13/05/2021 Into the Woods. Faust Greyheart
May 15, 2021 8:51:39 GMT
Jamie J, Queen Merla, the Sun-Blessed, and 5 more like this
Post by WillJ on May 15, 2021 8:51:39 GMT
My beloved Margret,
This spring weather has had the most bizarre effect on me, I have been giddy and indeed reckless in this heat. This adventuring life is making me feel 20 years old again. As I sit back in the great hall here in Fort Ettin and look back over the last few days it feels as maybe a spell has been placed on me. It began simply, I sat with Felix for breakfast reminiscing on old adventurers while we awaited the remainder of a team to provide help to a group of refugees. We were joined by a shapeshifting halfling by the name of Laurel who had a pure heart and a penchant for healing the wounded. Wren; deadly with a crossbow and accompanied by both a badger and a fox wearing matching bandanas. Greebo. To my shame (considering the things I've seen in the last few months since arriving in the dawnlands) it hit me for six when this seemingly normal house cat started talking; and might I add quite eloquently and with great manners. So out of sorts I was, that I edged on the side of caution and assumed the badger (Stripes) and fox (Beans) were equally gifted with speech. They were not.
Having been teleported across the lands to Harnash (what does it say that I can now write that as if not an extraordinary event in itself?) we found a set of guides who would take us to one Madam Miriam whom had sent the note requesting aid. Our guides were actually a diverse band of thespians led by the classically trained and impressive Hansel but whose heart and soul clearly sat in the diminutive form of Pip; a baby kobold whose enthusiasm for life endeared him to us all instantly and irrevocably. He took a particular liking to Wren and after an evening of revelry at a campsite where we all showcased our talents and shared in the love of performance I awoke early and saw them teaching young Pip to play safely with Stripes and Beans. It melted my heart to see the patience and care they put into teaching the delightful little rascal.
Arriving at the city of D'Avalon we walked its clean wide streets; every building topped with white marble clouds and musical notes. It was a wonder to behold. Dominated by a huge cathedral the skyline was beautiful and we saw not a single guard as we made our way to Madam Miriam's 'Roost'. Before we reached our destination and as I was explaining why I believe the multiverse to be banana shaped, the whole city went suddenly quiet. Every inhabitant turned to the cathedral and the most invigorating music began to play. For maybe ten minutes the bells chimed, rolled and struck beautiful melodies. A local told us that one Lady Dahlia was the composer and creator of such music and that this occurred pretty frequently throughout the day. Perhaps this is the place I could live out my days if I ever become tired of this new lifestyle I have adopted.
Finding Madam Miriam's cozy cottage we met her in person. Quite an imposing woman she was too. A chicken araakocra who had clearly seen much in her time. Fiercly protective of her charges, she threatened our lives if we didn't protect young Louie, Touie and Hughie. We were to escort and assist them in providing aid to the Pholian people who had recently been attacked by Corpse Flowers. Now I never found out what a corpse flower was, but my command of this language allows me to make the assumption that being attacked by them would not be pleasant... The three hummingbird boys were marshalled by Greebo who critically examined their mixed attempts at packing for an adventurer. Only one of the three had packed a towel and we concluded they had never read 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Multiverse'.
Meeting a wagoner who held the supplies we would be delivering we set off. Having offered to turn themselves into a horse and help pull but having no spare hitches, Laurel settled for talking to the existing horses on route. Clearly a fan of nature they seem a peaceful and kind soul. Arriving at our destination after only a few hours we beheld a small village of thatched orbs. The Pholian people, apparently used to dwelling high in the trees had rebuilt their homes on the ground but kept the style and practicalities of life in the trees. The Pholians were a species I had not come across previously but appear at least outwardly to be larger, highly intelligent variant of the pangolins that live in the forest to the south of the Greycloak mountains. Although their common was stilted, we identified they were grateful for the aid and that the corpse flowers were the least of their worries. They talked of a 'Wolf King' but could not give us much more detail. Over the next few days we kept a careful watch while helping out around the village. I busied myself unloading the wagon and encouraging the boys to assist me. Well intentioned they worked hard but became distracted easily. Laurel spent their days healing and teaching some basic medicinal skills to the Pholians and Wren disappeared each morning into the surrounding trees to help them identify a new location where they could once again live elevated in the canopy. I'm not certain what Greebo and Felix did with their days but they were often deep in conversation with Etta, the leader of the village and I saw Greebo curled up in the sun more than once.
On the third evening Greebo and I were standing guard when wolves struck as if from out of nowhere. Large wolves, fierce and deadly. I was once again glad to have this team at my side. Not only could Wren land a crossbow bolt with deadly precision but they also had access to magics that created a large crocodile to fight alongside us. Felix and I stood back to back, our comparatively weak magics bolstering the team but having limited effect on our aggressors. Greebo turns out to be a powerful mage; summoning a shadowy facsimile of the hounds attacking us and throwing powerful blasts of energy from his tiny form. Laurel, I believe, was the one to save us. Placating our aggressors and speaking in some lupine tongue they convinced the nearest wolves to cease fighting and move away. That respite lasted only a short while however before the largest wolf I have ever laid eyes on appeared in the clearing. The ground shaking at its footsteps and the air darkening with its growls. Seeing it eye the villagers with hunger a rage overcame me. Rolling my copy of the Kantas Gazette I charged forward recklessly yelling angrily at it. Intent on striking it on the nose, a trick I had learned with domesticated dogs, I was so incensed by the threat it posed to these innocents that I forgot how hopelessly outmatched I was. This 'Wolf King' seemed momentarily perplexed by my rage and aggression and backed away. Continuing to stride after him my newspaper remained unused as the King was swiftly brought down by the remainder of the team.
Returning to Madam Miriam with three tired but safe young aarokocra she thanked us and gave Felix a wicked looking axe. A hangover from her adventuring days; I immediately reassessed this woman and made a mental note not to do anything that would bring her to violence. The weapon was certainly infernal in make and if I correctly identified its purpose it traps the souls of those it slays within the Hells. I can only hope that Felix wields it responsibly. Few deserve such a fate.
I remain yours, always.
This spring weather has had the most bizarre effect on me, I have been giddy and indeed reckless in this heat. This adventuring life is making me feel 20 years old again. As I sit back in the great hall here in Fort Ettin and look back over the last few days it feels as maybe a spell has been placed on me. It began simply, I sat with Felix for breakfast reminiscing on old adventurers while we awaited the remainder of a team to provide help to a group of refugees. We were joined by a shapeshifting halfling by the name of Laurel who had a pure heart and a penchant for healing the wounded. Wren; deadly with a crossbow and accompanied by both a badger and a fox wearing matching bandanas. Greebo. To my shame (considering the things I've seen in the last few months since arriving in the dawnlands) it hit me for six when this seemingly normal house cat started talking; and might I add quite eloquently and with great manners. So out of sorts I was, that I edged on the side of caution and assumed the badger (Stripes) and fox (Beans) were equally gifted with speech. They were not.
Having been teleported across the lands to Harnash (what does it say that I can now write that as if not an extraordinary event in itself?) we found a set of guides who would take us to one Madam Miriam whom had sent the note requesting aid. Our guides were actually a diverse band of thespians led by the classically trained and impressive Hansel but whose heart and soul clearly sat in the diminutive form of Pip; a baby kobold whose enthusiasm for life endeared him to us all instantly and irrevocably. He took a particular liking to Wren and after an evening of revelry at a campsite where we all showcased our talents and shared in the love of performance I awoke early and saw them teaching young Pip to play safely with Stripes and Beans. It melted my heart to see the patience and care they put into teaching the delightful little rascal.
Arriving at the city of D'Avalon we walked its clean wide streets; every building topped with white marble clouds and musical notes. It was a wonder to behold. Dominated by a huge cathedral the skyline was beautiful and we saw not a single guard as we made our way to Madam Miriam's 'Roost'. Before we reached our destination and as I was explaining why I believe the multiverse to be banana shaped, the whole city went suddenly quiet. Every inhabitant turned to the cathedral and the most invigorating music began to play. For maybe ten minutes the bells chimed, rolled and struck beautiful melodies. A local told us that one Lady Dahlia was the composer and creator of such music and that this occurred pretty frequently throughout the day. Perhaps this is the place I could live out my days if I ever become tired of this new lifestyle I have adopted.
Finding Madam Miriam's cozy cottage we met her in person. Quite an imposing woman she was too. A chicken araakocra who had clearly seen much in her time. Fiercly protective of her charges, she threatened our lives if we didn't protect young Louie, Touie and Hughie. We were to escort and assist them in providing aid to the Pholian people who had recently been attacked by Corpse Flowers. Now I never found out what a corpse flower was, but my command of this language allows me to make the assumption that being attacked by them would not be pleasant... The three hummingbird boys were marshalled by Greebo who critically examined their mixed attempts at packing for an adventurer. Only one of the three had packed a towel and we concluded they had never read 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Multiverse'.
Meeting a wagoner who held the supplies we would be delivering we set off. Having offered to turn themselves into a horse and help pull but having no spare hitches, Laurel settled for talking to the existing horses on route. Clearly a fan of nature they seem a peaceful and kind soul. Arriving at our destination after only a few hours we beheld a small village of thatched orbs. The Pholian people, apparently used to dwelling high in the trees had rebuilt their homes on the ground but kept the style and practicalities of life in the trees. The Pholians were a species I had not come across previously but appear at least outwardly to be larger, highly intelligent variant of the pangolins that live in the forest to the south of the Greycloak mountains. Although their common was stilted, we identified they were grateful for the aid and that the corpse flowers were the least of their worries. They talked of a 'Wolf King' but could not give us much more detail. Over the next few days we kept a careful watch while helping out around the village. I busied myself unloading the wagon and encouraging the boys to assist me. Well intentioned they worked hard but became distracted easily. Laurel spent their days healing and teaching some basic medicinal skills to the Pholians and Wren disappeared each morning into the surrounding trees to help them identify a new location where they could once again live elevated in the canopy. I'm not certain what Greebo and Felix did with their days but they were often deep in conversation with Etta, the leader of the village and I saw Greebo curled up in the sun more than once.
On the third evening Greebo and I were standing guard when wolves struck as if from out of nowhere. Large wolves, fierce and deadly. I was once again glad to have this team at my side. Not only could Wren land a crossbow bolt with deadly precision but they also had access to magics that created a large crocodile to fight alongside us. Felix and I stood back to back, our comparatively weak magics bolstering the team but having limited effect on our aggressors. Greebo turns out to be a powerful mage; summoning a shadowy facsimile of the hounds attacking us and throwing powerful blasts of energy from his tiny form. Laurel, I believe, was the one to save us. Placating our aggressors and speaking in some lupine tongue they convinced the nearest wolves to cease fighting and move away. That respite lasted only a short while however before the largest wolf I have ever laid eyes on appeared in the clearing. The ground shaking at its footsteps and the air darkening with its growls. Seeing it eye the villagers with hunger a rage overcame me. Rolling my copy of the Kantas Gazette I charged forward recklessly yelling angrily at it. Intent on striking it on the nose, a trick I had learned with domesticated dogs, I was so incensed by the threat it posed to these innocents that I forgot how hopelessly outmatched I was. This 'Wolf King' seemed momentarily perplexed by my rage and aggression and backed away. Continuing to stride after him my newspaper remained unused as the King was swiftly brought down by the remainder of the team.
Returning to Madam Miriam with three tired but safe young aarokocra she thanked us and gave Felix a wicked looking axe. A hangover from her adventuring days; I immediately reassessed this woman and made a mental note not to do anything that would bring her to violence. The weapon was certainly infernal in make and if I correctly identified its purpose it traps the souls of those it slays within the Hells. I can only hope that Felix wields it responsibly. Few deserve such a fate.
I remain yours, always.
