Seeing that the centaur has given the group food, Hyre comes out of his hiding. "Thank you for your help. It is much appreciated." He says as he approaches the centaur at the rear. "We don't have anything on us, but is there anything we can do to repay your kindness?" He hopes to be able to travel with the centaurs to Guiston. They may not seem the friendliest, but they can surely provide some better protection than they can for themselves. "Perhaps we can carry some of the load of the cart?"

Aelar sits with the rest as Balgrim relates their tale, enjoying slices of the ham and a few dates.  When Balgrim gets to the point of the Dragon, Aelar pulls out the carving he made and shows it to the centaur.

"This is what the Dragon looked like, as best I can tell, anyway."  He hopes for some recognition in her eyes and watches keenly for it.  "If you like, I could try to carve one of you.  I got lucky with this piece...maybe I'll get lucky again."

Perception to see if she recognizes the Dragon: 8

The centaur looks visibly shaken when Balgrim describes his ordeal, but there's hope when he reveals that the people were unharmed. She then looks down at the carved dragon, and tilts her head.

"How... curious. I know this dragon. We call her Raia. It means 'vagabond' in our language. She's known to us as she's much like us, a nomad. Most of the dragons have made their homes in The Deep, but she's chosen a life of wandering. We'd see her sometimes on our migrations, watching us. She even helped us on a hunt, once. She just took her share, bowed her head, and left. Some of the herd believe her to be a good omen." she says.

After a moment of consideration, she sighs and rearranges the rest of the packages on the cart, then pats it.

"Hop on. I'll take you to Guiston. The trail from Hon to here isn't easy, and you kids have been through enough." she says, and looks at the bundles of kindling that some of them are holding.

"And keep that. We'll need it. The gate guards have been told recently to turn away vagrants. With the Skell pushing out its borders and Guiston being the next major settlement in line, they're tightening security. I'll have to smuggle you six in. It won't be too hard, though. The guards know me. I've never caused trouble." she says, buckling the cart harness back onto herself.

"So, tell me, what are your names?" she asks over her shoulder.

"Kallista," Kallista says softly. "Thank you for your kindness."

"I'm Hyre. Pleasure to meet you. Are you sure you don't want my help pushing this cart? I know I won't be of much help, but sitting on the cart and adding even more weight... at least until we get close to Guiston."

The centaur looks a little embarrassed for the gratitude, like she's not used to friendly company.

(We can assume the rest of the group give her their names for flow's sake)

"I'm afraid my kindness can only go so far. After you kids are through the gates... there's not much more I can do for you besides tell you about the town. The rest of my herd have made me the fetcher. They spend as little time in the cities as they can, but I've been all over. Do you have any money on you?" she asks as she picks up the pace to an easy trot. She's pulling a cart of supplies plus six people like it's nothing, but then, she isn't built like the other centaurs. They're racers, she's a draft.

(just a reminder, the party has 12sp in total.)

"Kallista found a little... but I'm not sure how long that would last the six of us. Do you know of any work we could find in the city? If they're turning bounders away at the gates- how long before we're tossed out? Lazlo says. 

"My father and cousin were silversmiths.  I know a little and would be happy...well, willing anyway to work as an apprentice.  Maybe some other kind of smithing," Aelar says.  "So...the Dragon's name is Raia...thank you so much."  Aelar wonders if he should mention she spoke to him.  He decided to be circumspect.

"Do you have any idea why she would have helped us?  Have you ever heard of her, or any dragon, doing the same.  Could we have talked to her?"

Balgrim

After the group makes proper introductions, Balgrim sits along enjoying the ride after finally having a meal.  He takes the sticks and string and attempts to craft a crude bow.

Survival: 12

Lazlo notices what Balgrim is doing. "Want some help? I can lend you a hand or cheer you on, your preference. Balgrith the bowsmith has a nice lyrical feel to it. Is bowsmith a thing?" 

ooc: did any of us notice her eyeing Leon like she recognized him? I hate to rush past a possible plot point. My wisdom is not stellar so fo rme a perception check would be a straight roll w/no bonus. 

The centaur laughs slightly.

"I've helped plow fields, Hyre. At least this cart has wheels, I'm used to dragging things through the dirt. Trust me, you six are barely slowing me down." she says, sounding a little prideful.

"I think the word you're looking for is fletcher, little satyr." she comments to Lazlo. "Once you're inside the wall, you shouldn't have any trouble staying inside unless you MAKE trouble. It's not uncommon these days for criminals to be sentenced simply to exile."

Balgrim doesn't seem to need any help though, as he fashions a crude hunting bow out of twine and one of the cast-off branches. Carving simple arrows takes a good long while, but the group has more than ample time to spend. (Though it will be assumed that he's working on the bow the whole way to Guiston, adding 1 success to his survival skill.)

The centaur gives a general description of Guiston's layout to the group, which areas are safe, which areas are rough, where there's most likely to be work, and where to find items for better prices. The 12SP that the group has definitely won't last, as even the cheapest room and board at places where the group's not likely to be robbed in their sleep will cost 3SP a night, and they'll all be sharing a bed.

"Farmers are always looking for cheap labour. The work may be back-breaking, but sometimes they will offer to house and feed you once they get to know you. Most of those looking to take apprentices wouldn't even let you through their door looking like you are. You're going to need some decent clothes.... and... for the six of you... that's going to take some saving up. This single running harness alone cost me 20 silvers." she says, pulling on the straps of what seems to be a combination corset and harness to give her rather generous proportions sufficient support when running.

"Mind you, that's because it's hard to find tailors used to a centaur's figure... though.... Kallista might have more trouble in that regard. You're going to need a decent tailor that knows how to design around wings."

"I'm used to having to cut the backs of my clothes to accommodate my wings," Kallista admits. "My... folks... didnt care to make my life easier in that way."

 The centaur makes a face when she hears that from Kallista. Her expression is telling.

"I can relate to that." she says.

"I'll put in a good word with my tailor. If she knows how to dress a centauress, she can do something for you that will be a little more elegant. It won't be cheap, but at least you'll be comfortable with the results and the knowledge you have something that will last."

To Hyre, she realizes she forgot to address his question about dragons.

"To be fair, I've never spoken to Raia myself. She didn't 'speak', she just sort of... has this presence. We understood her, she understood us. I'm not even sure how we know she's a she. I'm not an expert on dragon anatomy, very few are. The other dragons I've seen on our migrations are usually flying so high above us we can barely tell them apart from kites, and always heading towards The Deep. Raia is the only dragon I've seen that flies close to the ground or shows interest in us... so she's the only one I can think of who WOULD help us ground walkers." she explains.

"Just to be clear, Raia is the name WE gave her. I don't know if she would appreciate it."

Balgrim

Speaking to Lazlo, "I dinna think me future lies with fletchin' or usin' tha bow per se, but we play tha hand we be dealt. Looks like I'll be doin' some farmin' in tha short term til I ken get me feet on tha ground."

(OOC: I'm unsure what length of string may be left, but if there is enough remaining I'll add the following:)

Conditional on the amount of string remaining:
Balgrim hands over the remaining string to Lazlo and offers, "Here take what's left and maybe we ken craft ya one of ye own." At which point, he assists Lazlo's attempt.

Aelar nods his thanks at the centaur's response, lapsing into silence, deciding there was no reason to inform her the Dragon had spoken to him.  Reaching inside, he finds that place inside again, finding the going a little easier each time.

The centaurs call you Raia.  Is that your name?  Why did you aid us?  Why did you speak with me?

As he carries on this one-sided conversation, Aelar picks up another chunk of wood and, again borrowing the knife, tries his hand at carving again, this time of the friendly female centaur.  However, he doesn't neglect their surroundings, keeping a careful on the trees around them, and the sky, and the ground, and pretty much everything.

Artistry/Carving: 11
Perception: 19

 ooc: Does the 14 count as a success?

(The 14 is a success, but the 7 is not XD)

The only thing Aelar can see of any real consequence is the cloud of dust that's coming from behind as the other centaurs catch up after completing their water run, and he can see that the centaurs are laughing at the pace of the large centaur, who seems to be actively ignoring their approach.

The centaur notices Balgrim working on the small hunting bow (Which takes 3 feet of 20 to make)

"If you're going to be using that and hand-carved arrows, I suggest staying in the farmlands. If the town guards see you with something like that, they might try to find an excuse to toss you out." she says.

"No matter how desperate you get, however, do NOT hunker down into 'The Ritz' or work for anyone FROM there. Nothing but the worst kind of scum who will not HESITATE to exploit all of you, especially you, Kallista, and not just because you're a girl. If you MUST, you could probably survive for a while in the Warren. It's the poor side of town, but the people there generally respect you if you earn it. There's some illegal activities there, but the town guards mostly ignore it. Bugbear wrestling, pit fighting, gambling, things where you know the risks of getting involved." she says, then brushes the bangs out of her face.

"I might have done a little pit fighting for some coin in the day. I wouldn't encourage young ones like you to try it but... coin is coin... and nothing builds you a reputation faster in the Warren."

((OOC: Is it bad that i kinda want to press my character for ranger to try out the new UA for it XD))

"I just find it odd that Raia only seems to talk to you," Kallista says.

Thanks, Balgrim! So you say you hold the wood like this... and the twine goes.." Lazlo's eyes cross as he concentrates and tries to follow his friends instruction. "Here goes.."

Survival 6. 

ooc: amazing artwork!

Realizing that he didn't even know the centaur's name he asks- "And what should we call you? I want to credit you with a song I'm thinking up called  "Halgrave, the arrogant bastard son of a jackass".  Lazlo smiles widely.

Kallista listens to everything that the centaur tells her, "It's alright, I'm used to being a pariah, but I'll stay away from the Ritz...  promise. I'll probably just find work at one of the farms till I can afford to get cleaned up and find someone willing to take someone like me in as an apprentice or something like that."