The Culverwood Helps Those Who Help Themselves...Right? (DM BatMark) Monday November 14th, 2022 9:01:49 PM Ash Inventories the known casters among the refugees, and thinks upon magic that might be useful for town, eventually suggesting a Hallow spell that integrates Endure Elements–even Widening it when others are concerned about the small radius. That said, she is not against burning non-Culverwood deadwood. Beech listens quietly until folks start talking about spending serious party coin on the Hallow. He thinks that you have given the town enough for a good start, and anything else will have to be earned. Sahabiel, in her usual wood-elven twang, defers to Ash on matters related to magical theory, but wonders whether the additional effects for Hallow are worth it, given the small radius. She notes the extensive stocks of fuel laid in for the winter, and the now plentiful warm clothes available as a result of the wool you brought back from your trading mission to Karri. She agrees with Beech that the people of the village need to be weaned off of the party’s dole. Lothlo also agrees that the Hallow spell would be too expensive and the town needs to become self-sufficient. Zazu tries to find villagers who might be trained to cast a few helpful spells, and wants to eschew burning wood this winter. The trickster wonders whether the Hallow has to be to a specific deity, and even if it could be Hallowed to the Culverwood. The Bunnywrangler agrees with Beech that the town should be self-sufficient, and it even has a reserve fund if needed. Speaking of funds, Zazu remembers to repay the party for the extra value of the magical rod claimed in your last adventure. Naithi agrees with the general sentiment of the party with respect to self-sufficiency for the villagers, and wonders aloud whether the time has arrived to undertake the previously discussed Choosing Ceremony. Panzer walks in during the discussion and finally makes some sense of the conversation, but then turns to more practical matters of encouraging folks to pitch in carrying the iron from the boat to the smithy. He is tenacious and diligent, but apparently not a patsy content to let the others slack off and jaw on endlessly while he does all the work. Nightingale pitches in with a will to help Panzer move the iron.
Sure enough, as winter sets in, the villagers do prove to be as resourceful and determined to make a go of the village as you had hoped. Before you even realize it, a month passes with the mundane tasks of surviving and thriving here on the chiaroscuro of tamed and civilized lands. It is cold and wet, not cold enough for snow, but plenty of sleet, and frost near every morning. It is a good thing there is enough fuel, and that the local heroes did a last supply run! The weavers have made good use of the yarn that you acquired in the Emerald City, helping ward off the worst of the damp cold. As you go about your business, you do hear chatter among the townsfolk about the upcoming Winter Solstice, and the possibility of a repeat of last year’s celebratory solstice cookout. Folks are still a-buzz about those croustillons!
Zazu canvases the folk for any who might show aptitude and interest in learning magic, but finds that the adults are focused on plying their well-known trades rather than dabbling in matters beyond the ken of the average mortal. Some of the younger folk, on the other hand, seem quite keen on the idea, perhaps as a way to avoid some of their mundane chores! The challenge will be that most of them have not had proper schooling, what with growing up in a slave camp and all. Perhaps some tutoring would help get their education on track and even offer the chance to spot potential talent in their midst? Could this be part of the Choosing Ceremony that Naithi recalled to your minds?
How do our heroes wish to pass this time? The village is sturdier, warmer, and better equipped than ever, but winter still poses challenges. You find that the local worthies seem inclined for now to give you some space, out of respect for all that you have done for them, although they are generally happy to interact if engaged.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Monday November 14th, 2022 10:32:42 PM
Sahabiel laughs and is out the door after Panzer - she is the only one there that is equal to the badgerfolk in feats of strength, and they both know it, which makes her suitable to be lifting the heaviest items together with him.
As the next month goes by, she slips into a comfortable routine of prayer and exercise in the morning, followed by making her patrols, checking on how the leshy are doing, and on the saplings planted this year - she finds herself wishing it would just snow already, as snow at least would blanket and insulate them, which is good, whereas the sleet sometimes makes her fear for the vulnerable young trees. Then later in the day she will help out at the pharmacy to help treat the various little winter ailments people come in with, and spar with the guards for both their training and her own. And of course she watches Nibin grow from a tiny little kitten into a slightly less tiny kitten.
The Choosing Ceremony is on her mind. She wonders if she has any right to take an apprentice herself already… not for the part of serving as a knight-cleric to the Culverwood, that is sort of a calling that one should awaken to rather than become through vocational training, but she knows that her skills as a healer, herbalist, and forager are valuable to the community and should probably be passed on to someone if at all possible.
Also, taking someone in would resolve that other matter of who she can rely on to feed Nibin and look after her garden, the next time she needs to leave for a few days or longer, wouldn't it…?
(ooc: if this comes about, can we suggest our own candidate and their family circumstances?)
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Tuesday November 15th, 2022 2:42:23 AM
Ash puts the idea of a Hallow spell to the council and will let them decide whether it's worth the investment or not. It's a lot of money after all.
She isn't sure it would be a good idea to take on a ward right now. The Choosing Ceremony is about pairing orphans with carers of a sort. Someone they can learn from and who can care for them on a daily basis. Perhaps even form a family? Even though there is a lot she could teach, given the group will be adventuring quite regularly she wouldn't be able to provide the 1-on-1 contact, care and daily lessons the child would need and deserve.
Ash does encourage Mike and Brianna to consider taking on apprentices though. Both are skilled crafters - Mike a great trapper and blacksmith, and Brianna is a talented healer and alchemist. She even nudges Codru to consider the same.
For her part, Ash spends time about the town doing random things here and there, and always keeping busy. She's handy at all sorts of crafting and cantrips are always useful to have around.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Tuesday November 15th, 2022 10:32:50 AM
Zazu is very happy to train some apprentice wizards, although the emphasis is on being a teacher, not a parent. And if that starts with literacy, that's all good. More people reading is a good thing. The trickster makes sure that there are parental figures in the lives of students and that they are not relying on Zazu more than they should.
[OOC: Please let me know if there are costs that need to be accounted for, for spell books and materials, etc.]
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Tuesday November 15th, 2022 12:23:28 PM
Beech, knowing how to read, will help with that if needed. He knows what it's like to have a disability. He'll also keep look out for any prospective sorcerers. Like many of the cantrips just happening around or near people, it's a sure sign of a untrained caster like himself... Being four legged, he may not be physically the strongest, but he can carry more than mostly everyone, that's why he has a saddle pack and a pavilion tent in his supplies. He continues to sketch what he plans for a home, and calculates how much magic it'll take... He could probably ask one of the druids in the group, but he'll hold off until he can afford the wand, then get one to use it for him, following the plans he's developed....
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Tuesday November 15th, 2022 5:31:56 PM
Naithi joins Sahabiel and Panzer to help with the unloading. She might be small, but her strength is almost on par with the other two and the work goes quickly with Camalayas (her dire rabbit animal companion/mount and wild sibling), and Cuddly Mule (pack animal) helping her. Fizzgig (her guard dog that no longer participates in combat) is content to watch as Jen walks around with botas if water and wine due the helpers (each party member received a kitten we could raise. I trained Jen with Butler type skills).
Naithi reminds everyone that an apprenticeship is not the same as an adoption and they most apprentices could be given assignments or tasks while the group is away. She is willing to take on an apprentice herself, but as a Lost Child her diminished social skills might make finding a compatible apprentice challenging.
ooc: I'm not sure how much the new DMs know about the party members, so I included some extra information about Naithi's menagerie. Naithi also trained a large flying bug mount they is being used by the town guard.
Also, the players that started this campaign have one or two citizens they have a connection with (npcs we designed) they could assist us.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Tuesday November 15th, 2022 8:15:57 PM
Panzer has no real job here, he pitches in when needed. For the most part he patrols the edges of the settlement. He watches for signs of unwanted predators and will go out with any hunting parties that want a hand. For the most part he trains and tries to stay in shape.
Once you were the apprentice... (DM BatMark) Tuesday November 15th, 2022 9:10:15 PM Sahabiel lends her strength to Panzer’s iron-moving enterprise. As time goes on, she is occupied with prayer, patrols, checking on the saplings, and helping the local medics. She considers taking an apprentice. Ash puts the idea of a Hallow spell to the village council. She isn’t sure taking on a ward would be a good idea, but encourages the members of her coven and even her minotaur friend Codru to do so. Zazu looks to take on some apprentice wizards. Beech is able to help Zazu with the educational basics, and keeps his eye out for prospective sorcerers while drawing up plans for his future home. Naithi joins in the heavy lifting, along with her menagerie of companions. She reminds folks that apprenticeship and adoption are different things, and figures that being a Lost Child might make it hard to find an apprentice for herself. Panzer patrols the settlement and joins the hunting parties that continue to bring in much needed meat while the weather still allows. Lothlo and Nightingale seem to be along for the ride.
After much consulting among the Champions and with the village leaders, it is clear that Naithi is correct in saying that taking in orphans as apprentices could be complicated. That said, the local leaders do agree that a Choosing Ceremony would be of benefit to the community, and are willing to work with the heroes to organize one. Hilia and Brother Matthew in particular solicit your ideas on how to come up with something that will work across the myriad cultures in the village, hopefully creating new traditions in the process. They would like to have the ceremony in about a month, giving time to make arrangements and then select apprentices before the worst of winter arrives.
Codru responds well to the suggestion by Ash that he take an orphan apprentice of his own. ”Hmmm, yes, I know what it feels like to lose my parents, even if it did happen later in life, and I think I might have useful things to teach a calf.” Zazu’s initial inquiries suggest that he might have a significant amount of basic education to impart before any serious study of magic can begin. Even with help from Beech and others, this will likely be the work of many months, or even years. Still, it will give the chance to spot and develop the brightest minds, so it does not seem a hopeless or worthless task.
There is plenty of time for other pursuits during the intervening weeks, so what else do our heroes get up to as winter begins to deepen?
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Tuesday November 15th, 2022 9:33:29 PM That's a great idea. The Windwoods and Nighttounges have running and performing in inns for generations, now that the town is getting on it's feet it would be nice to pass on some of those skills. It sounds like Hilia is already on board. I bet we can find a few orphans that show promise at both running an in and with some musical talent that we can help reach their full potential.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Tuesday November 15th, 2022 10:09:58 PM
Sahabiel suggests to the council that the trappings in which she cloaked her own gatherings to strengthen the sense of community across all its diversity have been fairly universal, and as such also have been working rather well for her. "I believe that the Choosing Ceremony should be festive, a part of a celebration, as too much gravitas just makes the young ones nervous about choosing right or wrong. Ya could put out tables and baskets of freshly baked flatbreads under cloth so that the scent can already get around, a promise that there will be a treat to look forward to later in the ceremony. And then let us all sing together - any song of hope for the future will do, but maybe ya have a bard of some skill around here to write something specific to the day, set to an already popular tune so that everyone that doesn't know all the words can at least hum along? Then I or another could speak the prayer of Guidance over the children one by one as they come forth to declare what trade they would most like to learn, or what they hope to do in their life... we probably do not want to make it feel as if they have to choose only from the apprenticeships put forward by various masters in their year? Then afterwards I can imagine volunteers start to hand out servings of bread with a scoop of sweet berry preserve - savory bread and sweetness something the children are like to enjoy. Teachers could individually approach the candidate apprentices at the tables then based on their choices, in the relaxed mood while everyone is eating... and we can close it with more song, music and dance? If ya then open the floor to more of the adults for merrymaking then too, ya make it feel like a rite of passage, starting with a lot of focus on the candidate apprentices while the adults look on, and then symbolically everyone joining in so the young can feel they are not apart but part of the same experience as their elders now?"
(ooc: O Mighty Culverwood, Wood's Will Be Done, tell your daughter why I did not just roll my KS(religion) and be done with "Sahabiel makes some suggestions for a suitable ceremony")
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Wednesday November 16th, 2022 8:37:56 AM
Beech continues what he's been doing, as well as continuing target practice. He knows, he won't be choosing an apprentice, and spontaneous magic users are rare, unless it runs in the family. He's a different bloodline than his mom, which is also rare, but he assumes it's because of the Tecuri devices she traveled through when she was adventuring. And then there's the fact that she's also a high priest of Alemi, and handled more Wold's Blood than probably 99.9% of anyone else in the wold. So between the two sources of extra strange magic, he has very weird blood flowing in his veins.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Wednesday November 16th, 2022 3:00:33 PM
"It sounds like what we're doing is starting a school! And that's a good idea. We can use one of the longhouses, and that also keeps the kids out from underfoot in the wintertime. They'll have less time for school when we're out adventuring, so I suppose we should hire a teacher."
Zazu talks with the party members and the council to see if anyone recommends a potential teacher.
"And we adventurers can be part-time teachers when we are around."
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet d20+4=10 ; Wednesday November 16th, 2022 3:26:26 PM
Panzer arrived after the town was already a town, so he has less of a connection to the inhabitants, but no less desire to keep them safe. One thing that was proposed was a low wall/ditch surrounding the town. Panzer takes the time to plot that out, but knows it will be less useful without spikes. Spikes, are generally saplings cut to length and pointed, facing out from the base of the wall. Spikes will be hard to come by, he thinks, when no one is cutting down any trees. Then it occurs to him, there will be some trees in the places that the farmers will want to plant crops. In general, crops do not do so well when shaded, so those trees should be removed. Panzer puts his head together with the planters and the Culverwood clergy that inhabit the town and finds out where they plan to plant their crops next spring. With that knowledge he changes his morning runs to keep up his stamina into tree cutting expeditions to start clearing the trees from what will be the fields.
Knowledge engineering 10 to try to plan out how many spikes will be needed
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Wednesday November 16th, 2022 6:19:04 PM
Sahabiel continues her daily routine as before. It may not be as visible as Panzer's digging, but making sure all the saplings they have been planting are as prepared as they can be to survive the heart of winter is a fairly big task by itself.
As one of the people that had suggested a simple ditch and rampart defense around the town as a means to keep wild animals and worse at bay, Sahabiel is supportive of the badgerfolk's hard work. When it comes to him making the ditch part deep enough that it could double as a very long spike pit, she does ask if he is not worried about any of the people from the village falling into it by accident?
(ooc: Sahabiel's original suggestion had been for something like this because those can be built with net zero materials, just moving earth to give the defender a high ground advantage, and no sides so steep they'd need reinforcement.)
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Wednesday November 16th, 2022 8:19:25 PM
Panzer's plan is similar, just move the burm a bit closer to the ditch part and plant spikes sticking up from the base of the wall inside the ditch to discourage horsemen. This allows the defender to fight from higher ground as Sahabiel said but the attackers have to make up twice the depth of the ditch to cross. Still net zero materials except for the spikes.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Wednesday November 16th, 2022 8:24:37 PM
"And the Lyre of Building would probably be great at helping make that."
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Wednesday November 16th, 2022 9:03:13 PM
Naithi listens to all the suggestions and thinks about what would make a good apprentice for her
Ooc: short post today. I was swamped at work.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Wednesday November 16th, 2022 9:03:35 PM
Ash spends more time in the town, helping out wherever possible. The protection for the town is something the others have well in hand. She spends her time in the community kitchen and checking in with the healers.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Wednesday November 16th, 2022 9:06:18 PM Those ditches are a good idea, and they will also help to channel rain water away from the town in bead weather. And anything we can use the Lyre to assist with is a good idea.
Choosing Day!. (DM BatMark) Wednesday November 16th, 2022 9:47:47 PM Panzer recalls the proposal for a spiked wall and ditch to keep the villagers safe, and takes his time planning the earthworks and figuring out where to cut trees that are already in the path of clearing fields for crops. He agrees with Sahabiel’s thoughts on the design, with a few minor modifications. Lothlo is keen on the idea of passing on innkeeping and entertaining skills, and perceives that Hilia is on board. He likes the wall idea, and notes its potential benefit to drainage as well. Sahabiel makes some suggestions for a suitable ceremony :) as well as offering thoughts about making the proposed earthworks effective and safe. Beech remains disciplined about his activities, not getting distracted by all the hubbub about apprentices and such. He knows spontaneous casters are rare, and his own bloodlines show how hard to predict such things might be. When he does deign to speak, it is blessedly without the affectation of rolling his R’s like some sort of Highlands PirateTaur. Zazu is enthusiastic about starting a school, and proposes using one of the longhouses to keep the kids out from underfoot during the winter. The trickster spends some time asking for recommendations for a teacher to run the school, with the Champions perhaps serving as part time faculty when around. Zazu also suggests that the Lyre of Building would be useful in building the earthworks around the village. Ash helps out around town, particularly with the community kitchen and healers. Naithi puts some thought into what kind of apprentice would be good for her. Nightingale seems outwardly content to let things play out as the Champions wish.
The elven fighter, Painter, enthusiastically takes up the idea of building the wall. She frets that the new-found prosperity of the little village–and the word that no doubt got out about its big spending benefactors–could well draw threats. ”Doesn’t take much to bring out the worst in the creatures of Izen, and they do love to raid and fight.” She shakes off a bit of melancholy and goes off in search of Parvati, the engineer, muttering ”She may be a grumpy old sow, but she does know her engineering, and we will want to get a project this big just right.” The Council also supports the plan, and offers priority use of the Lyre to make the project move along smoothly, there not being much else to accomplish with the weather closing in. Zazu’s proposal for a school is also generally welcomed, as it will give parents time to focus on their own trades. A call goes out, and eventually a middle-aged woman who was once a clerk for a traveling merchant clan, and a youngish gnome fellow who learned his letters at his parents’ table volunteer to teach the younglings, in return for their parents and apprentice masters’ agreement to provide coin, goods, and services in kind, as they will no longer have time to practice other trades. They also hope for donations of supplies to get things started, if any spare parchment, quills, and inks–or improvised substitutes–are available.
Finally, the Council generally accepts Sahabiel’s ideas regarding the Choosing Ceremony, and the event is planned. Tianna Nighttongue enthusiastically arranges for the entertainment, and most everyone in the village contributes to the baking and decorating for the event. Briana makes one suggestion for the event which the Council adopts, namely that a week before the ceremony, each candidate will be given a woven reed basket. During the course of the week, they should find something in or near the village that calls to them, or otherwise piques their interest. During the ceremony, they will present their discoveries, which in turn may help the masters choose suitable apprentices.
The Choosing Ceremony day comes, and the event is a resounding success. The singing is as varied and beautiful as the people of the village, and the turnout is high. The aroma of baked goods wafts through the gathered folk, as the youths come forward to present the gifts that the Wold has led them to. They look excited, nervous, hopeful, all the things that you would expect of younglings on the brink of (another) great change in their lives. Unusually, Codru steps forward first, his eyes having alighted on a young lad who carefully holds a small songbird in his basket. The bird seems injured, yet still has a sweet voice, chirping its song along with all the rest. Codru offers, ”I know a bit of singing and storytelling myself, young fellow, and would share these skills if you would like.” The boy looks stunned, then smiles and accepts. You see that he has long, graceful fingers as he handles the basket, and it seems like he might have some ability to get around a lute or oud–Codru has made a good choice!
(OOC: Feel free to create a similar scene for your selection of apprentices, or other participation in the ceremony when you next post. I trust you to not go too far off the reservation in creating your mini-mes!)
Nightingale (JonS) HP 36/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Wednesday November 16th, 2022 11:30:27 PM
OOC: What kinds of children are available to take on as proteges? Nightingale is a monk and cleric, and is trained as a midwife, dancer, and clothier
DM Note: Mostly orcs, with a few other teens/tweens old and strong enough to have served the orcs.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Thursday November 17th, 2022 1:53:00 PM
Beech is not expecting to take an apprentice, so he just wanders over to the area where the choosing is happening. He'll join in the merriment by silently casting a Dancing lights spell. He'll choose the vaguely humanoid shape light and have it dance around the festivities and just have fun...
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Thursday November 17th, 2022 2:28:42 PM
As the group talks about the ditches and burns Naithi reminds them that thorny bushes (I think we used a lot of raspberries and edible plants) were planted around the outside borders of the town as a defense measure that could be entranced with an entangle spell, so it would be best to place the burns inside the very border.
As the sorting ceremony approaches, Naithi mentally lists her various talents. Tracking, hunting, animal training and to a lesser degree husbandry, foraging, growing crops and walking the path of a Druid.
She also tries to learn the various religious inclinations if the citizens. Her assumption is that is there are children drawn to the faith (clerics, paladins, etc) that one basic instruction could be provided easily, but as their faith and knowledge deepen they may have to travel to the city for further instruction. As such, ensuring the town developes those relationships now will be important for it's children's future
ooc: If memory serves, the orphan population consists of freed human slaves they were captured by slaves and orcs that are mostly female. The males were all warriors that mostly died in combat if old enough to fight. I would assume there are orc orphans, but they are more likely to have one parent as the women didn't fight and treated just better than the slaves. Unless it changed, the orcs were also a little more self sufficient and not fully integrated.
Since humans reach adulthood at 15 I think we should have the ceremony at 14 so that there are no untrained sorcerers running around.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Thursday November 17th, 2022 2:29:05 PM
OOC Make one up Jon, go nuts, within reason. I didn't think I was going to but I felt like it when I posted so, yeah. IC
The Choosing Ceremony day comes, and the event is a resounding success. The singing is as varied and beautiful as the people of the village, and the turnout is high. The aroma of baked goods wafts through the gathered folk, as the youths come forward to present the gifts that the Wold has led them to. They look excited, nervous, hopeful, all the things that you would expect of younglings on the brink of (another) great change in their lives. Panzer has on his winter clothing, his armor and most of his gear sits at home. His knives though, they never seem to be out of reach. The people they meet in the Culverwood say they want to be friends, and the clergy in town are doing everything they can to foster that, yet just about every time he steps near or into the woods, something tries to eat him. Or charm him, or lull him to sleep, or make him lose his way. It takes away all of the training and work he has done to make himself self reliant. He isn't great at everything, but he knows enough to get by. He just doesn't trust the 'wood. Panzer was not a slave like some of the others in his group. He didn't live with these people and he didn't make a bid for freedom with them. He bumped into the group when he was hiding from some thugs and has since become part of their adventuring group. The townsfolk he barely knows at all. This didn't mean he didn't see alot of the things that went on in town. He was perceptive for a fighter. But he wasn't that invested in town so most things didn't affect him. For this reason he came to watch the choosing ceremony, eats some baked goods and have a warm drink as he watched their culture unfold. Maybe he would learn something. He watched as the best in their craft stepped forward and selected the youth that they saw a spark of themselves in and took them on to teach their craft. One after another the younglings were picked and the pool grew more shallow. There was on lad, smallest of the bunch, a halfling child that would be about 10 in human years (he didn't know how halflings aged), that seems to always stand in someone elses shadow as the masters chose. He was struggling to hold the basket he had been given. It was enormous in his grasp and it kept moving like something alive was inside it. He was very different from the others and Panzer watched him closely. Finally after all the craftsmen had chosen the remaining children melted back into the crowd. Panzer rose and got another cup of the Spiced tea that had been prepared, it was quite good and it warmed his bones which were cold from cutting the trees from the future fields all day. He was ready to head home when he found his path blocked by the little halfling boy. " Mister Panzer, I want to train to fight with you." The boy half blurted, half whispered. Panzer looked him over again, up close this time. The boy was small, definitely smaller than a halfling should be. He was dirty and looked as if he lived under a bush rather than in even a tent like some of the refugees still did. Under the dirt were bruises. Some were the dark purple of new wounds, some were the brown/yellow of nearly healed ones. In the boys basket was a surprise. A wolf pup wriggled in the bottom of the basket. It too was tiny compared to the size a pup should be this time of year. It kept trying to get out but the boy still managed to keep it contained. Panzer was taken aback. He hadn't thrown his hat in to take an apprentice, what was this kid talking about? " Why?" [ was all the Badgerkin could ask. " The other kids are bigger than me. They beat me up and I'm so small I can't compete with them. I heard the stories about you. The giant scorpion, the thieves in Karri, the boogyman. You're small and you are tough and you don't take no drek from nobody. Teach me to be like you, not afraid of mothin'." Panzer stared at the kid in wonder, but then he shook his head. " Nope, you need better reasons. I'm not going to teach you to fight so that you can beat up folks that are bigger than you. That could lead you to think you are better than them, that they owe you something. It might turn you into the very people in the thieves guild I fought in Karri. Give me a better reason." The kid stared up at him. " My mom and dad were caught by the orcs when I was little. They tried to do the work the orcs made them do but they were too small, too weak. Eventually it killed them. A lady looked after me after my parents died, but when she got free, she decided to move on and I was too slow to keep up so she left me behind. The people here didn't take me in, but they didn't shut me out. I been living on the fringes of the village. when I can catch food I eat. I been alone for like always and I want to BE someone. I saw this little wolf all alone in the woods. He was small and weak and the pack left him behind. I decided I would be his pack. I want to be strong so I can protect him and he doesn't have to be afraid of things bigger than him like I always was. I need you to teach me to not be afraid of stuff and to take care of myself and my wolf. I don't want to beat folks up, I just want to not be afraid to stand my ground." Panzer looked at the boy, then thought about the 'wood. you want me to teach you to not be afraid huh? Here you have been living in the place I am most afraid of, by yourself, for a year and you want me to teach you? I guess I have to, even if I can just learn not to fear the Culverwood from you. " That is a good answer. That answer tells me I am not training a would be brigand, but someone who has other's in mind to protect. I'll train you. What's your name?."
Panzer took Fredo home that night and found him a place to sleep. Soon enough would come the physical conditioning and the hand to eye instruction that would make Fredo more hardy and more capable of either dodging a blow or landing one of his own.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Thursday November 17th, 2022 5:47:59 PM
Ash smiles as she sees a young brother and sister approach Mike and Brianna. Though not brother and sister, Mike and Brianna shared that sort of relationship. They grew up as orphans themselves, so to see them with these children has a nice sort of symmetry.
Then there's Codru. Ash actually thought he might have been reluctant to take on an apprentice, but her minotaur friend continues to surprise her. She's sure he'd make a good teacher.
She is respectful to any children who approach her, but she just doesn't think she'd be able to dedicate enough time for them. Instead she tries to pair them up with the crafters and professionals that she's familiar with.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Thursday November 17th, 2022 8:57:27 PM (ooc: awesome post, David!)
The day of the Choosing Ceremony has finally come, and Sahabiel is rather excited to see all the preparation pay off. She is doing her part, and for the occasion is even wearing her nice dress rather than her armor in a bid to be not so intimidating as she blesses the candidates with the prayer of Guidance as they come forward.
This prayer, Sahabiel performs now for a young girl, who by appearances is a half-orc of some degree of mixing. Once she has received the blessing, the candidate steps up and stands in front of the stone marker set there for today's occasion. When the half-orc girl opens the lid of her woven basket, therein are revealed a few bundles of herbs..
“My name is Ghundit. My mother works in the quarry,” the girl begins, “and she has taught me to be on the lookout for plants like these, cause it is heavy work and sometimes you go a little too hard and.. then the plants help.”
Sahabiel takes a peek with a herbalist’s eye at the selection the girl has in her basket, and sees there are some with analgesic properties. Some that are anti-inflammatory. Some that could be applied topically to alleviate muscle sores. Indeed, it is not hard to guess why each of those would be valued. What actually leaves her impressed is that the little bundle of the anti-inflammatory one is, at a glance, all stalks of the correct variety of that family, even though it is one that is hard for a layperson to tell apart from a more common variety that grows around the same place but lacks that particularly useful medicinal quality.
The girl, meanwhile, continues; “And I have seen the little leaf people that walk around on their own, helping out, and I had never before thought about it that plants could be like people or that the magic woods could be more than just a place and helping us when we came here..” At this point, the girl feels that people are waiting for how this gets to the point of the Choosing Ceremony, and she talks a little faster when she finishes her declaration with; “..and so I would really like to learn more about the wood and all the plants it gives us and what they do so I can ask them to help my friends, and maybe even help the plants back as a thank you?”
“A worthy wish,” Sahabiel assures her with a smile. She feels this girl has her heart in a good place, as well as what sounds like a healthy form of respect for the Culverwood. Her seeing the leshy nature spirits, rightly, as a people rather than as some magical oddity was encouraging. As was her apparent knack for at least the basics of curative herbalism.. it should not be too hard to help her expand on that… somehow before she was really aware she was doing it, Sahabiel catches herself considering what and how she could teach her.
She smirks. Perhaps it was time to encourage this one onto such a path, rather than just appreciate how encouraging the signs were for her suitability to it. “And a wish close to my own calling. I have already seen ya have some skill. If ya truly are interested in studying the ways of the Wood, and the domain of all plantlife, for the betterment of this community… I would guide ya in that.”
Ghundit accepts, and so Sahabiel too has accepted a student!
After the rest of the ceremony, Ghundit --a little overwhelmed at having landed the attention of a member of the leading group of adventurers on herself-- leads Sahabiel to meet her mother, a sturdy half-orc woman that looks about half human and introduces herself as Limka. Seeing them together Sahabiel now recognizes the mother and daughter pair from the busy days of the reeds harvesting, and soon the three are discussing Ghundit’s talent and education, in between participating in the song and dance of course as the ceremony gives way to joyous celebration, and neither Sahabiel nor Limka and Ghundit seem of a mind to let a good party go to waste by spending all of it talking.
In the end, Limka agrees to let Ghundit apprentice with Sahabiel, after extracting from the latter sworn promises about the girl's wellbeing and reasonable limits on study time, all assurances that Sahabiel has no problem giving. Sahabiel nods at Limka, “With all the care I would give any ward of mine, I promise. I think Ghundit is going to do very well at this-” Noticing the look of motherly pride on Limka’s face, she smiles and adds, “-but ya of course already knew that.”
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Thursday November 17th, 2022 10:19:27 PM
Lothlo sits around the fire with Laney, Hilia, and Tianna enjoying a cup of spiced tea and some biscuits. The watch as the youngsters go around the different trade masters learning about the various occupations trying to decide what they might enjoy. As the four of them enjoy the warmth of the fire they are approached by a group of three orphans, an orc girl, a half orc boy, and a human girl.
The female orc steps forward and introduces herself to the group.
I am Naf Stonehide, the boy is Hagan Bearstalker, and the girl is Alli Moonglow. We are friends and were wanting apprenticeship. .
Alli blushes a bit at the curt introduction. Naf is still getting the hang of human pleasantries, her speech can be a bit abrupt at times. My name is Alli. We heard that you were entertainers and worked in an inn before you were brought into the camp. Back when we were in the slaver's camp we worked the show line. Naf and I would serve food and clean up the mess, and Hagan over here would butcher and grill whatever meat the raiders had found. We often would sing together as we worked... I think the let us because... well.
Hagan raises his eyes from the ground and finished the thought. The let us sing while we worked because the got more pleasure listening to us than they would have striking us and telling us to shut up. It might not make for a great story, but considering the type of guys running the camp not getting hit is about the highest complement you can get. We were hoping you could teach us how to run and in and to perform to entertain it's guests.
Hilia looks at the orc Naf. She stands a good six inches taller than the others and has the same red hair that both Hilia and her daughter have. She wears a simple white dress with brown accents It sounds like you have the experience to make a good apprentice, and I'm sure we can teach you all you need to know about running a tavern. As for entertaining... well, there's only one way tell if you've got an ear for it. Why don't the three of you sing something so we can hear what you sounds like together.
Lothlo pulls out his lute and starts to strum along as the three start to sing a song about a green pasture with a river running through it and about a couple falling in love. Laney looks over and Hilia and gives an approving nod.
You have definitely tell you have been singing together for a while. You harmonize well and your pitch is near perfect. I think we can teach you to keep your guests happy and entertained with your singing,
Lohtlo then asks the group if they have any skills with a musical instrument and Hagan responds. I would love to learn the guitar one day, but we haven't had a chance to learn an instrument yet. They are hard to come by around here, and until we have a little more trade in town we don't really have a way to get some to learn on.
Tianna asks the others what instruments they would like to learn and finds out that Alli would like to learn the lute and Naf the Violin. I think we have some that we can teach you on, and can look at getting you your own once you learn the basics
The four musicians agree to take on the three orphans as apprentice innkeepers and musicians.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Thursday November 17th, 2022 10:36:15 PM
Zazu really enjoys working in the school as a teacher. The wizard loves books, as well as book-making. As kids learn their letters and listen to Zazu read aloud, Zazu pays attention to find the cleverest, the ones who might be able to learn the arcane arts.
One child, a half-orc with a quick wit and a sense of wonder undiminished by a hard upbringing, really seems like an excellent prospect. Zazu tests the child, Grem, and finds the spark of the arcane! Zazu takes the kid underwing, and puts in extra time and effort.
"Grem, would you like to be my special student, and I will teach you about magic?"
"Zazu, that would be the best thing ever!"
Zazu smiles at that. The elf finds a family that can take care of Grem when the party is out adventuring, with the understanding that Zazu will make sure the whole family is well cared for and prosperous. At other times, Grem stays with Zazu, and the lessons get even more intense.
When the Choosing Ceremony comes, there is no doubt. Grem places a small chapbook of vellum leaves, made and bound by the child, into the basket. "I choose you, Grem," says Zazu proudly.
The Chosen Ones (DM BatMark) Friday November 18th, 2022 6:13:55 AM
Thurs 17 Nov 22
Nightingale wonders what sorts of youth will come forward as prospective apprentices. Beech is not expecting to take an apprentice, but enjoys the merriment and adds a Dancing Light to the festivities. Naithi ensures that the design of the earthworks takes into account the brambles that can be magically enhanced to fortify the village defenses. When Choosing Day comes, she assesses the religious bent of the inhabitants, and considers her talents. Panzer asks good questions and eventually gets good answers, taking a small but determined fellow named Fredo under his furry wing. Ash smiles to see a young pair of siblings approach MIke and Brianna and is surprised that even Codru makes a selection, but upon consideration concludes that he will in fact make a good teacher. She makes no selection for herself, but dedicates herself to helping others find good matches. Sahabiel attracts a half orc girl, Ghundit, who shows more than a little bit of herbal skill and a good sense for the local nature spirits. Sahabiel comes to an agreement with the girl and her mother, and they leave off the talking to do some celebrating. Lothlo teams up with Laney, Hilia, and Tianna to take on three orcs–Naf, Hagan, and Alli–as proteges in music making and innkeeping endeavors. Zazu enjoys working in the school as a teacher, and discovers an orc child, Grem, with a spark of magic. Zazu strikes a deal with a family to make sure Grem is taken care of during adventures, promising to make sure the lot are well cared for,
Choosing Day proves to be a smashing success, and the bonds of the community feel tighter than before. Several of the Champions now have the additional duty of mentoring and caring for their new charges. Oddly, Ash was not approached by a youth during the ceremony, but rather by a winter fox, and she unties a note from around its neck.
Channeling all that youthful energy seems to invigorate all but the most curmudgeonly of the villagers. And it is good to have done so, because winter soon sets in with a vengeance. Progress is made on the earthworks, beginning on the western side of town along the river and completing about half of the work before snows blanket the area, making further progress more treacherous and uncertain, as it becomes harder to engineer precisely. It is even cold enough for the river to freeze, so no boats are usable but there is plenty of slippery fun for when work and chores and school are done. You are using more fuel, but there should still be enough, and you laid in enough food, supplemented by ice fishing, to ward off the worst of hunger. Sadly, Buggo, the pet dire cricket, has died in his cloth-lined cage. This dampens the spirits of the youth, who had adopted him as a mascot. You may make a DC15 Knowledge Nature Highlight to display spoiler: {An examination reveals that Buggo died of old age, having had a pretty pampered life for a dire cricket!}
How do you ward off cabin fever during this winter wonderland that is the Culverwood?
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Friday November 18th, 2022 10:24:56 AM
As a teacher, Zazu's specialty is using illusions (visual and auditory) to illustrate the stories and lore the trickster is teaching to the kids. And Ranged Legerdemain comes in handy to help keep the students in line!
And if the reaction is good, the elf will also put on shows for the entire community. The adventures the party has had, the people we've met, and more fanciful things that Zazu has heard of or just imagined.
"Sure, that one-eyed, one-horned, flying, purple people eater may not be realistic, but it sure made Brother Matthew jump!"
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Friday November 18th, 2022 10:30:46 AM
As a start, Sahabiel gives Ghundit the time to attend the reading and writing classes Zazu is hosting, and to these she provides a few simple small tablets of clay inside a frame, so that the girl can practice drawing letters or plant shapes to her heart's desire without worrying about using up precious paper. She also has the girl observe and later help out in the shifts Sahabiel takes at the settlement's herbalist/apothecary, showing her more about how certain herbs are being used in preparations, and to help which conditions.
When she hears that this winter has claimed Buggo, Sahabiel visits to console the youths that had been fond of its company. “There will always be sorrow in parting with a friend, even if we know it must come when one we count as a companion was never born to endure as many winters as we do.”, she says, perhaps not thinking of the dire locust alone. “And the best way to honor a life well lived, is to remember and carry onward with all the best they brought out in us.”
Since Buggo made friends, Sahabiel is in favor of giving it a pet burial. If there are any of the big insect’s last sheddings to find in its enclosure, she will commission one of the artisans to fashion a finely carved insignia from the material, to put on a small memorial marker. The youth of Freedom Landing have been through enough, have had to run and find themselves in a new place without much in the way of tangible reminders of lives left behind. Creating a little something for the dire locust now is largely symbolic, to show that those days of running and unceremoniously leaving behind are over.
As for cabin fever.. Sahabiel is not much affected herself, spending much time still going outside and around, thanks to her gear providing her with a permanent Endure Elements. If she does meet people that seem to have it hard with the Winter season, she can only try to brighten their days a little.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Friday November 18th, 2022 5:15:30 PM
Panzer too sees to it that Fredo goes to school. Each morning starts with a run in full kit, to maintain Panzer's stamina, and build it in Fredo. Then off to classes. Once classes let out though the physical conditioning continues. Panzer has the blacksmiths make a set of tools for Fredo and then the two get to work on the ditch and burm. Frozen ground is no easy thing to break up and then move and shape, but it is excellent for building muscle and fortitude. Every other day instead of defense building, Panzer teaches fighting, usinf sparring weapons. At fiest it is theory, learning how to stand, how to move, how to protect yourself while moving, patience and how and when to fall back. Panzer won't say that his muscles ache after all of these things, but he knows that Fredo must be hurting. He makes sure to put in an order to Sahbiel and her student for the same lineaments and salves that the girl already had been making for her mother, to help ease Fredo's pains. Once winter really gets rolling and the snows start, working on the earthworks becomes more trouble than it is worth. Panzer keeps up the runs and the sparring, but augments it with book learning on tactics and some engineering. He teaches how and why they are building the defenses, and how they should best be used. He teaches how to fight in a mixed group with healers and spellcasters. He also starts a new project in his stone burrow home. He asks Fredo where he would like to put his room, and the two of them start working on that room when nothing else id pressing. ( at least and hour or two per night and a day or two each week in place of book learning or sparring) Fredo learns that he can have anything, so long as he is willing to work to achieve it.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Friday November 18th, 2022 9:19:58 PM
The apprenticeships start shortly after the ceremony. Every day after their school lessons one of the four adults spends part of the afternoon teaching the basics for running an inn or tavern. The tasks cover everything from cleaning and preparing meals, to budgeting and balancing the books. Even the most menial tasks is still seen as a welcome diversion on some of these slow, cold days that have arrived.
Later in the day another teacher spends some time teaching them the finer points of being a musician. They start to learn about scales, how to read music, and the basics of playing an instrument. They practice the basics on the extra instruments that the group has. Lothlo also sets aside a few coins to pick up their apprentices a few instruments of their own the next time he finds himself in town.
Ash (RobC) -- AC 17/12/15 -- CMD 14 -- HP 60/60 Friday November 18th, 2022 11:19:16 PM
That's curious. Ash carefully approaches the fox, kneels, and takes the note from around it's neck.
It's a letter, written in beautiful sylvan handwriting. "My dearest Ashellian. I pray this letter finds you. First, know that we are all alive and well. Something has happened though, and Thaleus needs you. I know you have settled, but please, make haste and return home. We need you here. Be safe my little wildflower. Mother"
Ash places her hand over her mouth and stifles a gasp. Her parents encouraged her to find independence. Granted, they don't know about the whole 'captured by orc' situation. There's no way they'd try and contact her unless it was of dire importance. It's good that everyone is well, but why does her brother need her? She's at a loss for words. There's no time to waste though.
"Excuse me. Excuse me" Ash makes her way through the crowd and straight to her house. Once inside she hastily starts packing, throwing everything she can into her haversack. She's starting to panic a little as different scenarios play through her mind, but she tries to focus on 'we are all alive and well'.
With her belongings pack and Silk tucked under her arm, Ash goes in search of the others in the party to let them know of the news.
You can see her eyes are starting to well up. "I.. I have to go" Her hands are shaking as she holds the letter for others to see. "I.. I.." She doesn't finish the sentence, and instead starts giving everyone a hug. She just doesn't know what to say. "I'll be back soon"
Her family live in the Crying Woods, and that's quite a journey. She's already decided the quickest way will be make her way to Karri and buy a teleport scroll. Multiple expeditious retreat spells and beast shape spells should help get her there quickly.
"Take care" With those final words, Ash casts an expeditious retreat spell and makes for Karri as fast as she can.
------------- OOC: This is Ash's exit from the game. Thanks all! This has been - and still is! - a great game
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Saturday November 19th, 2022 2:26:51 AM
Naithi walks around the town and enjoying the festivities. What started out as an opportunity for the children of the town to learn more and the various professions and talents that support the town, as wild as an opportunity for the towns orphans to formerly petition the various masters for an apprentice ship. Such a petition would be unheard of in other societies where orphans are often overlooked.
Naithi can feel the excitement in the air and knows this will be the largest and most historic of festivals due to the large number of orphans and unfilled apprenticeships. The children know that everything will be done to help them find a suitable trade or profession. They also know that some masters will have multiple people competing for a single spot. The master may also decide a petitioner is not a good fit for the position. The hope and anxiety are almost palpable in the air.
As she watches the people come together in support of one another and sharing in each other's choosings, several of the younger kids ask to play with Nature's animals and for an opportunity to visit her to learn more about growing plants and raising animals before their own Choosing Day in the coming years.
As she agrees to the various requests (to visit and learn, not to be an apprentice) her eyes land upon a small girl that has often come up and buried her head in Camalayas fur and scratched her ear as Naithi worked about the town. The girl loves animals, but such professions are lacking in the town as livestock is just beginning to be raised and most mounts are privately owned.
The girls is small, like Naithi, but she is her mirror idiot. Where Naithi is small and powerful, like a gymnast, she looks more delicate... Like a ballerina or a china doll. While Naithi is socially awkward, she is socially aware yet painfully shy.
Naithi makes note at the girl is rejected in her 5th request. Naithi's knows the girl is capable, but she appears to only be speaking to those in profession that no one else is speaking to. She is likely too shy to "compete" for a position and is looking to get placed in an unfinished roll rather than one she desires or would be a good fit for her.
Naithi speaks to Hilia. Can you please let that girl over there know that Camalayas and I would like to extend her an apprenticeship... If she is interested. . The girl would make a good apprentice, but as a Lost Child and a Morphling, Naithi may not be the best fit for someone that is shy or looking to develope her social skills and her frequent seclusion in her Druid Grove had prevented many young girls from seeking an apprenticeship for fear of being to far removed from their friends and the comforts of town.
Springtime arrives! (DM BatMark) Saturday November 19th, 2022 11:21:54 AM Zazu uses magic to make lessons more interesting and keep the students engaged. The trickster uses the same gimmicks to entertain and tease the community. Sahabiel gives her apprentice, Ghundit, time to take classes, and supplies some clay tablets. She then steers her to the local herbalist for some on the job training. Sahabiel uses Buggo’s demise as a teachable moment, and arranges a formal burial. Panzer ensures that Fredo is getting academic and physical training, and introduces some sparring as well. They start working on a room for Fredo in the burrow. Lothlo works with the other mentors on training for running an inn or tavern. The students are also introduced to the basics of music theory and Lothlo sets aside some coin for future instrument purchases. Ash takes the note from the fox at the ceremony, and stifles a gasp upon reading it. She immediately returns to her house, reemerging with all her gear to let the Champions know that she has to go. She is headed home to the Crying Woods as quickly as magic can help get her there. She casts a spell and sets off toward Karri at a rapid clip. Naithi walks around during the ceremony, keenly observing the goings-on, knowing that hope and anxiety will be strongly felt by the candidates. Naithi takes note of a painfully shy girl who has a deep affinity for animals, and is moved to ask Hilia to extend the girl an apprenticeship on behalf of her and Camalyas. Beech and Nightingale seem a little scarce as winter sets in, but will hopefully reemerge in springtime.
And happily, springtime does come, the snows not having lasted overlong, and warmer days are finally here, if not fully established. There are still cold and rainy days, but hunters are able to range farther afield, and there is talk of a supply trip to Emerald City as the ice begins to break up in the river. You have made it through the worst of the winter, and better times have arrived! A council meeting is called for a week hence, and your suggestions are solicited for topics of discussion, yet another sign of the respect that you have earned from the villagers for all that you have done to establish and develop Freedom’s Landing.
What recommendations do you make, and what other activities do you undertake as the spring thaw arrives?
Nightingale (JonS) HP 36/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Saturday November 19th, 2022 4:13:14 PM
The Choosing Ceremony was interesting to Nightingale. The "family" she came from were all taught to follow Queen Maab in their own way. Sitting on a soft spot of earth, she too is wearing a dress like Sahabiel. Nightingale's is embellished in wildflowers, butterflies, and the symbol of Maab. While she watches the goings-on, she notices a male orc boy staring at her. Nodding at him, she continues to drink her mulled cider. After an hour, the boy is almost out of her mind, when she finds him standing in front of her. "The people here say you fight good, that you save the town, and other stuff. But I am as big as you, how you do those things?" In one fluid movement Nightingale stands up and pokes the boy on the nose. "My strength lies in my friends. Alone I'm not as strong as Sahabiel for instance, but together there is strength." The boy, upset that she poked his nose takes a swing at her. Nightingale blocks, but slowly, giving the boy an idea of how she fights. After several more swings he roars and charges her, and then finds himself on the ground with Nightingale sitting cross-legged on his abdomen. "That wasn't bad, but you ducked your head down and lost sight of your opponent. Who are you?"
She rolls off the boy as he glumly stands up and brishes the dirt and twigs off himself, "My name is Gratch. My parents were killed before we found this place. I have been living with the other children, but I'm too big to play with them. Everybody looks at me funny, because I already started marking my skin."Gratch points to several places on both arms that look like someone cut pieces of skin off and then rubbed ash into them"I asked several other people to teach me to fight, that's what my father did, he was a warrior. No one will teach me though, I'm, ummm, too hot headed they said."
Nightingale looks at the boy, whose almost as tall as she is. "My style of fighting is different from the others. My body is my weapon, hands, feet, elbows, knees, and head. I do carry weapons, but I seldom need them. It's true that I am not as strong as others, but what strength I have, has come from years of practice. If I take you as my student, you must understand that what I am teaching you is meant to protect yourself and to protect those around you. I won't teach you to run into battle blindly. I will also teach you about Queen Maab, as she has also guided my path. If you agree to my terms, then meet me here in this open space in the morning, and we will see how much or little you already know. Deal?
Gratch looks like he is going to roar and charge her again, then he drops his head, spits on his hand, and says "Deal." Nightingale grins, spits on her hand, and shakes Gratch's hand "Deal."
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Saturday November 19th, 2022 4:55:36 PM
Beech, Is around, but without a youngling to teach he makes himself available to the people preplanning the town. He also spends at lot of time in the cooking area, prepping and cooking, as well as trying various new recipes.
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Monday November 21st, 2022 1:29:54 PM
Panzer keeps teaching Fredo. Physical conditioning, book learning, sparring, footwork, tacticsand of course his normal learning at school/ Fredo seems to be running into fewer bullies now that the lad can carry himself with confidence that he has the skills to at least evade those bullies. Panzer also finds that Fredo has pretty extensive knowledge of survival, having lived on the fringe for so long. The room in Panzer's house is finally finished and Fredo decorates it with a great deal of gusto, finally having a place to call his own that he has earned for himself. Panzer has no suggestions for the council. They are all smart people, they know what needs to be done for the town to grow. They need to plant, they need to make their crafts and get them to market and they need to continue building their community. They have learned how to do most of this in the past year and now they just need to implement it. Further public works projects such as gravel roads and such need to have the housing finished so that it can be determined where roads need to go, so that is most likely a year or so off yet.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Monday November 21st, 2022 7:57:00 PM
Sahabiel brings before the council as her main priority that it needs seeing to that all other work is planned and prepared in such a way that enough hands will be rested and free when time comes to clear, plow and plant the fields for the spring crops. "It will be the first year for most of us to do spring planting, and it will be a great bustle of activity for all coming out of the mostly indoor winter season. I think we would do well to give it extra attention until we can rely more on experience."
Also over this last part of winter leading into stpring, Sahabiel is a little less busy, as snow has long since blanketed her precious saplings, protecting them from worse until the warmer spring weather arrives. As Limka is similarly unable to work her usual job around the quarry while the clay deposits are frozen, the two work together to impart knowledge and practical skills to Ghundit, and can be seen building up a friendly report.. sort of. Actually, within weeks of mother and teacher spending much time at the treehouse with their daughter/apprentice, they seem to have reached a level of mutually respectful familiarity. Any distance and deference due to Sahabiel being a skilled knight-priestess of the Culverwood, has given way to good-natured jokes over how Sahabiel can't cook anything but basics, or why between a half-orc and a half-elf, somehow the latter is the musclebound green one.
(ooc: I am fast-tracking them to besties, but without doing so much roleplay writing that it would feel like having a sitcom inside the campaign.)
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Monday November 21st, 2022 8:04:20 PM
ooc: My post will come late tonight. We have some sick kids
What to do next? (DM BatMark) Monday November 21st, 2022 9:43:11 PM Nightingale finds an orc lad, Gratch, who needs–and eventually accepts–guidance both martial and spiritual. Beech eschews taking on an apprentice, but is helpful in the cooking area. Panzer keeps teaching Fredo, and finds that he knows a thing or two about survival. He defers to the council regarding next steps for development. Sahabiel recommends to the council that other work be completed in time to rest and be ready for spring planting. She works with Limka to tutor Ghundit, and they all become closer to the point of familiar teasing. Naithi is distracted caring for sick kids around the village, but will no doubt be more present soon. Zazu and Lothlo are still hibernating, apparently.
The council appreciates Sahabiel’s advice, but is open to ideas from the others, as you are willing. Enterprising folk are also keen to follow up on the success of the fall trading trip to Karri, and have spent some of the winter lockdown producing new goods for the city. They welcome trading advice from the Champions, knowing that you set the stage well for a modestly prosperous trade.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Monday November 21st, 2022 10:09:49 PM
Zazu sniffled at Buggo's funeral, and tears flow when Ash says her goodbyes.
"Ash, I'm so sad you have to go! I'll write you letters to tell you how we are doing. Please stay in touch, and maybe come back to visit!" The elf makes sure to get the correct address.
After Ash departs, Zazu gives Boyo the biggest hug. "Don't cry, my little bunny. These things happen. Heroes go here and there in the Wold. That's the life of an adventurer. It's ok. Dry your eyes."
Boyo is not crying.
===== ===== =====
During the winter. Zazu continues to teach the village kids, to train Grem, and to follow up on a long-standing project. The wizard's "spell book" is a collection of hand-made vellums, rat hides and scraps, some of which date back to bits of spells written and hidden in the orcs' slave camps.With some self-training as a bookmaker, Zazu sets out to recraft the book from scratch, making it into a proper adventuring spell book.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Monday November 21st, 2022 10:45:45 PM
Beech says his farewell to Ash, and he will agree to send messages if Ash wants. He'll continue to do cooking and try and write down recipes so others can cook those people like, when he's not around. He also adjusts his future house plans.... adjusting the kitchen in his private home, more to his liking as he cooks more, learning what he wants...
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Tuesday November 22nd, 2022 12:18:42 PM
Lothlo keeps training the three musicians along with the rest of his family. The winter passes fast, and the three apprentices have learned the basics of playing an instrument. The orc finds that a violin with a bow is easier for her larger hands and fingers, the half orc preferring a guitar, and the human girl a lute. They have a long way to go before they master the instruments, but they can play simple songs well enough that the town folk aren't annoyed at the sound of their rehearsals
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 20/15/16, HP: 40/53, CMD: 23 Tuesday November 22nd, 2022 12:18:42 PM
Lothlo keeps training the three musicians along with the rest of his family. The winter passes fast, and the three apprentices have learned the basics of playing an instrument. The orc finds that a violin with a bow is easier for her larger hands and fingers, the half orc preferring a guitar, and the human girl a lute. They have a long way to go before they master the instruments, but they can play simple songs well enough that the town folk aren't annoyed at the sound of their rehearsals
Nightingale (JonS) HP 36/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Tuesday November 22nd, 2022 1:11:39 PM
Nightingale finds working with Gratch to be interesting. Combat skills he seems to grasp better than defending himself, and Gratch is loathe to move away from his opponent, even when Nightingale instructs him to move around and attack from different angles.
The fact that Queen Maab isn't a bloodthirsty deity also puzzles Gratch, who isn't too keen on having butterflies landing on him while he is training.
Nightingale doesn't push reading and writing on him at this time, as she is waiting for him to ask about learning them. She does begin teaching him rudimentary Sylvan, "as we live on the borders of the Great Culverwood, being able to talk to the other 'people' who dwell there can come in handy, especially if a Treant wants to know what you are doing lighting a fire."
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Tuesday November 22nd, 2022 4:39:40 PM
Once the ground gets softer Panzer resumes the task of the trench and burm with Fredo.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 24/16/19 HP: 42/42 , CMD = 18 Camalayas AC = 22/16/16 Tuesday November 22nd, 2022 6:12:54 PM
Naithi cries at Buggo's funeral and feels like she lost a close friend. Fizzgig, Camalayas and Cuddly Mule have always been with her, but Buggo was the first wild create she raised and tamed since leaving home.
She is further disheartened at Ash's departure. There were not many female adventures, and she felt a special connection with the young Blood Witch. Although Naithi doesn't bond easily with people, she throws her arms around Ash's waist (Naithi can't reach much higher) and makes her promises to return and send them a letter once she is settled.
Once her emotions are under control Naithi begins training the villages. A small band of hunters, a group of foragers, future farmers and orchard tenders, and several who are raising small livestock for both the town and personal use. She even has a partner to help manage her future brewery/vineyard/distillery (that is a ways off, but training will take awhile). She is also training a small group to explore the edges of The Culverwood, but it is limited to those native to the area and with the Forest Walk feat... If she can find any.
However these are citizens she is helping to train in specific tasks, but her young apprentice is with her dire everything. Learning everything and then some. Despite her shyness, or perhaps because of it, she is a natural at the druidic arts, and as she trains with the townsfolk she begins to come out of her shell a little as the interact and acknowledge her talents
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Tuesday November 22nd, 2022 7:30:15 PM
Sahabiel says her goodbyes to Ash, and expresses her hope that letters will find their way back here. With Ash traveling back to resolve matters in some distant 'back home', Freedom Landing will certainly feel the loss of one of its most learned. In the aftermath, Sahabiel tries to console and comfort Naithi.. and the two needed to speak in any case, because in addition to their cooperation in creating the grove, any group the likes of which Naithi is now planning to have explore the edges of the Culverwood would probably benefit from her knowledge; In being a native of the Culverwood and possessing the Forest Walk talent, Sahabiel is the very sort of person Naithi is trying to find more of, and Sahabiel has already begun one-on-one teaching Ghundit some of her magic forest survival, foraging and tracking knowledge, as part of her instruction in how to safely and quietly find several useful medicinal and otherwise useful plants and herbs that can be found in the Culverwood's undergrowth.
Still considering Beech a dear friend, even if he seems to have been rather withdrawn into himself through much of winter, Sahabiel also sometimes visits the liontaur's growing house. She is certainly among the interested if Beech is really creating recipes to produce better, tastier meals using the locally available ingredients here where magical forest meets verdant plain!
(ooc: Cayzle, if you ever visit Europe, please remember that it is called a bookbinder here? A bookmaker means.. something else.)
A boat, a boat!! (DM BatMark) Tuesday November 22nd, 2022 9:11:06 PM Zazu is not crying, Boyo is crying. The trickster teaches the kids, and sets about recreating a proper spell book. Beech says farewell to Ash, offering to send messages if wanted. Beech also writes down some recipes for folks to cook when not around. Lothlo keeps training the three musicians, and winter passes fast as they pick up different instruments. Nightingale works slowly to mold Gratch, developing his fighting skills and a touch of Sylvan. Panzer resumes working on trench and berm with Fredo as the weather improves. Naithi mourns Buggo, and is further disheartened by Ash’s departure. She occupies herself by training villages in a range of skills, even starting to think about creating some more spirited drinks. Her apprentice helps with all, and seems to be a natural with the druidic arts. Sahabiel says her goodbyes to Ash, and hopes for letters. She consoles Naithi, and consults with her on those being trained to explore the edges of the wild Culverwood. She visits Beech as well, interested in what herbs might enhance those recipes!
It is well and truly spring, and not even the loss of Buggo and Ash’s departure can put a damper on things. As folk gear up for planting and trading, you hear a shout, ”A boat, a boat!!” and everyone scampers toward the river, where you see a flat-bottomed boat making its way from the east, from the direction of the Emerald City.
Zazu (AC20, HP46) and Boyo the bunny (AC18, HP23) (Cayzle) Tuesday November 22nd, 2022 9:18:51 PM
[OOC to Esther: LOL! I will try to remember, but my old brain is very full ...]]
Zazu feels a bit left out and ponders taking a level or two of druid just to have more nature cred.
But not really. "Wizardry is my specialty," the arcanist reflects. "And it is better to stick to what you know. I'm already less powerful than a pure mage given that I have my rogue training."
The trickster settles for sneaking tiny frogs into friends' pockets with the ever-useful mage hand.
Sahabiel (EstherLauren) -- AC 22/11/21 -- HP: 56/56 Wednesday November 23rd, 2022 7:21:23 AM
Things begin as a day like any other before the boat is sighted on the river, and Sahabiel is making her round, keeping up with the talk of the community and sharing out words of encouragement, minor blessings, and bits of wisdom. “...I am not sure why either, but perhaps they have been coming out of hibernation early and are looking for a warm hiding spot-”, she says, reflecting on a curious local phenomenon that the people of Freedom Landing are starting to call ‘pocketcroak’. Before she can finish her thoughts though, the calls of the arrival of a boat distract all.
Sahabiel walks over to the river, curious. For a start, this is the best possible sign that the ice on the river all the way down to the Emerald City must have gone away now, and the waterway is again navigable. And more than that… well, it is too early to know for certain yet, but the timing works out and if this boat looks fresh from the yard and according to the specifications she paid the shipwright in Karri for, then she probably needs to be at the waterside right now.
She tries to see who is guiding this boat.
Beech (JohnC) AC 19(23)/14/15,HP 40/40 Character Wednesday November 23rd, 2022 5:22:33 PM
Beech, hears that a boat is approaching, heads to the area that the docks are planed for, and will call for them to land there. He'll ready his rope of climbing to use as a temporary anchor. Commanding it to attach to the boat and a tree on shore then shorten up until its snug to the shore. With a boat, if it is theirs, the next thing will be actual docks, or at least a couple slips, one for the boat, and one for any visitors....
Panzer Braun (David F) AC 28 (T16, FF24) CMD 26 HP 81/81 ) Character Sheet Wednesday November 23rd, 2022 6:09:16 PM
Panzer pokes his head up from the earthworks and looks at Fredo. " That is probably the boat that Sahabiel commissioned to be built for trade with Karri." "Probably" says Fredo, though he sounds less excited than a man his age might at a new sight like a fresh new boat. [b]" Good, skepticism, you have good instincts. Hang back a little, I'll be up front. If things go wrong get back to the village and warn the hunters, then get armed. protect the village and our people. DON'T be a hero. If they are too strong get as many villagers as you can and get inside the edge of the 'wood. I very much doubt anyone will follow you in there." "OK." Says Fredo. Panzer stands up and heads towards where Beech is pointing the boat. He suspects that this is the treade creaft hat was commissioned but there is no reason to take chances. He doesn't work in his armor, that would be like slopping pigs in banquet attire, and he is painfully aware of how vulnerable that makes him, but it will be fine.
Nightingale (JonS) HP 36/43 AC 21 CMD: 21 Wednesday November 23rd, 2022 7:46:49 PM
Nightingale will bring her protege with her as she joins her friends at watching the incoming boat ... like Panzer and Beech, she is hoping this is traders, and not raiders
Grindar, son of Grindor, Tree of Parting (Jeremy) Wednesday November 23rd, 2022 8:11:31 PM
As the boat approaches Freedom's Landing, Grindar begins to smile. He is pleased withe the progress that has taken place since his departure, and happy to see a thriving community. Of course the purpose for their visit is heavy on his mind, but he can't help enjoying the feelings of nostalgia. As the boat pulls up to the dock he shouts out, "Grindar, Son of Grindor has returned!"
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