'Tace' smiles at the talk of finding better food for the road. The rations are terrible, that is certainly true. But then so was the food at the prison. There was another option, but not one he is particularly suited to.
"Perhaps we can also get a small animal trap or two, sir? Set them when we camp and check them in the early hours", he offers, hoping it isn't too complicated a skill and he can transfer his city wiles to the outdoors in some fashion. Not so sure about skinning whatever we catch mind. I guess I will have to cross that bridge if it comes to it.
When the Sergeant mentions two pure-blooded Elves,he can't help thinking how differently that term is used in Levicka. Not so focussed on the capability to trance, but on aptitude for magic. And yet I have the aptitude, when my family is far from one of the 'pure-blooded' families.
He does however think the Sergeant has a point. Between them, he and the Lieutenant are quite capable of keeping watch through the night. But when the Lieutenant offers to do the whole watch during a trance, he is a little dubious. Perhaps the Lieutenant doesn't yet trust him to perform his duties properly. Who can blame him, if he knew the truth...
"After my trance, I will join you, sir", he says, making it a statement rather than a question this time. He doesn't argue about sitting watch in future, it is not his place to dispute that if the Lieutenant orders it.
As the Lieutenant says his piece abut Levickans, he has to wonder, "That may be true for collecting rocks, sir. But how long would it have taken you to create the tunnels under the prison?", he says thoughtfully. "No disrespect, sir. But it seems to me that some of that Levickan magic we would do well to be wary of", he adds.
When the Sergeant questions the Commandant about the route ahead, he listens intently. Heading to the next town first to resupply sounded good to him. I wonder how big this town is? I might be able to gather supplies of my own.
"Yes, sir. I will make sure I am properly armed before we head into the mountains", is all he replies though. That sentiment seems doubly important after she details the challenges of the mountain road. This seems reckless, there is obviously quite the urgency here. I need to get eyes on what she is writing.
Later, after the Sergeant retires to his tent to sleep, he will get up to go and relieve himself. Whilst away from the camp, he will discreetly summon his invisible spectral hand. As he walks back into the camp some distance from the Commandant, he will ask the Lieutenant, "If you are sure, I will retire to trance, sir". He hopes to draw the Lieutenant's attention to himself, whilst he himself can see the Commandant. He will then attempt to snag one of the pieces of paper on the floor under the table, out of sight of the Commandant, and move it invisibly to him as he makes his way to the tent.
(OOC: Ok, let's see how this works. The intention at the moment is simply to obtain one of the pieces of paper on the floor without anyone noticing, using his Mage Hand Legerdemain. I know it will require at least Sleight of Hand, so will roll that now. Let me know if anything else is needed)
"I've still got plenty of time, you know." Walnuts answers. "We Drow live much longer than the Elves of Dite. About as long as the Dwarves do. I don't intend to spend my entire life here, though. I was born in Mey, you know? Even if my accent isn't half as strong as the Commandant's. I've got family I haven't seen in decades, and maybe I'll seek to start my own family." He lowers his voice a little. "I respect the Commandant, I really do. Such determination is rare to find among the Drow. We've got all the time in the world, why hurry? But I can't follow her forever. Besides, I know she's in good hands." He pats Arren on the back once. "Don't forget, even the Humans that live the longest never live as long as we Elves - even you - will. And she's not exactly a prime example of perfect health."
The Lieutenant ponders 'Tace's' conclusion for a moment. "The tunnels? Hmm. I suppose they did seem unnatural. You're right, digging that wouldn't be easy without some earth-removing wonders. The Empire is right to invest in cracking its secrets, but I think digging tunnels isn't my calling - neither with a shovel nor with a flick of the hand. But it certainly isn't a thing to underestimate. They say the Sorcerers of Dite held the line even against the Empire's might during the war."
"It is," Commandant Nattensbarn answers Arren's remark, "but it should also take us at least one week less than going around."
((OOC: Perhaps I wasn't clear. The Commandant took the table out to the open to work on it, and took some of her work on it. Most of her papers, scrolls, and parchments remain in the carriage, locked. She had several such paper balls produced during the day's ride, but they were used to start the fire. When she finishes using a draft paper to its fullest, she throws it into the fire shortly after. They may remain on the table for a little while, but she wouldn't let them roll out in the open. Bryn could try taking a paper ball that's lying on the table while the Commandant finishes her line of thought, but his gut feeling tells him she might notice that the ball she just finished with is gone. Tell me whether he proceeds with this regardless or not.))
After Arren goes to sleep, the Commandant stays hard at work. If Bryn looks outside the tent (or if he sits outside), he can see her working slower and slower, forcing herself to stay awake but fighting her eyelids, which try to close themselves in protest. Eventually, over an hour after Arren is already fast asleep, a north-eastern wind begins to blow, and it threatens to blow the Commandant's papers away. At this point, she accepts her fate and gathers her work, places it back in the carriage, locking the door behind her, and quickly eats about a third of a field ration before retiring for the night. She doesn't throw the leftovers away, but rather keeps them for the next time she will be hungry - perhaps tomorrow.
A little before Bryn finishes his trance, he can already hear rain outside. A few droplets on the tents at first, but by the time he fully finishes trancing, Lieutenant Tireur has already entered the tent while a heavy rain falls outside. "I can't decide whether it is raining because the Commandant wished there wouldn't be, or she wished there wouldn't be, knowing it is coming all the same." He whispers - knowing Bryn can hear him but making sure not to awaken Arren. "I'll go grab my raincoat, shall I bring you yours?" Bryn did see (though I didn't mention it at the time) a raincoat in Peite's belongings, which seems to be part of the uniforms provided to each soldier, made from the same waterproof fabric as the tents are. The Lieutenant will then bring his raincoat from the carriage's storage space, and one for Bryn as well, if he asks for it.
When Arren and the Commandant wake up in the morning, it is still constantly raining, the skies all dark clouds. It's not the first rain of the year, but it's the first that's this hard, and it came after several weeks without much rain. An unexpected change in the weather, but one that's not too unusual for this time of the year when autumn just ends and winter begins. Tearing down the camp doesn't take long, and your raincoats protect you from the rain for the most part, but you still get wet where they don't perfectly cover you, and it ruins Arren's plans to practice before leaving. With strong winds and rain, it is hard to see or hear anything around you, but the horses are well-trained and pull the carriage despite the storm. The Commandant briefly explained to Arren how to get to the nearest town before disappearing into the carriage.
You only realise you've reached town when a building suddenly appears next to you, as visibility is strictly limited with the heavy rain. By now, you're all soaked, but seeing the wooden buildings here, it's a chance to dry yourselves during the stop. However, in this state, it is difficult to see where a suitable place might be. You eventually find a stable with reserve spots saved for travellers' horses that can accommodate your horses and the carriage.
"You two find the smithy, like I told you yesterday!" The Commandant shouts to be heard over the wind, despite standing right in front of you. "Search for an inn to stay in until the storm passes! I hope it's not a long one, but we can't ride in unfamiliar routes when we can't see two metres ahead of us! Once you're done, come find us!" She then hands you both a total of 15 GP to buy what you need at the military's expense. It is a large sum, though weapons can get pricy. Along with the Lieutenant, she then leaves in search for an inn.
"Don't forget, even the Humans that live the longest never live as long as we Elves - even you - will. And she's not exactly a prime example of perfect health."
"I am aware," Arren states, perhaps a bit dryly. As if he has forgot himself, he quickly adds, "Sir." He pauses before continuing, "Half-breeds live too long for humans, yet too brief for elves. And there are not many of us. It is...", "...a curse", he almost finishes aloud. Instead, he exhales and stands up, shaking his head slightly. "Anyway, good night,"he says, before retiring to sleep.
The next day, the Half-Elf wakes to find that the storm has finally caught up with them. "So much for morning exercises", he muses, and begins preparing for the journey along with the others. He doesn't mind the freshness of the rain dampening his hair and raincoat. Initially. But after a long while of riding, when he starts to feel the cloth soaking through and his black hair sticking to his skin, he changes his mind.
The sight of the town is a welcome one. After securing the carriage and making sure Choco and Mocha are under shelter, he takes the gold and signals the Corporal to follow. "Well, this is probably when the helmet comes in handy", Arren thinks, giving Tace a curious glance as he wipes the damp hair from his face.
If they find anyone in the street—though that seems unlikely, given the weather—he'll ask for the smithy to find it more quickly. If not, they'll have to rely on their own eyes to find it. Though he doesn't expect to see much in this downpour, he'll still try to keep an eye out for a shop that might sell seasonings to improve their next meals. (Perception ... ugh ... a 5)
Once they find the smitty, Arren introduces himself and the Corporal. "Well met. Sergeant al-Nasrid,"Arren states, nodding slightly. "This is Corporal Peite. We're here on Commandant Nattensbarn's orders to procure supplies. My companion needs a military-grade weapon, and we are hoping to find something here." Arren turns to look at Tace, and gives him a nod, so he can proceed to explain which weapons he favors.
"I will come with you", 'Tace' replies to the Lieutenant, not really knowing how to respond about the Commandant and the weather and feeling it better to say nothing. "I could do with stretching my legs a little, regardless of the rain. I expect there is no hiding from it today".
He does his best to help pack away the tents, and resigns himself to a day spent at the whim of the elements, huddling in his raincoat and failing to stop the wet finding it's way to the clothes underneath. It may be miserable, but at least there is the hope of a fire and some hot food at the end of the day, unlike the prison.
He strains to see through the rain as he sits next to the Sergeant, but there really isn't much help he can offer. They just needed to follow the road.
When they finally spot the buildings, a wave of relief engulfs him. He accepts the coin from the Commandant as he strains to hear her instructions, and then follows after the Sergeant.
When they enter the smithy, he is grateful for the heat of the forge, pushing back the hood but keeping his helmet on.
"Good day", he says by way of greeting after the Sergeant speaks. "Something light will do the trick. A scimitar or perhaps a short sword might suit the budget better. In fact yes, a short sword would do nicely. And a dagger or two", he says. "I would add a shortbow to the mix, but again the budget only stretches so far".
((For the record, Arren also has a helmet as part of his armour set. He can choose whether he wears it or not. I'm mostly leaving aesthetics of mechanics to you, though, so if you choose that he doesn't have a helmet, I wouldn't lower his AC for it (he'll still need to wear some armour, though, you can't give up on all pieces).))
In light of the horrible weather, it is no surprise that you don't spot anyone outside. You don't know how large this town might be, but it's at least large enough that it took you a few minutes riding in the town until you found the stables (at a rather low speed because of the bad visibility). The stablemaster gives you some directions to reach the smithy, but after your best attempts to follow them, you eventually conclude that you either missed the smithy or have gotten lost, or the directions were given incorrectly, though you do not believe the stablemaster has any reason to fool you.
You stand in the middle of the street, heavy rain falling on your already soaked raincoat, and there doesn't seem to be anything that could direct you within the small area that you can see. (To be clear, you do see buildings a little farther away, but they become too blurry after a couple of metres, and a little farther than that, the heavy rain and fog obscure your sight almost entirely. In technical terms, you see within 5 feet clearly, then lightly obscured up to 10', then heavily obscured beyond.)
You haven't seen any smithy, inn, tavern or store which Arren believes contains the ingredients he'll need. You have, however, spotted a handful of collapsed buildings. Some made of wood, others of stone and bricks. Some have collapsed entirely, others only partially, but nobody seems to have remained inside their ruins. Currently, you stand in the middle of the street. There are buildings near you. Of the closest, one is the fifth collapsed house you've passed by so far. Two are normal-looking houses, with no indication of being anything more. The fourth, and last building you can clearly see from where you stand, is a small shop called 'Sole Mate', as indicated by a small wooden sign wildly swinging in the strong wind, depicting the store's name in the Humans' Common tongue (Common) and a pair of shoes.
Arren, wiping away the water and hair from his face for the umpteenth time, exclaims, "Damn it! Looks like Rep-Un's having a fit, and we are paying dearly for it!" Frustrated that neither he nor the Corporal seem to be able to find their way, Arren turns toward Tace, getting very close so he can be heard clearly, and points to the building with the pair of shoes depicted on the wooden sign. "Let's try there! They should be able to point us to the smithy first, and the inn after."
Unless the helmeted Elf has a better idea, the Half-Elf turns on his heel and strides toward the building as fast as the rain-slicked streets allow. The sooner they get out of this downpour, the better.
Even in his rush to find cover, Arren can't help but notice the many collapsed buildings. He wonders what happened here. Perhaps they can ask the cobbler about it...
At the Corporal's question, Arren gives the ruins another quick glance. "A natural disaster? A battle?", he answers, uncertain. He tries to recall any past conflicts or major disasters that might have struck the area. If not for the relentless downpour, he'd take a closer look to determine whether the collapses were recent or long past—but right now, all he wants is to get under a roof.
Reaching the "Sole Mate" door, he exchanges a glance with his companion. "Let’s hope we’re lucky". He knocks and waits, shifting his weight from foot to foot as the cold rain seeps deeper into his clothes. His fingers drum restlessly against his arm, and he lets out a sharp breath, muttering under his breath, "Come on, come on… open up..."
'Tace' thinks on what the Sergeant had said about the ruins. Obviously the last major war was when the Meyens invaded, but that was many decades ago, surely time enough to rebuild. A natural disaster makes more sense. Maybe it will become clear when this fog has passed.
He stands behind the Sergeant at the door as he mentions luck and knocks.
"Now is not the time to stand on ceremony", he replies, possibly inaudibly because of the rain. He reaches past the sergeant and tries the door to see if it is unlocked.
As the Corporal reaches past him, Arrenfixes him with a look—calm but unmistakably disapproving. If an extra moment under the rain is enough to test his discipline, Arren wonders how he'll fare in truly dire circumstances. Still, he says nothing and shifts his focus back to the door.
'Tace' spots the Sergeants look as he reaches across and winces a little under the mask. Discipline! Soldiering is all about discipline. I will need to apologies later.
For now, it is too late, the deed is done and the door is tested.
You both remember a recent earthquake in the area, just two days ago. Whether it was the cause of the collapse of all those buildings or not, determining that would require a closer look. But other than that, no other significant natural disasters come to mind. In Dite, earthquakes aren't unheard of but are far from ordinary. Especially those of great magnitudes, are more stories of the ancient world than recorded history. Believed to have been the doing of powerful mages, or the gods when those still walked on the ground. The one you experienced just two days ago wasn't too powerful, and yet stronger than anything either of you had ever experienced.
The small shop looks closer to a house than a specialized workshop, at least from the outside. It is then understandable why Arren would knock first, just as it is understandable that Bryn would first think of heading straight in. The cobbler's shop/house has a chimney, out of which you see a steady strand of smoke, and through a nearby window, despite the vales covering it, you can see what must be the light of a fireplace inside. However, Bryn discovers the door is locked.
Soon after, you hear a call from inside: "Who is it?" The voice is high-pitched, but not that of a woman or a child. Rather, it is raspy and full. The kind that often belongs to older short-statured folk. "And why would you come all the way here in the rain?"
A small and bent tube-like device with a piece of glass at its end, fixed to the side of the door on a few hinges, turns towards you. It reminds you of a snake, its tail enters the wall on one side of the door, and its head looking your way. Its design also reminds you of a bent monocular. "Oh!" He exclaims, and you hear a lock clicking, followed by the opening of the door.
As you expected, a Gnome stands in front of you. Looking at you from below, holding the snake-like tube's other end in his hand. "I wasn't expecting soldiers! Come in, come in!" He opens the door farther and steps aside, allowing you to enter. The furniture inside seems to match his size, despite the height of the door and the ceiling fitting the house of a taller person. "How can I help you gentlemen on such a stormy day?"
Arrenjerks back slightly from the snake-like tube as it suddenly turns toward him, eyeing it with brief confusion—until a voice speaks from behind the door, and it swings open."Useful device,"he thinks, before swiping away as much water as possible. He doesn't want to soak the Gnome’s entryway, but despite his efforts, the floor quickly dampens with rainwater.
"I'm sorry for the wet floor,"he begins. "We don't mean to disturb you. We arrived in town just minutes ago and are looking for the smithy, but despite following the stablemaster's directions, we haven't been able to find it. The rain isn’t exactly helping. Would you mind pointing us in the right direction? We'll also need to find the inn afterward."
Arren glances toward Tace, inviting him to add anything he might want to ask, before casting a curious look around the cobbler's home.
'Tace' winces a little under the mask, and he sheepishly withdraws his hand. Ok, that was embarrassing.
He can do nothing but wait behind the Sergeant, as he hears the reply from within the building, and sees the strange tube-like device pivot towards them. When the door opens, and a waft of warm air washes over him, he feels a sense of relief.
He waits for the Sergeant to step into the warm and dry before he follows suit, and certainly doesn't reply to the gnome before the Sergeant does.
When the Sergeant glances at him, he will offer the Gnome a genuine, "Thank you".
He looks down at the floor that is fast becoming a pool of water, and knows that this will have to be a very temporary respite from the rain.
"By the way," Arren adds after the gnome answers his first questions, "We noticed quite a few collapsed buildings on our way here. Was that caused by the earthquake a couple of days ago?" He pauses for a moment, then adds, "I hope no one was hurt."
((Since one of you asked, though I'm not sure when, but I suddenly recalled it: It is now about midday. However, that is only your approximation based on how long you've been riding today, since the sky looked the same all day.))
"The smithy? Oh," he proceeds to give you directions. It seems you missed it by a bit, but you're certain you won't miss it this time. "It's a bit difficult to explain how to get to the inn, though, so you'd be better off just asking Kov - the smith - when you get there."
"Aye, the earthquake it was." He replies. "Nasty business. Most houses remained, but the weaker ones came down like a house of cards, just like the one across the street. There were a few wounded, but fortunately, it happened at a time when most folk weren't at home. They relocated to the inn, so it might be full in the meantime."
He then pauses, and perhaps you're about to leave (or just before you ask anything else), but he interrupts you: "Excuse me for inquiring in military matters, but are you perhaps here to take care of our monster problem?"
The Half-Elf nods as the directions become clearer.
"Nasty, indeed," Arren replies at the mention of the earthquake. "Glad to hear there were no casualties, though rebuilding will take time and effort." He gives an understanding look at the mention of the full inn and spares a thought for the Commandant and the Lieutenant, who will surely struggle to find rooms for everyone. He and the Corporal would soon find out if they'd been lucky. If not... well, it wouldn't be the first time they'd slept outside in a heavy downpour. The tents are good quality, but he knows they'll still end up soaked anyway.
Pushing that thought aside, Arren focuses on the monster problem instead. He frowns slightly before asking, "We heard about a so-called monster in the area this morning. Something about it walking on two legs but crouching on all fours when it attacks. They also said it looks harmless at first, but is quick and strong enough to kill a grown man with a single bite. The person who told us didn't seem the most reliable, though. Can you tell us more?"
'Tace' listens carefully to the instructions for getting to the smithy, not wanting to get lost again. Especially as the inn is so busy.
"That does sound tragic. I guess this bad weather is delaying any plans to rebuild as well. I have not been here before, and can hardly see in front of my face outside right now", he says to the gnome. "It sounds like there is just the one inn. What other facilities and shops are there in town?", he asks.
When talk turns to monsters, he also thinks back to the story they were told. So it wasn't just part of the ruse then, there is a monster about.
"Yes, we just heard rumour and hearsay. Do you know of anyone actually witnessing this monster first hand?".
He looks at the Sergeant out of the corner of his eye, in case he has another disapproving look what with all the questions.
The cobbler walks over to a work station where a half-made shoe rests and resumes his work while answering your questions, occasionally interrupted by the hammer banging over one of the tiny nails. "Aye, so the rumours say," he responds to Arren's description, "but do not misunderstand, there's a grain of truth in them. I haven't seen the monster myself, and I pray that I won't have to, but I've seen what it left behind. I don't know what it is, but it's still out there. Only person who claims to have seen the monster is a drunkard who goes by the name of Wyler, but he must have been too drunk to know his left from his right. He's the one who gave the description you already heard, but you can try asking him for more.
"Usually, he'd sit in Emma's tavern -The Stewpot - drinking what's left of his intellect away. But since she's gone now and the tavern is closed, I'd seek him at the inn across the street from there - The Three Frogs. It's currently full, as I said earlier." He works in silence for a moment, focusing on a detail that needs his attention before resuming talk: "The Stewpot had a few rooms, but its charm lay in Emma's cooking, as well as their imported booze. The Three Frogs used to sell food as well, but it couldn't compete with Emma's cooking, nor her low prices, so they stopped making food. I imagine they set up the kitchen again, now that Emma's gone, but with the Stewpot closed, they're the only inn in town. There are a few other shops around, if you're interested. Either those like me who live in their workshop, or those who have a separate shop set up. The latter group would be close to the smithy you seek, so you'll find them there. For anything else, you'll have to be more detailed."
'Tace' listens with interest, finding the whole story rather intriguing. A drunkard who may or may not have imagined a monster, but the some very real remains.
As the cobbler starts to segway into the the relative merits of the town two dining and boarding establishments, he also finds himself wondering who Emma is. And what happened to her? Are her disappearance and the monster stories related.
"Interesting. We may well have to have a chat with this Wyler. Right, Sergeant?", he says, obviously intrigued.
As he stands dripping on the floor, watching the gnome at work, he can't help but ask. "It sounds like this Emma is sorely missed. Did she leave town, or...", he starts to ask, but doesn't finish the sentence. ...did she leave in more disturbing circumstances.
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'Tace' smiles at the talk of finding better food for the road. The rations are terrible, that is certainly true. But then so was the food at the prison. There was another option, but not one he is particularly suited to.
"Perhaps we can also get a small animal trap or two, sir? Set them when we camp and check them in the early hours", he offers, hoping it isn't too complicated a skill and he can transfer his city wiles to the outdoors in some fashion. Not so sure about skinning whatever we catch mind. I guess I will have to cross that bridge if it comes to it.
When the Sergeant mentions two pure-blooded Elves, he can't help thinking how differently that term is used in Levicka. Not so focussed on the capability to trance, but on aptitude for magic. And yet I have the aptitude, when my family is far from one of the 'pure-blooded' families.
He does however think the Sergeant has a point. Between them, he and the Lieutenant are quite capable of keeping watch through the night. But when the Lieutenant offers to do the whole watch during a trance, he is a little dubious. Perhaps the Lieutenant doesn't yet trust him to perform his duties properly. Who can blame him, if he knew the truth...
"After my trance, I will join you, sir", he says, making it a statement rather than a question this time. He doesn't argue about sitting watch in future, it is not his place to dispute that if the Lieutenant orders it.
As the Lieutenant says his piece abut Levickans, he has to wonder, "That may be true for collecting rocks, sir. But how long would it have taken you to create the tunnels under the prison?", he says thoughtfully. "No disrespect, sir. But it seems to me that some of that Levickan magic we would do well to be wary of", he adds.
When the Sergeant questions the Commandant about the route ahead, he listens intently. Heading to the next town first to resupply sounded good to him. I wonder how big this town is? I might be able to gather supplies of my own.
"Yes, sir. I will make sure I am properly armed before we head into the mountains", is all he replies though. That sentiment seems doubly important after she details the challenges of the mountain road. This seems reckless, there is obviously quite the urgency here. I need to get eyes on what she is writing.
Later, after the Sergeant retires to his tent to sleep, he will get up to go and relieve himself. Whilst away from the camp, he will discreetly summon his invisible spectral hand. As he walks back into the camp some distance from the Commandant, he will ask the Lieutenant, "If you are sure, I will retire to trance, sir". He hopes to draw the Lieutenant's attention to himself, whilst he himself can see the Commandant. He will then attempt to snag one of the pieces of paper on the floor under the table, out of sight of the Commandant, and move it invisibly to him as he makes his way to the tent.
(OOC: Ok, let's see how this works. The intention at the moment is simply to obtain one of the pieces of paper on the floor without anyone noticing, using his Mage Hand Legerdemain. I know it will require at least Sleight of Hand, so will roll that now. Let me know if anything else is needed)
Sleight of Hand: 5+8=13
"I've still got plenty of time, you know." Walnuts answers. "We Drow live much longer than the Elves of Dite. About as long as the Dwarves do. I don't intend to spend my entire life here, though. I was born in Mey, you know? Even if my accent isn't half as strong as the Commandant's. I've got family I haven't seen in decades, and maybe I'll seek to start my own family." He lowers his voice a little. "I respect the Commandant, I really do. Such determination is rare to find among the Drow. We've got all the time in the world, why hurry? But I can't follow her forever. Besides, I know she's in good hands." He pats Arren on the back once. "Don't forget, even the Humans that live the longest never live as long as we Elves - even you - will. And she's not exactly a prime example of perfect health."
The Lieutenant ponders 'Tace's' conclusion for a moment. "The tunnels? Hmm. I suppose they did seem unnatural. You're right, digging that wouldn't be easy without some earth-removing wonders. The Empire is right to invest in cracking its secrets, but I think digging tunnels isn't my calling - neither with a shovel nor with a flick of the hand. But it certainly isn't a thing to underestimate. They say the Sorcerers of Dite held the line even against the Empire's might during the war."
"It is," Commandant Nattensbarn answers Arren's remark, "but it should also take us at least one week less than going around."
((OOC: Perhaps I wasn't clear. The Commandant took the table out to the open to work on it, and took some of her work on it. Most of her papers, scrolls, and parchments remain in the carriage, locked. She had several such paper balls produced during the day's ride, but they were used to start the fire. When she finishes using a draft paper to its fullest, she throws it into the fire shortly after. They may remain on the table for a little while, but she wouldn't let them roll out in the open. Bryn could try taking a paper ball that's lying on the table while the Commandant finishes her line of thought, but his gut feeling tells him she might notice that the ball she just finished with is gone. Tell me whether he proceeds with this regardless or not.))
After Arren goes to sleep, the Commandant stays hard at work. If Bryn looks outside the tent (or if he sits outside), he can see her working slower and slower, forcing herself to stay awake but fighting her eyelids, which try to close themselves in protest. Eventually, over an hour after Arren is already fast asleep, a north-eastern wind begins to blow, and it threatens to blow the Commandant's papers away. At this point, she accepts her fate and gathers her work, places it back in the carriage, locking the door behind her, and quickly eats about a third of a field ration before retiring for the night. She doesn't throw the leftovers away, but rather keeps them for the next time she will be hungry - perhaps tomorrow.
A little before Bryn finishes his trance, he can already hear rain outside. A few droplets on the tents at first, but by the time he fully finishes trancing, Lieutenant Tireur has already entered the tent while a heavy rain falls outside. "I can't decide whether it is raining because the Commandant wished there wouldn't be, or she wished there wouldn't be, knowing it is coming all the same." He whispers - knowing Bryn can hear him but making sure not to awaken Arren. "I'll go grab my raincoat, shall I bring you yours?" Bryn did see (though I didn't mention it at the time) a raincoat in Peite's belongings, which seems to be part of the uniforms provided to each soldier, made from the same waterproof fabric as the tents are. The Lieutenant will then bring his raincoat from the carriage's storage space, and one for Bryn as well, if he asks for it.
When Arren and the Commandant wake up in the morning, it is still constantly raining, the skies all dark clouds. It's not the first rain of the year, but it's the first that's this hard, and it came after several weeks without much rain. An unexpected change in the weather, but one that's not too unusual for this time of the year when autumn just ends and winter begins. Tearing down the camp doesn't take long, and your raincoats protect you from the rain for the most part, but you still get wet where they don't perfectly cover you, and it ruins Arren's plans to practice before leaving. With strong winds and rain, it is hard to see or hear anything around you, but the horses are well-trained and pull the carriage despite the storm. The Commandant briefly explained to Arren how to get to the nearest town before disappearing into the carriage.
You only realise you've reached town when a building suddenly appears next to you, as visibility is strictly limited with the heavy rain. By now, you're all soaked, but seeing the wooden buildings here, it's a chance to dry yourselves during the stop. However, in this state, it is difficult to see where a suitable place might be. You eventually find a stable with reserve spots saved for travellers' horses that can accommodate your horses and the carriage.
"You two find the smithy, like I told you yesterday!" The Commandant shouts to be heard over the wind, despite standing right in front of you. "Search for an inn to stay in until the storm passes! I hope it's not a long one, but we can't ride in unfamiliar routes when we can't see two metres ahead of us! Once you're done, come find us!" She then hands you both a total of 15 GP to buy what you need at the military's expense. It is a large sum, though weapons can get pricy. Along with the Lieutenant, she then leaves in search for an inn.
Varielky
"I am aware," Arren states, perhaps a bit dryly. As if he has forgot himself, he quickly adds, "Sir." He pauses before continuing, "Half-breeds live too long for humans, yet too brief for elves. And there are not many of us. It is...", "...a curse", he almost finishes aloud. Instead, he exhales and stands up, shaking his head slightly. "Anyway, good night," he says, before retiring to sleep.
The next day, the Half-Elf wakes to find that the storm has finally caught up with them. "So much for morning exercises", he muses, and begins preparing for the journey along with the others. He doesn't mind the freshness of the rain dampening his hair and raincoat. Initially. But after a long while of riding, when he starts to feel the cloth soaking through and his black hair sticking to his skin, he changes his mind.
The sight of the town is a welcome one. After securing the carriage and making sure Choco and Mocha are under shelter, he takes the gold and signals the Corporal to follow. "Well, this is probably when the helmet comes in handy", Arren thinks, giving Tace a curious glance as he wipes the damp hair from his face.
If they find anyone in the street—though that seems unlikely, given the weather—he'll ask for the smithy to find it more quickly. If not, they'll have to rely on their own eyes to find it. Though he doesn't expect to see much in this downpour, he'll still try to keep an eye out for a shop that might sell seasonings to improve their next meals. (Perception ... ugh ... a 5)
Once they find the smitty, Arren introduces himself and the Corporal. "Well met. Sergeant al-Nasrid," Arren states, nodding slightly. "This is Corporal Peite. We're here on Commandant Nattensbarn's orders to procure supplies. My companion needs a military-grade weapon, and we are hoping to find something here." Arren turns to look at Tace, and gives him a nod, so he can proceed to explain which weapons he favors.
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
"I will come with you", 'Tace' replies to the Lieutenant, not really knowing how to respond about the Commandant and the weather and feeling it better to say nothing. "I could do with stretching my legs a little, regardless of the rain. I expect there is no hiding from it today".
He does his best to help pack away the tents, and resigns himself to a day spent at the whim of the elements, huddling in his raincoat and failing to stop the wet finding it's way to the clothes underneath. It may be miserable, but at least there is the hope of a fire and some hot food at the end of the day, unlike the prison.
He strains to see through the rain as he sits next to the Sergeant, but there really isn't much help he can offer. They just needed to follow the road.
When they finally spot the buildings, a wave of relief engulfs him. He accepts the coin from the Commandant as he strains to hear her instructions, and then follows after the Sergeant.
When they enter the smithy, he is grateful for the heat of the forge, pushing back the hood but keeping his helmet on.
"Good day", he says by way of greeting after the Sergeant speaks. "Something light will do the trick. A scimitar or perhaps a short sword might suit the budget better. In fact yes, a short sword would do nicely. And a dagger or two", he says. "I would add a shortbow to the mix, but again the budget only stretches so far".
((For the record, Arren also has a helmet as part of his armour set. He can choose whether he wears it or not. I'm mostly leaving aesthetics of mechanics to you, though, so if you choose that he doesn't have a helmet, I wouldn't lower his AC for it (he'll still need to wear some armour, though, you can't give up on all pieces).))
In light of the horrible weather, it is no surprise that you don't spot anyone outside. You don't know how large this town might be, but it's at least large enough that it took you a few minutes riding in the town until you found the stables (at a rather low speed because of the bad visibility). The stablemaster gives you some directions to reach the smithy, but after your best attempts to follow them, you eventually conclude that you either missed the smithy or have gotten lost, or the directions were given incorrectly, though you do not believe the stablemaster has any reason to fool you.
You stand in the middle of the street, heavy rain falling on your already soaked raincoat, and there doesn't seem to be anything that could direct you within the small area that you can see. (To be clear, you do see buildings a little farther away, but they become too blurry after a couple of metres, and a little farther than that, the heavy rain and fog obscure your sight almost entirely. In technical terms, you see within 5 feet clearly, then lightly obscured up to 10', then heavily obscured beyond.)
You haven't seen any smithy, inn, tavern or store which Arren believes contains the ingredients he'll need. You have, however, spotted a handful of collapsed buildings. Some made of wood, others of stone and bricks. Some have collapsed entirely, others only partially, but nobody seems to have remained inside their ruins. Currently, you stand in the middle of the street. There are buildings near you. Of the closest, one is the fifth collapsed house you've passed by so far. Two are normal-looking houses, with no indication of being anything more. The fourth, and last building you can clearly see from where you stand, is a small shop called 'Sole Mate', as indicated by a small wooden sign wildly swinging in the strong wind, depicting the store's name in the Humans' Common tongue (Common) and a pair of shoes.
Varielky
Arren, wiping away the water and hair from his face for the umpteenth time, exclaims, "Damn it! Looks like Rep-Un's having a fit, and we are paying dearly for it!" Frustrated that neither he nor the Corporal seem to be able to find their way, Arren turns toward Tace, getting very close so he can be heard clearly, and points to the building with the pair of shoes depicted on the wooden sign. "Let's try there! They should be able to point us to the smithy first, and the inn after."
Unless the helmeted Elf has a better idea, the Half-Elf turns on his heel and strides toward the building as fast as the rain-slicked streets allow. The sooner they get out of this downpour, the better.
Even in his rush to find cover, Arren can't help but notice the many collapsed buildings. He wonders what happened here. Perhaps they can ask the cobbler about it...
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
"Anywhere out of the rain suits me, sir", 'Tace' virtually has to shout back. "Maybe they sell more waterproof boots", he adds hopefully.
He follows the Sergeant towards the shop.
"What do you think happened here?", he calls out motioning to the ruined buildings, as they are about to enter the shop. Please be open!
He looks for sign of life inside, or light at the least, as he waits for the Sergeant to try the door.
At the Corporal's question, Arren gives the ruins another quick glance. "A natural disaster? A battle?", he answers, uncertain. He tries to recall any past conflicts or major disasters that might have struck the area. If not for the relentless downpour, he'd take a closer look to determine whether the collapses were recent or long past—but right now, all he wants is to get under a roof.
Reaching the "Sole Mate" door, he exchanges a glance with his companion. "Let’s hope we’re lucky". He knocks and waits, shifting his weight from foot to foot as the cold rain seeps deeper into his clothes. His fingers drum restlessly against his arm, and he lets out a sharp breath, muttering under his breath, "Come on, come on… open up..."
(History: 8)
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
'Tace' thinks on what the Sergeant had said about the ruins. Obviously the last major war was when the Meyens invaded, but that was many decades ago, surely time enough to rebuild. A natural disaster makes more sense. Maybe it will become clear when this fog has passed.
He stands behind the Sergeant at the door as he mentions luck and knocks.
"Now is not the time to stand on ceremony", he replies, possibly inaudibly because of the rain. He reaches past the sergeant and tries the door to see if it is unlocked.
As the Corporal reaches past him, Arren fixes him with a look—calm but unmistakably disapproving. If an extra moment under the rain is enough to test his discipline, Arren wonders how he'll fare in truly dire circumstances. Still, he says nothing and shifts his focus back to the door.
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
'Tace' spots the Sergeants look as he reaches across and winces a little under the mask. Discipline! Soldiering is all about discipline. I will need to apologies later.
For now, it is too late, the deed is done and the door is tested.
You both remember a recent earthquake in the area, just two days ago. Whether it was the cause of the collapse of all those buildings or not, determining that would require a closer look. But other than that, no other significant natural disasters come to mind. In Dite, earthquakes aren't unheard of but are far from ordinary. Especially those of great magnitudes, are more stories of the ancient world than recorded history. Believed to have been the doing of powerful mages, or the gods when those still walked on the ground. The one you experienced just two days ago wasn't too powerful, and yet stronger than anything either of you had ever experienced.
The small shop looks closer to a house than a specialized workshop, at least from the outside. It is then understandable why Arren would knock first, just as it is understandable that Bryn would first think of heading straight in. The cobbler's shop/house has a chimney, out of which you see a steady strand of smoke, and through a nearby window, despite the vales covering it, you can see what must be the light of a fireplace inside. However, Bryn discovers the door is locked.
Soon after, you hear a call from inside: "Who is it?" The voice is high-pitched, but not that of a woman or a child. Rather, it is raspy and full. The kind that often belongs to older short-statured folk. "And why would you come all the way here in the rain?"
A small and bent tube-like device with a piece of glass at its end, fixed to the side of the door on a few hinges, turns towards you. It reminds you of a snake, its tail enters the wall on one side of the door, and its head looking your way. Its design also reminds you of a bent monocular. "Oh!" He exclaims, and you hear a lock clicking, followed by the opening of the door.
As you expected, a Gnome stands in front of you. Looking at you from below, holding the snake-like tube's other end in his hand. "I wasn't expecting soldiers! Come in, come in!" He opens the door farther and steps aside, allowing you to enter. The furniture inside seems to match his size, despite the height of the door and the ceiling fitting the house of a taller person. "How can I help you gentlemen on such a stormy day?"
Varielky
Arren jerks back slightly from the snake-like tube as it suddenly turns toward him, eyeing it with brief confusion—until a voice speaks from behind the door, and it swings open."Useful device," he thinks, before swiping away as much water as possible. He doesn't want to soak the Gnome’s entryway, but despite his efforts, the floor quickly dampens with rainwater.
"I'm sorry for the wet floor," he begins. "We don't mean to disturb you. We arrived in town just minutes ago and are looking for the smithy, but despite following the stablemaster's directions, we haven't been able to find it. The rain isn’t exactly helping. Would you mind pointing us in the right direction? We'll also need to find the inn afterward."
Arren glances toward Tace, inviting him to add anything he might want to ask, before casting a curious look around the cobbler's home.
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
'Tace' winces a little under the mask, and he sheepishly withdraws his hand. Ok, that was embarrassing.
He can do nothing but wait behind the Sergeant, as he hears the reply from within the building, and sees the strange tube-like device pivot towards them. When the door opens, and a waft of warm air washes over him, he feels a sense of relief.
He waits for the Sergeant to step into the warm and dry before he follows suit, and certainly doesn't reply to the gnome before the Sergeant does.
When the Sergeant glances at him, he will offer the Gnome a genuine, "Thank you".
He looks down at the floor that is fast becoming a pool of water, and knows that this will have to be a very temporary respite from the rain.
"By the way," Arren adds after the gnome answers his first questions, "We noticed quite a few collapsed buildings on our way here. Was that caused by the earthquake a couple of days ago?" He pauses for a moment, then adds, "I hope no one was hurt."
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
((Since one of you asked, though I'm not sure when, but I suddenly recalled it: It is now about midday. However, that is only your approximation based on how long you've been riding today, since the sky looked the same all day.))
"The smithy? Oh," he proceeds to give you directions. It seems you missed it by a bit, but you're certain you won't miss it this time. "It's a bit difficult to explain how to get to the inn, though, so you'd be better off just asking Kov - the smith - when you get there."
"Aye, the earthquake it was." He replies. "Nasty business. Most houses remained, but the weaker ones came down like a house of cards, just like the one across the street. There were a few wounded, but fortunately, it happened at a time when most folk weren't at home. They relocated to the inn, so it might be full in the meantime."
He then pauses, and perhaps you're about to leave (or just before you ask anything else), but he interrupts you: "Excuse me for inquiring in military matters, but are you perhaps here to take care of our monster problem?"
Varielky
The Half-Elf nods as the directions become clearer.
"Nasty, indeed," Arren replies at the mention of the earthquake. "Glad to hear there were no casualties, though rebuilding will take time and effort." He gives an understanding look at the mention of the full inn and spares a thought for the Commandant and the Lieutenant, who will surely struggle to find rooms for everyone. He and the Corporal would soon find out if they'd been lucky. If not... well, it wouldn't be the first time they'd slept outside in a heavy downpour. The tents are good quality, but he knows they'll still end up soaked anyway.
Pushing that thought aside, Arren focuses on the monster problem instead. He frowns slightly before asking, "We heard about a so-called monster in the area this morning. Something about it walking on two legs but crouching on all fours when it attacks. They also said it looks harmless at first, but is quick and strong enough to kill a grown man with a single bite. The person who told us didn't seem the most reliable, though. Can you tell us more?"
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
'Tace' listens carefully to the instructions for getting to the smithy, not wanting to get lost again. Especially as the inn is so busy.
"That does sound tragic. I guess this bad weather is delaying any plans to rebuild as well. I have not been here before, and can hardly see in front of my face outside right now", he says to the gnome. "It sounds like there is just the one inn. What other facilities and shops are there in town?", he asks.
When talk turns to monsters, he also thinks back to the story they were told. So it wasn't just part of the ruse then, there is a monster about.
"Yes, we just heard rumour and hearsay. Do you know of anyone actually witnessing this monster first hand?".
He looks at the Sergeant out of the corner of his eye, in case he has another disapproving look what with all the questions.
The cobbler walks over to a work station where a half-made shoe rests and resumes his work while answering your questions, occasionally interrupted by the hammer banging over one of the tiny nails. "Aye, so the rumours say," he responds to Arren's description, "but do not misunderstand, there's a grain of truth in them. I haven't seen the monster myself, and I pray that I won't have to, but I've seen what it left behind. I don't know what it is, but it's still out there. Only person who claims to have seen the monster is a drunkard who goes by the name of Wyler, but he must have been too drunk to know his left from his right. He's the one who gave the description you already heard, but you can try asking him for more.
"Usually, he'd sit in Emma's tavern -The Stewpot - drinking what's left of his intellect away. But since she's gone now and the tavern is closed, I'd seek him at the inn across the street from there - The Three Frogs. It's currently full, as I said earlier." He works in silence for a moment, focusing on a detail that needs his attention before resuming talk: "The Stewpot had a few rooms, but its charm lay in Emma's cooking, as well as their imported booze. The Three Frogs used to sell food as well, but it couldn't compete with Emma's cooking, nor her low prices, so they stopped making food. I imagine they set up the kitchen again, now that Emma's gone, but with the Stewpot closed, they're the only inn in town. There are a few other shops around, if you're interested. Either those like me who live in their workshop, or those who have a separate shop set up. The latter group would be close to the smithy you seek, so you'll find them there. For anything else, you'll have to be more detailed."
Varielky
'Tace' listens with interest, finding the whole story rather intriguing. A drunkard who may or may not have imagined a monster, but the some very real remains.
As the cobbler starts to segway into the the relative merits of the town two dining and boarding establishments, he also finds himself wondering who Emma is. And what happened to her? Are her disappearance and the monster stories related.
"Interesting. We may well have to have a chat with this Wyler. Right, Sergeant?", he says, obviously intrigued.
As he stands dripping on the floor, watching the gnome at work, he can't help but ask. "It sounds like this Emma is sorely missed. Did she leave town, or...", he starts to ask, but doesn't finish the sentence. ...did she leave in more disturbing circumstances.