“Well.. lets just get started shall we?” Salida says, trying to change the subject quickly. “I believe we have waited long enough. However we need to make some decisions before we head out. What pace do we plan on setting? We can move quickly but our chances of making a wrong turn increases with the potential of becoming lost. We can travel more slowly to ensure we are going the right direction and allowing us to forge but will not travel as far in one day. Or we can go at a steady pace which has no major benefits one way or the other. Which wouldn’t you prefer?” She asks the group as a whole.
Wakanga gazed upon the Dwarf debating if he should answer and finally deciding on it. “Your Bard convinced me it would be beneficial if I supplied a form of assistance to your party to ensure its success in certain matters. I thought he spoke wisdom and deserved what he requested as your parties leader.” Finishing his short speech, Wakanga walked over to Salida and began speaking to her, followed closely behind by Syndra.
Jadyn saw the group gathered around the cart. She pulled the contract and pen and ink out of her pack and approached the remaining group members who hadn't signed. "Our contract with Salida doesn't begin until everyone signs." She pointed to Xandala. "Is she coming? Do we need to add her?"
Thom turned from the merchant prince and approached Jadyn hearing the tail end of her sentence "...need to add her?" Thom gave a simple shrug as if it was little importance to him reaching out to take the contract from Jadyn and speaking as he signed his name. "The Druid invited her. I don't know any more of their agreement then you."
Handing back the contract Thom studied the cleric for a moment before continuing in an attempt at a friendly voice. "I recall that you asked me a question that I forgot to answer yesterday." Thom hadn't forgotten to be exact, he had just not bothered as to Thom, the question didn't serve any real purpose. However, now he needed information and if answering the question would bring them... "I am here for information. Simple as that. I..." Thom let out a sigh as he went on sadness enveloping his face. "...am looking for someone. Someone I fear to be dead." Where are you, women? Why can I not sense you?
"That is my reason for being here. Like many I want answers. Hopefully, you may be able to provide me with some.Thom reached into his cloak pocket and pulled out a parchment handing it to Jadyn. "Do you have any idea of what this is or perhaps recognize any of the markings on it?"
Stretching, groggily, Quill blinked from her position under her cat atop the supplies, her expression momentarily confused. Booting upright as her eyes took in the mounts attached to the cart, she pointed enthusiastically "Dibs, I call dibs. I shall call that one.....George and the other one Fluffy! ". Looking around at the startled group around her, she looked bashful for a moment, "Did I miss something?"
Quickly gathering that there were matters of a contract to sign, she pushed Book off her lap to go expect the contract. Taking it from the Raven's servant she read it twice as she wondered aloud, the most pressing question at least for her, "So like my full full name, my more full formal name, or the full name I use around humans...."
Deciding to compromise, she went ahead and signed it with her slightly more formal human name with a flourish:
Roywna Ivy Sourgum Laurenda Quill Tainin Folknorn
Looking up, she handed back the contract before yawning once more, stretching and shaking herself visibly before her eyes caught on the dragon on a strange woman's shoulder, running off like a shot to ohh, aww, and purr over the thing, "What's it's name? is it a boy or girl? What's your name? Can I pet it? Please?!?"
Xandala shrugged her shoulders. “I am not here for gain of fortune but to find my lost father with your parties aid. I need no reward for any help I shall provide. Finding my father is payment enough.”
Smiling at the Gnome she petted the dragon under the chin. His name is Summerwise and he is very intelligent. In fact he can speak to anyone who speaks Draconic.”
Jadyn took the sheet from Thom's hand, placed her other hand on her amulet to call on the Raven Queen for insight, and examined the drawing. "This is a guardian control amulet. Each one is attuned to only work for a certain guardian, and this one has been believed lost since its original owner had a deadly accident when he fell out of a tree, knocked himself out cold, and drowned in a muddy puddle." Jadyn returned the parchment to Thom. "Was that useful?"
After Thom took his parchment back, Jadyn stepped away and took out another sheet and attempted to draw what she had just seen. Even with the Raven Queen's guidance, she couldn't remember all of the symbols, but at least she had a crude drawing of what Thom was after.
Thom thought about what he was told about its last holder. A deadly accident? Did he fall out of the tree or did someone make him fall? "That lines up with what I was told, for the most part... Thom rubbed the side of his face with a dozen different thoughts running through his head. "It, in fact, controls a guardian. The guardian Vorn to be exact."
Thom looked towards the merchant prince, ensuring he was far enough away not to be heard. "This Master Merchant wants it. badly." Thom lowered his voice as he continued to speak. "So badly in fact, that he provides us with a king's ransom in food, water, and the means to carry them..." Thom tugged at his beard "...when we were offered next to nothing to stop the far more dire death curse." Thom studied Jayden as he continued speaking "The question is why? Why does he want it so badly? How dangerous is this Vorn guardian?
A dagger appeared in Thoms hand, which he studied with apparent interest. "I must know the answers before I hand it over."
"Ready?" without waiting for an answer Salida gave the order and the party began their venture through the Port gates and into the vast wilderness of Chult. As the sweltering sun past midday the party traveled along the shores. 5 miles from civilization the party stopped for lunch. A small patch of land was cleared away, flowers and indigenous plants decorated the landscape around the group. As meat slowly roasted over a fire pit, Salida stood to observe the landscape. The land moved..."Rise and draw your weapons! We are under attack!" (OOC: ROLL FOR INITIATIVE! I WILL POST BATTLE MAP IN DISCORD AFTER EVERYONE DOES THEIR ROLL!)
Gairlik sniffs at the meat cooking over the fire, trying to discern what sort of beast it may have been. He shrugs and licks his lips. "Mmmm... Smells pretty good there." As the guide rises and gives warning of an attack, Gairlik looks around to find the threat that approaches. He reaches for his weapons not seeing much of a threat. "What!? Those pretty looking flowers?"
Releasing his inner anger, Gairlik strikes at the foe north of Quill. His Maul strikes with the ferocity of the barbarian blood within him and nearly down the weed in one horrific blow. (HIT! 14DMG! Foe 2 Severley Damaged!)
Several of the Tri-Flower's inches 5 feet closer to their Prey.
Quill: Searching her mind for any for of weakness Quill studies her foes movement before shouting out her findings to her party. "They are stupid and not very strong. Though there doesn't appear to be any weakness among them their blossoms are extremely deadly if they get to close to you!" (NATURE CHECK: PASS!) One of the plants nears Gairlik, opens its blossom and begins to... swoosh.. an arrow flies through the air, striking the Tri-Flower, and taking out its weakened steam. (HIT! 6 Dmg, FOE 2 Killed!)
Damien moves quickly in order to get behind one of the hulking plants and immediately strikes at it with both blades. His skills seem almost inhuman like as he strikes with Godlike ferocity taking down the overgrown weed. (CRITICAL HIT ON FIRST ATTACK! SECOND ATTACK HITS! 17 DMG, FOE 6 DEFEATED!)
Lesnalore quickly takes action and sets the ground on fire (Casts: Create Bonfire) catching a Tri-Flower Frond on fire! (DEX SAVE: FAILED, 5 DMG, Foe 5 is hurt!)
Pulling a dagger from under his cloak, Thom lets it fly. It plunges into the thick of stem of the plant where it remains. (HIT! 4DMG, Foe 3 Hurt)
Jadyn, seeing his chance, releases a necrotic wave upon his weakened enemy causing severe damage to it!. (CASTS TOLL THE DEAD: DC WIS: FAILED! 3DMG NECROTIC, FOE 3 is Severly Hurt!)
Gazing upon the closest Tri-Flower, Dariel raises his plam and produces a magical flame. Taking aim, he tosses the flame at his foe who takes the attack at it's full strength burning the weed out of existence! (CAST: PRODUCE FLAME, 8 DMG, FOE 1 Killed!)
A Tri-Flower moves slowly towards its prey.
Round 1 Results: Tri-Flower Frond:
F1 - DEAD F2 - DEAD F3 - Severly Hurt F4 - Unhurt F5 - Hurt F6 - DEAD
Giving Quill a nod of thanks, Gairlik rushes to meet the flower coming closer from the east. Swinging his mail with Barbaric strength and sends it crashing into the plant. It’s thick stem snaps under the force of the blow. (HIT! DMG 13, Foe 3 DEFEATED)
A Tri-Flower Frond moves a bit closer to its prey.
Quill carefully retreats to the safety of the campfire and readies her bow, launching the arrow at her for to the sout east. The is shot off target and lands harmlessly in the open grass. (Miss!)
Moving quickly, Damien approaches his target on the left flank and unleashed a series of quick slashes with his short swords. Sliced in two, the plant falls to the ground. (BOTH HIT! DMG 13, Foe 5 DEFEATED!)
Keeping her distance, Lesnalore creates flames under her Foe. (DEX SAVE FAILED! 3 DMG, Foe 4 slightly hurt)
Thom uses his quick wits to sling carefully worded insults at his foe which choose to ignore him. (WIS SAVE PASSED!)
Jadyn swings around and opens her hands towards the remaining plant. Necrotic force slams into the enemy flower! (WIS SAVE FAILED! 5 DMG, Foe 4 Hurt!)
Before the flower has time to recover, Dariel spins around Andy launches a flame created in the palm of her hand. The flame strikes the plant burning it to a crisp! (HIT! DMG 5, Foe 4 DEFEATED!)
Once all the monstrous flowers have fallen its takes a moment for Gairlik to rein in his fury. Dropping to both knees, the dwarf begins a process of calming himself through slow, measured breaths while grasping the locket around his neck. The rage quickly melts away considering the fight was not so intense.
He stands, hoisting his maul into its place on his back, and marches over to Quill. He gives the gnome a hearty clap on the back. "Nice shot there, Larunda. Much appreciated. I don't think anything good was about to come from those flowers."
After spending a few moments composing themselves the Party of 9 continues their journey along the coast until they reach the start of river, it’s waters given strength from the coast line.
“We have reached River Soshenstar.” Salida says, pausing and dropping her bag on the ground. This will be a good spot for us to rest for the night. Let’s get..”
Salida stops mid speech as a woman’s voice falls on top of her own.
”From the looks of you I would say your Explorers on a major expedition?” The voice came from a woman standing along the coast, her hair was black and wrinkled with age. Her dark skin appeared much the same and Her clothing appeared to belong on a noble woman. Anyone who saw her would agree she was far from beautiful. “Have you found anything interesting as of late?” The woman stood 30 Feet from the nearest party member, her eyes scanning the party observantly.
Reply to saute-monkey Shaking as she lowered her bow, Quill offered Gairlik a tentative smile. Her entire frame felt tense under the dwarfs touch, her throat constricted, her hands sweaty and shaking, as her head thrummed with no small amount of fear, exictment, and adrenaline. Opening and closing her mouth, She searched for words that weren't there, until shaking off the dwarfs touch, she slung her bow across her back and began to match towards the cart under which Book had hidden. Keeping her back to the party, she felt tears set her face before she briskly wiped them away, refusing to let herself cry.
Shoulders hunched, she bowed her head in prayer, consigning the spirits of the plants into the card of the great earth goddess. She never quite got used to this. She had hunted before, she had killed things before, but this was different somehow. She had been taught to live in harmony with nature, to understand it's delicate balance, to live in harmony with its cycle of life and death, to tread softly upon the face of the earth.
Yet somehow even as she understood the necessity of defending herself and others, this first confrontation with danger on this treacherous journey had shaken her somehow. Reinforced her insecurities. Made the vague sense of danger real. Opened her eyes just how much better her companions were, just how dangerous they were. Made everything just a little bit more real.
A soft concerned mwrowl alerted her of her feline companions concern. Scrubbing her face, she took a deep breath, giving Book a gentle scratch behind the ears before turning back to her companions giving them one of her signature smiles, hoping they wouldn't notice how brittle it was.
"Well that was certainly interesting! I'm just going to try to find my arrows. Carefully of course."
Whistling to book, she went to see if she could retrieve her spent arrows and to observe the plants more closely so she could remember the details when she recorded her observations of the plant in her journal later.
Reply to essence From her position in the traveling group, Quill looked up to see an older woman standing on the coast. Her appearance have the impression of someone of age or experience, but that she was in such a place, startling. Giving a tentative wave, Quill have a tentative greeting, instinctively turning a questioning gaze to Rand whom she unconsciously viewed as the group's leader.
Thom reacted quickly from his position among the others, grabbing Quill and pulling her behind him. A dagger appeared in his hand instantly and he studied the women carefully as he spoke. "Don't take another step or it will be your last. What is a woman doing alone in this place?" Thom wasn't concerned about what the others in his party were doing, his attention was focused entirely on the woman in front of him. In his land women were far more dangerous than any man or beast.
Jadyn stepped forward, touching her amulet for insight. Detecting no danger, she glanced sideways at Thom in his defensive posture. "A woman can do what she likes." she said, loud enough for Thom and the woman both to hear.She turned to face the woman again. "Don't mind the bard. He's not quite right in the head. I'm Jadyn. What brings you here?"
Thom didn't take his eyes from the women as he spoke up. "Ignore her, tell me why you are here before I decide to put this dagger in your throat." She just didn't understand how he felt, and he didn't blame her.
Gairlik places a hand on Quill's shoulder, detecting her unwase, and tries to offer some reassurance. "It should come easier in time...or so I'm told." He allows to her move on to collect her arrows. Taking a sip from his waterskin he wonders if a cask if ale would have been better than all this water. The lack thereof is going to make for a long journey.
Upon reaching their camp along the shore if the river, Gairlik begins making his preparations for the night when he hears the old woman's voice. His head whips around finding Thom already threatening her. He makes his way behind the others of his group to get a better look at the newcomer. "Take it easy there, Slime. She looks about as dangerous as you."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
“Well.. lets just get started shall we?” Salida says, trying to change the subject quickly. “I believe we have waited long enough. However we need to make some decisions before we head out. What pace do we plan on setting? We can move quickly but our chances of making a wrong turn increases with the potential of becoming lost. We can travel more slowly to ensure we are going the right direction and allowing us to forge but will not travel as far in one day. Or we can go at a steady pace which has no major benefits one way or the other. Which wouldn’t you prefer?” She asks the group as a whole.
To Gairlick:
Wakanga gazed upon the Dwarf debating if he should answer and finally deciding on it. “Your Bard convinced me it would be beneficial if I supplied a form of assistance to your party to ensure its success in certain matters. I thought he spoke wisdom and deserved what he requested as your parties leader.” Finishing his short speech, Wakanga walked over to Salida and began speaking to her, followed closely behind by Syndra.
Jadyn saw the group gathered around the cart. She pulled the contract and pen and ink out of her pack and approached the remaining group members who hadn't signed. "Our contract with Salida doesn't begin until everyone signs." She pointed to Xandala. "Is she coming? Do we need to add her?"
Dariel nods when Jadyn asks about Xandala. "Wants to find her father. Artus Cimber."
Thom turned from the merchant prince and approached Jadyn hearing the tail end of her sentence "...need to add her?" Thom gave a simple shrug as if it was little importance to him reaching out to take the contract from Jadyn and speaking as he signed his name. "The Druid invited her. I don't know any more of their agreement then you."
Handing back the contract Thom studied the cleric for a moment before continuing in an attempt at a friendly voice. "I recall that you asked me a question that I forgot to answer yesterday." Thom hadn't forgotten to be exact, he had just not bothered as to Thom, the question didn't serve any real purpose. However, now he needed information and if answering the question would bring them... "I am here for information. Simple as that. I..." Thom let out a sigh as he went on sadness enveloping his face. "...am looking for someone. Someone I fear to be dead." Where are you, women? Why can I not sense you?
"That is my reason for being here. Like many I want answers. Hopefully, you may be able to provide me with some. Thom reached into his cloak pocket and pulled out a parchment handing it to Jadyn. "Do you have any idea of what this is or perhaps recognize any of the markings on it?"
OOC: PM coming your way on Discord
Stretching, groggily, Quill blinked from her position under her cat atop the supplies, her expression momentarily confused. Booting upright as her eyes took in the mounts attached to the cart, she pointed enthusiastically "Dibs, I call dibs. I shall call that one.....George and the other one Fluffy! ". Looking around at the startled group around her, she looked bashful for a moment, "Did I miss something?"
Quickly gathering that there were matters of a contract to sign, she pushed Book off her lap to go expect the contract. Taking it from the Raven's servant she read it twice as she wondered aloud, the most pressing question at least for her, "So like my full full name, my more full formal name, or the full name I use around humans...."
Deciding to compromise, she went ahead and signed it with her slightly more formal human name with a flourish:
Roywna Ivy Sourgum Laurenda Quill Tainin Folknorn
Looking up, she handed back the contract before yawning once more, stretching and shaking herself visibly before her eyes caught on the dragon on a strange woman's shoulder, running off like a shot to ohh, aww, and purr over the thing, "What's it's name? is it a boy or girl? What's your name? Can I pet it? Please?!?"
Xandala shrugged her shoulders. “I am not here for gain of fortune but to find my lost father with your parties aid. I need no reward for any help I shall provide. Finding my father is payment enough.”
Smiling at the Gnome she petted the dragon under the chin. His name is Summerwise and he is very intelligent. In fact he can speak to anyone who speaks Draconic.”
Jadyn took the sheet from Thom's hand, placed her other hand on her amulet to call on the Raven Queen for insight, and examined the drawing. "This is a guardian control amulet. Each one is attuned to only work for a certain guardian, and this one has been believed lost since its original owner had a deadly accident when he fell out of a tree, knocked himself out cold, and drowned in a muddy puddle." Jadyn returned the parchment to Thom. "Was that useful?"
After Thom took his parchment back, Jadyn stepped away and took out another sheet and attempted to draw what she had just seen. Even with the Raven Queen's guidance, she couldn't remember all of the symbols, but at least she had a crude drawing of what Thom was after.
Thom thought about what he was told about its last holder. A deadly accident? Did he fall out of the tree or did someone make him fall? "That lines up with what I was told, for the most part... Thom rubbed the side of his face with a dozen different thoughts running through his head. "It, in fact, controls a guardian. The guardian Vorn to be exact."
Thom looked towards the merchant prince, ensuring he was far enough away not to be heard. "This Master Merchant wants it. badly." Thom lowered his voice as he continued to speak. "So badly in fact, that he provides us with a king's ransom in food, water, and the means to carry them..." Thom tugged at his beard "...when we were offered next to nothing to stop the far more dire death curse." Thom studied Jayden as he continued speaking "The question is why? Why does he want it so badly? How dangerous is this Vorn guardian?
A dagger appeared in Thoms hand, which he studied with apparent interest. "I must know the answers before I hand it over."
"Ready?" without waiting for an answer Salida gave the order and the party began their venture through the Port gates and into the vast wilderness of Chult. As the sweltering sun past midday the party traveled along the shores. 5 miles from civilization the party stopped for lunch. A small patch of land was cleared away, flowers and indigenous plants decorated the landscape around the group. As meat slowly roasted over a fire pit, Salida stood to observe the landscape. The land moved... "Rise and draw your weapons! We are under attack!" (OOC: ROLL FOR INITIATIVE! I WILL POST BATTLE MAP IN DISCORD AFTER EVERYONE DOES THEIR ROLL!)
Gairlik sniffs at the meat cooking over the fire, trying to discern what sort of beast it may have been. He shrugs and licks his lips. "Mmmm... Smells pretty good there." As the guide rises and gives warning of an attack, Gairlik looks around to find the threat that approaches. He reaches for his weapons not seeing much of a threat. "What!? Those pretty looking flowers?"
Releasing his inner anger, Gairlik strikes at the foe north of Quill. His Maul strikes with the ferocity of the barbarian blood within him and nearly down the weed in one horrific blow. (HIT! 14DMG! Foe 2 Severley Damaged!)
Several of the Tri-Flower's inches 5 feet closer to their Prey.
Quill: Searching her mind for any for of weakness Quill studies her foes movement before shouting out her findings to her party. "They are stupid and not very strong. Though there doesn't appear to be any weakness among them their blossoms are extremely deadly if they get to close to you!" (NATURE CHECK: PASS!) One of the plants nears Gairlik, opens its blossom and begins to... swoosh.. an arrow flies through the air, striking the Tri-Flower, and taking out its weakened steam. (HIT! 6 Dmg, FOE 2 Killed!)
Damien moves quickly in order to get behind one of the hulking plants and immediately strikes at it with both blades. His skills seem almost inhuman like as he strikes with Godlike ferocity taking down the overgrown weed. (CRITICAL HIT ON FIRST ATTACK! SECOND ATTACK HITS! 17 DMG, FOE 6 DEFEATED!)
Lesnalore quickly takes action and sets the ground on fire (Casts: Create Bonfire) catching a Tri-Flower Frond on fire! (DEX SAVE: FAILED, 5 DMG, Foe 5 is hurt!)
Pulling a dagger from under his cloak, Thom lets it fly. It plunges into the thick of stem of the plant where it remains. (HIT! 4DMG, Foe 3 Hurt)
Jadyn, seeing his chance, releases a necrotic wave upon his weakened enemy causing severe damage to it!. (CASTS TOLL THE DEAD: DC WIS: FAILED! 3DMG NECROTIC, FOE 3 is Severly Hurt!)
Gazing upon the closest Tri-Flower, Dariel raises his plam and produces a magical flame. Taking aim, he tosses the flame at his foe who takes the attack at it's full strength burning the weed out of existence! (CAST: PRODUCE FLAME, 8 DMG, FOE 1 Killed!)
A Tri-Flower moves slowly towards its prey.
Round 1 Results:
Tri-Flower Frond:
F1 - DEAD
F2 - DEAD
F3 - Severly Hurt
F4 - Unhurt
F5 - Hurt
F6 - DEAD
Party:
Gairlik 15/15
Quill 11/11
Damien 8/8
Lesnalore 9/9
Thomdril 9/9
Jadyn 11/11
Dariel 11/11
Initiative Order:
Gairlik
F3
F5
Quill
Damien
Lesnalore
Thom
Jadyn
Dariel
F4
Giving Quill a nod of thanks, Gairlik rushes to meet the flower coming closer from the east. Swinging his mail with Barbaric strength and sends it crashing into the plant. It’s thick stem snaps under the force of the blow. (HIT! DMG 13, Foe 3 DEFEATED)
A Tri-Flower Frond moves a bit closer to its prey.
Quill carefully retreats to the safety of the campfire and readies her bow, launching the arrow at her for to the sout east. The is shot off target and lands harmlessly in the open grass. (Miss!)
Moving quickly, Damien approaches his target on the left flank and unleashed a series of quick slashes with his short swords. Sliced in two, the plant falls to the ground. (BOTH HIT! DMG 13, Foe 5 DEFEATED!)
Keeping her distance, Lesnalore creates flames under her Foe. (DEX SAVE FAILED! 3 DMG, Foe 4 slightly hurt)
Thom uses his quick wits to sling carefully worded insults at his foe which choose to ignore him. (WIS SAVE PASSED!)
Jadyn swings around and opens her hands towards the remaining plant. Necrotic force slams into the enemy flower! (WIS SAVE FAILED! 5 DMG, Foe 4 Hurt!)
Before the flower has time to recover, Dariel spins around Andy launches a flame created in the palm of her hand. The flame strikes the plant burning it to a crisp! (HIT! DMG 5, Foe 4 DEFEATED!)
Combat Over:
Party: Garilik 15/15, Quill 11/11, Damien 8/8, Lesnalore 9/9, Thom 9/9, Jadyn 11/11, Dariel 11/11
Foes: ALL DEFEATED
Party Gains xp! (86 XP per Player)
Treasure Found: 78 Copper Pieces.
Once all the monstrous flowers have fallen its takes a moment for Gairlik to rein in his fury. Dropping to both knees, the dwarf begins a process of calming himself through slow, measured breaths while grasping the locket around his neck. The rage quickly melts away considering the fight was not so intense.
He stands, hoisting his maul into its place on his back, and marches over to Quill. He gives the gnome a hearty clap on the back. "Nice shot there, Larunda. Much appreciated. I don't think anything good was about to come from those flowers."
After spending a few moments composing themselves the Party of 9 continues their journey along the coast until they reach the start of river, it’s waters given strength from the coast line.
“We have reached River Soshenstar.” Salida says, pausing and dropping her bag on the ground. This will be a good spot for us to rest for the night. Let’s get..”
Salida stops mid speech as a woman’s voice falls on top of her own.
”From the looks of you I would say your Explorers on a major expedition?” The voice came from a woman standing along the coast, her hair was black and wrinkled with age. Her dark skin appeared much the same and Her clothing appeared to belong on a noble woman. Anyone who saw her would agree she was far from beautiful. “Have you found anything interesting as of late?” The woman stood 30 Feet from the nearest party member, her eyes scanning the party observantly.
Reply to saute-monkey Shaking as she lowered her bow, Quill offered Gairlik a tentative smile. Her entire frame felt tense under the dwarfs touch, her throat constricted, her hands sweaty and shaking, as her head thrummed with no small amount of fear, exictment, and adrenaline. Opening and closing her mouth, She searched for words that weren't there, until shaking off the dwarfs touch, she slung her bow across her back and began to match towards the cart under which Book had hidden. Keeping her back to the party, she felt tears set her face before she briskly wiped them away, refusing to let herself cry.
Shoulders hunched, she bowed her head in prayer, consigning the spirits of the plants into the card of the great earth goddess. She never quite got used to this. She had hunted before, she had killed things before, but this was different somehow. She had been taught to live in harmony with nature, to understand it's delicate balance, to live in harmony with its cycle of life and death, to tread softly upon the face of the earth.
Yet somehow even as she understood the necessity of defending herself and others, this first confrontation with danger on this treacherous journey had shaken her somehow. Reinforced her insecurities. Made the vague sense of danger real. Opened her eyes just how much better her companions were, just how dangerous they were. Made everything just a little bit more real.
A soft concerned mwrowl alerted her of her feline companions concern. Scrubbing her face, she took a deep breath, giving Book a gentle scratch behind the ears before turning back to her companions giving them one of her signature smiles, hoping they wouldn't notice how brittle it was.
"Well that was certainly interesting! I'm just going to try to find my arrows. Carefully of course."
Whistling to book, she went to see if she could retrieve her spent arrows and to observe the plants more closely so she could remember the details when she recorded her observations of the plant in her journal later.
Reply to essence From her position in the traveling group, Quill looked up to see an older woman standing on the coast. Her appearance have the impression of someone of age or experience, but that she was in such a place, startling. Giving a tentative wave, Quill have a tentative greeting, instinctively turning a questioning gaze to Rand whom she unconsciously viewed as the group's leader.
Thom reacted quickly from his position among the others, grabbing Quill and pulling her behind him. A dagger appeared in his hand instantly and he studied the women carefully as he spoke. "Don't take another step or it will be your last. What is a woman doing alone in this place?" Thom wasn't concerned about what the others in his party were doing, his attention was focused entirely on the woman in front of him. In his land women were far more dangerous than any man or beast.
Jadyn stepped forward, touching her amulet for insight. Detecting no danger, she glanced sideways at Thom in his defensive posture. "A woman can do what she likes." she said, loud enough for Thom and the woman both to hear. She turned to face the woman again. "Don't mind the bard. He's not quite right in the head. I'm Jadyn. What brings you here?"
Thom didn't take his eyes from the women as he spoke up. "Ignore her, tell me why you are here before I decide to put this dagger in your throat." She just didn't understand how he felt, and he didn't blame her.
Gairlik places a hand on Quill's shoulder, detecting her unwase, and tries to offer some reassurance. "It should come easier in time...or so I'm told." He allows to her move on to collect her arrows. Taking a sip from his waterskin he wonders if a cask if ale would have been better than all this water. The lack thereof is going to make for a long journey.
Upon reaching their camp along the shore if the river, Gairlik begins making his preparations for the night when he hears the old woman's voice. His head whips around finding Thom already threatening her. He makes his way behind the others of his group to get a better look at the newcomer. "Take it easy there, Slime. She looks about as dangerous as you."