The Sundered Way

[spiderwrangler]

It's some pretty tasty badger.

"Heh, well, it wouldn't have been as good of a final test without the push!"

Once the badger meat is cured, and the hides have been scraped clean, you head into town. While Grelka is selling off some goods, you break off with plans to meet for drinks later and head to the Chalice, running into Tess and Holger.

[Arch Lich Burns]

He waves her bye as they part ways. He enjoyed his time training with her, he feels like she understands him in a way most others don't. Her showing him how to vent his frustrations to others makes him feel less vulnerable, and he could give a good thrashing to those that earned his ire.

Maji has a small grin on his face when he meets Holger and Tess together. He raises an eyebrow, but doesn't comment as he waves to them. He ponders for a moment before scralling, You have the donkeys still?

[thinkslogically]

Nemeia will spend a bit of time setting up the wagon how she likes it. The outside will be fairly nondescript, painted in dark browns and reds, but otherwise left fairly plain, though she can't resist adding a little decoration to the mules' tack. Inside will be a different matter, with the benches covered in colourful blankets, hanging scarves and bits and whatever pieces of sewn-together colourful material she can pick up from the general store and other small, pretty comforts to make their long trips more pleasant and homely. She is well used to living a life on the road, but hasn't ever had the opportunity to have something of her own like this (even if it is shared), and she relishes the opportunity to make her own mark on the little wagon, and to make it as comfortable as possible for everyone. She discusses all the options with her polecat familiar (using weasel stats if that's ok?) as she works, using him to carry the corners of the scarf-drapes up to the canvas roof and attach them.

She names the mules Rusty and Bramble, and names her familiar Ilkivi after a mischievous character in one of the actual poems in her poetry book. He is of fey origin, and mostly spends his time wrapped around her neck like a cozy scarf. At night, he scampers around colecting lost coins and dropped trinkets.

She will also chat to Holger a bit in her evenings, curious as to how he spends his days. She will also ask him privately at some point about the time she saw him practicing, and who "we" referred to.

Once the wagon is ready, Holger is the first shell show it off to, making a show of surprising him with her weeks of handiwork and very much hoping he likes it.

[spiderwrangler]

Fair enough. Where are C, R, and T at now? Are they still en route back to the Vale or have they arrived yet?

We'll say everyone has arrived back in town at roughly the same time, and you've secured the private room at the Chalice to discuss what's next.

[Lurks_In_Shadows]

(( Sounds like Tess is "nesting". ))

When Tess gets around to showing the wagon to Randy, he looks approvingly at the fact that she kept the outside relatively plain. He quirks an eyebrow at the interior, but doesn't seem to disapprove. "Very homey."

Randy will check in with the Abbey to see if any messages have sent to him from his home temple. Having had some mystical inspiration from working with the brambles and rose thickets while cleaning up the temple with Coljin, he goes out to the local archery field, picks a group of targets isolated from the others and well away from anyone else. He then pulls out an arrow, concentrates on it while stroking it down its length. He then takes careful aim at the center target, pulls back and lets fly. ( invoking Hail of Thorns). He then observes the results.

[thinkslogically]

((less nesting, more like an excited first-time home owner))

[spiderwrangler]

As you draw the arrow back, you see bits of thorn sprouting from the shaft just behind the arrowhead. As you loose it, it impacts the central target, even as you're drawing another back and loosing it at a side target. Your first arrow shatters into a spray of thorns and shards that tear into the targets.

((Horde Breaker applies to ranged as well, so you've got some nice burst on clusters! It destroys the arrow, but I'm not tightly monitoring arrow count as long as you guys are regularly restocking while in town.))

((The wagon could fit the whole party if you're riding within, depending on cargo. If you're headed somewhere without ready forage for the mules, keep in mind you'll need to have feed for them. It'd only sleep 2-3 if you were planning on sleeping inside.))

[Lurks_In_Shadows]

(( Cool! I've got the equivalent of a RPG! ))

Randy looks satisfied with his experiment and head to the Chalice to meet the others.

[thinkslogically]

((good to know, thanks! We'll plan around that ))

[BadgeAddict]

Oblivious to all plans, seeing as how she was gallivanting through the wilderness for awhile, Zephyr inquires on where they are heading next and offers an opinion. "Have you lot decided where to go next, if not, I'd ponder the eastern cities as a likely destination."

[Theis2]

When Tess brings up the subject of how he rejected her prank, he looks a bit confused at her as he tries to remember/come up with a lie.

"Hmm, Oh that, I was trying to test my limits and see if I could establish contact with an extraplanar creature. Don't worry, I was not trying to access any outer planes, mostly seeing if I could get access to the elemental plane of air and get the service of a small elemental. Just like how some wizards have familiars in the form of small animals. Nothing came of it, this plane is apparently not very well like since we have a mixture of all the elements. Very taxing and had just found something able and willing to communicate for just a bit."

Once he is shown the wagon, he'll first inspect the outside, not showing any emotion and he'll end the inspection by jumping inside, making an illusion of a drape to block her view of him. He'll lay down comfortably on some of the pillows as he waits for Tess to follow in or at least peek inside.

"This is great! The outside could be spiced up a bit, but I guess the less inspiring companions should also feel comfortable traveling with us. This will be a delightful way of traveling."

Once he gets the note of being ready to test his skills, he'll change his schedule to no longer commune through his Lyre but rather go around town and various inns in the evening searching for plot hooks rumors that could lead to possible adventures.

Holger persuation: 1D20+6 = [10]+6 = 16

[Lurks_In_Shadows]

Oblivious to all plans, seeing as how she was gallivanting through the wilderness for awhile, Zephyr inquires on where they are heading next and offers an opinion. "Have you lot decided where to go next, if not, I'd ponder the eastern cities as a likely destination."

Randerwaith shrugs. "That's what we're to find out. I'm currently at liberty."

[thinkslogically]

Nemeia is delighted that Holger approves of her wagon-decorating, and will take the opportunity to show off her new magic abilities while they have a bit of privacy, summoning her familiar to meet him and introduce to him.

"Well, I've not been communing with any elementals lately, but it seems that book of poetry is quite useful. I have been able to learn quite a few new tricks of my own, and also met this little fellow. He's a fey-spirit, and quite opinionated!

Oh! And this is Rusty and Bramble. Rusty's fairly obvious, on account of that red flare in his mane, and Bramble is bramble because she keeps wandering off into thickets of them after the berries!"

[M0rtimer]

"Oh my, look at that... This is some nice work you've done here, Tess!" Ulmwin compliments, appraising the wagon and horses.


(My god, Thinks, what have you done... You created something with emotional attachment for Spider to kill! )

[Arch Lich Burns]

After being ignored and forgotten by Tess and Holger, Maji quietly follows them to the wagon. He observes what they are talking about with mild interest, taking a mental note about the powers of the poetry she apparently found, and them contacting elementals. Maybe there is something that could come out of it that could benefit him. While observing he briefly wonders if they'd notice him more if he was a mastiff, or another animal, seeing that Tess is making a deal of the mules and familiar. He cringes slightly at the bright clashing colours on the inside of the wagon, thinking of them as tacky but does bothing about it, he'll just have to get used to it.

► Show Spoiler

you didn't notice him earlier when he addressed you, so I figured that he'll go to observer mode.

[Theis2]

Holger sticks to his usual magic as Tess showcases her newfound skills

"Huh, a fey spirit. That's quite an impressive poetry book you found. What's his name?

We can always pull a few magic tricks on the berries to change the smell and taste to keep bramble from going off the road if it becomes a regular happenstance."

Btw Burns, I missed your and spiders post mentioning you ran into us. I kinda assumed you were away so didn't pay that much intention. I kinda assume Holger and Tess would be alone during the first part of the conversation about the elementals at least since Thinks specified she would do it in private. I don't really care either way so I'll leave that up to Thinks and/or Spider.

But I do kinda like that Tess and Holger didn't notice you, Tess watching for Holgers reaction and Holger too busy inspecting the wagon
Granted it seems likely that Maji will end up creeping in on them

[spiderwrangler]

((If Majis creeping, give me a check.))

[Arch Lich Burns]

((If Majis creeping, give me a check.))

((maji isn't intentionally creeping on them.))

Edit: what's amusing is that I've been an unintentional ninja at times.

[thinkslogically]

((well, she would have shown Holger the wagon first just because, and then shown it off to the rest of the group at a later time.))

In response to Maji and Ulmwin whenever that happens:
"They're MULES! Bramble and Rusty"

[Lurks_In_Shadows]

((If Majis creeping, give me a check.))

((maji isn't intentionally creeping on them.))

Edit: what's amusing is that I've been an unintentional ninja at times.

Ninja

[thinkslogically]

To Holger:

"This is Ilkivi. He has a penchant for shiny things and a cheeky sense of humour. He's been keeping me company while you've been busy with your lute these past few weeks. Anyway, show me what you'velearned!"

[Theis2]

There's not much to show really, at least not here. I've focused mostly on improving my versatility of my offensive spells. Wouldn't be that great if I sprayed poison all over the place. Oh and the ability to alter the mind of whoever I like and force them to like me. Not that I really need it, but it could save a bit of time and effort on establishing a relation to someone if we need to get in somewhere. Also it's a lyre, not a lute. Nothing great have come of my practice with it yet though."

As to showcase what he has learned he takes out his regular lyre and plays a few tunes that could seem like they would fit into a romantic song or ballad, but the flow doesn't sound right.

Holger performance: 1D20+6 = [4]+6 = 10

[thinkslogically]

"oh really? I found a spell to do much the same thing, only I suspect the target would know they'd been influenced after the spell wore off. Fortunately, I also found a spell to alter my appearance, so perhaps their annoyance won't be entirely directed in my direction!"

"Those are nice songs! Sounds like you could use a little more inspiration from this Plane though..." she adds with a grin and a wink.

[spiderwrangler]

((The Abbey is still interested in checking out the ruins, while H wouldn't have picked up on that, Randy at least is aware they'd appreciate a guide out there, so if you wanted escort work part way to the Eastern cities, you could lead them there.

Holger does hear rumblings of orc bands interfering with the roadway that runs up the eastern mountains (the road that Zephyr, Coljin and Randy took to the glen and Krentor's cabin). While not a major trade route, it is the connection between the Vale and the dwarven strongholds to the north.

There are other rumors of more mundane things, lost wedding rings, a farmer run off his land by an overrun of wild boars, caravan guards suspected of cheating at cards.))

[Theis2]

"Yeah, I suspect mine will have a similar downside as long as it isn't permanent effect. But that's sounds like a nice plan to get around it."

Holger laughs loudly at her praise knowing how empty it is.

"Most definitely, my lyre just can't make the same whoosh sounds as they could, so I might just have to give up on that source of inspiration. You shouldn't by any chance know a great source of inspiration nearby?"