Dragon of Icespire Peak - Campaign 1

"Madame Ada has me help haul things as a horse. If I’m going to horse around, I feel better knowing someone’s going to keep me in check and make sure I don’t break a leg out here!” Nova would nod to Mr. Dark. 

Auric:

Allowing his hood to slip, the golden Dragonborn makes eye contact with the lithe druidess and comments with a wry smile, “Thou shouldst pursue a career on stage if thou wishest to ‘break a leg’, fair druidess, for the most proficient Mister Dark will keep thou safe whatever thine form.”

Mr.Dark looks over at Auric as he speaks.  He shakes his head once the knight is done his speech, and goes back to cutting up the animal carcass that has been draining.  He lops the large dark antlers from it's head. "These are usually worth somethin."  He then hacks the animals tongue from its mouth.  Letting it drip he holds it out, "This and the liver. Good eaten while they're still warm. Anyone? Some people eat the heart but I think that's kinda gross." 

Mr.Dark will wrap the heart and liver and a few other organs from inside into a wrap. He adds the brain. In chalk he scrawls "Organs" on it. He ropes the antlers together to hang over a shoulder.  If nobody shares the tongue with him, he goes about eating the thing raw and warm.  He then goes about quartering the carcass so the load can be split by the party. 

He glances at the new girl, "You can turn into a wolf. AND a horse?"  He stares at her for a time, impressed.  "Well, its an honor to meet your acquaintance holy one." 

"Alright, we should be about ready to haul out and go to this Manticore's place.  Uh...Nova was it? Do you know the way?"

Hansel has no interest in the raw organs Mr Dark is offered, instead making a face of disgust at the suggestion. However he does offer the use of his sturdy steel staff to carry the carcass between two people, and even to be one of the porters if necessary (preferably the one in front so others can admire him from behind)

"Thou shouldst pursue a career on stage if thou wishest to ‘break a leg’, fair druidess, for the most proficient Mister Dark will keep thou safe whatever thine form.”
It wouldn't be hard for the golden dragonborn to catch Nova's eyes when he'd let his shiny scales show. Her eyes widen, but blink a bit blankly from Auric's speech, but she'd eventually figure it out and when she did her expression would light up again. Even a little snicker would leave her. Unlinking from Xeno's arm the woman would skip over to the other dragonborn, "I wonder if I'm better at dancing, or prancing!" She'd chuckle to herself, knowing she isn't always the most graceful and it'd probably end poorly. "But I think you're right about that man, he smelled like he's been to some dark places." The druid would nod thoughtfully to Auric's assurance that Mr. Dark would keep them safe.

"This and the liver. Good eaten while they're still warm. Anyone? Some people eat the heart but I think that's kinda gross."
Sniff. Sniff, sniff. Nova's head would snap in the direction of Mr. Dark when he hacks the tongue off for himself, talking about the liver too. Then he'd offer the heart. "Ou!" She'd throw her hand up and bounce over. "My twin brother's always fight over the heart!" The woman reaches out in a gimme motion. "Thaaaannnkk you!" She'd share an enthusiastic thanks as she'd accept the heart. "Liver's all yours." She'd scrunch her nose. Wasn't her favourite. Considering her excitement for the heart, she'd patiently wait for Dark to take the first bite of his treat, then she'd dig in. After taking an enthusiastic first bite, she was quickly all smiles again. Padding around, she'd soon plop herself right next to Mr. Dark's feet in his working space to enjoy her snack. He'd eventually have to take a path around her as he quartered everything up.

"You can turn into a wolf. AND a horse?"
When Dark would glance her way again, Nova would peer up. "Ands giants shpider!" She'd add, remembering to cover her mouth midway while she was chewing. Mismatched eyes would stare back and her cheeks would brighten when he'd address her really nicely, like some people do for important people.

"Alright, we should be about ready to haul out and go to this Manticore's place.  Uh...Nova was it? Do you know the way?"
"Mmhmm!" Nova would nod rapidly. "Got eyes and ears all over these woods!" She'd pick herself up off the ground, wiping her mouth on her arm and brushing her hands off on her pants. "Did you guys bring the other half from Adabra's? Pit stopping there first, or you wanna go right to Momma Mani?" Her head would tilt.

When decided, and ready, the druid would nod to the group. Guiding them to the direction, she'd shift into a draft horse for them to load her with their haul. Her coat was brindled and her mane black and white like her hair. Nova's iconic eyes remained as well, making it easy to identify her in any form.

Auric:

"Most kind, Mistress Nova.  Please transmorgify thyself into thine equine form, and we shall sojourn to the healer's abode and gather up the remainder of the provisions with thine assistance," replies Auric.

Nova would nod to Auric's reply. With that, she'd begin leading the way. Only the sound of the horses methodical clip clop of her hooves were heard as the group fell silent.

The ride droned on for what felt like days, maybe even weeks to some. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Why does one's journey begin? Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. What path does one take? Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. It is for me? Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. Where does it lead? Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. When does it end? Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop.

Kaemgen, from where you are outside, you eventually catch sight of a horse leading the group up the hill.

Mr.Dark leads the horse, carefully picking a safe path for the animal...which he knows is a person.  He glances back at those mismatched eyes on the horse once in a while, a curious look on his face.  He leads them down towards the house. He nods to Kaemgan as he leads the horse into the yard.  "Alright, we're here for the other half of the food. Then we'll go take care of this little Manticore deal...and head on back to town. Kaemgan, did you convince the lovely lady here of the worthwhileness of staying in closer to town for a few days?"

     At the first hint of company - the first clop, Kaemgen would check his rapiers were properly situated while moving to Adabra.  "Sounds like they're returning," he says, his hand reaching out to rest comfortably upon her hip for a moment.  "And oddly found a horse along the way..."  He smiles and looks into her eyes for a long moment before sighing and tearing himself away to walk up the yard towards the way the approached from.

     Kaemgen nods back to Mr. Dark as the group returns.  "We're delivering the food?" he inquires.  "I assumed the manticore was returning here... For the food or to wreck havoc if it's not provided.  As for the lady of the house, I'm afraid she's quite determined about having things her way.  Though if we sort this manticore situation I gather she's as safe here as anywhere.  That town is no more protected from a dragon than an open field..."

Mr.Dark frowns, "Well, our orders were to inform, not to make her leave, so...very well."  His brows furrow as he looks at Kaemgan. Insight: 10.  'lady of the house'  why did Kaemgan have a bit of giddy energy about him?   *shrug*. Whatever, not his business. 

"Hmmmm, I guess ya, you're right. The Manticore has to come for it. For some reason I'd got it in my head we were to deliver it. Alright, well....jobs done then!  The wolf is a horse now by the way. A changeling girl named Nova. I suggest we spend the night here to make sure the Manticore deal goes ok."

He looks around for a sheltered place to lay his bed room and get comfortable. 

"Cards anyone?  Hey, horse, you like cards?" He smiles at the Nova.

((Kaemgen isn't hiding anything...  Just not making it public.  He is probably a bit older than the others in the group, and probably past the point of giddy energy.  If Dark is really looking for telltale signs it would most likely be told by suspiciously placed grass stains on Kaemgen's clothing, a bit of plant in his hair or something like that...))

Kaemgen’s voice would have Adabra look up from her tasks, bringing attention to the familiar sound of hooves off in the distance. She’d comfortably lean into Kaemgen’s touch against her hip. Glancing back his way, she’d meet his gaze, returning a warm smile. “The horse is no stranger.” She’d add as she’d dust off his shoulder and adjust the collar of his shirt to help hide a mark she left before he stepped away to greet the group. The midwife would return to cleaning up the last of her meal prep as they discussed their approach.

Having being led into the yard, NovaHorse would move into a playful high kneed fancy prance with her snoot held high. Once she was directed to a place to park, she’d whinny to remind someone to unhook the supplies from her first. Then she’d trot around the Dragonborn a little for a stretch, only to stop dead in her tracks when the Dark man would mention cards. Her head would cock and her eyes would narrow suspiciously, but the one thing she couldn’t stop was her tail from wagging.

Pouf! The brindled horse disappeared to reveal the young woman, her mismatched eyes still squinting and focused on Dark. “What kind of cards?” She’d emphasize. Sniff sniff. Nova’s attention would snap to the man that didn’t come with them. Her lip would pull into a smirk. “Madame Ada always gets her way!”

Adabra would then approach the group, wiping her hands dry with a towel. She’d clear her throat. Nova’s eyes would ping Adabra’s way, wide with innocence, her grin not fading. After an exchange of eye contact, the midwife would ask the group. ”Will you all be staying the night?”

With a soft whoop!, the druid would side stride to Mr. Dark and poke him in the ribs. “What kind of cards…” She’d pry again.

Xenophon unhooks the supplies from the now-turned Nova.

Auric:

”Indeed, spending the evening would seem necessary, as the great beast vowed to return ‘in the dead of night,’ as it were.  We shouldst be on alert and prepared to extract assurances from the creature or battle it when the time comest,” says the golden Dragonborn.

Mr.Dark looks down at his stomach where the wolf/horse/girl had poked him. He'd smile back at her energy, despite himself, and say, "Three dragon ante. Come on, i'll show you how you play, then after you've had a couple rounds, you can put that beginners luck to good use and win a few coins....."

He heads off to a bit of ground, lay down an empty bag as a blanket, and start laying out cards as he begins explaining the game.

     "Is everyone well?  Anyone get hurt?" Kaemgen asks as his fellows return and bring in their haul.  He nods at the horse when he learns it is more than that and runs a hand through his hair when they Pouf! and are replaced by a young woman.  "huh!"

     Kaemgen agrees with Auric and suggests that whoever is the most tired should do what they can to rest now and recover.  "We know not exactly when the manticore will return.  Best we be as refreshed as possible when it does...  We could be here all night, or it could show up in a minute."

Nova was thankful for Xeno’s help.

”Very well.” Adabra would nod respectfully to Auric when he’d respond. “Space is a bit limited, but we should be able to accommodate comfortably enough. Are there any preferences?”

”But, but…“ Nova’s head would snap towards Adabra with a start of a pout. She knew what that probably meant. But that didn’t last long. The Druid’s attention snapped back to Dark when he’d tell her to come. “Oh! That’s a different game than I know!” She’d follow at his heels, almost stepping on one. “So how do we play!?” She bounces. “Just 1 on 1?” When he’d sit, she’d circle around a few times before finding a spot to plop and then she’d flop over onto her back to start squirming around, scratching her back. “Do you use the joker?” The woman would ask some questions like this before he’d even start, and when he did start, she’d blurt random questions between explanations.

Meanwhile Adabra would calmly nod to Kaemgen’s additions at the end. “Then we may as well set watch pairs and rotations.” She’d add, figuring they were leading to that anyway. “They can begin after dinner. I hope you’re hungry.”

     Ketch suggests that the food stuffs set aside to satisfy the manticore be set somewhere accessible but out of sight.  Under a porch or such so the thing cannot just swoop in and take it...  Though he honestly suspects that kind of deception and thievery probably not in the things nature.

     Ketch eats eagerly and hungrily when dinner is served.  He's built up an appetite after all. He compliments the meal graciously but also hurries through it.  "If I get my rest on quickly then I can sit watch late into the night if need be," he explains and when the meal is done looks for an out of the way corner in which to sit against a wall and close his eyes.  He doesn't need much comfort in order to get some rest...

Mr.Dark seems amused by the abundance of energy as he teaches Ixi Nova the game of cards. They get a few games done, but eventually it's dinner time and they stop playing to eat. Mr.Dark, is easy going about which watch to take...and agrees to take whatever watch needs another set of eyes. 

Scott is anxious about the Manticores return and is able to sleep if a bit restlessly. Before going to sleep for the night he asks everyone to wake him when the manticore returns to collect the food. In that way the bargain might be updated/amended to include the suggestions made earlier by the group.