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Post by Kralle on Feb 25, 2019 10:50:02 GMT
Nakan nodded at the tabaxi’s suggestion to speak with the adults.
“Fair enough. It wouldn’t do to have them misunderstand the situation here.” He would let out a small sigh, the only sign of his mild reluctance. “I’ll have a word with them.”
It wouldn’t hurt to try and see if they had any information, no matter how small or inconsequential it might be. As Echo skipped her way across the square, Nakan marched along the edge towards the nearest group of adults from the caravan. He made an effort to appear as non-threatening as he could (much easier said than done), but these folk seemed to be far less distraught and panicked than Bente had been. Hopefully, that would translate to a little less overt fear when he spoke to them.
As he reached the cluster of adults, he gave a small cough to clear his throat and grab their attention before cutting right to the proverbial chase.
“Well met and a fine evening to you, friends.” His accent was coming through a bit more heavily than usual, but not so much that he became unintelligible. “I was hoping I might trouble you for just a moment.”
Nakan extended his arm in the direction of Echo, who had by now reached the group of children. “My cohort...erm...companion and I have been tasked with finding a young girl, Elora. She apparently should have been traveling with your caravan.” The goliath paused a moment, internally wincing at his stumble to find a proper Common word to identify Echo. “We were sent here by her caretaker, a woman by the name of Bente. We’re trying to find out as much as we can about the youngling’s disappearance as possible, and anything you might be able to share would be appreciated.”
As he awaited the adults’ replies, Nakan would glance over his shoulder towards Echo again. He caught sight of another individual, bundled up against the encroaching cold, approaching the group of children as well. He mentally remarked on the unusual and distinct hair color and pale skin tone. A planetouched, maybe? Realizing he was on the verge of venturing from glancing into impolite staring, the goliath returned his attention to the people standing in front of him.
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Arikarka
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Post by Arikarka on Feb 26, 2019 16:21:27 GMT
DM for Echo: The kids were all playing around, shrieking, as the various adults around had given up quieting them ages ago. Most were young, ages 5-9 easily, but there was a group of slightly older kids, the 10+ ones who were too 'old' to play with the younger kids. They were the ones 'playing' with a dog, and keeping a more 'grown up' eye on the younger ones.
Echo moved up to some of the younger kids, who grinned and smiled up at the cat woman, dropping their game immediately to try to pet her fur. They didn't really say words, but there was excited chatter among themselves about how pretty her fur was, how weird her two colored eyes were (but so cool!) and similar quotes. It took a lot of effort for the oldest one there, maybe 7, to realize they were being asked a question.
The little girl, with dusty brown-blonde hair, moved to stand more next to Echo - out of the group. She put her hands on her hips as if pretending to be more important than the others. "We're playin squak!" She stated in her little kid voice. The others all nodded in agreement. Squak - clearly a made up game that had no rhyme or reason. Most likely? This late at night? It was a game that kept them wild and loud in defiance of bedtime.
But then the tabaxi said Elora's name. The kids got quiet, some of them even looking at their toes. One even made a sort of 'errr' sound and darted away. "She's weird!" One finally said, a boy of about 6. "SHhh!" The rest of them shushed him. The leader of this little scrap of kids, the girl, looked to Echo, then behind her to another group of kids talking with an air genasi, then back to Echo - and shook her head. As one she and the rest of the kids ran away, leaving the cat folk alone.
DM for Thea: Darius the dog was ecstatic to see Thea. He was ecstatic to be with the kids. He was ecstatic being a doggo. Even being hit on the back and feeling his tail be pulled was ecstatic - it was attention! Oh boy oh boy - someone to lick!
This group of kids, a real young one surrounded by some of the oldest ones - guessed age at best around 9-13 between the five or so there. When Thea asked her question, pointing towards the conversation that was happening over my the multi-toned tabaxi? The oldest of the group frowned a scowl and crossed his arms. "Why yous talkin' about her?" He had the posture of a bully, someone used to using his bigger size to get his way, despite talking to an adult who was taller than him. "She's not like us." He informed her. "Yeah, she's 'cary." The one with the thumb in her mouth added a bit before sucking again.
"We're better with her not bein' here, lady." From his tone? It was hard to determine if he knew what had happened or not. ((Roll an insight check if you'd like, or intimidate if you'd like to bully him back for information.))
DM for Nakan: It was impossible for the few adults on child-watch to not see the giant walk towards them. And, even as the kids had no problem talking to the two woman? The adults were much more reserved and closed off. Shrugging cloaks tighter, shuffling on their feet.
"We don't want any trouble." One of the men stepped forward to meet Nakan a few paces away from the rest, keeping him halted further out. "Fine evening." He greeted back, still unsure about what this was all about, but not wanting to be rude either. It was clear though, by the bags around his eyes and his posture? It had been a long journey and they were all tired.
Then Nakan continued speaking, and a strange look crossed on the man's face.
"Bente? We don't have anyone named Bente journeying with us. But Elora? Yes… she wa-is a child here." He almost said something different, but then corrected himself before the word was complete. "She's tucked away for the night, tired thing." ((Insight check here as well for you, if you'd like. Or intimidation to bully more information.))
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Post by moralhazard on Feb 26, 2019 17:01:02 GMT
Thea was happy to lavish even more attention on Darius; he was such a good boy, even when he was licking one’s face. It was also useful to have something to keep her focus and gaze on, most of the time; she didn’t want to seem intimidating to the children.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a big group of them running away from the tabaxi, all in one, in that way children did – kind of like flocks of sparrows or pigeons, where a sudden, invisible impulse would lead them to scatter.
With Thea squatting down to pet Darius, the oldest boy – Thea guessed thirteen – was taller than her, and didn’t seem to hesitate to use it, scowling down at Thea as if she might be intimidated by his crossed arms and narrowed gaze. If there hadn’t been a missing child involved in all this – or so Thea assumed – it would almost have been cute. If he hadn’t tried to kick Darius. Even if the dog didn’t seem to mind, Thea did.
The missing little girl, Elora, was not like them. Scary. Thea kept petting Darius as they spoke, scratching him behind the ears, but kept her gaze on the kids, steady, patient. She smiled at the thirteen year old boy, lowering her hand from the dog, and slowly, steadily rose to her feet. She had no more than a scant handful of inches on the boy, but she made full use of it, looking down her nose at him in her most aristocratic manner.
“Is that so?” Thea asked, a little bit of steel edging into her tone. She leaned forward, ever so slightly, and smiled. “What happened to her?"
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Post by moralhazard on Feb 26, 2019 17:01:35 GMT
Thea attempts to intimidate a small child!
Intimidation: OfQ_|dfS1d20+51d20+5
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Post by Kralle on Feb 26, 2019 23:44:48 GMT
((Edited to RP the Insight Success))
Nakan sized up the man before him. He certainly did seem road-weary and in a far less than conversational kind of mood. He seemed ready for a confrontation even, putting himself between the unknown goliath and his fellow travelers. But he couldn’t exactly be blamed for that, could he? The lot of them had just crossed an impressive swath of land and were now in a city many had never imagined they would be in.
Nakan would stop a few feet away, picking up on the body language the man had displayed by moving to meet him rather than allowing the goliath to reach the huddled group. Arms slightly out to his sides, left palm exposed to the man and the bit of his axe pointed down to the ground, Nakan spoke calmly.
“And you’ll have no problems from me or my companion, just a few questions.”
As the man replied to Nakan’s inquiries, the goliath did indeed catch the slip up in regards to the location of young Elora. This man before the goliath wasn't quite the master of deception that he seemed to believe he was. In regards to not knowing Bente, though, the traveler seemed genuine. Now *that* was indeed interesting...
Maintaining eye contact with the man before him, Nakan would emit a heavy sigh, a sound somewhere between disappointment and frustration. When he spoke again, his voice was lower, the barest hint of an edge of warning creeping beneath a still calm and level tone.
"I understand. You're tired, you've traveled far, and now you're cooped up in a city full of strangers...you're just trying to keep your heads down and avoid trouble." Nakan's eyes never left the dust-stained and travel-worn face of the caravaner as he spoke. "But the absolute worst thing that a man in your position right now could do is lie that gods-damned badly."
As another gust of chill air was pushed through the square, the goliath would ask a question once again. "All I care about is making sure a child doesn't freeze or starve to death in the wilderness. Now...when did you last see Elora? The truth this time, aye?"
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Post by Kralle on Feb 26, 2019 23:45:49 GMT
Insight check on the man's response to tell if he might be hiding something.
cAsrCP_81d201d20
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Arikarka
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Post by Arikarka on Feb 27, 2019 17:45:01 GMT
DM to Nakan: With your insight, you can tell he's hiding something about the fact he said Elora was already in bed somewhere. However, you can tell after further mulling over what and how he responded to Bente's name? He truly doesn't know anyone by that name.
Let me know if you wish to edit or add onto your reply with this information, or if you would like to wait for a larger update
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Arikarka
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Post by Arikarka on Feb 28, 2019 20:19:08 GMT
DM to Thea: The kid quivered, lips shaking as the genasi in front of him changed from being a pushover lady he'd try to con sweets from to a horrible monster of a witch. The way she stood, the way she looked at him? He felt like he was trapped in the eye of a hurricane.
"Eehhh iiiii …. Sh- shee …. Ee. … " He stumbled, his own posture deflating as his stomach churned and cramped. It felt like he was gonna loose it. "We was told ta go play in the woods, and make sure she didn't come back." He finally, after several false starts and a clenching of his arms around his stomach.
"So we did." He was blanched pure white, eyes wide. "An we weren't supposed ta say anything, but - you're just like her! Ah witch!" The boy accused her of superstition from how her hair moved and a darkness seemed to wrap around her, she was so scary.
One of the other kids started to pull on his sleeve, to get him to start running away. They were terrified speechless by the once seeming nice woman. The little girl with the thumb in her mouth started to cry. It was her escalating cries that had two of the parents come over, mistrust and maybe agitation towards Thea, that had the kids being called over, bedtime. The group of children ran… puddles of something the only things left behind.
Darious just wagged his tail and bent his head down, then started to sniff the puddles. This was the best thing ever!
DM to Nakan:
Shaken, the man took a few steps back. Somewhere a bit further away a small little girl began to cry. "And all I care about is keeping this caravan safe!" The man spat back, false courage of knowing his mates were behind him keeping him from backing down. He gestured a pointed finger towards the giant. "You want the truth of it? She's somewhere tossed out in the woods, and good riddance. A danger to the caravan and those around her - even to herself. It's better fer her, fer us, and all of Faerun if she stays where she's at. I dunno how you heard about her - but mind your own business and let things that don't concern you be."
DM to Echo: There was so much going on, one of the other kids was crying, the adults were starting to get angsty, looking around to see how easily they could reach for their clubs if things escalated quickly. Everything was starting to go shits-up.
But one little girl, maybe about 14 or so, managed to sneak over to the tabaxi in all the ruckus and tug on her shoulder. A small yellow bear stuffed animal was in her hands - all worn and dirty, looking more pale yellow-brown then proper yellow. "Are you gonna go save Elora?" She asked, voice a little broken, not making eyesight with the catwoman.
"This is hers… the others tried to tear up her teddy, but I kept it hidden. I'm Minerva… Min, an' Elora was my only friend. Can you be sure to help her? But not let the others know? I'm worried about her, she doesn't want to be mean. But…" Min, with dirty blonde hair and two toned eyes, just like the tabaxi, one blue and one gold, shuffled her foot. "Something else is mean, something inside her. It's scary. And it forces her to be mean. No one listens to me, when I say it's not her. So they made her go away." She sniffled then. Though she looked older than a lot of the kids? Mentally, she was behaving much younger.
"Neither of us fit in, but she fit in less than me… so.. If you find her, don't let her come back here. Please?" She tried her best not to start crying. "We were all playing at the end of the river, when Charles made us all turn around and go back. Without her." Charles, it could be assumed, was the oldest of the kid group. The bully. "He had a stick that looked like it was dark and wet. That's all I saw before we were forced back to the camp."
By now the adults were collecting all the rest of the kids, Minerva looking up and over and, panicked, started shuffling away. "I.. I have to go now." With that she bolted towards the adults, leaving Echo with a dirty ratty yellow teddy bear.
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Post by moralhazard on Feb 28, 2019 23:37:51 GMT
Thea kept her gaze focused on the little boy who’d thought it was funny to try and kick a harmless, sweet dog. She thought about a little girl, possibly lost outside in the cold, a little girl shunned for being strange and the fear that little girl might be feeling even as they spoke. Such imaginings, for Thea, brought to mind storms, big, heavy thunderstorms that dumped heavy, wind-swept rains, and sent lightning streaking out to touch the earth, cracking with loud bursts of thunder as it did. The boy was almost blubbering, clutching his stomach. Thea kept her gaze on him, unwilling to let him go without the truth. Her hair blew wildly about her head, a wind that touched nothing else in the courtyard. After a moment, the boy confessed; he and the other children had brought this little girl, Elora, into the woods, and left here there. Thea felt a spurt of pure anger at the thought. She had been a weird little girl herself, a long time ago. She had been lucky to live in a keep, with the human side of her family, and never dumped lost in the woods – but Thea had dealt with her fair share of bullies too. She’d been strange even before she’d become a sorcerer. Thea arched a pale white eyebrow at the accusation of witchcraft. She wouldn’t bother to refute it. “Go,” she said, calmly, adding her voice to the chorus of the other children. The two had left a few small puddles on the ground, and Thea’s nose twitched at the smell. Darius seemed to have no such problems. Thea sighed, kneeling to give Darius a last pet. “Go on, Darius!” She gestured towards the inn, giving a little snap of her fingers. “Larian’s inside, she needs you!” The last thing Thea wanted was the sweet caravan owner’s dog to get caught in some mess of her making. If necessary, she’d guide the dog back towards the inn door, rather than leave him alone in the courtyard with a bunch of potentially angry adults. Once the dog was dealt with, or Thea was at least confident that there was no more she could do, she would make her way over to the tabaxi. She caught the tail end of the conversation between the little girl and the tabaxi, and watched as the girl ran off, having left what looked like a very dirty teddy bear behind in the tabaxi's hands. “I’m sorry for interfering,” Thea offered, along with a bright smile. “I heard you asking questions, and I, uh – didn’t like the thought of a little girl lost in the woods, however strange she might be.” Of course, Thea's early efforts to help might have done more harm than good; the adults of the group were grumbling, shooting occasional angry looks towards the genasi and the tabaxi, and the smell of the results Thea had gotten was still wafting through the courtyard. At least now they knew what had happened? Between the little boy - Charles, Thea assumed - and the little girl, they had painted a pretty clear, and nasty, picture.
Thea bit her lip. “… I didn’t mean to scare them quite so badly,” She admitted, sheepishly. “I’d like to help you look for her – Elora – if you wouldn’t mind.”
((Ari, let me know if you want me to make any rolls, etc., for what Thea’s trying to do with Darius; I skimmed over the results to leave it open))
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Post by Kralle on Mar 2, 2019 3:15:09 GMT
As the man spat his reply to Nakan’s renewed questioning, a knot of anger formed in the goliath’s gut. The caravaner had left the little girl in the wilderness intentionally. He felt his knuckles crack as his grip tightened around the haft of his axe. He thought about how easy it would be to heft the weapon over his head and bring it crashing down through the crown of the man’s - no, the worm’s - skull with the same effort it would take to swat a fly off his arm.
But he had more pressing matters to attend to. Elora was still missing, still lost in the wilderness to the south. And it seemed some commotion had begun to stir in the square nearby; a young child could be heard crying, and some of the assembled adults started to move in the direction of Echo and the newcomer.
The goliath took a deep breath, calming himself before speaking again. “Fine, you’ve answered my questions, and I’ll trouble you no more for now.” Nakan turned towards his companions, swinging the heavy axe up to rest on his shoulder. “Faen ta deg, drittsekk.” The last words came out in a tone almost like some kind of greeting or farewell, hiding their less than pleasant true meaning.
He took three heavy steps away before stopping, and looking back over his shoulder at the man and gathered travelers. In a deadpan voice, he added a final parting statement.
“But if I don’t find Elora? Or even worse, if I find her dead? I’ll be coming right back here, friend.”
With the oath made, Nakan continued his short walk across the square to rejoin Echo. By the time he arrived, many of the children had dispersed. Judging by the two foul puddles being investigated by a local dog, it seemed the young ones had been just as reticent to provide information to Elora’s whereabouts. However, it appeared that it hadn’t all gone to pot, as he arrived just in time to learn that the newcomer - a genasi on closer inspection - had offered to join in the search.
“Well,” sighed the goliath, crossing his arms over his chest, “I’ll certainly not turn down an extra set of eyes and ears. Especially given that we’ll be getting no help from the useless cowards that pass for adults in this caravan. They left Elora in the woods on purpose, claimed it was for the best…” Nakan’s knuckles would turn a lighter shade of grey as he clenched his fists tighter to calm his nerves.
“And I don’t suppose the children were any more helpful?” Nakan asked, glancing between the two women.
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Kestrel
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Post by Kestrel on Mar 3, 2019 2:57:38 GMT
Uh oh!
Echo giggled as the little collection of kids immediately surged forward and swarmed around her. They looked to be the youngest of the bunch, easily still in their single years, and they gazed up at her with big, curious eyes and reached out with small, eager hands. The tabaxi fell back from her squat to sit cross-legged on the ground. Some of the kids tried to feel her fur (she let them), some of them gushed about her pretty colors and her cool eyes (“aww, thank you!”), and one of them, the “biggest” of the little bunch, squared up in front of Echo with her hands on her hips and the cutest look of seriousness on her face to explain their made-up game.
“Squak! How fun!”
…what in the Cat Lord’s name was squak? Whatever their little imaginary game was though, loud and hectic as it seemed, the whole of them were very invested in it and eager enough to talk. At least…until she mentioned Elora’s name. The effect was near instant. Some of the kids looked away, one of them even bolted, and all of them grew quiet and unsure. The treasure hunter’s ears drooped. Was her voice too loud? Did she move a hand too suddenly? But then one of them yelled about how weird “she was”, the others shushed, and then, after the girl in front of her looked around before shaking her head at Echo, the whole of them fled. “W-wait!” Echo reached out with a hand, but by then they were long gone, disappearing within the confines of the caravan and causing a few of the adults around them to shoot her concerned if slightly unfriendly looks.
The heck was that all about?
Kids were weird, sure, and Echo’s own childhood was not exactly the best reference on how the average one acted, but still? That did not seem like a normal reaction from Elora’s supposed playmates.
Alone now, Echo became aware of how thick the tension was in the courtyard. A man was standing not far from her companion, a bit away from Nakan but puffing his chest out and pointing a finger up at the giant’s own, and a few other adults behind him looked spoiling for a confrontation. A bit farther off was a new stranger. Her skin was pale…like, really pale, while her blue hair billowed, swirled, and shook like a tree in a storm. Or maybe the storm itself, since the group of older kids in front of her looked positively like they wanted to be anywhere else but there. One of them was even crying. Things were getting odd and, even more than that, the former thief could tell they were going really south, really fast.
The tabaxi was moving to return to her companion, one knee on the cobbled ground, to suggest they skedaddle quick when she felt someone lightly tug at her shoulder. Someone small. The little girl was older than the ones she had been talking to (though still very much a kid) and gripped a stained, kind of gross looking stuffed bear. At her question Echo got up just enough to kneel in front of her, but before she could even answer, the girl (Minerva or Min - more pretty names!) continued in a half-whisper and with her two-toned eyes fixed to the ground. Eyes just like Echo’s.
The more the tabaxi heard from little Min, the more her expression changed. Ears flat against her head. Eyes narrow. Tail flicking just above the ground. Everything she heard rekindled an old fire in her gut. A pair of kids who did not fit in, caretakers who forced their charge away rather than help them, and one big kid with a big, dark stick - it sounded a lot like the orphanage, but more than that… Echo unconsciously fidgeted with the dragon mask hanging off her belt. “Hey, Min? I’ll get your friend back. I prom-“ But she was already gone. The tabaxi reached down and picked up the teddy bear. She was fuming now, beyond words, and worried more than ever about Elora lost in those woods.
Lost and probably very, very hurt.
Echo was still staring at the teddy bear when the stranger walked up to her. Hearing her voice, the treasure hunter shook her head, tucked the stuffed animal into her belt, and then jumped to her feet. “Yeah you, uh, you were pretty scary over there.” Echo still seemed a thousand miles away. “But I think we need all the help we can get at this point.” When Nakan joined them, though, the tabaxi regained her focus, if for no other reason than what the giant told them about his talk with the adults. A hiss escaped her throat. It only confirmed the things she heard herself.
“It’s worse than that, big guy. I don’t think Elora is just lost in those woods, I think she’s hurt. Like, really, really badly. They, uh…”
Echo looked down at the bear at her hip.
“…let’s just say they got some of the older kids to do their dirty work for them.” Retrieving her deposited pack and hoisting it back over her shoulder, Echo turned to (now both) of her companions and frowned.
“We can introduce ourselves on the way. I think we need to go. Like, right now.”
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Post by moralhazard on Mar 4, 2019 23:00:14 GMT
A truly enormous humanoid walked across the yard towards them. Thea’s eyes widened a little, before she gained control over her face again; she couldn’t help being struck by the stark planes of his skin, the way he looked almost – almost! – like a rock made human. He had to be a goliath. He accepted her offer of help as well; the tabaxi still looked faintly stunned, and Thea wondered what she had missed from the small girl.
… Hurt?
Thea’s eyes widened; a little of the storm still in her heart surged up again, and her hair flared around her head, wild, lashing like a storm. With a sideways glance at the adults ringing the yard, Thea pulled her hood up over her hair, tucking the white strands inside of it. Muted, almost grumpy, the breeze seemed to twist her hair one last time before settling, suppressed for now. Thea swallowed down the anger, the fury she felt at the thought of a little girl lost and hurt and alone in the woods; it wouldn’t help them, not right now.
“Then let’s go,” Thea glanced back over her shoulder at the yard, sureveying the angry, staring parents and still crying children. In the end - she couldn't feel bad about scaring the boy. Perhaps he'd learn from it. After a moment, Thea followed the other two away from the inn.
Once they had a little distance from the growing, growling mob, Thea would speak up again. “… I’m Thea, by the way. Thea Baring,” she glanced between the tabaxi and the goliath. They were certainly an odd trio.
“The boy told me someone asked them to make sure Elora didn’t come back from the woods,” Thea said, quietly, once the introductions were through. The wind in her hair gave one angry, leaping toss, nearly dislodging the hood, and she reached up to hold it in place. “They also said she’s… scary, and a witch. As if that’s a bad thing.” Thea’s nose wrinkled a little at the blatant prejudice, the sour taste of anger in her mouth again.
Could Elora be a sorcerer? Thea couldn’t help wondering. At fourteen, after the shipwreck that had led to her powers, Thea had often been unable to control her new abilities; she had hurt those around her more than once. She’d learned control, but Elora was likely much younger than Thea had been. The breeze drifting through Thea's hair whipped up once more at the thought of having been punished for her lapses; even when she’d actually struck out, had actually hit those caring for her, Thea had only ever been encouraged. Not for the first time, and surely not for the last, she felt a rush of gratitude for Maude, whose fierce protectiveness had surely helped keep Thea safe.
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Arikarka
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Post by Arikarka on Mar 7, 2019 19:23:18 GMT
I believe there was a plan to continue one more round or so of RP before an update. Otherwise, let me know how and when you set out. It is night right now, with a winter storm approaching. Your destination is 3 days journey away, with a well traveled path. The forest is easily gathered of being the Ardeep forest right near Nightstone. Originally I was going to have a single random encounter, but to keep things pacing well I can pass on this unless you all would like the extra random encounter. Let me know! Kestrel Kralle moralhazard
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Kestrel
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Post by Kestrel on Mar 10, 2019 22:40:45 GMT
How could they do that to a kid?
Echo led the way as the three of them left the courtyard and made their way toward the River Gate. Her pace was hurried and, though her anger had lessened a little now that they were away from the caravan, her tail still lashed back and forth behind her and the tabaxi’s eyes were kept firmly on the ground at her feet. How could anyone? Echo paid enough attention to make sure she did not leave her companions behind, but her focus was on the one question that repeated itself in her head. How could you just hurt a little girl like that? The treasure hunter was not dumb, she knew that it happened (a lot more often than it should!) – heck, it happened to her! But she struggled then and she struggled now to find a good answer.
And, honestly? She hoped she never found one.
Exhaling and shaking her head clear, Echo turned at the sound of the stranger’s voice and began to backpedal to keep her pace. She forced a smile.
“Echo in the Valley but, uh, just Echo is good. I like your hair.”
In fact, that same hair again seemed to billow up on its own and almost threw off the pale woman’s hood, but the small talk itself helped ease Echo’s mind. Especially when Thea retold how her own talk with the older kids had gone. The tabaxi sighed. As a thief she knew that street rumors, even the more outlandish ones, were a bit truer when you heard the same thing from a couple of people. Unfortunately, that was probably also true here.
There was little doubt now. Elora was in real trouble.
“Hey, look on the bright side. If she really is a witch, maybe she’ll be able to take care of herself until we find her?”
It was wishful thinking, honestly, but the thought alone was enough to bring a little bit of Echo’s spark back. She only knew a handful of spells herself, but they were pretty dang useful! Having turned back forward the treasure hunter’s ears perked up and she called over her shoulder.
“Oh! How about you, big guy? Did the adults tell you anything else?”
Hopefully how dumb and mean they were, but that was really wishful thinking. That was almost even the worst of it. If…when they got Elora back safe and sound, what then? The adults would hardly change their mind anytime soon, if ever. Bringing the little girl back to them would be as good as killing her, the guard would no doubt be hardly bothered to do anything at all, and Echo would die before she ever brought someone else to an orphanage. There was Bente but…she still remembered what Min had said. Would she be enough to protect Elora? Echo tightened the strap of her pack. They could worry about all that later. First?
They had to find her.
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Arikarka
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Post by Arikarka on Mar 12, 2019 16:17:00 GMT
Let's do the time warp again~!
Time Skip
Also, for my own notes, levels as of the start of this thread are as follows. I also assume you have any and all gear you might have chosen to bring with you
Echo - lvl 3 Nakan - lvl 3 Thea - lvl 4 The three bundled up and started out, venturing through that very night into the cold. Echo, being a creature covered in fur, had no problem withstanding the cold in the beginning. It was like a winter coat, at all times, all over. Nakan too, being a goliath from the Icerim Mountains had little difficulty acclimating to the cold. Thea was the only one shivering right off the bat, even with her coat, because of the cold. An air genasi from the Inner Sea coast did not have to deal with cold temperatures very often. ((DC 10 Con check Thea! If you fail, take one level of exhaustion (disadvantage on all ability checks) )) But after a bit of traveling even Echo had to put on a coat, and Nakan would be more comfortable in a heavy pelt cloak to protect against the wind chill temperatures dropping to well below zero as they went through the storm. A winter storm which was busy blustering and covering the coast with snow, ice, wind, and darkness. In just the hour of walking the cold had started to seep into even the thick fur of a tabaxi. ((DC 10 con save for you too now Kestrel! Thea, make a second save. If you fail, you are at exhaustion 2 - your speed is halved in addition to your level one penalty. Nakan? You're mountain born, you're doing fine - but your allies? Not so much)) It was clear, either they would have to settle down somewhere for the night and wait out the storm, finding a way to get warm… or face a harsh potentially life threatening hike through the cold. The environment overall was one more grasslands and field in nature. But perhaps there could be some sort of rocky collection that could work as a wind barrier, maybe a thick enough collection of trees and shrubs that could be fortified... The ground wasn't perfectly flat, there'd be some natural indents in the ground. Something. Right? Your encounter is environmental in nature! This is a chance to feel out how your characters can problem solve together. You are on the main road leading out of Waterdeep - even in the storm you can still find the obvious road markers to keep on track.
Starting rolls, depending if you wish to try and find a spot to start to shelter down, are survival checks.
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