Endra screams as the tentacle grips around his ankle. The worst part was that looking up and following the path where the tentacle follows is only just a shadow of Rikard's former self. The war veteran's skin looked as pale as possible but his eyes wild but also not yet there. His mouth oozed with pus and saliva. The tongue still writhing on the ground. He moved closer to him with such an animal fury. Clawing, grabbing, grasping, biting. But yet he still looked so... human.

Scratching his own way out too, Endra attempts to use Entangle. From the sullen dirt, weeds ache their way through, snaking up around the monster's tentacle and wrestling it as two snakes would do. Then the vines grow taller, over towering Rikkard until they pin the former man to the ground, still spazzing and convulsing. "I got him! I got him!" Endra shouts over at Tendilius's comment. 

The win is only temporary though. Rik's spine, just like his mind, seemed to be reduced to ooze as despite being covering in vines and weeds, he managed to squeeze himself out. Just like an octopus. So much for vertebrae. With mouth agape, the dreg grabs for Endra once again, getting the druid boy by his neck, this time squeezing hard.

Round 1 begins...

Initiative Order

(21) Heiboros 

• Disengage
• Move 30 ft up by flying

(17) Tendilius

• Attack @Dreg with Eldritch Blast 13 > AC 11 A Hit ----> Rikkard takes 12 damage ---> Rikkard is now at 10/22 HP
• Move 30 ft from dreg to the east

(15) Endra 

• Use spell Beast Bond ----> Intel of Dreg 7 > 4 ---> Spell Fails

(13) Ka-Cha

• Attack @Dreg with chat'kha 11 = 11 AC A Hit ----> Rikkard Dreg takes 11 damage ---> Rikkard  Dreg is now at at 0/22 HP and is Dead

(12) Juniper 

• No Action

(11) Hadrian

• Attack @Dreg with Greatsword 22 > 11 AC A hit ---> Rikkard takes 12 damage ---> Rikkard is like double dead 

(7) Dabbert

• Move closer to the Dreg

(3) Rikard (Tentacled Dreg) (22/22 HP) 

• End of Round: Dead

 

Heiboros flies up and away from the monster upon, readying for battle as the dreg squeezes his former companion tighter. Endra's face starts to turn blue as he too tries to claw at the tentacle. 

Tendilius moves fast. Without hesitation he goes forth ans casts a beam of cracking energy. The fiendish lightning sizzles and tears at the dregs flesh to the point where he now smells like burnt meat. But that doesn't stop him anyways. Rikkard, ignoring his adversaries, continues his assault against the druid. "Rik, stop please it's me!" Cries Endra. "Why?" His words are halted in between breathes.

Shakily he puts his hand forward and he tries to make contact with the beast. Using Beast Bond he lays his hand in front of him and onto the face of the monster. Rikkard's mouth opens to bite, his few leftover teeth still falling in the process. But then his eyes roll back and so does Endra's. 

At the same second, without even getting up from his seat, a chat-kha is flung and flies over at the tentacle that is choking Ednra. Ka-Cha's blade severs and cuts the octopus tentacle like calamari. It falls flat on the ground with a murky thud, along with Endra, who is dropped from the chokehold. Blinking, the druid gasps and scrambles over on all fours towards the tents to hide. The dreg now turns its head over at the the commotion. "Hrghhhrhh?" It chokes out. The arm spot bleeding sticky slimey red blood onto the mud.

As about the dreg was going to take a step, Hadrian comes on out and takes a swing with his great sword. The pirate needs no test on swordsmanship as the blade comes down from behind and into the back of the former human. The blade clips out from the front as it takes down the last bit of arm left. The monster heaves and falls forward with a step. His body parts twitching like putting salt on a dead octopus. 

Round 1 ends.

Eren somehow steps out from the shadows of the woods (wow when did they get there). Their stick, the one that they had been carving, is now a pointed stake. They stab the very dead body of Rikkard in the back. "Like a vampire!" They shout. "And don't comes coming back!"

Endra lays on the floor, panting heavily and rubbing his head. "I'm not real. I- I'm not real. This isn't real. Need to eat. Hungry. Need to eat. Everything. They're getting me. Swords. Hands. Vines. Killing me. Ahhh! Stop. Stop. Make it stop." He is shaking. The tears are running down his face and his hands are clawing at his eyes.

"Whoa slow down, buddy." Ludwig goes over to grab his friend who is now sobbing and shouting in between tears hysterically. He pries his friends' hands away from his own face. "What's happening. What did you do? Are you okay?!" Endra does not answer. He just sits there and cries, rocking back and forth as Ludwig pats him. "It's gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay."

""**** guys, I am so sorry. I- I didn't expect this would happen. Are you all okay?

((Man y'all kill them so good. man a 3. rik had no chance. dead. I gotta up the ante or something))

"Uh.  Do we need to wash our weapons after getting that ooze on them?"

Ka-Cha asks telepathically.

It's over in the blink of an eye.  Dabbert sees the creature fall, and then sighs, his eyes shifting to Endra as he has his crisis of reality.  The warriors hand comes up, rubbing across his face.  

"That could have been bad."  He says, replacing his shield onto his back.  His hands are shaking from the adrenaline dump.  "We have to be more careful."  

He eyes Ludwig and Endra.  

"I hope you two are okay."  He says, keeping a cautious distance.  "No more mincing words or making excuses about rabies or uh...whatever.  Are either of you sick?  Because I don't want to deal with that sort of thing in the middle of the night when people are trying to sleep.  Getting caught unaware could get someone killed."  

His eyes shift uneasily to Rikard's metamorphosed body.  He winces at his hard words.  Hard.  But necessary.  He thinks about his comment.  Probably won't be much sleeping tonight regardless.  Not after that.  

"For what it's worth, I wish it hadn't happened."  He says, making it a point not to apologize.  The team hadn't killed Rikard.  It had been the fog.  Mist.  Corruption.  The star.  The star is what had killed Rikard, more than blade or magic.  That damned star.  

As Dabbert talks to the other two, Tendilius comes back and sits on the log nearest to the fallen corpse. He takes out his book and starts scribbling out a depiction of the body and the fight.

Tentacled Dreg; Dreggius Tentalicus, Deceased

Subject was brought to our camp by two companions claiming they had purged the contamination. However this turned out to be false. As Heiboros, a fascinating aarkocra shadow sorcerer, examined the subject it moaned. According to the companions, the subject had indeed touched a crystal in Drakkenheim in addition to prolonged exposure to the haze.

During Heiboros' examination the subject remained fully aware of its surroundings, though in poor physical condition. Its tongue (gotta look at the tongues!) was malformed and various fingers and fingernails fell off with ease. It appears this incapacitated state is partially an indicator for the final metamorphosis. In fact it would cough and appear dead for a moment before attacking.

In combat the subject was swift and nimble, not needing bones anymore. While bestial in mannerisms it maintained an intelligence above the level of animals and spells that only affect animals proved ineffective. THEY CAN STILL THINK! I will have to examine if these creatures are able to have a society of sorts. Hidden to less observant eyes? Against the might of our group it fell quickly. But would've proved a difficult foe to lesser fighters.

During the fight Endra, one of the subject's companions, was bit on the neck. I am excited to see what this reveals about the nature of such contamination and how contagious it might be.

The battle was over before Juniper could blink, yet alone raise her wand towards the contaminated man. Shame and relief were found in equal measure with the realization. Shame, for finding herself frozen when swift action had been needed. And relief, for not needing to act, all thanks to her companions making quick work of the condemned. Bringing justice upon those set to banditry was one thing, but the thought of needing to enact violence on the crying, dying man sent the druid's stomach into roiling knots.

An attempt to recover was made, along with a wobbly nod towards Ludwig's question. "Ahm-... quite, but," Her gaze shifted to settle on Dabbert, a silent affirmation of her like-minded thoughts. If the strangers were to share their fire, how could they assure that everyone was alive to see the dawn?

“Yuck.” Hearing Ka-Cha’s voice telepathically in his head, Hadrian realizes the disgusting ooze left on his blade after he sliced off Rikard’s tentacle. He tries to wipe the ooze on his trousers, but the sticky residue only smears, so he gives up and slides the sword back into its sheath on his back.

He takes out the dagger tied to the side of his boot. As he steps towards the two figures, he tosses the dagger into the air, catching it deftly by the hilt as it comes down. Then he stops in front of the huddled Luwig and Endra, following up Dabbert's comment. “You heard him. Take a hike.” He says to the two men, making it clear they are not welcome here. 

Ludwig wipes the tears from Endra's eyes as the druid begins to just sit there, eyes blank. The stares from the campers in front of his is too reminiscent of the ones from the family dinning table he once sat in. 'When are you getting a job.' 'When are you finding a wife?' 'When do you find out what are you going to do with the rest of your life?'

"No. I don't think so. We had gloves. Um, Rikard... did not. Always said things are better 'hands-on'! Haha" He does a little fist pump pose and mildly chuckles before his gaze go down from the aforementioned Rik's dead body to then the others. "I mean. At least, I feel fine. No. I don't think I'm sick." The noble wrings his hands a bit more. The curious looks that Tendilius gives the corpses worries him, especially given that now he knows that he was a wizard... or something of that sort. One or the other. All the magic-people he couldn't ever wrap his head. "Sorry." His voice sounds like he doesn't know where to best place his anger. At the star. At the campers. At Rik. At Endra. At himself.  "No. You're right."

Eren takes a look around the campfire and agrees. The fire's light makes the wrinkles around their face all the more clear. "I think you both should go." Ludwig nods solemnly, scowls and narrows his eyes at Hadrian, then takes one more piece of jerky (it was lying there on the logs) for the road before hoisting up his friend on his shoulders. His eyes widen at how eerily similar this was to just moments before. Instead, he gets lightly pushed off. "I'm- I'm fine." Endra reassures. He rubs his neck and dusts himself off. "Let's go."

Eren ends up giving them Molly, who snorts, but lets the two new men take her. Ludwig hauls himself over on top while Endra just walks on the side. "You're really not gonna ride?" The druid shakes his head 'no'. Then the two ride (and walk) off stubbornly into the darkness of the night. You see them go about a couple of hundred of feet away before they suddenly stop and Endra gets onto the horse as well. After a while you don't see the light of their lantern anymore.

"Well that was fun." Eren comments and puts out the fire. "See yalls in the morning. I'll be putings yous in contacts with mys good ol' business partner, Armin Gainsbury. We'lls be hitting the road soon enough."

Welcome to Emberwood Village

Sure enough, you all do. The rain that Endra predicted comes through and swift. It hails and its a drencher. The roof of the caravan near sinks in from the water. Eren has to go drain out a couple times, so you guys stop more than a couple dozen times before you all make it. The ride to the ways out to Emberwood Village is bumpy. Aside from a couple crows cawing, there is literally no other noise. Even Eren is uncharacteristically silent.

"Hey there, Scare." They ruffle the hair of the little girl who smiles and brushes their fingers off their hair. "Ain't you always something."

The girl only giggles. The draft horse whinnies and nuzzles her. "Okay, Bacon Grease." Eren just shrugs with a smirk. They then fiddle through their bag.

'Well here's yalls money." They hand you 25 gold pieces each. "Thanks for being there thoughs all this. It's been a hell of a lot. Be careful out there." They tip their leather cap at you. "I'lls visits yalls at the Bark and Buzzard if that's where you'll happens to go. Other than that I'm sures Little Miss Scares over here knows where to take ya. She's quite the perceptive one. And the haggler." Eren leaves you all off here and hitches their caravan elsewhere in the village.

The girl steps up right in front of all of you and reaches out with her hand. 

"Howdy! I'm Crowe. Emma Crowe. Of Crowe and Sons Smithy!" She tips her small hat that looks just like Eren's. "And I'm open for tours!" She points to a very official looking scrap of paper that is pinned to her chest that says 'tour guide'.

"For one coin. That's all"

"You are a human larva?", asks Ka-Cha.  "I have only seen adults before.  Yes please, I would like to "tour" your human hive."  He hands her a gold coin.

"Crowe? As in Sebastian Crowe? He was always a weird one. Disappeared one day. Just up and left. Never made much sense to me." To Ka-Cha he says, "They call the chicks 'children'" then back to Emma, "He meant no offense. He's new to human society." 

[Now, a little rp for the road.] Heiboros still prefers hovering to walking. However, at one point he approaches Tendilius as they are walking. "Now, most people can't tell the difference between a wizard and a warlock, but I can. I suppose you know that too. You wouldn't happen to speak Abyssal, would you? Nevermind. Anyway, you've had your first taste of drakkenheim. It was intriguing to say the least, fascinating, even. I hope you and I can discover our own ways to use the Delerium. And if you're helpful enough, I might even keep it secret from the academy." He gives a knowing wink before beating his wings and flying back up into the sky. 

Tendilius shrugs as Ka-Cha hands the girl a gold coin. Bit more than I'd have paid, but it's the bug's money. He asks the girl, "So you got any libraries here?" Side-eyeing Heiboros with thoughts of the previous day's interaction he adds, "I'm a simple scholar looking to expand his knowledge."

Dabbert smiles at the cute kid that they get turned over to, and as Ka-Cha addresses her as a 'human larva' and gives her a coin.  His smile only widens as the Aarakocra, of all things, corrects the situation and calls her a chick, like she's the offspring of some kind of bird person...like an Aarakocra.  

"I bet her uh...tour is very thorough, eh Emma?"  Dabbert says, looking down at the little girl.  "It's been a little bit since I've been through Emberwood, so it's a good thing you're here to get us straight.  I'd say..."  He looks at Tendilius... "...that when we pass the library, you'll point it out for my friend?  But while you're doing it, can you do us a favor?  Can you tell us if you've heard any rumors or weird stories or anything like that around town lately, and if so by who and where?"    

The druid kept a wary eye on the departing pair until they were out if sight and well out of earshot. A sincere, "Thank you," was given to Dabbert and Hadrian for their insistence on the matter. Her worries dispelled by the dismissal of the strangers, Juniper went back making sure that their fire and meal were seen to.

The following day, as the caravan was readying for its final bit of travel, she went to Dabbert and politely tapped his shoulder.

"Dabbert, good morning to you." A courteous smile matched her tone as her hand left his shoulder to gesture to the front of the carriage. "You had mentioned that you'd be willing to take over the duty of watch the other day, if I'm remembering right? I'd hoped that you might do so today, if it's not too much trouble."

--------

From her new vantage point within the caravan, Juniper watched the downpour throughout the dreary day. She helped Ebdra with reliving the canvas of the water's weight, seemingly unbothered with the drenching received while out from beneath its protection. It was the growing, quiet dread that held her attention the closer they got to the city. Uneasy fidgeting gave way to a cautious optimism once the caravan reached the center of Emberwood and all its lively activity. Especially as the girl made her introduction.

"Juniper, a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Emma." Another gold coin joined their guide's quickly growing fortunes. "Make that two who'd be interested in a library. If there is one that is."

(Previously...)

Dab almost jumps when Juniper touches him, but is quick to regain his composure.  

"Morning."  He says, intentionally or not leaving out the 'good' part.  "Aye, I did.  I can take it from here, no trouble."  

Having seen the Druid's stalwart demeanor, and guile in battle, he takes a moment to scrutinize her.  

"You uh...alright?"

Hadrian watches with a soft smile as Eren ruffles the little girl’s hair, and the girl brushes their fingers away, giggling. She reminds him a bit of his little sister, Talia. The same bright spirit and boundless energy. Though the last memory he has of her was that stormy night on the ship, the deck slick with rain and the wind howling around them. Talia’s small figure darted across the slippery planks, her voice barely audible over the storm as she pleaded with him to stay, her little face drenched with rain and tears. He had turned away then. Whatever garbage father had fed her, Hadrian knows she deserves better than a life at sea.

Snapping back from the memory, he raises an eyebrow as his companions hand over gold coins with surprising generosity. One gold for a tour? Not something he’d have spent money on, but it’s their coin to toss away.

Hadrian leans down a bit to Emma’s level, his coat rustles softly, the scent of salt and sea air clinging to it. “Pleasure to meet you, Miss Crowe,” He says, “You know where people around here gather and talk? Where they share stories and news? I’m looking for a place where we can catch some information. Can you point it out to us?”

The child's face gleams as she takes the bug-guy's coin. Oh it was so cool! And no way?! Was it speaking to her in her head?! She tries to respond back in her head too but instead just blurts out loud. "Wha- WHOA how did you do that?! Can you teach me?!" She jumps up and down with giddy energy. "Do YOU start off as larva? Did you hatch?! Do you molt?" Then she looks over to Heiboros, "Did you hatch too?!"

"You're just like Wormy! Where is he-" She shakes her curls a little, and in no time, a little caterpillar pops of and falls off into her hands right underneath it. "Found this little guy today! We don't get much bugs here. I mean, my mom, she used to talk about the snails and the birds that used to be in the garden. But I've never seen any!" The little caterpillar just inches along in her palm. She moves it to her other hand (the one with the gold coin) and uses her open palm to collect Juniper's coin. "Thank you!!!" Wormy goes and climbs on top of it like a small tower as she stacks it up in her other hand.

Emma looks around to see if anybody else would give and looks thoroughly disappointed that that was it.

She snorts at Heiboros, "You've heard of my brother?!" She shrugs in a way like 'who hasn't' then laughs heartily and wraps her fingers in circles around her eyes like goggles (Wormy hangs on top of her left hand like an upside-down monocle trail). "I'm Sebastian Crowe! And I start fires!" She then proceeds to do a kicking the door type gesture. "He always comes and goes. I don't think he's been missing that long." Emma then scrunches her face to think about it but it's just as soon replaced with her usual jovial attitude. When Hadrian looks down on her, she stands on her tiptoes. Yes, like a real adult. The smell of salt and sea air is something she is unfamiliar with. It reminds her of briny pickles.

"Ummmm let me see. Libraries? That's new. Nobody ever really asks around for those. I don't think we've ever had any. Most stories people tell are just out loud. My favorite's the one about the dragon jumping the moon." She taps her chin as Wormy crawls up her arm. "I think that old guy in the Lion Hotel probably has some. He's always talked fine art this books that. I bet he has some stored away."

"Oh! I should take you to the Gilded Lily! Tonight's Open Mike Night!" She again puts Wormy on her head and gestures for you to follow. "It's actually every night!" Along the paved path comes another covered caravan going the opposite way from which you came. The couple driving waves, and she waves back. "Byeeeee!" 

Rather than take the old beaten path, Emma diverts you towards the regular dirt patched alleyways of a couple of clustered cottages. She then stops midway through.

"I was gonna take you to the Gilded Lily, but there's also the Bark and Buzzard and then the Skull and Sword. Everything's named with two things. Green Yellow. If I had a store I'd name it that. Then people would not know what it would be about. Or what color it would be. People in this town talk so much. Yadda yadda yadda. Where to first?!"

(Earlier that day...)

The missing 'good' in his greeting was certainly felt, Juniper's smile faltering to something more half-hearted in understanding tandem. "As right as one can be," She replied truthfully, then after a moment's hesitation added, "Still... settling in to what's expected, I suppose. Learning what is expected, really." The shawl's fringe twisted into tiny knots beneath her fingers with the confession, before she forced them still and took a steadying breath.

"But, nothing's a better teacher than experience, as they say." The smile widened a hair, lips tightening at the corners. "I'm just glad I've found myself in the company of those who've learned such lessons already." With that, she gestured towards the shotgun's seat with a nod and, "Thank you," then took her new position at the back.

-----

The druid dropped low on her heels with the reveal of the green little friend, eyes crinkled at the corners with her delight. Talking, walking, rather large anthropoids weren't exactly in her wheelhouse, but the tiny creature fell squarely into that category. She listened as the conversation went on, though her gaze stayed focused on Wormy.

"Oh? Well, that's to be expected, I suppose..." She resigned herself to the lack of library with a disappointed huff and straightened, glancing sidelong towards Tendilius. "The Lion Hotel may be worth a stop?" She murmured to the half-elf as their guided tour continued, "When we've a moment to, that is."

"Lion Hotel sounds like a great idea, Juniper." says Tendilius with a smile. Fine arts and books. His favorite.

As Emma goes on about the various places Tendilius asks, "Any of them have a good brandy?" turning the others, "Though I will say a night of singing always has its charm."

Emma shrugs at Juniper's disappointment, "Yeah, sorry. About that. I mean there used to be some sort of real special tower that I think had a lot of books in it. But that's in Drakkenheim. My dad doesn't let me go all the way out there. Says it's 'too dangerous.'" She frowns a little and crosses her arms. Wormy seems to have taken a liking to sitting on her shoulder. "But like my brother's always out there. And it's not like he gets in trouble! I'm old enough! My brothers can go everywhere. Well not Peter. He doesn't go out much... So I only know about the village. BUT! I know everything that comes and goes! I'm the lookout! Lookout Crowe." 

"Ummm brandy? That's like beer isn't it? Um I dunno. I know my dad likes the Gilded Lily because they only have..." She counts on her fingers, "wine, coffee, and .... um spirits." 

"I think the Bark and Buzzard has... ale? Oh! AND Once you get there you can get to kick the can!" She looks so happy at this. She looks at her hand to where there is a bunch of scribbling markings on it. Looks like she took notes.

"And the Skull and Sword has everything. Oh yeah! Including- that's right here- brandy! And gin and rum and vodka! Like my brother said. Everything!"

She walks up to the edge of the alleyway towards the side of the street. The street is alive and busy with many people coming and going. A whole lot of adventurer. A few commonfolk. You can tell by the way that they're outwardly dressed that some people here are more prepared for going into the city than the others. A lot of others seem to want to be left alone. Or are actively selling their wares.

Emma straights out her 'tour guide' tag a little bit. She points over to a large red manor from across the street. It is a two-story brick manor with the ashy sullen windows flung open. The surrounding stone fence looks to be missing a few pieces. The grass growing around it is in patches and looks untamed- nearly at waist level.

"Oh~ Don't go there. Across the street we have the spooky old Eveningtide Manor." She cups her hand around her mouth like a conical megaphone. "They say--- there was once a mysterious young eleven woman who lived there. She was as beautiful as the stars in the sky and she lit up a room like a fire." She does exaggerated movements to depict the story (standing up straight and catwalking for the mysterious woman, then doing little jazz hands to show the firelight crackle).

"BUT THEN! 'Ohhh noooooo!'" She strikes a dramatic pose with he hand upon her head. "There was a fire! AND SHE DIED. 'My son nooooo!' AND SHE HAD A CHILD. I forgot. And wasn't even married. Gasp! Oh no! How horrible." 

"They..." She eyes Heiboros purple clothing up and down, "took him. The um Amethyst Academy. Like my brother. Which is fine. It happens."

"Anyways now children say that the windows and doors open and close by themselves ooohhhh spooky. And they hear creeks and crackles at night! Oh no!" She then smiles and puts her hands across her waist, and scoffs. "Of course, I know that's not true. They're like what 5? I'm older than those babies. I've played Man Hunt in there before with me and my sister and it's fine!"

"Next up!" She starts strutting away like a soldier. "Any questions-?" 

(Earlier...)

Dab nods, weighing Juniper's words.  

"Yeah."  Is all he knows to say in response to 'as right as one can be', especially in these circumstances.  He sure wasn't feeling it after the previous day.  The fights.  Making Endra and Ludwig leave.  It was possible, he thought, to feel you'd done the right thing and still feel terrible about it.  

He climbs up to the shotgun seat when Juniper gestures, and nods to her.  

"For what it's uh...worth, sorry you're having to gain the experience."  He says.  "But you've done well.  Glad to have you with us."  

It's as close to a compliment as he can get at the moment.  

Dabbert smiles when wormy makes an appearance, and looks to see how Ka-Cha will respond.  Not because he believes the Thri-Kreen will have an averse reaction, but more because it's quite the curious interaction.  

He doesn't quite get the answers he's looking for, but the story of the young Elven woman does get his attention.  He smiles.  This little girl is very talkative, he realizes.  Reminds him of his sister in some regards.  A long time ago, anyway, when they were young.  She'd grown out of that mostly.  Mostly.