The bugbears look plainly fascinated when Lam says he's from the Outlands. One of them, about Lam's own age, looks like hes trying to formulate a polite and sensible question, but the other one, a young adult of 19 or 20 years, just starts rattling off questions, clearly not able to hold it all in. "Really!? Is it true that bugbears and goblins there all have to work for monsters and sorcerers, and that your Gods think war is a good thing? I'm sorry if that's rude, but dad said that great-grandpa never talked much about where he came from, and so all he knows is from asking travellers, and a lot of them think we bugbears are monsters too. OH! Do you speak Goblin? We never learned it." - "Kurt," Kurt's older brother finally cuts in, "slow down, remember to think before you talk."
The fairy looks a little uncomfortable when Lam asks how he can repay her. "No," she says, "a gift. You will use it, and this will make me proud." She flies off towards some of the others, and Rhys stops her and speaks quietly to her for a moment. She seems more comfortable when she continues after that. Rhysapproaches Lam, and speaks to him softly, in a way that neither draws attention from others nor prevents anyone who tries to from overhearing.
"My friend, things work differently here. We do not think in terms of directly paying or repaying. Rather, people give gifts freely, when they wish to or when they feel so moved. Gifts create relationships, and social obligations, and show the status of the giver. Those who give more tend to recieve greater gifts from others, and a man who never gives will quickly find that he is poor in friends and in material goods, but things have only the value each individual believes they have. Isabella(he points at the fairy woman) decided that the best value for these recipes was to give them to you. You decide what this means to you. It is considered polite, and even encouraged, to give the gifts you recieve as gifts to others when you no longer use them, or when another's need is greater. You have already given the community a gift, when you decided the best value for your time was to help Hemlock cook this delicious breakfast for us. Don't worry, it took a while for me to figure it out, too. Sometimes I miss just being able to buy something without having to learn a new person; but I don't miss it very often. Do you understand?" He takes some of the dried herbs that people offer each other out of a pouch hanging from his neck, stuffs a pipe that he produced from nowhere you could see, and takes a long, relaxed draw from it. He has the countenance of one with all the time in the world.
As Saoirse teaches the girl to hold and swing the scimitar, an unstructured line of children, and a few adults, forms. They are watching, fascinated, and clearly hoping to take turns recieving instruction and a personal moment with the generous Genasi. A centaur trots off in a bit of a hurry, and when he returns, he has an armload of wooden practice swords, and a couple of shortswords with a similar weight to the scimitar. When he begins to hend then out, a couple of the older people mutter, and the Elf who had mentioned his son's marksmanship stands up and says (gently but firmly) "I think there's more place for swordfighting lessons in the center platform.Perhaps we can move the instruction? My son would clearly be delighted to join." He gestures towards a preteen already in the middle of taking a sword from the centaur.
Muro is tired, and more than a little embarrassed, and greateful to all of you. He says that the doesn't have the energy or the courage to deal with all of these new people right now, especially because he feels like everyone is staring at him, judging him for being a lycan. (None of you notice anyone giving him any strange looks). At one point, Rhys approaches him and they talk for a bit. If you speak with Muro after that, he will seem more relieved, and let you know that Rhys has promised to bring him the rest of the way to Weretown later today.
Hemlock soon finds that he has promised to compare recipes and techniques with a dryad who was talking about missing some liferoot for healing potions, and that he has given away his tinderbox to a centaur. People also approach him to tell him where they keep their own special spicing or herb blends around the North Branch, and encourage him to draw from their supply whenever he wishes. When he talks to Rhys, he doesn't get the answer he was expecting. "As you know, every river and mountain has a spirit at its heart, although most require some patience or one such as us to come forth and speak. We seek harmony with them. Silver Stream's spirit, however, is very present and more than a little odd. I wouldn't quite say we live in harmony. The river still provides the water of life to the valley, but it refuses to let anyone cross it, except at the bridges. And even there it demands that you speak a special password. We do not swim or wade in the river, as it is violent when one does not listen to it. I have never before met an Elemental who behaves this way. Perhaps it is something the high elves who used to live in Green Castle forced on it?" He shrugs; clearly this is a mystery he gave up on some time ago.
Tesfaye eats the last pancake that Lam saved them gratefully, and fills out the rest of their plate with fish and nuts. They delight some children and adults by enchanting a piece of bark to repeat a message whenever someone touches it, and give an explanation of how it works which nobody listens to more than a few words of. One of the centaurs approaches them though, and states, looking a little embarrassed but very hopeful, "I will be traveling to the south for a few months, and fear that my daughter (there is a 3-year-old hiding underneath her, behind her front legs) will forget my voice." Tesfayelights up with the joy of a good idea, and starts mumbling to themself as they find a piece of bark and fiddle with it and their multitool. "Usually this effect only lasts an hour or so, but if I adjust the inflection and lessen the resistence, while imprinting the willed message more deeply.... recharge by any available magical source... potential lifespan of six months! EUREKA!" They finally look back up at the centaur, who had wandered only slightly to talk to someone else while Tesfaye was distracted, and get her attention. "Find an object or amulet, preferably of wood or stone, that you and your daughter have a connection to. I believe I can help you put a message on it which your daughter can hear whenever she likes, the whole time you're away. By the way, I'm a magical researcher, and would love to see more of the sort of magic you practice here." Pretty soon, there is a crowd of people around the tortle, each of them excitedly showing off some minor (or not-so-minor) piece or druidcraft or other nature magic. Tesfaye seems freshly delighted by each trick, even though some of them are very similar. They ask lots of questions which they only get partial answers to, but are not in the least bit deterred.
Cylencewill find an oppotunity to speak silently to each one of you and to Rhys, such that nobody overhears. To each person, he says simply "East Lookout, two hours from now. It is good to see you finding peace here, but there is much to discuss."
Sha gravis barters fairly for the limited use goodberry and in return receives the silver dust necessary for ceremony in anticipation of Lichen’s receiving a coming of age blessing or some other function Sha would love to perform. He also agrees to teach Dwarven to those who would like to learn. Figuring it would be helpful if HMC agents such as Captain Jonah were overheard or if Billy made it here one day.
Afterwich he heads to the east lookout curios about Cylence’s request.
Lam stands there stunned with the two bugbears for a moment, unsure what to do with the direct assessment of the Outlands as laid out by Kurt’s questions. Lam didn’t pay much attention to the gods in his childhood, but the only gods he knew about did think war was a good thing. And he doesn’t know if every bugbear in the Outlands had the same experience that he did, but he did work for a sorcerer in his youth. Taken aback by the questions but wanting to satisfy the young bugbear’s curiosity, he stumbles through some answers. “No… not all. But I did. And… mostly? I think?” He seems more comfortable talking about his native language as he answers, “Yes. I do speak Goblin.” It shows on his face that he does not know how to answer all the questions well, but he does his best to answer them all for Kurt’s sake.
Lam feels bad about making the fairy uncomfortable, and listens both gratefully and intently when Rhys takes him aside to explain the nature of this place to him. It all sounds wonderful… and so very different from what he is used to. The wheels on his head are still turning, but he responds, “Thank you. I… think I understand.”
After Cyclence tells each of them to meet him in two hours, Lam is still just a little bit lost. He tries to look at his new recipes but he furrows his brow, doing his best to understand the instructions. He may need to ask Hemlock for help later, he decides. He does not ask out loud for anything specific. Having only two hours and having just eaten, he instead spends the time trying to overhear conversations and find people who need something heavy lifted, carried or moved. If Kurt is interested in learning basic Goblin, he can also try to teach a bit to him. He spends a couple of hours going around helping in whatever ways people will let him.
19 persuasion (18 insight if you prefer) for Lam to be able to choose appropriate times to offer his services, where he can genuinely help people!
After two hours, he heads to the East Lookout as promised.
Sha finds a dryad standing among many varied reagents and powders. When he approaches, she welcomes him, and encourages him to tell her about what sorts of things he needs. When he offers to trade a goodberry for some silver dust, she looks a little bit offended, but does offer him a small pouch of the stuff. When he mentions what he needs it for, however, she brightens. "Oh, Lichen! He's such a good young man, and this is very kind of you!" She adds another spoonful of powder into the pouch (there's enough in there for two ceremony now), and declines the offer of a goodberry.
A human is at a nearby stand with lots of hanging and drying herbs, and calls you over. "Saw you trying to barter over there, dude. Don't worry, I'm sure she won't actually be offended, or at least she won't hold it against you man. I've only been here a year myself, and I still sometimes slip up. Hey, I'll happily trade a couple ounces of catnip for that goodberry. Think of it as a gift if you prefer to get into the spirit though." Shadoesn't hear anybody asking about learning Dwarven, and if he makes the offer out loud, nobody takes him up on it.
Kurt is clearly excited to keep talking to Lam, asking questions about life in the Outlands, and about the goblin language and religion, even before Lammakes the offer. His brother, who introduces himself as Kristof, looks a little embarrased by Kurt's rudeness, but just as interested in anything Lam has to say. After a minute or so, Kristof says that he and Kurt could use some help stocking their most recent hunt and packing for the next one, after noticing that Lamis actively trying to find a way to be helpful. The two other Bugbears lead Lam to an area on the other side of the North Branch where a second lift is actively going up and down, carrying all sorts of goods and equipment. There are plenty people there moving heavy things - mostly food and drinks - happy for the assistance. The whole time, Kurt and Kristof are eating up any Goblin Lam is willing to teach. They are especially interested in words about family, hunting, and whatever things they can see around them. Once it becomes clear that Lam has somewhere to be soon, his two students share a meaningful look at each other, and the elder brother asks you to wait there for a minute, and he runs off. When he returns, he is carrying a beautiful greataxe of a classic design, and his eyes are watering. "This was great-grandpa's greataxe. It hasn't been used since he decided to stay here, almost 100 years ago. Grandpa always told us that we should keep it to remind us that there is always a choice, but I think that you will use it to protect and help, and that it will help you make your own choices. Thank you for showing us that there are more good bugbears than just our family, and for teaching us some of our people's language. We both agree that we want to you have this gift."Kristof wipes his eyes with one hand, and with the other he holds out a greataxe +1. (Go ahead and add it to your inventory)
When Saoirsefinds the tall elf on the West Branch, after her impromptu lesson, he beckons her over excitedly. "Muchos, muchos gracías, de todos nosotros. Con ellos 'HMC' muchachos aqui, me temo que tu lección pronto será demasiado útil. Este estoque proviene de los almacenes del Castillo Verde, y se guardó junto con esta daga. La inscripción decía que los dos están diseñados para trabajar juntos. Con suerte, ambos te servirán bien." He hands you a rapier, and with it a strange dagger, with deep serrations down one side designed to catch an opponent's sword. (Add a rapier and this homebrew item to your inventory.)
Saoirse and Sha both see Cylence walk up to the tall elf, and state matter-of-factly "I need daggers and crossbow bolts, to push back the foreigners in our land." He is carrying a satchel already full of other items from other people on the West Branch. Insight DC 18:
"Cylence" is behaving oddly, and you're pretty sure there's something off about his speech pattern. It almost looks like someone else is pretending to be him.
Hemlock listens to Rhys's description of the water spirit and his curiosity only grows.
"That is unusual, I would very much like to meet this spirit one day", he replies but leaves it at that, not pushing the issue. He does however manoeuvre the conversation elsewhere. "What is the difference between a high elf, and just an elf? I have been among elves in the forest and managed to learn their language, so I am curious as to the difference".
Other than his conversation with Rhys, he does spend a little time walking around Village Tree awaiting the time Cylence requested his presence in West Branch Lookout. He will offer his help in anything he is able, but particularly with regards plants and animals and his natural firbolg affinity for communicating with them. He asks for nothing in return for this.
Beyond these things, he will find a quiet place to concentrate on his amulet, eventually imbuing it with a little of his druidic magic. He is shocked to find that when he does, it projects an image of a constellation of stars.
"How much he likes the smell of his own farts!" Rhysresponds, laughing. "Hahahaha... sorry. Your question was the classic opening to a bunch of punchlines around here. Seriously though, they are just a bunch of elves who think they're better than the others and shouldn't mix. Tend to live in big palaces the size of cities, and try to convince everybody living in the area around them that they're better off because the palace is there. Green Castle was one of those palaces, and the people of the Valley gave enough of their produce and food and resources to the 'high elves' to keep them riding high. Then, about a hundred years ago, when the 'True King' died, the high elves left this valley shortly after. Turned out that the people here didn't need them, after all."
Hemlock just stares at Rhys a little dumbfounded at his joke.
"They like to smell farts? Do they have a special diet that makes their digestive gases more aromatic?", he asks, obviously not understanding the term punchline.
"No, they... they just think they're better than other people, and other elves. As far as I know, their farts smell the same as anyone else's. Though I must admit, I've never checked!" Rhyschuckles to himself again, before turning a bit more serious.. "Well, I suppose I'll see you in the West Lookout soon, for Cylence's ominous meeting."
As Hemlock wanders the village, people who were at his pancake breakfast greet him heartily, and some strangers talk with him and ask how he came to be in the Valley. He sees a few sensitive potted flowers that have not been moved to accomodate for the sun's northwards journey in these last weeks of spring, and adjusts them to where they will be a little happier. The woman who he had promised to talk to about potion brewing approaches him, and inquires about his recipes and approaches to herbalism and medicine. They are largely similar to her own, but both of them are able to excitedly talk about the small details of just how one grinds or stirs this or that ingredient. When they finish their conversation, the woman (a slight, small elf by the name of Ana) offers Hemlock a special herb pouch made of living material, which she proudly claims to have invented herself. Hemlock may add this to his inventory.
After taking a moment to inspect the rapier and dagger she has just been given, Saoirse looks back at the elf and says:
- Estas armas son increibles. Me siento abrumada por este regalo. Tan sólo por haber impartido una clase ... dioses ... ojalá pueda enseñaros más!
- This weapons are amazing. I feel humbled by this gift ... and only for teaching just one class! I hope I can find time to teach a you all a little more...!
For a split second she's not sure what to do, but then grabs her sheathed scimitar and looks at it for a moment, as if unsure about what she's about to do. But then she exhales, nods to herself, and hands the scimitar to the elf:
- No está a la altura del regalo que me acabas de hacer, pero ... tengo mucho cariño a esta cimitarra. Es el arma con el que comencé mi entrenamiento y me ha servido bien durante varios años. Hemos entrenado juntas, aprendido juntas. Hemos caido, nos hemos levantado y hemos continuado entrenando. Me enseñaron a respetarla, a cuidarla ... y a intentar desenvainarla sólo cuando fuese necesario - she says, with a smile - Espero que te proteja, amigo.
- It's not as good as the weapons you've just gifted me, but ... I'm very fond of this scimitar. It's the weapon with which I learned everything I know about swordfighting y and it's served me well for several years. We've trained together, learned together. We've fallen, and we've stood up and continued training. I was taught to respect it, and care for it .. and to try to unsheathe it only when necessary. I hope it protects you, friend.
Switching back to common, she asks:
- Green Castle? What is that exactly, by the way?
When "Cylence" suddenly appears, Saoirsehas a bad feeling. Is that really Cylence? Or is it someone else playing his role? So she tells the newcomer:
- Oh, Cylence! We were about to go look for you, isn't that right, Sha? - she looks back at the tall elf and excuses herself for a moment before placing a hand on Cylence's forearm, motioning him to follow her and Sha a little apart. When she manages just that (or if the tall elf catches her glance and gives them some space), she says:
- What is going on here? You are not Cylence- she then realizes.... "could this be....?" - Oh, gods.Saffi... ? Please tell me I'm wrong...
Lam is elated to have a chance to bond with other bugbears. As he helps Kurt and Kristof stock their hunt and pack for the next one, and he feels genuinely helpful, he gets more comfortable answering any questions they have. He cannot talk at length about Goblin religion, as he was never very religious himself, but he tells them all the basic details that any bugbear who grew up in the Outlands would know. He explains how brute strength and fighting prowess are highly valued traits in the Outlands: “Good for danger. Keeps you alive.”His own mother had instilled these traits in him when he was very young. He is able to talk at length about the time he spent working for a sorcerer, since it is a time he (mostly) remembers fondly: “Many bugbears who work for sorcerer or monster… it is not good. They are not respected. But this was good. Sorcerer trusted us to do well. I was put… with… I led goblins and hobgoblins. We protected… something.”He tells a couple stories about the goblins and hobgoblins he was put in charge of, still remembering each of their names. The job was simple, just keeping people away from that item the sorcerer wanted protected, but it was a high point in Lam’s life. “Then… it ended.”He mostly glosses over this part. He still remembers the day the sorcerer came to tell him he would have a new employer. The sorcerer tried to cover it up with big fancy words he didn’t know the meanings of, but Lam had been old enough to know when he was being sold into slavery. That may have been one of his worst bouts of losing control. He skips over the next chapter of his life entirely and instead talks about how he came to the Valley: “I came to HMC. They promised good work. But… I met friends. We helped each other and came here. I like this better.”
Lam is at his happiest talking about the Goblin language. He is happy to answer any of their questions- if he knows the meaning in common, or he can see it in their surroundings, he can translate it into Goblin. He teaches them basic phrases and greetings along with anything else they ask about. Among the words he teaches them are Bruder (brother), Pfeil (arrow), jagen (to hunt), Essen (food), and Heimat (home- but also homeland).
When he is about to go find Cyclence and the others, and the young bugbears stop him to give him the most beautiful greataxe he had ever seen, a lump forms in his throat. Always a choice- that hadn’t been the first time Lam heard that since arriving here. It has only been a day, but that idea is already easier to believe. His voice warbles as he takes the greataxe and says, “Thank you, Brüder. I am glad to make friends with other bugbears. I promise to make good choices.” Before he has to wipe his own eyes, he says farewell to his new friends and heads to the West Lookout, spirits considerably lifted.
"No," the tall elf responds, "no, no solo por dar una clase. Por enseñarlos que podemos defendernos. Puede que solo haya sido una hora, pero fue un comienzo. A recibir tu espada es un gran honor." He bows to Saoirse, slightly but clearly. When she switches to common, so does he. "Green Castle, or Castilo Verde, is the great palace on the other side of the river, atop a plateau. There, generations of high elves lived, and claimed to be the lords or stewards of this marvelous valley. Most of them left the valley a century ago, after the fall of the so-called True King somewhere far from here. The few that stayed did so by becoming part of the community in the valley, and casting off the idea that they should not mix with others. My mother was one such, and I have learned to take some pride in both cultures. There is no doubt that the high elves make beautiful things." Hearing it referred to at Castilo Verde does ring a distant bell for Saoirse. There were some people in her order very proud of blades and tools imported from the Castilo and passed down through generations.
No, not for giving one class. For teaching them that we can defend ourselves. It may have been only a single hour, but it was a beginning. To recieve your blade is a great honor.
Lam and Hemlock walk through the West Branch towards West Lookout, just in time to see the confrontation between someone who looks an awfully lot like Cylence, and Sha and Saoirse.
Cylence initially denies Saoirse's accusation. "What do you mean?! Take your hand off me, unless you wish for this to get ugly." When Saoirse mentions Saffi'sname, though, Saffi changes tactics and lowers her voice to a whisper only Saoirse and Sha can hear, though still speaking in a very good imitation of Cylence's voice.
"Look, these people were willing to give all this stuff away when I said I would use it to push the foreigners out of the valley, and that's true enough. I'm definitely going to mess up the HMC structure here while I go figure out who the 'ell framed me, before going back to Springdawn to get what's mine. So you two just pretend that you didn't see me here, and we'll still be on the same side, broad strokes. Or you make a scene, I get away, and I remember you as an enemy rather than as a friend. Your choice, girl scout."
Out of the larger crowd Hemlock feels far more comfortable being himself and talking. It was fine whilst he was cooking, he was occupied and thought nothing of all the poeple, but afterwards there were just too many folk taking an interest.
So when he once again comes across the small elf herbalist, he gladly talks about methods and approaches. When she gives him the gift, he smiles broadly. "A truly wondrous item that will aid me well. I will ensure to share freely the potions this grants me the ability to make", he says beaming at the herb pouch. "You know, before this journey I have been undertaking, I would not have thought I would have much need for these potions. This last week, along with what I see in the stars, tells me otherwise".
Seeing Sha and Saoirse talking with Cylence whilst he approaches with Lam, and having been called to meet their one time fellow prisoner, Hemlock makes no delay in walking over to them.
"I see you have started the meeting without us", he says. He focusses on Cylence, looking him up and down. "Ok, you'll need to explain what is happening, because something is different about you".
Lam walks over to his friends when Hemlock does, confused and going on alert. Cyclence looks like he’s about to fight Saoirse. And Hemlock is suspicious, which is weird to Lam. He instinctively rests one hand on his new greataxe as he tries to determine what in the world is happening.
"No," the tall elf responds, "no, no solo por dar una clase. Por enseñarlos que podemos defendernos. Puede que solo haya sido una hora, pero fue un comienzo. A recibir tu espada es un gran honor." He bows to Saoirse, slightly but clearly. When she switches to common, so does he. "Green Castle, or Castilo Verde, is the great palace on the other side of the river, atop a plateau. There, generations of high elves lived, and claimed to be the lords or stewards of this marvelous valley. Most of them left the valley a century ago, after the fall of the so-called True King somewhere far from here. The few that stayed did so by becoming part of the community in the valley, and casting off the idea that they should not mix with others. My mother was one such, and I have learned to take some pride in both cultures. There is no doubt that the high elves make beautiful things." Hearing it referred to at Castilo Verde does ring a distant bell for Saoirse. There were some people in her order very proud of blades and tools imported from the Castilo and passed down through generations.
The bow surprises the genasi, who is yet processing the tall elf's words, and this causes a delay in the response, after which Saoirseplaces her right hand on her heart and bows back. She's still not sure she's worthy of such praise and gifts, but she's also overjoyed by the fact that she's been able to share something important for her - something she's good at - and that this may have given the people of Village Tree some amount of hope. She again wonders what Cylence wants to speak to them about, but if it's related to the safety of the valley and its peoples, she definitely wants to be there to to help.
Saoirselistents attentively to the elf's explanation of Castillo Verde, high elves and his mixed heritage. When he says high elves make beautiful things, she replies with a smile:
- Not only high elves. - and she points towards her surroundings, pointing out the beauty of the place they're currently in.
Though she's very much enjoying the conversation with this particular elf, "Cylence's"sudden appearance changes forces her to change scene.
"Look, these people were willing to give all this stuff away when I said I would use it to push the foreigners out of the valley, and that's true enough. I'm definitely going to mess up the HMC structure here while I go figure out who the 'ell framed me, before going back to Springdawn to get what's mine. So you two just pretend that you didn't see me here, and we'll still be on the same side, broad strokes. Or you make a scene, I get away, and I remember you as an enemy rather than as a friend. Your choice, girl scout."
Saoirse's expression shifts the moment she hears Saffron's words spoken through Cylence. The genasi is angered. And not so much by her new mock. Not even because she is actually threatening her. It is the fact that she's been lying to the very people that have welcomed them with their open hearts, and masking it as if she's doing it for them and not for her own interests, that enrages her. Despite that, and because she doesn't want to cause a scene, nor speak words that she may later regret, she takes a moment to breathe and calm herself before speaking.
She also realizes that Lamdoesn't seem to havefully recognized who they're speaking to, so she begings saying:
- This is not Cylence. It's Saffi.
Then she continues, now speaking to Saffi:
- I won't even bother to answer to your threat. You have given Sha and me a choice, now let me give you another one: prove that you really intend to help this people and not just yourself. Come back to them as who you truly are, as Saffi, and earn their gifts and help by being true. Give them this chance, and you'll see that you get exactly what you need! Also, let me remind you once again that you have us, Saffi. You don't have to do alone what you can achieve with us ... and without needing to resort to lies and threats.
She pauses for a moment, before adding:
- Or ... just leave. I won't consider you and enemy, but if you want to count me as one, then there's little I can do about it.
Saoirselooks at the changeling waiting for her reply, but also glances at the rest of the party, wondering what they will say about what they have heard.
I rolled an insight check to sense if Saffi's really telling the truth when she says that she'll use what she's gathered first for dealing with the HMC and then with her own affairs at Springdawn, and not the other way round: 11(passive 14).
I also wanted to roll another insight on the tall elf. Can I know by his words and manner of speaking his opinion on "the so-called True King". It's the only mention Saoirse has heard apart from Saffi's and Tesfaye's and I'm curious about what he sounded like: 9(again, passive 14).
Finally, for Saffi, a Persuasion check (Saoirse obviously wants her to make the choice to stay. Or at least to not part as enemies): 18.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"I'm Saffron, Saffron Gale," she says, pulling her long, ruby-colored hair back and following Sha over to Lam. "Most people call me Saffi, though."
“Saffron Gale, I’m honored to know you. I’m a heretic of my faith, not an ‘honesty is the best policy’ type either. Knowledge is power and not everyone is worthy. Thank you, and yes we are of like-mind.”
“I believe you Saffron Gale, you have I believe suffered and wish to pour some of that suffering out. I can tell you from personal experience, it just makes a big mess. I know you are going to do whatever you set your mind to do, but please hear me. Balance your pain with joy, I met a young man Lichen he reminds me of someone I lost, I’m trying hard to balance. For the first time in a long time I have some hope.
There’s hope here for you too you just need to try.”
Tall Elf seems to think the idea of somebody so far away and uninvovlved in local affairs calling himself the King is silly. Otherwise you don't really get a sense of what he thinks of the man morally.
Saffron seems to be telling the truth about starting with the HMC. Maybe she does want to help these people, even if she's going about it all wrong.
Saffron,as Cylence, looks at the four of you. "Look, y'all had my back back in the prison, and I appreciate that. It might have been a hairy situation without you, and I was hoping to hang on to our partnership. But I'm nobody's charity case, and if you can't see that all this 'we just give each other whatever we need' nonsense is too good to be true, well, I've got a mansion in Neverwinter to sell you. I earn what I have, and I plan to make myself some coin, and live a life of luxury that I've earned for myself. Maybe even use some of that money to help out other street kids. I'm not going to be a pawn in someone else's game, and I'm not going to settle down in a little village in a tree, no matter how pretty. Come with me instead! I've got a bunch of loot and food in this satchel, and I'm going to settle our score with the HMC to start out. Isn't that better than letting the real Cylence make use of you for whatever he was planning when he invited us here?"
Lam feels like he definitely missed some context. Saffron is pretending to be Cyclence. She is saying some things he doesn't totally understand. He huffs when she calls the Village Tree nonsense, having found that he is quite fond of this place- however, his hand goes slowly back to his side as he listens. He is unsure of what to make of Saffron’s words. Then after a few moments, he asks of the changeling who helped save all of them back in the prison: "You are leaving? Now?"
Hemlock looks at the visage of Cylence for a brief moment, and then to Saoirse, Sha and Lam. He wasn't sure what threats had been made, but he felt no ill will towards Saffi at all.
"Your path is your own to take, Saffi. If you don't like it here and wish to leave, know I will miss you, and I wish you well", he says with a smile. "My path is here though, where the stars have led me. I believe I am meant to be here, to help protect the forest. So I cannot come with you, and I don't need a mansion in Neverwinter. In truth I don't even know where Neverwinter is anyway".
His smile turns to an expression of confusion. "I am curious, why are you wearing Cylence's visage?".
Saffron/Cylence looks at Hemlock and Lam with genuine affection, and what might be a tinge of regret. "Oh, my giant naive friends. I will miss you both, and not just for your usefulness. I shouldn't have to spell this out for you Hemlock, but people here give each other stuff based on reputation and relationships. If they think I'm someone they admire and respect, who was already taken prisoner protecting them, obviously they'll give me better stuff. I also figured then they'd talk more openly, but I don't think I've learned anything y'all haven't. Apparently Cylence has only been living with them a few years. I should have been Rhys for this to work best, but then I would have had to talk like everyone's grampa, and I got plenty this way. Yeah, I'm leaving. Before they can make me drink the kool-aid and sing kumbaya."
Hemlock looks a little sad as Saffron explains what she has been up to, and shakes his head.
"I understand that these people respect Cylence, and are more likely to give him items of worth. But I just heard you say you weren't interested in charity. What you have done is transformed yourself into someone more likely to be given charity. That is where my confusion lies. You are tricking these people into treating you kindly, and giving you charity, but you don't see that you are the recipient of charity even more than you would have been had you remained Saffron", he explains.
He shrugs, "I am sure it makes sense in your mind. And don't worry about the things you were gifted, I will do my best whilst I am here to pass on my own fortune, and yours".
“Boed i'r sêr oleuo'ch llwybr bob amser”, he says in druidic holding his amulet. "A blessing for you".
The bugbears look plainly fascinated when Lam says he's from the Outlands. One of them, about Lam's own age, looks like hes trying to formulate a polite and sensible question, but the other one, a young adult of 19 or 20 years, just starts rattling off questions, clearly not able to hold it all in. "Really!? Is it true that bugbears and goblins there all have to work for monsters and sorcerers, and that your Gods think war is a good thing? I'm sorry if that's rude, but dad said that great-grandpa never talked much about where he came from, and so all he knows is from asking travellers, and a lot of them think we bugbears are monsters too. OH! Do you speak Goblin? We never learned it." - "Kurt," Kurt's older brother finally cuts in, "slow down, remember to think before you talk."
The fairy looks a little uncomfortable when Lam asks how he can repay her. "No," she says, "a gift. You will use it, and this will make me proud." She flies off towards some of the others, and Rhys stops her and speaks quietly to her for a moment. She seems more comfortable when she continues after that. Rhys approaches Lam, and speaks to him softly, in a way that neither draws attention from others nor prevents anyone who tries to from overhearing.
"My friend, things work differently here. We do not think in terms of directly paying or repaying. Rather, people give gifts freely, when they wish to or when they feel so moved. Gifts create relationships, and social obligations, and show the status of the giver. Those who give more tend to recieve greater gifts from others, and a man who never gives will quickly find that he is poor in friends and in material goods, but things have only the value each individual believes they have. Isabella (he points at the fairy woman) decided that the best value for these recipes was to give them to you. You decide what this means to you. It is considered polite, and even encouraged, to give the gifts you recieve as gifts to others when you no longer use them, or when another's need is greater. You have already given the community a gift, when you decided the best value for your time was to help Hemlock cook this delicious breakfast for us. Don't worry, it took a while for me to figure it out, too. Sometimes I miss just being able to buy something without having to learn a new person; but I don't miss it very often. Do you understand?" He takes some of the dried herbs that people offer each other out of a pouch hanging from his neck, stuffs a pipe that he produced from nowhere you could see, and takes a long, relaxed draw from it. He has the countenance of one with all the time in the world.
As Saoirse teaches the girl to hold and swing the scimitar, an unstructured line of children, and a few adults, forms. They are watching, fascinated, and clearly hoping to take turns recieving instruction and a personal moment with the generous Genasi. A centaur trots off in a bit of a hurry, and when he returns, he has an armload of wooden practice swords, and a couple of shortswords with a similar weight to the scimitar. When he begins to hend then out, a couple of the older people mutter, and the Elf who had mentioned his son's marksmanship stands up and says (gently but firmly) "I think there's more place for swordfighting lessons in the center platform. Perhaps we can move the instruction? My son would clearly be delighted to join." He gestures towards a preteen already in the middle of taking a sword from the centaur.
Muro is tired, and more than a little embarrassed, and greateful to all of you. He says that the doesn't have the energy or the courage to deal with all of these new people right now, especially because he feels like everyone is staring at him, judging him for being a lycan. (None of you notice anyone giving him any strange looks). At one point, Rhys approaches him and they talk for a bit. If you speak with Muro after that, he will seem more relieved, and let you know that Rhys has promised to bring him the rest of the way to Weretown later today.
Hemlock soon finds that he has promised to compare recipes and techniques with a dryad who was talking about missing some liferoot for healing potions, and that he has given away his tinderbox to a centaur. People also approach him to tell him where they keep their own special spicing or herb blends around the North Branch, and encourage him to draw from their supply whenever he wishes. When he talks to Rhys, he doesn't get the answer he was expecting. "As you know, every river and mountain has a spirit at its heart, although most require some patience or one such as us to come forth and speak. We seek harmony with them. Silver Stream's spirit, however, is very present and more than a little odd. I wouldn't quite say we live in harmony. The river still provides the water of life to the valley, but it refuses to let anyone cross it, except at the bridges. And even there it demands that you speak a special password. We do not swim or wade in the river, as it is violent when one does not listen to it. I have never before met an Elemental who behaves this way. Perhaps it is something the high elves who used to live in Green Castle forced on it?" He shrugs; clearly this is a mystery he gave up on some time ago.
Tesfaye eats the last pancake that Lam saved them gratefully, and fills out the rest of their plate with fish and nuts. They delight some children and adults by enchanting a piece of bark to repeat a message whenever someone touches it, and give an explanation of how it works which nobody listens to more than a few words of. One of the centaurs approaches them though, and states, looking a little embarrassed but very hopeful, "I will be traveling to the south for a few months, and fear that my daughter (there is a 3-year-old hiding underneath her, behind her front legs) will forget my voice." Tesfaye lights up with the joy of a good idea, and starts mumbling to themself as they find a piece of bark and fiddle with it and their multitool. "Usually this effect only lasts an hour or so, but if I adjust the inflection and lessen the resistence, while imprinting the willed message more deeply.... recharge by any available magical source... potential lifespan of six months! EUREKA!" They finally look back up at the centaur, who had wandered only slightly to talk to someone else while Tesfaye was distracted, and get her attention. "Find an object or amulet, preferably of wood or stone, that you and your daughter have a connection to. I believe I can help you put a message on it which your daughter can hear whenever she likes, the whole time you're away. By the way, I'm a magical researcher, and would love to see more of the sort of magic you practice here." Pretty soon, there is a crowd of people around the tortle, each of them excitedly showing off some minor (or not-so-minor) piece or druidcraft or other nature magic. Tesfaye seems freshly delighted by each trick, even though some of them are very similar. They ask lots of questions which they only get partial answers to, but are not in the least bit deterred.
Cylence will find an oppotunity to speak silently to each one of you and to Rhys, such that nobody overhears. To each person, he says simply "East Lookout, two hours from now. It is good to see you finding peace here, but there is much to discuss."
DM: Heavy is the Head
Sha gravis barters fairly for the limited use goodberry and in return receives the silver dust necessary for ceremony in anticipation of Lichen’s receiving a coming of age blessing or some other function Sha would love to perform. He also agrees to teach Dwarven to those who would like to learn. Figuring it would be helpful if HMC agents such as Captain Jonah were overheard or if Billy made it here one day.
Afterwich he heads to the east lookout curios about Cylence’s request.
Lam stands there stunned with the two bugbears for a moment, unsure what to do with the direct assessment of the Outlands as laid out by Kurt’s questions. Lam didn’t pay much attention to the gods in his childhood, but the only gods he knew about did think war was a good thing. And he doesn’t know if every bugbear in the Outlands had the same experience that he did, but he did work for a sorcerer in his youth. Taken aback by the questions but wanting to satisfy the young bugbear’s curiosity, he stumbles through some answers. “No… not all. But I did. And… mostly? I think?” He seems more comfortable talking about his native language as he answers, “Yes. I do speak Goblin.” It shows on his face that he does not know how to answer all the questions well, but he does his best to answer them all for Kurt’s sake.
Lam feels bad about making the fairy uncomfortable, and listens both gratefully and intently when Rhys takes him aside to explain the nature of this place to him. It all sounds wonderful… and so very different from what he is used to. The wheels on his head are still turning, but he responds, “Thank you. I… think I understand.”
After Cyclence tells each of them to meet him in two hours, Lam is still just a little bit lost. He tries to look at his new recipes but he furrows his brow, doing his best to understand the instructions. He may need to ask Hemlock for help later, he decides. He does not ask out loud for anything specific. Having only two hours and having just eaten, he instead spends the time trying to overhear conversations and find people who need something heavy lifted, carried or moved. If Kurt is interested in learning basic Goblin, he can also try to teach a bit to him. He spends a couple of hours going around helping in whatever ways people will let him.
19 persuasion (18 insight if you prefer) for Lam to be able to choose appropriate times to offer his services, where he can genuinely help people!
After two hours, he heads to the East Lookout as promised.
Sha finds a dryad standing among many varied reagents and powders. When he approaches, she welcomes him, and encourages him to tell her about what sorts of things he needs. When he offers to trade a goodberry for some silver dust, she looks a little bit offended, but does offer him a small pouch of the stuff. When he mentions what he needs it for, however, she brightens. "Oh, Lichen! He's such a good young man, and this is very kind of you!" She adds another spoonful of powder into the pouch (there's enough in there for two ceremony now), and declines the offer of a goodberry.
A human is at a nearby stand with lots of hanging and drying herbs, and calls you over. "Saw you trying to barter over there, dude. Don't worry, I'm sure she won't actually be offended, or at least she won't hold it against you man. I've only been here a year myself, and I still sometimes slip up. Hey, I'll happily trade a couple ounces of catnip for that goodberry. Think of it as a gift if you prefer to get into the spirit though." Sha doesn't hear anybody asking about learning Dwarven, and if he makes the offer out loud, nobody takes him up on it.
Kurt is clearly excited to keep talking to Lam, asking questions about life in the Outlands, and about the goblin language and religion, even before Lam makes the offer. His brother, who introduces himself as Kristof, looks a little embarrased by Kurt's rudeness, but just as interested in anything Lam has to say. After a minute or so, Kristof says that he and Kurt could use some help stocking their most recent hunt and packing for the next one, after noticing that Lam is actively trying to find a way to be helpful. The two other Bugbears lead Lam to an area on the other side of the North Branch where a second lift is actively going up and down, carrying all sorts of goods and equipment. There are plenty people there moving heavy things - mostly food and drinks - happy for the assistance. The whole time, Kurt and Kristof are eating up any Goblin Lam is willing to teach. They are especially interested in words about family, hunting, and whatever things they can see around them. Once it becomes clear that Lam has somewhere to be soon, his two students share a meaningful look at each other, and the elder brother asks you to wait there for a minute, and he runs off. When he returns, he is carrying a beautiful greataxe of a classic design, and his eyes are watering. "This was great-grandpa's greataxe. It hasn't been used since he decided to stay here, almost 100 years ago. Grandpa always told us that we should keep it to remind us that there is always a choice, but I think that you will use it to protect and help, and that it will help you make your own choices. Thank you for showing us that there are more good bugbears than just our family, and for teaching us some of our people's language. We both agree that we want to you have this gift." Kristof wipes his eyes with one hand, and with the other he holds out a greataxe +1. (Go ahead and add it to your inventory)
When Saoirse finds the tall elf on the West Branch, after her impromptu lesson, he beckons her over excitedly. "Muchos, muchos gracías, de todos nosotros. Con ellos 'HMC' muchachos aqui, me temo que tu lección pronto será demasiado útil. Este estoque proviene de los almacenes del Castillo Verde, y se guardó junto con esta daga. La inscripción decía que los dos están diseñados para trabajar juntos. Con suerte, ambos te servirán bien." He hands you a rapier, and with it a strange dagger, with deep serrations down one side designed to catch an opponent's sword. (Add a rapier and this homebrew item to your inventory.)
Saoirse and Sha both see Cylence walk up to the tall elf, and state matter-of-factly "I need daggers and crossbow bolts, to push back the foreigners in our land." He is carrying a satchel already full of other items from other people on the West Branch. Insight DC 18:
"Cylence" is behaving oddly, and you're pretty sure there's something off about his speech pattern. It almost looks like someone else is pretending to be him.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock listens to Rhys's description of the water spirit and his curiosity only grows.
"That is unusual, I would very much like to meet this spirit one day", he replies but leaves it at that, not pushing the issue. He does however manoeuvre the conversation elsewhere. "What is the difference between a high elf, and just an elf? I have been among elves in the forest and managed to learn their language, so I am curious as to the difference".
Other than his conversation with Rhys, he does spend a little time walking around Village Tree awaiting the time Cylence requested his presence in West Branch Lookout. He will offer his help in anything he is able, but particularly with regards plants and animals and his natural firbolg affinity for communicating with them. He asks for nothing in return for this.
Beyond these things, he will find a quiet place to concentrate on his amulet, eventually imbuing it with a little of his druidic magic. He is shocked to find that when he does, it projects an image of a constellation of stars.
Insight: 21 - for helping out anyone in need
"How much he likes the smell of his own farts!" Rhys responds, laughing. "Hahahaha... sorry. Your question was the classic opening to a bunch of punchlines around here. Seriously though, they are just a bunch of elves who think they're better than the others and shouldn't mix. Tend to live in big palaces the size of cities, and try to convince everybody living in the area around them that they're better off because the palace is there. Green Castle was one of those palaces, and the people of the Valley gave enough of their produce and food and resources to the 'high elves' to keep them riding high. Then, about a hundred years ago, when the 'True King' died, the high elves left this valley shortly after. Turned out that the people here didn't need them, after all."
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock just stares at Rhys a little dumbfounded at his joke.
"They like to smell farts? Do they have a special diet that makes their digestive gases more aromatic?", he asks, obviously not understanding the term punchline.
"No, they... they just think they're better than other people, and other elves. As far as I know, their farts smell the same as anyone else's. Though I must admit, I've never checked!" Rhys chuckles to himself again, before turning a bit more serious.. "Well, I suppose I'll see you in the West Lookout soon, for Cylence's ominous meeting."
As Hemlock wanders the village, people who were at his pancake breakfast greet him heartily, and some strangers talk with him and ask how he came to be in the Valley. He sees a few sensitive potted flowers that have not been moved to accomodate for the sun's northwards journey in these last weeks of spring, and adjusts them to where they will be a little happier. The woman who he had promised to talk to about potion brewing approaches him, and inquires about his recipes and approaches to herbalism and medicine. They are largely similar to her own, but both of them are able to excitedly talk about the small details of just how one grinds or stirs this or that ingredient. When they finish their conversation, the woman (a slight, small elf by the name of Ana) offers Hemlock a special herb pouch made of living material, which she proudly claims to have invented herself. Hemlock may add this to his inventory.
DM: Heavy is the Head
After taking a moment to inspect the rapier and dagger she has just been given, Saoirse looks back at the elf and says:
- Estas armas son increibles. Me siento abrumada por este regalo. Tan sólo por haber impartido una clase ... dioses ... ojalá pueda enseñaros más!
- This weapons are amazing. I feel humbled by this gift ... and only for teaching just one class! I hope I can find time to teach a you all a little more...!
For a split second she's not sure what to do, but then grabs her sheathed scimitar and looks at it for a moment, as if unsure about what she's about to do. But then she exhales, nods to herself, and hands the scimitar to the elf:
- No está a la altura del regalo que me acabas de hacer, pero ... tengo mucho cariño a esta cimitarra. Es el arma con el que comencé mi entrenamiento y me ha servido bien durante varios años. Hemos entrenado juntas, aprendido juntas. Hemos caido, nos hemos levantado y hemos continuado entrenando. Me enseñaron a respetarla, a cuidarla ... y a intentar desenvainarla sólo cuando fuese necesario - she says, with a smile - Espero que te proteja, amigo.
- It's not as good as the weapons you've just gifted me, but ... I'm very fond of this scimitar. It's the weapon with which I learned everything I know about swordfighting y and it's served me well for several years. We've trained together, learned together. We've fallen, and we've stood up and continued training. I was taught to respect it, and care for it .. and to try to unsheathe it only when necessary. I hope it protects you, friend.
Switching back to common, she asks:
- Green Castle? What is that exactly, by the way?
When "Cylence" suddenly appears, Saoirse has a bad feeling. Is that really Cylence? Or is it someone else playing his role? So she tells the newcomer:
- Oh, Cylence! We were about to go look for you, isn't that right, Sha? - she looks back at the tall elf and excuses herself for a moment before placing a hand on Cylence's forearm, motioning him to follow her and Sha a little apart. When she manages just that (or if the tall elf catches her glance and gives them some space), she says:
- What is going on here? You are not Cylence - she then realizes.... "could this be....?" - Oh, gods. Saffi ... ? Please tell me I'm wrong...
History Roll (Green Castle): 16
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Lam is elated to have a chance to bond with other bugbears. As he helps Kurt and Kristof stock their hunt and pack for the next one, and he feels genuinely helpful, he gets more comfortable answering any questions they have. He cannot talk at length about Goblin religion, as he was never very religious himself, but he tells them all the basic details that any bugbear who grew up in the Outlands would know. He explains how brute strength and fighting prowess are highly valued traits in the Outlands: “Good for danger. Keeps you alive.” His own mother had instilled these traits in him when he was very young. He is able to talk at length about the time he spent working for a sorcerer, since it is a time he (mostly) remembers fondly: “Many bugbears who work for sorcerer or monster… it is not good. They are not respected. But this was good. Sorcerer trusted us to do well. I was put… with… I led goblins and hobgoblins. We protected… something.” He tells a couple stories about the goblins and hobgoblins he was put in charge of, still remembering each of their names. The job was simple, just keeping people away from that item the sorcerer wanted protected, but it was a high point in Lam’s life. “Then… it ended.” He mostly glosses over this part. He still remembers the day the sorcerer came to tell him he would have a new employer. The sorcerer tried to cover it up with big fancy words he didn’t know the meanings of, but Lam had been old enough to know when he was being sold into slavery. That may have been one of his worst bouts of losing control. He skips over the next chapter of his life entirely and instead talks about how he came to the Valley: “I came to HMC. They promised good work. But… I met friends. We helped each other and came here. I like this better.”
Lam is at his happiest talking about the Goblin language. He is happy to answer any of their questions- if he knows the meaning in common, or he can see it in their surroundings, he can translate it into Goblin. He teaches them basic phrases and greetings along with anything else they ask about. Among the words he teaches them are Bruder (brother), Pfeil (arrow), jagen (to hunt), Essen (food), and Heimat (home- but also homeland).
When he is about to go find Cyclence and the others, and the young bugbears stop him to give him the most beautiful greataxe he had ever seen, a lump forms in his throat. Always a choice- that hadn’t been the first time Lam heard that since arriving here. It has only been a day, but that idea is already easier to believe. His voice warbles as he takes the greataxe and says, “Thank you, Brüder. I am glad to make friends with other bugbears. I promise to make good choices.” Before he has to wipe his own eyes, he says farewell to his new friends and heads to the West Lookout, spirits considerably lifted.
“Brothers.”
"No," the tall elf responds, "no, no solo por dar una clase. Por enseñarlos que podemos defendernos. Puede que solo haya sido una hora, pero fue un comienzo. A recibir tu espada es un gran honor." He bows to Saoirse, slightly but clearly. When she switches to common, so does he. "Green Castle, or Castilo Verde, is the great palace on the other side of the river, atop a plateau. There, generations of high elves lived, and claimed to be the lords or stewards of this marvelous valley. Most of them left the valley a century ago, after the fall of the so-called True King somewhere far from here. The few that stayed did so by becoming part of the community in the valley, and casting off the idea that they should not mix with others. My mother was one such, and I have learned to take some pride in both cultures. There is no doubt that the high elves make beautiful things." Hearing it referred to at Castilo Verde does ring a distant bell for Saoirse. There were some people in her order very proud of blades and tools imported from the Castilo and passed down through generations.
No, not for giving one class. For teaching them that we can defend ourselves. It may have been only a single hour, but it was a beginning. To recieve your blade is a great honor.
Lam and Hemlock walk through the West Branch towards West Lookout, just in time to see the confrontation between someone who looks an awfully lot like Cylence, and Sha and Saoirse.
Cylence initially denies Saoirse's accusation. "What do you mean?! Take your hand off me, unless you wish for this to get ugly." When Saoirse mentions Saffi's name, though, Saffi changes tactics and lowers her voice to a whisper only Saoirse and Sha can hear, though still speaking in a very good imitation of Cylence's voice.
"Look, these people were willing to give all this stuff away when I said I would use it to push the foreigners out of the valley, and that's true enough. I'm definitely going to mess up the HMC structure here while I go figure out who the 'ell framed me, before going back to Springdawn to get what's mine. So you two just pretend that you didn't see me here, and we'll still be on the same side, broad strokes. Or you make a scene, I get away, and I remember you as an enemy rather than as a friend. Your choice, girl scout."
DM: Heavy is the Head
Out of the larger crowd Hemlock feels far more comfortable being himself and talking. It was fine whilst he was cooking, he was occupied and thought nothing of all the poeple, but afterwards there were just too many folk taking an interest.
So when he once again comes across the small elf herbalist, he gladly talks about methods and approaches. When she gives him the gift, he smiles broadly. "A truly wondrous item that will aid me well. I will ensure to share freely the potions this grants me the ability to make", he says beaming at the herb pouch. "You know, before this journey I have been undertaking, I would not have thought I would have much need for these potions. This last week, along with what I see in the stars, tells me otherwise".
Seeing Sha and Saoirse talking with Cylence whilst he approaches with Lam, and having been called to meet their one time fellow prisoner, Hemlock makes no delay in walking over to them.
"I see you have started the meeting without us", he says. He focusses on Cylence, looking him up and down. "Ok, you'll need to explain what is happening, because something is different about you".
Insight: 19+5=24
Lam walks over to his friends when Hemlock does, confused and going on alert. Cyclence looks like he’s about to fight Saoirse. And Hemlock is suspicious, which is weird to Lam. He instinctively rests one hand on his new greataxe as he tries to determine what in the world is happening.
7 insight. Just an odd scene to walk into!
The bow surprises the genasi, who is yet processing the tall elf's words, and this causes a delay in the response, after which Saoirse places her right hand on her heart and bows back. She's still not sure she's worthy of such praise and gifts, but she's also overjoyed by the fact that she's been able to share something important for her - something she's good at - and that this may have given the people of Village Tree some amount of hope. She again wonders what Cylence wants to speak to them about, but if it's related to the safety of the valley and its peoples, she definitely wants to be there to to help.
Saoirse listents attentively to the elf's explanation of Castillo Verde, high elves and his mixed heritage. When he says high elves make beautiful things, she replies with a smile:
- Not only high elves. - and she points towards her surroundings, pointing out the beauty of the place they're currently in.
Though she's very much enjoying the conversation with this particular elf, "Cylence's" sudden appearance changes forces her to change scene.
Saoirse's expression shifts the moment she hears Saffron's words spoken through Cylence. The genasi is angered. And not so much by her new mock. Not even because she is actually threatening her. It is the fact that she's been lying to the very people that have welcomed them with their open hearts, and masking it as if she's doing it for them and not for her own interests, that enrages her. Despite that, and because she doesn't want to cause a scene, nor speak words that she may later regret, she takes a moment to breathe and calm herself before speaking.
She also realizes that Lam doesn't seem to havefully recognized who they're speaking to, so she begings saying:
- This is not Cylence. It's Saffi.
Then she continues, now speaking to Saffi:
- I won't even bother to answer to your threat. You have given Sha and me a choice, now let me give you another one: prove that you really intend to help this people and not just yourself. Come back to them as who you truly are, as Saffi, and earn their gifts and help by being true. Give them this chance, and you'll see that you get exactly what you need! Also, let me remind you once again that you have us, Saffi. You don't have to do alone what you can achieve with us ... and without needing to resort to lies and threats.
She pauses for a moment, before adding:
- Or ... just leave. I won't consider you and enemy, but if you want to count me as one, then there's little I can do about it.
Saoirse looks at the changeling waiting for her reply, but also glances at the rest of the party, wondering what they will say about what they have heard.
I rolled an insight check to sense if Saffi's really telling the truth when she says that she'll use what she's gathered first for dealing with the HMC and then with her own affairs at Springdawn, and not the other way round: 11 (passive 14).
I also wanted to roll another insight on the tall elf. Can I know by his words and manner of speaking his opinion on "the so-called True King". It's the only mention Saoirse has heard apart from Saffi's and Tesfaye's and I'm curious about what he sounded like: 9 (again, passive 14).
Finally, for Saffi, a Persuasion check (Saoirse obviously wants her to make the choice to stay. Or at least to not part as enemies): 18.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
“I believe you Saffron Gale, you have I believe suffered and wish to pour some of that suffering out. I can tell you from personal experience, it just makes a big mess. I know you are going to do whatever you set your mind to do, but please hear me. Balance your pain with joy, I met a young man Lichen he reminds me of someone I lost, I’m trying hard to balance. For the first time in a long time I have some hope.
There’s hope here for you too you just need to try.”
persuasion 11
To Saoirse's Insight checks:
Tall Elf seems to think the idea of somebody so far away and uninvovlved in local affairs calling himself the King is silly. Otherwise you don't really get a sense of what he thinks of the man morally.
Saffron seems to be telling the truth about starting with the HMC. Maybe she does want to help these people, even if she's going about it all wrong.
Saffron, as Cylence, looks at the four of you. "Look, y'all had my back back in the prison, and I appreciate that. It might have been a hairy situation without you, and I was hoping to hang on to our partnership. But I'm nobody's charity case, and if you can't see that all this 'we just give each other whatever we need' nonsense is too good to be true, well, I've got a mansion in Neverwinter to sell you. I earn what I have, and I plan to make myself some coin, and live a life of luxury that I've earned for myself. Maybe even use some of that money to help out other street kids. I'm not going to be a pawn in someone else's game, and I'm not going to settle down in a little village in a tree, no matter how pretty. Come with me instead! I've got a bunch of loot and food in this satchel, and I'm going to settle our score with the HMC to start out. Isn't that better than letting the real Cylence make use of you for whatever he was planning when he invited us here?"
DM: Heavy is the Head
Lam feels like he definitely missed some context. Saffron is pretending to be Cyclence. She is saying some things he doesn't totally understand. He huffs when she calls the Village Tree nonsense, having found that he is quite fond of this place- however, his hand goes slowly back to his side as he listens. He is unsure of what to make of Saffron’s words. Then after a few moments, he asks of the changeling who helped save all of them back in the prison: "You are leaving? Now?"
Hemlock looks at the visage of Cylence for a brief moment, and then to Saoirse, Sha and Lam. He wasn't sure what threats had been made, but he felt no ill will towards Saffi at all.
"Your path is your own to take, Saffi. If you don't like it here and wish to leave, know I will miss you, and I wish you well", he says with a smile. "My path is here though, where the stars have led me. I believe I am meant to be here, to help protect the forest. So I cannot come with you, and I don't need a mansion in Neverwinter. In truth I don't even know where Neverwinter is anyway".
His smile turns to an expression of confusion. "I am curious, why are you wearing Cylence's visage?".
Saffron/Cylence looks at Hemlock and Lam with genuine affection, and what might be a tinge of regret. "Oh, my giant naive friends. I will miss you both, and not just for your usefulness. I shouldn't have to spell this out for you Hemlock, but people here give each other stuff based on reputation and relationships. If they think I'm someone they admire and respect, who was already taken prisoner protecting them, obviously they'll give me better stuff. I also figured then they'd talk more openly, but I don't think I've learned anything y'all haven't. Apparently Cylence has only been living with them a few years. I should have been Rhys for this to work best, but then I would have had to talk like everyone's grampa, and I got plenty this way. Yeah, I'm leaving. Before they can make me drink the kool-aid and sing kumbaya."
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock looks a little sad as Saffron explains what she has been up to, and shakes his head.
"I understand that these people respect Cylence, and are more likely to give him items of worth. But I just heard you say you weren't interested in charity. What you have done is transformed yourself into someone more likely to be given charity. That is where my confusion lies. You are tricking these people into treating you kindly, and giving you charity, but you don't see that you are the recipient of charity even more than you would have been had you remained Saffron", he explains.
He shrugs, "I am sure it makes sense in your mind. And don't worry about the things you were gifted, I will do my best whilst I am here to pass on my own fortune, and yours".
“Boed i'r sêr oleuo'ch llwybr bob amser”, he says in druidic holding his amulet. "A blessing for you".
"May the stars always light your path"