Brother Geldor blinks a couple of times when Aelar asks about a double-headed flail. "A serpent's tongue? Well, THAT takes me back, lad. Back when the Order marched with the Watch to secure Guiston's borders, there was a small group of twelve crusaders who specialized in chain weapons. The art of the serpent's tongue flail died off a long, long time ago, but a few relics may still exist." he says. Aelar finds a great amount of information on Relnar, the previous dwarven warlock. He was very much revered by the Order, a trusted friend of the city council, and ... apparently quite the thorn in the side of some people who only recently came into power. Aelar finds some information about the history of the Hawk's Nest that may aid him in the coming days. While Relnar was a champion of the common people, it was through his influence that a great amount of materials needed to maintain the city's more basic infrastructure was secured away from a powerful family that attempted to divert supplies and materials to their own ambitions. Guiston was built in such a way that should any one section of the city fall, the population could fall back to secondary walls with sufficient fortifications to stave off an invasion, whether it be by beast or man, but the Galesworth family wanted the section of Guiston they called home to be the MOST secure, demanding reinforced walls with extra guards and also lacking any sufficient means for a fleeing population to get through the walls quickly. Relnar spearheaded a movement that saw the dwarves of the Hearth simply refuse to build or maintain the Galesworth walls. The majority of the rich and powerful in Guiston are humans and elves, and if they wanted walls, they'd have to have their own people build them. At the same time, Relnar organized the Hearth into a tightly-knit union that refused to give up trade secrets or 'scab' labour. Not only was Relnar one of the Order's most prominent figures, but the Galesworth family feared his power as well as a warlock. Any strong-arm tactics were met with swift retribution. It wasn't until after Relnar's death that the Galesworth finally began to gain momentum to become the bastion of wealth and prestige it is now. It seems a feigned prejudice against dwarves and flattering words about the Galesworth family could win him favor. The clerk who recorded the history also made a note that the new gates surrounding the Hawk's Nest are indeed too secure as they are now. Should an attack happen, those inside the gates will have no place to go should they fall, or the attack happen from within or even above.
"Where could I find some of these relics, do you think, Brother? I promise you, I know how to use them. Through my connection with Raia I met someone who has taught me," Aelar says. "Also, do you know where I could rent a room or a small shack. I'm sure between us my friends and I can earn enough to afford a place. I'm sure we won't be able to stay at the farm for much longer."
After he and Brother Geldor finish talking Aelar begins his research and is soon lost in the interesting history of Relnar and the city of Guiston. There is little direct talk of of how he used his powers but a few hints, more in the nature of things he accomplished can be gleaned. Mostly, though, Aelar learns a great deal about the political and social history of the city, information which will be invaluable when he tries to charm his way into Hawk's Nest. After finishing up his research, he bids goodbye to the dwarfs and his friend and then heads out in search of Lazlo and Hyre. If he could learn about the guards who patrolled Hawk's Nest, specific information, then he would have an easier time getting in. Also, historical information was great but some current info on the politics and society of the inner city of Guiston would be great too. And he was sure Lazlo's new friends could help him get that information.
ooc: Aelar earned an Investigation success, right?
"Do you mean... using it myself?" Hyre is quite surprised. Indeed, he wanted to learn about magic so that he could face the Skell but he didn't imagine wielding the magic himself. "Forgive me, but that sounds absurd. I may be able to focus for long, but I'm not that smart. Besides, when I asked the dwarves who maintain the labours about their craft, they told me it takes even a decade to learn. That's... more than half the time I'm walking this earth. Not to mention, as you said, I'm practically homeless. I wouldn't have enough coin to pay for such prestigious studies." He gives it some more thought though. Wouldn't it be extraordinarily wonderful? A homeless refugee learning to do... magical stuff. "Although... it does sound like a thing I'd like to do if I could." He wondered what would his friend have to say about the matter. What would Barna say?
ooc: FireCat5 this isn't any new info but it's a repost of some dialogue from two older posts- it basically tells the reader what the group would know about growing up with Lazlo.
Walking through what he assumed was the nicer part of Guiston, Lazlo hoped they were headed towards someplace familiar. He was sure that the rest of his friends got safely back to the farm- but he allowed himself to worry over them for a bit. Worrying made his head start to hurt, but they were worth it. Each of them, in turn had suffered a loss he felt he wouldn’t understand unless something happened to them. They were his best, and until now- only friends.
Of course there were people in Hon who were kind to him. There were even people who had taken him in for a spell- especially when he was much younger. Lazlo suspected that while some of them felt that their charity was the right thing to do, his antics were often enough to allow them to divorce themselves from that notion. Like the pup you take in off the street who turned out to have fleas (or howl all night long, or eat the harvest ham off the table)... he was tolerated until inconvenient.
The longest place he stayed- and the closest to kin he had in Hon was Old Man Coggins (who called him ‘Goat’ but fed him when he was hungry and let him sleep in the barn when it was cold.) who lived in a run down shack on the poor side of town. Old Man Coggins had a delightful propensity towards orneriness and a vocabulary that would be the envy of a sailor. Some nights he would get his cider jug out and sit on the porch, sipping on it and playing his fiddle. The old widower even let him try it out a few times (the fiddle less so than the hard cider).
Coggins had passed the summer before last- which was a mercy considering the fate of the rest of the villagers. Afterwards, the bank came and took mostly everything (even the fiddle, which he tried hiding in the barn and got a beating for) and condemned the property. They did leave the empty cider jug- which made its own delightful sound. He had been sad when the Old Man died- he had even wept for him… but afterwards he had felt raw, empty- and like he had lost something he’d never get back. He even kind of missed the old man calling him ‘Goat’, after a while.
His friends, Leon, Aelar, Hyre, Kallista, and Balgrim- were the only real constant in his life. When they were younger, they were all inseperable. The days seemed long and full of mischief and play. The games of children were lost to them as they grew up, each of them getting more responsibility or education. He saw them less, but when they were together they fell into the easy pattern of old friends. When they weren't around he passed his time doing odd jobs or daydreaming.
While he noticed things about them he thought he should bring up- Aelar’s losing his parents, Hyre’s strange disconnection .... he was unsure of how to talk about serious things with them. He tried to, a few times… and just as when he felt himself thinking seriously in the room with Carrie- he had in nervousness reverted back to his japes. His friends, however- were worth more than that. He resolved to try, for them.
He looked at his new friends, the Satyr siblings… and at Leon- confident, full of a sense of purpose Lazlo surely always lacked. Then he looked down at the weathered violin in his hands. He would find a purpose, too- and by the gods he would have fun doing it! He thought again of Old Man Coggins, allowing himself to remember- hoping it would help him be a better friend. Drawing the bow along the strings, he tries his hand at playing one of the folk songs the Old Bastard loved so well. It was a melancholy tune but not without a certain humor.
“I was just thinking about the people of Hon, and about the families of my friends who are lost- somewhere out there in the world… and then I thought about how lucky I am, to have everyone I hold dear here with me. My friends, I mean. I joke a lot, but I think maybe sometimes they need me? Need me to be… able to say a serious word with them once and a while (and I’m bad at that). All that got me thinking of the old codger who pretty much raised me… you see I wandered into Hon, and they took me in, in their fashion.
I remember my folks in the way a young one can, smells, and words- the scrap of a song my mother used to sing, how impossibly big my father was... the brook in the glade we lived in… I try and put the memories back together but they fade, like a dream and now years later I’m not sure what I know and what I’ve invented to fill the gaps.
I know something horrible happened, in the dark one night- and being told to run. I remember being afraid and hearing screams… and then wandering, for what seemed like a long dark night and days after. Eventually I stumbled into Hon a starving, bloodied foundling.
The song I played was his favorite- the old man. Coggins was his name. He never did tell me his first... I think I love music because sitting on the porch with him listening to his fiddle was the nearest thing to family I had- except for my friends. More so because he was mine- it didn’t seem like he liked another soul in the whole town...he would chase my friends away when they came ‘round. He was rough around the edges (and he smelled like an old man), but in his way he cared for me. So when i thought about their loss… My friend's loss, it made me think of his song.
Lazlo reaches out and takes the farmers hand, shaking it. "I completely understand, and thank you for putting us up for the night. I can't tell you how grateful we all are for that. If your other half is around, I'd like to arrange to get some advice on smiting my foes soundly with a blade. Never can be too careful these days you know. Well Thomas, I'm going to clean up and look for my friends. Thanks again!" Lazlo skips away, pretending to sword fight giants in the air as he does.
(OOC: I didn't assume I'd learn new info, but rather put things in order. So, from what I understand, Lazlo grew up in Hon since a very young age. Therefore, it's likely they know each other pretty well. On the other hand, as far as I can understand, and correct me if I'm wrong here, the group doesn't know Kallista for too long, and they don't really know of her past. With Aelar too, I'm not quite sure if Hyre and the others knew Aelar's parents or not and how much time do they know Aelar in general?)
((Because I can't remember if Aelar pushed himself working on the farm in the morning, yes, let's say it's a success XD if the DM is too lazy to look back in the posts, err on the side of the player, that's my motto :3 ))
Brother Geldor rubs his chin, considering Aelar's request. "... I really shouldn't..." he mumbles, but eyes the mark on Aelar's chest. He again looks contemplative, then shakes his head. "Sorry lad, tis one thing ta let ye into the archives, tis another entirely to arm ye. We have some relics in our archives, but they be heirlooms of our Order, and not mine tae give away, either." he states.
Geoffrey regards Hyre seriously. "Well yes, it MIGHT take decades to learn spellcraft of THAT complexity because it's very advanced. Dwarves sometimes exaggerate how short our lives are in comparison to theirs, and underestimate the focus of us shorter-lived people because of how brief we are. For instance, there aren't many, dwarf or not, who could read through six of my books in a single afternoon. Even if you were just leafing through and taking in what's important to you, I saw your eyes moving. You were studying with a purpose. My collection largely concerns the beasts and the history of Guiston, and the religious texts belonged to my wife, so there's just not much more I can do to help, and I do want to help. I suppose it's just my old knightly instincts coming to the surface." he states. "More importantly, it all depends on what YOU want to do, Hyre. You've been set adrift on your own... that's a horrible fate, but it's also an opportunity.... so ask yourself, if coin wasn't a concern, what would you want to do?" he asks, leaning forward.
ooc: FireCat5 it would make sense for both Hyre and Lazlo to know each other from an early age. Lazlo is pretty much an open book so anything I've written would be common knowledge. PC dialogue between Aelar and Lazlo indicate that the group has known him for a long time and he has mentioned his parents/cousins... but I guess the best source would be the Player for more info on Aelar, Kallista, Balgrim, and Leon.
Also- I did some drawings in Lazlo's 'journal', will post when I have a minute this afternoon (hopefully you will get a chuckle out of them).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Fleabag Fleabane-Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
Hyre opens his mouth voicelessly and then closes it. 'What would I want to do?' He repeats the question in his mind. He knew that he should find a way to rescue his family, along with the rest of Hon. It's not that he didn't want to do it, but he didn't believe he could even try. Trying to learn about the Skell and everything... more than all it was just an attempt to convince himself he didn't actually abandon them that night, when he was the first one to jump off the train. "I... I'm not sure." He could tell Geoffrey exactly what went in his thoughts, but thinking back, he never did tell Geoffrey exactly where he came from (I think? Not even sure who does or doesn't know everything at this point). "I guess I never thought about it much. I used to think I'll just inherit my father's job like most people do. Now I just don't know..." 'I should ask the others what their goals are,' he thinks, 'most of them seem to know already, or to have always known.' "What about you? How did you know that you want to be a knight?"
((Just far enough into it that the sun isn't hitting their toes as they sit, hugging their knees with their heads down. They're still asleep. Their toes are just barely sticking out from under the roof of their lean-to.))
((Hyre has not told Geoffrey anything about his life or what happened to him as of yet. Geoffrey has just assumed that Hyre is homeless because he knows Barna is as well. He's also overheard snippets from Barna and Hyre talking, enough to piece together a vague story.))
Geoffrey hmms and nods. "Thought as much... you'd best consider what you want to do for yourself, Hyre. Right now, it's the only thing that really matters." he states. When Hyre asks him about his own life, he leans back and moves his arm as if he wants to fold them, the stump of his other arm moving beneath his clothes. He shifts and just rests his hand on his knee. He tells Hyre a story about how when he was a boy, Guiston was a bit different than it is now. The Watch made regular patrols to outlaying towns like Hon to assist in keeping their borders safe. Guiston, because of its location, was a regular hub of trade and activity as it was the midway point between Valis and Rondo. Geoffrey was about Hyre's age when his family was traveling in a caravan for his father's work and was attacked by a savage group of raiding creatures known as 'karsh'. The caravan was saved that day by the knights riding in and stopping the attack in its tracks with their sheer presence. The raiders abandoned their attack before anyone was hurt. "It left a strong impression on me." he says. "I wanted to have that kind of influence, to protect people and influence them to be protectors as well. Guiston was once known as the Guardian of the Valley. Ever since the knight garrison was disbanded... Guiston hasn't been the same. It's turned inward, guarded its own borders jealously, and its charities to the other colonies are dwindling. There are still good people here, but they're being slowly suffocated by a movement towards selfishness and paranoia." he explains. He looks to his missing arm then. "Despite all that's happened, I don't regret a thing, outside of being just a hair too slow on one occasion."
'Now that I think about it, it reminds me of Thunderbeast pass. They too turned inwards and became the Skell as I know them today. Is Guiston headed in the same direction?' Hyre tries to think if anyone left a strong impression on him. The only one who came to mind was Barna, but her interests were very different from his. He thinks of himself as a knight for a moment but disregards the notion. That kind of occupation would fit Leon more, he couldn't imagine himself riding in to save a caravan with his sheer presence. Even if he had a reason to save them, he'd probably have to act somehow to do so. "I'll give it some thought." He stands up but rests the egg where he sat. "Thank you again, sir. For everything. I'll help you clean the dishes and then I think I'll leave for today. I'll be back tomorrow though. Until I find an answer to your question, or until the egg hatches, I can at least repay you by helping around here. Maybe I'll finish reading the last of your books as well."
After finishing with the dishes, Hyre will farewell and leave. He'll start for the mission where Barna is but will turn away and go to the farm instead when he gets close. After the previous day, he can't make himself face her. He wants to see her but doesn't have the courage to do it.
((Because I can't remember if Aelar pushed himself working on the farm in the morning, yes, let's say it's a success XD if the DM is too lazy to look back in the posts, err on the side of the player, that's my motto :3 ))
Brother Geldor rubs his chin, considering Aelar's request. "... I really shouldn't..." he mumbles, but eyes the mark on Aelar's chest. He again looks contemplative, then shakes his head. "Sorry lad, tis one thing ta let ye into the archives, tis another entirely to arm ye. We have some relics in our archives, but they be heirlooms of our Order, and not mine tae give away, either." he states.
Aelar nods...then eyes Geldor shrewedly. "Not even to one who might the spiritual heir of Relnar? Besides, I'm not asking you to give me one. I'd be happy to earn it somehow, or buy it. And if that's not possible, could I train with one, here?"
After he finishes talking with Geldor, Aelar leaves to find his friends, checking first at the farm.
ooc: why would Aelar exerting himself physically mean he cannot later exert himself mentally?
Kallista thinks for a bit, peering at the trolls under their lean-to, thinking about the best way to approach this. Finally making a decision, she starts rolling up the sides of the bag so the leeches are closer to the top. She circles around to the back/side of the structure, and when she's close enough, she flings the leeches at the troll closest to her and starts backing up to hide behind one of the nearby trees.
((Make a D20 roll; your target is 10. If you roll too high, it means Kallista's nerves got the better of her and she threw the leeches too hard. Too low, and her caution makes her toss them too weakly to avoid disturbing the sleeping trolls. If you roll 16+, you're going to need to make a stealth check as Kallista accidentally pelts the troll with bloodsuckers; DC 8. On the upside, all the leeches will get on the troll. If you roll under 6, then she'll need to gather the leeches up to try again and make an easier stealth check, DC 6, but will also need to make a DC 12 dexterity check to avoid getting bitten by the little bastards as she gathers them up. All other rolls will result in 1D6 leeches missing their target, and Kallista has 6 of the biters to throw. It will be up to you to decide if Kallista has the nerve to go get the leeches that miss and try again or not. Grimbuld is not necessarily expecting Kallista to get ALL the leeches on the trolls but more blood means more healing potions.))
Hyre arrives back at the farm and meets up with Lazlo, who is just finishing up his day's work. Leon is here too, (botted for now) getting fighting tips from Edna, though not training hard enough to add any successes due to his extra effort at the forge. Between them, they have pooled some 58 SP, not counting the SP Kallista has made. She hasn't returned to the farm yet, nor has Balgrim(Also bot). Aelar has just shown up, as well.
((It's because there's only so long you can keep up that maximum effort in a day. When you have your character push themselves, it's for a full 8 hours, giving them level 1 exhaustion, meaning they can't train themselves any further until they've had a proper rest. Exhaustion is exhaustion, whether it be physical or mental, and your character needs a rest before they can put forth maximum effort again.))
Geldor groans as Aelar brings up his connection to Relnar and makes a face like he's considering it again. "It's more the principal of the thing. Yer just a lad, those flails are a relic o' war. Bloody and brutal war. Doesn't sit right with me. But... ye have a point. Give me n' the Hearth some time tae mull it over, aye?" he says, patting Aelar on the shoulder.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
When Hyre gets to the farm and meets Lazlo and Leon, he greets them: "Ah, haven't seen you here yesterday. What were you up to?" Lazlo (and Leon) can see that Hyre is tired. He's been working half day and studying the other half. He's curious though; surely something interesting happened if BOTH Lazlo and Leon didn't come back the other day. Maybe he was slightly worried too. Who knows what troubles Lazlo might get himself into.
((That's another success to stealth for Kallista, because there would have DEFINITELY been consequences if she flubbed her stealth check. One more and she'll have proficiency.)) The leeches drink their fill from the troll, becoming fat and bloated. It takes about ten minutes for them to drop off. Kallista was quite lucky, there's still some daylight left so the trolls haven't moved. Grimbuld makes his way over to her silently to collect up the leeches, taking Kallista's bag from her. "You've done your part, get to safety." he whispers. "I'll be right behind you." Grimbuld sneaks over to grab the one leech that missed its mark. No sense in letting the little buggers to go waste. ((Secret roll: 2))
The troll closest to Grimbuld opens its eyes and snarls, taking a swipe at him. Attack: 12 Damage: 5
It misses, but it awakens the other troll. "FLY!" Grimbuld shouts as the spider legs of his cape flare out and take threatening positions while the troll continues its attack. Troll bonus attack Attack: 17 Damage: 5 and bite Attack: 12 Damage: 5
Lazlo enthusiastically recounts the events of last evening to Hyre (recap from former post set in a 'spoiler' so you don't have to read it again if you know the story.)
“Oh- I don’t even know where to start! Well, after the pool, Carrie and I went back to The Horseshoe Saloon- and somehow I got this fiddle” Lazlo holds out the fiddle “and I guess I serenaded Carrie- the satyr we met- the beautiful, charming dancer! While she was up on stage. Then a merchant heard me and he paid me to play for the lady he was wooing. And I woke up in this amazing room with a bag of silver and this violin- and next to HER. Carrie, that is- the satyr we met. She’s a muse- I know it!” Lazlo spends what seems like an eternity for poor Hyre describing how beautiful he thinks she is. “..and breath like honeyed wine! Oh! And she has this cute little snore- it’s adorable!” He laughs and claps his friend on the arm. “So what do you think? She’s pretty wonderful, right?
"Carmine also told me something really interesting. In the days when Guiston had Knights, they were accompanied by musicians with these incredible military horns. The music they played actually inspired the knights to fight harder! I thought that if maybe I could learn to play like that then it would help us when we went up against the Skell! I could play and the rest of you could do the bashing. Or maybe I should learn to bash things as well? He thought of the practice sword he still had yet to practice with. "But- Guiston got rid of them- the horn players- when they put the Knights out to pasture. I wonder if there are any around still?"
Lazlo stresses particularly what he heard from Carmine about the Knights/Musicians that accompanied them. (ooc: I'm hoping that Sir Geoffrey knows something about that!)
"Tell me all about your night? What have you been up to?"
(Would have said something about that even if you didn't mention it. It's a pretty obvious connection to make.)
Hyre listens to Lazlo but he's pretty bewildered. He tries to ask a few times but Lazlo's enthusiastic speech doesn't allow a single word to slip in. Only when he's finished, Hyre can finally answer. "Ah... just one thing: Who's Carmine? I don't remember meeting another Satyr. I'm pretty sure you're the only one I've ever met. Or... did I space out? I hope I didn't space out for that long. I don't remember spacing out for such a long period of time. Anyway, sounds like lots of fun. I'd like to hear you fiddle, though you don't have to sing a serenade for me. "Actually, I met someone who might interest you. He's a knight. Well, he was one, before they were disbanded. He owns some books which I've been reading. I don't think they'll interest you that much - maybe they will - but it's possible he'll know something about these horn players. Aelar has already asked to meet him and he didn't have a problem with that, I doubt he'll have a problem with one more guest. Probably..."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
ooc: Ha! I forgot you were not at the pool- Lazlo of course explains the meeting with the Satyr Siblings and the events after.
Lazlo will take out his fiddle and play for Hyre. After a long show of what the instrument can do, he absolutely serenades Hyre- hoping for his friend to crack a smile but stopping if he makes him uncomfortable. Performance 18
After the short (poorly executed!) song- Lazlo turns to Hyre "I think I'd like to speak with him- if I could. If that's allright. Tonight though you should come to the Horseshoe Saloon to watch Carmine and her brothers perform. Maybe bring your Special Lady Friend? Show her a night on the town, yes?"
"Where could I find some of these relics, do you think, Brother? I promise you, I know how to use them. Through my connection with Raia I met someone who has taught me," Aelar says. "Also, do you know where I could rent a room or a small shack. I'm sure between us my friends and I can earn enough to afford a place. I'm sure we won't be able to stay at the farm for much longer."
After he and Brother Geldor finish talking Aelar begins his research and is soon lost in the interesting history of Relnar and the city of Guiston. There is little direct talk of of how he used his powers but a few hints, more in the nature of things he accomplished can be gleaned. Mostly, though, Aelar learns a great deal about the political and social history of the city, information which will be invaluable when he tries to charm his way into Hawk's Nest. After finishing up his research, he bids goodbye to the dwarfs and his friend and then heads out in search of Lazlo and Hyre. If he could learn about the guards who patrolled Hawk's Nest, specific information, then he would have an easier time getting in. Also, historical information was great but some current info on the politics and society of the inner city of Guiston would be great too. And he was sure Lazlo's new friends could help him get that information.
ooc: Aelar earned an Investigation success, right?
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
"Do you mean... using it myself?" Hyre is quite surprised. Indeed, he wanted to learn about magic so that he could face the Skell but he didn't imagine wielding the magic himself. "Forgive me, but that sounds absurd. I may be able to focus for long, but I'm not that smart. Besides, when I asked the dwarves who maintain the labours about their craft, they told me it takes even a decade to learn. That's... more than half the time I'm walking this earth. Not to mention, as you said, I'm practically homeless. I wouldn't have enough coin to pay for such prestigious studies." He gives it some more thought though. Wouldn't it be extraordinarily wonderful? A homeless refugee learning to do... magical stuff. "Although... it does sound like a thing I'd like to do if I could." He wondered what would his friend have to say about the matter. What would Barna say?
Varielky
ooc: FireCat5 this isn't any new info but it's a repost of some dialogue from two older posts- it basically tells the reader what the group would know about growing up with Lazlo.
Walking through what he assumed was the nicer part of Guiston, Lazlo hoped they were headed towards someplace familiar. He was sure that the rest of his friends got safely back to the farm- but he allowed himself to worry over them for a bit. Worrying made his head start to hurt, but they were worth it. Each of them, in turn had suffered a loss he felt he wouldn’t understand unless something happened to them. They were his best, and until now- only friends.
Of course there were people in Hon who were kind to him. There were even people who had taken him in for a spell- especially when he was much younger. Lazlo suspected that while some of them felt that their charity was the right thing to do, his antics were often enough to allow them to divorce themselves from that notion. Like the pup you take in off the street who turned out to have fleas (or howl all night long, or eat the harvest ham off the table)... he was tolerated until inconvenient.
The longest place he stayed- and the closest to kin he had in Hon was Old Man Coggins (who called him ‘Goat’ but fed him when he was hungry and let him sleep in the barn when it was cold.) who lived in a run down shack on the poor side of town. Old Man Coggins had a delightful propensity towards orneriness and a vocabulary that would be the envy of a sailor. Some nights he would get his cider jug out and sit on the porch, sipping on it and playing his fiddle. The old widower even let him try it out a few times (the fiddle less so than the hard cider).
Coggins had passed the summer before last- which was a mercy considering the fate of the rest of the villagers. Afterwards, the bank came and took mostly everything (even the fiddle, which he tried hiding in the barn and got a beating for) and condemned the property. They did leave the empty cider jug- which made its own delightful sound. He had been sad when the Old Man died- he had even wept for him… but afterwards he had felt raw, empty- and like he had lost something he’d never get back. He even kind of missed the old man calling him ‘Goat’, after a while.
His friends, Leon, Aelar, Hyre, Kallista, and Balgrim- were the only real constant in his life. When they were younger, they were all inseperable. The days seemed long and full of mischief and play. The games of children were lost to them as they grew up, each of them getting more responsibility or education. He saw them less, but when they were together they fell into the easy pattern of old friends. When they weren't around he passed his time doing odd jobs or daydreaming.
While he noticed things about them he thought he should bring up- Aelar’s losing his parents, Hyre’s strange disconnection .... he was unsure of how to talk about serious things with them. He tried to, a few times… and just as when he felt himself thinking seriously in the room with Carrie- he had in nervousness reverted back to his japes. His friends, however- were worth more than that. He resolved to try, for them.
He looked at his new friends, the Satyr siblings… and at Leon- confident, full of a sense of purpose Lazlo surely always lacked. Then he looked down at the weathered violin in his hands. He would find a purpose, too- and by the gods he would have fun doing it! He thought again of Old Man Coggins, allowing himself to remember- hoping it would help him be a better friend. Drawing the bow along the strings, he tries his hand at playing one of the folk songs the Old Bastard loved so well. It was a melancholy tune but not without a certain humor.
“I was just thinking about the people of Hon, and about the families of my friends who are lost- somewhere out there in the world… and then I thought about how lucky I am, to have everyone I hold dear here with me. My friends, I mean. I joke a lot, but I think maybe sometimes they need me? Need me to be… able to say a serious word with them once and a while (and I’m bad at that). All that got me thinking of the old codger who pretty much raised me… you see I wandered into Hon, and they took me in, in their fashion.
I remember my folks in the way a young one can, smells, and words- the scrap of a song my mother used to sing, how impossibly big my father was... the brook in the glade we lived in… I try and put the memories back together but they fade, like a dream and now years later I’m not sure what I know and what I’ve invented to fill the gaps.
I know something horrible happened, in the dark one night- and being told to run. I remember being afraid and hearing screams… and then wandering, for what seemed like a long dark night and days after. Eventually I stumbled into Hon a starving, bloodied foundling.
The song I played was his favorite- the old man. Coggins was his name. He never did tell me his first... I think I love music because sitting on the porch with him listening to his fiddle was the nearest thing to family I had- except for my friends. More so because he was mine- it didn’t seem like he liked another soul in the whole town...he would chase my friends away when they came ‘round. He was rough around the edges (and he smelled like an old man), but in his way he cared for me. So when i thought about their loss… My friend's loss, it made me think of his song.
Lazlo reaches out and takes the farmers hand, shaking it. "I completely understand, and thank you for putting us up for the night. I can't tell you how grateful we all are for that. If your other half is around, I'd like to arrange to get some advice on smiting my foes soundly with a blade. Never can be too careful these days you know. Well Thomas, I'm going to clean up and look for my friends. Thanks again!" Lazlo skips away, pretending to sword fight giants in the air as he does.
Fleabag Fleabane -Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
(OOC: I didn't assume I'd learn new info, but rather put things in order. So, from what I understand, Lazlo grew up in Hon since a very young age. Therefore, it's likely they know each other pretty well. On the other hand, as far as I can understand, and correct me if I'm wrong here, the group doesn't know Kallista for too long, and they don't really know of her past. With Aelar too, I'm not quite sure if Hyre and the others knew Aelar's parents or not and how much time do they know Aelar in general?)
Varielky
((Because I can't remember if Aelar pushed himself working on the farm in the morning, yes, let's say it's a success XD if the DM is too lazy to look back in the posts, err on the side of the player, that's my motto :3 ))
Brother Geldor rubs his chin, considering Aelar's request.
"... I really shouldn't..." he mumbles, but eyes the mark on Aelar's chest. He again looks contemplative, then shakes his head.
"Sorry lad, tis one thing ta let ye into the archives, tis another entirely to arm ye. We have some relics in our archives, but they be heirlooms of our Order, and not mine tae give away, either." he states.
Geoffrey regards Hyre seriously.
"Well yes, it MIGHT take decades to learn spellcraft of THAT complexity because it's very advanced. Dwarves sometimes exaggerate how short our lives are in comparison to theirs, and underestimate the focus of us shorter-lived people because of how brief we are. For instance, there aren't many, dwarf or not, who could read through six of my books in a single afternoon. Even if you were just leafing through and taking in what's important to you, I saw your eyes moving. You were studying with a purpose. My collection largely concerns the beasts and the history of Guiston, and the religious texts belonged to my wife, so there's just not much more I can do to help, and I do want to help. I suppose it's just my old knightly instincts coming to the surface." he states.
"More importantly, it all depends on what YOU want to do, Hyre. You've been set adrift on your own... that's a horrible fate, but it's also an opportunity.... so ask yourself, if coin wasn't a concern, what would you want to do?" he asks, leaning forward.
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
ooc: FireCat5 it would make sense for both Hyre and Lazlo to know each other from an early age. Lazlo is pretty much an open book so anything I've written would be common knowledge. PC dialogue between Aelar and Lazlo indicate that the group has known him for a long time and he has mentioned his parents/cousins... but I guess the best source would be the Player for more info on Aelar, Kallista, Balgrim, and Leon.
Also- I did some drawings in Lazlo's 'journal', will post when I have a minute this afternoon (hopefully you will get a chuckle out of them).
Fleabag Fleabane -Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
(Looking forward to that ;) )
Hyre opens his mouth voicelessly and then closes it. 'What would I want to do?' He repeats the question in his mind. He knew that he should find a way to rescue his family, along with the rest of Hon. It's not that he didn't want to do it, but he didn't believe he could even try. Trying to learn about the Skell and everything... more than all it was just an attempt to convince himself he didn't actually abandon them that night, when he was the first one to jump off the train. "I... I'm not sure." He could tell Geoffrey exactly what went in his thoughts, but thinking back, he never did tell Geoffrey exactly where he came from (I think? Not even sure who does or doesn't know everything at this point). "I guess I never thought about it much. I used to think I'll just inherit my father's job like most people do. Now I just don't know..." 'I should ask the others what their goals are,' he thinks, 'most of them seem to know already, or to have always known.' "What about you? How did you know that you want to be a knight?"
Varielky
((Secondary question: how far into this lean to are they?))
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
((Just far enough into it that the sun isn't hitting their toes as they sit, hugging their knees with their heads down. They're still asleep. Their toes are just barely sticking out from under the roof of their lean-to.))
((Hyre has not told Geoffrey anything about his life or what happened to him as of yet. Geoffrey has just assumed that Hyre is homeless because he knows Barna is as well. He's also overheard snippets from Barna and Hyre talking, enough to piece together a vague story.))
Geoffrey hmms and nods.
"Thought as much... you'd best consider what you want to do for yourself, Hyre. Right now, it's the only thing that really matters." he states.
When Hyre asks him about his own life, he leans back and moves his arm as if he wants to fold them, the stump of his other arm moving beneath his clothes. He shifts and just rests his hand on his knee.
He tells Hyre a story about how when he was a boy, Guiston was a bit different than it is now. The Watch made regular patrols to outlaying towns like Hon to assist in keeping their borders safe. Guiston, because of its location, was a regular hub of trade and activity as it was the midway point between Valis and Rondo. Geoffrey was about Hyre's age when his family was traveling in a caravan for his father's work and was attacked by a savage group of raiding creatures known as 'karsh'. The caravan was saved that day by the knights riding in and stopping the attack in its tracks with their sheer presence. The raiders abandoned their attack before anyone was hurt.
"It left a strong impression on me." he says.
"I wanted to have that kind of influence, to protect people and influence them to be protectors as well. Guiston was once known as the Guardian of the Valley. Ever since the knight garrison was disbanded... Guiston hasn't been the same. It's turned inward, guarded its own borders jealously, and its charities to the other colonies are dwindling. There are still good people here, but they're being slowly suffocated by a movement towards selfishness and paranoia." he explains.
He looks to his missing arm then.
"Despite all that's happened, I don't regret a thing, outside of being just a hair too slow on one occasion."
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
'Now that I think about it, it reminds me of Thunderbeast pass. They too turned inwards and became the Skell as I know them today. Is Guiston headed in the same direction?' Hyre tries to think if anyone left a strong impression on him. The only one who came to mind was Barna, but her interests were very different from his. He thinks of himself as a knight for a moment but disregards the notion. That kind of occupation would fit Leon more, he couldn't imagine himself riding in to save a caravan with his sheer presence. Even if he had a reason to save them, he'd probably have to act somehow to do so.
"I'll give it some thought." He stands up but rests the egg where he sat. "Thank you again, sir. For everything. I'll help you clean the dishes and then I think I'll leave for today. I'll be back tomorrow though. Until I find an answer to your question, or until the egg hatches, I can at least repay you by helping around here. Maybe I'll finish reading the last of your books as well."
After finishing with the dishes, Hyre will farewell and leave. He'll start for the mission where Barna is but will turn away and go to the farm instead when he gets close. After the previous day, he can't make himself face her. He wants to see her but doesn't have the courage to do it.
Varielky
Aelar nods...then eyes Geldor shrewedly. "Not even to one who might the spiritual heir of Relnar? Besides, I'm not asking you to give me one. I'd be happy to earn it somehow, or buy it. And if that's not possible, could I train with one, here?"
After he finishes talking with Geldor, Aelar leaves to find his friends, checking first at the farm.
ooc: why would Aelar exerting himself physically mean he cannot later exert himself mentally?
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
Kallista thinks for a bit, peering at the trolls under their lean-to, thinking about the best way to approach this. Finally making a decision, she starts rolling up the sides of the bag so the leeches are closer to the top. She circles around to the back/side of the structure, and when she's close enough, she flings the leeches at the troll closest to her and starts backing up to hide behind one of the nearby trees.
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
((Make a D20 roll; your target is 10. If you roll too high, it means Kallista's nerves got the better of her and she threw the leeches too hard. Too low, and her caution makes her toss them too weakly to avoid disturbing the sleeping trolls. If you roll 16+, you're going to need to make a stealth check as Kallista accidentally pelts the troll with bloodsuckers; DC 8. On the upside, all the leeches will get on the troll. If you roll under 6, then she'll need to gather the leeches up to try again and make an easier stealth check, DC 6, but will also need to make a DC 12 dexterity check to avoid getting bitten by the little bastards as she gathers them up. All other rolls will result in 1D6 leeches missing their target, and Kallista has 6 of the biters to throw. It will be up to you to decide if Kallista has the nerve to go get the leeches that miss and try again or not. Grimbuld is not necessarily expecting Kallista to get ALL the leeches on the trolls but more blood means more healing potions.))
Hyre arrives back at the farm and meets up with Lazlo, who is just finishing up his day's work. Leon is here too, (botted for now) getting fighting tips from Edna, though not training hard enough to add any successes due to his extra effort at the forge. Between them, they have pooled some 58 SP, not counting the SP Kallista has made. She hasn't returned to the farm yet, nor has Balgrim(Also bot). Aelar has just shown up, as well.
((It's because there's only so long you can keep up that maximum effort in a day. When you have your character push themselves, it's for a full 8 hours, giving them level 1 exhaustion, meaning they can't train themselves any further until they've had a proper rest. Exhaustion is exhaustion, whether it be physical or mental, and your character needs a rest before they can put forth maximum effort again.))
Geldor groans as Aelar brings up his connection to Relnar and makes a face like he's considering it again.
"It's more the principal of the thing. Yer just a lad, those flails are a relic o' war. Bloody and brutal war. Doesn't sit right with me. But... ye have a point. Give me n' the Hearth some time tae mull it over, aye?" he says, patting Aelar on the shoulder.
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
Watching all the leeches miss their mark, Kallista goes to gather them up and try again.
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
When Hyre gets to the farm and meets Lazlo and Leon, he greets them: "Ah, haven't seen you here yesterday. What were you up to?" Lazlo (and Leon) can see that Hyre is tired. He's been working half day and studying the other half. He's curious though; surely something interesting happened if BOTH Lazlo and Leon didn't come back the other day. Maybe he was slightly worried too. Who knows what troubles Lazlo might get himself into.
Varielky
((That's another success to stealth for Kallista, because there would have DEFINITELY been consequences if she flubbed her stealth check. One more and she'll have proficiency.))
The leeches drink their fill from the troll, becoming fat and bloated. It takes about ten minutes for them to drop off. Kallista was quite lucky, there's still some daylight left so the trolls haven't moved.
Grimbuld makes his way over to her silently to collect up the leeches, taking Kallista's bag from her.
"You've done your part, get to safety." he whispers. "I'll be right behind you."
Grimbuld sneaks over to grab the one leech that missed its mark. No sense in letting the little buggers to go waste.
((Secret roll: 2))
The troll closest to Grimbuld opens its eyes and snarls, taking a swipe at him.
Attack: 12 Damage: 5
It misses, but it awakens the other troll.
"FLY!" Grimbuld shouts as the spider legs of his cape flare out and take threatening positions while the troll continues its attack.
Troll bonus attack
Attack: 17 Damage: 5
and bite
Attack: 12 Damage: 5
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
Lazlo enthusiastically recounts the events of last evening to Hyre (recap from former post set in a 'spoiler' so you don't have to read it again if you know the story.)
“Oh- I don’t even know where to start! Well, after the pool, Carrie and I went back to The Horseshoe Saloon- and somehow I got this fiddle” Lazlo holds out the fiddle “and I guess I serenaded Carrie- the satyr we met- the beautiful, charming dancer! While she was up on stage. Then a merchant heard me and he paid me to play for the lady he was wooing. And I woke up in this amazing room with a bag of silver and this violin- and next to HER. Carrie, that is- the satyr we met. She’s a muse- I know it!” Lazlo spends what seems like an eternity for poor Hyre describing how beautiful he thinks she is. “..and breath like honeyed wine! Oh! And she has this cute little snore- it’s adorable!” He laughs and claps his friend on the arm. “So what do you think? She’s pretty wonderful, right?
"Carmine also told me something really interesting. In the days when Guiston had Knights, they were accompanied by musicians with these incredible military horns. The music they played actually inspired the knights to fight harder! I thought that if maybe I could learn to play like that then it would help us when we went up against the Skell! I could play and the rest of you could do the bashing. Or maybe I should learn to bash things as well? He thought of the practice sword he still had yet to practice with. "But- Guiston got rid of them- the horn players- when they put the Knights out to pasture. I wonder if there are any around still?"
Lazlo stresses particularly what he heard from Carmine about the Knights/Musicians that accompanied them. (ooc: I'm hoping that Sir Geoffrey knows something about that!)
"Tell me all about your night? What have you been up to?"
Fleabag Fleabane -Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
(Would have said something about that even if you didn't mention it. It's a pretty obvious connection to make.)
Hyre listens to Lazlo but he's pretty bewildered. He tries to ask a few times but Lazlo's enthusiastic speech doesn't allow a single word to slip in. Only when he's finished, Hyre can finally answer. "Ah... just one thing: Who's Carmine? I don't remember meeting another Satyr. I'm pretty sure you're the only one I've ever met. Or... did I space out? I hope I didn't space out for that long. I don't remember spacing out for such a long period of time. Anyway, sounds like lots of fun. I'd like to hear you fiddle, though you don't have to sing a serenade for me.
"Actually, I met someone who might interest you. He's a knight. Well, he was one, before they were disbanded. He owns some books which I've been reading. I don't think they'll interest you that much - maybe they will - but it's possible he'll know something about these horn players. Aelar has already asked to meet him and he didn't have a problem with that, I doubt he'll have a problem with one more guest. Probably..."
Varielky
((Does the arrow & bow stats stack for attacks?))
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
ooc: Ha! I forgot you were not at the pool- Lazlo of course explains the meeting with the Satyr Siblings and the events after.
Lazlo will take out his fiddle and play for Hyre. After a long show of what the instrument can do, he absolutely serenades Hyre- hoping for his friend to crack a smile but stopping if he makes him uncomfortable. Performance 18
After the short (poorly executed!) song- Lazlo turns to Hyre "I think I'd like to speak with him- if I could. If that's allright. Tonight though you should come to the Horseshoe Saloon to watch Carmine and her brothers perform. Maybe bring your Special Lady Friend? Show her a night on the town, yes?"
Fleabag Fleabane -Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training