The Colonization of Terenuri (IC)

[Tegu8788]

Hallowhiem

"Certainly Roman, here." He unties the bag that is hanging from his waist, and looks at the embroidery glow for a second in the palm of his hand. "Let Lasaad take a look at them, I'd bet his alchemy could do fun things with them, but once he's used what he needs, use the rest as you will. They may provide some clues to the matters we discovered in Ilifar. Tell folk I sent you, that should smooth your way a bit with, anyone that's been here for awhile that is." He holds out his hand, clearly intending for Roman to take the bag when he's ready, making a calculated guess that neither of them are the most dexterous of men, and making man bend over to catch something he dropped would serve no purpose.

Hand extended, he turns his attention to Fargem, and setting a smile to his lips, he begins. "Fargem, you've been a good dwarf to me this past year, taking me in here after my botched negotiations with the hostile elves when we first arrived. You've given me a purpose, and helped me find a home. For that, I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. But we both know that I wasn't meant to sit behind a desk, not yet at least. I have found a mission that may make better use of my skills, and allow me to better serve this colony than with this quill. Lady Visenia has requested that I, Roman, and the other two men you placed in my service, to escort her home. I sense that there is more to that request then meets the eye, and I request my leave to pursue this venture."

"After the attack on the Queen here, I can see a number of reasons for a representative to travel with her. A show of arms from the colony in her service will help to soothe thoughts that we are to blame for the attack, and that we will fight to continue the peace agreement between our two peoples. We don't have very much information about what lies beyond our colony on this continent that we haven't learned second hand, and if I go on this quest I can gather knowledge for Lord Teren. As we journey, I can find more resources for our people, and act as a forward ambassador, making trade deals with peoples we haven't met yet, providing more materials and more allies for the colony. And I can not stress the advantage of having someone from the colony being inside the Exilarchy of Amethyst, for expanding trade, strengthening our alliance, and for once giving us solid intel on what happens there so that we are no longer at the disadvantage when it comes to knowing what is happening on this land."

"And if from the Exilarchy of Amethyst we are sent deeper into the continent, imagine what I can bring to the colony. You know my skills in negotiations, and if I can help spread Lord Teren's power with word instead of sword, we both know things will be easier for our people. A conquered group rebells while a converted people helps. Corellon bless me, if I can spread worship of the gods to these people, that alone would be a great success. Nature is my god's domain, and the power of nature is something they understand. If I'm also graces with his skill, I will be able to show the Oauhm the power and majesty of our gods, and our leaders, and bring them to our ways by desiring to follow the model we portray."

"The Queen leaves in the morrow, and I intend to accompany her when she leaves with the men you gave me. I'm not certain I could stop them if I tried. This is a tremendous opportunity for Terenuri. A chance for me to do the work I originally came here to do. With the new paper pushers freshly arrived you don't need my hand on a quill anymore. Allow me to serve as I am best, out there in the wilderness, where this Paladin can best serve the needs of this colony."

His eyes are kind and soft, memories of this past year floating through his mind, and the impassioned speech more potent than he imagined it would be, given how little time he had to compose it. He knew what he was asking, but he also knew that the benefits to this venture far outweighed the risked, and he was sure that Fargem would see that as well. He was a smart dwarf, after all.

[Arillius]

Ja'qar

Ja'qar was left to his own devices for the night it seemed. That was just as well, he needed to prepare for the journey and what he was going to do to prepare was, for the most part, something other people would not be able to assist with. It would require time and patience. Before he ventured into the nearby woods though he made sure to acquire a few items he could not make on his own. The first was a length of rope. One never knew when one needed rope, but always having it made sure you were prepared. The next item on his list was a canteen, which was followed by some thread and a sewing needle, both high grade and made for working leather, a backpack and finally a moderately sized bag of salt.

With the mundane items in hand he gave a nod to the last merchant he 'spoke' with, having said very little, and ventured toward his camp at a leisurely pace. As always he was wary and cautious, his eyes briefly scanning around him to make sure he was not being followed. He had managed to, for some time, keep the location of his camp hidden from the majority of the people in the town. It was not entirely because of his instinctual nature for a safe place to rest either. He did not want anyone walking in on him during one of his change's. Such a thing would cause a mess to be sure.

With that in mind, if he did spot such a person, he intended to lead anyone following him on a false trail, but the nights and mornings events kept calling to his mind and he continually found himself back on the trail to his camp. In the end he would give up, stop moving, and settle in to wait until the person following him stopped. If they did not leave after about an hour he would raise his hand to cover what he was about to do and try and give the perfect imitation of a wolf howling. Thankfully it would take a trained ear to tell the difference, given the fact that Ja'qar had personal experience howling like a wolf. It happened often enough around these parts and he hoped it would scare away any of the curious.

When he finally reached the 'path' that lead to his camp Ja'qar lowered himself to the ground and began to take in the scents around him. He wanted to make sure someone hadn't visited the area while he was away. If he found nothing he would follow the path, which wasn't a path so much as the way to his camp with the smallest amount of brush, and move in slowly. One hand casually held the bundle that was the reward for his small amount of time shopping while the other reached for the handle of the axe peeking over his shoulder. Ja'qar, again, took in the scent of the area and looked around carefully.

All of this checking for followers and what-not might seem paranoid, but other people were not Ja'qar's only concern. Every once in a while an animal would make the mistake of venturing into his camp and, although he was very careful where his food stuff lay twenty yards away in a tree, one never knew what could be waiting for them. The growing population of the town made this even less likely, but Ja'qar was not as rash as his fighting style lead people to believe.

When he was sure he was safe Ja'qar went over to his tent and placed the bundle within. He gave one last look around just to be sure before lowering himself to the ground. He stood there on all fours for and took a deep breath inward. As he released it, his breath fell upon the earth in a chilled mist, the dirt taking on a thin layer of frost wherever it touched the ground. His muscles tightened and the skin on his body rippled. Before more of his transformation could be witnessed his form melts into a white mist, a direct contrast to the shadow of the queens transformation.

The mist dissipated quickly and in it's place stood a white wolf, bigger then any dog and obviously in peak physical condition. It's fur was like snow and he a solitary flake in this forest of green. His paws cracked the thin layer of frost that now resided beneath the entirety of the wolf in an almost perfect circle, his claws actually breaking through it to the rich soil beneath. The wolf raised it's head and took in the scents around him, much as Ja'qar had done. This time however the figure got a great deal more for his efforts. What Ja'qar's ancestry and training let him take in was nothing compared to what this form could sense. It was like being blind to a world of fascinating smells that were just barely hinted at to a humans nose.

Without a sound, for he was silent even in this form, the wolf vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving nothing but a thin layer of quickly melting frost in it's place.

OOC

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Perception - checking for someone following him (1d20+9)[28]
Perception - looking for tracks or scent near his camp for anyone who might have entered (1d20+9)[17] and the second roll since he's looking for tracks or scent (1d20+9)[19]
Perception - in his camp, same as above (1d20+9)[13] and (1d20+9)[14]

Finally to the next part, which I'll write after I see the rolls.

Perception - For hunting. Looking for small game trails. (1d20+9)[28] and a second roll since it's looking for tracks. (1d20+9)[12]

As for the gold for those items, basically an adventurer's kit. Aside for the price of the salt, which I can't find, it comes out to 15 gold.

The call of the hunt, the song of the wild, the voice of nature and all that resided in it. That was what Ja'qar heard whenever he changed forms. Whether it was his ancestral form, a mix between wolf and human, or this one, the song always sang loudest when he changed. Right know it was a rising crescendo of drums and the call of nature. They beat mercilessly at his ear as he raced through the brush of the forest searching for prey. His mind was to far lost to realize that the drumming sound he heard was really the excited beating of his heart, the call of nature birds in the distance singing.

Between his forms sense of smell and his own skill at tracking finding the trail left by a rabbit that had been foraging was more then simple, taking barely a few minutes. Following it was just as simple so Ja'qar did not bother to slow down, instead racing toward his prey. He was a white blur amongst the trees, the light of the sun reflecting off of his coat in such a way as to make the beast appear almost ethereal as he raced through the woods.

When he finally came across the field the rabbit had moved to he stopped and surveyed the land. His prey lay before him, a rather plump looking creature nearing it's burrow. He almost leaped out it right there but something tugged at the back of his mind, a scent that told him there was more then meets the eye here. Ja'qar moved closer, careful to keep himself down wind and watchful of the ground beneath his feet so he did not step on a twig and accidentally alert the creature to his presence. He didn't get to close but he didn't need to either. He saw what his nose had known ten feet back. More rabbits were within the burrow, all lazily coming out to greet the plump one. At first he was thrilled by the movement of fur, but Ja'qar quickly realized that the creatures were a great deal smaller then an adult. The rabbit had been foraging for what appeared to be newborns. They were young enough at least that they remained within the burrow to avoid detection from any bird flying over head.

There was no hesitation now, no waiting and no thinking. Ja'qar turned away from the burrow and left to find other prey. It was only natural that a predator would see more food, but Ja'qar never forgot that he was not just a regular wolf, even when the song so relentlessly called to him as it did now. They were only animals, but they were part of what made this forest beautiful. He could find other game easily, so he did just that.

[Meltheim]

Hallowhiem & Roman - [Fargem's Office - Terenuri]

"What's all this?" the dwarf questioned, finally able to get a word in edgewise, "Ilifar's been taken over by mushrooms?" The dwarf looks incredulously at Roman, "Look, I know that there are some mushrooms out there that can make you see things, but they tend to not make you see other mushrooms . . . " Fargem sees that Roman is quite insistent, and waves his hand, "Yes yes, we'll see to it that someone looks out for the place. Maybe I'll send Hal back over there - give him something to do."

Fargem watches in amusement as Hallowhiem hands the bag over to Roman, then turns back just in time to catch what his assistant has to say.

"Was that what that lass was in here about? Trying to recruit you away from your responsibilities?" Taking a moment to enjoy the shocked look that accompanied the gullible nature of the paladin, Fargem laughs out loud, breaking the silence. "I figured this was going to happen sooner or later. I know I haven't been the easiest to work for, but I appreciate all that you have done. It's been a long year, hasn't it? Seems like just yesterday I was howling at you about Jirus letting loose in the library . . . " Fargem's voice drifts off momentarily, "and now you're all grown up!?"

Stepping back from his desk, Fargem pulls out a scroll case and hands it to Hallowhiem. "Hal, you've earned this. This is something I wrote up a couple of months ago and it seems even more fitting now. It started as a letter of recommendation - promoting you up into my position so that I could finally be rid of all this paperwork - but it became a letter of introduction over the last few days. Signed by Lord Teren himself, it names you as Ambassador of Terenuri. It gives you certain powers - you can draw on gold, hold lands, things like that. Not to helpful quite yet because we don't have any banks established, and any land is granted by the Lady herself at a moment since we're not entirely sovereign, but . . . well, yeah. There are only the two copies of the letter, so it won't be of too much use to you, but that seems to be how things go around here."

Fargem extends his hand in a formal handshake before dismissing it and going for a full bear hug. "You've been good lad, and I'm proud of you. Moradin knows we're not the best people for this job, but we're doing the best we can. Make our people proud and keep your nose clean, aye?" With a glint in his eye, he gives Hallowhiem a playful punch on the shoulder. He then pauses for a moment, "You're taking Jirus with you, right?" he asks, looking hopeful.

[Shular]

Throk

Throk watches as his armour shifts around him, and feels himself become that much sturdier. "Huh," he says, in his own eloquent way.

After being dismissed he takes his share of the money and, not knowing what else to do with it, returns to Gertie's to buy provisions for the road and, of course, to have his fair share of beer.

[Tegu8788]

Hallowhiem - Fargem's Office

Of course I'm taking Jirus with me you silly old dwarf. I actually think that's a stipulation from the elves. Fargem, thank you, I can't be to..." Despite being clearly excited about the news, he releases his hug, straightens, accepts the letter, and pauses before he continues. "I can't thank you enough Fargem, and as I'm the one that prefers speeches, I'll say it once more and be done."

"Thank you, my friend." He bows, clipping his heels together as is his custom, the metal plates around his calves making a small but strong noise, an aural focus for his bow. His eyes stay closed as he brings his head back up, and it's evident that, while there is much left unsaid, they are things that don't need to be said. Shaking his head slightly, as if to brush away a thought, he turns and beckons his resting companion, "Come Jirus, I believe the wizard has things he'd like to do before that sun has set, as do we."

"Lead the way Roman."

[Dimers]

Roman, Hallowhiem

The magician and paladin walk away from Fargem's, already deep in discussion about what they might need for joining Lady Visenia's escort. It's hard to say for certain, not knowing the elves' needs or capabilities, but some items are always good choices.

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In the interest of saving time and back-and-forth confusion, I'll assume that Hal agrees with Dimers' judgement, that Lasaad has the Common-rarity items listed here, and that the Academes can provide all these rituals for copying (along with ritual materials). If any of these points are incorrect, I'm happy to edit the post.

They enter Lasaad's brewery, and Roman puts up a hand to block the glare from a single extremely bright light in a clear glass jar on the wall. It's an odd color, with a hint of pastel teal (if pastel were angry and sadistic), and is probably the result of one of Lasaad's experiments. "Why, hello, youngling!" chuckles Lasaad, hopping off the stool at a long and cluttered workbench to come greet Hallowhiem. "Goodness me, it must have been hours since I last saw you! Who's your friend? Have you had breakfast? I was--"

Wisely, Hallowhiem chooses to interrupt. Catching Roman's eye before rolling his own a bit, he says, "Hello, Lasaad. You haven't changed a bit. This is Roman, one of the new arrivals. He joined me yesterday on the patrol to Ilifar -- oh, and saving the life of an Elf Queen or two." For once catching Lasaad with an open mouth that was neither imbibing a drink or chatting up a storm, he takes a quick breath and continues, "We've been invited to join the Lady Visenia on her outbound trip tomorrow, and we could use some supplies."

Seeing the desirability of verbal haste, Roman tries to jump in the conversation while moving to shake Lasaad's hand. "That's right, um, first, do you have -- I'm sorry, Lasaad, but I can't shake your hand while you're clasping that flask."

Lasaad blushes a bit. "An interesting side effect of my al-chemistry, young master -- well, not so young, probably, you're eladrin after all -- point is, I was working out a formula for sovereign glue and I made some sort of error along the way, not adding enough bourbon I think, bourbon always loosens things up, and while I was carefully pouring out of this bottle I held it a little too long and some product was on the outside, and, well, long story short, I won't be able to put it down for some time to come." He sticks out his left hand instead and Roman solemnly shakes it while Hallowhiem bites down on some highly-impolite laughter. "But enough about me; if you boys are leaving with the Queen tomorrow, you need to get moving, not listen to an old halfling maunder. Is that really a word? You can be maundering, but can you maunder? What can I get for you?"

The adventurers make some purchases before digging out the remains of the Ilifar mushroom swarm. Lasaad agrees to make processing and studying the fungus his sole priority for the day. "I'll have a page take you the results no later than daybreak tomorrow." They also impress on the al-chemist that safety and control are important, describing the scene at Ilifar and showing him the photostat created by Roman's ritual.

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Hallowhiem's money: 40 for a potion of water walking
Roman's money: 40 for another potion of water walking, 75 for mastery of Brew Potion ritual

The Academes' hall is quite a contrast to Lasaad's room. It's well-organized but dusty, while Lasaad keeps his array of clutter immaculately clean. Everything is size "grand" compared with the halfling's humble, squat belongings and low ceiling. The light within dimly suffuses rather than glaring unnaturally. And no one comes to greet the diplomat and wizard; the two people writing at desks don't even look up from their work.

After waiting a couple minutes, Roman approaches one of the figures. "I don't mean to interrupt, b-- He is silenced with a finger; the figure still doesn't make eye contact. The pair wait a few minutes more, examining other work surfaces and scanning book titles. Finally, Roman approaches the scribe again, saying quietly with deadpan intonation, "I'm afraid that if you don't pay some attention, I'll have to start mis-filing books."

The scribe spins and pulls back her hood, revealing a lazy eye, a face that was once a very successful acne farm, and an air of angry authority that makes Roman freeze like a rabbit and Jirus hunch low and growl. She says, "WHAT," making the word into a judgement as much as it is a question. Her good eye scans the pair with a dismissive glance.

"We--" Roman finds his throat dry, stops, gulps and recollects himself. "Academe, we have need to copy rituals from the Master Book. In some haste," he adds, seeing her already potent anger start to swell , "as Lady Visenia's party will be departing tomorrow, and us with it." The scribe sighs, near-rage returning to mere annoyance, and quickly sets up Roman with two tomes, a variety of imbued inks and a small box of writing paraphenalia. "You will pay Gregory for the time spent. He can also sell you components from our storehouse. And where is Gregory?"

"GREGORYYYYYY!" Her shout, apparently magically augmented, stirs up new flights of dust, makes Roman cover his ears, and brings up Jirus' hackles so strongly he appears to double in size. In a voice like papyrus the other scribe says, "Ill. Again," to which the angry one simply sighs. "Talk to me again when you're done, wizard. And wait for me, this time."

Hallowhiem excuses himself from the hall after Roman is settled in to write. "I'll see you again at supper, Mister Elanai. Many other tasks to finish today. Be well."

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Hal's money: 50 for Animal Companion ritual.
Roman's money: 30 for Banish Vermin, 20 for Amanuensis.

After an hour of tidy scribing (This is one task I'm quite certain how to perform!), Roman replaces the books and waits patiently for the attention of the unattractive Academe. He pays the copying and ink fees in silence, then returns to Lasaad's to check on progress with the mushrooms. He opens the door to a few wisps of purplish smoke and walks in, saying, "Lasaad? The Academe reference works tell me you're the man to see to learn about making potions ..."

[Meltheim]

All - [Terenuri]

"The prisoners, m'lord. What do you want done with them?" Dalsaf asks, sitting behind his large oak desk, holding a piece of parchment in his hand. Dovrahiim stand guard behind him, their presence markedly darkening the room.

"Well, I believe that Visenia has already let one of them free since he was just trying to protect her." Lord Teren casually leans against a wall, looking relaxed at first glance, but more like a lounging jungle cat upon further review.

"Oh, you mean the assassins? Not sure. Visenia has requested that they be turned over to her people, since they are part of her war. But I'd rather not set that kind of precedent. What do you think Dalsaf?" Lord Teren asks, genuinely interested in his friend's opinion.

"Well, might be best, simply because we don't know what kind of political situation this could involve. I mean, we are allies with the Exilarchy for now, but these assassins are from the Emerald Grove - a nation who could prove to be more of an ally down the road." Dalsaf's hands move up to his temples, massaging them slightly as his forehead creases. "Though, there's no way for the Grove to know that we have them. Maybe if we hand them over, Lady Visenia's people can claim credit and blame both. We keep ourselves out of it for now, until we have a better grasp of the web of politics here."

Lord Teren looks thoughtfully into the distance, a small frown drawing the corners of his mouth down. "I suppose that is for the best, though it is frustrating. The Anduri Empire has not had to kowtow to anyone in decades. I'm not about to start now."

"Ahh, my lord, that might be true." Dalsaf says, hesitating for the briefest of moments, "But are we not the Terenrui Empire now?"

"That, my friend, is treasonous speech." Lord Teren replies, "but it does have a good ring to it, does it not?"

The two men chuckle for a moment before Lord Teren signals to his dovrahiim. "Let the Lady know that we will comply with her request. Release them to her this afternoon. I understand she plans to leave in the morning." The guard clasps his hand to his shoulder in salute, and swiftly exits the room.

[Meltheim]

Roman – [Lasaad’s Brewery – Terenuri]

“Ahh you're back, I see" Lasaad remarks, as Roman reenters his establishment. "So, Hal tells me that you want to learn to brew huh? Tell me, have you any experience with transmutation at all? I mean, the conversion of one material into another. I know that they used to teach that at the Academy, back when I was a student there, but who knows what they teach you guys now.”

Without waiting for a response, Lasaad pulls out a few beakers and flasks, then snaps his fingers as a blue flame appears at the base. He ducks behind his counter and reemerges, holding a large bottle of clear liquid. “This is rough stuff” he says, unstoppering the bottle and taking a sniff, “It will take years off your life but add years to your soul”. With a wild-eyed grin, he takes a small swig and staggers back. “WHOOO! Want some?” he asks, offering the bottle to Roman.

Setting the bottle down in front of him, he pulls out a mortar and pestle, a small cutting board, a tiny silver knife and some exotic fruit. With a beaker still glued to his hand, the motions are made all the more awkward and humorous. “Now this” he begins, gesturing to the materials, “is the start of all alchemy.” He begins to slice into the fruit, revealing a bright juicy pulp beneath the dull flesh. He pours a small amount of the liquid into the beaker, reaches to the shelves behind him to grab a few tins of some unknown materials and dumps them into the mortar. “Start crushing that up, slowly, in a circular motion . . no no no the other way, yes that’s right. Give it a good 14 and a half rotations with the pestle and then another 6 and three-quarters in the other direction. After that we'll add some of that mushroom you brought me and make a nice mash.”

Not bothering to check Roman’s progress, Lasaad disappears behind the counter once again, this time popping up with a small bar of silver in his hand. Using the same knife from before, he slices a small bit of silver from the bar and adds that to the beaker as well. He then picks up the slices fruit and holds it over the beaker, squeezing it in his hand. The purple juices run down between his fingers and into the container, and instantly bloom into a kaleidoscope of color.

“You done with that grinding yet?” Lasaad looks down into the mortar, “Good enough” and picks it up, dumping the contents in the beaker as well. “You remembered the 4 and a quarter swirls with the left hand as well, right?” he asks, absentmindedly, as he swirls the concoction around above the flame. The rainbow-like substance begins to glow with a silvery hue. “Ooooooh, interesting. Never done that before!” he says, excitedly. In a wink he produces two small cups, pouring a measure into each. “All right, bottoms up!” he chirps, slamming the drink down his throat.

When Roman awakes, a good 20 minutes later, his tongue feels fuzzy and there is a silvery halo around everything he sees. The Halfling peers over the counter at Roman, who apparently is sitting on the ground. “Not sure what you did there, but that was GOOD stuff. Might be great for parties, you know? Excellent solvent too!" He waggles his newly-freed fingers at the Eladrin. "Anyway, now that you're mind's in the right place, I’ve got another one mixed up. Let’s see what this does! You’re writing all this down, right?”

[Ravian]

Rilingfall:
Expedition preperations were, as was taught at the academy, one of the most important part of an explorer's work. Even the bravest of explorers could die out in the wild without the proper gear and so Rilingfall was quite meticulous upon acquiring everything on his list.

The Sextent was easily acquired (though there were a few mixups directing him to the local brothels) and in quite good condition. They were imparitive if he was to make accurate maps based on Longitude and Latitude, similarily a simple sundial could be easily fashioned out on the expedition.

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I'm going to guess and say that the full kit for map making (sextent, charts and such) would come up to around 25 gp)

He also made sure to pick up a couple of healing potions from the curious halfling brewer, while words and inspiration could do alot, sometimes there is no cure like nature's own remedies

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2 Healing potions bought for 100 gp

While he was sure that he had the necessary material supplies for the journey Rilingfall also knew that the greatest provision is information. He spent the rest of the day chatting, conversing and interviewing as many interesting people as he could, especially the natives, taking notes all the while

[Meltheim]

Rilingfall - [Terenuri]

As the explorer moves around the settlement, he notices that there are a three small children following behind him, trying to stay out of sight. At least one of the children has a sharp stick with some painted blue rock tied on the end, and another wears a necklace with a crudely drawn set of wavy lines, most likely to resemble Avandra's holy symbol. The third child has a piece of parchment with scribbled shapes on it, emulating a map of the region. Every few minutes they spread the map wide and dramatically look it over, pointing to different landmarks in the region and making bold declarations.

Any time Rilingfall looks in their direction, they immediately scamper off amid squeals of delight. The eladrin does get one good glance in, however, and sees that each of the children has a small patch sewn on their clothing, resembling the mark of the Explorer's guild.

[Tegu8788]

Hallowhiem - Gertie's Inn and Virgil's Smithy and Armory

Having delivered the arcane Eladrin to the Academs after a visit with Lasaad, Hallowhiem made his way to do more chores. He had left a request with Lasaad for his strongest spirits, something to impress the people of Oauhm with his skills mixing different components into drinks. Lasaad's ego, and skills, would surely make something powerful. The promise to spread word of his alchemy hadn't hurt either.

He had left some similar instructions for things he needed with an old cleric friend he had spent many nights discussing theology with over the past year. The follower of Erathis had been a great boon to Hallowhiem in his attempts to maintain order and law in the colony. They had some spirited disagreements over their different opinions of the Oauhm people, their ways, and their lands. But above all, the dragonborn was dedicated to her duties, and when Hallowhiem mentioned that he was being sent deep into the wilderness, and that he was interested having a few pieces of parchment with a listing of the gods in the eladrin variant language that seemed widespread here, she had jumped at the opportunity. He had stressed that the wording be non confrontational, and just canonical information.

Hallowhiem would return later to pick up the tonics and instructional material later, after a visit to Gertie's for some more supplies and goods for trading. Her nephew had build up his own forge next door, and had a thriving business repairing damaged weapons and tools. Hallowhiem had taken his armor to Virgil several times to get his armor patched over the last year. As he walks through the colony, he spies Rillingfall making his preparations, and had to smile at the number of children that we copying him. It was good that the children had heroes in this land to look up to. The heroics saving the Queen seemed to have had a positive effect on the natives, and with a small wave and sly smile, Hallowhiem let the children continue following the spear toting Eladrin.

Finally making his way to Gertie's Inn, Hallowhiem greeted a couple of Peaceborn that were leaving for a shift then slipped in, and made his way to the bar. "Gertie! Have you heard the news? I'm an ambassador. Certified and everything. I'm looking for some special products of yours, and if he's around, I got a request for that nephew of yours."

[Arillius]

Ja'qar

((DM doesn't have to read all of it, most of what I rolled for is at the end.))

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Ja'qar moved through the woods as a silent but deadly predator. He knew not how to mask his movement or remain silent anywhere else, but here he was a hunter. Instinct guided his path, his paws touched down where he knew they would make the least sound and his senses lead him to his next prey. Ja'qar was a hunter, a predator as fierce as any natural beast this forest had seen. There were his betters in strength and skill, but what he lacked in size and experience he made up for with his cunning mind.

The sound of his breathing was not labored. Ja'qar bore great stamina, leaving a normal hunting session such as this hardly challenging and making it far from possible to be winded. A gentle, frozen mist escaped past his fangs as he loped through the wilderness with a casual grace. No mark of his passage was left in his wake as he hunted. His heart thudded in his ears with excitement as he closed in on his pray, a wounded fawn that had been separated from it's mother. Ja'qar had smelled it's blood before he had found it's trail, making it quite easy to track the creature down. It was in a lot of pain and if left to it's own devices would either die or be found by it's mother, if it's mother was still alive that is. The latter was just as bad, if not worse. If the mother found it, it would give it's life defending the fawn from other predators. If was not already dead from just such a fight. If it was, the fawn would bleed or starve to death. Both painful ways to exit this world. That is, of course, if they did not come. Ja'qar knew they would come however, just as he did. The smell of blood in the air would draw them as surely as it did sharks in water. But Ja'qar was fast. He would make it there first and end the creatures suffering. It would be a painless, merciful death compared to what some predators might attempt.

A good enough reason on it's own to hunt the creature down, at least to some. Ja'qar could not deny the excitement of closing in on prey though. He would not deny it. What gave his eyes that gleam, that spark that suggested something far more wild and dangerous within him was the enjoyment of that excitement. He was a hunter. He not only excelled at it, he reveled in it. Though nature could be beautiful, even kind, Ja'qar knew and loved all aspects of it, even the dangerous and deadly.

Beside him ran another wolf, much like he. It's fur was white and pure as the driven snow, just like his. It's steps were silent and it's movements graceful, just like his. It loped through the woods as if it had been born to run, just like he did. In any other form this being that ran beside him was translucent, ethereal. He was a spirit that did not truly exist as Ja'qar, a flesh and blood creature, did. In this form, however, Ja'qar always saw it as he did everything else. In this form, the form the spirit running beside him had granted him, Ja'qar saw the true nobility of the spirit in a way no other could claim to have done. This form was as much because of his ancestral blood as it was the gift of the spirit and though the spirit did not always appear next to Ja'qar, the barbarian knew it was always there with him, guiding and watching over him.

Ja'qar. Named spirit warrior by some, hunter by others, and even friend by few. Ja'qar, soon of a shaman and a hunter. Ja'qar, the wolf, descended upon his prey with exultation. The fawn did not even notice his arrival, not until it was too late. It did not feel the hunters jaws clamp down on it's throat and it did not feel the ebb of it's life as it took it's last breath. The death, compared the vicious creature that pushed it to the ground and stole it's life away, was peaceful and painless. A small mercy, but the only mercy a hunter such as Ja'qar could grant.

Before the body of the fawn had even finished hitting the ground another predator appeared. It was a wolf, though to say it was like Ja'qar and the spirit would be false. This wolfs fur was a dark, matted brown. It's body was not like Ja'qar's, which was layered with lean and powerful muscles. Instead it looked to be half starving, as if it had not eaten in weeks. Judging from the scars it bore and the age it appeared to be, this wolf was an older Alpha chased away from it's pack by a younger. That it chose to flee instead of fight with it's life said a lot about the creature. That it took one look at Ja'qar and the spirit, the barbarian briefly wondering if animals could see it as he did, and started backing away said even more.

Ja'qar bared it's fangs at the coward before him and took a purposeful step forward. The wolf took note of Ja'qar's stance as well as the stained fur around his jaws. It was trying to decide if this meal was worth it. Ja'qar could see it's hesitance and took advantage of it by taking another step forward, this time adding a deep growl to the movement. The growl made the wolfs fur stand on end. It was a primal thing that welled up from deep within the barbarian, much like the power from his transformations. The wolf took another step back and then turned tail and fled. A pack might give chase, but Ja'qar was alone on this hunt, save for his companion, who could not affect the world the way Ja'qar could. So the barbarian let the wolf flee and turned to his prize.

The fawn was indeed injured. Badly. It looked to have fallen and broken one of it's legs. It had been bleeding for a while and from the small amount that was pooling now, Ja'qar judged it didn't have much time left before it had been killed. The barbarian shifted now, needing fingers instead of paws to do what came next. His power surged from within him. His body, fur and all, rippled as it began to change. Just as before he was enveloped in a white cloud before more could be seen, though to the more astute eye it almost seemed that he became that cloud. When it faded Ja'qar stood before the fallen fawn, a shifter once more. He knelt down and began his work.

Perhaps three hours later he returned to his camp. Ja'qar had already cleaned the skin at the river to the north of his camp. Now he set about preparing the meat to allow it to be stored for a longer period of time. He used a fire to dry it out and then proceeded to salt it. With that done he set the strips of meat up in a small cloth bag of his and proceeded to close it with the rope he had purchased. He slung the rope and bag of his shoulder and moved away from his camp, stopping within sight of it but far enough away that the smell wouldn't attract creatures to it. With a heave he tossed the bag over the branch of one of the trees around him and tied the rope high enough to keep the smaller creatures from getting to it

With that done Ja'qar once again ventured out. This time he remained in his humanoid form, again having need for his hands. He didn't need to really track down what he was looking for now. He recalled the spot just fine and his sharp gaze had him finding the natural path to it quite easily. He was gathering the leaves and berries he needed in minutes and returning to camp soon after.

He spent a few moments preparing, but it was something Ja'qar did often enough that this too did not take that much time. With an old wooden bowl he had traded a hare's fur for and a smooth river stone he had found Ja'qar proceeded to ground the berries up in the bowl. They were black and between the skins and juices left a somewhat messy drink. However, when combined with the oil from the leaves he had found, the substance became a great deal more like ink. It wasn't very good for writing but when prepared and stored properly it did wonders to create a harmless dye one could use to decorate one's body with symbols or, as Ja'qar had learned, to disguise ones hair color. It took an hour of grinding the leaf in the bowl to get the proper consistency and another hour to store it in a small leather pouch, of his own making, and cleaning the bowl with some of his water.

With that done the last of Ja'qars preparations was made. He had enough food for perhaps two days, if stretched, for himself, he had enough skin to repair his boots one or maybe even twice if he needed, and he had enough dye to last him weeks. A good day or preparation to be sure.

With all said and done, Ja'qar had little to do but relax now. He took to this task just as happily as he did hunting, leaning back and taking in the gentle light of the afternoon sky as it pierced the canopy overhead.

OOC

Spoiler

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The perception roll from my last post is being used to hunt down the fawn.
(1d20+9)[27] Perception to find some plants and herbs
(1d20+7)[27] Nature to basically prepare. It's for doing the fur, the meat, and the dye he's making out of the herbs and berries.

[Meltheim]

All - [Terenuri]

The sun touches down on the horizon as the sky begins to darken. Lights slowly appear throughout the settlement - some lit by torches, others lit by arcane will. Within an hour the sun will have set and night will once again be upon the settlement. Given the events of the previous night, many of the residents seem restless and anxious.

" . . . back first thing tomorrow and I'll have him all set. Thanks Hal! Have a great night!" a voice shouts as the door to the inn bangs open. Music can be heard within, along with laughter and the clinking of plates and mugs. The paladin exits the inn, with a promise of some armor for his fey companion due the next day.

A few minutes later, two of the guards from the Exilarchy of Amethyst appear, escorting five bound elves, their hands wrapped in thick ropes and their faces hoodwinked. The prisoners are led to the platform that served as the stage the previous evening, where they stand, waiting. As if emerging from the shadows themselves, the guards and prisoners are soon met by two more guards and Lady Visenia herself.

One by one, each of the prisoners is made to kneel. Behind each prisoner stands one of Lady Visenia's guards, each armed with a bow and a bright silver arrow fletched with iridescent purple feathers.

Quickly and quietly, each of the guards nocks and draws their bow, arrows aimed at the base of each prisoner's neck. A heartbeat and a thrum of bowstring later, and each of the prisoners falls forward, dead.

Lady Visenia nods her head in satisfaction as each of the guard's picks up their prisoner and hauls them off of the stage, back toward the Lady's pavilion.

[Tegu8788]

Hallowhiem

Feeling very positive about his conversations with Gertie and Virgil, Hallowhiem leaves the inn. He had convinced Gertie to part with a solid amount of her spices, a coup in and of itself. Virgil had agreed to sell the old chart he used, as now that the new colonist had brought new supplies he would be getting better materials. The new trading materials would be loaded into the cart, ready for him to pick up in the morning.

It is in this state of self congratulations that he just happens to look at the stage, having followed the eyes of the crowd, in time to see five bodies become pricked and collapse. While it was clear that this was a form of public justice for the Elves, it did not sit well with the Paladin. Not everyone on the first passage had turned out to be noble, and a few men had been sentenced to death. However, Terenuri was civilized, and instead of slaughtering them in front of children, they had been exiled from the colony. During a hunting expedition with Jirus he had come across a small camp they seemed to have used, as well as the remains of two of the men. He had given them a proper burial, it was the least he could do.

And while the Elves clearly couldn't exile these traitors with the same effect as the colony did, a public execution sent a message, but it was a bad one. Public executions were to keep the populations from committing further crimes against the state. But this was the wrong population, this was not a city of elves that spawned the assassins, and this was not how Hallowhiem had wanted justice to be carried out in Terenuri. He was not sure what he had expected the Queen to do, truth be told, but he had thought the prisoners would be leaving with the caravan in the morning.

But it was a clean death at least, and there was some good in that. If the Amythest Lady wanted the colony to know that she would execute any colonist that she deemed a threat, at least the killing would be kind. Order had to be maintained, and perhaps that would give some easement to the minds of the colonists, but after the deaths from the portal collapse, then more during the botched attack last night, these deaths would not help the new colonists adjust. Hopefully after he left with the Queen, Fargem would be able to bring things back to a more pleasant atmosphere. Ha, the thought of relying on a dwarf to make people happy. That puts a smile back of his face, if only for a moment.

As he walks back to his room, he speaks with the adults he meets while the children play with Jirus. He does what he can to lift their spirits and soothe their concerns, before he moves off and does it again with another crowd. When he finally returns to his bedroom, he places his armor back in his wardrobe, applying polish to clean his weapons. He stokes the small fireplace, scratches Jirus's head and brushing his fur to get the knots and briars out. A nightly ritual that they had developed, that helped to calm both of them and prepare them for the night.

Finally done with all the day's work, Hallowhiem slipped into bed, enjoying the soft cushion that he slept on, one last time before he left. Hallowhiem snuggled down into the bed, and decided that he would, in fact, take the pillow with him when he left, just before sleep took him.

[Meltheim]

All - [Terenuri]

Three exquisite carts stand at the edge of town, each bearing the standard of the Exilarchy of Amethyst - a silver paw set over crossed silver arrows on a field of violet. Horses are saddled and elves run about, loading carts and crates. A fourth cart, of far less quality, is slowly wheeled in line with the others.

Virgil, Gertie's nephew, wheels over a few barrels of alcohol along with a few smaller barrels marked HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE! DRINK IN GREAT QUANTITY! on the side in Lasaad's curling script. A servant from the Exilarchy runs over to Virgil and the two exchange a few words before each nods and darts off in the opposite direction.

The children who had followed Rilingfall around appear to have doubled their numbers in the past day, and at least five of them could be seen scampering about. No fewer than three tried unsuccessfully to stow away in the carts bound for the Amethyst Tower before the guards managed to shoo them away.

One of the Exilarchy guards stands nearby, orchestrating the loading and the shooing of children. Every so often she glances up at the sun, then down at a manifest, then back at the carts. She yells a few things toward one of the servants who moves from running into sprinting to help keep up the pace. It is clear that she is ready to get going as quickly as possible.

[Arillius]

Ja'qar

The barbarian had been there hours early, having turned in for the night early enough to get a good rest. No one would recognize the form he had taken of course, the one he often chose to travel in when he could. It was faster then his regular form by a fare amount and running through the woods on all fours was a bit easier then doing it with two legs. He had everything he needed with him, including his tent and blankets, but chose to remain hidden until some of the preparations were done.

When the last of the carts wheeled itself forward and the woman Ja'qar guessed to be one of the taskmasters began yelling, the young barbarian stepped behind a rather larger tree. He left the change overtake him, feeling the surge of power from deep within envelop his body and mold it into something else. It always felt interesting to say the least. When he changed into a wolf, the extreme change in his senses acuity left him to distracted to notice. When he changed into his regular form, though he had long since stopped seeing either form as not simply being a part of who he was, there was a bit less to contend with the change's sensations. It was not painful, though one might expect it to be. Even as his bones broke apart and reformed Ja'qar never really felt anything beyond a gentle breath of air moving across his skin. It didn't last long enough to really ever find out what it was exactly. One second he was a wolf and another he was Ja'qar, the white mist having enveloped him and fled. The only evidence of his transformation was the frozen dew of the morning on the blades of grass around him. Even that evidence vanished within a few seconds, leaving not but a memory of it's existence.

Ja'qar stepped out from behind the tree hefting a large leather holster, of a sorts, over his shoulder that carried the dissected remains of his simple tent. If it was heavy, the young man gave no indication of having trouble with it. Among the humans of the colony Ja'qar might have been an oddity. He didn't quite appear human. He wasn't, of course, but Ja'qar never really brought attention to that fact or explained it to others. To be honest he looked more like an elf, with slightly pointed ears and a more lithe frame. The reason some might mistake him for a human was the knots of muscle he carried. Though he wasn't bulky by any means, he wore enough hardened muscle to at least seem large. That being said Ja'qar still carried a grace with him where ever he went.

He wore, like always, a moderate amount of leathers that he himself had treated, cut, and sewn and one point. They were quite obviously made for more then simple travel, especially the piece on his chest. The only really fine pieces of clothing he had was the skin of the wolf he wore as a mantle and cape, in respect to the creature he had taken it from, two fur bracers that actually hid some hide bracers for protection, and the sash around his waist that held the 'improved' dagger made from bone and bearing an onyx handle. Even through the fur and leather of his clothing Ja'qar could feel the inexorable urge to unleash the nature he kept buried behind his ordinary features. He found resisting it was a chore, thus the question of it being an improvement, but was slowly getting used too it's weight on his mind.

The last, but definitely not the least, of Ja'qar's arraignment was being held by a very finely crafted leather holster. Carved into the leather were signs and symbols of the spirits often reserved for the warriors of a village. It and the item this fine leather holster carried had been gifts from his father and mother. They had said it was their way of protecting him, their pup, even when he was no longer with them. They had intended to give it to him the day he had become an official warrior of the village but before that day could come the spirits, one in particular now trotted beside him, invisible to the world, had called to him.

What the holster carried was a weapon of the like that few had likely ever seen outside a glimpse of Ja'qar. It was a brutal axe fashioned with skill and patience and designed to be a weapon of punishment. Some of the more experienced warriors might note that it's unique design actually left little in the way of defense and would often times sacrifice the wielders chance at parrying simply so it could add more weight to it's blows. Tell tale scars ran along each of Ja'qar's arms as if to confirm this assessment. Yet, somehow, that would most likely not set the warrior at ease. Ja'qar was obviously a man of some skill in battle. That he willingly, nay, perhaps happily carried such a weapon would actually be more likely to send a chill up their spines. What kind of warrior could wield such a weapon successfully? Was it simply luck or was there something more to it?

Ja'qar walked on as if any questioning gaze meant little to him. Though he took note of everyone he seemed almost laid back as he made his way to the taskmaster. A simple guise, one easily seen through. Ja'qar was relaxed but this was not because he was complacent. He was, instead, quite ready for anything.

When Ja'qar reached the taskmaster he gave the woman a slight nod of his head and voiced the first, and perhaps the last given his silent nature, words of the day. "Where would you have me?"

[Tegu8788]

Hallowhiem

Waking the next day, Hallowhiem performs his daily devotionals. The Paladin gazes out his window, enjoying the view it gave him of the colony, for the last time in a long time. He dresses slowly, keenly aware that this will be the last time he can dress in privacy for quite a time. Pacing his under armor garments on, he smoothed the crisp folds, before setting to work gathering up the last of his things. A few quills, a sealed bottle of ink, the map he had on his wall, careful to roll it up and not rip it any further. He folds his pillow and ties it to the underside. He empties the draws in his closet, removing the changes of clothes he had. Not much, but they had gotten him through the year.

Memories flooded once again, and he had to close his eyes for a second to keep the emotions from overtaking him. Content that he had packed everything he owned again, he put on his plate armor. While a long trek in it was less than ideal, the importance of being seen leaving in his signature gleaming metal and dark green cloak was important. Sitting in his chair he attached he piece of shaped metal and strapped it tight arond his arms and legs before placing his breastplate on. A few simple moves later to ensure everything was working, he moved onto his weaponry. His grandfather's dagger fits into its sheathe above his right hip, a larger one he used for more mundane purposes sliding into the leather holder in the small of his back, and finally a smaller but well balanced knife into a small slit in his right calf armor until it appeared to be a decorative part of his metallic leg. Reaching into the back of his closet he pulls forth a small box, and attaches it above the larger blade behind him, mostly obscuring it. Finally taking the bejeweled blade he received as a gift from his boss, or former boss, to be correct, he ties to his left hip. Whipping his cloak around his shoulders, he clasps the pendant around his neck, before placing the holy symbol of Corellon over his head, the chain attached falling around his neck. Taking his heavy shield and strapping it to his left arm, he uses his free hand to tie his old longsword to his bag, and heaves it over his shoulder.

Not the strongest of men, he can feel the weight of it all, and as soon as he and Jirus make it down the stairs, he places it on his friends wide shoulders. A few of the older boys had come by to see him off, and he makes a point of speaking to each one. He makes his last round of the colony. He spoke to Lasaad, once again thanking him for teaching Roman alchemy, and once again promising to have more exotic ingredients his way. A stop by the Academs to say goodbye to the mages had been his mentors for the last year, and found a letter from his grandfather waiting. Collecting it, he makes his way to the building that was functioning as a church for all the gods, and receives many blessing for his journey, and a number of parchments containing a list of all the gods and proper ways to worship them. A firm shake and promise to the dragonborn cleric latter, Hallowhiem finally makes his way to Gertie and Virgil's places of work. A quick meal and many salutations from men he had fought with and women he had told stories with all wished him well. Virgil had a beautifully crafted set of armor made from the hides of a number of local animals, and after some adjustments, Jirus was suited up. Having been raised by a human, Jirus had spent many nights under blankets or having his wounds bandaged, and as such he quickly grows used to the extra layer.

Hallowhiem thanks Virgil, and everyone else he runs into on his way to the main gates. Watching the children play brings back his smile, and the thought of what those children may look like when he returns remiss him why he is going. To give those children the best chance they have he can get them. Spotting something odd behind a tree, he disregards it as his friend Ja'qar moves out from behind it. That barbarian had a way of sneaking around and showing up unexpectedly. Seeing the small cart he had purchased already loaded with supplies, Hallowhiem walks Jirus to the side and unloads his pack. Someone had even taken Jirus's sleeping mat and brought it along, placing it over the barrels and hiding them to anyone that wasn't looking carefully. While Hallowhiem couldn't seem the old dwarf, he was certain he was around somewhere.

Untying the study old blade and attaching it to the cart, he secures a few ropes to hold everything down. There was still some space near the front that he imagined the others would fill up. He nodded to the feral elf-like man to indicate a place for his bag, before greeting him "Greetings Ja'qar, how are you doing this fine morning? Ready for an adventure?"

[Meltheim]

All - [Terenuri]

The guard looks Ja'qar up and down before a smirk crosses her lips. "So long as you are not under the wheels, I don't really have a preference where you go. Most of us will choose to run alongside, rather than ride like children and the infirm." she remarks, nodding her head toward the approaching paladin as she smiles, the bright tips of her teeth showing.

"As for you soraahtor - that cart of yours brings up the rear." she says, as Hallowhiem interjects himself into the conversation. "You are guests, not an honor guard. We will protect you from the dangers of our woods, do not worry." Once again, the guard shares a secret smile with Ja'qar, their exchange obviously layers with a knowingness shared among Oauhmu.

[Arillius]

Ja'qar

Ja'qar gives the guard a small smile, a great concession on his part. His stance relaxes a little as he speaks to her, only slightly of course but enough to express a small degree of trust. He nods at her words, again a slight movement that shows just how reticent he seems to be. Ja'qar was really anything but, considering he spoke as much with his body language, nay, perhaps more then he did with facial expressions and words. Still, to those who did not understand such, he appeared quiet and reserved. It was interesting to be honest. He often said more then enough with how he stood, how he moved, and even how he shifted his feet when someone else approached to say volumes. Yet most would probably hazard a guess that he was obtuse or stubbornly silent.

The young warrior seemed about ready to take his place beside one of the carts, already shifting lightly to the side, when an old friend once again appears before him. It hadn't been long since he had last seen the paladin, less then a day really. However a great deal of time had passed since they had last spoken, using the term lightly, with each other. His stance seems to shift again, though this time it seems just a little more wary instead of relaxed. It was the smallest of changes, hardly noteworthy by most and only telling amongst perhaps a few amongst this group now. Amongst his own people it would say a great deal about caution. That is until he catches the scent of a creature he had not been expecting hanging upon the air.

An owlbear? This near to such a large gathering? There were no nests this close to the town. He looks briefly over to the cart Hallow had come from, having been distracted by the guards words long enough to miss Hallowheims arrival, and finally notices Jirus. He looks upon the creature with a questioning gaze for the briefest of moments before understanding dawns on him. Ja'qar had never learned what the paladin had done with the hatch-ling he had found. Learning that the creature had been saved gave Ja'qar a small measure of comfort and perhaps a bit of pride, considering it was Ja'qar would had counseled the man about the ways of nature, even if only briefly. Ja'qar reminded himself to pull Hallow aside before they left. There were those amongst the people of the forest who would not look kindly upon his treatment of Jirus, even if it seemed to Ja'qar that they were likely more friends then owner and pet.

"What is the beginning for some may simply be continuance for another." It was a truth that Ja'qar knew all to well. He had been on an 'adventure' for as long as the colony had been here, perhaps a little longer given it was the spirits who directed him. A twinge of emotion moving through his mind made Ja'qar realized how much he missed his tribe. At least he was not alone though. Beside him he could feel the ethereal being that had guided him down this path. The guards second smile also made Ja'qar realize there were others he could relate too. When he was among his own people they didn't encounter the elves to often. However when they did it was always interesting to say the least. Their hunters were skilled and their warriors strong, yet they also bore intelligence and most of them a good heart.

Ja'qar felt better and though this was merely a new chapter for his adventure it did have a feeling to it the young man was uncertain of how to describe. It felt... as if something was happening. He had felt this way before, when the ships had settled upon the shore of this land and the people had begun building. He had felt it again when the newer ships had arrived, even though he had not been here when they had touched ground. When it had happened that time Ja'qar had been just about to pounce on a grazing doe. The sensation had robbed him of his thoughts and he mistakenly let his presence be known the creature. It had run off quickly, but Ja'qar had been to distracted by the feeling to notice until it was gone. He had spent another day tracking it down again and by that time it was wary of separating itself from the other deer. Now he knew what the feeling was, though he had yet to put a name to it.

With a slightly larger smile, again the change in expression hardly noteworthy, his eyes look from the guard to Hallow, as Ja'qar would refer to him if he spoke enough to do so. He did not speak up for the paladin, instead thinking it best to let the man make his own impression, good or bad. His reaction would speak a great deal of the kind of person he was. Ja'qar, despite knowing a few things, wanted to learn more about this man who was to be one of his traveling companions.

[Dimers]

"Morning, lads," mumbles Roman, approaching on the dirt path from the colony center. He's wearing a rumpled but clean houserobe over his tunic and some sort of linen wrap on his head that emanates a spicy, sweet odor. One hand is holding the strap of a frame pack, while the other carries his traveling boots. Roman sits down on the back of a wagon, releasing his squint as the move takes him out of the bright morning sunlight. As he doffs a pair of slippers and squeezes into the boots, he blinks crusted eyes, smiles mildly, and comments, "Lovely day for travel!"

He puts his slippers into the backpack, rubs his eyes for a moment, and starts casting cleaning cantrips at the wagon. Intermixed with the arcane murmur, he asks, "Hallowhiem, did Lasaad's package of fungal residuum arrive yet? I'll go pick it up, if not. Mmm, and perhaps a cup of that experimental coffee substitute to go with it. Good morning, warrior! -- Ja'qar, was it? You look well-rested."

[Tegu8788]

Hallowhiem

"As always Ja'qar, you are quite right." Hallowhiem nodded, reminding himself that although Ja'qar may be a man of few words, that did not mean that his mind wasn't incredibly sharp. And that this was not the first time that the barbarian had given him deeper insight into something Hallowhiem thought he already knew.

Turning to respond to the amusingly dressed wizard, he continued, "Ah yes, I do believe that Lasaad had it packed along with the rest of alcohol I asked him for. If you want some, feel free to it, it should be near the front. Dump your bags in the front while you're at it. We are going to have a long walk ahead of us."

Jirus walked around the cart, and pumped the top of his head gently against the back of Hallowhiem's hand, a prompt for a scratch. Hallowhiem lifted a small flap in the headpiece, and gave the spot a gentle rub. The tuffs of feathers were not intact his ears, just longer feathers than most. His actual ears were holes, placed at different heights on his head. Virgil had done a fantastic job, crafting flaps that kept the head protected while still allowing Jirus to get the scratching he enjoyed so much. The armor may not be as durable has the metal plates, but it was good to have something to help protect his friend. Jirus was a tough little guy and naturally scrappy in a fight, but Hallowhiem would rather keep him from getting hurt in the future.

[Dimers]

Roman

"Thank you, Ambassador." Roman takes a few steps toward the cart, but pauses when he comes to a point from which he can see far down the trail. The colony was founded atop a hill for defensive reasons, and a great deal of brush has been cleared accordingly -- the better to see approaching armies (not that the colonial forces could do much about that, just yet). And while this is simply tactically sound, it also grants a great view from certain locations.

"My goodness. Would you listen to that salty blue sky!" the wizard exclaims, a moment before knitting his brows in confusion. "Listen? Interesting, but that's certainly how I heard -- how I experienced it. I w--" Roman belches quite abruptly, a pink bubble floating from his lips; the bubble bursts, releasing a mist taken away by the playful morning breeze. He mock-glares at a robin in a nearby tree and tells it forcefully, "You're one to talk! You smell quite pink yourself!" It's clear to everyone else that the robin is minding its own business, but Roman seems convinced it was laughing at him.

"Right, where was I ..." Roman puts down the pack to withdraw from it a page with some increasingly-unsteady Draconic scribings on it, a quill pen rolled up inside. He scratches out more notes with the pen while muttering, "Synes-- preconscious ... synesthesia ... noted; ... recommend ... reducing ... baelroot." He thinks for a moment, then continues, "Or increase ... for parties ... funerals ... and ... state occasions." He then puts the pack on the cart and the paper in a pouch at his side. "I have the feeling I'll be needing that experiment log again this morning."

[Shular]

Throk

Throk finally arrives, bleary eyed and bushy haired, yawning and squintily glaring at the sun. It is obvious he is not a morning person. Nevertheless, his armour is on firmly enough and his sword ready at his side. "So," he says to the guard who seems to be giving the most orders, "is it time to go? I wanna see where the boss-lady lives." He suddenly pauses, as if a thought just struck him. "This place we're going to, it doesn't have ... mushrooms ... does it?"

[Arillius]

Ja'qar

Ja'qar looks at the three out-landers before him carefully for several seconds. His eyes first go to Hallow, the only one here Ja'qar has actually met before. The soraahtor paladin was wearing a great deal of heavy armor just as they were about to venture into the forest, likely for a long if evenly paced trek. Then his eyes go to the wizard. Ja'qar had been to busy the night he had arrived to notice the man's heroics but he did recognize the man from the meeting with the lady. At first he seemed rather average, if a bit slow. Then he began casting spells to clean the older cart. Finally he began listening to the sky and arguing with a bird. Ja'qar eventually turns his eyes to Throk. He seemed ordinary enough and the young man suddenly had a small hope that everything was as it seemed. Then the soldier asked about mushrooms.

His glances did not last more then a second or two each but Ja'qar seemed to realize something from them. The young man turns his attention tot he guard, giving her a look much like her smile. It was layered with a knowingness shared among Oauhmu. Perhaps the smallest of smiles appeared on his lips as he said aloud. "We will have an interesting journey." His eyes briefly pass over the three again before he continues to speak, perhaps nearing his daily word limit in doing so. "If you need help with anything, I have a free hand."

With that he gives a slight tilt of the head to her, something might recognize if she ever dealt with shifter's before, and places the large leather casing that he had hung over his shoulder into one of the empty spaces of the smaller cart. It would most likely sink an inch or two under the weight of the new load, suggesting all kinds of things considering Ja'qar had been holding it with one hand. Then he turns to the carts ahead to find a position outside them. Ja'qar briefly looks into Hollowheim's eyes, an attempt to get the mans attention and have him follow. Words would probably be easier but it was quite obvious Ja'qar was straining himself with all the talking so far.

[Dimers]

Roman

"Good morning, Throk! I'd like to show you something." Roman scoots back to the booze-laden cart and pulls out a crate. Inside it, within a protective layer of bound hay, is a medium-sized clay jug. Roman lifts it easily -- it appears to be mostly empty -- and swirls it around for a moment, producing a slight scraping sound. He then pours out some reddish-black crystals into his other palm. They range in size from barely visible up to half an inch long.

"These are the mushrooms we fought so recently," he explains. "You might say they're solidified magic. Or, rather, it's very easy to turn them into magic. If we get enough crystals like this, we can use them to enchant weapons and jewelry and such. Even this small amount could be used to create a useful magic item! -- if we had time, of course. Anyhow, a quarter share is yours. It would be a fifth, but I haven't been able to locate the young man with the bitter sk-- I mean, with the red skin -- who helped us fight."

The wizard belches vociferously again, this time producing a sort of silvery-orange bubble. He eyes it dispassionately for a moment before continuing, "To an enchanter, your cut would be worth more than a hundred gold coins -- call it a hundred-and-a-quarter. Pleasing, no?"

[Meltheim]

All - [Terenuri]

The guard shakes her head as she walks back toward the front of the caravan which has begun to take shape near the gates. "Alright people, 5 minutes." Further near the front of the caravan, the Lady Visenia and two of her handmaidens (both of whom look like they could easily handle themselves in a fight) slip into a carriage, while 2 guards move into flanking positions on either side.

After a few minutes of preparation and more guards taking up position, the guard from before looks back at Hallowhiem and the others and asks, "Is that all of you? What about Spear-brother?"

[Tegu8788]

Hallowhiem

"I assure you, the finally member of my party will be here. He is likely gathering the last of the supplies he needs." Hallowhiem answers, then leads Jirus to the front of the cart, and using the armor as a hitching points, he attaches the wooden beams. The four wheeled vehicle would need an extra push from this point. As time wore on and supplies were used the cart would lighten, making things easier to move.

Although he had only been amount the Oauhm people for a year, he had learned enough to pick up one the subtle body language they use to communicate. He doesn't have a clue what it meant, but he knew something was being said. If he could learn to express that language, or at least interpret it, it would be a great boon to his work. He makes a mental note to try and learn from the elves and Ja'qar.

Almost as if to respond to his thinking, he noticed Ja'qar's stare, and almost impulsively he responded, " Yes Ja'qar? Is there something you need?"

[Arillius]

Ja'qar

The young man takes a moment to study the other carts and the guards around them. They had a few moments, at least until the Spear-brother arrived. Ja'qar gives a nod to Hallowheim and starts walking a few feet away from the rest. Without realizing it he had done just as the woman with the fox fur had done not so long ago. Ja'qar simply assumed Hallowheim would follow. If the paladin did they would come to a stop just at the tree line and likely out of ear shot of even the elves.

"You must be careful how you treat Jirus from now on. There are those who would look upon your bond and see only enslavement of that which should be free. I know it is not such but they may see it otherwise. They are few; but a cunning, vicious few. They take to heart the lessons of a Great Elder that are taught to them with actions, not words." It was perhaps the most he had ever spoken during this year away from his people in one sentence. If that didn't surprise Hallowheim, the grave tone of warning in Ja'qar's voice might. The warrior was fierce and though he did not show any signs of fear he advised caution. To make someone such as Ja'qar this wary was no easy feat. The stern look in his eye's and the way he was carrying himself suggested no more words on the matter would be forthcoming. Ja'qar was simply waiting for acknowledgment of his warning from the paladin now.

[Tegu8788]

Hallowhiem

Having followed the leathered man away from the caravan, he listened intently. Taken aback by the words, both their intensity and their quantity, Hallowhiem responds as best he can. "I trust you will let me know if you see anything that I need to address. I assure you that Jirus is happy. He wouldn't still be here if he wasn't. I know that, because of the actions I took those many months ago, in my ignorance I robbed him of a normal life. So I am doing everything I can to make up for it now. You still have a better understanding of how the Oauhm people see things then I do. If you anyone that means us harm, or more importantly, you see me doing anything untoward, I implore you to inform me, post haste."

"Now, unless there is anything else you want of me before we begin this leg of the journey. I trust you will help me as you have before. I've just been given a new job, and I have the power now to make contracts in the name of the colony with the people of this continent. I will need your aid in determining who is best to make contracts with, and what is best, not only for my people, but for your people as well. You know, better than most I am not a perfect man, but I learn from my mistakes, and I work hard to make things better. I have the right to claim lands, and I know how important these forests are to you. If I am successful enough, I can guarantee that you will have your forest to hunt in for as long as you wish."

[Shular]

Throk

Though he only understands half of what Roman says, Throk gets the gist. He looks suspiciously at the crystals. "If you want to carry around something that tried to kill you, that's your choice." Then he smirks, as if he had suddenly thought of something funny, if not very complimentary. "But I'll sure take the money." So far, this place has been a lot more profitable than the city for Throk. Mushrooms aside, he doesn't really regret making the journey...yet.