Sha’s heart skips a beat, knowing the goddess has a dark side. “Hemlock my friend I have no interest in having my mind sharpened please you may have Tesfaye’s ‘battery’.” As he chases after Lichen letting lead the way.
The genasi approaches the beautiful red-tailed hawk carefully, so as not to scare it away with any sudden movement.
- Hello, friend - she says, and slowly moves a hand towards it, wanting to touch it slightly if possible. Though she will glance first at Rhysto check with him if this is allowed or not before actually touching the animal.
Then she concentrates in the person she wants the message delivered too. So she closes her eyes and thinks of Cait, her mother. She goes over her familiar human features, so different to the young genasi's: long brown hair, blue eyes, tanned skin that is of course so much lighter than Saoirse's ashen one, her almost ever-present kind smile - except perhaps when she's focused on a fight, as the genasi has seen so many times while training together. If a stranger were to see the two females side by side - or Saoirseand her father, Jaime, for that matter - no one would ever say they are blood related, but that's what happens on the extremely rare occasions a genasi is born to human parents.
When the memory of Cait Leoht is clear enough in her mind, Saoirseopens her eyes and speaks the message to be delivered. She knows it has to be short to be delivered by the hawk, so though she would like to say more she just says:
- "Mother: found trouble at Springdawn and ended up in Silver Stream Valley. I can help here, so I will stay for now. Please be well."
When she looks back to Rhysshe thanks him for helping her contact her family. And seeing that this might be the last private moment she may have with the druid before more people enter the Western Lookout, she asks him about his relationship with Cylence:
- I noticed that you and Cylence have very opposed opinions and personalities. He seems so different to everyone around here. More... how to say it... direct? And keener on acting against the invaders. I wonder how you to mange to run things around here despite that! I also noticed the locals don't seem as close to him as they are to you. Is he perhaps not from around here? - she stops to think for a second -Now that I think of it, Saffrondid mention he's been only living here for a rather short while. Well, I hope you don't mind my saying all of this. Please excuse me if I'm being too curious!
Hemlock listens to Tesfaye explain the magical battery, a little curious to know this strange feeling he mentions, but not intending to request it for himself. But when Sha-Gravis gets up to leave and tells them all he had no interest, and after Lam and Saoirse had also declined, he acquiesces.
"Very well, Tesfaye. I would be honoured to benefit from your magic, and will ensure it is used to help the others as well", he says. "I assume you will need my armour", he adds, removing the studded leather jerkin he has on. Anyone paying close attention would notice that the studs are not made of metal, but of hardened and sharpened wood.
"Whilst you are doing that, I can busy myself as well". With that he takes out his herbalism kit and opens his magical herb pouch made of mosses and lichens and places it down in front of him right then and there. The herbs necessary for making a healing potion almost spring out with vitality as he does so. He takes his clippers and very carefully harvests all the herbs, placing them into his mortar. He very carefully and deliberately grinds them with his pestle, over and over again as time ticks on, gradually adding some drops of water. Once they have been turned into a paste, he transfers it into a glass jar, and tops it up with water from his waterskin. Placing a stopper into the jar, he shakes it for what feels like an age, occasionally looking at it closely before starting again.
When it is finally ready, he turns to the herb pouch and speaks softly in druidic to what are now mere seeds, "Bydded eich bywiogrwydd yn addas i iachau eraill, a bydded i chwi dyfu eto". With that he pours a little water in and infuses it with some of his magic.
“May your vitality lend itself to heal others, and may you grow again”
With that done, he looks about to see whether his friends are still there.
When Tesfaye embraces Lam, he is surprised at first but accepts it- Tesfaye feels Lam’s breath catch slightly, but a deep exhale right after. “…Yeah. Not yet.” He says in response to Tesfaye. Then he just watches the tortle for a few moments- the words they’re saying to Sha and Hemlock might as well be a different language, just like what Rhys is saying to the hawk. His friend is so smart.
When Lichen comes in and summons Sha, Lam goes on alert and almost follows the two of them, getting as far as the entrance before he decides to trust Sha and wait to hear if anyone else is needed. He sits down right on the floor close to the entrance where Sha left and watches what his other friends are doing. Saoirse is sending a message- she has somewhere to return to eventually and people who wonder where she is. Hemlock is doing something fascinating with a new item he got, which reminds Lam that he got some items as well. He takes out his recipes and begins to read through them- he attempts to figure out some of the terms through context clues and decide which recipe looks the simplest to execute. He resolves that next time he gets a chance to cook again, he will try it.
Perception check to see if it seems like someone should maybe follow Sha? 2, so I am guessing Lam won’t know either way! Sha just left too quick!
If we do get a short rest here, is this a time where I could do a learn check? To try to begin a path towards cooking (cook’s utensils) mastery? If so: 16
"She likes a little scratch at the back of her head, but she doesn't like to be touched anywhere else - very protective of her flight feathers, she is, and more than a little vain." Rhys ponders your questions about Cylence for a moment. "Yes, we often disagree. In some ways, he reminds me of myself 100 years ago, and we all judge our younger selves harshly. Cylence has not spent this century in our Valley, rather he has ranged the continent, from the outlands to cities to the coasts, and he has seen firsthand countless battles and conflicts. He arrived a few years ago, and fell in love with our people. He has since given to us and fought for us, and inspired admiration among many, but he struggles to accept gifts and kindness, so he has found more followers than friends. In his mind, peace can only exist when blade and bow stand ready to fight for it. Of course, I fear he might be right."
Hemlock brews a shining example of a potion of healing, and the seedlings and sprouts embedded in his herb pouch spring to life at his words, ready to provide again sooner than seems possible.
At the same time,Lam studies his new recipes, and is very pleased to realize that some of the steps in a recipe for bread are familiar to him from Hemlock's instruction this morning. As he watches his friend's confident stirring and blending, he feels confident that he'll be able to emulate some of that care, and learn to cook himself, with practice.
Tesfaye busies themself with the studded leather jerkin, mumbling and poking and prodding. Every now and then, they give a little squeak or exclamation of joy, as they solve another piece of the puzzle of applying their infusion to a new material.
Shafollows Lichen to a corner of the southeast branch, where the dryad he had given his vestments to this morning sits with thread and needle, sewing at an impossible pace. Her hands and the thread are moving lightning-fast, and her eyes are completely white. Around her, light pulses from the brightness of the sun to the darkness of the void, making her either blinding or invisible in turns. From what you can make out, the vestments are being sewn together, such that the light and dart are separated by an embroidered tree, whose branches and roots are bright light reaching into the dark half, and inky black bleeding into the light. The dryad is channeling the will of a power that can not be contained within her body, a power that threatens to destroy her, or to remake her. "You have to help her, Sir Gravis! she can not contain all of this!"
Sha gravis puts his paws up in a gesture indicating peace. The manifestation of the goddess’s will is beyond amazing. “To interrupt what is happening Lichen would be extremely dangerous. The desire of a goddess long denied her proper worship is finally being amended, but we can help.”
Sha quickly sets up incense and places his prayer book out, he feels the love and lust the joy and despair. As if in a haze Sha instructs Lichen to assist as Sha vows a vow offering himself a living sacrifice.
in a mixture of goblin and sylvan Sha recites his devotional prayers focusing entirely on the will of his divine goddess.
Even though he feels as if he is slowly being torn apart he continues slowly a healing follows as power surges, Sha uses his goddess power through thaumatugy his voice is loud unashamed, the candle lights are bright and dim the ground itself tremors...
Sha-Gravis is taken by the power. When he offers himself as a living sacrifice, the Dryad almost immediately slumps to the ground and falls over, alive but unconscious. The area in a 30 foot radius around Sha falls into twilight, and those who stand within it feel their worries fade to a peaceful acceptance. Sha feels compelled to take up the needle and thread, though all that is left is to finish the stitch. When he does so, he hears his own prayer echoed in his mind:
"bless this place and those who strive to protect it.”
Once finished, Sha can feel the vestments calling out to him in some part of his mind, and knows that he must perform a ceremony in order to rededicate himself to both sides of his goddess, and to attune to the Vestments of Duality. The twilight sactuary ends, and the lighting returns to normal - clear skies and sunlight filtered down through green leaves. The dryad opens her eyes, but they are still all-white, no pupils or irises. She is blinded, but she seems happy, and at peace. "It is all so beautiful," are the words that come when she finally speaks. Lichen's jaw drops. "I will tell your godess' story, mr. Gravis, and the story of what she made here!"
Once Tecelão-Raiz‘s dedication is complete Sha continues with help from her in rededicating himself also, after which Sha feel’s better and more ready then he has ever felt in his life. He sets into bonding with his vestaments. Then heads back to Saoirse to ask about their next course of action.
Seeing Shaapproach her, the genasi notices the tabaxi's new vestments and smiles at him:
- Look at you, Sha-Gravis! It's as if you were born to wear those robes! You seem more confident and stronger in your faith. I'm happy for you, my friend - she then looks around her, and breathes deeply before adding - I feel like we are so much different than we were only yesterday, when we arrived so exhausted and hurt. Hemlock too seems to have grown amazingly wiser overnight, and it was a joy to watch Lam feeling like he was at home, meeting and bonding with so many people that accepted him just as he is. This place really is something, don't you think? I hope we can help these people out, I feel like I owed them so much in so little time...
They keep talking as they gather their belongings from under their hammocks and spend the last moments before leaving saying their goodbyes the many people they've met in their short stay at Village Tree and to the ones that accompanied them from Coldwater but have decided to follow different path.
You see to the things that need seeing to, and time passes. Tesfaye gives each of you a long, lingering hug. Either their culture is slower to let go, or their anxiety for battle extends to their friends, too.
Muro bows deeply and waves a goodbye, just before Rhys in the form of a giant eagle picks him up unceremoniously by the shoulders and carries him off to the northwest.
So, packed, readied, and rested, the four strange new friends step off of the lift, when the vines finish lowering the wooden platform down the dank, musty forest floor and the base of the skyoak. Where to, now?
“Lam Saoirse Hemlock I just want you to know that no matter what choices you make in the days ahead, or what dire circumstances may unfold; I am honored to know you. I’m not waiting till it’s to late to say this, I lost a lot of hope when I ended up in Coldwater. I thought I would never be accepted even though I know... I nearly gave in to despair. This Village Tree you three and those along the way, it’s amazing, the contrast in just a day. I can only imagine if we prevail this is... I just hope we can become as close as family. I hope it’s not just me.”
Lam nods along with Sha’s sentiment. “It is not just you. I will help however I can. For you. And for this place.”He looks at each of his friends, one at a time, with deep admiration. Sha’s generosity had been the first kindness Lam had experienced in a long time, Saoirse consistently sees the best in Lam and helps him achieve greater things than he could alone, Hemlock is a role model who seems to be wise beyond his years, and all of them are scarily impressive with some kind of magic.
Lam would do anything for any of them.
He turns to Saoirse then, deep in thought. “Where now? You said Kobold mines were more… we should go there first?”
- Let's hope they are all good choices! - Saoirse answers, smiling - But I agree with your every word, Sha. Coldwater brought us together, and together we will keep facing whatever comes our way.
When the lift reaches ground and they are faced with choosing a destination, the genasi breathes deeply and looks at Lam:
- Not that I like the idea of going inside those mines, but it seemed like a more pressing matter. The Artificer seems to be well guarded inside his tower, so it may take more time for those mercenaries Cylence mentioned to to reach him. But the mines, and the possibility of the HMC of reaching a kobold tribe, that sounded worst to me. Kobolds are said to be evil, but after everything we've seen, who knows... If they don't want the HMC in their mines, we could count them as allies. I guess we'll see when we reach them. Anyway, if you also agree with that destination, then we have to go southwest. But there was an HMC stronghold that way, so I think it would be best to not follow the road and stick to going through the forest. Hemlock, can you help me find a proper route with your knowledge of the wilds?
Survival roll to try to find a way to the mines that doesn't take us near the HMC stronghold. First roll=11 Second roll (if I can get advantage with Hemlock's help)=21
Something in her conversation with Hemlock reminds her that the map she saw didn't list HMC "strongholds," but rather "presence," and that the large group of HMC people heading towards coldwater while they met the bear were carrying mining tools. Saoirse realizes that the main group of HMC folks are likely in the mines themself, although avoiding the roads could potentially give you the benefit of surprise. Hemlock is confident that, thanks to the wealth of deer trails and the open space beneath the old growth, staying off of the HMC's roads and avoiding any large groups of them on the way should be a trivial matter. You are also aware of the fact that the Village tree is a sign of a large community beyond just the one space, and suspect that avoiding humanoid eyes altogether would be much harder. Locals live all over this area of the forest, and the group of you do attract some attention.
The Mines are a 1-2 hour walk to the south, and the more 'residential' area of the forest will continue for the first half-hour of that.
"With that being said, I just wanted you to know that I am grateful for your companionship. I expected my journey to be a solitary one, and was prepared for that, but I find it more interesting this way", Hemlock saysafter detailing what he believes the terrain between the Village Tree and the mines to be like. As usual his pronunciation is slow and measured.
"I have never been into a mine, it is not something my clan found necessary, digging down so far. Everything we needed could be found above ground. I wonder what we will find as we venture below. Will there be plant life, or fungi? Nature is marvellously adaptable", he says as they start to walk, not worrying about making a noise this close to Village Tree.
"And tell me more about these kobolds. I too find it hard to believe that a whole race can be evil. But then we Firblogs do like to keep our forests to ourselves, evil or not. I was surprised to see other Firbolgs in Village Tree in truth, very few of my clan have ventured beyond the borders of our land. In fact, I am the first in a very long time".
Sha-gravis renews vigilant blessing on Lam, and touches Saoirse with guidance as she leads us on our way to the mines. He has donned his armor shield vestaments and carries Alptraum ready.
- I don't really know much else about kobolds, I'm afraid. And you are right: they shouldn't necessary be evil as a whole. But if the HMC has been delving near their home, they could feel threatened and thus not feel specially friendly towards strangers. We'll have to be careful. Anyway, we still have a couple of hours ahead ... let's use the trails you've mentioned when we get nearer to the mines. That might give us the element of surprise.
With that, she starts walking and will keep talking to her companions during the first half an hour or so of the journey, but will remain more silent and vigilant as they approach their destination.
Perception just in case (14) + Sha's guidance (3) = 17.
The four of you journey out of the deepest part of the woods, and get close enough to see the more heavily trafficked road, deep ruts cut into it by heavy wagons moving to and from Coldwater keep. Your follow parallel to the road on deer trails and improvised paths for another half hour, and then suddenly Saoirse realizes that they are being followed. The hairs on the back of her neck begin to stand up, and she turns around to just barely see the shining point of an arrow, sticking out from a bush behind them. Someone has prepared to fire on you.
I'll go ahead and roll initiative for you all. Damn, the auto-roller was very kind to the PCs: Sha-Gravis (17);Saoirse (15); Lam (14);Ambusher (11); Hemlock (11);
Sha’s heart skips a beat, knowing the goddess has a dark side. “Hemlock my friend I have no interest in having my mind sharpened please you may have Tesfaye’s ‘battery’.” As he chases after Lichen letting lead the way.
The genasi approaches the beautiful red-tailed hawk carefully, so as not to scare it away with any sudden movement.
- Hello, friend - she says, and slowly moves a hand towards it, wanting to touch it slightly if possible. Though she will glance first at Rhys to check with him if this is allowed or not before actually touching the animal.
Then she concentrates in the person she wants the message delivered too. So she closes her eyes and thinks of Cait, her mother. She goes over her familiar human features, so different to the young genasi's: long brown hair, blue eyes, tanned skin that is of course so much lighter than Saoirse's ashen one, her almost ever-present kind smile - except perhaps when she's focused on a fight, as the genasi has seen so many times while training together. If a stranger were to see the two females side by side - or Saoirse and her father, Jaime, for that matter - no one would ever say they are blood related, but that's what happens on the extremely rare occasions a genasi is born to human parents.
When the memory of Cait Leoht is clear enough in her mind, Saoirse opens her eyes and speaks the message to be delivered. She knows it has to be short to be delivered by the hawk, so though she would like to say more she just says:
- "Mother: found trouble at Springdawn and ended up in Silver Stream Valley. I can help here, so I will stay for now. Please be well."
When she looks back to Rhys she thanks him for helping her contact her family. And seeing that this might be the last private moment she may have with the druid before more people enter the Western Lookout, she asks him about his relationship with Cylence:
- I noticed that you and Cylence have very opposed opinions and personalities. He seems so different to everyone around here. More... how to say it... direct? And keener on acting against the invaders. I wonder how you to mange to run things around here despite that! I also noticed the locals don't seem as close to him as they are to you. Is he perhaps not from around here? - she stops to think for a second - Now that I think of it, Saffron did mention he's been only living here for a rather short while. Well, I hope you don't mind my saying all of this. Please excuse me if I'm being too curious!
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Hemlock listens to Tesfaye explain the magical battery, a little curious to know this strange feeling he mentions, but not intending to request it for himself. But when Sha-Gravis gets up to leave and tells them all he had no interest, and after Lam and Saoirse had also declined, he acquiesces.
"Very well, Tesfaye. I would be honoured to benefit from your magic, and will ensure it is used to help the others as well", he says. "I assume you will need my armour", he adds, removing the studded leather jerkin he has on. Anyone paying close attention would notice that the studs are not made of metal, but of hardened and sharpened wood.
"Whilst you are doing that, I can busy myself as well". With that he takes out his herbalism kit and opens his magical herb pouch made of mosses and lichens and places it down in front of him right then and there. The herbs necessary for making a healing potion almost spring out with vitality as he does so. He takes his clippers and very carefully harvests all the herbs, placing them into his mortar. He very carefully and deliberately grinds them with his pestle, over and over again as time ticks on, gradually adding some drops of water. Once they have been turned into a paste, he transfers it into a glass jar, and tops it up with water from his waterskin. Placing a stopper into the jar, he shakes it for what feels like an age, occasionally looking at it closely before starting again.
When it is finally ready, he turns to the herb pouch and speaks softly in druidic to what are now mere seeds, "Bydded eich bywiogrwydd yn addas i iachau eraill, a bydded i chwi dyfu eto". With that he pours a little water in and infuses it with some of his magic.
“May your vitality lend itself to heal others, and may you grow again”
With that done, he looks about to see whether his friends are still there.
Short Rest
Self-Fillng Herb Pouch Recharge: 1 Day
When Tesfaye embraces Lam, he is surprised at first but accepts it- Tesfaye feels Lam’s breath catch slightly, but a deep exhale right after. “…Yeah. Not yet.” He says in response to Tesfaye. Then he just watches the tortle for a few moments- the words they’re saying to Sha and Hemlock might as well be a different language, just like what Rhys is saying to the hawk. His friend is so smart.
When Lichen comes in and summons Sha, Lam goes on alert and almost follows the two of them, getting as far as the entrance before he decides to trust Sha and wait to hear if anyone else is needed. He sits down right on the floor close to the entrance where Sha left and watches what his other friends are doing. Saoirse is sending a message- she has somewhere to return to eventually and people who wonder where she is. Hemlock is doing something fascinating with a new item he got, which reminds Lam that he got some items as well. He takes out his recipes and begins to read through them- he attempts to figure out some of the terms through context clues and decide which recipe looks the simplest to execute. He resolves that next time he gets a chance to cook again, he will try it.
Perception check to see if it seems like someone should maybe follow Sha? 2, so I am guessing Lam won’t know either way! Sha just left too quick!
If we do get a short rest here, is this a time where I could do a learn check? To try to begin a path towards cooking (cook’s utensils) mastery? If so: 16
"She likes a little scratch at the back of her head, but she doesn't like to be touched anywhere else - very protective of her flight feathers, she is, and more than a little vain." Rhys ponders your questions about Cylence for a moment. "Yes, we often disagree. In some ways, he reminds me of myself 100 years ago, and we all judge our younger selves harshly. Cylence has not spent this century in our Valley, rather he has ranged the continent, from the outlands to cities to the coasts, and he has seen firsthand countless battles and conflicts. He arrived a few years ago, and fell in love with our people. He has since given to us and fought for us, and inspired admiration among many, but he struggles to accept gifts and kindness, so he has found more followers than friends. In his mind, peace can only exist when blade and bow stand ready to fight for it. Of course, I fear he might be right."
Hemlock brews a shining example of a potion of healing, and the seedlings and sprouts embedded in his herb pouch spring to life at his words, ready to provide again sooner than seems possible.
At the same time, Lam studies his new recipes, and is very pleased to realize that some of the steps in a recipe for bread are familiar to him from Hemlock's instruction this morning. As he watches his friend's confident stirring and blending, he feels confident that he'll be able to emulate some of that care, and learn to cook himself, with practice.
Tesfaye busies themself with the studded leather jerkin, mumbling and poking and prodding. Every now and then, they give a little squeak or exclamation of joy, as they solve another piece of the puzzle of applying their infusion to a new material.
Sha follows Lichen to a corner of the southeast branch, where the dryad he had given his vestments to this morning sits with thread and needle, sewing at an impossible pace. Her hands and the thread are moving lightning-fast, and her eyes are completely white. Around her, light pulses from the brightness of the sun to the darkness of the void, making her either blinding or invisible in turns. From what you can make out, the vestments are being sewn together, such that the light and dart are separated by an embroidered tree, whose branches and roots are bright light reaching into the dark half, and inky black bleeding into the light. The dryad is channeling the will of a power that can not be contained within her body, a power that threatens to destroy her, or to remake her. "You have to help her, Sir Gravis! she can not contain all of this!"
DM: Heavy is the Head
Sha gravis puts his paws up in a gesture indicating peace. The manifestation of the goddess’s will is beyond amazing. “To interrupt what is happening Lichen would be extremely dangerous. The desire of a goddess long denied her proper worship is finally being amended, but we can help.”
Sha quickly sets up incense and places his prayer book out, he feels the love and lust the joy and despair. As if in a haze Sha instructs Lichen to assist as Sha vows a vow offering himself a living sacrifice.
in a mixture of goblin and sylvan Sha recites his devotional prayers focusing entirely on the will of his divine goddess.
Even though he feels as if he is slowly being torn apart he continues slowly a healing follows as power surges, Sha uses his goddess power through thaumatugy his voice is loud unashamed, the candle lights are bright and dim the ground itself tremors...
Sha-Gravis is taken by the power. When he offers himself as a living sacrifice, the Dryad almost immediately slumps to the ground and falls over, alive but unconscious. The area in a 30 foot radius around Sha falls into twilight, and those who stand within it feel their worries fade to a peaceful acceptance. Sha feels compelled to take up the needle and thread, though all that is left is to finish the stitch. When he does so, he hears his own prayer echoed in his mind:
Once finished, Sha can feel the vestments calling out to him in some part of his mind, and knows that he must perform a ceremony in order to rededicate himself to both sides of his goddess, and to attune to the Vestments of Duality. The twilight sactuary ends, and the lighting returns to normal - clear skies and sunlight filtered down through green leaves. The dryad opens her eyes, but they are still all-white, no pupils or irises. She is blinded, but she seems happy, and at peace. "It is all so beautiful," are the words that come when she finally speaks. Lichen's jaw drops. "I will tell your godess' story, mr. Gravis, and the story of what she made here!"
DM: Heavy is the Head
“Tecelão-Raiz with your consent I’d very much like to dedicate you for what has been done here today.”
If Tecelão-Raiz is agreeable Sha will begin the ritual.
"Yes." The dryad eagerly accepts. "After what I have seen, I am a servant of the goddess, always."
DM: Heavy is the Head
Once Tecelão-Raiz‘s dedication is complete Sha continues with help from her in rededicating himself also, after which Sha feel’s better and more ready then he has ever felt in his life. He sets into bonding with his vestaments. Then heads back to Saoirse to ask about their next course of action.
Seeing Sha approach her, the genasi notices the tabaxi's new vestments and smiles at him:
- Look at you, Sha-Gravis! It's as if you were born to wear those robes! You seem more confident and stronger in your faith. I'm happy for you, my friend - she then looks around her, and breathes deeply before adding - I feel like we are so much different than we were only yesterday, when we arrived so exhausted and hurt. Hemlock too seems to have grown amazingly wiser overnight, and it was a joy to watch Lam feeling like he was at home, meeting and bonding with so many people that accepted him just as he is. This place really is something, don't you think? I hope we can help these people out, I feel like I owed them so much in so little time...
They keep talking as they gather their belongings from under their hammocks and spend the last moments before leaving saying their goodbyes the many people they've met in their short stay at Village Tree and to the ones that accompanied them from Coldwater but have decided to follow different path.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
You see to the things that need seeing to, and time passes. Tesfaye gives each of you a long, lingering hug. Either their culture is slower to let go, or their anxiety for battle extends to their friends, too.
Muro bows deeply and waves a goodbye, just before Rhys in the form of a giant eagle picks him up unceremoniously by the shoulders and carries him off to the northwest.
So, packed, readied, and rested, the four strange new friends step off of the lift, when the vines finish lowering the wooden platform down the dank, musty forest floor and the base of the skyoak. Where to, now?
https://www.owlbear.app/room/5nRs1L_uFdxM/HeavyistheHeadPBP
DM: Heavy is the Head
“Lam Saoirse Hemlock I just want you to know that no matter what choices you make in the days ahead, or what dire circumstances may unfold; I am honored to know you. I’m not waiting till it’s to late to say this, I lost a lot of hope when I ended up in Coldwater. I thought I would never be accepted even though I know... I nearly gave in to despair. This Village Tree you three and those along the way, it’s amazing, the contrast in just a day. I can only imagine if we prevail this is... I just hope we can become as close as family. I hope it’s not just me.”
Lam nods along with Sha’s sentiment. “It is not just you. I will help however I can. For you. And for this place.” He looks at each of his friends, one at a time, with deep admiration. Sha’s generosity had been the first kindness Lam had experienced in a long time, Saoirse consistently sees the best in Lam and helps him achieve greater things than he could alone, Hemlock is a role model who seems to be wise beyond his years, and all of them are scarily impressive with some kind of magic.
Lam would do anything for any of them.
He turns to Saoirse then, deep in thought. “Where now? You said Kobold mines were more… we should go there first?”
- Let's hope they are all good choices! - Saoirse answers, smiling - But I agree with your every word, Sha. Coldwater brought us together, and together we will keep facing whatever comes our way.
When the lift reaches ground and they are faced with choosing a destination, the genasi breathes deeply and looks at Lam:
- Not that I like the idea of going inside those mines, but it seemed like a more pressing matter. The Artificer seems to be well guarded inside his tower, so it may take more time for those mercenaries Cylence mentioned to to reach him. But the mines, and the possibility of the HMC of reaching a kobold tribe, that sounded worst to me. Kobolds are said to be evil, but after everything we've seen, who knows... If they don't want the HMC in their mines, we could count them as allies. I guess we'll see when we reach them. Anyway, if you also agree with that destination, then we have to go southwest. But there was an HMC stronghold that way, so I think it would be best to not follow the road and stick to going through the forest. Hemlock, can you help me find a proper route with your knowledge of the wilds?
Survival roll to try to find a way to the mines that doesn't take us near the HMC stronghold. First roll=11 Second roll (if I can get advantage with Hemlock's help)=21
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Something in her conversation with Hemlock reminds her that the map she saw didn't list HMC "strongholds," but rather "presence," and that the large group of HMC people heading towards coldwater while they met the bear were carrying mining tools. Saoirse realizes that the main group of HMC folks are likely in the mines themself, although avoiding the roads could potentially give you the benefit of surprise. Hemlock is confident that, thanks to the wealth of deer trails and the open space beneath the old growth, staying off of the HMC's roads and avoiding any large groups of them on the way should be a trivial matter. You are also aware of the fact that the Village tree is a sign of a large community beyond just the one space, and suspect that avoiding humanoid eyes altogether would be much harder. Locals live all over this area of the forest, and the group of you do attract some attention.
The Mines are a 1-2 hour walk to the south, and the more 'residential' area of the forest will continue for the first half-hour of that.
DM: Heavy is the Head
"With that being said, I just wanted you to know that I am grateful for your companionship. I expected my journey to be a solitary one, and was prepared for that, but I find it more interesting this way", Hemlock saysafter detailing what he believes the terrain between the Village Tree and the mines to be like. As usual his pronunciation is slow and measured.
"I have never been into a mine, it is not something my clan found necessary, digging down so far. Everything we needed could be found above ground. I wonder what we will find as we venture below. Will there be plant life, or fungi? Nature is marvellously adaptable", he says as they start to walk, not worrying about making a noise this close to Village Tree.
"And tell me more about these kobolds. I too find it hard to believe that a whole race can be evil. But then we Firblogs do like to keep our forests to ourselves, evil or not. I was surprised to see other Firbolgs in Village Tree in truth, very few of my clan have ventured beyond the borders of our land. In fact, I am the first in a very long time".
Sha-gravis renews vigilant blessing on Lam, and touches Saoirse with guidance as she leads us on our way to the mines. He has donned his armor shield vestaments and carries Alptraum ready.
- I don't really know much else about kobolds, I'm afraid. And you are right: they shouldn't necessary be evil as a whole. But if the HMC has been delving near their home, they could feel threatened and thus not feel specially friendly towards strangers. We'll have to be careful. Anyway, we still have a couple of hours ahead ... let's use the trails you've mentioned when we get nearer to the mines. That might give us the element of surprise.
With that, she starts walking and will keep talking to her companions during the first half an hour or so of the journey, but will remain more silent and vigilant as they approach their destination.
Perception just in case (14) + Sha's guidance (3) = 17.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
The four of you journey out of the deepest part of the woods, and get close enough to see the more heavily trafficked road, deep ruts cut into it by heavy wagons moving to and from Coldwater keep. Your follow parallel to the road on deer trails and improvised paths for another half hour, and then suddenly Saoirse realizes that they are being followed. The hairs on the back of her neck begin to stand up, and she turns around to just barely see the shining point of an arrow, sticking out from a bush behind them. Someone has prepared to fire on you.
I'll go ahead and roll initiative for you all. Damn, the auto-roller was very kind to the PCs: Sha-Gravis (17); Saoirse (15); Lam (14); Ambusher (11); Hemlock (11);
https://www.owlbear.app/room/5nRs1L_uFdxM/HeavyistheHeadPBP
DM: Heavy is the Head