"Perhaps they give those warnings because they care about you," She reasoned, narrow brow lofted down at Emma with a reassuring tone, "I'm sure they mean well, truly, but... I do see your point. it can be especially hard to find out what path's right for you in such circumstances."

"The key, though," The druid lightly tapped the side of her arm, "Very well may lay within those warnings. They were given because the ones giving them learned the hard way that dog and horse bites are painful, that climbing trees isn't without risk. Take those lessons they learned for you, and lay the stones of your path with them to places they weren't able to reach." It was likely the most anyone there had heard Juniper speak, but their guide's tribulations seemed to hit at the heart of the stargazer.

She crouched down beside the girl, finger tracing a slow circle in the well packed earth. "Take your hole idea, for example. Regardless of who, or how many, believe it possible, there's some merit in the idea itself. You'd need to find out quite a lot about the city itself- how large its perimeter is, were there existing tunnels beforehand, and so on. Most of which I'd bet could be discovered in books. Books, Emma," At that, she locked eyes with the girl, "Get to digging into those pages, and I'm sure you'll find something worthwhile, for your idea or to spark a new one." She made to stand and dusted off her skirts, a kind smile softening the intensity in which she'd just spoken. "After the tour, though. I intend to get our money's worth."

Juniper took the page offered by the fanatical kobold, expression a mixture of revulsion and curiosity. She listened with that same muddled look, quietly thankful for Tendilius' extroverted, inquizitive nature. As delirious and fantastical as the prophet's claims were, hearing Heiboros give some credence to their biggest one caught her off guard. The pamphlet was slipped into her pack, new reading material for a more private moment, as she shifted her attentions to the tiefling with an interested air. "Juniper, a pleasure."

(to Tendilius)

"A room is like a burrow made of wood or stone is it not?  Yes, I could "room" with you. We do not need sleep, merely rest, so I can guard the "room" while you sleep"

(to Dabbert)

"No, we are silent unless we are talking among ourselves.  Chatter scares away the game we hunt."

(to Heiboros)

"I had cut some of the horse meat into jerky if you want some.  Not as good as fresh meat, but often the difference between life and death in the desert.  I doubt there's much game here but if you want to guide from the air I could help you hunt."  

(OOC: We didn't eat an entire horse did we?)

Heiboros gladly accepts some of the horse meat. He also hunts down a rabbit to split with the insectoid. 

@Juniper

((your message was so heartfelt that like was so nice :) ))

Emma looked down sour upon the ground as you said this. She gave you some "yeahs..." and "buts..." in between but didn't currently give you any answers. "That horse did hurt bad." He rubs at her arm. It is clear that the scar is still there. She smiles lightly when you tap her on the arm, but then pulls away. "But I WANT to learn on my own. If I can do things, I can do them right! I feel like I never get the chance to because I've been told. I'm just always wrong. Yeah, I make mistakes, but like... I guess. I dunno. It just feels every time I try I get told 'no'. Then how am I supposed to learn?" 

"Really?!" She almost jumped when you say that her idea is worth something. "Oh."

"Yeah my brother did say there was all those sewers. And the rats. Especially that albino one and the Prince."

She nodded, "I hope so. Good luck. ... Thank you."

Walking, she went, "Somethings I feel like I'm never going to get things right." She mostly just mumbled that to herself though as she led you along to that farm.

 @Heiboros

The tiefling takes a step back when you address him. "Hey... Heir- Heiboros!" He stammers, rubbing his arm and waves with his right. It looks like he's also picking a mosquito bite here. At the Feywild question he chuckles. "Haha nah no never. I never did. But I ca-" His trail of thought is cut off by your fast flying motions. He watches with his mouth agape and in awe. Then he claps. "WOW! That is some fantastic flying skills right there." He says this absolute genuineness. He reaches out his hand. It is extremely sweaty.

"No, I- you know this- but I came from a family of a half-orc and a dwarf - how I became a tiefling I dunno! So like how flying? No..." He hangs his head down, looking to the dirt.This is the first time you are hearing of his family history.

"Oh- no. Um thank you. I was- wasn't that great." He snorts a bit and then pushes his hair to the right, looking up at you. "Oh no sorry to hear that. You- you were really smart. You did so well! ... Why? I just-"

"Oh cooped up? Like a bir- oh like um yeah." Cosmos twiddles his thumbs. National Flint tilts his head at him. "Yes, I um, liked learning magic naturally as well... WHICH IS WHY- what drew me to this place!"

"I have been drawn here by a greater calling!" The edges of his mouth curl up wider and his eyes are wide. He leans in to you closer and nearly draws you in into a hug. "I believe the creatures of the fey have been calling me here. You hear of how the planes have been all weird with the delirium, have you?" He squeals. "Things are breaking apart at the seams and we can be here to mend it!"

"We have been given a gift from not just up above but from between the realities itself. We must become one with it! Are you too here to be a part of something greater?"

He taps you on the side with his tail. A tell, which he hopes you remember (which he came up with that freshman year), meaning 'meet me up later.' 

"I can buy you a drink later if you'd like? At the Buzzard. Gosh man, it's been such a blast from the past!"

 "Nice to meet all of you." Addressing Hadrian's question, Nathaniel steps up after Heiboros and Cosmos were done introducing. "Yes. We have quite the community. Anyone who comes in is welcome. From the lowliest of street urchins to the highest of noblesman. Those who come seek the faith are not turned down, but renewed by it. Reinvigorated! We come forth to believe that every soul is worthy or redemption. No man should be judged upon what they have done in the past, but with what will come forward! From the darkest shadow comes the brightest light."

"darkest shadow... comes the brightest light." Both the kobold and Cosmos repeat after him.

"The delirium is not the monster many make it out to be. And and and I- I understand your reservations. I did too before I heard her. And yes, so many have died in the city and so many more have been lost, but it is a profound deal of how much this means to us. Delirium holds within in and of itself the foundation for rebuilding our great nation. We do not seek to alter fate, but live it. The holy power these crystals hold should not be made into trinkets, but to be used for the greater good of all earth's kind." He says, clearly eyeing Heiboros. 

"These gifts do indeed protect us from contamination. A fate so many so have not be so lucky. But with faith, we can fix this." He puts his hand to his chest. "Nature has never been kind. Think of the venus flytraps. They are plants, but they eat to survive. They are mix between plan and animal. They do not do this because they are evil. But because their environment was too harsh to survive. They had to adapt. Just in the way mushrooms are between life and decay. You can never really kill one. Their spores will go on no matter."

"Protecting the delirium has become our sacred duty. The city our pilgrimage." He smiles over at his 'flock' then back at you. "We may not know why the world has come against us. But we are not against the world. We have come to do what we can do and become stewards of what is life to become."

"I'm sorry for coming at this with you so much, but you must understand where I'm coming from."

Quote from RippedRhinoVikings >>

Heiboros gladly accepts some of the horse meat. He also hunts down a rabbit to split with the insectoid. 

 @Heiboros

((Survival check 16 +1 = 17))

You managed to hunt down a rabbit. Your talons came in swift and precise. It did not even see you coming.

Ka-Cha reads the pamphlet and hands it back to the Kobold.  "My people live in an unforgiving land.  And thrive.  Thank you.  I will return if I have questions."

"Thank you.  I will be glad to lend a Chat-kcha to the next hunt if you like."  

He says to Heiboros as he accepts his share of the rabbit carcass and simply eats it raw.  His mandibles crunch through the small bones as if they were celery.

[Whenever we take a long rest because I might not be available then and I want to rp this.]

When Heiboros is finished with his portion of the raw rabbit, he will fly up to roost in a tree before remembering that he's purchased a room. He heads to his room, somewhat embarrassed. In the room he will begin to very carefully preen his feathers, a process that takes almost an hour. He will then find a place to perch and put his head under a wing to go to sleep. 

@Ka Cha 

Heiboros shakes his head, crunching through the rabbit with a powerful beak. "I was meant to hunt. You need not lend aid. Eagles - and their Aarakocra counterparts - often hunt for their food alone. If you wish to lend aid, you can, but I prefer hunting alone. This is probably in contrast with your preference, to hunt in... for lack of a better word... a flock."

Albeit surprised by the telepathy, the kobold narrows his eyes and shakes his fists but does not say anything. Cosmos lightly pats him, and he calms down. "People need time to come around." 

Nathaniel, Cosmos, and the kobold just watch as the aarakocra comes swiftly down on a rabbit that was a fair distance away. The other followers don't say anything either, they just let it happen. Nathaniel just nods. "Someone released a couple of domesticated rabbits here a few years ago. We don't know why, but they now seem to be thriving. Likely they had to change their diet though. Not much grows here other than scrubgrasses."

"Is there anything I can help the rest of you all with? We do have yoga later this evening."

[[ This campaign came into my dreams last night. The delerium-cult gathered all its members and left the farm like a zombie horde ready to conquer the world. ]]

Tendilius listens on the speech a bit intrigued by it all. "Is there a scheduled time when this prophetess is scheduled to speak? I may be interested to hear what is said at some time, for academic research" An interesting cult for sure. He's have to see what kind of reputation it held in the town as a whole.

He's ready to head on with the tour if others are.

((NOOOO WAY whatever happens in Drakkenheim happens in the real world too oh my gosh))

"Oh! Yes. Yes, of course. Of course. She speaks every morning at dawn by the crater. You truly must hear her speak." He nods, "I know I am just rambling here, but she has opened my eyes in more ways than one. Through her words I understand my destiny much clearer now. I hope for you too that she does."

((also yeah if you guys want to move onto the next location let me know))

Dabbert listens to the cult stuff and feels...not uncomfortable.  Disturbed, maybe?  What was this world coming to?  The star had created so many different world views with its coming that he couldn't actively process it all.  He starts to introduce himself...to see if there is any recognition there...and then decides against it, his hand coming up to rub his temple as he steps back out of the way.   He lets Tendilius have his moment without his own possible opinions of the matter affecting anyone's judgment.  

He watches Heiboros's reunion with a smile, a smile that follows through Emma's antics as the tour leads on.  He takes time to appreciate Ka-Cha's answer to the question of noise...before the Thri-Kreen eats a raw rabbit with a whole different kind of noise.  

"Okay.  I'd be lying if I said I saw any of that coming."  He admits.  

A prince rat, an albino one? Were they one and the same, or two separate rodents? Thoughts Juniper kept to herself as they listened to the ramblings of the kobolds and Heiboros' former classmates. His position wasn't wholly unbased, much as she hated to admit it, and as they took their leave for the inn she kept pace with Tendilius.

"I'd like to join you in the morning, if you decide to see what it- or who, rather?- they're in such a state over." Her eye lingered on Dabbert, his disquiet about the whole ordeal one that she could relate to. An uneasy prickling had crept along the back of her neck, one that didn't abate as she offered him a wane smile in attempt to reassure the soldier. "If only to make sure their invitation isn't some poor attempt at finding unwitting sacrifices."

 Nathaniel and the others bid you guys goodbye as well. "Byyyyeeeee Mr. Flint!" Emma waves and snickers. Once you guys are off of the Hendrix property, Emma laughs and takes out a third cookie from her pocket and takes a bite from it. Wormy squirms on her shoulder. 

As everyone leaves the Hendrix farms without ever seeming the farm's namesake, you guys head back up into town square (again with Emma avoiding Eveningtide Manor). 

"We're up at the Skull and Swordddddd!"

This tavern is a one-story ramshackle building with eclectic paint swatches on the front, being both purple, gray, and green. Some patches are painted in slight variations of the original color, which you can guess what their attempt at covering up graffiti. The only graffiti left standing however is one that has a poorly drawn skull superimposed on a sword. You would guess that's the logo but from its positioning on the random side of the building, it's likely not. Emma explains that this dingy saloon was converted from an old farmstead and that there is a jaw-less skull impaled upon a rusty sword embedded beside the main doors.

"And no one knows who it was... or who did them in~ Ooohhhhh" Emma wiggles her fingers in front of her. "But it’s tradition! Apparently people go say 'hello' to it or something when they come on in."

According to Emma, inside the establishment is a rowdy environment, supposedly brawls and fist fights happen daily, and several ruffians are thrown out nightly. "The owner's Frida Longhorn! Like a cow!" He makes horn shaped impressions upon her head. "I think she's half-orc and I'm guessing the other half is human? Like most people. I've never heard of someone who was half-orc or who's parent was half-orc and also half-dwarf or well part dwarf from the other parent. Um, like that tiefling. I'm part elf myself! From my mom's side!" She puts her hands on her hips and stands up tall.

She stays outside here and hangs out, but doesn't go in. "You guys said you like rumors right? I hear this is the place to be! But you didn't hear that from meeeeee."

Looking inside the window or going inside you can see the aforementioned owner, Frida Longhorn cleaning the counter with a dirtied white rag. Surprisingly she wears armor (to go with the theme, perhaps) with an apron smock on top. She puts her face on her palm as she sort of sighs, ignoring the customer sitting at the bar who seems to be trying to flirt with her. "It's really not time for this, Christian."

Across the walls are all sorts of armored decorations, one even looking similar to that rag-doll of an animated armor back at the Bark and Buzzard. On top of the mantle of the fireplace is a great-hammer that hangs there like a trophy. The inside of the place is colored yellow unlike the outside. Maybe it was an attempt to make it seem more lively. Well- it's lively alright. In the corner is some five guys playing dice. The main guy standing up seems to spraying spittle everywhere when he talks.  "See I've told you I'd get ya. Always playing safe, ain't ya?"

He seems to be putting his elbow on top of the head of another guy playing there, a red-haired halfing who just seems unamused. The human pushes down with his elbow further and picks a scab on his forearm and then eats it in front of the group like a grape. The halfling grimaces.

He then goes over shoots a finger guns over at Frida. It is now you can tell is actually a short and scrawny man in his late thirties with a funny looking but clean-shaven mug and greasy slicked-back hair. "How's about another round?!"  He wears a black padded jacket and buckled slacks that appear distinguished at first glance, but are actually quite shabby and worn. 

"As long as you better pay this time."

"You know I always do~" He coos.

"Sure I do." And with that he howls with laughter. Frida just rolls her eyes and pours some beers.

Dabbert catches Juniper's glance and he tries to give her a half smile.  It's not very reassuring.  

"That joke seems uh...plausible."  He says.  "Though I also worry because no one is immune to propaganda, you understand.  Including me."  

He shrugs, unsure of what else to say.  The tour continues and he gets a look inside the Skull and Sword, where there are multiple games going, a few characters who appear to be of somewhat ill refute (though nothing like the clowns they'd greased on the road to Emberwood).  It seemed to be mostly in good nature?  Mostly.  

"Rumors eh?"  He says, catching the eyes of the rest of the group.  "Might be a good place to come back to in the evening to see what we hear.  Though of course...looks like it might get a little rough too huh?"  

"Sounds like a plan!" says Tendilius enthusiastically to Juniper. He says quietly, "It strikes me as odd too. Particularly with out own experiences vis-a-vis delerium. Though I must admit it's intriguing that Heiboros, grudgingly as he was, seemed to give credence to their claims. Shall we have an early breakfast before heading over to hear this Mother Mathias?"

As Emma talks about the Skull and Sword, Tendilius chuckles and follows the tradition. "Hello, Sir Skullington." he says to it before entering. He smiles as Emma mentions her being a fellow half-elf. He feels a bit of desire as he sees Frida pouring the beer. He says to Dabbert, "Sounds like a plan. Plus Emma did mention they've got brandy here."

Dabbert tips his head to Jack Skullington with a smile, and then agrees with Tendilius.  

"You're right."  He said.  "She did say there is brandy."  

He looks up to the sky, to the sun, to get an idea of what time it is...

Emma laughs at your silliness with the skeleton. "Salutations Skullface!" and she gives it a salute. Looking up at the sky you see it's not as bright as it was midday and some clouds have rolled in. By the amount of time it took you to walk around due to Emma's roundabouts, it's about nearly 4pm in the afternoon. It looks to be that it might rain soon (as if it didn't do that nearly every day), but something about it tells you it's going to be more than just rain and thunder- possibly hail. 

"A fair worry to have," She admitted to Dabbert, then added after a moment's hesitation. "... Even so, perhaps three would be better than two, in this instance? More ears and wisdom between them to point out flaws in their reasonings, to watch out for one another?" A subtle, furtive glance was sent Tendilius' way, a silent request to the stalwart, somber soldier before she addressed the half-elf properly. "That did pique my curiosity, as much as I'd not like to admit it. Heiboros doesn't seem the kind that'd exaggerate, not when it's about something so important."

As they drew to the tavern, her eye followed Dabbert's to the sky and the clouds that menaced the horizon. A concerned frown formed, one that she turned onto her companions. "We'd do well to find someplace to settle soon, either here or at the inn."

Emma jumps at Juniper's assertions. "Ah! Yeah I guess we better get going then!" She swings her shoulders down, "It always rains around here." She whispers to herself, "... but nothing ever grows."

She goes around each stop much quicker this time. Going just across next door, she presents you this lavish two-story building surrounded by a veranda. It is decorated with a swirling lily motif and is painted purple. Ornate golden glowing lanterns hang between the veranda arches and within its curtained windows.

Looking on inside, four large golden lamps light a small stage set before rows of candlelit tables. Floral arrangements line the walls. The well-stocked bar displays wines and spirits from across the world. "Madame Rochelle runs it! Rochelle runs rampant randomly reading round things." Emma alliterates.

"I don't know much about this place other than they got good performances! Open Mike! Open Mike! Open Mike! Mike's been gone for a while. I think he's gone missing..." Emma jumps up and slaps one of the lanterns so that it rocks a bit back and forth. "Anyways you can do whatever you want there. Last time I was here I saw this dragon-man-guy doing a xylophone solo." She mimics a xylophone act, randomly hitting air notes. "I can also play the flute!"

"You know some people get magic through flutes and music right? Some people just sing and BAH they wack stuff!"

Pivoting around (literally), Emma puts her hands to her eyes like a pair of binoculars then points her head up.

"Here, can you watch him for me?" She gently hands Juniper Wormy who squirms onto the druid's hands. You can see she is looking towards an old fortified stone watchtower. 

Without even needing fake-goggles, you can actually see it from here. Jarringly in the northern part of town, it is tallest structure in Emberwood Village. Emma marches closer in a walk that takes about 20 minutes where you can see a two-story wooden house abuts the base. Outside the tower, Emma explains, the Hooded Lanterns keep a small training yard and a modest stable large enough for six horses. Nearby, a covered wooden bridge crosses the narrow Timberwash stream and leads out of Emberwood Village towards Drakkenheim. "The stream doesn't actually wash timber or maybe it did once and all the trees it cleaned are gone now."

A teenager who seems preoccupied with caring for one of the horses looks up at Emma and waves. Emma siffly waves back. "She used to play Man Hunt with me, but she doesn't anymore. She's too old." Emma laments this, looking down as soon as the teen looks away, "Her name's Petra Lang. Her dad's the 'big head guy' around here." She waves her hand away as if that's nonsense. "But Petra's still real cool. She's a guard now so she's never around anymore. My dad won't let me go ride with her." 

Petra is a fit and nimble teenager with long black hair, a narrow pointed chin, and bold features. She wears a hooded green cloak and light chain armor with a the logo of a lantern being held by a dragon's claw, the Hooded Lantern logo, as Emma points out. Alongside it is a lieutenant’s insignia on her shoulder pauldron. The door to the wooden house cracks open and out comes another teenager who looks very similar to her. 

He is an athletic teenager with long black hair and a short neat beard, angular jaw, and rugged features. He is garbed in the same hooded green cloak and light chain armor of the Hooded Lanterns, and one that prominently displays a captain’s insignia on his shoulder. They say something that can't be hear audibly so far in the distance. "And that's her brother," Emma rolls her eyes, "Ansom. He doesn't talk to nobody. And he never lets me win in games." Petra dusts off her shoulder and heads back on inside with her brother tagging along.

"Last but not leasts!" And a short distance later, Emma announces this is "The Chapel of Saint Ardenna!"

Located at the heart of Emberwood Village is the said small chapel of the Sacred Flame. The circular field-stone building has a copper domed rooftop, thin windows set with stained glass, and simple wooden double doors. Outside is a small crematory garden and scattering plot for the ashes of the dead. It serves as a peaceful place of quiet worship in the harsh wasteland surrounding Drakkenheim. A young woman sits in the middle of the garden in a circle of several other peasants doing a meditative prayer. A wizened stout older woman stays beside them with eyes closed and hands clutched onto a silver staff with a floating red and yellow flame on top of it.

"That's Flamekeeper Hanna. She's real nice. My family's not that religious though, but we go there every Monday and Friday to pray. Like Mr. Flint they both took vows of poverty. At least I think so? Or maybe it wasn't- I dunno. But they mainly stay at home and do prayers." Emma shrugs, then points at the women across from her, "And usually HIGH Flamekeeper Ophelia Reed here. She doesn't come here that often. I wonder what's she's up to because she's with the Silver Order and like the last time I saw someone from the Silver Order just yesterday they got contaminated with delirium and then they got healed up real good and then went back. I dunno what they're doing up there but I KNOW they sure don't like Mr. Flint and Mathias."

"Which is fair, he's just okay to me too. I just like his cookies. He keeps them in his pocket because sometimes he says his 'blood sugar gets too low'. I don't really know what that means."

"OH! And over there is the Red Lion Hotel like I said earlier." Upon a small hill overlooking the village is the impressive hotel. "The guy who owns used to be the REEVE of our town but like HAH we don't really care anymore. He just likes his books up there." 

Looking ahead, the three-story manor is massive and made of red brick. It features lion-shaped gargoyles, large glass-paned windows, and embossed wooden doors painted green. "He bet that my brother and his friends would die if they were to go adventuring! He was wrong and he had to pay my brother up! Hahaha." She looks over to wherever Wormy is on Juniper's hand. "I bet you guys will win just fine! 100 coins! 1,000!"

"Lastly, my smithy's over there across the street! My mom's probably waiting for me before it rains." She hands you a map that she unravels before you. Next to "Shrine of Old Gods" is the words written in her handwriting 'Weird witch lady.'

((A map!))

Overhead, you hear thunder rumbling...