blood hunter remains silent, observing the interaction between the two firbolgs, and smiles softly when she notices what looks to be a blush on Aspen's cheeks. It is a welcome change amidst all the danger and violence the party is experiencing lately.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
“They are enemies and unknown siblings as they serve two sides of the same goddess. I worship her whole nature not just one aspect.” There is so much more in Sha’s heart and it would be good to share his faith but first Lam must be cared for and time is of the essence.
Aspen is clearly interested by Sha's answer, though it only raises more questions. "Why is there two churches if she is really one goddess?" She doesn't dwell long on that though, turning to the practical questions.
"The singers will stop you far from the village, if they can, and they will not bring you closer. It is meaned to be a secret place - even though you have one with you who can reading our signs and finding the way. Maybe if you are show that you have fix something the singers can not, they will change their meaning about that. Two things can i think of that would be impressing:"
"There are... bad frogs..." She becomes frustrated with trying to explain in common, and turns to Hemlock "Það er myrkur kraftur í vatninu og stundum koma brengluð, voðaleg dýr úr því. Froskarnir eru mjög slæmir í ár." She shifts back to common. "If you can killing the bad frogs, singers maybe impressed."
There is a dark power in the lake, and sometimes, twisted, monstrous animals come out of it. The frogs are very bad this year.
"Or... this is being very harder, but, the temple at forests heart has been closed from us and forbidden for much long time, since the high elves leaved. If you can going there, and open the way, that will being very impressive, but very dangerous. Maybe the stars are leading you there?"
DM: Heavy is the Head
Saoirse shares a concerned glance with Hemlock, one that seems to say, "We are in no shape to fight anymore today, are we?" She sighs slightly, as she didn't expect that getting to meet these people would be so difficult.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"I saw the sign, and admit I was curious as to what you meant by bad frogs", Hemlock replies. "I would rather look into a dark power in the lake than pick a fight with people we want to be friends with. Or clear a path to a temple".
He notices Saoirse's look. "We are a little battered and beaten though, as you can see", he says uncertainly.
He looks to Lam, Saoirse and Sha-Gravis, "It might be our best chance. Even if we wait for the Elders, they might still send us away and refuse to meet with us. It will be difficult to change their mind once they have decided. If they are like my clan Elders anyway".
Saoirse can feel that Lam’s forearm is very tense and that he is huffing and puffing- but her voice seems to pacify the bugbear. He isn’t willing to look at anyone again until Hemlock refers to him, at which point he tunes back into the conversation with an embarrassed look on his face. At the prospect of fighting, despite the very obvious wound on his abdomen, Lam seems to get a small surge of energy. He listens to the conversation, and his eyes light up particularly at the part about killing “bad frogs.” Fighting the treesingers would likely involve having to keep control, but fighting the frogs might allow for a no-holds-barred match. He offers to his friends, “I am better than I was. Rest was good.” He doesn’t say anything else, but watches his friends expectantly to see what they decide to do.
Hemlock glances briefly at Aspen, before his form suddenly starts to glow, as the twinkling constellation of the Chalice starts to appear across his body.
"Adfywio", he says in druidic and a wave of rejuvenating energy washes over Saoirse. At the same time, the constellation of the chalice glows slightly brighter across his body, the twinkling mirrored around Saoirse herself as more healing energy suffuses her being. A gift from the Stars.
"Rejuvenate"
Hemlock uses Wild Shape for Starry Form (Chalice)
Casts Healing Word on Saoirse - 4+4=8 Hit Points restored. Extra healing from Chalice form - 7+4=11