Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 47/47 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP -1/48 AC 18/18/15 Monday April 24th, 2023 7:55:51 AM
As the evening rolls along and everyone gathers again Teddy hesitantly asks the others about their history and what got them into the adventuring business. He's distracted by the woman they are looking for showing up and starts to say something, but everyone follows his gaze and Snark is moving before he can speak up. He decides to stay put and continue the conversation with the others.
DM Esther: Easy Directions At Last? Monday April 24th, 2023 3:45:39 PM
Onesimos is not too happy with the reaction of the inn’s patrons to his parable, and he tells a different one in hope of setting them straight. Although he does not expect much, it does actually seem effective on at least some of them. Perhaps these caravan masters and merchants did not get wealthy enough to be staying here by being bad at sensing another’s motives, and have at least picked up on that Onesimos isn’t having it.
You came by a long roadside shrine on your way into the settlement, with niches with dedications to several deities including Flower. You can leave the donations with its keeper, if you so please.
Khord shares his experiences of the day with his companions, and then takes a bath at the Captain’s Quarters before his return to the common room. His private room is cozy, the bathtub provided is a large one, and the water is wonderfully warm. A cauldron with more water is kept hot over the room’s fireplace nearby, and Khord may periodically scoop hot water from there to keep his bath warm longer. Soap is basic, and the towel is cotton, but compared to life at sea or on the road, this is high end comfort. Niko gets his own tub, albeit a smaller round one that might actually be a washtub as someone must have realized it was for a dog, and seems to enjoy sitting in the water just fine.
Teddy converses with the rest of the party about how they rolled into this whole adventuring thing.
Jasper, delighted with the helpfulness of the dog she met and happy to have found a clue they could act on, watches as Snark approaches a woman that fits the description.
It is easy for Snark to make his way to the back of the common room, and he hails the woman and introduces his quandary. She looks a bit surprised at first; “Hm? Can I help you? Oh! Yes, I do know Zenia. If you were hoping to find her here though, you must be… let’s see, it was a new moon three nights ago… around three weeks early?”
She patiently listens to Snark explaining why he seeks the help of the greenmage, and ushers him into a side room. Khord, keeping an eye on things, senses that the woman with the head cloth is uneasy about speaking more about the topic in the common room, but has no hostile intent ushering away Snark.
Snark only Highlight to display spoiler: {Once away from prying eyes, she nods at you and says, “I see, and I believe that if you want to ask such a thing of her, you should travel to her instead of waiting for her to make a visit here, no? It would probably require time, and things she only has at her home, to begin with.”
The woman, who turns out to be the senior housemaid of the Captain’s Quarters, proves willing to share with the travelers the instructions Zenia has provided for the case that someone needs to find her.
“Alright, you seem the right kind, and it is not exactly a secret. If you travel down the road further inland, within a day's walk you will see a large rock formation on the right side of the road, that looks like it has a pig’s ear on it. If you make a signal fire on there, she’ll know to come check it out. You can tell her that Wilma -that is my name- sent you her way, and that you have brought a bottle of Red Hill Red. That should put her in a good mood.” She chuckles “Of course that would require you to actually bring one, but we sell them at the bar here.”}
Snark returns to the common room a little later, in the company of the 'blue-headed' woman.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18.+2 AC CMD16. HP 24 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Monday April 24th, 2023 4:40:48 PM
Onesimos happily parts with the money to the many-aspected shrine and the keeper thereof.
The elf also thinks Teddy has a good idea. ”It is a life-altering moment to see someone become a god, and I did as a youngster during the Year of Ascension. I became an acolyte of Flower, and a year ago was sent to the Southern Continent to encourage the Woldian Panthenon (since I’ve been told most people in the Southern Continent shun the gods and worship Immortals). So it’s a good thing to have a couple hundred years to find a willing community to teach what love actually is!”
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC14 T14 F15, CMD 12, HP 41/41 Monday April 24th, 2023 5:12:38 PM
Snark returns to the common room, asking Wilma to come meet his friends and offering to by her a drink.
In a low voice he tells his friends, "Hey - this here's Wilma. She told me know to find Zenia. It's about a day's walk from here and apparently she likes Red Hill Red, which they got here at the inn. I'll get me a couple bottles and we can leave in the morning. Well, unless you all want to wait here where it's warm. It might be a cold night in the woods, but I think I can provide you all shelter there."
Snark will buy a couple bottles of Red Hill Red. He will enjoy his evening, buy some food and drink and sleep in a warm, comfy bed for a change. He wakes ready for to meet this Zenia woman.
Jasper (Holly) HP 52 AC 20 CMD 8 Monday April 24th, 2023 7:54:08 PM
Japser nods at Wilma.
"Well met, Wilma. A kindly border collie mentioned you. Cold doesn't bother me much, so I'm looking forward to taking the journey with you tomorrow, Snark. Hmm. Perhaps once more as Jasper-Yak."
She then turns back to the Luck Makers.
"Teddy, excellent idea. I'm eager to hear your stories. As for me, there's not much to it: I grew up in an ancient forest, which I am sworn to protect. I work to protect it still, and all the wild places of the Wold. Hm. What else? Oh. I feel a particular affinity for the winds. When I was young, I'd climb to the very top of the canopy to be closer to the sky."
She sounds a little wistful... perhaps even melancholy.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 49/62 AC24/ T13 / FF 20 Monday April 24th, 2023 10:43:34 PM
Isaac takes it easy at the inn drinking in the culture and food. "Glad you found info about her Snark I asked around but got nothing. Still lets rest up if she's out in the forest it will be quite the hike." Isaac enjoys the bath that comes with the room.
Khord Briarmark (Bill D) AC 20 T15 FF15, CMD17, HP 43/43; Niko AC17 T13 FF14 CMD20 HP 52/52 Tuesday April 25th, 2023 6:00:39 AM
Khord takes in the stories of his new friends, and tells a short version of his own, " I grew up in Dirt City on the northern continent. Joined the Twilight Rangers when I was young and we patrolled the streets protecting the common folks from the many criminal families that run the city. I cam across the ocean to Heranmar in search of a man who stole something from one of organizations that he deemed important enough to hire us. I am enjoying exploring this new land."
As Snark and Wilma return and announce the trip to the woods, a spark can be seen in his eyes and he looks forward to the journey and new frontiers in the morning.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 47/47 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP -1/48 AC 18/18/15 Tuesday April 25th, 2023 7:41:09 AM
Teddy looks amazed at Benni's story. "You actually got to see it? That's amazing! I've only heard the stories." Though less amazed at the other stories he looks fascinated by all of them.
After everyone else shares he shyly shares his own story, which is rather fantastical, possibly to much so to be believed. Apparently Teddy used to be a bear - like an actual bear "three times your size or more!" he claims. He was a powerful, mighty protector of nature, serving with his best friend and master Teressa Treeborn, herself a powerful druid, and together they commanded respect from everyone they met, animal or person.
Then the bloodgrass came. He describes how it twisted the beloved grove the pair protected, the nightmarish creatures it created, and how his partner died to it. Somehow, through divine providence or the power of Teressa before she died, he knows not which, he did not become a monster twisted in agony, but a beastfolk - apparently such events are the origin of all beastfolk, or so he's heard since. All he knew at the time was that his once mighty strength and endurance had deserted him in a world he could now no longer understand.
"I mean, I know I'm smarter now then I was before. I didn't even understand what writing was before, now I'm really good at it! But I went from a giant to a midget, and from a simple understanding of the world to having a million questions I could not answer. It was terrifying! It still is!"
He wandered, lost for a time. Gore'Thum finding him was he finally found purpose and safety again. "He's scary, but he taught me so much. Even things I don't think he really understood himself. And I guess I'm just used to being told what to do. Terresa was always smarter then me and told me what to do, now Gore'Thum does. I don't like not being with him."
Jasper (Holly) HP 52 AC 20 CMD 8 Tuesday April 25th, 2023 2:45:09 PM
Jasper is deeply moved by Teddy's story.
"You are more powerful than you know, and still worthy of respect. I'm honored to have met you, Teddy Treeborn. Few could withstand what you have.
DM Esther: A Brief Respite, A Night In Comfort Tuesday April 25th, 2023 6:18:53 PM
In the comfort of the inn, the party starts to catch up with itself at last, and over a drink and a meal the adventurers start to open up to each other. They discover there is much they did not know yet about each other - particularly of course Jasper, who has only joined them on the way to Hook City and may never have even seen Heranmar yet.
At the suggestion that Wilma might be going with the party to meet Zenia, the motherly looking woman chuckles and declines; "As much as I would like to visit Zenia's place for myself, I would get in so much trouble if I just took the day off from my work here. And I'm not exactly fit to make it back on my own, so I would be stuck out there until someone can escort me back, no thank you. You will not want for guidance though, I gave your friend Snark directions that you really can not go wrong with."
Wilma does not even blink when Jasper mentions hearing about her from a dog. When she hears the description, she nods; "Oh, that sounds like mister Orson's collie? That one is a lively young one, isn't she?"
From behind the inn's main counter, the landlady glances in your direction a few times, which causes Wilma to excuse herself. "I am sorry, but I still have rooms to look after.. if you have more questions, I will be here serving during breakfast tomorrow so I will answer them then, alright? Now you all should enjoy your evening and then rest up, since you'll have a walk ahead of you."
ooc: Since some of you are mid-conversation with other party members, let's give that another day of posts - I am finally seeing some of you bring up your backstories with your peers, so I'd hate to push you along before there is a chance for anyone to react to each other's! Anyway, tomorrow might be a post from James if I am not back in time, but I'll definitely see you all Thursday.
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC14 T14 F15, CMD 12, HP 41/41 Tuesday April 25th, 2023 7:45:37 PM
Snark has a special interest in forests. He asks Jasper, "What forest did you grow up in? Is it around here?"
"So Benni - you seen a god, eh? That's something. And Teddy, you were a real bear? We'll get you yer frog back soon."
With all this discussion about past experiences, Snark will add, "One day I was out roaming the hills, happy as can be, when I come across a bunch of dead goblins. Among 'em, here was a young girl goblin near death. I was tempted to just leave her, but for some reason I decided to help her instead. I found some healing herbs and I nursed her back to health.
"She said she was the daughter of the Chief of the Nosepick Tribe and led me back to her father for a reward. Them goblins took me in as an honored guest, but I soon found out I was there was no reward and I was really just a trophy prisoner. The girl called me her "little pet gnomie" and ordered me to perform tricks for her. Can you believe I was stuck there for two years? Most awful experience of my life, I'll tell you.
"I had to learn their language - most of 'em only spoke goblin. They were a vicious and cruel bunch - Lemme tell you, them goblins lived up to the goblin reputation and then some. And their tribe name - most of 'em had a booger collection they kept on a stick." At this, Snark shudders.
"Then one day opportunity came knockin' when the Nosepick Tribe was attacked by a rival - the Buttsmack Tribe. Don't ask. While they was fighting, I slipped away. Once the fight was over, them goblins chased me for days, but I eventually gave 'em the slip.
"Then I made my way to Hook City. I took up as an apprentice to a dwarven wizard there. He was a rotter - used his magic to cheat people. I eventually left in the dark of night and took the next ship out. I worked as a carpenter on that ship for a while. Then I wound up in Heranmar, and met Benni, Teddy and Isaac. There was some others, but they went their separate ways, and later some of you joined us.
"All in all, things turned out all right I guess. 'Cept I don't never want to be among goblins again. Goblins are the worst!"
With that, he will order a round of drinks for his friends.
“Benni” AC 22/12/18.+2 AC CMD16. HP 24 24 Onesimos (SteveK) Wednesday April 26th, 2023 4:46:45 AM
Onesimos nods while listening to his friends’ stories. ”Everyone has their own stories and reasons, but the Luck Makers find fulfillment in a common purpose. That is also a type of Love.”
“It was over a hundred years ago, yes. But I didn’t see one god. I saw six.”
“Teddy, you are one of the strongest people I know.”. And the elf gives a glance at Gore’Thum, assessing how much of the spirit’s purpose is in helping the BeastFolk see exactly that. ….
The cleric is ready to travel with Snark and the others to meet this Zenia.
Khord Briarmark (Bill D) AC 20 T15 FF15, CMD17, HP 43/43; Niko AC17 T13 FF14 CMD20 HP 52/52 Wednesday April 26th, 2023 6:10:55 AM
Khord listens intently to everyone's stories, amazed at the wide array of experiences they share. while he is attentive to everyone and joins in with a little storytelling of his own, he is somewhat distracted by thinking about what to expect on the road.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 47/47 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP -1/48 AC 18/18/15 Wednesday April 26th, 2023 7:26:10 AM
Teddy gets very embarrassed and flustered as people start to say such nice things to him. He asks a question about what it was like seeing all the gods to redirect the conversation before trying to stay quiet and in the background until it's time for bed. He'll sleep at the cheaper inn.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 47/47 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP -1/48 AC 18/18/15 Wednesday April 26th, 2023 7:27:38 AM
Beeni's glance at Gore'Thum finds nothing, for Gore'Thum is not here for once. Which the more insightful of the party might realize is fully intentional on the frog's part.
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